An abrupt interface between mountains and prairies in southwestern Alberta means wilderness areas and carnivore populations overlap cattle grazing lands. Consequently, there is concern about the effects of large carnivores, especially wolves, on livestock. I used GPS clusters and scat samples to determine year-round wolf diets in this region. Both methods indicated a significant seasonal shift in wolf diets from wild prey during the non-grazing season to cattle in the grazing season. The GPS cluster method effectively identified wolf kills but this method relies on telemetry with high accuracy and precision. In southwestern Alberta, Argos satellite radicollars have been used extensively by wildlife managers. I compare how differences in precision between GPS and Argos technologies affect the estimation of habitat-selection models. Differences in accuracy and precision can lead to erroneous conclusions about animal selection of habitat. / Ecology

This thesis is focused on polymorphism of MDR1 gene and related drug resistance. Resistance is caused by deletion of four nucleotids, that resulting in a frame shift and synthesis of nonfunctional transport of P-glycoprotein. The text describes a polymorphism of MDR1 (ABCB1) gene, which results in reduced resistance to drugs belonging to the group of macrocyclic lactones. It also describes inheritance of this phenomenon and it deals with the detection of mutation using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and by fragmentation analyses. A review of literature study is a form of research solely from scientific publications. 128 dogs were included into the own analysis. The results confirmed that Collies had the highest presence of deletions (29,73 %) with a high number of carriers in the study population of dogs (54,05 %). The percentage of affected individuals in the breed of Australian Shepherd and Sheltie was significantly lower (7,32 % and 6 %), but the percentage of carriers were also high in both Australian Shepherds (34,14 %) and the breed Sheltie (48 %).

Submitted by Reginaldo Soares de Freitas (reginaldo.freitas@ufv.br) on 2016-04-25T09:51:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 467608 bytes, checksum: 415cfc97bb8e785d82d9258a9338dec2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T09:51:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 467608 bytes, checksum: 415cfc97bb8e785d82d9258a9338dec2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-19 / Análises seminais por meio da associação de sondas fluorescentes possibilitam a avaliação dos diversos compartimentos da célula espermática, simultaneamente, oferecendo um prognóstico mais acurado frente ao caráter subjetivo de alguns testes de rotina. Neste estudo foi utilizada a associação de três sondas fluorescentes com objetivo de avaliar a integridade da membrana plasmática (iodeto de propídio e Hoechst 33342) e o potencial de membrana mitocondrial (MitoTracker red), em sêmen fresco e descongelado de cão. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados aos resultados dos testes de rotina. Todos os testes demonstraram capacidade em detectar queda de qualidade seminal pós- descongelamento. A associação das sondas fluorescentes iodeto de propídio (IP), Hoechst 33342 (H33342) e MitoTracker red (CMXRos) mostrou-se eficaz na distinção de diferentes populações de espermatozoides em ejaculados descongelados de cão doméstico. Foram distintas 4 populações: IC (membrana plasmática íntegra e com potencial de membrana mitocondrial), IS (membrana plasmática íntegra e sem potencial de membrana mitocondrial), LC (membrana plasmática lesada e com potencial de membrana mitocondrial) e LS (membrana plasmática lesada e sem potencial de membrana mitocondrial). Esta associação permitiu também quantificar e qualificar as injúrias causadas às membranas plasmáticas das células espermáticas, pelo processo de congelamento/descongelamento, nesta espécie. Foi observada correlação (p<0,05) entre a coloração das sondas fluorescentes e a avaliação da motilidade espermática e teste hiposmótico. Desta forma, sugere-se a inclusão da combinação de sondas fluorescentes nos protocolos de análise de sêmen, como teste complementar aos testes convencionais, tornando mais precisa a avaliação das injúrias à célula espermática desta espécie. Entretanto, nem os testes de rotina e nem as sondas fluorescentes são hábeis em predizer a capacidade do espermatozoide de ligar-se ao ovócito, evento crucial para