Factors Influencing Predation on Juvenile Ungulates and Natural Selection Implications

Juvenile ungulates are generally more vulnerable to predation than are adult ungulates other than senescent individuals, not only because of their relative youth, fragility, and inexperience, but also because of congenital factors. Linnell et al.’s (Wildl. Biol. 1: 209-223) extensive review of predation on juvenile ungulates concluded that research was needed to determine the predisposition of these juveniles to predation. Since then, various characteristics that potentially predispose juvenile ungulates have emerged including blood characteristics, morphometric and other condition factors, and other factors such as birth period, the mother’s experience, and spatial and habitat aspects. To the extent that any of the physical or behavioral traits possessed by juvenile ungulates have a genetic or heritable and partly independent epigenetic component that predisposes them to predation, predators may play an important role in their natural selection. We review the possible influence of these characteristics on predisposing juvenile ungulates to predation and discuss natural selection implications and potential selection mechanisms. Although juvenile ungulates as a class are likely more vulnerable to predation than all but senescent adults, our review presents studies indicating that juveniles with certain tendencies or traits are killed more often than others. This finding suggests that successful predation on juveniles is more selective than is often assumed. Because we are unable to control for (or in some cases even measure) the myriad of other possible vulnerabilities such as differences in sensory abilities, intelligence, hiding abilities, tendency to travel, etc., finding selective predation based on the relatively few differences we can measure is noteworthy and points to the significant role that predation on juveniles has in the natural selection of ungulates. Future research should compare characteristics, especially those known to influence survival, between animals killed by predators versus those killed by other sources as well as survivors versus non-survivors to better understand predation’s role in natural selection

Micellar-polymer for enhanced oil recovery for Upper Assam Basin

One of the major enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes is chemical flooding especially for the depleted reservoirs. Chemical flooding involves injection of various chemicals like surfactant, alkali, polymer etc. to the aqueous media. Bhogpara and Nahorkatiya are two depleted reservoirs of upper Assam basin where chemical flooding can be done to recover the trapped oil that cannot be recovered by conventional flooding process. Micellar-polymer (MP) flooding involves injection of micelle and polymer to the aqueous phase to reduce interfacial tension and polymer is added to control the mobility of the solution, which helps in increasing both displacement and volumetric sweep efficiency and thereby leads to enhanced oil recovery. This work represents the use of black liquor as micelle or surfactant that is a waste product of Nowgong Paper Mills, Jagiroad, Assam, which is more efficient than the synthetic surfactants. The present study examines the effect of MP flooding through the porous media of two depleted oil fields of upper Assam basin i.e. Bhogpara and Nahorkatiya for MP EOR. This work also compares the present MP flood with the earlier work done on surfactant (S) flooding. It was experimentally determined that the MP flood is more efficient EOR process for Bhogpara and Nahorkatiya reservoirs. The study will pertain to the comprehensive interfacial tension (IFT) study and the displacement mechanism in conventional core samples

Elk Calf Survival and Mortality Following Wolf Restoration to Yellowstone National Park La Supervivencia y la Mortalidad de las Crı´as de Wapiti Tras la Restauracio´ n del Lobo al Parque Nacional de Yellowstone La Survie et la Mortalite´ des Faons de Wapitis qui a Suivi la Re´introduction du Loup au Parc de Yellowstone

