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Leung YB. Assisted Enteral Feeding of Exotic Companion Animals. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2024; 27:115-134. [PMID: 37709602 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvex.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Malnutrition is a known concern during hospitalization for humans, dogs, and cats. The same nutrition principals to reduce the risk of malnutrition can be applied to exotic companion animal patients. However, it's important to understand that many nutritional requirements are ill defined for specific species and prudent clinical judgment is required.
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Adjapong AO, Oppong SK, Nsor CA, Boakye EA, Ashiagbor G, Danquah E. Demography and reproductive seasonality of small terrestrial mammals in two forest ecosystems in Ghana. Afr J Ecol 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/aje.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Abena Owusu Adjapong
- Department of Ecotourism, Recreation and Hospitality University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) Sunyani Ghana
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | - Samuel Kingsley Oppong
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | - Collins Ayine Nsor
- Department of Ecotourism and Forest Recreation, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | | | - George Ashiagbor
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Danquah
- Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi Ghana
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Akef MS. Reproductive and Morphological Characteristics of Hemidactylus turcicus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and Tarentola annularis (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in Southern Egypt. ICHTHYOLOGY & HERPETOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.1643/h2021109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Obesity prolongs induction times in reptiles. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 271:111255. [PMID: 35659976 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is common in captive reptiles, and reptiles are increasingly popular as companion animals and in physiological research. Obesity may present a challenge during surgical procedures using inhalation anaesthesia, as the long induction time due to the low reptilian metabolism may increase anaesthetic accumulation in the adipose tissues. This study investigated the impact of obesity on induction and recovery times from inhaled anaesthesia. The temporal change in the partial pressure of isoflurane in different tissues was predicted using a multi-compartment model. Furthermore, as right-to-left shunting can delay anaesthetic uptake and washout, we included an assessment of the combination of cardiac shunting and obesity. The model predictions indicate a clear increase in time to reach 90% equilibration of administered anaesthetic in the brain (T90) of obese non-shunting (lean 47 min, obese >100 min) and shunting (lean 81 min, obese >100 min) reptiles. The combination of obesity and shunting doubled the time to acquisition of mean anaesthetic concentration (a measure used to plan anaesthesia) from 8 min to 19 min. Adipose blood flow highly affected whether the body type had an impact on induction time, with low adipose blood flow abolishing the effect of body type. As T90 was never reached within 100 min with both the obese reptiles, it was not possible to conclude on the effect of obesity on recovery times within this study. Care should therefore be taken when anaesthetising obese reptiles for surgical purposes, to ensure adequate anaesthetic depth is attained, and recovery monitored closely.
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Siciliano-Martina L, Michaud M, Tanis BP, Scicluna EL, Lawing AM. Endocranial volume increases across captive generations in the endangered Mexican wolf. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8147. [PMID: 35581330 PMCID: PMC9114419 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12371-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endangered animals in captivity may display reduced brain sizes due to captive conditions and limited genetic diversity. Captive diets, for example, may differ in nutrition and texture, altering cranial musculature and alleviating constraints on cranial shape development. Changes in brain size are associated with biological fitness, which may limit reintroduction success. Little is known about how changes in brain size progress in highly managed carnivoran populations and whether such traits are retained among reintroduced populations. Here, we measured the endocranial volume of preserved Mexican wolf skulls across captive generations and between captive, wild, and reintroduced populations and assessed endocranial volume dependence on inbreeding and cranial musculature. Endocranial volume increased across captive generations. However, we did not detect a difference among captive, wild, and reintroduced groups, perhaps due to the variability across captive generations. We did not find a relationship between endocranial volume and either inbreeding or cranial musculature, although the captive population displayed an increase in the cross-sectional area of the masseter muscle. We hypothesize that the increase in endocranial volume observed across captive generations may be related to the high-quality nutrition provided in captivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Siciliano-Martina
- Department of Biology, Texas State University, 154 Supple Science Building, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA. .,Interdisciplinary Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Margot Michaud
- Department of African Zoology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Brian P Tanis
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University-Cascades, Bend, OR, USA
| | - Emily L Scicluna
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A Michelle Lawing
- Interdisciplinary Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Age-based spatial distribution of workers is resilient to worker loss in a subterranean termite. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7837. [PMID: 35552445 PMCID: PMC9098853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11512-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Elaborate task allocation is key to the ecological success of eusocial insects. Termite colonies are known for exhibiting age polyethism, with older instars more likely to depart the reproductive center to access food. However, it remains unknown how termites retain this spatial structure against external disturbances. Here we show that a subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki combines age polyethism and behavioral flexibility to maintain a constant worker proportion at the food area. Since this termite inhabits multiple wood pieces by connecting them through underground tunnels, disastrous colony splitting events can result in the loss of colony members. We simulated this via weekly removal of all individuals at the food area. Our results showed that termites maintained a worker proportion of ~ 20% at the food area regardless of changes in total colony size and demographic composition, where younger workers replaced food acquisition functions to maintain a constant worker proportion at the food area. Food consumption analysis revealed that the per-capita food consumption rate decreased with younger workers, but the colony did not compensate for the deficiency by increasing the proportion of workers at the feeding site. These results suggest that termite colonies prioritize risk management of colony fragmentation while maintaining suitable food acquisition efficiency with the next available workers in the colony, highlighting the importance of task allocation for colony resiliency under fluctuating environments.
