Feline vocal communication.

Cat vocalizes to communicate with another and express their internal states. The vocal repertoire of the cat is wide and up to 21 different vocalizations have been described in the literatures. But it is more than probable that the repertoire contains more types of vocalizations.

PREVALENCE OF BOX TURTLE ADENOVIRUS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES () PRESENTED TO A WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER IN VIRGINIA, USA.

Eastern box turtles () are a native North American species with a declining population trend that may be attributable to habitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, and disease. Adenoviral infections can cause significant morbidity and mortality in captive reptile populations. Adenoviruses have been documented in box turtles, but their occurrence and impact in wild populations are unknown.

Infections of Two Isthmiophora Species (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Wild Mammals from Republic of Korea with Their Morphological Descriptions.

Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.

Characterization of an Unusual Mesenchymal Tumor in the Proventriculus of a Free-ranging Red-tailed Hawk ().

An adult, female red-tailed hawk () was presented for examination after being found unable to fly on a private citizen's property. Further diagnostic testing revealed a vascular, soft tissue mass arising from the serosal surface of the proximal proventriculus. Postmortem histological and immunohistochemical examination of the mass revealed an unusual mesenchymal tumor with features consistent with a leiomyoma or low-grade gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Molecular identification of subspecies on the Arabian Peninsula using three mitochondrial barcoding genes and ISSR markers.

The Collared Kingfisher is widely distributed across the Indian and western Pacific Oceans and consists of about 50 subspecies. Two different subspecies of occur in the Arabian Peninsula: from the Red Sea coast and from the Arabian Sea coast in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular relationship between the two Arabian subspecies and to establish the first DNA barcodes from the Arabian Peninsula for this species.

Nonlinear patterns in mercury bioaccumulation in American alligators are a function of predicted age.

Mercury is a widespread, naturally occurring contaminant that biomagnifies in wetlands due to the methylation of this element by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Species that feed at the top trophic level within wetlands are predicted to have higher mercury loads compared to species feeding at lower trophic levels and are therefore often used for mercury biomonitoring. However, mechanisms for mercury bioaccumulation in sentinel species are often poorly understood, due to a lack of long-term studies or an inability to differentiate between confounding variables.

Examining maternal and environmental transfer of mercury into American alligator eggs.

American alligators are exposed to mercury (Hg) throughout their natural range and may maternally transfer Hg into their eggs. Wildlife species are highly sensitive to Hg toxicity during embryonic development and neonatal life, and information on Hg transfer into eggs is critical when attempting to understand the effects of Hg exposure on developing oviparous organisms. To examine Hg transfer in alligators, the objectives of the present study were to 1) determine Hg concentrations in yolk (embryonic and neonatal food source) from wild alligator eggs collected from three locations - Yawkey Wildlife Center SC (YWC), Lake Apopka FL (LA), and Lake Woodruff FL (LW); 2) examine the relationship between THg concentrations in wild alligator nest material and egg yolk at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL; 3) examine the Hg concentrations in wild maternal female alligators (blood) and the THg in corresponding egg yolks and embryos across three nesting seasons at a single location (YWC), and evaluate the relationship between nesting female THg concentrations (blood) and their estimated age and number of nesting years (YWC); and 4) assess the transfer of biologically-relevant Hg concentrations (based on Hg measured in maternal female blood) into embryos using an egg-dosing experiment.

The ecology of chronic wasting disease in wildlife.

Prions are misfolded infectious proteins responsible for a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases termed transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion diseases. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is the prion disease with the highest spillover potential, affecting at least seven Cervidae (deer) species. The zoonotic potential of CWD is inconclusive and cannot be ruled out.

SEROLOGY AS A TOOL TO INVESTIGATE SARCOPTIC MANGE IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS ().

Black bears () have historically been considered an uncommon host for sarcoptic mange. However, over the last 25 yr, sarcoptic mange has been increasingly reported in black bears in the northeastern US. Syndromic monitoring is the most common surveillance approach for mange in bears, but tools to monitor exposure to in bear populations have not been thoroughly evaluated under field conditions.

Breeding Centers, Private Ranches, and Genomics for Creating Sustainable Wildlife Populations.

Human-induced changes to environments are causing species declines. Beyond preserving habitat (in situ), insurance (ex situ) populations are essential to prevent species extinctions. The Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is leveraging space of breeding centers and private ranches to produce "source populations"-genetically diverse reservoirs that also support research and reintroductions.

Biofilm production of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from rescued wild animals in the Republic of Korea.

Biofilm production is a well-known causative factor of catheter- and medical device-related sepsis. Its high prevalence in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) has recently been reported. Information on biofilm production in CoNS isolated from wild animals is lacking.

Mating dynamics and multiple paternity in a long-lived vertebrate.

