Intrageneric amplification of horse microsatellite markers with emphasis on the Przewalski's horse (E. pmewalskii)

Primer sequences flanking 13 microsatellite loci isolated from the domestic horse (E. caballus) were successfully used to amplify homologous loci in the Przewalski's horse (E. przewalskii). The results demonstrate that the level of polymorphism at all 13 loci in the Przewalski's horse was comparable to that in the domestic horse and the overall exclusion probability in the Przewalski's horse was calculated to be 0.9994. The results suggest that it should be possible to use E. caballus-derived microsatellite markers to provide parentage verification and additional valuable information to the captive management of E. przewalskii. The ability to amplify corresponding loci in the remaining five species of the genus was also confirmed, illustrating the general application of markers isolated from the domestic horse to the evaluation of polymorphism in the other six species of the genus.     

Leukocyte telomere length in the Thoroughbred racehorse

Thoroughbred racehorses possess superior cardiorespiratory fitness levels and are at the pinnacle of athletic performance compared to other breeds of horses. Although equine athletes have undergone years of artificial selection for racing performance, musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses are common and concerns relating to animal welfare have been proposed. Leukocyte telomere length is indicative of biological age, and accelerated telomere shortening occurs with excess physical and psychological stress. This study was designed to explore the association between leukocyte telomere length, biological factors (age, sex and coat colour), training status, winnings and race history parameters. Blood was collected from 146 Thoroughbred racehorses from around Geelong, Victoria, Australia. DNA was extracted from leukocytes; telomere length was measured using qPCR and analysed in context with traits obtained from the Racing Australia website. Age was inversely correlated with telomere length (r = ?0.194, P = 0.019). The oldest horses (≥11 years) in the highest age quartile possessed shorter telomeres compared to younger horses in the first, second and third quartiles (≤2, 3–5 and 6–10 years respectively; P < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were observed between telomere length and biological factors, training status, winnings or race history parameters in age‐adjusted analyses. The study findings suggest that Thoroughbred horses may undergo age‐related telomere shortening similar to other mixed breeds and humans. Despite concerns from some quarters regarding the welfare of racehorses, there was a lack of accelerated biological ageing observed in the present study, as indicated by leukocyte telomere length.     

Anthrax outbreak among Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) in Samburu, Kenya

An anthrax outbreak occurred in the Wamba area of southern Samburu, Kenya, between December 2005 and March 2006. The outbreak affected equids including the endangered Grevy's zebras (Equus grevyi), plain zebras (Equis Burchelli) and donkeys (Equus asinus). Most of the deaths were localized in Nkaroni area just west of Wamba town. The diagnosis of anthrax was rapidly confirmed by bacteriological methods. The relevant government departments, including the Kenya Wildlife Service and Veterinary Department, and other stakeholders were promptly informed. Fifty‐three Grevy's zebra and 26 plains zebras died from anthrax. An equal number (eighteen) of adult male and female Grevy's zebras succumbed to the disease. The outbreak affected immature and mature individuals equally. The dead plain zebras included fifteen adult females, two adult males and nine immature individuals. The Veterinary Department responded by vaccinating livestock while Kenya Wildlife Service vaccinated 620 Grevy's zebras within southern Samburu. Examination of sites at which carcasses of animals which succumbed to the disease were burnt, revealed that unsupervised burning did not eliminate anthrax spores in 42% of the cases (n = 14). There is an urgent need to incorporate strategic wildlife disease monitoring in the struggle to save Grevy's zebras and other endangered species.     

Change of serum mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) levels and daily rhythm of rectal and cutaneous temperatures in Equus caballus and Capra hyrcus

The aim of the present study was to monitor the daily rhythm of rectal and cutaneous temperatures together with the changes in the serum levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in equine and goat species. On five gelding horses and five female goat rectal and cutaneous temperatures were recorded at 4 h intervals for a 48 h period. At the same time points blood samples were collected from each animal. Daily rhythms of rectal and cutaneous temperatures were observed in both species, in both day of monitoring. Mesor value of rectal temperature was statistically higher of about 4 °C than cutaneous temperature, and acrophase was postponed of about 2 h in both day of monitoring and in both species. UCP1 did not show daily rhythmicity in horses and goats. We can speculate that the thermogenesis due to thermal system is auxiliary to keeping the body temperature daily rhythm.     

