This document summarizes research testing the effectiveness of scent lures and hair snares for collecting samples from captive jaguars. Four scent lures were tested on 7 jaguars: Calvin Klein Obsession perfume elicited the most cheek rubbing and highest investigation, making it the most promising lure. A hair snare design using grooming brush pads collected over 300 hairs on average from jaguars. While more testing is needed with wild jaguars, this research provides a potential non-invasive method for collecting DNA samples to study wild jaguar populations.
This document is a resume for Philip Ozgul summarizing his education and relevant experience. It shows that he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2016 with a 3.5 GPA and a minor in Business. It also outlines his experience as an intern at Chesapeake Energy Corporation in reservoir engineering, completions engineering, and facilities engineering from 2014 to 2016. Finally, it lists his leadership experience in various organizations at Texas A&M University.
Este documento ofrece servicios de asesoría en tres áreas: tecnología en la agroindustria como balance de materiales y equipos para azúcar, maní y jugos; mecánica incluyendo diseño de sistemas de bombeo, evaporadores y clarificadores; y administración con temas de liderazgo, seguridad laboral y mantenimiento industrial.
Sherry Williams will speak at an event on November 9th about maximizing personal and professional potential through effective work-life balance. She will share her experience balancing family responsibilities with a demanding legal career. A panel discussion will then provide insights on defining and adapting one's own work-life balance. The event, sponsored by NAWBO Houston, will be held from 6-8:30 PM at Tulane University's Houston campus.
This document presents a master's thesis that examines the use of hair cortisol levels as a non-invasive biomarker for stress in cattle and mink. Hair samples were collected from 306 cattle across 24 farms and 63 mink from farms, a wildlife park, and wild populations. The hair cortisol levels varied significantly between cattle breeds, genders, ages, and housing conditions. Levels also varied significantly between mink housing conditions and genders. The results suggest that hair cortisol may be a useful biomarker for assessing stress in animals and identifying factors that impact welfare. However, more research is still needed to fully understand and account for all variables that could influence cortisol levels.
This document is a resume for Philip Ozgul summarizing his education and relevant experience. It shows that he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2016 with a 3.5 GPA and a minor in Business. It also outlines his experience as an intern at Chesapeake Energy Corporation in reservoir engineering, completions engineering, and facilities engineering from 2014 to 2016. Finally, it lists his leadership experience in various organizations at Texas A&M University.
Este documento ofrece servicios de asesoría en tres áreas: tecnología en la agroindustria como balance de materiales y equipos para azúcar, maní y jugos; mecánica incluyendo diseño de sistemas de bombeo, evaporadores y clarificadores; y administración con temas de liderazgo, seguridad laboral y mantenimiento industrial.
Sherry Williams will speak at an event on November 9th about maximizing personal and professional potential through effective work-life balance. She will share her experience balancing family responsibilities with a demanding legal career. A panel discussion will then provide insights on defining and adapting one's own work-life balance. The event, sponsored by NAWBO Houston, will be held from 6-8:30 PM at Tulane University's Houston campus.
This document presents a master's thesis that examines the use of hair cortisol levels as a non-invasive biomarker for stress in cattle and mink. Hair samples were collected from 306 cattle across 24 farms and 63 mink from farms, a wildlife park, and wild populations. The hair cortisol levels varied significantly between cattle breeds, genders, ages, and housing conditions. Levels also varied significantly between mink housing conditions and genders. The results suggest that hair cortisol may be a useful biomarker for assessing stress in animals and identifying factors that impact welfare. However, more research is still needed to fully understand and account for all variables that could influence cortisol levels.
Myers AIR - Barrow and Gilt Vocalizations During a Human Approach TestSarah Myers
The study investigated differences in vocalizations between barrows and gilts during a human approach test meant to induce fear. Gilts expressed a greater number of low calls (<1000 Hz) compared to barrows, but barrows expressed a greater number of high calls (≥1000 Hz). Behavioral analysis also found gilts were more active, attempted escape more, and froze more, suggesting greater fearfulness in gilts. However, the longer duration and greater number of high calls from barrows was unexpected and warrants further research into vocalization differences between barrows and gilts during fear tests.
Understanding the behavior of domestic emus a means to improve their manageme...Deepa Menon
This research article studied the behavior of domestic emus on a farm to improve their management and welfare. The researchers observed 8 emus over 12 days, recording their behaviors every 30 minutes. They identified major behaviors like eating, drinking, standing, walking, grooming, socializing, vocalizing, and resting. The emus spent most of their time walking, standing, and eating. When moved to a new pen, the emus initially huddled together away from resident birds. The time spent on different activities did not differ between males and females. The study provided information on common emu behaviors that can help assess their welfare.
Behavior of Lurcher Mice and Wild Type Mice Goldy Landau
The document summarizes several experiments conducted to analyze the behavior of Lurcher mutant mice compared to wild type mice. Tests included the wooden beam test to measure balance and coordination, the hole board test to assess exploratory behavior, and general activity and grooming tests. Results showed Lurcher mice had poorer motor coordination on the wooden beam test and higher hind limb usage in mobility tests compared to wild type mice. Several research papers are cited relating to motor deficits and abnormalities observed in Lurcher mice.
