Hematology and serum chemistry of the island spotted skunk on Santa Cruz Island

We determined serum biochemistry and hematologic values for island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) on Santa Cruz Island (California, USA). Samples were collected from island spotted skunks chemically restrained with ketamine hydrochloride and acepromazine in August 1999 (dry season) and from skunks manually restrained in August 2000 (dry season) and January 2001 (wet season). One parameter, glucose, significantly differed with season, with higher levels during the wet season. Serum chemistry and hematologic profiles suggest that method of restraint (manual or chemical), as well as other methodologic details, may influence blood characteristics in the island spotted skunk.     

Ectoparasites of the island fox on Santa Cruz Island

The ectoparasite fauna for island foxes (Urocyon littoralis) on Santa Cruz Island (California, USA) in April (wet season) and September (dry season) 1998 was evaluated. Three taxa of ectoparasites were identified. These were fleas (Pulex irritans), lice (Neotrichodectes mephitidis), and ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Ectoparasite abundances varied seasonally. Typical of insular endemic species, island foxes may be especially vulnerable to the introduction of novel disease organisms and their vectors.     

Biochemical and hematologic reference intervals for the endangered island fox (Urocyon littoralis)

Hematologic and serum biochemical data collected must be interpreted by comparison with normal reference intervals generated from healthy animals, within a similar population, because many blood parameters are influenced by diet, environment, and stress. Species-specific reference intervals for the endangered island fox (Urocyon littoralis) are not available. We reviewed hematology and serum biochemistry panels from 280 island foxes sampled from 1999-2008 and established normal reference intervals from clinically healthy foxes using a nonparametric approach. Blood parameters were analyzed for differences in age, sex, island of origin, and captivity status. Alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase activities, as well as calcium and phosphorus concentrations, were significantly higher in juveniles than in adults, but total protein and globulin concentration was lower for juveniles than for adults. Lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration, in foxes from the northern Channel islands of California, USA (Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel) were higher when compared with foxes from Santa Catalina Island to the south. Higher lymphocyte and eosinophil numbers in the northern island foxes may be associated with increased levels of parasitism on the northern islands. Differences in BUN concentration in both free-ranging and captive foxes may reflect dietary differences among islands. Although aggressive conservation programs have been enacted, island foxes are still susceptible to infectious and neoplastic diseases and, potentially, to toxins. Island fox species-specific reference intervals will enable managers and veterinarians to better care for sick and injured foxes and will contribute to future population health monitoring.     

Normal hematologic and serum clinical chemistry values for captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

In the study reported here, reference intervals for hematologic and serum clinical chemistry variables in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) were developed and characterized. Data were collected longitudinally across a 10-year period for 86 subjects at the Primate Foundation of Arizona (PFA). Variables included nine standard hematologic and 25 standard serum clinical chemistry values. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for main effects by age and sex. In addition, PFA mean and range values were compared with those published for humans and six other chimpanzee colonies. The ANOVA results suggest an age effect on hematologic (mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, neutrophils) and serum clinical chemical (creatinine, total protein, globulin, tryglycerides, direct bilirubin, iron, (gamma-glutamyltransferase, alanine transaminase, creatine kinase) values. In addition, sex had a main effect on several variables (red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, uric acid and sodium concentrations, and aspartate transminase and creatine kinase activities); values for males were greater than those for females. Further, human and chimpanzee mean and range values often were indistinguishable from one another. However, changes in human and chimpanzee values associated with age differ and suggest that hematologic and serum clinical chemistry values may be differentially affected by physical and sexual maturation in humans and chimpanzees.     

Hematologic and serum chemistry values of pen-raised coyotes.

Blood samples obtained from 48, eighteen-month-old pen-raised coyotes (Canis latrans) were analyzed for 32 hematologic and serum chemistry parameters. Mean, standard deviation, and range were established for each parameter. No differences attributable to sex were observed for any parameter. The reported hematologic and serum chemistry values establish non-fasting baseline values for pen-raised coyotes.     

Effect of season on seminal traits and serum hormone concentrations in captive male Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris)

Electroejaculates and serum samples were collected throughout the year from 5 male Siberian tigers. Semen quality, seminal plasma chemistry and serum hormone concentrations were evaluated and analysed as a function of season. Semen volume, concentration, motility, viability and morphology were not influenced by season. The ability of spermatozoa to undergo capacitation and penetrate zona-free hamster eggs did not differ due to season. Season had no influence on seminal plasma concentrations of acid phosphatase, calcium, glucose, potassium and phosphorus. Serum values of thyroxine and triiodothyronine were lowest (P = 0.002 and P = 0.03, respectively) during the summer months while cortisol showed no seasonal variation. Serum testosterone concentrations were higher in fall and early winter (P less than 0.001) than at other times of the year but were not correlated with semen quality. These results demonstrate that season has no effect on the semen production and quality of captive male Siberian tigers.     

