The purpose of this study was to characterize phenotypically Actinobacillus and Actinobacillus-like species cultured from ram lambs with epididymitis (lamb epididymitis), so as to better understand the species and strains of Actinobacillus responsible for causing the disease. Two American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) type species of Actinobacillus (A actinomycetemcomitans and A seminis) and 24 field isolates were tested in this study. The field isolates were cultured from either lesions or semen of ram lambs with clinical epididymitis and had been identified as members of the genus Actinobacillus, based on cultural and morphological criteria. When analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), these field isolates could be divided into 4 groups, based on the similarities and differences in the protein profiles. A panel of 13 MoAbs directed against 3 distinct proteins extracted from 1 field isolate (As8C) were also used in the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and bacterial agglutination to screen these field isolates. Specificity of the MoAbs for the 3 proteins was confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) technique. Bacterial field isolates were also divided into 3 groups by the ELISA results, based on their different reaction intensities. Data generated by the flow cytometry, namely peak channel, mean value, and percent labeled cells, suggested that these field isolates could be divided into 2 groups. However, with the unique reaction pattern for each MoAb, the flow cytometry data suggested the possibility of preparing a bank of figures as a standardized reference to identify additional isolates belonging to the genus of Actinobacillus. Bacterial agglutination of some isolates was noted using hyperimmune mouse serum (HMS), but not using MoAbs. These data suggested that bacterial field isolates cultured from epididymal lesions of affected lambs were considered to be in the same group as the 2 ATCC-type species of Actinobacillus . Further studies will be required in determining whether A seminis or some other species of Actinobacillus is the primary pathogen responsible for lamb epididymitis.

Perhaps no mammal on the North American Continent has received more attention in the literature than the muskrat (Ondatra spp.), but little of this material pertains to the reactions of muskrat populations to drought conditions. The author was unable to find any literature containing information on the reactions of the Rocky Mountain muskrat Ondatra zibethica osoyoosensis to drought conditions in Utah. This information is of vital importance in formulating muskrat management programs in the State.

Four barren Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulas were assigned to each of two dietary treatments in a replicated 2 x 2 Latin square design. Treatments consisted of a basal ration and a basal ration plus lOg/d of a viable yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cows were fed treatments for a 21-day adaptation followed by a 7-day collection period. Total ruminal bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa were unaffected by treatment. Feeding the viable yeast culture significantly increased ruminal acetic acid and acetic/propionic ratio. Molar percentage of propionic, isobutyric, isovaleric and valerie acids and rumen ammonia-N levels were significantly reduced in cattle fed added yeast culture. Liquid dilution and particulate rate of passage and total tract apparent nutrient digestibility were unaffected by treatment. Eighteen Holstein cows in mid-lactation were allocated equally to one of two treatments based on stage of lactation and previous mean daily 2-week milk yield. Therefore, nine cows were allocated to each treatment. Treatments consisted of a basal ration and a basal ration plus 10g/d of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Cows were fed total mixed rations for a 10-week period. In week 8, feed and fecal samples were collected twice daily for 3 days. Acid detergent fiber insoluble ash was used to determine total tract apparent nutrient digestibility. Feeding mid-lactation dairy cows the viable yeast culture had no effect on mean daily dry matter intake . However, it tended to improve mean daily 3.5% FCM. Milk production efficiency was higher in lactating dairy cows supplemented with the viable yeast culture when compared to the nonsupplemented cows. Milk composition and overall mean body weights were unaffected by treatment. Total tract apparent nutrient digestibilities also were unaffected by treatment.

Rabbits and hares, both popularly referred to as rabbits, occupy a very prominent position in the wildlife of Utah. Over much of the state, they form the most conspicuous faunal group, and between the lowest portion of the state to above timberline on the highest mountains there are very few areas entirely devoid or their presence. There is great variation, however, in their abundance, both between localities and times. In some areas, rabbit populations often attain amazingly high numbers to the delight of sportsmen and the dismay of farmers.

A marked population of Spermophilus armatus averaging 529 individuals per year was studied for two and a half seasons on a 22-acre tract in northern Utah. The average date of emergence from hibernation of the first squirrel was 9 April. Mating occurred as soon as animals emerged from hibernation. The average date of appearance of the first litter was 31 May. Emergence sizes of litters were from 5.2 for yearling females to 6.3 for adult females. Few instances of predation were observed. Age and sex ratios varied throughout the season and for different portions of the study area. The population increased 22 percent from 1964-1965 and 15 percent from 1965-1966. Juveniles moved more than adults and males moved more than females. In 1964 and 1965, 90 percent of the squirrels had disappeared into hibernation by 1 August. Active periods were from 61 days for juvenile males to 97 days for adult males.

Chemically analyzed a variety of plants from the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at intervals throughout the growing season to determine the following constituents: carbohydrates, nitrogen, crude fat, crude fiber, total ash, and the following ash constituents: Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, and Cl.

The Dingle Swamp Wildlife Study was initiated in 1952. The main objective of the project was determining means for increasing wildlife production and utilization of the Dingle Swamp near Bear Lake. The investigation was a general survey of muskrat and waterfowl populations and environments.