a fecundação. Assim, faz-se importante a adoção de testes de ligação entre espermatozoides e ovócitos nas pesquisas referentes à avaliação dos protocolos de congelamento/descongelamento do sêmen. Embora o status metabólico dos ovócitos, assim como o efeito fêmea, limitem a exatidão das interpretações, tem-se buscado substratos de ligação mais homogêneos e de mais fácil obtenção. Neste contexto, a membrana perivitelina do ovo de galinha (MPOG) tem se demonstrado eficiente na avaliação da capacidade de ligação do sêmen em diversas espécies. O teste de ligação de espermatozoides à MPOG apresenta comportamento semelhante aos resultados dos testes de rotina da avaliação do sêmen, assim como os testes com as sondas fluorescentes, apresentando diferença quando comparados sêmen fresco e sêmen descongelado (p<0,05). Neste estudo, o teste hiposmótico correlacionou-se positivamente com o número de espermatozoides ligados à membrana perivitelina da gema do ovo de galinha. O comportamento da MPOG e das sondas, entre os tratamentos, demonstraram sensibilidade da membrana em distinguir sêmens de diferentes potenciais de ligação (p < 0,05) nesta espécie. / Seminal analysis by means of the association of fluorescent probes allows for the simultaneous evaluation of several compartments of the spermatic cell, offering a more accurate prognostic when compared to the subjective character of some routine tests. In this study, the association of three fluorescent probes was used with the goal of evaluating the integrity of plasma membrane (propidium iodide and Hoechst 33342) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Mito Tracker red), in dog semen, both fresh and frozen. The attained results were compared to those of routine tests. All tests showed the capacity of detecting a drop in seminal quality after being unfrozen. The association of the fluorescent probes propidium iodide (IP), Hoechst 33342 (H33342) and Mito Tracker red (CMXRos) showed efficiency when differentiating sperm populations in the frozen semen of domestic dogs. There were four distinct populations: IC (intact plasma membrane and with mitochondrial membrane potential), IS (intact plasma membrane without mitochondrial membrane potential), LC (injured plasmatic membrane with mitochondrial membrane potential) and LS (injured plasmatic membrane without mitochondrial potential). This association also allows the quantification and qualification of the injuries caused on the sperm cell by the freezing/thawing process in this species. A correlation was observed between the coloring of the fluorescent probe and the evaluation of sperm motility and hypo- osmotic swelling test (p<0,05). However, the attained results with the probes showed a higher precision rate when detecting injuries to the spam cells thus suggesting the inclusion of the combination of fluorescent probes in semen analysis protocols, once evidence shows greater efficiency when compared to routine tests. Consequently, the inclusion of the combination of the fluorescent probes in the semen analysis is suggested as a complementary test, making the evaluation of the injuries to the spermatic cell of this species more precise. However, neither the routine tests nor the fluorescent probes are capable of predicting spermatozoon’s capability to bind to the oocyte, an crucial event to fecundation. Therefore, it is important to introduce biding assays between spermatic cells and oocytes in the research that refer to the evaluation of the freezing/ thawing semen protocols. Although the oocytes metabolic status, like the ‘’female effect’’, limit the accuracy of the interpretations, substrate binding that are more homogeneous and easier to obtain are being pursued. In this context, the perivitelline layer of the egg yolk has demonstrated to be efficient in evaluating the binding capacity of sperm in a number of species. The binding tests of sperm to the MPOG shows a behavior that is similar to the results obtained from semen’s routine evaluation tests, as well as the test with the fluorescent probes, presenting a difference when comparing fresh with unfrozen semen (p<0,05). In this study, the hypoosmotic test correlated positively to the number of spermatozoon connected to the perivitelline layer of the egg yolk. The behavior the MPOGs and that of the probes, between other treatments, demonstrated the membrane’s sensibility in distinguishing semen of different potential binding (p<0,05) in this species.