We conducted a 3-year study (May 2003–Apr 2006) of mortality of northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) calves to determine the cause for the recruitment decline (i.e., 33 calves to 13 calves/100 adult F) following the restoration of wolves (Canis lupus). We captured, fit with radiotransmitters, and evaluated blood characteristics and disease antibody seroprevalence in 151 calves ≤ 6 days old (68M:83F). Concentrations (x, SE) of potential condition indicators were as follows: thyroxine (T4; 13.8 µg/dL, 0.43), serum urea nitrogen (SUN; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), c-glutamyltransferase (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulins (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; 253.6 ng/mL, 9.59). Seroprevalences were as follows: brucellosis (Brucella abortus; 3%), bovine-respiratory syncytial virus (3%), bovine-viral-diarrhea virus type 1 (25%), infectious-bovine rhinotracheitis (58%), and bovine parainfluenza-3 (32%). Serum urea nitrogen, GGT, GG, and IGF-1 varied with year; T4, SUN, andGGvaried with age (P ≤ 0.01); and SUN varied by capture area (P=0.02). Annual survival was 0.22 (SE=0.035, n=149) and varied by calving area but not year. Neonates captured in the Stephens Creek/Mammoth area of Yellowstone National Park, USA, had annual survival rates \u3e3X higher (0.54) than those captured in the Lamar Valley area (0.17), likely due to the higher predator density in Lamar Valley. Summer survival (20 weeks after radiotagging) was 0.29 (SE=0.05, n=116), and calving area, absolute deviation from median birth date, and GG were important predictors of summer survival. Survival during winter (Nov–Apr) was 0.90 (SE=0.05, n=42), and it did not vary by calving area or year. Sixty-nine percent (n=104) of calves died within the first year of life, 24% (n=36) survived their first year, and 7% (n=11) had unknown fates. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus) accounted for 58–60% (n = 60–62) of deaths, and wolves accounted for 14–17% (n = 15–18). Summer predation (95% of summer deaths) increased, and winter malnutrition (0% of winter deaths) decreased, compared with a similar study during 1987–1990 (72% and 58%, respectively). Physiological factors (e.g., low levels of GG) may predispose calves to predation. Also, the increase in bear numbers since wolf restoration and spatial components finer than the northern range should be considered when trying to determine the causes of the northern Yellowstone elk decline. This is the first study to document the predation impacts from reintroduced wolves on elk calf mortality in an ecosystem already containing established populations of 4 other major predators (i.e., grizzly and black bears, cougars [Puma concolor], and coyotes [Canis latrans]). The results are relevant to resource managers of the Yellowstone ecosystem in understanding the dynamics of the elk population, in providing harvest quota recommendations for local elk hunts to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service regarding wolf and grizzly bear recovery, and to all areas worldwide where predators are increasing, by providing managers with information about potential carnivore impacts on elk populations. Hemos realizado un estudio de 3 an˜os (may 2003–abr 2006) sobre la mortalidad de las crı´as de wapiti (Cervus elaphus) en el norte de Yellowstone para determinar las causas del descenso del reclutamiento (de 33 a 13 crı´as /100 hembras adultas) tras la restauracio´n del lobo (Canis lupus). Hemos capturado, marcado con radiotransmisores y evaluado las caracterı´sticas de la sangre y la seroprevalencia de los anticuerpos a enfermedades