The Biology of the Northern Brown Bandicoot, Isoodon-Macrourus (Marsupialia, Peramelidae) at Mitchell Plateau, Western-Australia

1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kemper ◽  
DJ Kitchener ◽  
WF Humphreys ◽  
RA How ◽  
LH Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Overall Ratio

Breeding, population dynamics and seasonal changes in physical and physiological parameters were examined in Isoodon macrourus at the Mitchell Plateau between September 1981 and November 1982. Females gave birth to litters of 2.5 � 1.0 (16) young between September and April. They produced up to three litters in a breeding season with an average interval between successive litters of 89.5 (51-108) days. Adult testosterone levels and scrota1 size began to increase in July and peaked in September 1982. The overall ratio of adult males to adult females was 1:0.54; it was 1:0.80 for pouch young. Females were more frequently trapped on sequential trips than were males. Density on the grids increased towards the end of the dry season (July and September 1982)-mostly as a result of increased numbers of females. Adult males and females moving onto the grids during the dry season tended to select different habitats. Adult males moved significantly more in the wet season (September 1981, January and April) than they did in the dry season (July and September 1982); they also moved significantly more than adult females in the wet season. Seasonal variations were recorded for most physical and physiological parameters. During the wet period from September 1981 to January 1982, body weight, haemoglobin, haematocrit and total plasma albumin declined, while total white blood cells and proportion of lymphocytes to granular leucocytes rose. This indicated that this period was one of change in condition for this species. Compared to adult females, adult males were larger and heavier, had higher values of haematocrit and lymphocytes, and lower values of granular leucocytes, free steroids, CBGBd and albumin bound corticosteroid. There was considerable between-year variability in condition of individuals and both sexes differed significantly in September 1981 and 1982 in their weight, haematocrit, total white blood cells, granular leucocytes, MCBC and testosterone. Individuals at disparate localities at the Mitchell Plateau showed similar seasonal physiological and physical responses, except for one grid where they were heavier.

On-farm performance of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle 1. Herd structures and cattle disposal

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. O. Rege ◽  
R. R. von Kaufmann ◽  
R. I. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Arable Farming ◽  
Herd Structure ◽  
Milk Market

AbstractA study urns conducted to examine herd structures and cattle disposal patterns of Bunaji herds kept under traditional management at four locations in the subhumid zone of Nigeria. Sale for meat was the single most important disposal reason, accounting for proportionately 0·55 of all disposals. Mean age of cattle sold for meat was 8 years but the age range was wide: animals as old as 17·4 years were involved in such sales. Male animals were sold at a younger age (6·2 years) than females (9·3 years). Sale of calves was an important exit avenue for rural herds with less access to milk market. Calves were sold at a mean age of 1·1 years and male calves accounted for a larger proportion (0·62) of such sales. Animal sales were highest in the early dry season and lowest in the early wet season. The predominantly arable farming location, Ganawuri, had the highest frequency of animal sales and lowest frequency of exits for ‘social functions’ (exchanges, transfers and gifts). Animal transfers, gifts and exchanges were important disposal routes in the traditionally pastoral communities, especially in locations with good grazing (e.g. Abet). Exits involving exchanges, transfers and gifts were more frequent during the dry season and least frequent in the wet season. An average herd had 77 head of cattle composed proportionately of 0·54 adult females (>3 years), 0·13 adult males (>3 years), 0·08 young bulls (1 to 3 years), 0·13 heifers (1 to 3 years) and 0·11 calves (0 to 1 year). There was a tendency toward smaller herds in later years (97 in 1980 to 51 in 1989) and a decrease in the ratio of adult females to males (from 6:1 in 1980 to 3:1 in 1989). Substantial between-location differences existed in herd size ami herd structure, ranging from the ‘beef orientation’ of the arable Ganawuri with a high proportion of immatures and calves, to the pastoral situation in Abet and Kurmin Biri with high proportion of adult animals. The proportions of adults were lowest in the early dry season, reflecting seasonal pattern in disposal and calving. The pattern in disposal reasons over time indicated a decrease in the proportion of animals exiting herds through exchanges, transfers and gifts and signified a possible shift from tradition, probably a response to population pressures and emergence of cash economies.

