Biological and Genetic Aspects Wild Boar

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Biological and Genetic Aspects Wild Boar UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI SASSARI Dissertation for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Biology presented at Sassari University in 2015 XXVIII cycle Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations PH.D. CANDIDATE: Dr. Antonio Canu DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL: Prof. Marco Curini-Galletti SUPERVISOR: Dr. Massimo Scandura La presente tesi è stata prodotta nell’a*bito della scuola di dottorato in Scienze della "atura e delle sue Risorse dell’Università degli Studi di Sassari, a.a. $%'$/$%'(011-,,, ciclo+ con il supporto di una borsa di studio finanziata con le risorse del P.O.R. SARD !"A #.S. $%%&) $%'( ) Obiettivo co*petitività regionale e occupazione+ Asse ,- .apitale u*ano+ Linea di Attività l.(.'. Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations INDEX Abstract ........................................................................................................... 5 Riassunto ........................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 9 First part - Hybridization between wild boar and domestic pig 33 Chapter I Are captive wild boar more introgressed than free-ranging wild 35 boar? Two case studies in Italy Chapter II Lack of polymorphism at MC1R wild-type allele and evidence of 47 domestic alleles introgression across European wild boar populations Chapter III Novel Y-chromosome STRs in Sus scrofa and their variation in 59 European wild boar and domestic pig populations Chapter IV Isolation by distance, by barrier and by resistance have shaped a 83 sharp genetic structure in a island wild boar population Chapter V Reproductive phenology and conception synchrony in a natural 121 wild boar population Second part - Hybridization between wol and dog 131 Chapter VI Do wolves and free-ranging wolf x dog hybrids share the same 133 food niche? First insights from Apennine mountains, Italy Chapter VII Video-scats: joining camera trapping and non-invasive genotyping 167 as a tool to confirm hybrid assessment and individual identification !onclusions ........................................................................................................... 185 Appendi" ........................................................................................................... 195 Ac#nowledgements ........................................................................................................... 209 Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations A$S%RA!% Nowadays, hybridization is recognized as a powerful evolutionary force promoting speciation and shaping adaptation, but also as a serious threat to the conservation of biodiversity. This thesis is focused on two cases of hybridization between wild and domestic conspecifics, whose effects are mostly unexplored. In Sus scrofa, I sought to expand knowledge about hybridization between wild boar and domestic pig. I investigated the main sources of domestic genes introgression, and assessed hybridization at neutral markers and functional genes at both local and European scale. I also developed a set of new uniparental markers for studying male-specific gene flow, and studied the reproductive phenology of wild populations. In Canis lupus, I investigated patterns of hybridization between wolf and domestic dog in an Italian mountain area, focusing on the assessment of introgression and the food habits of hybrids. As regards wild boar, I detected introgression all over Europe, also highlighting the role of breeding stations in spreading domestic genes across wild populations. With respect to wolf, a new approach was used to provide complementary (genetic and phenotypic) data on specific individuals and to support hybrid identification. A trophic niche overlap between wolves and hybrids was also proved. These studies can have relevant management implications, offering new elements of knowledge on different aspects of the hybridization in two worrisome species of the Italian fauna. Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations RIASS&N%' Più conosciamo il fenomeno dell'ibridazione, e più ci rendiamo conto del suo aspetto bivalente: da un lato, potente forza evolutiva che favorisce la speciazione; dall'altro, seria minaccia per la conservazione della biodiversità. Questa tesi si occupa in particolare dell'ibridazione tra conspecifici domestici e selvatici, un fenomeno i cui effetti sono lungi dall'esser compresi appieno. Nella prima parte del lavoro, mi sono concentrato sull'ibridazione tra maiale domestico e cinghiale (Sus scrofa). Cercando di chiarire quali fossero le principali fonti di introgressione di geni domestici nelle popolazioni selvatiche, e adottando sia marcatori molecolari neutrali che geni funzionali per rilevare introgressione su scala locale ed Europea. Ho inoltre collaborato allo sviluppo di nuovi marcatori a trasmissione patrilineare, ed allo studio della fenologia riproduttiva in popolazioni selvatiche di cinghiale. Nella seconda parte della tesi mi sono occupato dell'ibridazione tra lupo (Canis lupus) e cane in un'area dell'Appennino toscano, studiando l'entità del fenomeno e le abitudini alimentari degli ibridi. Per quanto riguarda il cinghiale, l'introgressione è risultata estesa a tutt'Europa, e nella sua diffusione si è rivelato importante il ruolo giocato dagli allevamenti. Relativamente al lupo, il nostro nuovo approccio ha fornito informazioni complementari su genetica e fenotipo di specifici individui, fondamentali per una più accurata identificazione degli ibridi. Abbiamo inoltre evidenziato una forte sovrapposizione della nicchia trofica tra ibridi e lupi, dunque una loro probabile competizione per le risorse. I risultati ottenuti possono offrire notevoli implicazioni gestionali, ampliando le conoscenze su diversi aspetti dell'ibridazione tra forma domestica e selvatica in due specie 'problematiche' della fauna italiana. Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations INTRODUCTION This thesis deals with various aspects of the complex phenomenon of hybridization, increasingly recognized as a powerful evolutionary force promoting speciation and shaping adaptation, but also posing a serious risk to the conservation of biodiversity. A special case of hybridization is that occurring between wild species and domestic conspecifics, a subject that deserves a special attention for its evolutionary and management implications. This thesis is focused on two cases of wild x domestic hybridization. The former part is focused on the hybridization between wild boar (Sus scrofa) and domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica), while the second one deals with the crossbreeding between wolf (Canis lupus) and dog (C. lupus familiaris). Both genetic/methodological and biological aspects are touched, such as the identification of hybrids, the development of new molecular markers and investigations on the source of introgression, reproductive phenology of the species involved and ecological traits of hybrids. Hybridization and its effects on fitness Hybridization was defined as ‘interbreeding of individuals from genetically distinct populations, regardless of their taxonomic status’ (Rhymer & Simberloff, 1996), while 'introgression' refers to the movement of genes between genetically differentiated forms mediated by backcrossing (Avise 1994). Accordingly, introgressive hybridization refers to an exchange of genes between evolutionary lineages as opposed to hybridization yielding exclusively inviable or infertile offspring (Seehausen 2004). These broad definitions account for the fact that both inter- and intraspecific hybridization are relevant from a conservation perspective, both providing an extremely tough set of issues for conservation biologists. Hybridization and introgression are strongly increasing worldwide due to intentional and incidental translocations of plants and animals, habitat modifications (Allendorf et al. 2001), human pressure (Rutledge et al. 2012) and climate change (Garroway et al. 2010). Biological and genetic aspects of wild x domestic hybridization in wild boar and wolf populations For example, the introduction of plants and animals outside their native range, the creation of extensive areas of new habitats and the establishment of migration corridors have the effect of breaking down mechanisms of isolation between species and populations, generating opportunities for formerly allopatric taxa to meet and hybridize (Rhymer and Simberloff 1996; Stronen & Paquet 2013). Furthermore, a population decrease caused by anthropogenic factors can promote hybridization among species/populations because of the increased difficulty in finding mates (Allendorf & Luikart 2007). Mallet (2005) reported that at least 25% of plant species and 10% of animal species (6% of European mammals) are involved in hybridization and introgression with other species. This increasing anthropogenic hybridization is causing extinction of many taxa (species, subspecies and locally
Recommended publications
  • About Pigs [PDF]
    May 2015 About Pigs Pigs are highly intelligent, social animals, displaying elaborate maternal, communicative, and affiliative behavior. Wild and feral pigs inhabit wide tracts of the southern and mid-western United States, where they thrive in a variety of habitats. They form matriarchal social groups, sleep in communal nests, and maintain close family bonds into adulthood. Science has helped shed light on the depths of the remarkable cognitive abilities of pigs, and fosters a greater appreciation for these often maligned and misunderstood animals. Background Pigs—also called swine or hogs—belong to the Suidae family1 and along with cattle, sheep, goats, camels, deer, giraffes, and hippopotamuses, are part of the order Artiodactyla, or even-toed ungulates.2 Domesticated pigs are descendants of the wild boar (Sus scrofa),3,4 which originally ranged through North Africa, Asia and Europe.5 Pigs were first domesticated approximately 9,000 years ago.6 The wild boar became extinct in Britain in the 17th century as a result of hunting and habitat destruction, but they have since been reintroduced.7,8 Feral pigs (domesticated animals who have returned to a wild state) are now found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia and on island nations, 9 such as Hawaii.10 True wild pigs are not native to the New World.11 When Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba in 1493, he brought the first domestic pigs—pigs who subsequently spread throughout the Spanish West Indies (Caribbean).12 In 1539, Spanish explorers brought pigs to the mainland when they settled in Florida.
