bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular identification of gut lactic acid bacteria in pigs by macro-arraying techniques
Authors: Thanantong N. , Wattanakul W. , Hillman K. , Edwards S. , Sparagano O.
Published: June 2019

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) consist of many genera, which contain numerous bacterial species. The LAB are Gram-positive, non-spore forming micro-organisms and typically give negative results to the catalase test (Stiles and Holzapfel, 1997). The current classification of LAB combines both phenotypic properties and genotypic examination. Phenotypic studies use the cell wall compositions (mainly for Bifidobacteria), protein fingerprinting which analyse the total soluble cytoplasmic proteins, and the patterns of certain isoenzymes. The gold-standard molecular method to identify LAB is DNA-DNA homology analysis, and molecular methods using specific genetic material patterns of LAB are increasingly being applied as an identification tool. The objective of this study was to develop potential specific oligonucleotide probes for the macro-array identification of LAB.
The effect of litter origin upon the structure of the small intestine of piglets at weaning
Authors: Carroll S. M. , Miller H. M.
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine whether litter origin had an effect upon the structure of the small intestine in newly weaned piglets. The gut of the newly weaned piglet undergoes significant structural changes such as a decrease in villus height and an increase in crypt depth following commercial weaning. Litter origin has been shown to influence piglet performance immediately post weaning (Slade and Miller, 1999) and to have a significant influence upon blood metabolite concentrations in the newborn piglet (Ilsley and Miller, 2003). Litter origin therefore may also influence the structure of the small intestine in the piglet, which in turn would affect the experimental sampling strategies used in trials investigating effects on gut structure. This study was carried out to test the null hypothesis that litter origin would not have an effect upon the structure of the small intestine in the newly weaned piglet.
The effect of cereal type and exogenous enzyme supplementation on nutrient digestibility, intestinal microflora, volatile fatty acid concentration and manure ammonia emission from pigs
Authors: O’Connell J. M. , Sweeney T. , Callan J. J. , Byrne C. , O’Doherty J. V.
Published: June 2019

Ammonia and volatile fatty acids are significant sources of pollution. In wheat, xylans predominate as the primary non-starch polysaccharide while in barley β-glucan predominates. β-glucans have also been shown to support the growth of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. By increasing bacterial activity in the hindgut, the pattern of nitrogen excretion and VFA production may be augmented. Exogenous enzymes may increase nutrient digestibility by degrading the β-glucan. It is hypothesised that the addition of an exogenous enzyme mix to a barley-based diet would result in a benefit in terms of increased nutrient digestibility however; this benefit may be reduced by an associated increase in ammonia emissions.
Effect of slaughter weight on slaughter value and meat quality of fattening pigs
Authors: Migdał W. , Gardzińska A. , Paściak P. , Wojtysiak D. , Ratych I.
Published: June 2019

Fattening and slaughter value of fattening pigs and the dietetic properties of pork depend, among others, on sex, breed, crossbreeding scheme, and age and body weight at slaughter (Weatherupet al.1997). The degree of carcass meatiness and meat quality depend largely on the breed of the crossed boars (Davey and Bereskin, 1978). The aim of the present experiment was to analyse the effect of crossbreeding, slaughter weight and feeding on the slaughter value and meat quality of fattening pigs.
Gas production technique in the evaluation of horse feeds using equine faeces and rumen liquid as inoculum source 1. Fermentation kinetics
Authors: Furtado C. E. , Vitti D. M. S. S. , Bueno I. C. S. , Roque A. P. , Nozella E. F. , Minho A. P. , Abdalla A. L.
Published: June 2019

The in vitro gas production is a widely used technique for the evaluation of feeds for ruminant animals. Although it measures rate and extension of gas production during feed fermentation in culture medium, rumen inoculum from operated animals (fistulae) is required. Faecal microorganisms function similarly to those in the rumen; they decompose feed and do not require operated animals. The objective of the present experiment was to compare rumen liquor and equine faeces as source of inoculum in the gas production technique.
Effect of drying and urea treatments on tannins levels in browses from North-East Brazil
Authors: Nozella E. F. , Filho S. L. S. Cabral , Bueno I. C. S. , Godoy P. B. , Longo C. , Abdalla A. L. , Vitti D. M. S. S.
Published: June 2019

Some herbaceous browses have shown a dry tolerance and had been used as animal feed. However, some of those plants have anti nutritional compounds such as tannins that can interfere on intake and digestibility. Tannins are polyphenolic compounds originated from the secondary metabolism of the plant as protection against insects, birds and as a result of drought, temperature or soil fertility. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the level and variation of tannins in important browses from the semi-arid of Brazil and to investigate the effects of different treatments (oven-, shade- and sun-drying and treatment with urea) on phenolics compounds.
Comparing biological and linear models to estimate milk yields and lactation curve parameters
Authors: Albarran-Portillo B. , Pollott G. E.
Published: June 2019

