The trade-off between current and future investment in reproduction lies at the heart of life history theory. The need to differentially allocate resources between these two options arises generally as a result of environmental pressures. Higher risk of mortality in adults is linked with increased investment in current reproduction, whereas the opposite is true where adults are long-lived (the r- K selection paradigm). Perhaps the most obvious factors influencing the environment stem from seasonality of the climate, since rainfall and temperature affect food availability, resulting in a higher risk of mortality. The available trade-offs that an organism can make will therefore be constrained by environmental variability potentially resulting in general adaptation and so ultimately influencing evolution of biome-specific life-history traits. In this thesis, I examine how the seasonality of a West African tropical savannah environment influences moult and breeding timing and duration, and survival in West African tropical savannah bird species. I show that moult in tropical birds follows the same basic descendant pattern through the wing feathers, but is a much lengthier process than for temperate species (mean = 131 ± 11 days, N = 29 species), and that it frequently overlaps with breeding activities. This suggests either that either the feathers of tropical species take longer to grow; that it is a relatively low-cost activity and has little influence on life history trade-offs; or that individuals further aim to reduce mortality risk by attempting to maintain high flight capability at all times. Breeding also occurred over a longer season than for temperate species, although an obvious peak in occurrence was identified to coincide with the food-abundant period of the late rains and early dry season. Lengthy breeding seasons may indicate an increased tendency to re-nest (possibly as a result of higher nest predation levels), and we also identified a prolonged immature plumage phase – potentially indicating an extended duration of parental care. Survival rates were calculated from mark-recapture models based on mist-netting data. Previous work has focussed on the use of incorporating mark-resighting data alongside that obtained by standard mark-recapture techniques. Here, I assess the models applied in those methods, identify problems associated with over-paramaterisation, goodness of fit and the generation of biologically unrealistic estimates, and so provide suggestions on how to improve the protocol. Average survival from my study (40 species: 0.63 ± 0.02) was higher than previous estimates obtained from this site and were comparable with estimates from other Afrotropical and Neotropical areas, although rates varied greatly between species. Juvenile survival (13 species) was similar or possibly lower than adult survival. I then used my empirically derived estimates of moult, breeding and survival life history traits to identify potential trade-offs between traits. Overall I was unable to identify significant relationships between any of the life history trait estimates, other than between adult survival and clutch size. In this, the results followed those of previous researchers in identifying a pattern of lower investment in current reproduction (clutch size) and maximisation of adult survival in tropical species. My study, however, demonstrates for the first time how moult and breeding duration are likely to be less constrained in tropical environments.

The effect of forced molt on pituitary function and other endocrine parameters was investigated in three year old hens subjected to a dietary forced molting procedure. In addition to molting, fasting caused cessation of egg production, body and organ weight loss, alterations in hormone secretion and morphological changes in some endocrine glands. Body and ovary weights decreased but returned to normal with ad libitum feeding. Pituitary, thyroid and adrenal weights were not affected but serum hormone levels measured by RIA revealed a decrease in LH, FSH and PRL and increases in TSH, T₃ and GH all of which returned to higher levels with ad libitum feeding. Serum P₄ levels remained low (and egg-laying stopped) until ad libitum feeding was resumed and then increased and egg-laying returned to a typically productive level. Serum ACTH and T₄ increased with fasting and remained elevated. Gonadotrophs and corticotrophs increased in numbers with fasting and/or food restriction but thyrotrophs, somatotrophs and lactotrophs decreased. Correlations between cell populations and serum hormone levels was quite common. Colloid-filled follicles resembling a hypertrophic thyroid gland occurred throughout the pituitary pars distalis. Granules appear to be discharged into the follicular lumen through exocytotic pores in the apical plasmalemma of follicular cells. Lactotrophs, corticotrophs and somatotrophs are commonly arranged in follicles or clusters. PRL-containing granules are in the center of some follicles and are concentrated near pituitary cysts. Pituitary cysts, lined with ciliated epithelium and sparse mucous cells, are more prevalent in fasted hens and decline with the resumption of feeding. Reduced lactotroph populations and presumptively degenerated lactotrophs in cyst lumens are correlated with reduced serum PRL levels. Necrotic cells occurred in the pituitary parenchyma of fasted birds but dilated RER in the thyrotrophs of fasted hens indicate enhanced activity of these cells. Ultrastructural evidence presented here indicates that pituitary secretion by lactotrophs occurs both intraluminally and perivascularly.

