Age-Specific Survival and Probable Causes of Mortality in Female Lesser Prairie-Chickens

ABSTRACT Long-term population declines and habitat reductions have increased concern over the status of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). Robust estimates of demographic parameters are essential for identifying population declines and planning effective management. We evaluated the effects of age and season on the survival of female lesser prairie-chickens at 2 sites in southwestern Kansas, USA. Using telemetry data from a 7-year field study (from 1997 to 2003), we estimated seasonal (Apr—Sep) and annual (Apr—Mar) survival. We also examined daily survival rates of females attending nests during the 26-day incubation period and young during the 14-day early brood-rearing period. We evaluated the probable mortality causes of radiomarked birds by examining evidence at recovery sites. We captured 227 female lesser prairie-chickens (87 yearlings, 117 ad, and 23 age undetermined) and fitted them with radiotransmitters. Estimates of 12-month survival were lower among yearlings (Ŝ₁₂ = 0.429, SE = 0.117) and adults at site I (Ŝ₁₂ > = 0.302, SE = 0.080) than among yearlings (Ŝ₁₂ = 0.588, SE = 0.100) and adults at site II (Ŝ₁₂ > = 0.438, SE = 0.083). The patterns in timing of mortality and age-specific 6-month survival were consistent with those of 12-month estimates at site I from 1998 to 2002, with a peak in mortality during May and June. Females tending to nests or to prefledged chicks had lower daily survival (DŜR_tend = 0.993, SE = 0.001) than females not involved in these activities (DŜR_{failedbreeder} = 0.997, SE = 0.002). We recorded 92 mortalities from April 1997 to March 2003, and 59% and 11% were attributed to predation by mammals and raptors, respectively. Our research suggests that predation during the nesting season can have a major impact on lesser prairie-chicken demography, and conservation efforts should focus on enhancing female survival during the nesting and brood-rearing seasons.     

Chemical Characterization of Different Extracts from Artemisia annua and Their Antioxidant,Enzyme Inhibitory and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae Family) is an important plant in Asia that has been used for treating different diseases, including fever due to malaria, wounds, tubercolisis, scabues, pain, convulsions, diabetes, and inflammation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of different polarity extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, ethanol/water (70 %) and water) from A. annua against the burden of inflammation and oxidative stress occurring in colon tissue exposed to LPS. In parallel, chemical composition, antiradical, and enzyme inhibition effects against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and cholinesterases were evaluated. The water extract contained the highest content of the total phenolic with 34.59 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract, while the hexane had the highest content of the total flavonoid (20.06 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g extract). In antioxidant assays, the polar extracts (ethanol, ethanol/water and water) exhibited stronger radical scavenging and reducing power abilities when compared to non-polar extracts. The hexane extract showed the best AChE, tyrosinase and glucosidase inhibitory effects. All extracts revealed effective anti-inflammatory agents, as demonstrated by the blunting effects on COX-2 and TNFα gene expression. These effects seemed to be not related to the only phenolic content. However, it is worthy of interest to highlight how the higher potency against LPS-induced gene expression was shown by the water extract ; thus suggesting a potential phytotherapy application in the management of clinical symptoms related to inflammatory colon diseases, although future in vivo studies are needed to confirm such in vitro and ex vivo observations.     

Using gas chromatography to determine winter diets of greater sage-grouse in Utah

Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) constitutes the majority (>99%) of sage-grouse (Centrocercus spp.) winter diets. Thus, identification and protection of important winter habitats is a conservation priority. However, not all sagebrush may be alike. More information is needed regarding sage-grouse sagebrush winter dietary preferences for application to management. The objective of our research was to determine if chemical analysis of fecal pellets could be used to characterize winter sage-grouse diets as a substitute for more invasive methods. We collected and analyzed fecal pellets and sagebrush samples from 29 different sage-grouse flock locations in northwestern and southcentral Utah. Using gas chromatography, we were able to identify crude terpene profiles that were unique to Wyoming sagebrush (A. tridentata wyomingensis) and black sagebrush (A. nova). We subsequently used the profiles to determine sagebrush composition of sage-grouse fecal pellets, thus reflecting sage-grouse winter diets. This technique provides managers with a tool to determine which species or subspecies of sagebrush may be important in the winter diets of sage-grouse populations. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Development of a nontoxic acoustic window nutrient-mist bioreactor and relevant growth data

Summary A nutrient-mist bioreactor was designed that separates the nutrient medium from the electronic components via an acoustic window. This eliminates compromising culture sterility when repairing mechanical failures common with commercially available mist reactors. The experimental mist bioreactor is low cost and can be assembled in any laboratory. Toxicity tests of several potential acoustically transparent materials are included. Details of the construction procedures include methods for casting the window. Growth data using the newly designed nutrient mist bioreactor are compared to data from a commercial mist reactor, shake flasks, and Gelrite cultures.Artemisia annua hairy roots andNephrolepis exaltata shoot cultures showed growth comparable to the conventional tissue culture methods.     

DNA isolation methods for medicinal and aromatic plants

Several protocols described for plant DNA isolation fail to produce good quality DNA from medicinal herbs and aromatic plants. These plants contain exceptionally high amounts of secondary metabolites that interfere with DNA isolation. To address this problem, we developed 2 DNA isolation methods for sundew and tarragon that produce DNA suitable for molecular biological applications. One of the methods also is applicable for milfoil and Siberian ginseng.