Relationships between plant species richness and grazing intensity in a semiarid ecosystem.

Plant species richness is an important property of ecosystems that is altered by grazing. In a semiarid environment, we tested the hypotheses that (1) small-scale herbaceous plant species richness declines linearly with increasing grazing intensity by large ungulates, (2) precipitation and percent sand interact with grazing intensity, and (3) response of herbaceous plant species richness to increasing intensity of ungulate grazing varies with patch productivity. During January-March 2012, we randomly allocated 50, 1.

Fracking pond restoration in the western Rio Grande Plains, Texas: Stockpiled topsoils may not be necessary, but seeding helps.

Soil disturbances that accompany energy development can damage local habitats. Prior to oil and gas extraction, it is commonly recommended that topsoil stockpiles be created to aid future restoration. Our study area, a retired fracking pond in the western Rio Grande Plains, Texas, was restored in 2017 with stockpiled topsoil that was collected in 2013.

If you build it, will they come? A comparative landscape analysis of ocelot roadkill locations and crossing structures.

Wildlife-vehicle collisions can have a substantial influence on the mortality rates of many wildlife populations. Crossing structures are designed to mitigate the impact of road mortality by allowing safe passage of wildlife above or below roads, and connect to suitable areas on both sides of the road. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) are a federally endangered felid in the United States, with remnant populations of <80 individuals remaining in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

Occurrence of mesocarnivores in montane sky islands: How spatial and temporal overlap informs rabies management in a regional hotspot.

Interspecific interactions among mesocarnivores can influence community dynamics and resource partitioning. Insights into these interactions can enhance understanding of local ecological processes that have impacts on pathogen transmission, such as the rabies lyssavirus. Host species ecology can provide an important baseline for disease management strategies especially in biologically diverse ecosystems and heterogeneous landscapes.

EFFECT OF PRESCRIBED FIRE ON THE VIABILITY OF BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS EGGS.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a zoonotic parasite that can cause serious health issues in their intermediate hosts. Eggs of the parasite are shed in the feces of raccoons (Procyon lotor), the definitive host, and can remain viable in the environment for years. Temperatures at 49 C are the LD50 for B.

Assessment of the helminth fauna in northern bobwhites () occurring within South Texas.

Populations of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) have been declining across their geographic range in North America, prompting consideration of the role parasites may play. We conducted this study to learn about the helminth fauna in South Texas, a region that supports a sustainable bobwhite population. Helminths were examined from 356 bobwhites collected during the 2014-2015 (n = 124) and 2015-2016 (n = 232) hunting seasons, when increasing trends in precipitation were observed in comparison with the previous two years.

EFFICACY OF WHITE-TAILED DEER () TREATMENT FOR CATTLE FEVER TICKS IN SOUTHERN TEXAS, USA.

White-tailed deer () serve as a host for cattle fever ticks ( [] and [] ; CFTs); therefore, deer are a concern for CFT control programs in southern Texas, US. Systemic (oral delivery of ivermectin) and topical (permethrin on pelage) treatment devices have been developed for white-tailed deer; however, the efficacy of these treatment options has not been determined for CFTs in southern Texas. Our objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness of CFT treatment strategies by 1) measuring exposure rates of deer to the acaricides permethrin and ivermectin, 2) determining the relationship between CFTs on deer and exposure to the acaricides, and 3) determining if photos from remote cameras at medicated bait sites can be used as a measure of acaricide treatment.

[Helminth fauna in a semi-arid host species - scaled quail ()].

Helminths were examined from 145 scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) collected during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 hunting seasons from a semi-arid region of Texas that spans four ecoregions. Helminth infracommunities were species poor, averaging 1.7 (range 1-4) species.

Helminth community and host dynamics in northern bobwhites from the Rolling Plains Ecoregion, U.S.A.

One hundred and sixty-one northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter 'bobwhite') were examined from the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas and western Oklahoma from 2011 to 2013. Complete necropsies yielded 13 species, of which two are new host (Gongylonema phasianella) and region (Eucoleus contortus) records and three (Dispharynx nasuta, Tetrameres pattersoni and Oxyspirura petrowi) are known to cause morbidity and mortality. Of the species found, Aulonocephalus pennula commonly occurred, Oxyspirura petrowi was intermediate in prevalence, and the remaining species were rare.

Hydrology and Soil Manipulations of Iron-Rich Ditch Mesocosms Provide Little Evidence of Phosphorus Capture within the Profile.

Agricultural drainage ditches function as first-order streams and affect nutrient management. Soil mesocosms from a ditch featuring a vertical (increasing upward) gradient in iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) were subjected to hydraulic and soil treatments. These manipulations mimicked aspects of dredging and controlled drainage and inspected the soil release and retention of P.

Assessing Potential Environmental Contamination by Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs from Infected Raccoons in Southern Texas.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a large ascarid of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and is a zoonotic threat. We documented the potential rate a raccoon population can contaminate their environment with B. procyonis eggs.

Permeability and Viability of Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs in Southern Texas Soils.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode whose definitive host is the raccoon ( Procyon lotor ). Adult parasites are not particularly pathogenic to raccoons; however, larvae in intermediate hosts can cause visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans. Humans serve as dead-end hosts, and pathological responses are similar to those found in infected intermediate hosts.

Environmental Temperatures in Southern Texas, USA: Implications for Survival of Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs.

