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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202208.0139.v1

Field Observations of the Behaviour of Blackfin Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

Ila France Porcher

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: blackfin reef shark; Carcharhinus melanopterus; shark behaviour; shark ethology; shark cognition

Online: 8 August 2022 (09:44:57 CEST)

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The chondrichthyan lineage diverged from the osteichthyan line 440 million years ago, resulting in a vast evolutionary gulf between modern elasmobranchs and other vertebrates. Though this has supported the assumption that sharks are ancient, dangerous, and binary-minded, the few ethological studies done have noted intelligent actions including social exchanges. Yet their behaviour remains little known. On seeing that Carcharhinus melanopterus displayed complex actions during incidental meetings, a long-term ethological study of the species was carried out using artificial aggregations, at several sites in the fringe lagoon of Mo’orea Island, French Polynesia. Short and long-term behaviour was recorded in 473 individuals, including an ethogram, roaming patterns, social interactions, and cognition. C. melanopterus is considered sedentary, yet the home range could also be viewed as a place to pause between travels, for most individuals left for long periods. The study community and its visitors travelled in correlation with the lunar phase, in groups of up to six individuals, socializing with conspecifics encountered along the way, and displaying fluid social dynamics. C. melanopterus was highly alert to danger yet prone to investigate novel objects, a combination that generated a variety of tactics to remain hidden while investigating the environment. Basic to this was the use of the visual limit for escape or to screen their presence, indicating an awareness of being present and observable. Using their other senses, they could focus their attention on events beyond visual range and made swift decisions to act as circumstances unfolded. In their non-territorial, non-hierarchical society, any shark could lead, but it was usually the same ones that did so. Therefore, unusual individuals had a significant effect on events through social learning, suggesting the potential for culture. Actions in a variety of situations suggested complex cognition, and individuals displayed both positive and negative subjective states including playfulness.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202208.0057.v1

Infectious Bronchitis Virus: A Comprehensive Multilocus Genomic Analysis to Compare DMV/1639 and QX Strains

Ana P. Da Silva, Rachel Jude, Rodrigo A. Gallardo

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: infectious bronchitis; viral evolution; whole genome sequencing; DMV; QX.

Online: 2 August 2022 (09:27:23 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0414.v1

Canine Leptospirosis in A Northwestern Region of Colombia: Serological, Molecular and Epidemiological Factors

Janeth Pérez-García, Fernando P. Monroy, Piedad Agudelo-Flórez

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: dogs; Colombia; leptospirosis; Leptospira santarosai; seroreactivity; risk factors

Online: 27 July 2022 (08:07:27 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0200.v1

miRNA Sensing in Livestock: Challenges and Potential Approaches

Suresh Neethirajan

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: microRNAs; Precision livestock science; animal welfare; livestock health; biomarkers; biosensor; pandemics

Online: 13 July 2022 (13:12:32 CEST)

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Preprint TECHNICAL NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0109.v1

A Method to Study Extracorporeal Development of Early Planococcus Citri Embryos: a New Schedule for Facultative Heterochromatinization

Olga Posukh, Yakov Osipov, Darya Kalashnikova, Polina Antoshina, Stepan Belyakin, Prim Singh

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Heterochromatin; mealy bugs; parent-of-origin effects; genomic imprinting

Online: 7 July 2022 (04:22:14 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202207.0063.v1

In-Vitro Fermentation of Browsable Native Shrubs in New Zealand

James Chege Wangui, James P Millner, Paul Richard Kenyon, Peter R. Tozer, Patrick Charles Henri Morel, Sarah J. Pain

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Native shrubs; In vitro fermentation; volatile fatty acids; greenhouse gases; hill country

Online: 5 July 2022 (07:40:50 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0430.v2

Measuring the Effect of Ecological Factors (Food Waste Volume Changing) on the Weight of Cats in Tehran / 2016-2020

Farid Rahimi

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cat; Weight; Food waste; Tehran

Online: 4 July 2022 (10:57:51 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0430.v1

Measuring the Effect of Ecological Factors (Food Waste Volume Changing) on the Weight of Cats in Tehran / 2016-2020

Farid Rahimi

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cat; Weight; Food waste; Tehran

Online: 30 June 2022 (14:12:10 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0211.v2

Comparative Analysis of the pIgR Gene from the Antarctic Teleost Trematomus bernacchii Reveals Distinctive Features of Cold Adapted Notothenioidei

Alessia Ametrano, Simona Picchietti, Laura Guerra, Stefano Giacomelli, Umberto Oreste, Maria Rosaria Coscia

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: pIgR; gene structure; cold environment; gene expression; teleost immunity; adaptive evolution; mucosal tissues; genome alteration; Notothenioidei; IgV domains.

Online: 27 June 2022 (08:41:00 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0268.v1

Catch Composition, Seasonality and Biological Aspects of Sharks Caught in the Ecuadorian Pacific

Jesús Briones-Mendoza, Diego Mejía, Pol Carrasco-Puig

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: diversity; abundance; cartilaginous fish

Online: 20 June 2022 (10:10:54 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0207.v1

Recombinant BoHV-5 Glycoprotein Elicits Long-Lasting Protective Immunity in Cattle

Itauá Leston Araujo, Renan Eugênio Araujo Piraine, Geferson Fischer, Fábio Pereira Leivas Leite

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Germinal Center; Herpesvirus; Recombinant protein; rgD5; Vaccine; Long-Lasting

Online: 14 June 2022 (16:21:47 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0178.v1

Phylogeographic and Bioclimatic Determinants of the Dorsal Pattern Polymorphism in the Italian Wall Lizard, Podarcis siculus