卡拉麦里山有蹄类自然保护区水源地野放普氏野马的活动节律：基于红外相机监测数据

2014年4月至11月,在卡拉麦里山有蹄类自然保护区的22个水源地安放66台红外相机,其中在8个野放普式野马(Equus przewalskii)利用的水源地放置了16台红外相机,对野放普氏野马在水源地的活动节律和时间分配进行了研究。16台相机累计工作1 068 d,获得野放普氏野马有效照片2 051张。研究发现,野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量符合正态分布,且季节间存在极显著差异。野放普氏野马在水源地不同时段的有效照片数量,春季远低于夏季和秋季(P0.05),而夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。野放普氏野马饮水频次春季极显著低于夏季和秋季(P0.01),夏季与秋季差异不显著(P0.05)。普氏野马在水源地具有稳定的日活动节律,时间分配上呈典型的钟形,13:00~17:00时达到高峰,20:00~次日5:00时快速下降,3:00~6:00时是一天中的低谷,在5:00~13:00时快速上升。不同月份野放普氏野马的日活动差异指数α(t=8.364,df=7,P0.01)和昼行性指数β(t=19.519,df=7,P0.01)均存在极显著差异,且β值为0.660.54,表明野放普氏野马活动以昼间为主。季节间活动差异指数存在极显著差异(单样本K-S检验,t=7.851,df=23,P0.01)。独立多样本Kruskal-Wallis检验季节性活动强度指数γ值差异不显著(χ~2=0.162,df=2,P0.05)。通过在卡山保护区固定水源地的实时监测,初步明晰了野放普氏野马在水源地附近的活动节律及其季节性水源地利用,从而为野放普氏野马的生态学研究及保护措施的制定提供科学依据。     

MULE DEER SURVIVAL AMONG ADJACENT POPULATIONS IN SOUTHWEST IDAHO

Abstract: We investigated survival and cause-specific mortality of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) on 3 distinct winter ranges in southwest Idaho from 1992 to 1997 to identify demographic variation and potential limiting factors based on a sample of 447 radiocollared deer. During winters 1995–1996 and 1996–1997, we modeled overwinter fawn mortality based on early winter mass, sex, activity, and habitat use variables. Annual survival rates of adult mule deer varied among the 3 adjacent study areas (χ₂² = 10.93, P = 0.004). Overwinter deer survival also varied among study areas (χ₂² = 8.00, P = 0.018), and the study area X year, study area X sex, and study area X age interactions were all significant (P ≤ 0.018). Overwinter survival differences among the study areas were not consistent over time or among sexes and ages of deer. Winter malnutrition was the main cause of mortality for both adults and fawns during the severe winter of 1992–1993, when overall survival was low. Excluding harvest, predation was the major proximate cause of deer mortality during 1993–97 when overall survival was higher. The probability of winter fawn mortality increased with lower mass (χ₂¹ = 7.38, P = 0.007), being male (χ₂¹ = 5.61, P = 0.018), smaller group sizes (χ₂¹ = 3.62, P = 0.057), and using steeper slopes (χ₂¹ = 3.05, P = 0.081). Smaller group sizes and use of steep slopes corresponded to conditions where predators were more successful. Our findings suggest that coyote (Canis latrans) predation was largely compensatory whereas mountain lion (Puma concolor) predation was apparently independent of animal condition and dependent more on deer habitat use. Early winter fawn mass was a better predictor of overwinter fawn survival than a suite of winter resource use variables, lending further support for use of fawn mass to predict winters where fawn mortality may be high. No single population in this study could be used to make reliable inferences regarding deer survival in the other populations. Survival rate measurements should be used cautiously to make inferences in populations where survival has not been directly measured.     

WINTER HABITAT SELECTION BY SITKA BLACK-TAILED DEER

Abstract: Identifying and managing Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) habitat has been an important wildlife issue for many years on the Tongass National Forest of southeastern Alaska, USA. We evaluated habitat selection of Sitka black-tailed deer in the central portion of the region during a winter with snowfall 43% above average using telemetry relocations from 30 individuals that survived the winter. Ivlev indices for habitat selection within home ranges indicated that deer used less than expected, based on availability, north, east, and west aspects, areas >244-m elevation, noncommercial forests, and the low-timber volume stratum while selecting south aspects, areas <153-m elevation, and areas within 305 m of saltwater. Deer used less than expected moderately coarse-canopied forests in the medium- and high-timber volume strata typically found on north slopes while selecting moderately fine-canopied forest in the high-timber volume stratum on south slopes. The lower than expected use of higher volume gap-phase old growth was likely because these were on north aspects where snow accumulated and persisted due to protection from maritime storms. Point relocations suggested less use than expected in clearcuts <41 years of age, while data from 7.2-ha error polygons showed deer were neutral to clearcuts. This suggests that if deer do avoid clearcuts they remain close to the forest-clearcut edge. Of 4 habitat-mapping methods evaluated, the method that incorporated timber volume strata and a wind disturbance-related aspect had greatest utility in identifying areas selected for or used disproportionately little by deer during the deep snow winter. We found that deer exhibited marked changes in habitat use during deep snow conditions compared to a low snow winter, and we agree with previous researchers that providing habitats selected by deer during deep snowfall is an important consideration in Sitka black-tailed deer habitat management.