Preliminary Analysis of Habitat Use and Home Range Size in a Long-Lived Ectotherm Vertebrate

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC): November 1st, 2019 Time: 900 – 1500 Location: University of North Georgia – Gainesville Campus, Oakwood, GA Conference web site: https://ung.edu/undergraduate-research-creative-activities/gurc/index.php/ Authors: K. Bonadie, A. Rittgers, N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Abstract word count: 23

40 - Home Range and Habitat Use of the Eastern Box Turtle

Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC): November 2nd-3rd, 2018 Time: 900 – 1500 Location: University of North Georgia – Gainesville, Ga Conference web site: http://www.gcsu.edu/gurc Authors: A. Rittgers, S. Shea, K. Bonadie; Advisors: N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Home Range and Habitat Use of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) in the North Georgia Piedmont A. Rittgers, S. Shea, K. Bonadie; Advisors: N.L. Hyslop, J.L. Mook Department of Biology, University of North Georgia The Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a terrestrial species native to the Eastern United States from New Hampshire to Georgia. Terrapene carolina is experiencing range-wide population decline and is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Despite the species’ status, little research has been conducted regarding home range and habitat use in the Southeastern US. To contribute to the knowledge of the species in this region, we have conducted a radiotelemetry study since 2013 to investigate factors that influence T. carolina movement, survival, and habitat use in the Northeastern Piedmont region of Georgia. The study site is composed of mixed hardwood-pine uplands, primarily comprised of oaks and maples; mesic and upland areas dominated by Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense); beaver-created wetlands; and maintained utility line areas. Our research includes 32 radio-transmitted turtles that are tracked on foot by homing 1-2 times a month. From Spring 2013 to October 2017 we collected an average of 58 radiolocations (range: 1 to 178) per turtle. Home ranges (100% minimum convex polygon) varied from \u3e1 to \u3e10 ha. Radiotracked turtles primarily used mixed-upland areas and regions dominated by L. sinense. Overall, L. sinense was the most prevalent understory vegetation at T. carolina radiolocations. The assessment of habitat use and home ranges will continue throughout 2018 with tracking and further data analysis

Early selection in rubber tree plants by using microtest tapping

Estudou-se a relação entre o miniteste de produção (MTP), teste Hamaker- Morris-Mann (HMM) e sangrias regulares anuais, como objetivo de verificar aeficiência do MTP na seleção de ortetes e rametes de seringueira (Hevea spp.) do programa de Melhoramento Genético conduzido na Estação Experimental Djalma Bahia em Una, BA. Os testes foram realizados em dois experimentos distintos: o primeiro, com 43 clones, cujos ortetes foram previamente selecionados com base no MTP e aos quatro e sete anos foram submetidos ao HMM e à sangria definitiva, respectivamente; o segundo, 43 clones foram avaliados com um ano de idade através do MTP. Nove anos depois, foram submetidos à sangria por cinco anos consecutivos. Da análise dos resultados não se evidenciou qualquer correlação com o MTP, embora o HMM e produções regulares anuais fossem altamente correlacionados, indicando a possibilidade de seleção aos quatro anos de idade. Uma análise criteriosa das correlações entre produções regulares anuais nos permite concluir que: a seleção para produção de látex é possível logo nos primeiros anos de avaliação produtiva dos clones em estudo.The relationship among yieldings obtained from Mendes early test tapping (MTP), Hamaker-Morris-Mann test (HMM) and annual regular tappings was studied. The objective was to evaluate efficiency of the MTP in selection of young ortets and ramets from the rubber tree (Hevea spp.) breeding programme conducted at the Djalma Bahia Experimental Station in Bahia State, Brazil. The tests were conducted in two differents field experiments. In the first field, before budding, the ortets in the nursey stage were submitted to MTP test tapping. After budding, 43 clones were transplanted to the field. Later, at the fourth and seventh year of growth they were submited to HMM test and regular tapping respectively. In the second field at one year of age 43 different clones were evaluated by MTP test. Nine years later they were resigned to regular tapping during five years consecutivelly. The results archieved showed inexistence of relationship with MTP in both experiments. Otherwise the HMM was highly correlated with annual regular tappings. A discerning analyse of the correlations among annual regular tappings showed that is posible to select clones for yielding based in the first annual regular tapping

Comportamento de novos clones de seringueira da série SIAL (primeira seleção) em Una, BA,

The present paper shows the performance of twenty-nine rubber tree (Hevea spp) SIAL clones from small-scale trials, all originated from selections conducted in a diferent full-sib and half-sib families. For their performance: of yielding and secundary characteristics such as vigour and disease resistance were evaluated. The clones SIAL 893, SIAL 839, SIAL 842 and SIAL 931 are classified as high yielding over the first two years oftapping in the first selection. Mean yields of these clones ranged between 218 kg and 585 kg per hectare superior to the average of the control clones Fx 2261 and Fx 3864 of two years of tapping. The results showed that it is possible to shorten the clonal evaluation period by three to five years and hence to bring about early selection of planting material to large scale trials in producer areas.É apresentado o desempenho de vinte e nove clones de seringueira (Hevea spp) da série SIAL em experimento em pequena escala, todos provenientes de seleções conduzidas em famílias de irmãos germanos oriundos de vários cruzamentos e em famílias de meios-irmãos. Destacaram-se os clones SIAL 893, SIAL 839, SIAL 842 e SIAL 931, que apresentaram produções superiores à média das testemunhas Fx 2261 e Fx 3864, com amplitude de 218 kg a 585 kg por hectare, em um período de dois anos de sangria. Os resultados indicam possibilidade de reduzir o ciclo de avaliação donal em três a cinco anos, em relação ao método convencional, permitindo a seleção precoce de clones produtivos e vigorosos para experimentos em áreas de produtores