Reproduction in the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) in the Australian Wet Tropics

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Vernes ◽  
Lisa Claire Pope
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Timing Of Reproduction ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Wet Tropics ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Tropics

We investigated timing of reproduction in a wild population of northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in the Australian Wet Tropics. Almost all births occurred during the late dry season and early wet season, and most adult females (78–96%) were carrying pouch young during those times. Litter sizes ranged from 1 to 6 pouch young (mean = 3.1) and was not influenced by season. Adult males had significantly larger testes in the late dry and early wet seasons, corresponding with the peak in births. Daylength was the only environmental factor that predicted the presence of a litter; when daylength exceeded 12 h, more than 70% of captured females were carrying pouch young, and most (94%) births were estimated to have occurred on days with >12 h of daylight. Various environmental factors have been proposed as a cue for breeding in I. macrourus, with daylength though to be the primary cue initiating breeding in temperate Australia, but temperature and rainfall thought to be more important in the tropics. Our data suggest that in the Australian Wet Tropics, increasing daylength in the late dry season acts as the primary cue for breeding.

scholarly journals Timing of emergence and cave return, and duration of nocturnal activity in an endemic Malagasy fruit bat

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riana V. Ramanantsalama ◽  
Steven M. Goodman
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Nocturnal Activity ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Fruit Bat ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Narrow Passage ◽  
Age And Sex

Bats emerge from their day roost after dusk and different factors can affect the timing of departure, return, and duration of nocturnal activities. This study provides information on the time of emergence and return of an endemic Malagasy fruit bat, Rousettus madagascariensis, in a cave located in the Réserve Spéciale d’Ankarana, northern Madagascar. Individuals were captured in a narrow passage between the roost and cave exit and capture time for each individual was noted. Variation according to sex, age, and body condition, as well as the influence of season, and the sunset and sunrise time were analyzed. During the dry season, individuals started to emerge at 1913 hours and returned to the cave generally by 0505 hours; the duration of time outside the cave during the dry season was higher in adult females (0952 hours) followed by subadult males (0937 hours), sub-adult females (0931 hours), and adult males (0910 hours). During the wet season, individuals exited at 1926 hours and returned at 0351 hours; as in the dry season, adult females spent more time outside the cave (0833 hours), than sub-adult females (0800 hours), and adult males (0752 hours). The period of emergence varied according to the age and sex classes, and time of predawn return associated with the previous nocturnal activity. The period of return was influenced by season, and age and sex classes. Such information is useful to quantify shifts in bat ecology, especially for endemic species with limited distribution or those playing an important role in ecosystem services.

Exposure of Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks to lead in western Alaska

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L. Flint ◽  
Margaret R. Petersen ◽  
J. Barry Grand
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lead ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Lead Levels

Lead poisoning, resulting from ingestion of spent shot, has been identified as a cause of mortality in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. We examined lead-exposure rates of adult and juvenile Spectacled Eiders and other diving ducks, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry of blood samples. Additionally, we X-rayed birds in the field to identify ingested shot. We detected shot in the gizzards of 11.6% of Spectacled Eiders X-rayed. During the period from arrival through incubation, 13.0% of adult females and 6.6% of adult males had elevated blood lead levels when captured. During the brood-rearing period, 35.8% of adult females and 12.2% of ducklings were exposed to lead when captured. There was an increase in the probability of exposure of adult females with date sampled. We predict that 50% of the successfully breeding hens were likely exposed to lead, and 25–37% of the Spectacled Eider breeding population was exposed to lead. The long-term effects of sublethal doses on Spectacled Eiders are unknown; however, exposure of nesting females and young birds to lead may result in reduced over-winter survival and (or) reduced fecundity.

Seasonal variations in the fat content and size of Glossina swynnertoni Austen.