The genetic evaluation of dairy cows is based primarily on milk production and its constituents. Many models have been developed and evaluated in order to estimate total milk yield (CTMY) and other characteristics of lactation curves. Frequently, the models are based on complex mathematical equations and their use demands a huge computational effort. The development of simple models as early predictors of TMY with a reasonable accuracy is important. The objective of this research was to compare the biological model described by Pollott (2000) with two linear models.
Estimation of (co)variance components across breeds by a test-day model adapted to New Zealand dairy cattle
Authors: Vanderick S. , Harris B. , Mayeres P. , Gillon A. , Croquet C. , Gengler N.
Published: June 2019

In New Zealand, crossbreeding is largely used by dairy farmers. Currently an important proportion of cows are crossbreds, mostly Holstein-Friesians (HF) x Jersey (JE). Crossbred bulls are currently being progeny tested in New Zealand. Actually, more than one third of the replacement dairy heifers are crossbred animals (Montgomerie, 2002). However currently available methods to model genetic contributions of purebreds to crossbreds take breed differences only partly into account and therefore do not permit an optimal use of crossbred data. The first objective of our study was to allow the modelling of different additive breeding values according to parental breeds to define overall additive breeding values as a function of breed composition.
Inbreeding depressions for global and partial economic indexes, production, type and functional traits for dairy cattle
Authors: Croquet C. , Mayeres P. , Gillon A. , Vanderick S. , Gengler N.
Published: June 2019

Modern genetic selection programs identify families with superior genetic merit and reproductive technologies which are used to disperse these genotypes throughout the population increasing relationships between animals (Weigel, 2001). However matings of related individuals unavoidably lead to inbred offspring. One of the main economic consequences of inbreeding is inbreeding depression, the reduction of the mean phenotypic value for economically important quantitative traits. The objectives of this study were to use an advanced algorithm to compute inbreeding and to estimate inbreeding depression for traits and indexes that are in the genetic evaluations for Walloon dairy cattle (production traits, type traits and somatic cell score (SCS)).
Genetic analysis of dystocia and calf birth weight for first parity Holstein in Iran
Authors: Abdullahpour R. , Moradi-shahrebabak M. , Mehrabani-Yeganeh H. , Sayadnezhad M. B.
Published: June 2019

Dystocia is defined as a prolonged, or difficult, parturition and is one of the most economically significant secondary traits. Any attempt for decreasing dystocia rate will result in decreasing farming cost and improving animal welfare. The disproportion between calf size (birth weight) and pelvic opening of the dam is the major cause of calving difficulty. Heifers have smaller pelvic area and experience more incidence of dystocia. Calving difficulty in heifers is considered as a different trait from those of later parities (Weller et. al. 1988). Calf birth weight is the most important factor influencing dystocia. Calving difficulty and calf birth weight are characters influenced by maternal effects, so considering maternal effect in data analysis will increase model accuracy. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of calving difficulty and birth weight.
Genetic characterization of three Iranian native buffalo populations (Khozestani, Azari and Mazandarani) using microsatellite markers
Authors: Mirhosseini S. Z. , Vahidi S. M. F.
Published: June 2019

Biodiversity among domesticated animals in developing countries is enormous. However, due to introduction of superior animal breeds with excellent performance, the native animal resources with good adaptability but lower productivity are in great danger. The list of extinct local breeds and deteriorated remaining ones are becoming longer every year. Erosion of genetic diversity in a breed may cause increase in the rate of inbreeding and genetic abnormalities thereby decrease in animal performance, particularly for reproductive traits. These will virtually reduce the global gene pool for future development and can be considered as a serious threat for universal food security. Therefore the urgency and need to conservation of genetic resources in animal biodiversity is clear particularly for those in the developing countries (Hall, et al. 1995). Buffalo play an important role in animal production in some province of Iran. Present study follow to evaluate the genetic diversity and existing relationship among three Iranian native buffalo populations by using microsatellite markers.
Prediction of selection index coefficient for birth weight and three month weight in Baluchi breed of sheep
Authors: Hosseinpour Mashhadi M. , Eftekhari Shahroudi F. , Valizadeh R.
Published: June 2019

The method for establishing a selection criterion for a given selection objective is referred to as selection index methodology. Usually in the flock sheep, The first selection for lambs that substitution ewes and rams, is at three month of age. Genetic and phenotypic correlations for weight traits at different ages are high and range of those were from 0.42 to 0.94 and from 0.06 to 0.56 respectively. Thus, the aim of this study was to predict the coefficient of selection index.
Comparison of growth and feed-lot traits in Kordi crossbred and purebred lambs (crossbreeding between some Iranian fat-tailed breeds)
Authors: Saatchi M. , Miraei-Ashtiani S. R. , Zare Shahneh A.
Published: June 2019

Meat production is the most important goal of sheep breeders in Iran. Crossbreeding between rams from relatively heavier breeds with ewes from light breeds (terminal crossing) is common method for increasing meat production in many countries (Bunch et al., 2004; Guney, 1990; Macit et al., 2001). The objective of this study was to compare the growth and feed-lot performance of crossbred lambs, resulted from Shall, Moghani and Afshari (three heavy breeds) rams and Kordi (a light breed) ewes. The performance of pure Kordi lambs was also adopted as a comparison benchmark.
The effect of condensed tannins on Haemonchus contortus in sheep experimentally infected
Authors: Minho A. P. , Gennari S. M. , Abdalla A. L.
Published: June 2019