Habitat characterization and modeling of the potential distribution of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in Mexico

AbstractForest structure and composition have been used to assess the habitat characteristics that determine bird distributions. The patterns of distribution have been shaped by historical and ecological factors that play different roles at both temporal and spatial scales. The objectives of this research were to characterize the habitat of the endangered Military Macaw (Ara militaris) and evaluate the potential distribution of this species based on trends of land use changes in Mexico. We characterized the community structure and floristic composition of 8 forests that are currently used by the Military Macaw for breeding and feeding and compared the results with 6 similar forests characterized in other studies but without historical records of the presence of the Military Macaw. The Military Macaw preferred sites with high diversity of plant species dominated by trees from 4 to 15m in height and from 5 to 90cm in diameter at breast height. We identified 236 plant species in the 8 forests with 20 species (8.4%) used for nesting and feeding by the Military Macaw. The floristic composition is important for the presence of the Military Macaw because there were significant differences between forests with and without its presence. The potential area of distribution of the Military Macaw had decreased by 32% and the remnant areas are included in only 8 National Protected Areas. The protected areas of natural forests should be increased to preserve the sites of potential distribution and consequently the habitat of the Military Macaw in Mexico

Parrots Eat Nutritious Foods despite Toxins

Generalist herbivores are challenged not only by the low nitrogen and high indigestibility of their plant foods, but also by physical and chemical defenses of plants. This study investigated the foods of wild parrots in the Peruvian Amazon and asked whether these foods contain dietary components that are limiting for generalist herbivores (protein, lipids, minerals) and in what quantity; whether parrots chose foods based on nutrient content; and whether parrots avoid plants that are chemically defended.We made 224 field observations of free-ranging parrots of 17 species in 8 genera foraging on 102 species of trees in an undisturbed tropical rainforest, in two dry seasons (July-August 1992-1993) and one wet season (January-February1994). We performed laboratory analyses of parts of plants eaten and not eaten by parrots and brine shrimp assays of toxicity as a proxy for vertebrates. Parrots ate seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, and insect larvae, but up to 70% of their diet comprised seeds of many species of tropical trees, in various stages of ripeness. Plant parts eaten by parrots were rich in protein, lipid, and essential minerals, as well as potentially toxic chemicals. Seeds were higher than other plant materials in protein and lipid and lower in fiber. Large macaws of three species ate foods higher in protein and lipids and lower in fiber compared to plant parts available but not eaten. Macaws ate foods that were lower in phenolic compounds than foods they avoided. Nevertheless, foods eaten by macaws contained measurable levels of toxicity. Macaws did not appear to make dietary selections based on mineral content.Parrots represent a remarkable example of a generalist herbivore that consumes seeds destructively despite plant chemical defenses. With the ability to eat toxic foods, rainforest-dwelling parrots exploited a diversity of nutritious foods, even in the dry season when food was scarce for other frugivores and granivores

The 24/7 approach to promoting optimal welfare for captive wild animals

We have an ethical responsibility to provide captive animals with environments that allow them to experience good welfare. Husbandry activities are often scheduled for the convenience of care staff working within the constraints of the facility, rather than considering the biological and psychological requirements of the animals themselves. The animal welfare 24/7 across the lifespan concept provides a holistic framework to map features of the animal’s life cycle, taking into account their natural history, in relation to variations in the captive environment, across day and night, weekdays, weekends, and seasons. In order for animals to have the opportunity to thrive, we argue the need to consider their lifetime experience, integrated into the environments we provide, and with their perspective in mind. Here, we propose a welfare assessment tool based upon 14 criteria, to allow care staff to determine if their animals’ welfare needs are met. We conclude that animal habitat management will be enhanced with the use of integrated technologies that provide the animals with more opportunities to engineer their own environments, providing them with complexity, choice and control

PFP Commercial Grade Food Pack Cans for Plutonium Handling and Storage Critical Characteristics

This document specifies the critical characteristics for Commercial Grade Items (CGI) procured for PFP's Vault Operations system as required by HNF-PRO-268 and HNF-PRO-1819. These are the minimum specifications that the equipment must meet in order to perform its safety function. The changes in these specifications have no detrimental effect on the descriptions and parameters related to handling plutonium solids in the authorization basis. Because no parameters or sequences exceed the limits described in the authorization bases, no accident or abnormal conditions are affected. The specifications prescribed in this critical characteristics document do not represent an unreviewed safety question

PFP Commercial Grade Food Pack Cans for Plutonium Handling and Storage Critical Characteristics

This document specifies the critical characteristics for Commercial Grade Items (CGI) procured for PFP's Vault Operations system as required by HNF-PRO-268 and HNF-PRO-1819. These are the minimum specifications that the equipment must meet in order to perform its safety function