Baylisascaris procyonis is an intestinal nematode of raccoons ( Procyon lotor ). Within intermediate hosts, larvae can cause visceral, ocular, and neural migrans. Humans, especially children, have become infected after ingestion of larvated eggs at raccoon latrines.

Relationships of slice shear force and Warner-Bratzler shear force of beef strip loin steaks as related to the tenderness gradient of the strip loin.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of steak location within a strip loin and USDA quality grade on muscle fiber angle, slice shear force (SSF), and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and to determine the relationship between SSF and WBSF. Steak location influenced both SSF and WBSF values, as steaks from the anterior portion were typically tenderer than steaks from the posterior end. Although there is some discrepancy between the two shear force methods, both agree that at least the first 5 anterior-most steaks are comparable.

Comparison of multinomial and binomial proportion methods for analysis of multinomial count data.

Simulation methods were used to generate 1,000 experiments, each with 3 treatments and 10 experimental units/treatment, in completely randomized (CRD) and randomized complete block designs. Data were counts in 3 ordered or 4 nominal categories from multinomial distributions. For the 3-category analyses, category probabilities were 0.

Soil nitrate nitrogen dynamics after biosolids application in a tobosagrass desert grassland.

Dormant-season application of biosolids increases desert grass production more than growing season application in the first growing season after application. Differential patterns of NO3-N (plant available N) release following seasonal biosolids application may explain this response. Experiments were conducted to determine soil nitrate nitrogen dynamics following application of biosolids during two seasons in a tobosagrass [Hilaria mutica (Buckl.

Fire and grazing effects on wind erosion, soil water content, and soil temperature.

Selective grazing of burned patches can be intense if animal distribution is not controlled and may compound the independent effects of fire and grazing on soil characteristics. Our objectives were to quantify the effects of patch burning and grazing on wind erosion, soil water content, and soil temperature in sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia Torr.) mixed prairie.

Surface biosolids application: effects on infiltration, erosion, and soil organic carbon in Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and shrublands.

Land application of biosolids is a beneficial-use practice whose ecological effects depend in part on hydrological effects. Biosolids were surface-applied to square 0.5-m2 plots at four rates (0, 7, 34, and 90 dry Mg ha(-1)) on each of three soil-cover combinations in Chihuahuan Desert grassland and shrubland.

Power of test considerations for beef cattle experiments: a review.

The use of power tests in the planning and design of beef cattle experiments provides critical information on sample sizes necessary to detect treatment differences at a predetermined significance (alpha) level. Retrospective power analysis provides additional information about previous experiments that may be helpful in designing subsequent investigations. However, in retrospective power analyses, power is inversely related to observed significance level.

Effect of supplemental vitamin D3 concentration on concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium relative to protein in subcellular components of the longissimus and the distribution of calcium within longissimus muscle of beef steers.

The effect of supplementing diets with various levels of vitamin D3 to provide 0, 0.5, 1, and 5 million IU/(steer x d) for 8 d before slaughter on the mineral content and localization of Ca in LM and muscle fragments was studied during the postmortem aging process. Twelve feedlot steers of three biological types were given access to the four levels of vitamin D for 8 d before slaughter.

Supplemental vitamin D3 concentration and biological type of steers. II. Tenderness, quality, and residues of beef.

Vitamin D3 was orally supplemented to determine the supplemental dose that improved beef tenderness in different cattle breed types. Feedlot steers (n = 142) were arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement consisting of four levels of supplemental vitamin D3 (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 million IU/steer daily) administered for eight consecutive days antemortem using three biological types (Bos indicus, Bos Taurus-Continental, and Bos Taurus-English).

Supplemental vitamin D3 concentration and biological type of beef steers. I. Feedlot performance and carcass traits.

Because of the Ca dependency of the calpains, oral supplementation of vitamin D3 (VITD) can increase the Ca content of muscle to activate the calpains and improve tenderness. Feedlot steers (n = 142) were arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement consisting of four levels of VITD (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 million IU/[steer x d]) for eight consecutive days antemortem using three biological types (Bos indicus, Bos taurus-Continental, and Bos taurus-English).

Effects of biological type of beef steers on vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus status.

Feedlot steers (n = 36) from three biological types (Bos indicus, Bos taurus-Continental, and Bos taurus-English) were used to determine the Ca, P, and vitamin D3 status of feedlot cattle. The USDA yield and quality grade traits were measured at slaughter, and the concentrations of vitamin D3 (VITD) and the metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2 D) were determined in LM, liver, kidney, and plasma. Plasma and muscle Ca and P concentrations also were determined.

Biosolids decomposition after surface applications in west Texas.

In a semiarid environment, climate is a critical factor in the decomposition of surface-applied biosolids. This study examined the effect of 2- to 7-yr exposure times on the composition of single applications of New York, NY biosolids in western Texas. Exposure time effects on organic matter, N, P, S, Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, and Zn were studied near Sierra Blanca, TX.

Matua bromegrass hay for mares in gestation and lactation.

Matua bromegrass hay (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) is a high quality forage, but its value for mares during gestation and lactation is not well known. Intake, rate of passage, performance, and reproduction by gestating and lactating Quarter Horse mares fed the hay was investigated. In this experiment, 12, 2- to 12-yr-old gravid mares (mean BW = 553 kg, SD = 36) were fed Matua hay (CP = 11.