Clinical and sub clinical parasite infection depresses live-weight gain, feed intake, milk and wool production and can impair soft tissue deposition and skeletal growth. To date these infections have been controlled using anthelmintics, however the increasing prevalence of multiple anthelmintic resistance points towards the urgent need for alternative methods to reduce our reliance upon chemoprophylaxis. In addition, the worldwide growth of organic agriculture, in which the use of synthetic products is strongly restricted, needs alternatives for helminthes control. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary condensed tannins (CT) on Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep.
Effect of source and level of fish oil for ewes in late pregnancy on subsequent performance
Authors: Dawson L. E. R. , Edgar H.
Published: June 2019

Lamb mortality represents a major loss to the sheep industry with up to 10% of lambs born dead and a further 12% dying from birth to weaning (Dawson and Carson, 2002). Supplementing ewes in late pregnancy with fish oil has been demonstrated to improve lamb vigour at birth (Capper et al., 2002). However, Annett et al. (2004) observed that fish oil supplementation severely reduced colostrum yield and lamb output at weaning. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of level and source of fish oil on ewe and lamb performance in order to minimise the negative effects on colostrum production and performance up to weaning.
Sheep production in Spanish dry mountain areas: 1. Effects of Spring management on ewe live weight, milk yield and lamb performance in Churra Tensina breed
Authors: Sanz A. , Alvarez J. , Balmisse E. , Delfa R. , Revilla R. , Joy M.
Published: June 2019

Traditional sheep producers in the South European countries fed lambs with concentrate, in order to obtain light carcasses of young animals. As a consequence of this lamb production system, large grazing areas have been abandoned. However, some producers are taking into consideration the extensive grazing systems to reduce costs and at the same time to obtain subsidies established by the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. Moreover, the increasing demand of healthy and safe meat products is stimulating the interest in pasture-based production systems. However, in our dry mountain conditions, this grazing system can be associated to poorer ewe and lamb performances. The present study sought to compare the productive parameters of ewes and lambs obtained in four different management strategies.
Crude protein content and ruminal degradation kinetics of eight pasture species
Authors: Shawrang P. , Nikkhah A. , Sadeghi A. A.
Published: June 2019

Ration formulation systems require information on nutrient requirements of the animal and reliable values for rumen degradable and undegradable fractions of feed ingredients. Ruminally degraded protein in excess of microbial requirement results in nitrogen loss as ammonia and inefficient nitrogen utilization by ruminants. Protein degradation kinetics of most oilseed meals and some forages have been determined (Sadeghi et al., 2004; Wilkerson et al., 1995), but minimal information exists regarding ruminal protein degradation of pasture forages. The objective of this research was to determine ruminal dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradation kinetic parameters of eight pasture species.
The effect of low crude protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine and L-lysine hydrochloride on male broiler performance
Authors: Eila N. , Semnani H. R.
Published: June 2019

Crude protein is an expensive nutrient in broiler diets and the supply of essential amino acids is more important than crude protein. Therefore it’s possible to reduce crude protein level by supplementing diets with methionine and lysine as limiting amino acids. The object of this study was assaying low protein diets supplemented with DL-methionine and L-lysine hydrochloride on male broiler chicks.
The effect of slaughter weight on sensory quality of meat from Holstein-Friesian male cattle
Authors: Moss B. W. , Farmer L. J. , Kirkland R. M. , Keady T. W. J. , Patterson D. C. , Steen R. W. J. , Dawson S. , Kilpatrick D. J.
Published: June 2019

A considerable proportion of beef produced in the UK is a byproduct of the dairy industry. Young animals from this source are generally regarded as low in quality and meat from animals of this type is usually destined for the commodity minced beef market. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of slaughter weight on sensory characteristics of meat from Holstein-Friesian bulls and steers offered a cereal-based ration.
Prediction of body weight and composition in lactating dairy cows: Prediction of empty body weight and carcass weight
Authors: Yan T. , Agnew R. E. , Patterson D. C.
Published: June 2019

Empty body (EB) weight (EBW) is used to estimate the energy and protein requirements for maintenance for dairy cattle. It is predicted from live weight (LW), but the prediction can be influenced by a number of factors, e.g., feed and water intake, pregnancy and body condition. The objective of the present study was to develop prediction equations for EBW and carcass weight in lactating dairy cows using LW and other live animal data.
Prediction of body weight and composition in lactating dairy cows: Prediction of crude protein contents in internal organs
Authors: Yan T. , Agnew R. E.
Published: June 2019

Heat production of animals is mainly derived from body protein metabolism and energy expenditure per unit protein in internal organs is much higher than skeletal muscle. The accurate estimation of CP mass in internal organs can thus improve rationing systems for farm animals. The objective of the present study was to examine relationships between CP mass in internal organs and empty body weight (EBW) with other live animal variables in lactating dairy cows.
Effect of offering two levels of crude protein and two levels of milk replacer on calf performance
Authors: Fallon R. J. , Wicks H. C. F. , Twigge J.
Published: June 2019