de 151 crı´as ≤ 6dı´as (68M:83H). Las concentraciones (x, SE) de los indicadores del estado potencial de salud fueron: tiroxina (T4; 13.8 µg/dL, 0.43), nitro´geno de urea en suero (SUN; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), c-glutamiltransferasa (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulinas (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07) y factor de crecimiento insulinoide tipo 1 (IGF-1; 253.6 ng/mL, 9.59). Las seroprevalencias fueron: brucelosis (Brucella abortus; 3%), virus respiratorio sincitial bovino (3%), virus de la diarrea viral bovina tipo 1 (25%), rinotraqueı´tis infecciosa bovina (58%) y parainfluenza bovina tipo 3 (32%). El SUN, la GGT, las GG y el IGF-1 variaron con el an˜o; la T4, el SUN y las GG variaron con la edad (P≤0.01); y el SUN vario´ con el a´rea de captura (P=0.02). La supervivencia anual fue del 0.22 (SE=0.035, n=149) y vario´ con la zona de reproduccio´n pero no con el an˜o. Los neonatos capturados en la zona de Stephens Creek/Mammoth del Parque Nacional de Yellowstone, EE.UU., tuvieron tasas de supervivencia anual ma´s de 3 veces superiores (0.54) a las de los capturados en la zona del valle de Lamar (0.17), presumiblemente por la mayor densidad de predadores en el valle de Lamar. La supervivencia estival (20 semanas despue´s del radiomarcaje) fue 0.29 (SE=0.05, n=116); la zona de partos, la desviacio´n absoluta de la mediana de la fecha de nacimiento y lasGGfueron predictores importantes de la supervivencia estival. La supervivencia durante el invierno (nov–abr) fue 0.90 (SE=0.05, n=42) y no vario´ con la zona de partos o con el an˜o. El 69% (n=104) de las crı´as murieron antes de cumplir un an˜o, el 24% (n=36) sobrevivieron ma´s de un an˜o y se desconoce el destino del 7% (n=11). Los osos grizzly (Ursus arctos) y los osos negros (Ursus americanus) fueron responsables del 58–60% (n=60– 62) de las muertes, y los lobos, del 14–17% (n=15–18). La predacio´n estival (95% de las muertes en verano) aumento´, y la malnutricio´n en invierno (0% de las muertes en invierno) disminuyo´ en comparacio´n con un estudio similar realizado durante 1987–1990 (72%y 58%, respectivamente). Los factores fisiolo´gicos (bajos niveles de GG) quiza´ predisponen a las crı´as a ser predadas. Adema´s, el aumento de la poblacio´n de osos desde la restauracio´n del lobo y algunos componentes espaciales ma´s sutiles en las montan˜as septentrionales deberı´an ser considerados al tratar de determinar las causas del declive del wapiti en el norte de Yellowstone. Este es el primer estudio que describe el impacto que la predacio´n de lobos reintroducidos tiene sobre la mortalidad de las crı´as de wapiti en un ecosistema donde ya existen poblaciones establecidas de otros 4 grandes predadores (osos grizzly y negro, pumas [Puma concolor] y coyotes [Canis latrans]). Los resultados son relevantes para los gestores de recursos del ecosistema de Yellowstone porque ayudan a comprender la dina´mica de las poblaciones de wapiti; aportan recomendaciones al Departamento de Pesca, Vida Silvestre y Parques de Montana para decidir cuotas de extraccio´n de wapiti en las cacerı´as locales, al Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de los Estados Unidos en relacio´n a la recuperacio´n del lobo y el oso grizzly; y ofrecen a los gestores informacio´n acerca de los impactos potenciales de los carnı´voros sobre las poblaciones de wapiti en todas las zonas del mundo donde los predadores esta´n aumentando. Nous avons re´alise´ une e´tude de 3 ans (mai 2003–avr 2006) portant sur les faons des wapitis du nord de Yellowstone afin de de´terminer les causes du de´clin de recrutement (c.