1961 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 705-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Glasgow ◽  
E. Bursell
Keyword(s):  
Time Lag ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Progressive Decrease ◽  
Causal Interpretation ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Pupal Development ◽  
Saturation Deficit ◽  
Glossina Swynnertoni

A population of Glossina swynnertoni Aust., at Shinyanga, Tanganyika, has been studied in respect of size and fat content of non-teneral males by monthly samples over a period of 13 years.Flies are large from February to July and small from August to January, and this change in size suggests an effect of the wet season (December to May) and dry season (June to November) upon the parent females, allowing for the time-lag of two months representing pupal development and mean age of adult males at capture. Male flies have more fat in the rains and less in the dry season and it is possible that similar changes in the nutritional status of females are responsible for the observed size changes.The correlation found in earlier work between the size of male flies in any month and saturation deficit two months earlier is confirmed, but reasons are given for rejecting a simple causal interpretation of this correlation.Since 1951, there has been a progressive decrease in size of G. swynnertoni in the area studied, more especially as regards those produced in the dry season.

scholarly journals Silage quality, growth performance and haematology of West African dwarf goats fed Moringa oleifera leaves ensiled with cassava peels

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-190
Author(s):  
S. M. Odeyinka ◽  
T. O. Abegunde ◽  
M. O. Ofoegbu ◽  
O. J. Apanisile
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Moringa Oleifera ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
West African ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Moringa Oleifera Leaves ◽  
Cassava Peels

Forage scarcity in the dry season is challenging for ruminant production in the tropics. The utilization of browse species, particularly as silage can bridge this gap. In this study, the potentials of Moringa oleifera leaves ensiled with varying levels of cassava peels as dry season feed for West African dwarf (WAD) goats were assessed. Different mixtures of Moringa oleifera leaves and cassava peels were ensiled and designated as follows: T1= 100% Moringa, T2= 60% Moringa + 40% Cassava peels, T3= 40% Moringa + 60% Cassava peels, T4= 50% Moringa + 50% Cassava peels, T5= 100% Cassava peels. Chemical composition and silage characteristics were investigated. Twenty five WAD goats with average body weights of 6.02±0.71 kg were used in the growth study that lasted 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the goats through the jugular vein for haematological status at the beginning and end of the experiment. Chemical composition of the silage diets showed that it contained 27.79 – 36.26 % dry matter (DM), 7.45 – 22.25 % crude protein (CP), 8.92 – 16.45 % crude fibre (CF), 2.55 – 7.01 % ether extract (EE), 6.10 – 10.08 % ash content, 42.40 - 68.14 % Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE). Appearance, odour and texture of the silage had acceptable physical attributes with pH values ranging from 3.53 – 5.80. Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by diets while Average daily weight gain (ADWG) was significantly improved in T3 (40% M. oleifera + 60% cassava peels) than in others. White blood cells (WBC) ranged from 5.88 x109/L in T2 to 13.77 x109/L in T4. Red blood Cells (RBC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV %) were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by diets. It was concluded that Moringa oleifera leaves and cassava peels silage with 40% Moringa oleifera as additive elicited the best performance indices in WAD goats fed diets consisting of mixtures of Moringa oleifera leaves and cassava peels ensiled together in graded levels or alone and did not affect animals negatively in terms of their haematological components.     Moringa, T2= 60% Moringa + 40% Pelures de manioc, T3= 40% Moringa + 60% Pelures de manioc, T4= 50% Moringa + 50% Pelures de manioc, T5= 100% Pelures de manioc. Des caractéristiques chimiques de composition et d'ensilage ont été étudiées. Vingt-cinq chèvres 'WAD' avec un poids corporel moyen de 6,02±0,71 kg ont été utilisées dans l'étude de croissance qui a duré 12 semaines. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés sur les chèvres par la veine jugulaire pour le statut hématologique au début et à la fin de l'expérience. La composition chimique des régimes d'ensilage a montré qu'elle contenait 27.79 – 36,26 % de matière sèche (DM), 7.45 à 22.25 % de protéines brutes (CP), 8.45 à 22.25 % de protéines brutes (le 'CP'), 8.45 92 – 16.45 % de fibres brutes (le 'CF'), 2.55 à 7.01 % d'extrait d'éther (le 'EE'), 6.10 à 10.08 % de cendres, 42.40 - 68.14 % Extrait sans azote (le 'NFE'). L'apparence, l'odeur et la texture de l'ensilage avaient des attributs physiques acceptables avec des valeurs de pH allant de 3.53 à 5.80. L'apport quotidien moyen en aliments (le 'ADFI') et le ratio de conversion des aliments pour animaux (le 'FCR') n'ont pas été significativement (P<0.05) affectés par les régimes alimentaires, tandis que le gain quotidien moyen de poids (le 'ADWG') a été sensiblement amélioré en T3 (40 % M. oleifera + 60 % de pelures de manioc) que dans d'autres. Les globules blancs (le 'WBC') allaient de 5,88 x109/L en T2 à 13.77 x109/L en T4. Les globules rouges (le 'RBC') et volume de cellules emballées (le 'PCV' %) n'ont pas été significativement (P<0.05) affectés par les régimes. On a conclu que les feuilles de Moringaoleifera et l'ensilage des pelures de manioc avec 40 % de Moringaoleifera comme additif ont obtenu les meilleurs indices de performance chez les chèvres WAD nourries à des régimes composés de mélanges de feuilles de Moringaoleifera et de pelures de manioc ensilées ensemble ou seuls et n'affectaient pas négativement les animaux en termes de composantes hématologiques.