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TELEMAC modelling of the influence of the Poyang Lake Hydraulic Project on the habitat of Vallisneria natans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7278. [PMID: 35508626 PMCID: PMC9068816 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The Poyang Lake Hydraulic Project (PLHP) has been proposed to address the water resource shortage and hydro-environment deterioration in Poyang Lake. This proposal has raised concerns over the possible changes to the habitat of aquatic organisms. Vallisneria natans is a main food source for the Siberian Crane, an indicator species for migratory birds in Poyang Lake. In this study, the influence of the PLHP on the habitat suitability of Vallisneria natans is predicted based on a hydrodynamic model and the growth characteristics of Vallisneria natans. The results show that the effect of the PLHP varies greatly in different typical years. The mean monthly habitat area of Vallisneria natans can increase by up to 191% in a low-water-level year, 145% in a medium-water-level year, yet only 18% in a high-water-level year. The habitat area can reach more than 1000 km2 during most of September and October, nearly 1/3 of the total area of the lake region. It indicates that Vallisneria natans will gain large areas of land suitable for its growth, and provide abundant food sources for Siberian Crane during winter. These findings can be helpful to evaluate the ecological benefits of the regulatory schemes of the PLHP.
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Lukas P, Ziermann JM. Sequence of chondrocranial development in basal anurans-Let's make a cranium. Front Zool 2022; 19:17. [PMID: 35505372 PMCID: PMC9066780 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-022-00462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The craniofacial skeleton is an evolutionary innovation of vertebrates. Due to its complexity and importance to protect the brain and aid in essential functions (e.g., feeding), its development requires a precisely tuned sequence of chondrification and/or ossification events. The comparison of sequential patterns of cartilage formation bears important insights into the evolution of development. Discoglossus scovazzi is a basal anuran species. The comparison of its chondrocranium (cartilaginous neuro- & viscerocranium) development with other basal anurans (Xenopus laevis, Bombina orientalis) will help establishing the ancestral pattern of chondrification sequences in anurans and will serve as basis for further studies to reconstruct ancestral conditions in amphibians, tetrapods, and vertebrates. Furthermore, evolutionary patterns in anurans can be studied in the light of adaptations once the ancestral sequence is established. Results We present a comprehensive overview on the chondrocranium development of D. scovazzi. With clearing and staining, histology and 3D reconstructions we tracked the chondrification of 44 elements from the first mesenchymal Anlagen to the premetamorphic cartilaginous head skeleton and illustrate the sequential changes of the skull. We identified several anuran and discoglossoid traits of cartilage development. In D. scovazzi the mandibular, hyoid, and first branchial arch Anlagen develop first followed by stepwise addition of the branchial arches II, III, and IV. Nonetheless, there is no strict anterior to posterior chondrification pattern within the viscerocranium of D. scovazzi. Single hyoid arch elements chondrify after elements of the branchial arch and mandibular arch elements chondrify after elements of the branchial arch I. Conclusions In Osteichthyes, neurocranial elements develop in anterior to posterior direction. In the anurans investigated so far, as well as in D. scovazzi, the posterior parts of the neurocranium extend anteriorly, while the anterior parts of the neurocranium, extend posteriorly until both parts meet and fuse. Anuran cartilaginous development differs in at least two crucial traits from other gnathostomes which further supports the urgent need for more developmental investigations among this clade to understand the evolution of cartilage development in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Lukas
- Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany.
| | - Janine M Ziermann
- Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W St NW, Washington, DC, 20059, USA.