Recent reports from the United States propose new nutritional guidelines for calves (VanAmburgh 2003). They suggest an accelerated growth programme where calves are offered a high protein milk replacer (CMR) at a level sufficient to achieve a liveweight gain of 1000 g/d up to 8 weeks of age. This is in contrast to many European feeding programmes where calves are offered 25 kg of CMR over 42 days with an expected liveweight gain of 500 to 600 g/day. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the accelerated growth system under Irish conditions.
The effect of feeding an essential oil feed additive on dairy cow performance
Authors: Offer N. W. , Bell J. F. , Roberts D. J.
Published: June 2019

High-yielding dairy cows must produce large amounts of milk of a desired quality from a cost-effective diet in order for the farmer to remain in profit. Optimal rumen function and health is a key part of the process of converting nutrients into milk efficiently. Essential oils are steam-volatile or organic-solvent extracts of plants that have been shown to have beneficial effects on human digestion. They are mainly cyclic hydrocarbons and their alcohol, aldehyde or ester derivatives (Wallace, 2004). ‘Crina Ruminants’ is a blend of such essential oil compounds, designed to stimulate rumen activity and boost the population of beneficial microbes, through anti-microbial and digestive stimulant activity. In particular, it is believed to encourage an increase in fibre-fermenting bacteria and to counteract the acidotic rumen conditions that can be caused by feeding high starch diets. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of ‘Crina Ruminants’ on intake and milk production.
Effects of micronisation on ruminal starch and protein degradation kinetics of corn grain
Authors: Sadeghi A. A. , Shawrang P.
Published: June 2019

Micronisation or infrared processing has been used as a thermal process of feedstuffs. In this technology, feeds are subjected to rapid surface and internal heating by the application of infrared light. This energy is absorbed by the product and causes constituent molecules to vibrate, resulting in rapid internal heating. A major advantage of micronisation over other heat treatment methods is the shorter heating time applied during processing. The effects of micronisation of cereals on starch structure and digestibility of starch and crude protein (CP) and performance of pigs has been investigated (Zarkadas and Wiseman, 2001). However, data on ruminal starch and protein degradability of micronised cereals, especially corn grain are limited. Furthermore, the effect of micronisation on the type of corn true protein escaping from the rumen is lacking. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of micronising corn grain on ruminal kinetic parameters of dry matter (DM), CP and starch and to determine the types of corn true protein escaping from the rumen to small intestine by using SDS-PAGE.
Effects of thermally activated sodium bentonite on ruminal degradation and intestinal digestibility of soya bean meal crude protein
Authors: Sadeghi A. A. , Nikkhah A. , Shawrang P. , Moradi M.
Published: June 2019

In ruminants, the protein value of a feedstuff is determined by the amount of amino acids from microbial protein and rumen undegraded dietary protein (UDP) absorbed in the small intestine. The requirement of UDP increases with the production level of the animal. This protein can be supplied by increasing the amount of dietary protein escaping degradation in the rumen. Various physical and chemical treatments have been used to alter the rate of ruminal degradation of soya bean meal (SBM) protein, thus increasing its post-ruminal availability. Recently Al-Asheh et al (2003) reported that thermally activated sodium bentonite (T-bentonite) has the potential to be used as a low cost sorbent since it is naturally available and has high surface area. We hypothesized that this clay can reduce degradation of SBM crude and true protein in the rumen. The main objectives of our research were to evaluate the degradation of untreated and T-bentonite treated SBM proteins by using SDS-PAGE and to determine effective rumen degradation (ERD) and intestinal digestibility of untreated and T-bentonite treated soya bean meal crude protein (CP).
Epidemiology of bovine and human tuberculosis in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja
Authors: Abubakar A. A. , Brooks P. H. , Abdullahi S. U. , Kudi A. C. , Okaiyeto O.
Published: June 2019

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic debilitating disease of man and animals caused by members of the genus Mycobacterium. TB is a major health problem with 8-9 million new cases a year in the world and 3 million deaths (WHO, 2002), and the majority of these are in developing nations. Infection due to due to M. bovis was once a major problem in developed countries but following eradication programmes, the incidence reduced to the extent that some areas are now free of the disease (Caffery, 1994). However, the infection continues in developing countries due to lack of rigorous control measures. In Nigeria there have been limited studies to determine the prevalence/relationship between bovine and human TB especially with the eating culture of ‘fura da nono’ i.e. unpasteurized milk. Abuja is the new capital of Nigeria with the population of 4 million continues to increase due to the influx of people from all states of the federation. The number of people diagnosed with TB is also on the increase. The semi forest vegetation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also encourages migration of Fulani nomads in search of green area for their animals. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bovine and human TB in the capital as well as to establish whether there is a link between animal and human TB.
Comparison of two models of phosphorus flows in calves infected with Cooperia punctata
Authors: Vitti D. M. S. S. , Lopes J. B. , Kebreab E. , Abdalla A. L. , Gennari S. M. , R. R. Rodrigues  , France J.
Published: June 2019