-a`-d. de 33 a` 13 faons/100 femelles adultes) qui a suivi la re´introduction du loup (Canis lupus). Nous avons capture´, pre´leve´ un e´chantillon sanguin et muni d’un radioe´metteur 151 faons de ≤ 6 jours (68M:83F). Les concentrations (x, ET) d’indicateurs potentiels de condition physique e´taient: thyroxine (T4; 13.8 µg/dL, 0.43), azote ure´ique se´rique (AUS; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), c-glutamyltransfe´rase (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulines (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07) et facteur de croissance insulinomime´tique de type 1 (FCI-1; 253.6 ng/mL, 9.59). La pre´valence se´rique d’anticorps e´tait: brucellose (Brucella abortus; 3%), virus syncitial respiratoire bovin (3%), virus diarrhe´ique bovin de type 1 (25%), rhinotrache´ite infectieuse bovine (58%) et parainfluenza-3 bovin (32%). L’azote ure´ique se´rique, la GGT, les GG et le FCI-1 ont varie´ entre les anne´es; la T4, l’AUS et les GG varie`rent en fonction de l’aˆge (P ≤ 0.01) et l’AUS en fonction du lieu de capture (P=0.02). Le taux annuel de survie atteignit 0.22 (ET=0.035, n=149) et varia en fonction de l’aire de mise bas mais non de l’anne´e. Les faons ne´s dans l’aire de Stephens Creek/Mammoth du parc national de Yellowstone, E ´ tats-Unis, posse´daient des taux annuels de survie plus de 3 fois supe´rieurs (0.54) a` ceux capture´s dans l’aire de Lamar Valley (0.17), vraisemblablement a` cause d’une densite´ de pre´dateurs plus e´leve´e au second endroit. La survie estivale moyenne (20 semaines suivant le marquage) e´tait de 0.29 (ET=0.05, n=116) et elle de´pendait fortement du lieu de mise bas, de la de´viation absolue de la date de naissance me´diane et de la concentration de GG. La survie hivernale (nov–avr) atteignait 0.90 (ET=0.05, n =42) et ne variait ni en fonction du lieu de naissance ou de l’anne´e. Soixante-neuf pourcent (n=104) des faons moururent durant leur premie`re anne´e, 24% (n =36) surve´curent et le sort de 7% (n=11) demeura inconnu. Les ours grizzlys (Ursus arctos) et les ours noirs (Ursus americanus) furent responsables de 58–60% des mortalite´s (n=60–62), contre 14–17% pour les loups (n=15–18). La pre´dation estivale (95% des mortalite´s) augmenta et la malnutrition hivernale (0% des mortalite´s) diminua en comparaison avec une e´tude similaire re´alise´e de 1987 a` 1990 (72% et 58%, respectivement). Des facteurs physiologiques (c.-a`-d. des bas niveaux de GG) pourraient pre´disposer les faons a` la pre´dation. Par ailleurs, l’accroissement du nombre d’ours depuis la re´introduction du loup et des composantes spatiales plus fines que celles de notre e´tude devraient eˆtre pris en compte en tentant de de´terminer les causes du de´clin du nombre de wapitis du nord de Yellowstone. Notre e´tude s’ave`re la premie`re a` documenter les impacts de la pre´dation de loups re´introduits dans un e´cosyste`me contenant des populations e´tablies de 4 pre´dateurs majeurs (c.-a`-d., les ours grizzlys et noirs, les cougars [Puma concolor], les coyotes [Canis latrans]). Nos re´sultats concernent les gestionnaires de l’e´cosyste`me de Yellowstone puisqu’ils permettent de comprendre la dynamique de la population de wapitis, qu’ils fournissent des recommandations pour les chasses locales au Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks et d’autres, pour la gestion du loup et de l’ours grizzly, au U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Nos re´sultats concernent e´galement toutes les re´gions du monde ou` les pre´dateurs s’accroissent puisqu’ils fournissent aux gestionnaires des informations concernant l’impact potentiel des carnivores sur les populations de grands herbivores