    [Show full text]
  • BIGHORN SHEEP Ovis Canadensis Original1 Prepared by R.A
    BIGHORN SHEEP Ovis canadensis Original1 prepared by R.A. Demarchi Species Information Distribution Global Taxonomy The genus Ovis is present in west-central Asia, Until recently, three species of Bighorn Sheep were Siberia, and North America (and widely introduced recognized in North America: California Bighorn in Europe). Approximately 38 000 Rocky Mountain Sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana), Rocky Bighorn Sheep (Wishart 1999) are distributed in Mountain Bighorn Sheep (O. canadensis canadensis), scattered patches along the Rocky Mountains of and Desert Bighorn Sheep (O. canadensis nelsoni). As North America from west of Grand Cache, Alberta, a result of morphometric measurements, and to northern New Mexico. They are more abundant protein and mtDNA analysis, Ramey (1995, 1999) and continuously distributed in the rainshadow of recommended that only Desert Bighorn Sheep and the eastern slopes of the Continental Divide the Sierra Nevada population of California Bighorn throughout their range. Sheep be recognized as separate subspecies. California Bighorn Sheep were extirpated from most Currently, California and Rocky Mountain Bighorn of the United States by epizootic disease contracted sheep are managed as separate ecotypes in British from domestic sheep in the 1800s with a small Columbia. number living in California until 1954 (Buechner Description 1960). Since 1954, Bighorn Sheep have been reintroduced from British Columbia to California, California Bighorn Sheep are slightly smaller than Idaho, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, and mature Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Washington, resulting in their re-establishment in (McTaggart-Cowan and Guiguet 1965). Like their much of their historic range. By 1998, California Rocky Mountain counterpart, California Bighorn Bighorn Sheep were estimated to number 10 000 Sheep have a dark to medium rich brown head, neck, (Toweill 1999).
    [Show full text]
  • Antelope, Deer, Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goats: a Guide to the Carpals
    J. Ethnobiol. 10(2):169-181 Winter 1990 ANTELOPE, DEER, BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOATS: A GUIDE TO THE CARPALS PAMELA J. FORD Mount San Antonio College 1100 North Grand Avenue Walnut, CA 91739 ABSTRACT.-Remains of antelope, deer, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep appear in archaeological sites in the North American west. Carpal bones of these animals are generally recovered in excellent condition but are rarely identified beyond the classification 1/small-sized artiodactyl." This guide, based on the analysis of over thirty modem specimens, is intended as an aid in the identifi­ cation of these remains for archaeological and biogeographical studies. RESUMEN.-Se han encontrado restos de antilopes, ciervos, cabras de las montanas rocosas, y de carneros cimarrones en sitios arqueol6gicos del oeste de Norte America. Huesos carpianos de estos animales se recuperan, por 10 general, en excelentes condiciones pero raramente son identificados mas alIa de la clasifi­ cacion "artiodactilos pequeno." Esta glia, basada en un anaIisis de mas de treinta especlmenes modemos, tiene el proposito de servir como ayuda en la identifica­ cion de estos restos para estudios arqueologicos y biogeogrMicos. RESUME.-On peut trouver des ossements d'antilopes, de cerfs, de chevres de montagne et de mouflons des Rocheuses, dans des sites archeologiques de la . region ouest de I'Amerique du Nord. Les os carpeins de ces animaux, generale­ ment en excellente condition, sont rarement identifies au dela du classement d' ,I artiodactyles de petite taille." Le but de ce guide base sur 30 specimens recents est d'aider aidentifier ces ossements pour des etudes archeologiques et biogeo­ graphiques.