Cooperia punctata is the most prevalent parasitic intestinal nematode in Brazil and its site of fixation is duodenum and jejunum that are also the sites of greatest dietary phosphorus (P) absorption. Studies of phosphorus metabolism often involves balance trials and use of isotopes. When combined with mathematical modeling, calculation of flows between several pools becomes a possibility. The objective of the study on calves employing isotope and balance techniques was to apply and compare two models of P metabolism for resolving data generated by these techniques.
Phosphorus kinetics in calves experimentally infected with Cooperia punctata evaluated by isotopic dilution
Authors: Rodrigues R. R. , Vitti D. M. S. S. , Gennari S. M. , Guerra J.L. , Abdalla A. L.
Published: June 2019

Cooperia punctata is the most prevalent intestinal parasite in young bovines in Brazil (Lima, 1998). The site of fixation of C. punctata is the upper part of the small intestine (Bailey, 1949), also the site of dietary phosphorus (P) absorption (Schröder et al, 1995), and the damage caused in the intestinal epithelium could interfere with P metabolism (Bown et al, 1989). The aim of the present experiment was to evaluate the P kinetics by using 32P isotopic dilution technique in calves submitted to single and trickle infection by C. punctata.
A methodology for the rapid assessment of forage tree defaunating capacity
Authors: Castro C. A. Sandoval , Briceño G. E. Monforte , Leal C. M. Capetillo
Published: June 2019

It is known that some forage trees have potential defaunating capacity, as rumen protozoa population is reduced when ruminant are feed with them (Odenyo et al., 1997ª,b). The effect has been attributed to saponins (Diaz et al., 1992) and tannins (Odenyo et al., 1997a,b). It is also known that PEG binds to tannins and has been used to reduce the deleterious effect found in animals feed tanniferous trees (Makkar et al., 1998). However, to our knowledge it has not been studied if using PEG to increase digestibility will, on the other hand, affect the defaunating capacity of the tree. The objective of the present study was to develop a simple technique to screen forage trees for defaunation capacity and to assess if PEG could be used to overcome this effect.
Tropical forage trees with potential defaunating capacity
Authors: Briceño G. E. Monforte , Castro C. A. Sandoval , Leal C. M. Capetillo , Avilés L. Ramírez
Published: June 2019

Rumen protozoa population is reduced when ruminant are feed with foliage from some tropical trees an effect attributed to both saponins (Diazet al., 1992) and tannins (Odenyoet al., 1997a). As PEG binds to tannins, it has been used to reduce its deleterious effect in animals feed tanniferous trees (Makkaret al., 1998). In a companion summary (Monforteet al., 2005) we showed that using PEG the defaunating capacity of a tanniferous tree is reduced. The objective of the present study was to assess if adding PEG to a protozoa culture will help to separate the tannin and saponin effect upon the protozoa population.
Tropical forage trees with low potential defaunating capacity
Authors: Briceño G. E. Monforte , Castro C. A. Sandoval , Leal C. M. Capetillo , Avilés L. Ramírez
Published: June 2019

Forage trees are commonly use for livestock feeding in the tropics. It is known that some species can affect the rumen protozoa population (Odenyoet al., 1997). However, little is known about the potential effect upon rumen protozoa of several species which are also use as feed in tropical systems. The objective of the experiment was to assess the defaunating capacity of forage trees. In companion reports (Monforteet al., 2005) we reported plants with a potential defaunating effect as evaluated under an in vitro batch culture system (Sandovalet al., 2005). Here we present those plants which did not have or had low effect on protozoa population in anin vitroculture.
In vitro gas production of pomegranate peel treated with urea, with and without PVP
Authors: Feizi R. , Ghodratnama A. , Zahedifar M. , Mesgaran M. Danesh , Raisianzadeh M.
Published: June 2019

Pomegranate by-products (peel and seed) contain about 40-45 percent of the fruit’s weight. The rind of the fruit (peel),when dried, is brown outside, yellow inside, hard, dry, brittle, in irregular fragments, inodorous, and with a very astringent, somewhat bitter taste. Analysis of pomegranate peel (PP) is shown that it contains 18.8 percent of tannin, 17.1 of mucilage, 10.8 of extractive matter, 30 of lignin, a trace of resin, and 29.9 of moisture. However, little information is available on PP nutritive value for ruminants. It is poor in protein and rich in tannins. Tannins components of the peel prevents its optimal use. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different levels of urea (U) on in vitro gas production with and without added polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVP) to ensiled pomegranate peel (EPP).
Short-term impact of grazing prescriptions on cattle performance
Authors: McLean B. M. L. , Davies O. D. , Griffiths J. B. , Evans D. E. , Clarke A.
Published: June 2019

