Ecology, Reproduction and Morphometrics of the Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis sauritus) and Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) in West Virginia

Two species of gartersnakes, Thamnophis, are found in West Virginia. Thamnophis sauritus , a semi-arboreal and semi-aquatic species, is listed as very rare and imperiled (S2) by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) while the other Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis, a terrestrial species, is secure (S5). During the summer of 2007, I traveled to 53 counties in West Virginia searching for habitat and these two species.Several Thamnophis sirtalis were found in a variety of habitats throughout the state, but only three Thamnophis sauritus were found. Reproductive aspects were compared between the two species by holding gravid females in captivity until they had given birth, as well as dissection ofmuseum specimens. Thamnophis sauritus has a significantly smaller clutch size than Thamnophis sirtalis. Dietary analysis was conducted by nonlethal stomach flushing, experimental feeding trails, and dissection of museum specimens. Both species consume most amphibians and to lesser degree fish. Because morphology can have a significant impact on the ecological habits of a species, various morphological measurements were taken and compared among four snake species that are found in different habitats. Thamnophis sauritus shows very little morphometric variation, sharing traits of both arboreal and aquatic species and is the most limited in habitat and diet of the four species compared. Thamnophis sirtalis shows much variation in diet, habitat and has the most morphometric variation. Comparison of habitat and morphology of these two species provides insight on the cause for the difference in ranking of these two species

Riparian Ecological Community Assessment with an Emphasis on Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in the Cacapon River Watershed, West Virginia

Riparian zones serve to maintain high water quality, low water temperatures, and structural complexity in aquatic and terrestrial environments, among other beneficial services. Riparian buffers provide habitat and corridors linking forest patches for terrestrial wildlife. High riparian vegetative structure and complexity attract a high diversity of wildlife, including birds, herpetofauna, and small mammals. Devegetated riparian zones, often a result of developmental and agricultural practices, lose their beneficial functions and require restorative actions to regain them. The Cacapon River watershed in West Virginia is agriculturally-dominated with many areas of riparian zone degradation. A section of the Cacapon River was selected for natural stream channel design restoration during 2009 to 2011. Our objectives were to: (1) monitor birds, small mammals, anurans, and vegetation along the restoration reach, 2 control (impaired) sites, and 2 reference (unimpaired) sites following a before-after control-impact design along the Cacapon River; (2) survey natural history characteristics of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) using the riparian zone along the Cacapon River; and (3) assess factors limiting wood turtles along the southern extent of their geographic range along the Lost and North rivers, tributaries of the Cacapon River. We expected (1) the diversity of the riparian wildlife to remain stable or increase post-restoration, (2) wood turtles to undergo all natural history aspects within the riparian zone, and (3) geographical and environmental features to limit wood turtles along the southern border of their range in the Cacapon River watershed.;Monitoring of riparian wildlife along the Cacapon River occurred pre- (April 2009 to April 2010) and post-restoration (May 2010 to August 2011). Overall, 6 small mammal species, 79 bird species, 8 anuran species, and 96 plant species were recorded. Small mammal abundance declined initially in the restoration reach post-impact, but began to recover. Overall bird abundance, richness, and diversity increased along the restoration reach post-impact. The anurans were unaffected by the restoration activities, but showed species-specific timing of reproductive activities across the sites. Shrub and tree diversity, richness, and evenness increased over time, possibly indicating that the restoration reach began improving in vegetative complexity post-impact. The restoration was considered a success because the diversity of the riparian wildlife remained stable or increased post-restoration.;Monitoring of wood turtles along the Cacapon River occurred during spring 2009 to summer 2011. The turtles were observed primarily using the riparian zone (80.7%) instead of the surrounding agricultural land (19.3%). Adult males and females were larger than juveniles. Reproductively active males were longer, thicker, and heavier than reproductively active females. Home ranges were 0.62 -- 36.97 ha. Low bare ground and rock cover and high vertical density differentiated the turtles\u27 habitat from random vegetation plots. The turtles were typically terrestrial during spring and summer and aquatic in autumn and winter. Mating occurred in autumn (64.3%) after 1300 hrs (75%), sometimes terrestrially (35.7%). Nesting attempts were made on sandy substrate in the early mornings and early evenings of spring. Basking occurred at 45°, angled to the sun, on a variety of surfaces. Dietary preference was for slugs (67%), although other invertebrates, plant matter, and animal matter were consumed. The riparian zone provided the wood turtles with all of their natural history needs.;Monitoring of wood turtles along the Lost and North rivers in the Cacapon River watershed was conducted during summer 2010. Habitat characteristics, potential dispersal barriers, and the approximate southern geographic boundary of the species in the watershed were assessed. Sixty-four of 100 randomly-selected sites contained wood turtles. Increasing stream depth, canopy cover, soil temperature, and proximity to the Cacapon River, and low elevation and slope positively influenced presence of the turtles. Field layer (woody and herbaceous plants \u3c1 m tall) species richness and diversity were greater in sites with wood turtles than without the turtles. Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginianus) and ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) weakly separated sites without turtles from sites with them. The factors limiting wood turtles at the southern limits of their range in West Virginia included (1) inability to disperse over high elevations, (2) agricultural influences decreasing habitat availability and turtle survivorship, and (3) an intolerance to high temperatures. In agricultural areas bordering waterways, riparian buffers should be restored if they are degraded, managed to promote structurally complex vegetation, and monitored to determine whether the buffers are providing essential habitat for a diverse array of terrestrial wildlife that should promote adult survivorship and population stability