Hematology and serum biochemistry of captive swift foxes (Vulpes velox)

Blood samples were taken from 23 swift foxes (Vulpes velox) which were to be used in a reintroduction program. The foxes originated from two different captive breeding programs: one at the Calgary Zoo (CZ) and one at the Wildlife Reserve of Western Canada (WRWC). Several differences between swift fox and domestic canine hematology were seen, including an increased number of smaller red blood cells and lower absolute leukocyte counts in swift foxes. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase was higher than in the domestic canine normal range while serum creatinine values were lower. Hemoglobin, serum potassium, total protein, globulin in the two groups (CZ and WRWC) were statistically different as were male versus female mean corpuscular volume values.     

Seasonal hematology and serum chemistry of wild beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA

We collected blood from 18 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), live-captured in Bristol Bay, Alaska, USA, in May and September 2008, to establish baseline hematologic and serum chemistry values and to determine whether there were significant differences in hematologic values by sex, season, size/age, or time during the capture period. Whole blood was collected within an average of 19 min (range=11-30 min) after the net was set for capture, and for eight animals, blood collection was repeated in a later season after between 80-100 min; all blood was processed within 12 hr. Mean hematocrit, chloride, creatinine, total protein, albumin, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lower in May than they were in September, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocytes, phosphorous, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, and creatinine kinase were significantly higher. Mean total protein, white blood cell count, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were significantly higher early in the capture period than they were later. No significant differences in blood analyte values were noted between males and females. Using overall body length as a proxy for age, larger (older) belugas had lower white blood cell, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts as well as lower sodium, potassium, and calcium levels but higher creatinine levels than smaller belugas. These data provide values for hematology and serum chemistry for comparisons with other wild belugas.     

基于液流格型特征值和标准化方法分析胸径和土壤水分对荷木液流的影响

基于液流格型特征值-偏度和峰度分析了不同胸径荷木在水分利用方面的差异,并利用标准化的方法消除强影响因子(光合有效辐射,PAR)对液流的影响,研究了弱影响因子(土壤湿度)与液流的关系.结果表明：荷木胸径越大,偏度越小,液流密度峰值越靠后,相应的液流峰值越大,蒸腾量也越大.与旱季相比,荷木大树在湿季偏度较小,液流密度到达峰值时间靠后,峰值大,蒸腾量也大;而小树偏度在旱、湿季的差异不明显,蒸腾量差异也不大.用PAR峰值对荷木个体蒸腾和土壤湿度进行标准化后,荷木个体蒸腾与土壤湿度呈更明显的正相关关系.在土壤湿度较大的季节,荷木大树的蒸腾量随土壤湿度增加而上升的速率基本稳定;而中等木和小树的某些个体则明显下降,说明这些树木的蒸腾和吸收土壤水分的能力可能接近极限.     

Hematology and serum chemistry of harp (Phoca groenlandica) and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) during the breeding season, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada

Standard hematologic and serum chemistry parameters were determined from 28 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) and 20 hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) sampled from 6 March 2001 to 13 March 2001 during the breeding season. Whole blood was collected immediately postmortem from harp seal mother-pup pairs and from six hooded seal pups, and from live-captured adult hooded seals and three hooded seal pups; blood was analyzed within 24 hr at a local human hospital. A certified veterinary laboratory validated subsamples of whole blood and analyzed all serum chemistry parameters. Significant interlaboratory differences in mean values of packed cell volume (PCV) and mean cell volume (MCV) were found. Significant differences were found between samples from the five seal groups (adult male hooded seals, lactating female hooded seals, unweaned hooded seal pups; lactating female harp seals, and unweaned harp seal pups) for hematology and most serum chemistry parameters. In general, age-class influenced mean values of PCV, hemoglobin (HB), red blood cell (RBC) counts, MCV, mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) counts per 100 leucocytes, but most age-related variations were species specific. Harp seal pups had significantly lower mean values of HB, PCV, MCH, and MCHC than did other seal groups, and significantly lower mean RBC counts than did hooded seal pups. Mean NRBC counts per 100 leukocytes were more than three times higher in harp seal pups than in hooded seal pups, but this difference was not statistically significant. Mean MCV were significantly lower in harp and hooded seal pups compared to those of adult harp and hooded seals. Differences in hemograms between pup species were likely because of the precocious development of hooded seal pups, which are weaned within 4 days, compared to 12 days for harp seal pups. Among adult seal groups, male hooded seals had significantly higher mean values of PCV and HB than did female harp and hooded seals, and significantly higher mean RBC counts than did adult female hooded seals. Among adult females, mean values of MCH and MCHC were statistically higher in hooded seals than in harp seals. Adult female harp and hooded seals did not differ significantly in other RBC parameters and mean leukocyte counts. Mean values of glucose, blood urea nitrogen, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein, and albumin showed species-specific variations between adults and pups. Except for ALP, few significant differences in mean enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ALT, creatine kinase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were found between seal groups. Mean concentrations of electrolytes (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and total carbon dioxide) varied with age class, but variations in potassium and magnesium were species specific. Harp seal pups had significantly higher mean phosphorus and potassium levels compared to other seal groups.     