Multiple paternity is relatively common across diverse taxa; however, the drivers and implications related to paternal and maternal fitness are not well understood. Several hypotheses have been offered to explain the occurrence and frequency of multiple paternity. One set of hypotheses seeks to explain multiple paternity through direct and indirect benefits including increased genetic diversity or enhanced offspring fitness, whereas another set of hypotheses explains multiple paternity as a by-product of sexual conflict and population-specific parameters such as density.

Correlation between increased postpubertal phallic growth and the initiation of cranial sexual dimorphisms in male Morelet's crocodile.

While puberty is an animal commonality, little is known of its timing or process in crocodylians. Males copulate with an intromittent phallus that has a distinct glans morphology which directly interacts with the female cloaca, putatively effecting effective semen transfer and ultimately increased fecundity. Here we present, during the Morelet's crocodile lifecycle, a well-defined body length (65 cm snout-vent length) inflection point that marks a subsequent increase of phallic glans growth rates.

Lungworm () Infection in Unweaned Free-Ranging Raccoons () in Washington State, USA.

Larval parasites morphologically identified as were found in orphaned raccoons () admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Washington State, US. Partial 18S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences were most similar to other spp. Although commonly reported in free-ranging raccoons throughout much of the central and eastern US, this finding extends the range of into the Pacific Northwest of North America.

COMPARISON OF ISOFLURANE GAS VERSUS A GUAIFENESIN, KETAMINE, AND MEDETOMIDINE CONSTANT-RATE INFUSION FOR MAINTENANCE ANESTHESIA IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS ().

Published anesthetic protocols for captive and free-ranging bears are limited to injectable inductions with maintenance via inhalants or additional injectable boluses. Though common in other species, intravenous (IV) continuous-rate infusions (CRI) using guaifenesin combinations have not been evaluated in ursids. This study evaluated the use of a CRI compared to an inhalant for maintenance anesthesia.

Novel variants of the newly emerged Anaplasma capra from Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) in South Korea.

Background: Anaplasma spp. are tick-borne Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacteria that infect humans and a wide range of animals. Anaplasma capra has emerged as a human pathogen; however, little is known about the occurrence and genetic identity of this agent in wildlife.

Epicoccum nigrum-induced respiratory infection in a wild Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops).

A wild adult Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops), which was unable to fly, was rescued. Physical examination revealed a sticky exudate around the glottis. Heterophilic leukocytosis was identified through complete blood count, and radiography revealed a marked elevated density of posterior air sacs and inner cavities in both sides of the humerus and femur.

A Clonorchiasis Case of a Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, Diagnosed by Ultrasonography and Egg Detection in Republic of Korea.

A clonorchiasis case in a captive leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, was confirmed by ultrasonographic findings and egg morphologies found in the bile juice sample in the Korea. The leopard cat was introduced from the wild habitat of Gyeongsangnam-do, to Cheongju Zoo in Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea in August 2014. Physical examinations were basically performed for quarantine and check-up health.

Venous Blood Analytes and Osmolality of Rehabilitated Juvenile Black-bellied Whistling Ducks ().

Venous blood samples were collected from 129 apparently healthy, rehabilitated juvenile black-bellied whistling ducks () immediately before release from rehabilitation. Blood gas, electrolyte, and select biochemical and hematologic values were analyzed by using a point-of-care analyzer, and complete blood cell counts and osmolality were determined. Most biochemical analyte values were distributed parametrically, while most hematologic values were nonparametrically distributed.

Trauma-Induced Uveitis and Free Air in the Anterior Chamber of Three Eastern Screech Owls ().

Unusual ocular abnormalities were documented in 3 wild eastern screech owls () presented to a wildlife rehabilitation hospital after vehicular strike-induced trauma to the head. All 3 had anterior uveitis and free air bubbles in the anterior chamber, but none of the cases had any discernable corneal damage, either grossly or with fluorescein stain technique. Perforation of the globe at the level of the scleral ossicle was considered a possible cause.

The impact of maternally derived dioxins on embryonic development and hepatic AHR signaling in a long-lived apex predator.

Dioxins and related contaminants are highly pervasive in aquatic systems and elicit deleterious effects in exposed organisms. Because dioxins exhibit a proclivity to bioaccumulate, long-lived predatory species are particularly vulnerable to their persistence in the environment. We have previously reported elevated expression of CYP1A2, a biomarker of dioxin exposure, in American alligator embryos collected from the Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center (YWC).

Examining toxic trace element exposure in American alligators.

Toxic trace element exposure occurs through release of the ubiquitous and naturally occurring elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). The unique environmental conditions of the wetland ecosystems along the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States lead to the accumulation of Hg which is greater than in most other ecosystems in the country. There are also point sources of As, Cd, and Pb in this region.

Lead poisoning from ingestion of fishing gear: A review.

Many publications have investigated the ingestion and toxicity of metallic lead from hunting and the shooting sports. However, there is limited literature on toxicity associated with the ingestion of lead fishing weights, despite our knowledge of damage caused to many species from entanglement in lines, nets, and fish-hooks. This paper surveys current knowledge of species poisoned by ingestion of lead fishing gear and the types of gear that have been implicated.