Increasing the understanding of nutrient-transport capacity of the ovine placentome

Placental nutrient transport capacity influences fetal growth and development; however, it is affected by environmental factors, which are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of the ovine placentome morphological subtype, tissue type, and maternal parenteral supplementation of arginine mono-hydrochloride (Arg) on nutrient transport capacity using a gene expression approach. Placentomal tissues of types A, B, and C morphologic placentome subtypes were derived from 20 twin-bearing ewes, which were infused thrice daily with Arg (n = 9) or saline (Ctrl, n = 11) from 100 to 140 days of gestation. Samples were collected at day 140 of gestation. Expression of 31 genes involved in placental nutrient transport and function was investigated. Differential expression of specific amino acid transporter genes was found in the subtypes, suggesting a potential adaptive response to increase the transport capacity. Placentomal tissues differed in gene expression, highlighting differential transport capacity. Supplementation with Arg was associated with differential expressions of genes involved in amino acid transport and angiogenesis, suggesting a greater nutrient transport capacity. Collectively, these results indicate that the morphological subtype, tissue type, and maternal Arg supplementation can influence placental gene expression, which may be an adaptive response to alter the transport capacity to support fetal growth in sheep.</p

Improving triplet lamb survival: management practices used by commercial farmers

Introduction: Prolificacy has become an important breeding goal in sheep farming to increase farm profitability. With the adoption of improved genetics and management practices leading to increased lambing percentages, the proportion of triplet-born lambs has also increased on farms. However, mortality rates of triplet lambs are higher than for single- and twin-born lambs, and additional management inputs may be needed to support survival. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect management practices that are considered important for triplet lamb survival by commercial farmers from the United Kingdom (UK), the Ireland (IRE), and New Zealand (NZ). Methods: An online survey was developed and disseminated to farmers in each country, focusing on farmer demographics, flock characteristics, management practices and production outcomes. A total of 448 farmers completed the survey, from the UK (n = 168), IRE (n = 218), and NZ (n = 62). Results: Respondents had larger flocks, higher scanning and lambing percentages than the country average for the UK and IRE. The mean percentage of triplet litters born within flocks was 9%, and lambs lost between scanning and lambing were 14% for UK, 15% for IRE, and 25% for NZ respondents (P = 0.063). Overall, 60% of all respondents reported to lamb indoors and 40% lambed outdoors, however NZ farmers almost exclusively lambed outdoors, whereas UK and IRE farmers lambed in both systems (P &lt; 0.001). NZ farmers were more likely to rear all triplet lambs with the ewe, whereas UK and IRE farmers were more likely to remove a lamb to rear by another ewe or artificially (P &lt; 0.001). Factors that influenced triplet lamb management practices of respondents in this study were respondent country of origin, flock size, age, and gender. In general, younger respondents (P &lt; 0.001), and female respondents (P &lt; 0.05), were more likely to engage in management activities that were considered to promote better triplet lamb survival, compared to older and male respondents respectively. These practices were associated with better lamb survival reported by respondents but were less likely to be carried out when flock size increased (P &lt; 0.001). Discussion: The results of this survey highlight future priorities or communication strategies needed to improve triplet lamb survival