This study investigated whether the white spots (stigmata) on the wings of female dark-winged damselflies (Calopteryx maculata) serve as a form of species recognition for male damselflies. Female models with obscured stigmata were presented to males, and the time to clasp and clasp rate was recorded. There was no significant difference in clasp times between females with and without stigmata. However, the clasp rate was significantly lower for females with obscured stigmata, suggesting stigmata may serve as a species recognition signal. However, the small sample size and variable weather conditions limit the conclusiveness of the results. While stigmata could allow species recognition, signals
Parasites in Frogs & RabbitsFinalForRealThisTIMEEmelia Gwin
The experiment aimed to extract and identify parasites from frogs and rabbits. Parasites were collected from the entrails of ten frogs and four rabbits. They were dehydrated using ethanol and xylene, stained with Alizarin red S, and mounted on microscope slides. Observations under a microscope identified the parasites. For frogs, nematodes were found in 70% and flukes in 90%, while tapeworms were least prevalent at 20%. Rabbits all contained nematodes, while tapeworms and flukes were each found in 25%. The duodenum and jejunum of rabbits contained the most parasites.
This document provides background information on a study that investigated how social enrichment and nocturnal enclosure types affected stereotypical behaviors and interactions in a herd of nine African elephants at Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa. The study observed the elephants for nine weeks after their enclosure was changed from individual pens at night to a larger shared enclosure overnight. Results indicated a significant reduction in both stereotypical behaviors and social interactions among the elephants when they were housed in the larger shared nocturnal enclosure, demonstrating the importance of enclosure type and social environment on elephant welfare. This study contributes to the limited research on how nighttime husbandry practices can influence stereotypical behaviors in captive elephants.
MAC 1105 2015-1 Test 2 Name _________________________________.docxsmile790243
MAC 1105 2015-1 Test 2 Name: _____________________________________
YOU MUST SHOW ALL WORK TO RECEIVE CREDIT.
Determine the intervals over which the function is decreasing, increasing, and constant. WRITE YOUR
ANSWER IN INTERVAL NOTATION.
1)
1
Evaluate the function for the given values of x.
2)
f(x) =
-3x + 3, for x < -1
x2 + 3, for -1 x < 3
2, for x 3
(a) f(-1);
(b) f(4)
Graph the function.
3) f(x) =
-5 - x, x < 1
-2, x 1
2
Graph the given function. Be sure to plot x- and y-intercepts (if they exist).
4) g(x) = x2 - 2
Graph the given function. Be sure to plot x- and y-intercepts (if they exist).
5) g(x) = -x + 5
Determine whether the given function is even, odd, or neither. Justify your answer.
6) f(x) = 3x2 + x4
3
Use the graph to find the indicated function value.
7) y = f(x). Find f(-2)
Determine the domain and range of the function.
8)
Find the domain of the function.. Write the domain in interval notation.
9) f(x) =
6
3 - x
4
10) f(x) = 2x2 - 9x, g(x) = x2 - 7x - 18 Find f/g.
11) Find (f - g)(-4) given f(x) = 4x2 - 3 and g(x) = x - 5.
12) Given f(x) = 4x2 + 3x + 8 and g(x) = 3x - 3, find (g f)(x).
5
Find and simplify the difference quotient of f,
f(x + h) - f(x)
h
, h 0, for the function. SHOW ALL WORK
13) f(x) = x2 + 7x + 1
Find the distance between the pair of points. Leave your answer in closed form (no decimals).
14) (2 3, 3) and (6 3, 4)
Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment PQ.
15) P(0.7, 6.1), Q(7.8, -6.2)
6
Write the equation of the circle in in standard form. Find the center and radius and use them to graph the
circle.
16) x2 + y2 + 8x + 6y + 21 = 0
7
Thump! Thump! Thump! As the hollow sound echoes through the Liberian rainforest, Vera Leinert and her fellow
researchers freeze. Silently, Leinert directs the
guide to investigate. Jefferson ‘Bola’ Skinnah,
a ranger with the Liberian Forestry Develop-
ment Authority, stalks ahead, using the thump-
ing to mask the sound of his movement.
In a sunlit opening in the forest, Skinnah
spots a large adult chimpanzee hammering
something with a big stone. The chimpanzee
puts a broken nut into its mouth then contin-
ues pounding. When Skinnah tries to move
closer, the chimp disappears into the trees. By
the time Leinert and her crew get to the clear-
ing, the animal is long gone.
For the past year, Leinert has been trek-
king through Sapo National Park, Liberia’s
first and only protected reserve, to study its
chimpanzee population. A student volunteer
at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary
Anthropology (EVA) in Leipzig, Germany,
Leinert has never seen her elusive subjects in
the flesh but she knows some of them well.