The objectives of this study were to determine the mortality rates of trout in Temple Fork of the Logan River during the winter of 1970-1971 and to identify factors related to trout mortality. Trout in seven 100-m sections of the 7 3-km stream were sampled by electroshocking in October, December, February, and April. Captured trout were weighed measured and tagged or fin-clipped. Scale samples were taken for age determinations and the fish were returned to the creek. Water temperature, snow cover, and anchor ice were monitored. Three species of trout were found in Temple Fork: brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Daily instantaneous mortality rates were calculated for both marked trout and estimated numbers in the stream.

A quantitative study of the behavior of brown bears (Ursus arctos) was undertaken in areas of differing human activity at Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve, 1988-1990. The research was conducted to determine whether the activity of any particular classes of bears using the river were differentially affected by human activity, activity of conspecifics, or availability of salmon. Approximately 1643 hours of systematic observation were recorded, 781 between June 26 and July 29 and 862 hours between August 26 and October 12 of all three years. Comparisons of fish capture rates by bears and distributions of bear use among observation zones were made by grouping individually identified bears according to both their age-sex class and tolerance of people (habituation). Differences in distributions of use among age-sex classes were apparent only during June-July; during that time subadults and females with young favored use of the river below Brooks Falls to a greater degree than other bears. Fish capture rates recorded during July 1990 showed a more than three-fold increase over those observed 1988-1989. The apparent increase in fish availability to bears that year was accompanied by the only observed differences in fish capture rates among age-sex classes. During July 1990 salmon availability in the observation zones near Brooks Camp increased significantly over the previous two years; habituated bears (tolerant of people at <50 >m) showed nearly three times as much use of those zones as in 1988-1989. In contrast, nonhabituated bears (61.5%-76.3% of all adult bears observed among observation years and seasons) showed minimal use of these areas despite the high availability of salmon. During the fall of each year fish capture rates appeared highest in the observation zones near Brooks Camp. Habituated bears used these zones significantly more than did nonhabituated bears, and overall rates of river use were higher for habituated than nonhabituated bears. Depending on their habituation class, females with young showed distinctly different use patterns through the fall season and across observation zones. All nonhabituated females with young (50.0% of females with young of known habituation class) favored use of the observation zone nearest Brooks Camp, and their activity was highest late in the season when human activity was minimal. The implications of patterns of use by age-sex class and degree of habituation to people are discussed.

Data on the proximate nutrient content of feedstuffs , digestibility and energy utilization available from the International Feedstuffs Institute (Utah State University) were used to develop mathematical models for estimating energy and protein utilization of five classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. Classes of feedstuffs were subdivided into more related subclasses. Furthermore, data from all feeds were pooled together then subgrouped into more related subgroups in an attempt to gain high precision in prediction of digestible proximate nutrients and TDN from a single chemical entity by the use of simple regression models (Y = bo + b1x1). Digestible percentages (Y) of crude protein , ether extract, crude fiber and nitrogen free extract were highly correlated with their proximate contents (Xs) of most classes, subclasses and subgroups of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. However, the use of linear multiple regression equation resulted in more precision in estimating each digestible nutrient (Y) from proximate analysis (Xl ; CP%, Xz ; EE% , x3 ; CF% and X4 ; NFE%) of the different classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. Prediction of digestible proximate nutrients made it possible to calculate Tn~ by the conventional equation: TDN ; DCP% + DCF% + DNFE% + 2.25 x DEE%. And to calculate digestible energy (DE) from the following equation : DE(Mcal/kg); 5.72 (DCP%) + 9.5 (DEE%)+ 4.79 (DCF%) + 4. 03 (NFE%)/100 TDN, DE and ME (Ys) were highly correlated with the digestible proximate nutrients (X1 ; DCP%, x2 ; DEE% , X3 ; DCF% and X4 = DNFE%) and with proximate analysis (upon the use of multiple regression models). However, TDN, DE and ME (Ys) were not predictable with high precision from any one single chemical entity (Xs) in most cases of the different classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. DE (Y) was highly correlated with TDN values (X), and ME (Y) was highly correlated with DE and TDN (Xs) values of t he different classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. The inclusion of physical descriptions (qualitative factors) of feedstuffs along with chemical analysis (quantitative factors) gave promising results predicting TDN content of feedstuffs. MEn and NEP for poultry were highly correlated with proximate analysis of the different classes of feedstuffs. NEP was also estimated with high precision from MEn. However, both MEn and NEP were not highly associated with single chemical entities. The dissertation contains an extensive literature review on systems of evaluating nutritive value, and factors affecting digestibility of feedstuffs. This dissertation also contains numerous equations which predict each digestible nutrient from its proximate content and from proximate analysis; TDN, DE and ME from each proximate nutrient, digestible proximate nutrients and proximate analysis; DE and~~ from TDN; and ME from DE contents of different classes of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals. Moreover, there are complex equations to predict TDN from proximate analysis and their interactions and from proximate analysis plus physical descriptions of feedstuffs for various kinds of animals.