Draft Genome Sequence of a Novel Mycoplasma Species Identified from the Respiratory Tract of an Alaska Moose (Alces alces gigas)

ABSTRACT The mycoplasmas represent a large and diverse group of bacteria, many of which are pathogens of humans and animals. Here, we describe a draft genome sequence of a novel Mycoplasma species. This novel Mycoplasma species has potential to cause false-positive PCR results for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, a respiratory-associated pathogen of ruminants.

Scent marking by Alaskan moose: characteristics and spatial distribution of rubbed trees

We studied scent marking (rubbing of trees) in Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) in interior Alaska during 1989. Pole-sized trees were stripped of bark and rubbed by adult female and adult male moose; marking by females occurred during the peak of rut (late September – early October) when most females were in estrus, whereas marking by males was in late rut (mid-October – November). Moose selected white spruce (Picea glauca) as well as trees with particular physical characteristics for marking. The tops of 18.5% of 54 trees marked by moose were dead, whereas only 0.5% of 201 trees available for marking had dead tops. The distribution of scent-marked trees on rutting grounds was not spatially clumped. We hypothesize that rubbing of trees by females advertises their estrus, and that rubbing by males late in rut serves to attract females not successfully bred early in rut and may help prime estrus in these females.

Characteristics of moose lactation and neonatal growth

Milk composition, neonatal milk intake, and growth of captive, maternally raised, singleton moose calves (Alces alces gigas) were measured during the first 4 months post partum. Milk intake rose to a peak of 4760 ± 1017 g/day at day 23 and then decreased with increasing calf age. Milk fat and crude protein levels declined until the time of peak milk output, and then increased. Ash content remained relatively constant whereas carbohydrate content diminished as lactation progressed. At peak output, milk averaged 20.5 ± 1.5% dry matter, 7.9 ± 1.5% fat, 7.2 ± 0.4% protein, 1.4 ± 0.1% ash, 3.7 ± 0.2% carbohydrate, and 1.29 ± 0.13 kcal/g wet mass (1 kcal = 4.18 kJ). The growth rates of maternally raised calves during the first 30 days (785 ± 115 g/day) were higher than those reported for bottle-raised calves.

Late-winter activity patterns of moose (Alces alces gigas) in western Alaska

Activity patterns of free-ranging moose (Alces alces gigas) on the central Seward Peninsula were polyphasic but not highly synchronized among individuals from March through May 1987. Female–calf pairs, however, showed nearly identical activity patterns (92.6% of 2353 five-minute scans). Based on data collected between 06:00 and 24:00, we estimate that moose exhibit ~5 or 6 active bouts per 24-h period. Our direct observations of moose (980 moose-h) showed that moose were active 57.2% of the time from 06:00 to 24:00. Inactive bouts lasted ~2.5 times longer than active bouts. Calves tended to lie for longer [Formula: see text] than adult females (143.1 ± 15.5 min) or males (109.0 ± 17.9 min). Time budgets for moose in late winter were intermediate between values reported in previous studies for moose in midwinter and late spring. Our data showed that moose spend much more time walking (8%) than previously reported. We think this reflects their use of the snow-packed river and gravel bars as movement and feeding corridors. Direct observations of moose showed that many active and inactive bouts were less than 10 min in duration; these bouts are not detected by most telemetric systems. We also present evidence that without predation in winter, ambient conditions (e.g., operative temperature) may cause synchrony in the activity patterns of individual moose in northwestern Alaska.

Alaskan moose measurements and weights and measurement–weight relationships

A total of 1329 Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) were measured for total length, 1340 for chest girth, 1317 for hind foot, 618 for shoulder height, and 1219 for ear length. Five hundred and four moose were weighed. These data were classified by sex, age, month sampled, and location. Growth rates were plotted and discussed. No morphometric differences were detected by sex and location classifications up to age 36 months. Location differences were detected which corresponded to general condition, productivity, and condition related blood parameters of the populations. Seasonal weight patterns demonstrated increases from 21 to 55% from spring to late fall. Measurements, particularly total lengths, were better indicators of growth rate than were weights. All body measurements were significantly correlated with weight: total length, r (correlation coefficient) = 0.94; chest girth, r = 0.90; shoulder height, r = 0.87; and hind foot, r = 0.81. Combined sex regression equations were derived because the slight differences between the male and female regression lines were unimportant in field application. These regression equations were as follows: weight (kilograms) = −239.7 + 2.07(total length); weight (kilograms) = −245.3 + 3.14(chest girth).

Serum corticoid levels relative to handling stress in Alaskan moose

Blood serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroids were compared to visual evaluation of handling stress in Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC). Moose were evaluated for handling excitability before and during handling when trapped, and were graded on a scale from 1 (not excited) to 5 (highly excited). There were significant differences in corticosteroid levels (a = 0.1) between each class comparison, except between classes 4 and 5, suggesting that this analysis provided a means to classify and compare other blood chemistry values from similarly stressed moose. Other factors may influence the 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels, but handling stress had an overwhelming influence. Other methods to evaluate handling stress, such as body temperature, should also be considered, but when not feasible this method may be utilized.