There’s an energetic young male with a big
belly who hammers nuts so vigorously he has
to grab a sapling for support. There are the
stronger adults who can split a nut with three
blows. And there are the mothers who parade
through the site with their babies. They’ve all
been ...
Dr. Oliver Love runs the Love Lab at the University of Windsor. The lab examines physiological mechanisms driving life history trade-offs in birds. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach using evolutionary physiology, behavioural ecology, and conservation biology. The lab studies various bird species including tree swallows, seabirds, and Arctic species like snow buntings. It measures stress hormones in bird blood samples to understand the effects of disturbed habitats. The lab also breeds zebra finches to study genetic mutations and conduct experiments that can't be done on wild birds. The overall goal is to better understand and conserve bird populations.
The predator deterrent effects of musk gland secretions from the common musk ...neildazet
note: the image on the 3rd slide did not upload correctly to slideshare and the arrows are not pointing to the correct locations.
ABSTRACT:
Prey organisms have evolved a variety of defense mechanisms that lessen the risk of being detected, attacked, or killed by a predator. Antipredator chemical defenses are utilized by a wide variety of taxa, most notably plants, insects, and amphibians. The odorous secretions from the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) have a presumed antipredator function, but experimental studies testing this hypothesis are lacking. This study tested the feeding deterrent effects of musk gland secretions from juvenile common musk turtles on a natural predator, the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous). Neonate cottonmouths were presented with feeder minnows which either had distilled water or turtle musk applied to them. Variables measured included latency to feed and time of consumption. The latency to feed times for cottonmouths presented with distilled water minnows were not significantly different from those of cottonmouths presented with turtle musk minnows. The prey consumption times for cottonmouths feeding on turtle musk minnows were significantly greater than those of cottonmouths feeding on distilled water minnows. These results suggest that the musk secretions may lengthen the time of a predation sequence, allowing the turtle more time for a possible escape from the predator.
The document reports on a long-term study of large mammal populations in Costa Rica's Talamanca Cordillera region. Over four years of camera trap surveys across six areas, occupancy modeling estimated occupancy for 23 detected mammal species. The highest occupancy was 0.8661 for Dice's cottontail, while the lowest was 0.1254 for nine-banded armadillo. Elevation influenced occupancy for several predators and prey species. The study aims to improve understanding of keystone species like jaguar and address illegal hunting impacts.
Ultraviolet light can be used to detect predator activity on hemlock woolly adelgid without dissecting egg sacs. Under UV light, undamaged adelgids glow blue-white, adelgids damaged by the predator L. nigrinus glow chartreuse as their hemolymph leaks out, damaged eggs glow yellow, and predator frass glows orange. These fluorescent colors allow observation of predator trails and activity patterns over time. Using UV light is a non-invasive method that could help determine if chemical treatments are needed or if biological control by predators is sufficient.
This study aimed to identify pinworm species infecting a colony of Syrian hamsters and determine if transmission could occur to immunodeficient mice. The pinworm was identified as Syphacia mesocriceti based on morphology and 28S rDNA sequencing, though dimensions were slightly larger than reported. Weekly transfers of infected hamster bedding to sentinel hamsters and mice showed no transmission to mice by tape tests or PCR over 5 weeks, suggesting S. mesocriceti is host-specific.
The document summarizes a project by Friends of Puketoki Reserve to improve forest health and restore native birdlife through pest control. Volunteers used bait stations spaced 50m apart to control rodents and possums. Initial tracking showed rats and mice. Vegetation surveys from 2006 to 2007 showed increased regeneration, especially of tawa seedlings, indicating pest control was reducing possum damage. While bait take indicated few rats remained, ongoing bait interference suggested high possum numbers, though other evidence conflicted. The group is testing new pest control products to effectively manage both rats and possums in the reserve.
This study examined predator distribution, habitat use, and diet in a California wilderness area by collecting and analyzing bobcat, mountain lion, bear, coyote, and fox scat. The researchers found 230 scat samples across 5 habitat types and identified predator distributions and prey richness varied between habitats and predator species. Statistical analysis showed predator scat distribution and prey richness in scats differed significantly between habitat types and predator species. Camera traps provided additional evidence that predator activity patterns varied temporally, indicating niche differentiation between species. The study provided insight into trophic interactions and informed conservation recommendations.
External contamination of hair with heroin was evaluated in six volunteers over 3 months. All contaminated subjects tested positive for opiates like heroin, 6-MAM, morphine and acetylcodeine for at least 3 months after the contamination period. Significant levels of 6-MAM (>0.5 ng/mg) were detected until 6 weeks in all subjects. The 6-MAM/morphine ratio was always above 1.3, even 3 months after contamination. Decontamination procedures were not sufficient to remove drugs that had penetrated into hair from external contamination. This suggests a risk of false positives from external contamination when interpreting hair drug tests.
1) The document describes experiments measuring boldness and foraging behaviors in two species of crayfish, O. rusticus and O. propinquus.
2) Three measures of boldness were taken for each crayfish - aggression towards a novel object, latency to exit a refuge in a novel environment, and giving-up density in foraging.