    [Show full text]
  • Genital Brucella Suis Biovar 2 Infection of Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa) Hunted in Tuscany (Italy)
    microorganisms Article Genital Brucella suis Biovar 2 Infection of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Hunted in Tuscany (Italy) Giovanni Cilia * , Filippo Fratini , Barbara Turchi, Marta Angelini, Domenico Cerri and Fabrizio Bertelloni Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; fi[email protected] (F.F.); [email protected] (B.T.); [email protected] (M.A.); [email protected] (D.C.); [email protected] (F.B.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by different Brucella species. Wild boar (Sus scrofa) could be infected by some species and represents an important reservoir, especially for B. suis biovar 2. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Brucella spp. by serological and molecular assays in wild boar hunted in Tuscany (Italy) during two hunting seasons. From 287 animals, sera, lymph nodes, livers, spleens, and reproductive system organs were collected. Within sera, 16 (5.74%) were positive to both rose bengal test (RBT) and complement fixation test (CFT), with titres ranging from 1:4 to 1:16 (corresponding to 20 and 80 ICFTU/mL, respectively). Brucella spp. DNA was detected in four lymph nodes (1.40%), five epididymides (1.74%), and one fetus pool (2.22%). All positive PCR samples belonged to Brucella suis biovar 2. The results of this investigation confirmed that wild boar represents a host for B. suis biovar. 2 and plays an important role in the epidemiology of brucellosis in central Italy. Additionally, epididymis localization confirms the possible venereal transmission. Citation: Cilia, G.; Fratini, F.; Turchi, B.; Angelini, M.; Cerri, D.; Bertelloni, Keywords: Brucella suis biovar 2; wild boar; surveillance; epidemiology; reproductive system F.
    [Show full text]
  • Anaplasma Phagocytophilum and Babesia Species Of
    pathogens Article Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia Species of Sympatric Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), Fallow Deer (Dama dama), Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Germany Cornelia Silaghi 1,2,*, Julia Fröhlich 1, Hubert Reindl 3, Dietmar Hamel 4 and Steffen Rehbein 4 1 Institute of Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802 Munich, Germany; [email protected] 2 Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald Insel Riems, Germany 3 Tierärztliche Fachpraxis für Kleintiere, Schießtrath 12, 92709 Moosbach, Germany; [email protected] 4 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany; [email protected] (D.H.); steff[email protected] (S.R.) * Correspondence: cornelia.silaghi@fli.de; Tel.: +49-0-383-5171-172 Received: 15 October 2020; Accepted: 18 November 2020; Published: 20 November 2020 Abstract: (1) Background: Wild cervids play an important role in transmission cycles of tick-borne pathogens; however, investigations of tick-borne pathogens in sika deer in Germany are lacking. (2) Methods: Spleen tissue of 74 sympatric wild cervids (30 roe deer, 7 fallow deer, 22 sika deer, 15 red deer) and of 27 red deer from a farm from southeastern Germany were analyzed by molecular methods for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia species. (3) Results: Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia DNA was demonstrated in 90.5% and 47.3% of the 74 combined wild cervids and 14.8% and 18.5% of the farmed deer, respectively. Twelve 16S rRNA variants of A. phagocytophilum were delineated.
    [Show full text]
  • SPR-659: Genetic Variation of Pronghorn Across US Route 89 And
    Genetic Variation of Pronghorn across US Route 89 and State Route 64 Final Report 659 March 2012 Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center Genetic Variation of Pronghorn across US Route 89 and State Route 64 Final Report 659 March 2012 Prepared by: Tad Theimer, Scott Sprague, Ellyce Eddy, and Russell Benford Department of Biological Sciences Northern Arizona University Box 5640 Flagstaff, AZ 86011 Prepared for: Arizona Department of Transportation In cooperation with U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Arizona Department of Transportation or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Trade or manufacturers’ names that may appear herein are cited only because they are considered essential to the objectives of the report. The US government and the State of Arizona do not endorse products or manufacturers. Cover photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons. Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. FHWA-AZ-12-659 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date GENETIC VARIATION OF PRONGHORN ACROSS US ROUTE 89 AND March 2012 STATE ROUTE 64 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author 8. Performing Organization Report No. Tad Theimer, Scott Sprague, Ellyce Eddy, Russell Benford 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. Northern Arizona University Box 5640, Beaver Street Flagstaff, AZ 86011 11.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Woodland Ownership in Denmark C
    College of William & Mary Law School William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository Faculty Publications Faculty and Deans 2007 A Windfall for the Magnates: The evelopmeD nt of Woodland Ownership in Denmark Eric Kades William & Mary Law School, [email protected] Repository Citation Kades, Eric, "A Windfall for the Magnates: The eD velopment of Woodland Ownership in Denmark" (2007). Faculty Publications. 196. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/facpubs/196 Copyright c 2007 by the authors. This article is brought to you by the William & Mary Law School Scholarship Repository. https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/facpubs Book Reviews 223 Bo Fritzb0ger, A Windfall for the Magnates: The Development of Woodland Ownership in Denmark c. 1150-1830, Odense: University Press of Southern Denmark, 2004. Pp. 432. $50.00 (ISBN 8-778-38936-4 ). Property rights imply scarcity. In proverbial states of nature the forest is vast and salted only lightly with humans, and hence it is a commons. Every natural forest was once such an unclaimed wilderness. The early dates at which teeming human populations produced conditions of scarcity, however, is surprising. Bo Fritzboger's A Windfall for the Magnates traces in extraordinary detail the Danish legal and social responses to deforestation. Disputes over forest resources in Europe arose around AD 900 at the latest. Fritzboger provides unambiguous evidence that Denmark experienced wood short- 224 Law and History Review, Spring 2007 ages by 1200, with deforestation accelerating over the next six hundred years. The Danish responses were typical of Europe: the privatization of common ownership ("enclosure"), and the enactment of statutes mandating preservation of woodlands.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Common Rights' - What Are They?