No description available.

No description available.

The behaviour of Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata ) was studied on staging grounds in spring of 2006 and compared to behaviour on moulting grounds later that summer. Moulting Surf Scoters have a distinct activity pattern in comparison to those on spring staging grounds. During moult, foraging occurs mainly in the morning and evening, whereas during the spring a similar proportion of birds foraged at all periods of the day. Birds having recently initiated moult foraged significantly less that on staging grounds. However, as moult progressed, this discrepancy disappeared. / In addition, we tracked the movements of flightless Surf Scoters using satellite telemetry during the 2006 wing-moult period. Despite their reduced mobility, Surf Scoters are able to swim long distances while flightless. However, the majority of their activities are carried out within small core areas. This study also indicates that satellite telemetry can be used effectively to track the daily movements of wildlife.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Resumo: O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso de diferentes níveis de lisina e de metionina + cistina digestíveis durante o período pós - muda, sobre a recuperação corporal, desempenho, qualidade de ovos e morfometria do aparelho reprodutor, fígado e pâncreas de poedeiras comerciais no segundo ciclo de produção. Foram utilizadas 432 poedeiras comerciais da linhagem Isa Brown, com 72 semanas de idade, distribuídas em 54 parcelas, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e nove repetições de oito aves cada. Durante o descanso foram utilizados seis rações cujos níveis de lisina e metionina + cistina digestíveis variaram: 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,43% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,47% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,52% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,50% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,56% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,62% de metionina+cistina digestíveis.Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e em caso de efeito significativo, a comparação de médias foi realizada a 5% de probabilidade através do teste de Tukey. Os diferentes níveis de lisina e de metionina+cistina digestíveis das dietas de descanso, determinaram efeitos significativos sobre os parâmetros de desempenho das aves. Observou-se que, o nível de 0,56% de lisina e 0,56% de metionina + cistina digestíveis, proporcionou maior peso dos ovos durante o segundo ciclo de produção / Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different levels of lysine and methionine + cystine, about the body recovery, performance and egg quality of laying hens in the post molt. It was used four hundred and thirty two hens of Isa Brown strain, with 72 weeks of age, distributed in 54 cages in a completely randomized design with six treatments and nine replicates of eight birds each. During the rest period, were used six diets with different levels of digestible lysine and methionine + cystine. The values ranged from: 0.48% digestible lysine and 0,43% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.47% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.52% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.50% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0, 56% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.62% methionine + cystine. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and in case of significant effect, the comparison of means was performed at 5% probability by Tukey test. The different levels of lysine and methionine + cystine diets of rest have determined significant effects on the performance parameters of laying hens. It was observed that the level of 0.56% lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine, resulted in greater weight of eggs during the second production cycle / Orientador: Otto Mack Junqueira / Coorientador: Silvana Martinez Baraldi Artoni / Banca: Antônio Carlos de Laurentiz / Banca: Rosimeire da Silva Filardi / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-12-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:06:08Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 franzo_vs_dr_jabo.pdf: 841776 bytes, checksum: 6761e87e4190f9377f6cfa5c62067562 (MD5) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / A muda forçada em poedeiras comerciais tem sido utilizada visando melhorar o desempenho zootécnico das aves por mais um ciclo de produção de ovos. Utilizou-se 32 galinhas poedeiras Hisex Brown com 58 semanas de idade submetidas a diferentes programas de muda forçada para análise do peso e comprimento das diferentes porções intestinais (duodeno, jejuno, íleo, ceco e cólon-reto), com o auxílio de uma balança de precisão e uma fita métrica, respectivamente. As aves foram alojadas em um galpão de postura com gaiolas (2 aves/gaiola) na Unesp, campus de Jaboticabal e expostas à 17 horas de luz diariamente com água e ração à vontade. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com 4 programas contendo 4 aves e 2 coletas aos 28 e 140 dias. Os programas utilizados foram: método Califórnia, baixo nível de cálcio, alto nível de zinco e baixo nível de sódio. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e em caso de diferença significativa, as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey. Observou-se que aves submetidas ao método Califórnia por 10 dias tiveram respostas biométricas semelhantes aos animais que tiveram alto nível de zinco adicionado à dieta com menor peso corporal e de vísceras, além de menores comprimentos do intestino, além disso, aos 140 dias houve um aumento do peso corpóreo e, também do peso e do comprimento do intestino. / The forced molting in commercial laying hens had being utilized for get better the performance of birds for one more cycle of production of eggs. In this study were used 32 Hisex Brown laying hen with 58 weeks of age submitted to different programs of forced molting. This experiment aimed the weight and length of the intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and rectum). For the weight measurement was utilized one precision scale and for the length was used a measuring tape. The animals were caged in galvanized cage in aviary of Unesp, campus Jaboticabal and submitted of a program of growing light up to 17 hours a day after the induction period and the birds received water and ration ad libitum. The birds were distributed in a randomized experimental assay with 4 programs containing 4 birds and 2 production cycles (28 and 140 days). The animals were distributed into four programs: Califórnia method (control program), diet with low level of calcium, diet with high level of zinc and diet with low level of sodium. The data were submitted to the variance analysis and in case of significant difference, the averages were compared by the test of Tukey. It was observed that birds submitted to the California program were biometric responses similar to the animals that had high level of zinc added to the diet with smaller corporal weight and of visceras. It was observed that smaller lengths of the intestine and increase of corporal weight to the 140 days and increase of the weight and of the length of the intestine, too.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-25Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:36:07Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 domingues_chf_me_jabo.pdf: 336764 bytes, checksum: 96a84ad26e208c18fbcdc65dde25a4fe (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito do uso de diferentes níveis de lisina e de metionina + cistina digestíveis durante o período pós - muda, sobre a recuperação corporal, desempenho, qualidade de ovos e morfometria do aparelho reprodutor, fígado e pâncreas de poedeiras comerciais no segundo ciclo de produção. Foram utilizadas 432 poedeiras comerciais da linhagem Isa Brown, com 72 semanas de idade, distribuídas em 54 parcelas, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e nove repetições de oito aves cada. Durante o descanso foram utilizados seis rações cujos níveis de lisina e metionina + cistina digestíveis variaram: 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,43% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,47% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,48% de lisina digestível e 0,52% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,50% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,56% de metionina+cistina digestíveis; 0,56% de lisina digestível e 0,62% de metionina+cistina digestíveis.Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e em caso de efeito significativo, a comparação de médias foi realizada a 5% de probabilidade através do teste de Tukey. Os diferentes níveis de lisina e de metionina+cistina digestíveis das dietas de descanso, determinaram efeitos significativos sobre os parâmetros de desempenho das aves. Observou-se que, o nível de 0,56% de lisina e 0,56% de metionina + cistina digestíveis, proporcionou maior peso dos ovos durante o segundo ciclo de produção / This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of using different levels of lysine and methionine + cystine, about the body recovery, performance and egg quality of laying hens in the post molt. It was used four hundred and thirty two hens of Isa Brown strain, with 72 weeks of age, distributed in 54 cages in a completely randomized design with six treatments and nine replicates of eight birds each. During the rest period, were used six diets with different levels of digestible lysine and methionine + cystine. The values ranged from: 0.48% digestible lysine and 0,43% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.47% methionine + cystine; 0.48% digestible lysine and 0.52% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.50% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0, 56% methionine + cystine; 0.56% digestible lysine and 0.62% methionine + cystine. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and in case of significant effect, the comparison of means was performed at 5% probability by Tukey test. The different levels of lysine and methionine + cystine diets of rest have determined significant effects on the performance parameters of laying hens. It was observed that the level of 0.56% lysine and 0.56% methionine + cystine, resulted in greater weight of eggs during the second production cycle

Environmental factors at Neponset and Woodruff Narrows reservoirs were evaluated to determine their effects on molting Canada geese. More geese utilized Woodruff Narrows. Geese apparently favored the larger expanse of open water and adequate food supply. Most of the molting geese were from the Bear River drainage. Some geese came from scattered areas in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. After molting, the geese flew to migration staging areas in southeastern Idaho before migrating to wintering areas in southern California and Arizona. Females outnumbered males by 6 percent. The mean annual mortality rate for adult geese was 42 percent. Recovery rates between the sexes were not significantly different (P≤0.01). Juvenile geese were 1.4 times more vulnerable than adults to hunting mortality. Hunting pressure on the geese at the reservoirs was not great enough to be detrimental to the flock. Of 89 nests, 53 percent were successful . Mean clutch size was 4.85 eggs per nest with a range of 1-7. Mammalian and avian predators destroyed 25 percent of the eggs. Forty-seven broods were observed with an average brood size of 4.77 young. Other water fowl populations did not affect the goose population.