Use of Real-time PCR to Detect Canine Parvovirus in Feces of Free-ranging Wolves

Using real-time PCR, we tested 15 wolf (Canis lupus) feces from the Superior National Forest (SNF), Minnesota, USA, and 191 from Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA, collected during summer and 13 during winter for canine parvovirus (CPV)-2 DNA. We also tested 20 dog feces for CPV-2 DNA. The PCR assay was 100%sensitive and specific with a minimum detection threshold of 104 50% tissue culture infective dose. Virus was detected in two winter specimens but none of the summer specimens. We suggest applying the technique more broadly especially with winter feces

Prolonged winter undernutrition and the interpretation of urinary allantoin:creatinine ratios in white-tailed deer

The urinary allantoin:creatinine (A:C) ratio (expressed in micromoles of allantoin to micromoles of creatinine) has shown potential as an index of recent winter energy intake in preliminary controlled studies of elk (Cervus elaphus) involving mild condition deterioration (up to 11% loss of body mass). To ensure reliable nutritional assessments of free-ranging cervids by measuring A:C ratios of urine in snow, it is essential to extend this work. We assessed the effect of moderate and severe winter nutritional restriction on urinary A:C ratios of captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that lost up to 32% body mass and related these ratios to metabolizable energy intake (MEI), body-mass loss, and other reported nutritional indicators. Deer in the control group were fed a low-protein, low-energy diet ad libitum, whereas deer in the treatment group were fed restricted amounts of the same diet. MEI was below the winter maintenance requirement for all deer, but was lower (P = 0.029) in treatment deer than in control deer. Percent body-mass loss differed between the two groups as the study progressed, and represented the full range of physiological tolerance (0–32% loss). Mean A:C ratios of control deer, which lost up to 17.4% body mass, showed a slight increasing (P = 0.086) trend, whereas initially similar A:C ratios of severely restricted deer increased (P = 0.0002) markedly by the eighth week (0.52 vs. 0.09 mmol:mmol). The urinary A:C ratio was not related (P = 0.839) to recent (2 days prior to urine sampling) MEI, but there was a marginally significant relation (r2 = 0.42, P = 0.110) between the A:C ratio and cumulative percent mass loss. The urinary A:C ratio was directly related to urinary urea nitrogen:creatinine (r2 = 0.59, P \u3c 0.0001) and 3-methylhistidine:creatinine (r2 = 0.43, P \u3c 0.0001) ratios. This study confirms that elevated and increasing A:C ratios may be due either to increasing energy intake or to accelerated tissue catabolism and increased endogenous contributions to urinary allantoin excretion. Le rapport allantoïne : créatinine (A : C) de l’urine s’est montré un indice prometteur de l’absorption récente d’énergie en hiver au cours d’études préliminaires dans des conditions contrôlées chez des Wapitis (Cervus elaphus) qui ont subi une légère détérioration de leur condition physiologique (perte de masse allant jusqu’à 11 %). Pour que les rapports A : C de l’urine relevés dans la neige permettent d’estimer les conditions nutritionnelles des cervidés en liberté, il fallu étendre le champ de recherche. Nous avons mesuré les rapports A : C urinaires chez des Cerfs de Virginie (Odocoileus virginianus) en captivité qui ont perdu jusqu’à 32 % de leur masse et avons tenté de relier ces rapports à l’absorption d’énergie métabolisable (MEI), à la perte de masse et aux autres indicateurs nutritionnels disponibles. Les cerfs du groupe témoin ont été gardés à un régime faible en protéines et en énergie et se nourrissaient ad libitum, alors que les cerfs du groupe expérimental étaient soumis au même régime mais recevaient des portions rationnées. L’absorption d’énergie métabolisable a été inférieure au seuil de maintien en hiver chez tous les cerfs, mais a été encore plus basse (P = 0,029) chez les cerfs traités que chez les cerfs témoins. La perte de masse en pourcentage différait entre les groupes et la différence s’accentuait à mesure qu’avançait l’étude et représentait tout l’éventail de tolérance (perte de 0–32 %). Les rapports A : C moyens chez les cerfs témoins, qui ont perdu jusqu’à 17,4 % de leur masse, avaient légèrement tendance à augmenter (P = 0,086), alors que les rapports A : C des cerfs expérimentaux fortement privés de nourriture, semblables aux précédents au départ, avaient subi une augmentation très forte (P = 0,0002) à la 8e semaine (0,52 vs. 0,09 mmol : mmol). Le rapport A : C urinaire n’était pas relié (P = 0,839) à l’absorption récente d’énergie métabolisable (2 jours avant le prélèvement d’urine), mais il y avait une relation presque significative (r2 = 0,42, P = 0,110) entre A : C et le pourcentage cumulatif de perte de masse. Le rapport A : C de l’urine es