3) The experiments aimed to determine if behaviors were consistent within individuals over time and across contexts, and how individual variation related to foraging behaviors.
1) The study evaluated the use of powdered sugar dusting to control varroa mites in honey bee colonies located in Utah.
2) Treated colonies that were dusted with powdered sugar had a significantly larger number of mites immediately drop off compared to untreated control colonies.
3) Treated colonies also had a smaller average daily mite drop over time compared to control colonies, indicating the powdered sugar reduced overall mite populations.
This document discusses conservation efforts and challenges in protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. It provides updates on wildlife surveys conducted in the lowland sectors of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park to assess populations of eastern lowland gorillas and remove the park from the list of endangered World Heritage Sites. The surveys found evidence of gorillas and other primates but also human activities like poaching. Conservation activities also resumed in the Sarambwe Reserve in DRC after it was abandoned due to violence.
The document provides instructions for students to become certified snake safety investigators. They will investigate snake facts, design models of snakes and their habitats, produce the models, create an informational poster, and evaluate their work. The goal is for students to learn about snake safety so they are prepared for encounters with snakes over the summer.
Designing a Trap to Attract and Capture Kissing RevisionAnaliese Wenger
This study attempted to design an effective trap to capture kissing bugs, which transmit Chagas disease, in Jalisco, Mexico. The trap design utilized both CO2 emitted by yeast and LED lights, which previous studies found attractive to kissing bugs. No kissing bugs were captured in the novel trap designs over three nights of testing. Some traps were modified to widen the openings after one bug had difficulty entering. More kissing bugs were captured in pitfall traps placed nearby, suggesting these traps better reflect the bugs' natural behaviors. The trap design may need alterations to effectively capture kissing bugs for future surveys.
Myers AIR - Barrow and Gilt Vocalizations During a Human Approach TestSarah Myers
The study investigated differences in vocalizations between barrows and gilts during a human approach test meant to induce fear. Gilts expressed a greater number of low calls (<1000 Hz) compared to barrows, but barrows expressed a greater number of high calls (≥1000 Hz). Behavioral analysis also found gilts were more active, attempted escape more, and froze more, suggesting greater fearfulness in gilts. However, the longer duration and greater number of high calls from barrows was unexpected and warrants further research into vocalization differences between barrows and gilts during fear tests.
Understanding the behavior of domestic emus a means to improve their manageme...Deepa Menon
This research article studied the behavior of domestic emus on a farm to improve their management and welfare. The researchers observed 8 emus over 12 days, recording their behaviors every 30 minutes. They identified major behaviors like eating, drinking, standing, walking, grooming, socializing, vocalizing, and resting. The emus spent most of their time walking, standing, and eating. When moved to a new pen, the emus initially huddled together away from resident birds. The time spent on different activities did not differ between males and females. The study provided information on common emu behaviors that can help assess their welfare.
Behavior of Lurcher Mice and Wild Type Mice Goldy Landau
The document summarizes several experiments conducted to analyze the behavior of Lurcher mutant mice compared to wild type mice. Tests included the wooden beam test to measure balance and coordination, the hole board test to assess exploratory behavior, and general activity and grooming tests. Results showed Lurcher mice had poorer motor coordination on the wooden beam test and higher hind limb usage in mobility tests compared to wild type mice. Several research papers are cited relating to motor deficits and abnormalities observed in Lurcher mice.
This study investigated whether the white spots (stigmata) on the wings of female dark-winged damselflies (Calopteryx maculata) serve as a form of species recognition for male damselflies. Female models with obscured stigmata were presented to males, and the time to clasp and clasp rate was recorded. There was no significant difference in clasp times between females with and without stigmata. However, the clasp rate was significantly lower for females with obscured stigmata, suggesting stigmata may serve as a species recognition signal. However, the small sample size and variable weather conditions limit the conclusiveness of the results. While stigmata could allow species recognition, signals
Parasites in Frogs & RabbitsFinalForRealThisTIMEEmelia Gwin
The experiment aimed to extract and identify parasites from frogs and rabbits. Parasites were collected from the entrails of ten frogs and four rabbits. They were dehydrated using ethanol and xylene, stained with Alizarin red S, and mounted on microscope slides. Observations under a microscope identified the parasites. For frogs, nematodes were found in 70% and flukes in 90%, while tapeworms were least prevalent at 20%. Rabbits all contained nematodes, while tapeworms and flukes were each found in 25%. The duodenum and jejunum of rabbits contained the most parasites.
This document provides background information on a study that investigated how social enrichment and nocturnal enclosure types affected stereotypical behaviors and interactions in a herd of nine African elephants at Knysna Elephant Park in South Africa. The study observed the elephants for nine weeks after their enclosure was changed from individual pens at night to a larger shared enclosure overnight. Results indicated a significant reduction in both stereotypical behaviors and social interactions among the elephants when they were housed in the larger shared nocturnal enclosure, demonstrating the importance of enclosure type and social environment on elephant welfare. This study contributes to the limited research on how nighttime husbandry practices can influence stereotypical behaviors in captive elephants.