Sertoli cell proliferation during the post hatching period in domestic fowl

There has been no study aimed at directly determining of the periods of Sertoli cell proliferation in birds even domestic fowl. The aims of this study were to observe the cessation of post-hatching mitotic proliferation of Sertoli cells in domestic fowl, and to determine the volume density of Sertoli and germ cells during this period. A total of 50 Leghorn chicks were used in this study. The testes sections of the animals were immunostained with BrdU to observe the proliferation of cells from one to 10 weeks of age. The volume density of the Sertoli and germ cells were determined using the standard point counting method. The volume density of the germ cell nuclei was initially less than that of the Sertoli cells but the volume density converged by week 6, and remained relatively constant until the commencement of meiosis. Clear labeling of Sertoli and germ cells was observed from week 1 to week 7. The only those cells still labeled after 8 weeks were germ cells, indicating that Sertoli cell proliferation had ceased. Therefore, it is recommended that any research into the testes of domestic fowl should consider the cessation of Sertoli cell proliferation by approximately 8 weeks

Improving triplet lamb survival: management practices used by commercial farmers

IntroductionProlificacy has become an important breeding goal in sheep farming to increase farm profitability. With the adoption of improved genetics and management practices leading to increased lambing percentages, the proportion of triplet-born lambs has also increased on farms. However, mortality rates of triplet lambs are higher than for single- and twin-born lambs, and additional management inputs may be needed to support survival. The aim of this study was to identify factors that affect management practices that are considered important for triplet lamb survival by commercial farmers from the United Kingdom (UK), the Ireland (IRE), and New Zealand (NZ).MethodsAn online survey was developed and disseminated to farmers in each country, focusing on farmer demographics, flock characteristics, management practices and production outcomes. A total of 448 farmers completed the survey, from the UK (n = 168), IRE (n = 218), and NZ (n = 62).ResultsRespondents had larger flocks, higher scanning and lambing percentages than the country average for the UK and IRE. The mean percentage of triplet litters born within flocks was 9%, and lambs lost between scanning and lambing were 14% for UK, 15% for IRE, and 25% for NZ respondents (P = 0.063). Overall, 60% of all respondents reported to lamb indoors and 40% lambed outdoors, however NZ farmers almost exclusively lambed outdoors, whereas UK and IRE farmers lambed in both systems (P &lt; 0.001). NZ farmers were more likely to rear all triplet lambs with the ewe, whereas UK and IRE farmers were more likely to remove a lamb to rear by another ewe or artificially (P &lt; 0.001). Factors that influenced triplet lamb management practices of respondents in this study were respondent country of origin, flock size, age, and gender. In general, younger respondents (P &lt; 0.001), and female respondents (P &lt; 0.05), were more likely to engage in management activities that were considered to promote better triplet lamb survival, compared to older and male respondents respectively. These practices were associated with better lamb survival reported by respondents but were less likely to be carried out when flock size increased (P &lt; 0.001).DiscussionThe results of this survey highlight future priorities or communication strategies needed to improve triplet lamb survival

Gata4 Is Required for Formation of the Genital Ridge in Mice

In mammals, both testis and ovary arise from a sexually undifferentiated precursor, the genital ridge, which first appears during mid-gestation as a thickening of the coelomic epithelium on the ventromedial surface of the mesonephros. At least four genes (Lhx9, Sf1, Wt1, and Emx2) have been demonstrated to be required for subsequent growth and maintenance of the genital ridge. However, no gene has been shown to be required for the initial thickening of the coelomic epithelium during genital ridge formation. We report that the transcription factor GATA4 is expressed in the coelomic epithelium of the genital ridge, progressing in an anterior-to-posterior (A-P) direction, immediately preceding an A-P wave of epithelial thickening. Mouse embryos conditionally deficient in Gata4 show no signs of gonadal initiation, as their coelomic epithelium remains a morphologically undifferentiated monolayer. The failure of genital ridge formation in Gata4-deficient embryos is corroborated by the absence of the early gonadal markers LHX9 and SF1. Our data indicate that GATA4 is required to initiate formation of the genital ridge in both XX and XY fetuses, prior to its previously reported role in testicular differentiation of the XY gonadHoward Hughes Medical Institut

Novel Sulfated Polysaccharides Disrupt Cathelicidins, Inhibit RAGE and Reduce Cutaneous Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Rosacea