Livestock farming is a traditional and important contributor to the rural economy in the hills and uplands of the UK. However, significant areas of the uplands have seen a decline in the condition of heath and mire habitats and the loss of dwarf shrubs as a result of over-grazing. Attempts to halt the decline and improve the condition of upland heath and mire habitats have been undertaken by the introduction of agri-environment schemes. In the main, such schemes rely on the reduction of sheep numbers. However, recent Defra funded research (LS1508) has indicated that this can result in dominance by competitive and/or unpalatable species such as purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea ) or mat-grass (Nardus stricta ), leading in time to a reduction in the physical and financial performance of the flock. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of cattle grazing on Nardus stricta dominated pasture on sheep and cattle performance. It is being carried out as part of a wider project to determine environmentally sustainable and economically viable grazing systems for heather moorland.
Grassland arthropod species richness in a conventional suckler beef production system and one compatible with the Irish agri-environment scheme (REPS)
Authors: Helden A. J. , Anderson A. , Purvis G.
Published: June 2019

Grassland management practices, such as grazing, strongly affects the biodiversity of grassland arthropods; increasing grazing intensity causes a general decline in species richness (Morris, 2000). One of the aims of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) is to conserve and enhance biodiversity within Irish agricultural land (Feehan et al., 2002). In order to determine the effectiveness of this aspect of REPS, one must compare the relative biodiversity of grassland under REPS with that of conventionally managed grassland. Aiming to determine whether species richness was higher in REPS-compatible compared with a standard system of management, we measured the species richness of grassland arthropods within two contrasting grassland treatments within an experimental study of suckler beef production.
Color Pattern Variation in Populations of

Theodoxus Luteofasciatus

in the Puerto Penasco Area
Authors: Hendry Dawn , Ekdale A. A.
Published: June 2019

Populations of the intertidal gastropod, Theodoxusluteofasciatus, exhibit spectacular variety in shell color and color pattern. Few significant differences in coloration occur among the individuals sampled from Bahia la Choya and Estero Morua. Furthermore, no obvious correlation exists between shell coloration and any observed environmental parameters.
Intertidal Bioerosion by Macroinvertebrates near Puerto Penasco, Northern Gulp of California
Authors: Stearley R. F.
Published: June 2019

Bioerosion–the active excavation of rock and shell material by organisms– is a significant degradational process in many marine sedimentary environments. This phenomenon is prominent in the northern Gulf of California, where coastal carbonate “beachrock” is undergoing erosion by a diverse suite of invertebrates. Near Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, the varied intertidal settings display distinctive associations of macroboring infauna, and accompanying biokarst.
Origin of Shell Beds and Evolution of a Shelly Sand Spit, Bahia la Choya, Northern Gulf of California
Authors: Meldahl Keith H.
Published: June 2019

An actively prograding shelly sand spit forms the eastern margin of Bahia la Choya, northern Gulf of California. Shell-rich deposits exposed on the eastern side of the spit record previous phases of spit growth. Analysis and comparison of faunal composition, biofabric and shell preservation from the beach, estero mouth bar, and the fossil spit deposits suggest 3 major phases of spit evolution: (1) southward progradation of the spit tip/estero mouth bar (lower shell bed), (2) deposition of washover lobes during a major storm (upper shell bed), and (3) eolian accretion (spit crest). A 1300 ± 50 y.b.p. radiocarbon date on a bivalve shell from the storm shell bed provides a maximum age for the storm event.
Depositional Environments of Plant Bearing Sediments
Authors: Wing Scott L.
Published: June 2019

Plants can become incorporated into the sediments of virtually any environment, from the oozes of abyssal plains to the silts and sands of delta fronts to brecciated mudflows of volcanic origin. However there is a much narrower range of sedimentary environments in which identifiable plant remains are found in abundance. Generally speaking these are the very shallow or subaerial portions of deltas and estuaries, the channels and floodplains of fluvial systems, lakes of all sizes, ash-falls, and mass-flow deposits such as mudflows. For the purposes of this paper peat swamps are considered as unusual subtypes of deltaic and fluvial environments in which clastic input is low relative to organic accumulation.
A Conspectus of Phytotaphonomy
Authors: Gastaldo Robert A.
Published: June 2019

The fossil record of plants principally results from individuals, variously sampled from one or more communities, that generally are associated with a depositional site. The processes responsible for the transfer of plant parts from the biosphere to the lithosphere may be biotic (e.g. physiological, animal herbivory, etc.) or abiotic (e.g. traumatic loss by wind and/or water; Krassilov, 1975) in nature. The factors ultimately responsible for the preservation of these plant parts are sedimentological and geochemical. The goals of the subdiscipline of Taphonomy, the study of processes of preservation and how they affect information in the fossil record (Behrensmeyer and Kidwell, 1985), are to understand fossilization through necrology, biostratinomy, and diagenesis (Figure 1). The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of taphonomic factors responsible for the generation and preservation of plant macrodetritus. It is not meant to be an exhaustive dissertation or definitive discussion on phytotaphonomy.
Some Statistical Methods Useful in the Analysis of Paleoecological Data
Authors: Lamboy Warren , Lesnikowska Alicia
Published: June 2019