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2016-07-13T16:32:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2878429 bytes, checksum: f47e247b860f8a5564344ee2ac1a7457 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-13T16:32:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 2878429 bytes, checksum: f47e247b860f8a5564344ee2ac1a7457 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Avaliou-se o uso de diferentes protocolos de cultivo in vitro de fragmentos ovarianos de cadelas domésticas adultas em anestro, em casuística de programa de controle populacional de animais errantes no município de Viçosa MG. Após a colheita dos ovários, foram obtidos fragmentos da zona parenquimatosa de cada ovário, um dos quais foi incluído fresco como controle, e os demais incubados por 48 horas em atmosfera de 5 % de CO 2 , 95 % de umidade relativa e temperatura de 39 oC, em diferentes tratamentos: T1: cultivados em Meio Essencial Mínimo (MEM); T2: cultivados em MEM associado a Soro de Cadela prenhe (MEM + SCpre) e T3: cultivados em MEM associado a Soro de Cadela no pró-estro (MEM + SCpro). Todos os fragmentos foram fixados por imersão em solução de Karnowisky por até 24 horas e processados segundo rotina para confecção de lâminas histológicas. Estas foram avaliadas quanto ao desenvolvimento folicular, sob microscópio de luz, em aumento de 100 vezes. A análise estatística foi feita pelo teste paramétrico de comparação de médias T Student. Todos fragmentos cultivados apresentaram aumento na proporção de folículos em desenvolvimento, assim conclui-se que o meio de cultivo utilizado associado à técnica de cultivo in situ foi suficiente para promover o desenvolvimento folicular em ovários de cadelas, sendo que a suplementação hormonal com SCpro e SCpre não influenciaram na taxa de desenvolvimento. / This present study evaluated different protocols of in vitro culture from ovarian fragments of domestic female dog (Canis lupus familiaris) in anestrus. For the study, ovaries from female dogs were used, obtained from the neutering of the stray animal population control of the municipal kennel program/ Veterinary Department - Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). After the ovaries were collected, random fragments of the ovary parenchymal were obtained, one of them were used fresh as control, and the rest were incubated for 48 hours in 5 % of CO2 atmosphere, 95 % of relative humidity and 39 oC temperature, in different treatments: T1 cultivated in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM); T2 cultivated in MEM associated with pregnant dog serum and T3 cultivated in MEM associated with proestrus dog serum. Those ovaries cultivated in treatments T1, T2 and T3, were fixed by Karnowisky immersion for up to 24 hours, and processed following the normal laboratorial procedures for making histological slides. They were then evaluated under light microscope, using the 100X objective lens. The statistical analysis was made by the Student T`s parametric comparison measures test. All fragments of assessed ovaries showed a proportional increase of developing follicles, concluding that the culture medium used, associated to the in situ culture technique, was enough to promote the follicle development in dog’s ovaries, being that the hormonal supplementation with proestrus serum and pregnant serum did not influence the development rate.

Livestock guardian dogs – or “LGDs” – are commonly used by domestic sheep ranchers and reduce the need for killing wild carnivores to protect livestock. LGDs are mostly used in the United States to reduce the number of livestock killed by coyotes, but whether they can prevent killing by larger carnivores like wolves and grizzly bears is unclear. It is important to identify which behavioral traits and LGD breeds work best for guarding livestock so that ranchers can protect their stock and environmentalists can enjoy a greater number of wild animals on the landscape. This study investigated the effectiveness of different LGD breeds in the Western U.S. to help determine how best to use LGDs. I investigated (1) which LGD breed works best for each predator, (2) if LGD breeds behave differently, (3) how carnivores respond when LGDs and sheep move through their home ranges, and (4) whether having good LGDs makes ranchers more accepting of predators. I compared common U.S. breeds of LGD with three exotic breeds used primarily in other countries with wolves and grizzly bears. From 2013 – 2016 data was collected on sheep that were killed and what killed them, how different LGD breeds behaved, what carnivore species were present near sheep grazing with LGDs, and ranchers’ attitudes towards LGDs and large carnivores throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Results of the study show that all three of the exotic breeds of LGD are better at protecting sheep from certain predators than LGD breeds commonly used in the U.S. There are also some breed differences in LGD behavior that may help ranchers make better decisions about which LGD breed is best for them. Sheep grazing with LGDs seemed to drive-off wolves, but they also attracted smaller carnivores. Also, ranchers’ attitudes about LGDs are generally very positive, but they don’t affect attitudes about wolves and grizzly bears. Below, I discuss these and other findings in terms of both ecology and wildlife management.