Rosacea is a common disfiguring skin disease of primarily Caucasians characterized by central erythema of the face, with telangiectatic blood vessels, papules and pustules, and can produce skin thickening, especially on the nose of men, creating rhinophyma. Rosacea can also produce dry, itchy eyes with irritation of the lids, keratitis and corneal scarring. The cause of rosacea has been proposed as over-production of the cationic cathelicidin peptide LL-37.We tested a new class of non-anticoagulant sulfated anionic polysaccharides, semi-synthetic glycosaminoglycan ethers (SAGEs) on key elements of the pathogenic pathway leading to rosacea. SAGEs were anti-inflammatory at ng/ml, including inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) proteases, P-selectin, and interaction of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) with four representative ligands. SAGEs bound LL-37 and inhibited interleukin-8 production induced by LL-37 in cultured human keratinocytes. When mixed with LL-37 before injection, SAGEs prevented the erythema and PMN infiltration produced by direct intradermal injection of LL-37 into mouse skin. Topical application of a 1% (w/w) SAGE emollient to overlying injected skin also reduced erythema and PMN infiltration from intradermal LL-37.Anionic polysaccharides, exemplified by SAGEs, offer potential as novel mechanism-based therapies for rosacea and by extension other LL-37-mediated and RAGE-ligand driven skin diseases

Sentencing drug offenders under the 2003 Criminal Justice Act: Challenges for the probation service

For the most part the 2003 Criminal Justice Act, which came into effect in England and Wales in April 2005, was accepted by the probation service with relatively little opposition. Given the enormity of its impact acquiescence to this degree of change ought to come as something of a surprise. The 2003 Act changed fundamentally the nature of community supervision, it brought to an end the traditional range of non-custodial penalties and replaced them with a single community order to which sentencers could add any of 12 possible requirements. This paper considers the impact of the 2003 legislation on one particular offender group - drug misusers. Drug misusing offenders have the potential to pose serious difficulties for probation officers; the habitual nature of drug addiction and a tendency toward an irregular lifestyle make drug misusers particularly susceptible to breach. Under the new legislation courts have significantly fewer options available to them when responding to incidents of offender non-compliance. This paper argues that many of the provisions of the 2003 Act together with developments elsewhere in the UK are likely to have impacted disproportionately on those groups whose lifestyles are chaotic and whose routines are incompatible with the terms and conditions of modern day probation practice. It concludes that greater flexibility towards non-compliance, supported by regular and consistent judicial review, would encourage improved rates of compliance and retention in treatment and improved outcomes for offenders

Histological and transcriptome-wide level characteristics of fetal myofiber hyperplasia during the second half of gestation in Texel and Ujumqin sheep

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Whether myofibers increase with a pulsed-wave mode at particular developmental stages or whether they augment evenly across developmental stages in large mammals is unclear. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms of myostatin in myofiber hyperplasia at the fetal stage in sheep remain unknown. Using the first specialized transcriptome-wide sheep oligo DNA microarray and histological methods, we investigated the gene expression profile and histological characteristics of developing fetal ovine longissimus muscle in Texel sheep (high muscle and low fat), as a myostatin model of natural mutation, and Ujumqin sheep (low muscle and high fat). Fetal skeletal muscles were sampled at 70, 85, 100, 120, and 135 d of gestation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Myofiber number increased sharply with a pulsed-wave mode at certain developmental stages but was not augmented evenly across developmental stages in fetal sheep. The surges in myofiber hyperplasia occurred at 85 and 120 d in Texel sheep, whereas a unique proliferative surge appeared at 100 d in Ujumqin sheep. Analysis of the microarray demonstrated that immune and hematological systems' development and function, lipid metabolism, and cell communication were the biological functions that were most differentially expressed between Texel and Ujumqin sheep during muscle development. Pathways associated with myogenesis and the proliferation of myoblasts, such as calcium signaling, chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 signaling, and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, were affected significantly at specific fetal stages, which underpinned fetal myofiber hyperplasia and postnatal muscle hypertrophy. Moreover, we identified some differentially expressed genes between the two breeds that could be potential myostatin targets for further investigation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Proliferation of myofibers proceeded in a pulsed-wave mode at particular fetal stages in the sheep. The myostatin mutation changed the gene expression pattern in skeletal muscle at a transcriptome-wide level, resulting in variation in myofiber phenotype between Texel and Ujumqin sheep during the second half of gestation. Our findings provide a novel and dynamic description of the effect of myostatin on skeletal muscle development, which contributes to understanding the biology of muscle development in large mammals.</p