Variation in the calorific value and total energy content of the lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) and other fish preyed on by seabirds

Wet and dry calorific values (energy densities) and total energy content of lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus , sprat Sprattus sprattus , Atlantic herring Clupea harengus , whiting Merlangius merlangus , saithe Pollachius virens and cod Gadus morhua , were measured. Calorific values varied both within and between species. Larger fish tended to have higher calorific values than small ones, particularly when considered in terms of wet weight, but there was considerable temporal variation. The calorific values and body weights of sandeels larger than 10 cm showed marked seasonal trends and in consequence the total energy content of a sandeel of given length in summer is approximately double the spring value. The calorific values of herring and sprat also varied from month to month but seasonal cycles were less obvious. Whiting varied least. Both calorific values and total energy content of individual sprat were very variable in summer (the spawning season of this species). Because there is so much intraspecific variation, care must be taken when assessing the relative merits (in terms of energy) of different species as prey. The practical difficulties of obtaining reliable data on wet calorific values are discussed and the use of dry calorific values and dry weight/length relationships is recommended.     

Serum biochemical values in fallow deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Dama dama</Emphasis> L.) from different habitats in Croatia

Serum biochemical values were determined in blood samples collected from 48 shot fallow deer from the Brijuni islands and 45 sedated fallow deer (Dama dama L.) from hunting grounds in the continental part of Croatia. The parameters were compared with regard to age, sex and habitat. Statistically significant differences were found for serum total protein concentration, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity between young and adult island deer, as well as for total protein, triacylglyceride, cholesterol concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity between young and adult continental deer. In young animals, island males had higher albumin concentrations, while continental males had higher alkaline phosphatase values than females. In adult animals, island males had a higher blood urea nitrogen concentration, while continental males had higher albumin and cholesterol concentrations, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase activities. In this group, males exhibited lower bilirubin and triacylglyceride concentrations than females. Our results indicate that besides age, sex and sampling method, nutritional and environmental factors should be considered when evaluating serum biochemical parameters of fallow deer     

Seasonal variation in the nutrient profile of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrospira fusiformis</Emphasis> biomass harvested from an Ethiopian soda lake,Lake Chitu

The extent of seasonal variation in the nutrient profile of Arthrospira biomass harvested from Lake Chitu was investigated to evaluate the variability of the quality of the product over a period of a year. Protein content varied from 47.9 to 55.7% for wet season biomass samples and from 39.2 to 40.8% for dry season samples. Dry season samples were characterized by relatively higher carbohydrate values (38.0–41.3%). Higher proportion of amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids were recorded for biomass harvested in wet season. Similarly, higher contents of phytonutrients (pigments) were recorded for wet season biomass samples: chlorophyll a (8.2–10.3 mg g^?1), phycobiliproteins (104.1–120.7 mg g^?1), total carotenoids (3.17–4.31 mg g^?1), and β-carotene (1.24–1.61 mg g^?1). The contents of Na and K were higher for a dry season biomass whereas other major (Ca, P, Mg) and trace (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se) minerals were found relatively in higher quantities in a wet season biomass. The nutritional composition of Arthrospira from Lake Chitu was found to be relatively comparable to that found in commercial Arthrospira products in the market. The significance of the findings is discussed in relation to potential sustainable production of Arthrospira biomass from this lake.     