MAC 1105 2015-1 Test 2 Name _________________________________.docxsmile790243
MAC 1105 2015-1 Test 2 Name: _____________________________________
YOU MUST SHOW ALL WORK TO RECEIVE CREDIT.
Determine the intervals over which the function is decreasing, increasing, and constant. WRITE YOUR
ANSWER IN INTERVAL NOTATION.
1)
1
Evaluate the function for the given values of x.
2)
f(x) =
-3x + 3, for x < -1
x2 + 3, for -1 x < 3
2, for x 3
(a) f(-1);
(b) f(4)
Graph the function.
3) f(x) =
-5 - x, x < 1
-2, x 1
2
Graph the given function. Be sure to plot x- and y-intercepts (if they exist).
4) g(x) = x2 - 2
Graph the given function. Be sure to plot x- and y-intercepts (if they exist).
5) g(x) = -x + 5
Determine whether the given function is even, odd, or neither. Justify your answer.
6) f(x) = 3x2 + x4
3
Use the graph to find the indicated function value.
7) y = f(x). Find f(-2)
Determine the domain and range of the function.
8)
Find the domain of the function.. Write the domain in interval notation.
9) f(x) =
6
3 - x
4
10) f(x) = 2x2 - 9x, g(x) = x2 - 7x - 18 Find f/g.
11) Find (f - g)(-4) given f(x) = 4x2 - 3 and g(x) = x - 5.
12) Given f(x) = 4x2 + 3x + 8 and g(x) = 3x - 3, find (g f)(x).
5
Find and simplify the difference quotient of f,
f(x + h) - f(x)
h
, h 0, for the function. SHOW ALL WORK
13) f(x) = x2 + 7x + 1
Find the distance between the pair of points. Leave your answer in closed form (no decimals).
14) (2 3, 3) and (6 3, 4)
Find the coordinates of the midpoint of the line segment PQ.
15) P(0.7, 6.1), Q(7.8, -6.2)
6
Write the equation of the circle in in standard form. Find the center and radius and use them to graph the
circle.
16) x2 + y2 + 8x + 6y + 21 = 0
7
Thump! Thump! Thump! As the hollow sound echoes through the Liberian rainforest, Vera Leinert and her fellow
researchers freeze. Silently, Leinert directs the
guide to investigate. Jefferson ‘Bola’ Skinnah,
a ranger with the Liberian Forestry Develop-
ment Authority, stalks ahead, using the thump-
ing to mask the sound of his movement.
In a sunlit opening in the forest, Skinnah
spots a large adult chimpanzee hammering
something with a big stone. The chimpanzee
puts a broken nut into its mouth then contin-
ues pounding. When Skinnah tries to move
closer, the chimp disappears into the trees. By
the time Leinert and her crew get to the clear-
ing, the animal is long gone.
For the past year, Leinert has been trek-
king through Sapo National Park, Liberia’s
first and only protected reserve, to study its
chimpanzee population. A student volunteer
at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary
Anthropology (EVA) in Leipzig, Germany,
Leinert has never seen her elusive subjects in
the flesh but she knows some of them well.
There’s an energetic young male with a big
belly who hammers nuts so vigorously he has
to grab a sapling for support. There are the
stronger adults who can split a nut with three
blows. And there are the mothers who parade
through the site with their babies. They’ve all
been ...
Dr. Oliver Love runs the Love Lab at the University of Windsor. The lab examines physiological mechanisms driving life history trade-offs in birds. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach using evolutionary physiology, behavioural ecology, and conservation biology. The lab studies various bird species including tree swallows, seabirds, and Arctic species like snow buntings. It measures stress hormones in bird blood samples to understand the effects of disturbed habitats. The lab also breeds zebra finches to study genetic mutations and conduct experiments that can't be done on wild birds. The overall goal is to better understand and conserve bird populations.
The predator deterrent effects of musk gland secretions from the common musk ...neildazet
note: the image on the 3rd slide did not upload correctly to slideshare and the arrows are not pointing to the correct locations.
ABSTRACT:
Prey organisms have evolved a variety of defense mechanisms that lessen the risk of being detected, attacked, or killed by a predator. Antipredator chemical defenses are utilized by a wide variety of taxa, most notably plants, insects, and amphibians. The odorous secretions from the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) have a presumed antipredator function, but experimental studies testing this hypothesis are lacking. This study tested the feeding deterrent effects of musk gland secretions from juvenile common musk turtles on a natural predator, the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous). Neonate cottonmouths were presented with feeder minnows which either had distilled water or turtle musk applied to them. Variables measured included latency to feed and time of consumption. The latency to feed times for cottonmouths presented with distilled water minnows were not significantly different from those of cottonmouths presented with turtle musk minnows. The prey consumption times for cottonmouths feeding on turtle musk minnows were significantly greater than those of cottonmouths feeding on distilled water minnows. These results suggest that the musk secretions may lengthen the time of a predation sequence, allowing the turtle more time for a possible escape from the predator.