It has been hypothesized that dietary differences in bone consumption exist between the extinct Pleistocene dire wolf (Canis dirus) and the modern gray wolf (C. lupus). Here dental microwear texture analysis of the m2 is used to test the hypothesized dietary behavior of C. dirus. If the m2 does distinguish dietary tendencies and dire wolves were heavy bone consumers, then the microwear signals of C. dirus should be similar to extant duraphageous canids. Microwear texture analysis of C. dirus was compared with that of C. lupus, coyote (C. latrans), and African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) to assess the degrees of bone consumption. An overall lack in statistically significant variables suggests little difference between the dietary tendencies between C. dirus and C. lupus. The dire wolf did not closely align with the duraphageous L. pictus, which calls into question the hypothesis of heavy carcass utilization during the Pleistocene.

Die wissenschaftliche Erforschung des Haushundes (Canis lupus forma familiaris) mit Fokus auf seine sozialen Eigenschaften hat große Relevanz in Anbetracht seiner zunehmenden Bedeutung im Zusammenleben mit dem Menschen als Familienmitglied und Arbeitstier. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Relevanz von Dominanz in den Beziehungen von Gruppenmitgliedern einer Meute Englischer Foxhounds darzustellen sowie ihre Auswirkung auf die Sozialstruktur der Hunde. Weitergehend sollte die Analyse von aggressionsanzeigendem Verhalten und sozialen Strategien Aufschluss über Regelungsmechanismen im Zusammenleben der Hunde geben. Speichelcortisolanalysen sollten Einblick über die Stressexposition der Hunde in diesem Zusammenleben geben. Das Neutrophilen/ Lymphozyten Verhältnis im Blut sollte darüber hinaus mögliche Auswirkungen der Cortisolproduktion auf das Immunsystem aufzeigen. Für die Datenerhebung wurden 16 Englische Foxhounds einer Meute von 72 Hunden berücksichtigt. Je 4 Hündinnen und 4 Rüden wurden einer von 2 Gruppen zugeteilt. Über einen Zeitraum von 10 Monaten erfolgten Verhaltensbeobachtungen an jedem Individuum mittels der Methode Focal Animal Sampling. Von Hunden aus Gruppe 1 wurden 17,5 Stunden Beobachtungsmaterial und aus Gruppe 2 17,0 Stunden gesammelt. Die Speichelproben wurden mit der Salivette® der Firma SARSTEDT (Nümbrecht- Rommelsdorf) entnommen und mittels eines speziell für die Speichelcortisol- Analyse entwickelten Immunoassays (double- antibody biotin- linked enzyme immunoassay) analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die als möglicherweise dominanzanzeigend eingestuften Indikatoren, nämlich die Körperhaltung High Posture und die Durchsetzungskraft als Eigenschaft eines Hundes, konnten als solche nicht bestätigt werden. Es konnte keine dominanzbasierte Hierarchie ermittelt werden. Auch konnten von 82 Dyaden nur in 5 eine Dominanz- Subordinanz- Beziehung ermittelt werden, was kein aussagekräftiges Ergebnis darstellt. Aggressive Handlungen wurden in beiden Gruppen pro Stunde durchschnittlich jeweils 12 Mal beobachtet, jedoch meist in der Intensität 1 - 2 (von 5- stufiger Skala). Sie wurden hochsignifikant häufiger unter Rüden als unter Hündinnen beobachtet (p= 0,002). Berechnungen der Aggressionskoeffizienten belegten deutliche Unterschiede in den individuellen Aggressionsniveaus. Die Analyse ausgetragener Konflikte auf Taktiken und Strategien lieferte jedoch keine signifikanten Ergebnisse. Die Foxhounds reagierten situativ und selten gegner- und nie kontextabhängig. Die Speichelcortisolanalysen belegten vielfach höhere Basal- Mittelwerte der Foxhounds verglichen mit Analysen von Hunden anderer Studien. Eine Reduktion des Cortisolwerts erfolgte bei 14 von 16 Hunden nach 20- minütigem Einzelspaziergang mit Menschenkontakt. Allerdings konnte keine Verbindung zwischen dem Speichelcortisolwert