Diversity and Abundance of Litter Frogs in a Montane Forest of Southeastern Brazil: Seasonal and Altitudinal Changes1

We sampled litter frogs in an 1800-ha mid-elevation seasonal forest in southeastern Brazil. One hundred 8 * 8-m plots were sampled during the dry/cold season and wet/warm season (unburned areas); we also examined the effects of fire in recently burned areas. A total of 267 frogs (305 g), belonging to 16 species (4 families) were caught. A single species comprised 78.5 percent of the individuals in the dry/cold season and 54.3 percent in the wet/warm season. The density of individuals did not change significantly with season, biomass did. Density and biomass of frogs were positively correlated with altitude. A Mantel test indicated that biological data (species and their abundance) were significantly associated with environmental parameters. The burned areas showed low values in richness, density and biomass of frogs. Harsh seasonal climate and a history of human disturbance may produce the low observed diversity values. The greater densities of frogs in sites of higher elevation may primarily result from mist-generated humidity, which diminishes the harshness of the dry/cold season in relation to lower sites.     

Season‐modulated responses of Neotropical bats to forest fragmentation

Seasonality causes fluctuations in resource availability, affecting the presence and abundance of animal species. The impacts of these oscillations on wildlife populations can be exacerbated by habitat fragmentation. We assessed differences in bat species abundance between the wet and dry season in a fragmented landscape in the Central Amazon characterized by primary forest fragments embedded in a secondary forest matrix. We also evaluated whether the relative importance of local vegetation structure versus landscape characteristics (composition and configuration) in shaping bat abundance patterns varied between seasons. Our working hypotheses were that abundance responses are species as well as season specific, and that in the wet season, local vegetation structure is a stronger determinant of bat abundance than landscape‐scale attributes. Generalized linear mixed‐effects models in combination with hierarchical partitioning revealed that relationships between species abundances and local vegetation structure and landscape characteristics were both season specific and scale dependent. Overall, landscape characteristics were more important than local vegetation characteristics, suggesting that landscape structure is likely to play an even more important role in landscapes with higher fragment‐matrix contrast. Responses varied between frugivores and animalivores. In the dry season, frugivores responded more to compositional metrics, whereas during the wet season, local and configurational metrics were more important. Animalivores showed similar patterns in both seasons, responding to the same group of metrics in both seasons. Differences in responses likely reflect seasonal differences in the phenology of flowering and fruiting between primary and secondary forests, which affected the foraging behavior and habitat use of bats. Management actions should encompass multiscale approaches to account for the idiosyncratic responses of species to seasonal variation in resource abundance and consequently to local and landscape scale attributes.     

Estrus response of indigenous Nigerian Zebu cows after prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue treatment under continuous observations for two seasons

The study was undertaken to determine the estrus response pattern of Zebu cows indigenous to Nigeria following treatment with prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogue and to determine the effect of season on the estrus parameters. Eighty cyclic Zebu cows were used in both the dry and wet seasons. Two single intramuscular injections of 25 mg of PGF(2alpha) analogue were given per cow 11 days apart regardless of the stage of the estrous cycle. The cows were then observed continuously for 168 h following each injection. The proportion of treated cows responding to PGF(2alpha) treatment in the wet season (90%) was significantly higher (P<0.005) than in the dry season (70.0%). The mean post-injection interval to onset of non-standing estrus (mucus discharge) was 30.6 h and 28.5 h in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Similarly, the intervals to standing estrus were 69.7 h and 63.9 h in the two seasons, respectively. Seasonal effects were not significant. The duration of non-standing estrus was similar for the two seasons (164.2 h and 162.0 h) while the duration of standing estrus was significantly (P<0.01) longer in the wet season (19.2 h) than in the dry season (12.6 h). Also there was seasonal influence on the body condition score of cows, the palpability of corpora lutea (CL) and the intensity of estrus as determined by the number of mounts (17.9+/-2.0 and 51.2+/-3.4 mounts per cow per estrus period in the dry and wet seasons, respectively).     