scholarly journals Some endocrine traits of transgenic rabbits. I. Changes in plasma and milk hormones

2008 ◽  
pp. 735-744
Author(s):  
AV Sirotkin ◽  
P Chrenek ◽  
J Rafay ◽  
R Omelka ◽  
H Vetr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Plasma ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Transgenic Animals ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Young Females ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Transgenic Rabbits ◽  
Human Factor Viii ◽  
Igf I

The aim of these studies was to compare some endocrine and non-endocrine characteristics of transgenic (carrying mammary gland-specific mWAP-hFVIII gene construct) and non-transgenic rabbits. The concentrations of corticosterone, progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and human factor VIII (hFVIII) in the blood plasma of adult females (9 months of age, 3rd generation transgenic animals), adult males, and young females (1-2 months of age, 4th generation of transgenic animals), as well as in the milk of lactating adult females, were analyzed by using RIA. In addition, litter size and body mass of pups born by transgenic and non-transgenic females from the 3rd generation were compared. Transgenic animals were compared with their non-transgenic siblings (the same genetic and epigenetic background). Transgenesis did not influence plasma hFVIII, but significantly increased corticosterone (in all animals), reduced IGF-I (in adult males and females), testosterone and estradiol, (in young females) and altered progesterone (increase in adult males and decrease in adult females) concentrations in blood plasma. In addition, transgenic females had higher milk concentrations of testosterone, but not progesterone or IGF-I than their nontransgenic sisters. These endocrine changes were not associated with changes in litter size. Transgenic male (but not female) pups have smaller body mass than control animals. These observations demonstrate the influence of transgenesis per se on the animal growth and endocrine system (secretion of reproductive and stress steroid hormones as well as growth factors) over four generations.

scholarly journals Effects of water pH on physiological parameters and color changes of Asian Bumblebee Catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis Regan, 1913)

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
pp. 78-87
Author(s):  
Tuan V. Vo
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cells ◽  
Color Change ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Physiological Parameters ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Cumulative Mortality ◽  
Color Changes ◽  
Water Ph ◽  
Mortality Ratio ◽  
Set Up