und dem soziometrisch errechneten Rangplatz in der Gruppe ermittelt werden. Ebenso bestand keine Korrelation zwischen dem Speichelcortisolwert und Immunstatus sowie Aggressionspotential. Schlussfolgerungen: Dominanz spielte keine erkennbare Rolle in den sozialen Interaktionen und Beziehungen der Hunde. Die Ergebnisse lassen die Schlussfolgerung auf eine egalitäre Sozialstruktur der Foxhounds zu statt einer dominanzabhängigen, was auch durch die situativ geregelten Begegnungen unterstützt wird. Aggressives Verhalten als häufig repräsentiertes Kommunikationselement wurde bei den einzelnen Hunden unterschiedlich oft beobachtet, was auf die Verschiedenheit der Charaktere und ihre Motivationen, Konflikte einzugehen, hindeutet. Die häufiger unter Rüden beobachtete Aggression kann auf ein erhöhtes Konkurrenzpotential hindeuten. Die im Speichel der Foxhounds gemessenen Cortisolwerte lassen die Vermutung auf eine durch das Gruppenleben bedingte Erhöhung des Basalwerts zu, ohne Konsequenzen auf den Immunstatus. Die fehlenden Korrelationen zu den individuellen Rangplätzen und Aggression unterstützt die Vermutung eines lockeren bzw. egalitären Sozialgefüges.

Die wissenschaftliche Erforschung des Haushundes (Canis lupus forma familiaris) mit Fokus auf seine sozialen Eigenschaften hat große Relevanz in Anbetracht seiner zunehmenden Bedeutung im Zusammenleben mit dem Menschen als Familienmitglied und Arbeitstier. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Relevanz von Dominanz in den Beziehungen von Gruppenmitgliedern einer Meute Englischer Foxhounds darzustellen sowie ihre Auswirkung auf die Sozialstruktur der Hunde. Weitergehend sollte die Analyse von aggressionsanzeigendem Verhalten und sozialen Strategien Aufschluss über Regelungsmechanismen im Zusammenleben der Hunde geben. Speichelcortisolanalysen sollten Einblick über die Stressexposition der Hunde in diesem Zusammenleben geben. Das Neutrophilen/ Lymphozyten Verhältnis im Blut sollte darüber hinaus mögliche Auswirkungen der Cortisolproduktion auf das Immunsystem aufzeigen. Für die Datenerhebung wurden 16 Englische Foxhounds einer Meute von 72 Hunden berücksichtigt. Je 4 Hündinnen und 4 Rüden wurden einer von 2 Gruppen zugeteilt. Über einen Zeitraum von 10 Monaten erfolgten Verhaltensbeobachtungen an jedem Individuum mittels der Methode Focal Animal Sampling. Von Hunden aus Gruppe 1 wurden 17,5 Stunden Beobachtungsmaterial und aus Gruppe 2 17,0 Stunden gesammelt. Die Speichelproben wurden mit der Salivette® der Firma SARSTEDT (Nümbrecht- Rommelsdorf) entnommen und mittels eines speziell für die Speichelcortisol- Analyse entwickelten Immunoassays (double- antibody biotin- linked enzyme immunoassay) analysiert. Ergebnisse: Die als möglicherweise dominanzanzeigend eingestuften Indikatoren, nämlich die Körperhaltung High Posture und die Durchsetzungskraft als Eigenschaft eines Hundes, konnten als solche nicht bestätigt werden. Es konnte keine dominanzbasierte Hierarchie ermittelt werden. Auch konnten von 82 Dyaden nur in 5 eine Dominanz- Subordinanz- Beziehung ermittelt werden, was kein aussagekräftiges Ergebnis darstellt. Aggressive Handlungen wurden in beiden Gruppen pro Stunde durchschnittlich jeweils 12 Mal beobachtet, jedoch meist in der Intensität 1 - 2 (von 5- stufiger Skala). Sie wurden hochsignifikant häufiger unter Rüden als unter Hündinnen beobachtet (p= 0,002). Berechnungen der Aggressionskoeffizienten belegten deutliche Unterschiede in den individuellen Aggressionsniveaus. Die Analyse ausgetragener Konflikte auf Taktiken und Strategien lieferte jedoch keine signifikanten Ergebnisse. Die Foxhounds reagierten situativ und selten gegner- und nie kontextabhängig. Die Speichelcortisolanalysen belegten vielfach höhere Basal- Mittelwerte der Foxhounds verglichen mit Analysen von Hunden anderer Studien. Eine Reduktion