    'Common Rights' - What are they? An investigation into rights of passage and rights of land use (or rights of common) Alan Shelley PG Dissertation in Landscape Architecture Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education April2000 Abstract There is a level of confusion relating to the expression 'common' when describing 'common rights'. What is 'common'? Common is a word which describes sharing or 'that affecting all alike'. Our 'common humanity' may be a term used to describe people in general. When we refer to something 'common' we are often saying, or implying, it is 'ordinary' or as normal. Mankind, in its earliest civilisation formed societies, usually of a family tribe, that expanded. Society is principled on community. What are 'rights'? Rights are generally agreed practices. Most often they are considered ethically, to be moral, just, correct and true. They may even be perceived, in some cases, to include duty. The evolution of mankind and society has its origins in the land. Generally speaking common rights have come from land-lore (the use of land). Conflicts have evolved between customs and the statutory rights of common people (the people of the commons). This has been influenced by Church (Canonical) law, from Roman formation, statutory enclosures of land and the corporation of local government. Privilege, has allowed 'freemen', by various customs, certain advantages over the general populace, or 'common people'. Unfortunately, the term no longer describes a relationship of such people with the land, but to their nationhood. Contents Page Common Rights - What are they?................................................................................ 1 Rights of Common ...................................................................................................... 4 Woods and wood pasture ............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluating How Swedish Hunters Determine Which Species Belong in Nature
    European Journal of Wildlife Research (2020) 66: 77 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-020-01418-6 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Evaluating how Swedish hunters determine which species belong in nature M. Nils Peterson1 & Alyssa Chen1 & Erica von Essen1 & Hans Peter Hansen1 Received: 30 January 2020 /Revised: 17 August 2020 /Accepted: 24 August 2020 / Published online: 27 August 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020 Abstract Understanding whether people view non-native species as belonging in a place will help guide important conservation efforts ranging from eradications of exotics to re-introduction of extirpated species. In this manuscript we describe the degree to which Swedish hunters perceive key wildlife species as belonging in Swedish nature. We surveyed 2014 Swedish hunters randomly selected from a database of all registered hunters with a 47.5% response rate. We measured hunters’ perceptions of the belonging of 10 key species on the Swedish landscape, compared them with confidence intervals for proportions, and predicted them using regression models. Construct validity was assessed through pretesting and focus groups. Our results suggest Swedish hunters consider species introduced wholly by humans as less likely to belong in Sweden compared with species that evolved in situ, species with negative socio-economic impact as less likely to belong in Sweden compared with species with no impact or positive economic impacts, and species with wide distributions to be seen as more likely to belong in Sweden compared with those with narrow distributions. Perceptions of wolves, fallow deer, and European rabbits differed from these broad trends potentially due to unique cultural constructions of belonging for the species and the duration since anthropogenic introductions for the latter species.