Effects of water pH on blood physiological parameters and color change of Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis) (4 – 6 g/fish) were carried out in laboratory condition. The experiment was set up in 8 weeks at different pH water levels (pH = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11). The results have shown that the cumulative mortality ratio of Asian bumblebee catfish at the end of 24 h challenge was 100% at pH = 11, 70.83% at pH = 10, and 62.5% at pH = 3. No mortality of fish was observed at pH = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 after 24 h of the challenge. The lowest and highest pH threshold that killed 50% of fish after 24 h of the challenge were 3.04 and 9.95, respectively. After 24 h of the challenge, total number of red and white blood cells of fish increased at pH = 3, 9, 10, and get the highest level at pH = 3 (1.87 × 106 cells/mm3 and 1.59 × 105 cells/mm3, respectively. At the end of the challenge, highest number of red and white blood cells were observed at pH = 8 (2 ± 0.23 × 106 cells/mm3 and 1.27 ± 0.26 × 105 cells/mm3, respectively). Fish were in bright and beautiful color when cultured in high pH water levels.

scholarly journals Life in a harsh environment: the effects of age, sex, reproductive condition, and season on hair cortisol concentration in a wild non-human primate

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9365
Author(s):  
Paul A. Garber ◽  
Anna McKenney ◽  
Evelyn Bartling-John ◽  
Júlio César Bicca-Marques ◽  
María Fernanda De la Fuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Season ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Northeastern Brazil ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Common Marmosets ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Juvenile Mortality ◽  
Adult Females

Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) provides a long-term retrospective measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity, and is increasingly used to assess the life history, health and ecology of wild mammals. Given that sex, age, season and pregnancy influence HCC, and that it may indicate ongoing stress, we examined HCC in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) naturally inhabiting a hot and dry semi-desert like habitat, Caatinga, in northeastern Brazil. We trapped, measured, weighed, marked and collected shaved hair from the back of the neck of 61 wild marmosets during the wet and dry seasons. Using enzyme immunoassay, we found that HCC was higher in the dry season compared with the wet season among all age/sex classes. Females had significantly higher HCC than males, juveniles had higher HCC than adults, and reproductively active adult females and non-pregnant/non lactating adult females did not differ in HCC. There were no interaction effects of sex, age, group, or season on HCC. The magnitude of the effect of this extremely hot and dry environment (average yearly rainfall was only 271 mm) on HCC in common marmosets is difficult to ascertain as these animals are also experiencing a variety of other stressors. However, the elevated HCC seen in common marmosets during the 5–8 month dry season, suggests these primates face an extended period of heat, water and possibly nutritional stress, which appears to result in a high rate of juvenile mortality.

scholarly journals Prevalence of 3.7 and 4.2 Deletions in Sudanese Patients with Red Cells Hypochromia and Microcytosis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussam Ali Osman ◽  
Muzamil Mahdi Abdel Hamid ◽  
Rahimah Binti Ahmad ◽  
Mohamed Saleem ◽  
Sana Altahir Abdallah
Keyword(s):  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Genetic Disorder ◽  
Haemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Globin Genes ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Mean Cell Volume ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Alpha Thalassemia ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective: Alpha-thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by deletions of one or more α globin genes that result in deficient of α globin chains reducing haemoglobin concentration. The study aimed to screen 97 patients with microcytosis and hypochromasia for the 3.7 and 4.2 alpha thalassemia deletion mutations. Results: Out of 97 patients screened, only 7 were carriers for the 3.7 deletion and all patients were negative for the 4.2 deletion. The 3.7 deletion was found in Foor, Hawsa and Rezagat Sudanese tribes. In the carriers of the 3.7 deletion, Red Blood Cells and Haematocrit were significantly increased. The Red Blood Cells were 7.23±0.78×10 12 /L in adult males and 7.21±0.67×10 12 /L in adult females while in children were 5.07±0.87×10 12 /L. The mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin were significantly decreased, but the mean cell haemoglobin concentration slightly decreased. Haemoglobin levels didn’t revealed statistically significant decrease in adult males (11.7±0.57 g/dL) and adult females (11.25±0.64 g/dL), while in children were (11.6±2.95 g/dl). Haemoglobin electrophoresis revealed two patients of the 3.7 and 4.2 negative were carriers for b-thalassemia. The study concluded that α 3.7 deletion has frequency of 0.07 in Sudanese with hypochromasia and microcytosis.

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