This investigation was concerned with the incidence and degree of infection by <i>P. tenuis</i> in western Virginia deer herds (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>). Relatively little research has been done on <i>P. tenuis</i> in Virginia, especially in the western portion of the state. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the distribution of pneumostrongylids in the White-tailed Deer in 7 western Virginia counties and (2) to correlate incidence and degree of infection by pneumostrongylids with deer age, sex, geographic location, and physical condition. Specimens were collected from Shenandoah Augusta, Bath, Rockrbidge, Botetourt, Giles, and Craig Counties. Collections were made on the first day of the 1963 deer season. Biologists and students from the department of Forestry and Wildlife at V.P.I and the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries collected deer heads from hunters at check stations. A sample of 369 heads of both sexes was obtained. Three-hundred and nine deer heads, 230 does and 79 bucks, were examined for <i>P. tenuis</i>. Seventy-three per cent were infected. The majority of the worms (68%) were found on the dorsal surface of the brain. Overall range of infection was 1-13 worms. In addition, lung and fecal specimens were collected. Fifty per cent of the lung specimens were infected, but no larvae were found in the fecal material. There appears to be an equal likelihood of infection by <i>P. tenuis</i> in deer of either sex less than 1-1/2 years of age. There is also no difference between sexes in the severity of infections in deer less than 1-1/2 years old. Deer of either sex older than 3-1/2 years also have an equal likelihood of infection by <i>P. tenuis</i>, but females between 1-1/2 and 3-1/2 years are more likely to be infected than males. Females older than 1-1/2 years of age had significantly more worms per infection than males of the same age. There is no relationship between weight and incidence of infection in deer less than 1-1/2 years old or older than 3-1/2 years. However, a relationship does exist between the weight of the 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 years age group and the incidence of infection I nthat the heavier deer are more likely to be infected. The deer less than 1-1/2 years of age have lower incidence of infection than older deer and have fewer worms per infection than older deer. There was a significant difference in the incidence of infection between surveyed counties; however, there is no statiscally significant difference between counties and the severity of infections. Further research concerning pathogenic effects of <i>P. tenuis</i> on the White-tailed Deer is imperative prior to employment of any control methods. <i>P. tenuis.</i> may be a serious pathogen, but this research indicates that the deer-<i>P. tenuis</i> relationship is a relatively stable and common association with deer populations seldom adversely affected by the parasites. / M.S.

The synanthropic molossid bat, Mops leucostigma (Allen 1918), is widely distributed across Madagascar and has recently been described from the Comoros. M. leucostigma individuals from eastern Malagasy populations are markedly larger than those from the west, and Mops leucostigma populations from Madagascar are morphologically distinct from populations of its putative sister species, Mops condylurus from mainland Africa (Ratrimomanarivo et al. in press, Genetic diversity was assessed by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome b (n = 56) and displacement loop (D-loop) (n = 64) regions of Mops leucostigma individuals from a broad range of locations across Madagascar, and Mohéli and Anjouan in the Comoros. Specimens of Mops condylurus (n =3), Mops midas (n =3) and Otomops martiensseni (n = 1) were included in the study for comparative purposes as outgroups. Phenetic and cladistic analysis of cytochrome b and D-loop sequences strongly supported the reciprocally-monophyletic status of Mops condylurus and M. leucostigma. Comorian (Mohéli and Anjouan) and Malagasy M. leucostigma samples formed a monophyletic Mops leucostigma group, within which Comorian samples formed a poorly-supported subclade in the cytochrome b analysis only. Cytochrome b genetic distances of 13.8 % separated M. midas from M. condylurus and M. leucostigma, which formed reciprocally-monophyletic sister groups separated by genetic distances of 2.5 % for cytochrome b and 13 % for the D-loop. 49 M. leucostigma cytochrome b sequences yielded seven haplotypes, two of which were exclusive to the Comoros. D-loop haplotype analysis did not support the distinctiveness of the Comorian samples. Genetic distances within M. leucostigma samples were low (0.22 % for cytochrome b and 1.91 % for the D-loop). Comorian samples were found to be genetically attributable to M. leucostigma. Clear phylogenetic separation between M. condylurus and M. leucostigma was found in all analyses, consistent with their status as phylogenetic species within the genus Mops. There was no clear correlation between haplotype distribution and aspect (east/west-facing slopes), elevation or gender. Low mtDNA variation (cytochrome b and D-loop) and lack of phylogeographic concordance indicates that the observed morphometric variation between eastern and western Mops leucostigma populations may possibly be explained in terms of adaptation to local environmental conditions. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-Univeristy of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Jan. 13, 2009). PDF text: xvii, 196 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 3 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3315313. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1959.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Dissertation (DPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (N=15) movements were determined with use of radio telemetry techniques to determine the utilization of corridor habitat on the Lake Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor (RRGC) in north central Texas. Home ranges were calculated using three estimation types. Male white-tailed deer tend to have home ranges twice that of female home ranges. Seasonal home ranges were largest during spring (Feb. - April) and fall (Aug. - Oct.) seasons. Males had greater seasonal variation in utilization than females. No statistically significant difference (p=0.24) between white-tailed deer locations when the RRGC experiences heavy human traffic compared to days when there is light human traffic. Linearity indices indicated home ranges less linear than expected (LI = 3.02). The RRGC should be maintained at its current status to provide a variety of vegetational types and protective cover for white-tailed deer and other wildlife of Denton County.

Sound is used as a medium for communication by taxa as varied as insects, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals. In some birds like the suboscines, song is genetically encoded, whereas in parrots, hummingbirds and oscines, it is learnt. The diversity and plasticity of birdsong continues to generate interest amongst ornithologists, and many questions remain unresolved. For instance, why do some species sing hundreds of different songs while others use simple, stereotyped ones for the same purposes? Why do some birds learn not only their own species’ song, but also the songs of heterospecifics? There are several anecdotal reports of such vocal mimicry in wild birds, where a species imitates the song or call of heterospecifics in its natural habitat, but much has yet to be learnt about this intriguing phenomenon. There has been a recent surge of interest and research into avian vocal mimicry. Despite having several species of birds that are known to produce mimicry, there is a dearth of research on this field in India. The Greater Racket-tailed drongo’s loud song and ability to mimic other species of birds with great accuracy has drawn the attention of many birdwatchers, but other than a few phonetic descriptions, no study has focussed on their song. Therefore, this thesis focuses on the structure, contexts and functions of vocal mimicry in this species. In order to understand the functions of vocal mimicry in any species, we require certain fundamental data, which are often overlooked in many studies of bird song. Since this is the first study focusing on the racket-tailed drongo in India, I began with collecting natural history data on the ecology and breeding biology of the species. Then, I attempted to arrive at an objective and quantitative definition and classification of the racket-tailed drongo’s vocal repertoire, especially its mimicry. It is also essential to have information on the contexts in which this mimicry is used. Using a combination of focal animal sampling and sound recordings, I documented the contexts in which the racket-tailed drongo imitates other species in the wild. I also examined the diversity of the species that were mimicked across these contexts. Building on the data from these observations, I used playback experiments to test hypotheses for the functions of mimicry in multiple contexts. Results from these show that greater racket-tailed drongos use mimicry in a flexible manner according to the intended audience. Drongos use two different sets of mimicked calls with distinct syntax directed at conspecifics and heterospecifics respectively, the former in territorial song and the latter to attract members of mixed-species flocks. These results also imply that mimicry may be driven by both sexual and natural selection within the same species, and have implications for the definition of avian vocal mimicry, which remains highly debated.

Call number: LD2668 .R4 1957 E47 / Master of Science / Entomology

No description available.