    [Show full text]
  • Preliminary Studies on the Etiology of Keratoconjunctivitis in Reindeer (Rangifer Tarandus Tarandus) Calves in Alaska
    Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 44(4), 2008, pp. 1051–1055 # Wildlife Disease Association 2008 Preliminary Studies on the Etiology of Keratoconjunctivitis in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) Calves in Alaska Alina L. Evans,1,5 Russell F. Bey,1 James V. Schoster,2 James E. Gaarder,3 and Gregory L. Finstad4 1 Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1971 Commonwealth Ave., St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA; 2 Animal Eye Consultants of Minnesota, Roseville, Minnesota 55113, USA; 3 Veterinary Eye Specialists, 1921 W Diamond Blvd., Suite 108, Anchorage, Alaska, 99515, USA; 4 Reindeer Research Program, University of Alaska, PO Box 757200, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775; 5 Corresponding author (email: [email protected]) ABSTRACT: Keratoconjunctivitis outbreaks oc- and possibly contagious eye disease that cur each summer in reindeer (Rangifer tar- can leave animals blind or with impaired andus tarandus) herds in western Alaska, USA. vision. Keratoconjunctivitis is seen annu- This condition has not been well characterized nor has a definitive primary etiologic agent ally during the summer reindeer handlings been identified. We evaluated the eyes of 660 on the Seward Peninsula (Reindeer Re- calves near Nome, Alaska, between 29 June and search Program, University of Alaska 14 July 2005. Clinical signs of keratoconjuncti- Fairbanks, unpubl. data). vitis were observed in 26/660 calves (3.9%). Infectious keratoconjunctivitis has been Samples were collected from the conjunctival studied in numerous other species. In sac of both affected (n522) and unaffected (n524) animals for bacterial culture, enzyme- cattle, the primary pathogen has been linked immunosorbent assay testing for Chla- identified to be the piliated form of mydophila psittaci, and for polymerase chain Moraxella bovis (Ruehl et al., 1988).
    [Show full text]
  • V. Insights from Time and the Land
    Insights from a Natural and Cultural Landscape V. Insights from Time and the Land Pre-History Section Ecology and conservation lessons • Template for spatial variation - gradual boundaries driven by landscape variation - soils, moisture; significant island-wide variation. • Natural processes dominate; change is slow with few notable exceptions • Vegetation structure and species missing from present. Old growth - pine, hardwoods, and mixed forest. Forest dynamics structure - old trees, CWD, damaged trees, uproots. More beech, beetlebung and hickory; very little open land or successional habitat. • People with an abundance of natural resources; highly adaptable. Accommodate growth and humans; preserve, sustain nature intact. Real distinction: passive vs active management; wildland vs woodland. All is cultural but humans can make real difference in decisions. Viable alternative is to allow natural processes to shape and reassert themselves. E.g., cord wood and timber versus old-growth; salvage or no; fire versus sheep versus succession; coastal pond - natural breach vs excavator. Topics Inertia - what happens today is very dependent on the past, may be contingent on our expectation for the future. What we do, what natural forces operate on, are conditions handed to us from history; but the entire system is in motion-erosion of features created in the past; plants and animals recovering from historical changes. Even if we do nothing much will change. Without future changes in the system - i.e. environmental change. If change occurs; inertia will condition the response - e.g. coastal erosion, shift in species. To keep things the way they are - is impossible - but even to approximate, requires huge effort. World without us, 19th C New England.
    [Show full text]
  • Place-Names and Early Settlement in Kent
    http://kentarchaeology.org.uk/research/archaeologia-cantiana/ Kent Archaeological Society is a registered charity number 223382 © 2017 Kent Archaeological Society PLACE-NAMES AND EARLY SETTLEMENT IN KENT By P. H. REANEY, LITT.D., PH.D., F.S.A.1 APART from a few river-names like Medway and Limen and the names of such Romano-British towns as Rochester, Reculver and Richborough, the place-names of Kent are of English origin. What Celtic names survive are too few to throw any light on the history of Romano- British Kent. The followers and descendants of Hengest and Horsa gave names of their own to the places where they settled and the early settlement with which we are concerned is that which began with the coming of the Saxons in the middle of the fifth century A.D. The material for the history of this conquest is late and unsatisfac- tory, based entirely on legends and traditions. The earliest of our authorities, Gildas, writing a full century after the events, was concerned chiefly with castigating the Britons for their sins; names and dates were no concern of his. Bede was a writer of a different type, a historian on whom we can rely, but his Ecclesiastical History dates from about 730, nearly 300 years after the advent of the Saxons. He was a North- umbrian, too, and was careful to say that the story of Hengest was only a tradition, "what men say ". The problems of the Anglo-Saxon, Chronicle are too complicated to discuss in detail. It consists of a series of annals, with dates and brief lists of events.
    [Show full text]