降雨量改变对常绿阔叶林干旱和湿润季节土壤呼吸的影响

通过野外原位试验,研究降雨量改变对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林干旱和湿润季节土壤呼吸速率的影响。采用LI-8100土壤碳通量分析系统(LI-COR Inc.,USA)测定干旱和湿润季节对照(CK)、增雨10%(LA)、增雨5%(TA)、减雨10%(LR)、减雨20%(MR)、减雨50%(HR)6个处理水平的土壤呼吸速率,并通过回归方程分析温度和湿度与土壤呼吸速率间的关系。结果表明:湿润季节土壤呼吸速率高于干旱季节,HR处理对干旱季节土壤呼吸速率影响较大,而LA处理对湿润季节土壤呼吸速率的影响较大。TA和LR处理使土壤呼吸的温度敏感性增加,而HR、LA和MR处理使土壤呼吸的温度敏感性降低,干旱季节Q10值高于湿润季节。各处理湿润季节土壤微生物量碳氮含量显著高于干旱季节,HR、MR和LA处理减少土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的含量,而TA和LR处理增加土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的含量。与湿润季节相比,干旱季节土壤水分对土壤呼吸速率的影响较大;而与土壤温度相比,土壤水分对土壤呼吸速率的影响较小。在降雨量改变的背景下,华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林无论是干旱还是湿润季节,适当增雨和减雨都会促进土壤呼吸速率,而较高量的增雨和减雨会抑制土壤呼吸速率。     

Seasonality,diaspore traits and the structure of plant-frugivore networks in Neotropical savanna forest

Complex frugivory networks are common in heterogeneous environments, but how the structure of those networks varies due to seasonality and other environmental factors remains unclear. For example, seasonal variation in rainfall can influence fruit production and diaspore characteristics, which could alter the quantity and quality of resources available to different animals in the network and, hence, network structure. We investigated how a frugivory network varied seasonally in Brazilian savanna (Cerrado), where there are well-defined dry and wet seasons and fructification mainly during the rainy season for most tree species. We recorded fruit consumption by animals during the dry and wet seasons in two different gallery forests and used these data to test the hypotheses that connectance, links per species and nestedness would be higher in the dry season than rainy season due to low available food in the former that would be consumed by various species of frugivores. Concomitantly, we also measured seed width and lipid content from diaspores of the fruiting trees to determine if these characteristics influenced interaction properties between fruiting trees and frugivores. Among the measured network parameters, connectance, links per species and specialization varied between seasons in one site but not in the other, indicating that seasonal variation in networks is not necessarily consistent over time or space. The number of tree species with small diaspores with high lipid content differed between seasons, and those characteristics were key factors increasing the interaction parameter of fruiting trees. We suggest that network stability between seasons may be related to local frugivore diversity, resource availability, and fruit quality.     

埃塞俄比亚Senkele Swayne保护区斯韦恩麋羚的种群现状与结构

于2005年10月至2006年4月调查了埃塞俄比亚森可勒斯韦恩麋羚保护区旱季和湿季斯韦恩麋羚(Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei)的种群现状与结构.根据植被类型、道路和沟谷,将研究区划分为5个区域,并且调查了保护区外的一块休耕农地.利用全部计数法计数了每个区域内的斯韦恩麋羚,在28 km2的区域内共统计到283只(湿季)和351只(旱季)麋羚,湿季和旱季的麋羚数量变化显著,其季节间差异是由旱季的出生高峰造成的.斯韦恩麋羚种群中雌性个体占42.7%、雄性占36.0%、幼羚占21.3%.某些区域的麋羚数量要高于其它区域,且无论湿季或旱季斯韦恩麋羚多集中在狼尾草高草地中.斯韦恩麋羚的种群结构随季节而变化,其大集群经常出现在湿季而旱季集群较小.斯韦恩麋羚的种群动态因保护程度的不同在不同时期呈不规则性变化     

Environmental constraints on the foraging behaviour of a dwarf antelope (Madoqua kirkii)

Dik-diks (Madoqua sp.) inhabit semi-arid regions and experience very different conditions of food availability and quality between wet and dry seasons. By comparing the behaviour of dik-diks between these two seasons, we identified environmental constraints affecting their feeding strategies. In both seasons foraging time was limited by high mid day temperatures. In the wet season a high intake rate compensates for the loss in foraging time, but in the dry season water and protein become limiting. To meet minimum daily water requirements in the dry season dik-diks fed on plant species that they avoided during the wet season. Analysis at the plant species level showed higher species selectivity in the wet season than in the dry season. In a multiple regression analysis food species preferences were best explained by relative abundance and water content in the dry season, and by dry matter content in the wet season. In the wet season the daily dry-matter intake of dik-diks in the field was only about 10% higher than the theoretically predicted minimum for a ruminant of this body weight, while protein and water intake were about 3 times as high. This suggests that the most limiting dietary component in the wet season is energy. In the dry season the daily intake of all dietary components is lower than the theoretical minimum required, and also lower than the values suggested by laboratory studies of dik-diks. This dry season deficit is presumably met from body reserves. Dry season water intake was approximately 30% of the intake observed in laboratory studies indicating that dikdiks are even better adapted to arid conditions than suggested by physiological experiments.