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Cruz V, Cruz-Pantoja O, Tremblay R, Acevedo M. Animal trait variation at the within-individual level: erythrocyte size variation and malaria infection in a tropical lizard. PeerJ 2022; 10:e12761. [PMID: 35228904 PMCID: PMC8881909 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High levels of within-individual variation (WIV) in reiterative components in plants such as leaves, flowers, and fruits have been shown to increase individual fitness by multiple mechanisms including mediating interactions with natural enemies. This relationship between WIV and fitness has been studied almost exclusively in plant systems. While animals do not exhibit conspicuous reiterative components, they have traits that can vary at the individual level such as erythrocyte size. It is currently unknown if WIV in animals can influence individual fitness by mediating the outcome of interactions with natural enemies as it has been shown in plants. To address this issue, we tested for a relationship between WIV in erythrocyte size, hemoparasite infection status, and body condition (a proxy for fitness) in a Caribbean anole lizard. We quantified the coefficient of variation of adult erythrocytes size in $n = 95$ infected and $n = 107$ non-infected lizards. We found higher degrees of erythrocyte size variation in infected lizards than in non-infected individuals. However, we found no significant relationship between infection status or erythrocyte size variation, and lizard body condition. These results suggest that higher WIV in erythrocyte size in infected lizards is not necessarily adaptive but likely a consequence of the host response to infection. Many hemoparasites destroy their host cells as part of their life cycle. To compensate, the host lizard may respond by increasing production of erythrocytes resulting in higher WIV. Our results emphasize the need to better understand the role of within-animal variation as a neglected driver or consequence of ecological and evolutionary interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virnaliz Cruz
- School of Natural Resources & Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America,Department of Environmental Science, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Pidras, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Omar Cruz-Pantoja
- Department of Computer Science, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Rio Pidras, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Raymond Tremblay
- Department of Biology, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Humacao, Puerto Rico, United States of America
| | - Miguel Acevedo
- School of Natural Resources & Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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Cruz-Cano NB, Sánchez-Rivera UÁ, Álvarez-Rodríguez C, Dávila-Govantes R, Cárdenas-León M, Martínez-Torres M. Sex steroids are correlated with environmental factors and body condition during the reproductive cycle in females of the lizard Sceloporus torquatus. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 314:113921. [PMID: 34606744 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
Reproduction is regulated by multiple factors that influence physiology and behavior to ensure the continuity of species. However, more work is needed to examine the complex relationships between environmental factors and endocrine transducers that modulate reproductive cycles, particularly in lizards. Here, we aimed to characterize the variation in plasma sex steroid levels in different stages of the reproductive cycle in the lizard Sceloporus torquatus and assess whether sex steroid levels were related to environmental factors (temperature, photoperiod, precipitation, and relative humidity) and body condition. Plasma concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) from blood samples were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoanalysis (RIA), respectively. Our results indicate that sex steroid concentrations were positively related to follicular development but negatively related to temperature and precipitation. E2 increased as the follicles grew, and its concentrations were highest in the preovulatory phase. P4 showed a similar pattern and persisted during pregnancy. Changes in body condition were non-significant and mainly unrelated to the reproductive stage and plasma sex steroids. Our findings indicate that sex steroids change depending on the season and reproductive stage. We observed high concentrations of E2 and P4 in the late vitellogenic and preovulatory stages, probably because of their role in promoting vitellogenesis and ovulation. Additionally, we observed that follicular development is correlated with temperature and photoperiod. To better understand the mechanisms underlying reproduction, future studies of captive populations where environmental factors can be manipulated are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Berenice Cruz-Cano
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Edificio D, 1° Piso, Circuito de Posgrados, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Ciudad de México, México; Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México.
| | - Uriel Ángel Sánchez-Rivera
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México
| | - Carmen Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México
| | - Rodrigo Dávila-Govantes
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México
| | - Mario Cárdenas-León
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México; Laboratorio de Hormonas Proteicas, Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Delegación Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Martín Martínez-Torres
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios s/n, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, C.P. 54110, México.
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Beltrán I, Perry C, Degottex F, Whiting MJ. Behavioral Thermoregulation by Mothers Protects Offspring from Global Warming but at a Cost. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 94:302-318. [PMID: 34260339 DOI: 10.1086/715976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThermal conditions during embryonic development affect offspring phenotype in ectotherms. Therefore, rising environmental temperatures can have important consequences for an individual's fitness. Nonetheless, females have some capacity to compensate for potential negative consequences that adverse developmental environments may have on their offspring. Recent studies show that oviparous reptiles exhibit behavioral plasticity in nest site selection, which can buffer their embryos against high incubation temperatures; however, much less is known about these responses in viviparous reptiles. We subjected pregnant viviparous skinks, Saiphos equalis, to current or projected midcentury (2050) temperatures to test (i) how elevated temperatures affect female thermoregulatory and foraging behavior; (ii) whether temperatures experienced by females during pregnancy negatively affect the morphology, performance, and behavior of hatchlings; and (iii) whether behavioral thermoregulation during pregnancy is costly to females. Females from the elevated temperature treatment compensated by going deeper belowground to seek cooler temperatures and eating less, and they consequently had a lower body mass relative to snout-to-vent length (condition estimator) compared with females from the current thermal treatment. The temperatures experienced by females in the elevated temperature treatment were high enough to affect foraging and locomotor performance but not the morphology and growth rate of hatchlings. By seeking cooler temperatures, mothers can mitigate some of the effects of high temperatures on their offspring (e.g., reduced body size and growth). However, this protective behavior of females may come at an energetic cost to them. This study adds to growing evidence of lizards' vulnerability to global warming, particularly during reproduction when females are already paying a substantial cost.
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