The captive white-tailed deer industry has an estimated impact of 1.6 billion USD in the state of Texas alone. However, nutritional requirements for cervids are determined through research based on sheep and goats. Th...The captive white-tailed deer industry has an estimated impact of 1.6 billion USD in the state of Texas alone. However, nutritional requirements for cervids are determined through research based on sheep and goats. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of zinc on differences in dry matter digestibility in vitro for white-tailed does (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer (n = 2) were ethically harvested, rumens were collected, and placed into a cooler containing warm water. Rumen contents were agitated, and fluid was filtered using cheese cloth while applying CO2. Fluid was placed into four separate incubator jars with filter bags containing a 1:1 alfalfa to coastal hay blend. Zinc doses of 0.073 mg/kg/d equivalents were added to two of the jars ( Zn), and the additional two jars received 0.00 mg/kg/d (CON). Following 48 h of incubation, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) showed no significant differences between the control and the treatment groups. Average dry matter digested in vitro was 91.87% and 95.13%, respectively. There were no differences detected in ADF, NDF, IVTD, or OM between the treatment groups. While no detectable differences were observed in this study, this methodology did prove to be viable and functional for microbial digestion in vitro. This study can be replicated with multiple experimental units to confirm the observations of increased digestibility. Formal nutritional guidelines can be created to allow for more efficient feeding of cervids thereby reducing feed costs and continuing the growth of the captive deer industry.展开更多
Microsatellite loci distributing on genome randomly act as effective genetic markers. To date, about 200 microsatellite loci were found in cervids b y transferring microsatellite PCR primers derived in bovine, ovine ...Microsatellite loci distributing on genome randomly act as effective genetic markers. To date, about 200 microsatellite loci were found in cervids b y transferring microsatellite PCR primers derived in bovine, ovine to cervids, a s well as a few loci derived directly from deer microsatellite library. These lo ci have been used in parentage determination, genetic diversity and population s tructure, population introgression, as genetic marker gestation length and winte ring survival et al. However, microsatellite loci presently found are untouchabl e to the demand of application. Future work should include: 1) isolating a large number of cervine microsatellite loci, 2) constructing genetic and physical map s of microsatellite loci. So that microsatelites have a strong base for advanced applications in deer.展开更多
Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores,depending on the plant response.Using a cafeteria test,we studied the preference by root voles(Microtus oecon...Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores,depending on the plant response.Using a cafeteria test,we studied the preference by root voles(Microtus oeconomus[Pallas,1776])for bilberry(Vaccinium myrtillus L.)previously subjected to 4 levels of simulated moose(Alces alces[Linnaeus,1758])density.The different levels of moose density were simulated at population densities relevant for Fennoscandian conditions,in exclosures situated along a site productivity gradient.We expected:(i)voles to prefer bilberry from high productivity sites over low productivity sites;(ii)voles to prefer browsed bilberry,if plants allocate resources to compensatory growth or to avoid browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to defense;(iii)these effects to increase with increasing simulated moose density;and(iv)the concentration of plant chemicals and the plant morphology to explain vole preference.Specifically,we predicted that voles would prefer:(i)plants with high nitrogen content;(ii)plants with low content of defensive substances;and(iii)tall plants with long shoots.Voles preferred bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites.We also found an interaction between site productivity and simulated moose density,where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites.There was no effect of plant chemistry or morphology on vole preference.We conclude that moose browsing impacts the food preference of voles.With the current high densities of moose in Fennoscandia,this could potentially influence vole food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas.展开更多
文摘The captive white-tailed deer industry has an estimated impact of 1.6 billion USD in the state of Texas alone. However, nutritional requirements for cervids are determined through research based on sheep and goats. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of zinc on differences in dry matter digestibility in vitro for white-tailed does (Odocoileus virginianus). Deer (n = 2) were ethically harvested, rumens were collected, and placed into a cooler containing warm water. Rumen contents were agitated, and fluid was filtered using cheese cloth while applying CO2. Fluid was placed into four separate incubator jars with filter bags containing a 1:1 alfalfa to coastal hay blend. Zinc doses of 0.073 mg/kg/d equivalents were added to two of the jars ( Zn), and the additional two jars received 0.00 mg/kg/d (CON). Following 48 h of incubation, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) showed no significant differences between the control and the treatment groups. Average dry matter digested in vitro was 91.87% and 95.13%, respectively. There were no differences detected in ADF, NDF, IVTD, or OM between the treatment groups. While no detectable differences were observed in this study, this methodology did prove to be viable and functional for microbial digestion in vitro. This study can be replicated with multiple experimental units to confirm the observations of increased digestibility. Formal nutritional guidelines can be created to allow for more efficient feeding of cervids thereby reducing feed costs and continuing the growth of the captive deer industry.
文摘Microsatellite loci distributing on genome randomly act as effective genetic markers. To date, about 200 microsatellite loci were found in cervids b y transferring microsatellite PCR primers derived in bovine, ovine to cervids, a s well as a few loci derived directly from deer microsatellite library. These lo ci have been used in parentage determination, genetic diversity and population s tructure, population introgression, as genetic marker gestation length and winte ring survival et al. However, microsatellite loci presently found are untouchabl e to the demand of application. Future work should include: 1) isolating a large number of cervine microsatellite loci, 2) constructing genetic and physical map s of microsatellite loci. So that microsatelites have a strong base for advanced applications in deer.
基金supported by a grant from NIH(R01AI132695)to RM。
文摘Chronic wasting disease—a prion disease affecting cervids:Many neurological conditions,including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,frontotemporal dementias,among others,are caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain.These diseases affect not only humans,but also animals.
基金This study was funded by Hedmark University College.The moose simulation experiment,including sampling of bilberry used in this experiment,was financed by the Swedish Research Council for Environmental,Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning,and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency(grants to I-L Persson and K Danell)The forest companies Assi Domän/Sveaskog and Holmen Skog kindly allowed us to work on their land.The study was conducted in accordance with current Norwegian and Swedish laws,under the necessary permits(2007/11612 ART-VI-ID and STFDU1058).
文摘Browsing by large herbivores might either increase or decrease preference for the plant by other herbivores,depending on the plant response.Using a cafeteria test,we studied the preference by root voles(Microtus oeconomus[Pallas,1776])for bilberry(Vaccinium myrtillus L.)previously subjected to 4 levels of simulated moose(Alces alces[Linnaeus,1758])density.The different levels of moose density were simulated at population densities relevant for Fennoscandian conditions,in exclosures situated along a site productivity gradient.We expected:(i)voles to prefer bilberry from high productivity sites over low productivity sites;(ii)voles to prefer browsed bilberry,if plants allocate resources to compensatory growth or to avoid browsed bilberry if plants allocate resources to defense;(iii)these effects to increase with increasing simulated moose density;and(iv)the concentration of plant chemicals and the plant morphology to explain vole preference.Specifically,we predicted that voles would prefer:(i)plants with high nitrogen content;(ii)plants with low content of defensive substances;and(iii)tall plants with long shoots.Voles preferred bilberry from the high productivity sites compared to the low productivity sites.We also found an interaction between site productivity and simulated moose density,where voles preferred unbrowsed plants at low productivity sites and intermediate levels of browsing at high productivity sites.There was no effect of plant chemistry or morphology on vole preference.We conclude that moose browsing impacts the food preference of voles.With the current high densities of moose in Fennoscandia,this could potentially influence vole food selection and population dynamics over large geographical areas.