Statistical methods can assist the paleoecologist in evaluating tentative conclusions and hypotheses that are obtained by more traditional means of analysis. They may also enable the paleoecologist to obtain more information from a set of data than she might otherwise. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce a number of statistical methods that are useful in the analysis of some specific paleoecological problems.
Multivariate Methods of Analyzing Paleoecological Data
Authors: Kovach Warren L.
Published: June 2019

Multivariate analysis can be defined as an analysis in which many variables are examined simultaneously. These types of analyses are invaluable in many scientific fields in which patterns and trends in complex systems must be studied. Multivariate analysis is used in community ecology and paleoecology to summarize patterns of variation between and within different communities so as to allow the ecologist to describe the major patterns and interpret the cause of variation. Some examples of plant paleoecological studies which have used multivariate techniques are Oltz (1969, 1971), Clapham (1971), Robichaux and Taylor (1977), Pheifer (1979), Spicer and Hill (1979), Frederickson (1981), Phillips and DiMichele (1981), Boulter and Hubbard (1982), LaPasha and Miller (1984), Farley and Dilcher (1986), and Kovach (1985, 1987).
The Effect of Vegetation Heterogeneity on Short Stratigraphic Sequences
Authors: Taggart Ralph E.
Published: June 2019

Barring the immense and growing literature on Quaternary pollen analysis, the vast majority of the work on the paleoecology of terrestrial systems has concentrated on the Neogene floras of the Pacific Northwest. Study of these floras began with the pioneering exploratory surveys in the last quarter of the 19th century and assumed essentially its modern form with the work of R.W. Chaney, initiated in the 1920, the detailed contributions of H.D. MacGinitie, the continuing productivity of D.I. Axelrod, and, most recently, J. Wolfe. Such a short listing necessarily leaves out the many contributions of patient floristic monographers for I wish to concentrate on floristic treatments that include a major paleoecological element.
Hierarchy, Individuality and Paleoecosystems
Authors: Miller William
Published: June 2019

Techniques and field observations that detect “spatial variation” and “temporal dynamics” in fossil deposits have become important research programs in paleosynecology. These studies attempt to delineate aggregates and sequences of fossils at varied scales that appear to result from processes encompassing larger areas and greater time spans than the processes familiar to neoecologists. Description and modeling of patterns and processes at these scales would be significant contributions to historical biology, but little attention has been given to the ontology of “natural” multispecies units discernable in fossil data sets at varied spatio-temporal scales of resolution. Do patterns at any of these nested levels of variation – patches within shell beds, shell beds within biofacies, and so on – represent the elusive original community of organisms?
Brachiopod Faunal Replacement Across the Ordovician-Silurian Extinction Event in Missouri
Authors: Stanton L. J. , Sheehan P. M. , Lespérance P. J.
Published: June 2019

At the end of the Ordovician many marine benthonic and planktonic faunas underwent a global extinction that has been attributed to climatic changes and glacio-eustatic fluctuations in sea-level (Berry and Boucot, 1973; Sheehan, 1973, 1975; Brenchley, 1984). Raup and Sepkoski (1982) found that the Late Ordovician-Early Silurian extinction event was one of the five major Phanerozoic mass extinctions.
A Review of Evolutionary Trends in Carbonate Hardground Communities
Authors: Wilson Mark A. , Palmer Timothy J.
Published: June 2019

Ancient and modern marine carbonate hardgrounds offer unusual opportunities to study the evolution of communities from the Early Cambrian into the Holocene. Throughout this time the general physical conditions of a hardground community have been similar. The substrate is hard so sessile organisms must either attach to its surface, nestle in cavities, or bore into it for occupation. These organisms are thus preserved in situ. Since space is often the limiting physical resource, organisms must have ways of obtaining and defending it, and these competitive hierarchies are often preserved in the spatial relationships of the species. Scouring and/or burial in sediment usually marks the end of the brief habitation.
Depth and Extent of Early Paleozoic Bioturbation
Authors: Droser Mary L. , Bottjer David J.
Published: June 2019

Marine metazoans have lived infaunally throughout the Phanerozoic. The biotic history of the infaunal habitat is, however, poorly understood. Only the two extremes are relatively well known; the Precambrian had a limited infaunal biological benthic boundary layer (the depth below the sediment-water interface that is occupied or otherwise influenced by benthic organisms [Rhoads and Boyer, 1982]), whereas modern environments have a well-developed infaunal biological benthic boundary layer with extensive and deep bioturbation.
A Temporal Hierarchy of Paleoecologic Processes Within a Middle Devonian Epeiric Sea
Authors: Brett Carlton E. , Miller Keith B. , Baird Gordon C.
Published: June 2019