ACCURACY AND PRECISION OF ESTIMATING AGE OF GRAY WOLVES BY TOOTH WEAR

We evaluated the accuracy and precision of tooth wear for aging gray wolves (Canis lupus) from Alaska, Minnesota, and Ontario based on 47 known-age or known-minimum-age skuIIs. Estimates of age using tooth wear and a commercial cementum annuli-aging service were useful for wolves up to 14 years old. The precision of estimates from cementum annuli was greater than estimates from tooth wear, but tooth wear estimates are more applicable in the field. We tended to overestimate age by 1-2 years and occasionaIIy by 3 or 4 years. The commercial service aged young wolves with cementum annuli to within ± 1 year of actual age, but under estimated ages of wolves 2:9 years old by 1-3 years. No differences were detected in tooth wear patterns for wild wolves from Alaska, Minnesota, and Ontario, nor between captive and wild wolves. Tooth wear was not appropriate for aging wolves with an underbite that prevented normal wear or severely broken and missing teeth

An advanced open-path atmospheric monitor design

The conceptual design of an open-path atmospheric monitor combines an acousto-optic tunable filter for emission spectroscopy (3-14 {mu}m) with a mid-IR (4.6-5.4 {mu}m) for absorption spectroscopy. It utilizes mostly commercially available components, covers a large area ({approximately}4 km radius), measures the distance to any reflecting object, can take measurements along any line-of-sight, and is eye safe. Of twenty test pollutants it is to detect, the concentrations of all twenty will be measurable via emission spectroscopy and ten by the more sensitive absorption spectroscopy

Studies of wolf x coyote hybridization via artificial insemination

Following the production of western gray wolf (Canis lupus) x western coyote (Canis latrans) hybrids via artificial insemination (AI), the present article documents that the hybrids survived in captivity for at least 4 years and successfully bred with each other. It further reports that backcrossing one of the hybrids to a male gray wolf by AI also resulted in the birth of live pups that have survived for at least 10 months. All male hybrids (F1 and F2) produced sperm by about 10 months of age, and sperm quality of the F1 males fell within the fertile range for domestic dogs, but sperm motility and morphology, in particular, were low in F2 males at 10 months but improved in samples taken at 22 months of age. These studies are relevant to a long-standing controversy about the identity of the red wolf (Canis rufus), the existence of a proposed new species (Canis lycaon) of gray wolf, and to the role of hybridization in mammalian evolution

Real-time image processing for label-free enrichment of Actinobacteria cultivated in picolitre droplets

The majority of today's antimicrobial therapeutics is derived from secondary metabolites produced by Actinobacteria. While it is generally assumed that less than 1% of Actinobacteria species from soil habitats have been cultivated so far, classic screening approaches fail to supply new substances, often due to limited throughput and frequent rediscovery of already known strains. To overcome these restrictions, we implement high-throughput cultivation of soil-derived Actinobacteria in microfluidic pL-droplets by generating more than 600000 pure cultures per hour from a spore suspension that can subsequently be incubated for days to weeks. Moreover, we introduce triggered imaging with real-time image-based droplet classification as a novel universal method for pL-droplet sorting. Growth-dependent droplet sorting at frequencies above 100 Hz is performed for label-free enrichment and extraction of microcultures. The combination of both cultivation of Actinobacteria in pL-droplets and real-time detection of growing Actinobacteria has great potential in screening for yet unknown species as well as their undiscovered natural products

Electrochemically deposited nanocrystalline InSb thin films and their electrical properties

We present an electrochemical route to prepare nanocrystalline InSb thin films that can be transferred to an industrial scale. The morphology, composition, and crystallinity of the prepared uniform and compact thin films with a surface area of around 1 cm2 were investigated. The essential electrical characteristics such as conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, the type, concentration and mobility of charge carriers have been examined and compared with InSb nanowires obtained in the same system for electrochemical deposition (fixed pulse sequence, temperature, electrolyte composition, and system geometry). Moreover, obtained thin films show much higher band gap energy (0.53 eV) compared to the bulk material (0.17 eV) and InSb nanowires (0.195 eV)