The document reports on a long-term study of large mammal populations in Costa Rica's Talamanca Cordillera region. Over four years of camera trap surveys across six areas, occupancy modeling estimated occupancy for 23 detected mammal species. The highest occupancy was 0.8661 for Dice's cottontail, while the lowest was 0.1254 for nine-banded armadillo. Elevation influenced occupancy for several predators and prey species. The study aims to improve understanding of keystone species like jaguar and address illegal hunting impacts.
Ultraviolet light can be used to detect predator activity on hemlock woolly adelgid without dissecting egg sacs. Under UV light, undamaged adelgids glow blue-white, adelgids damaged by the predator L. nigrinus glow chartreuse as their hemolymph leaks out, damaged eggs glow yellow, and predator frass glows orange. These fluorescent colors allow observation of predator trails and activity patterns over time. Using UV light is a non-invasive method that could help determine if chemical treatments are needed or if biological control by predators is sufficient.
This study aimed to identify pinworm species infecting a colony of Syrian hamsters and determine if transmission could occur to immunodeficient mice. The pinworm was identified as Syphacia mesocriceti based on morphology and 28S rDNA sequencing, though dimensions were slightly larger than reported. Weekly transfers of infected hamster bedding to sentinel hamsters and mice showed no transmission to mice by tape tests or PCR over 5 weeks, suggesting S. mesocriceti is host-specific.
The document summarizes a project by Friends of Puketoki Reserve to improve forest health and restore native birdlife through pest control. Volunteers used bait stations spaced 50m apart to control rodents and possums. Initial tracking showed rats and mice. Vegetation surveys from 2006 to 2007 showed increased regeneration, especially of tawa seedlings, indicating pest control was reducing possum damage. While bait take indicated few rats remained, ongoing bait interference suggested high possum numbers, though other evidence conflicted. The group is testing new pest control products to effectively manage both rats and possums in the reserve.
This study examined predator distribution, habitat use, and diet in a California wilderness area by collecting and analyzing bobcat, mountain lion, bear, coyote, and fox scat. The researchers found 230 scat samples across 5 habitat types and identified predator distributions and prey richness varied between habitats and predator species. Statistical analysis showed predator scat distribution and prey richness in scats differed significantly between habitat types and predator species. Camera traps provided additional evidence that predator activity patterns varied temporally, indicating niche differentiation between species. The study provided insight into trophic interactions and informed conservation recommendations.
External contamination of hair with heroin was evaluated in six volunteers over 3 months. All contaminated subjects tested positive for opiates like heroin, 6-MAM, morphine and acetylcodeine for at least 3 months after the contamination period. Significant levels of 6-MAM (>0.5 ng/mg) were detected until 6 weeks in all subjects. The 6-MAM/morphine ratio was always above 1.3, even 3 months after contamination. Decontamination procedures were not sufficient to remove drugs that had penetrated into hair from external contamination. This suggests a risk of false positives from external contamination when interpreting hair drug tests.
1) The document describes experiments measuring boldness and foraging behaviors in two species of crayfish, O. rusticus and O. propinquus.
2) Three measures of boldness were taken for each crayfish - aggression towards a novel object, latency to exit a refuge in a novel environment, and giving-up density in foraging.
3) The experiments aimed to determine if behaviors were consistent within individuals over time and across contexts, and how individual variation related to foraging behaviors.
1) The study evaluated the use of powdered sugar dusting to control varroa mites in honey bee colonies located in Utah.
2) Treated colonies that were dusted with powdered sugar had a significantly larger number of mites immediately drop off compared to untreated control colonies.
3) Treated colonies also had a smaller average daily mite drop over time compared to control colonies, indicating the powdered sugar reduced overall mite populations.
This document discusses conservation efforts and challenges in protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. It provides updates on wildlife surveys conducted in the lowland sectors of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park to assess populations of eastern lowland gorillas and remove the park from the list of endangered World Heritage Sites. The surveys found evidence of gorillas and other primates but also human activities like poaching. Conservation activities also resumed in the Sarambwe Reserve in DRC after it was abandoned due to violence.
The document provides instructions for students to become certified snake safety investigators. They will investigate snake facts, design models of snakes and their habitats, produce the models, create an informational poster, and evaluate their work. The goal is for students to learn about snake safety so they are prepared for encounters with snakes over the summer.
Designing a Trap to Attract and Capture Kissing RevisionAnaliese Wenger
This study attempted to design an effective trap to capture kissing bugs, which transmit Chagas disease, in Jalisco, Mexico. The trap design utilized both CO2 emitted by yeast and LED lights, which previous studies found attractive to kissing bugs. No kissing bugs were captured in the novel trap designs over three nights of testing. Some traps were modified to widen the openings after one bug had difficulty entering. More kissing bugs were captured in pitfall traps placed nearby, suggesting these traps better reflect the bugs' natural behaviors. The trap design may need alterations to effectively capture kissing bugs for future surveys.