Among the most intriguing and significant aspects of the marine stratigraphic record are patterns of temporal change in fossil assemblages and paleocommunities. Understanding the stratigraphic patterns and the correct temporal scale of such faunal change is crucial to interpreting the underlying processes involved. Inattention to the temporal scale at which paleontological data are collected, and at which faunal change is observed, often results in the use of entirely inappropriate explanatory models. In many cases modern ecological theories have been misapplied to the fossil record because problems of scale were not adequately considered. The term “community” itself has been applied to such a wide range of fossil accumulations that it has ceased to have any consistent paleoecologic meaning (see discussion in Järvinen et al.,1986). For this reason, we prefer to use the term “assemblage” for time-averaged accumulations of fossils, and restrict “community” to only those organisms which actually lived together in the same space and time (i.e., a biocoenosis). Therefore, faunal assemblages, even when untransported, are the preserved amalgamated record of many successive communities within which short-term (10 – 100 years) changes may or may not be resolvable. Recurrent, compositionally similar assemblages, believed to have occupied generally similar benthic environments, are then grouped into biofacies which can be seen to intergrade and migrate through time.
Soft-Bottom Paleocommunity Dynamics in the Cenomanian - Turonian Boundary Extinction Interval of the Western Interior, United States
Authors: Elder William P.
Published: June 2019

Extensive species-level, marine biotic turnover is recorded across the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) Stage boundary in the western interior of the United States (Fig. 1) and intercontinentally (e.g., Wright and Kennedy, 1981; Elder, 1987; Jarvis et al., 1988). Widespread intensification and expansion of the oxygen minimum zone have been widely proposed as a causal mechanism for the organic-rich deposits and biotic extinctions found in strata of this age (e.g., Schlanger et al., 1987; Jarvis et al., 1988). Accompanying these extinctions were large-scale reorganizations of community compositions and trophic structures. In the western interior, repeated community replacement was associated with widespread cyclic sedimentation, and long-term community turnover was related to extended periods of dysaerobia and possibly low salinity conditions. Community compositions and distributions were therefore largely controlled by physical rather than biological factors. This paper will document how these oceanographic and sedimentologic factors affected community patterns across the C-T boundary.
Hierarchical Genetic Stratigraphy and Marine Paleoecology
Authors: Rollins Harold B. , West Ronald R. , Busch Richard M.
Published: June 2019

Stratigraphy provides a basic temporal and spatial framework for all studies of earth history. The foundations of stratigraphy were built in the 17th and 18th centuries through the efforts of Steno and Smith. Formalization of the principles of organic evolution followed closely in the mid-19th century with the publication of theOriginofSpecies. Although paleoecological observations span centuries, the establishment of paleoecology as a scientific discipline is a 20th century phenomenon. Initially, paleontology (paleobiology) was an integral part of stratigraphy and housed the subdisciplinary studies of evolution and paleoecology. Retention of a stratigraphic framework soon became difficult, perhaps due to the potential for circular reasoning in the evolutionary study of fossils. If the rock record was subdivided on the basis of fossils, how could the evolutionary relationships of these organisms be evaluated when they, or related forms, had been used to construct the temporal framework?
The Value of Fossil Collections
Authors: Allmon Warren D. , Poulton Terry P.
Published: June 2019

“VALUE,” WROTE John Ruskin (1862), “is the life-giving power of anything; cost, the quantity of labor required to produce it; price, the quantity of labor which its possessor will take in exchange for it”. These distinctions see obvious enough. Yet in the bustle of everyday modern life in a highly materialistic society, it seems increasingly difficult to separate “value” from “cost” and “price”. How do we — as individuals, groups, or a society — assign a value to something? What, in fact, do we value? A glance at television or a popular magazine offers some clues. We value things economic, those associated with “making a living”, with solving the everyday problems of making one's way in the world. We value things that enhance our position or status in society, or that make our lives easier or give us pleasure or diversion. We value things that make our lives meaningful. We do not tend to necessarily value what's good for us, at least not simply because someone tells us it is.
Orphaned and Endangered Collections in Invertebrate Paleontology: A Call for a National Solution
Authors: Allmon Warren D. , Lane Meredith A.
Published: June 2019

WITHIN BIOLOGY, the consummate synthetic, big-picture science is systematics and the fundamental resource and tool for systematics is natural history collections. Without systematics there is no unifying theme to the study of biology. Without natural history collections there is no systematics. Society and the institutions that house natural history collections must rediscover the value of those collections. These collections are a world treasure, a cultural heritage, an intellectual trust, a societal and institutional responsibility.

Paleontology and paleontological collections contribute uniquely to the sciences of systematics and ecology. They provide the record of change through geological time evidence of the changes in the characteristics of species, changes in ecological associations of biota, and a record of abiotic global and regional climatic change. The study of this historical record allows the identification of the locations of certain sets of conditions from the past, illuminates our understanding of the present, and enables our prediction of future changes on a global scale.
Fossils and Laws
Authors: Shelton Sally Y. , Chewning John B.
Published: June 2019

PALEONTOLOGICAL collecting, transport of fossil materials, and the ownership of paleontology collections are governed and affected by a wide range of laws and regulations, from land law to bequests. Compliance with all applicable laws can be confusing, especially when a collector has to negotiate Federal, state, local, tribal and international requirements.

Unlike archaeology, paleontology does not have a body of laws specific to fossil protection. Most legal problems in paleontology arise from land access and permission to collect on public lands, theft and trespass concerns, public trust violations, land title and rights, and related issues. In the United States, there are no definitive overarching statutes governing fossil resources per se as separate from other land resources.