des Cortisolwerts erfolgte bei 14 von 16 Hunden nach 20- minütigem Einzelspaziergang mit Menschenkontakt. Allerdings konnte keine Verbindung zwischen dem Speichelcortisolwert und dem soziometrisch errechneten Rangplatz in der Gruppe ermittelt werden. Ebenso bestand keine Korrelation zwischen dem Speichelcortisolwert und Immunstatus sowie Aggressionspotential. Schlussfolgerungen: Dominanz spielte keine erkennbare Rolle in den sozialen Interaktionen und Beziehungen der Hunde. Die Ergebnisse lassen die Schlussfolgerung auf eine egalitäre Sozialstruktur der Foxhounds zu statt einer dominanzabhängigen, was auch durch die situativ geregelten Begegnungen unterstützt wird. Aggressives Verhalten als häufig repräsentiertes Kommunikationselement wurde bei den einzelnen Hunden unterschiedlich oft beobachtet, was auf die Verschiedenheit der Charaktere und ihre Motivationen, Konflikte einzugehen, hindeutet. Die häufiger unter Rüden beobachtete Aggression kann auf ein erhöhtes Konkurrenzpotential hindeuten. Die im Speichel der Foxhounds gemessenen Cortisolwerte lassen die Vermutung auf eine durch das Gruppenleben bedingte Erhöhung des Basalwerts zu, ohne Konsequenzen auf den Immunstatus. Die fehlenden Korrelationen zu den individuellen Rangplätzen und Aggression unterstützt die Vermutung eines lockeren bzw. egalitären Sozialgefüges.

The purpose of this diploma thesis is to evaluate legal protection of grey wolf in the Czech Republic based on comparison carried out with legal codes of our neighbours and international law environment in order to offer a solution for revealed deficiencies, since, as the thesis describes, the number of wolfs dwelling in the wild areas of the country has been gradually growing. It is the question of direct protection and wolf's legal status, which is examined, as well as related administrative obstacles, and conditions or means of hunting, respectively. The thesis also deals with the issue of legal status of "wolf-dog" hybrids. Furthermore, currently pressing matter of compensating damage caused by wolfs is examined. Finally, attention is devoted to the protection provided to wolfs within the field of pet breeding and animal trade.

Studying the reintroduction of hand-raised wolves may embrace several interests such as deepening knowledge on wolf biology and allowing a controlled release in isolated populations in need of genetic influx. Studies on hand-raised wild animals, showing successful reintroduction, suggested that young released wolves might be able to survive in the wild without previous fastidious training. Most of their survival behaviours would be instinctive. In this study, nine young wolves were reintroduced in Tver region (Russia) and followed in order to evaluate their fear of humans, their movement patterns, thanks to GPS-Argos collars fitted to three of the animals, and assess their diet via four methods of scats analysis. We analyzed 46 wolf scats collected from August 2010 to January 2011. We determined the frequency of occurrences of items per scats and per items, and used the Relative Estimated Bulk to estimate the biomass of prey species consumed. Statistics were conducted to test for significance of method comparisons. The results showed that half of the wolves remained near the enclosure weeks to months after release, occasionally leaving the vicinity. The individual wolves behaved differently, they adopted various movement patterns and had diverse home ranges (from 15 km2 to 40 km2). Released wolves preyed more on ungulates, especially moose and on other wild mammals such as mountain hare. They also sporadically hunted domestic animals and regularly consumed vegetal matter along with smaller animals as alternative prey. Finally, all scat-analysis methods significantly assessed (p &lt; 0.01) the relative importance of the main food types.