3. CATnews 59 Autumn 2013
33
original contribution
LUCRECIA M. MYERS1*
and MARTIN B. MAIN1
Test of scent lures and hair
snares for captive jaguars and
implications for field use
Hair snares are an effective noninvasive method to survey carnivores, but they have
not been used to study jaguars Panthera onca. We evaluated the effectiveness of
4 scent lures for attracting jaguars and promoting cheek-rubbing behavior, and a
hair snare design for the collection of hair samples with 7 captive jaguars. We re-
corded latency time (time from entering the enclosure to inspection), investigation
time (time spent investigating), and behavior score (interaction with treatments or
control) to evaluate scent lures. Our results revealed that Calvin Klein Obsession
perfume for women (CK) elicited the most cheek-rubbing events and the highest
behavior scores. Other scent lures were less effective (Hawbaker Wildcat No.2,
catnip oil) or ineffective (bobcat urine) at promoting cheek-rubbing behavior and
had lower behavior scores. Our hair snare model was effective at collecting sam-
ples with the mean hair count being 312 (95% CI = 145-478). Our results indicated
that CK was effective at promoting investigation and cheek rubbing by jaguars in
a captive setting and that the hair-snare design was effective at collecting hair
samples. However, further testing in the field is needed to validate the use of this
technique for wild jaguars.
Hair snares are a noninvasive survey me-
thod that collects hair samples from mam-
mals, from which DNA may be extracted
and used to identify individuals and monitor
populations (Garshelis 2006, Schwartz et al.
2006). Advantages of hair snares are that
they are inexpensive, easy to deploy in the
field, do not suffer from mechanical prob-
lems, and are unlikely to be stolen. Hair sna-
res have been successfully used to survey
various carnivores, including wild felids such
as the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx (Schmidt & Ko-
walczyk 2006) and bobcat Lynx rufus (Ruell
& Crooks 2007). Hair snares for felids are
sprayed with scent lures intended to induce
rubbing and facilitate the collection of hair
samples (McDaniel et al. 2000, Kendall &
McKelvey 2008).
The selection of a hair snare model and lure
depends on the ecology and behavior of the
target species (Kendall & McKelvey 2008,
Schlexer 2008). Although scent lures have
been reported to elicit rubbing behaviors in
carnivores (Reiger 1979), quantitative infor-
mation available as to which scent lures are
most effective at promoting cheek-rubbing
in jaguars is lacking and hair snares have
not been used to study jaguars. If available,
an effective hair snare and lure combinati-
on for collecting jaguar DNA could be used
to conduct surveys and measure population
parameters, such as genetic diversity, habitat
use, and population density. Although camera
traps are a valuable monitoring method, me-
chanical failures often occur in areas of high
humidity and theft and vandalism may pose
problems in areas with human activity (Sa-
lomon-Perez et al. 2007, M. Main, University
of Florida, personal observation). Hair snares
may provide an alternative methodology for
studying jaguars in areas of high human ac-
tivity. The objectives of this study were to test
the relative effectiveness of 4 commercially
available scent lures for attracting jaguars
and promoting cheek-rubbing behavior with
captive jaguars under controlled settings. We
also tested the effectiveness of a hair-snare
design that can be easily deployed, maintai-
ned, and replaced and that does not rely on
nails and barb wire for the collection of hair
samples.
Methods
We tested scent lures and the hair snare de-
sign with 7 captive jaguars at the Jacksonvil-
le Zoo and Gardens, Florida, between 5 De-
cember 2008 and 30 January of 2009. Scent
lure tests were conducted under controlled
settings in rectangular enclosures (90 m2
)
surrounded by chain-link fence and separated
from public view. Hair-snares were tested in
a similar enclosure except 2 stationary verti-
cal logs (140 cm x 90 cm) were included to
which hair snares were attached. Five female
and 2 male jaguars 3-16 years of age were
used in our tests. Three were captive born
(1 male, 2 females) and 4 were wild caught
in South America. We tested one jaguar at
a time, excluded other jaguars from the area
during testing, and did not conduct tests
when it rained.
Scent-Lure Testing
We evaluated the effectiveness of 4 com-
mercially available scent lures: Hawbaker’s
Wildcat No.2 (HW), Calvin Klein Obsession
perfume for women (CK), artificial bobcat uri-
ne (BU), and catnip oil (CT). We tested HW
due to its reported use for attracting jaguars
to camera-traps in South America (J. San-
derson, personal communication), BU and
CT because Harrison (1997) reported them
to attract Central American felids, and CK
because it was used to attract carnivores in
Mexico (Castro-Arellano et al. 2008).
We tested effectiveness of scent lures using
a modified experiment after Harrison (1997).
We conducted choice experiments by atta-
ching paper coffee filters (13.3 cm) to 2 peg-
boards (25 × 31 cm) separated by approxima-
tely 2 m and secured to the fence surrounding
the enclosure. Treatments and controls were
placed at the same end of the enclosure op-
posite the entrance to ensure both had an
equal chance of being visited. One coffee
filter was treated with 2 ml of lure and the
other was an untreated control. Trials lasted
30 minutes and were conducted every other
day. Each treatment had 2 replicates, for a
total of 12 trials per jaguar. Six jaguars com-
pleted 12 scent-lure trials, but zookeepers
stopped testing of one female after 7 scent-
lure trials due to pregnancy.
We recorded latency time (time from ente-
ring the enclosure to inspection of treatment
or control), investigation time (time spent
investigating treatment or control) and be-
havior score (represented the interaction
with treatment or control) for each jaguar
by filming each trial with a Sony DCR-TRV
280 Digital 8 Camcorder with 20X digital
zoom (Sony, New York, NY). Video footage
was analyzed in the lab. We assigned be-
havior scores from 0-9 with 1-point each for
behaviors that included sniffing, rolling, vo-
calizing, extending paw to touch, urinating,
and licking, and 3 points for cheek-rubbing.
Harrison (1997) used a similar scoring sys-
tem, except he didn’t include cheek-rubbing
behavior because his scent lures were lo-
cated out of reach of jaguars. We included
cheek-rubbing behavior and assigned it a
higher score because of its importance for
collecting hair samples.
4. CATnews 59 Autumn 2013
34
test of scent lures and hair snares for captive jaguars
Fig. 1. Hair-snare design tested with jaguars at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Flori-
da. Photo taken by Lucrecia M. Myers
Hair-snare Testing
We tested a hair-snare made from the hair
grooming component (5 × 12.5 cm sheet of
grooming prongs on a rubber pad) from the
X-Large Soft Slicker Brush (Pet Smart, Phoen-
ix, AZ). Two brush pads were combined to cre-
ate a 12 × 14 cm hair snare that was tacked
at 55 cm above the ground to vertical logs
located at opposite ends of the enclosure (Fig
1). During each trial, one hair snare was tre-
ated with CK and one was an untreated con-
trol. We used CK because our results indica-
ted CK was the most promising scent lure for
promoting cheek rubbing. We did not test the
other lures because the project was stopped
to isolate the area for the pregnant jaguar
and upcoming birth. All hair-snare trials were
conducted for a period of 30 minutes.
Hair-snare tests were conducted with 6 of the
7 jaguars, the pregnant female being excluded
from all hair-snare trials. The order of testing
was randomized. We performed 2 replicates
witheachanimal,foratotalof12trials.During
each trial, we recorded latency time and total
time spent cheek rubbing. After each trial we
collected all hair which was stored, labeled,
and later counted (Amato et al. 2006).
Results
Scent-Lure Testing
Mean latency time was 163.2 seconds (95%
CI = 95.5-228.9) for treatments. Mean latency
time for controls was 121.3 seconds (95% CI
= 70.9-171.8). Investigation time was highest
for HW with 60.6 seconds (95% CI = 16.9-
104.3), followed by CT with 55.8 seconds
(95% CI = 14.6-96.0), CK with 34.9 seconds
(95% CI = 13.8-56.0) and BU with 17.4 se-
conds (95% CI = 3.9-30.9). Average jaguar
behavior scores were highest for CK with a
score of 3 (95% CI = 2.0-3.9), followed by CT
with 2.5 (95% CI = 1.5-3.4), HW with 2 (95%
CI = 1.1-2.9) and BU with 1.2 (95% CI = 0.8-
1.6).
Jaguars were only observed cheek-rubbing
on scent lures and never on untreated con-
trols. Most cheek-rubbing events were eli-
cited by CK (N = 8). Mean total time spent
cheek rubbing was greatest for CT with 13.3
sec and CK with 12.3 sec. If an outlier of 142
seconds was removed from the CT data,
mean total cheek-rubbing time decreased to
6.1 seconds. Jaguars did not cheek rub on fil-
ters treated with BU or HW.
Hair-Snare Testing
We used CK as the scent lure during hair-
snare testing because it elicited the highest
behavior scores and the most cheek-rubbing
events, and jaguars did not chew filters or
pegboards sprayed with CK as was observed
with CT. Jaguars visited treated hair snares
in 15 of 18 (83%) trials and performed cheek-
rubbing behavior in 6 (33%) of those. Mean
latency time for visiting hair snares was 39.2
seconds (95% CI = 19.9-58.5). Jaguars never
visited unscented controls. Mean cheek-
rubbing time for each visit was 47.3 seconds
(95% CI = 3.8-90.7) and the mean number of
hairs collected was 312 (95% CI = 145-478,
range = 85-985). Only wild-caught jaguars en-
gaged in cheek-rubbing behavior.
Discussion
Comparisons among scent lures suggested
CK may be an effective hair snare lure for ja-
guars. CK had the shortest mean latency time
and elicited the highest behavior score and
the greatest number of cheek-rubbing events,
which is the most important behavior to elicit
from felids for collection of hair samples. Ja-
guars only performed cheek-rubbing behavior
with scent lures and never with untreated
lures, which is consistent with the observa-
tion that certain smells elicit scent marking
behaviors in felids that include cheek rubbing
(Kleiman & Eisenberg 1973).