Francesco Gallozzi, Paolo Colangelo, Gabriele Senczuk, Riccardo Castiglia

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Citizen science; Colour pattern; geographic diversity; phylogeography

Online: 13 June 2022 (09:55:52 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0125.v1

Post-Transcriptional Effects of miRNAs on PCSK7 Expression and Function: miR-125a-5p, miR-143-3p and miR-409-3p as Negative Regulators

Mahshid Malakootian, Parisa Naeli, Seyed Javad Mowla, Nabil G. Seidah

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: PCSK7; miR-125a-5p; miR-143-3p; miR-409-3p; RNA regulator; proprotein convertases

Online: 8 June 2022 (10:45:01 CEST)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202206.0015.v1

Just Arrived or Missed the Boat? First Eastern Mediterranean record of Xenoligophoroides cobitis, the Only Dactylogyrid Monogenean Infecting Mediterranean Gobies

Maarten P.M. Vanhove, Sofia Giakoumi, Dimitris Zogaris, Marcelo Kovačić, Tine Huyse

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: barcoding; Dactylogyridae; Dactylogyrinae; ectoparasites; giant goby; Gobiidae; Gobius cobitis; Greece; Monogenea; Platyhelminthes

Online: 1 June 2022 (10:46:18 CEST)

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Preprint CASE REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0397.v1

Record of Tawny Nurse Shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) in Southern Morotai, North Maluku, Indonesia

Muhammad Ichsan, Harimurti Bimantara, Niomi Pridina, Adinda Wardhanie

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Tawny Nurse Shark; Morotai; Indonesia

Online: 30 May 2022 (11:27:09 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0324.v1

Fludrocortisone Induces Aortic Pathologies in Mice

Dien Ye, Congqing Wu, Hui Chen, Ching L. Liang, Deborah A. Howatt, Michael K. Franklin, Jessica J. Moorleghen, Samuel C. Tyagi, Estrellita Uijl, A.H. Jan Danser, Hisashi Sawada, Alan Daugherty, Hong S. Lu

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: aortic aneurysms; aortic dissection; fludrocortisone; angiotensin; hypercholesterolemia; mouse

Online: 24 May 2022 (06:05:35 CEST)

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Background and Objective: In an experiment designed to explore the mechanisms of fludrocortisone-induced high blood pressure, we serendipitously observed aortic aneurysms in mice infused with fludrocortisone. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether fludrocortisone induces aortic pathologies in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic mice. Methods and Results: Male adult C57BL/6J mice were infused with either vehicle (85% polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) and 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); N=5) or fludrocortisone (12 mg/kg/day dissolved in 85% PEG-400 and 15% DMSO; N=15) for 28 days. Fludrocortisone-infused mice had higher systolic blood pressure, compared to mice infused with vehicle. Fludrocortisone induced aortic pathologies in 4 of 15 mice with 3 having pathologies in the ascending and aortic arch regions and 1 having pathology in both the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. No pathologies were noted in abdominal aortas. Subsequently, we infused either vehicle (N=5/group) or fludrocortisone (N=15/group) into male ApoE -/- mice fed a normal laboratory diet or LDL receptor -/- mice fed either normal or Western diet. Fludrocortisone increased systolic blood pressure, irrespective of mouse strain or diet. In ApoE -/- mice infused with fludrocortisone, 2 of 15 mice had ascending aortic pathologies, but no mice had abdominal aortic pathologies. In LDL receptor -/- mice fed normal diet, 5 had ascending/arch pathologies, 1 had pathologies in the ascending, arch, and suprarenal aortic regions. In LDL receptor -/- mice fed Western diet, 2 died of aortic rupture in either the descending thoracic or abdominal region, and 2 of the 13 survived mice had ascending/arch aortic pathologies. Aortic pathologies included hemorrhage, wall thickening or thinning, or dilation. Given the low incidence, only ascending aortic diameter in LDLR -/- mice fed Western diet reached statistical significance, compared to their vehicle. Conclusion: Fludrocortisone induces aortic pathologies independent of hypercholesterolemia. The findings in mouse studies have the potential to provide caution to people who are taking or have taken fludrocortisone that could have an increased risk of aortic pathologies.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202205.0221.v1

Ascorbic Acid Effect on Frozen and Thawed on Sperm Motility, Plasma Membrane Integrity, Livability and Acrosome Integrity of Ring-Necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Semen

Umer Ali, Asif Bilal, Aasma Iqbal, Muhammad Sajjad Ansari, Bushra Allah Rakha, Shamim Akhter

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: ring necked-pheasant; ascorbic acid; semen cryopreservation; semen quality

Online: 17 May 2022 (05:19:30 CEST)

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Ring necked-pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is bird of order Galliformes. Ring necked-pheasant is also known as gallinaceous bird and game bird. It looks like chicken bird. It is national bird of South Dakota. It is mostly found in wild areas but in Pakistan it exists as Domestic bird. It has high proteins and low fat in its meat. The present study was conducted to check the effect of ascorbic acid on sperm Motility, sperm cytoplasmic membrane integrity, sperm livability and acrosome integrity of Ring-necked pheasant at different concentrations of ascorbic acid (0mM, 1mM, 2mM, 3mM and 4mM) were used. Semen was collected by abdominal massage technique. Motility of sperm was greater than 70%.Then it was processed further. The cryopreservation of semen was checked at various stages like Post Dilution, Post Cooling, Post Equilibration and Post Thawing. Semen was cooled from post-dilution stage (37⁰ C) to post-cooling (20⁰C).Then it further cooled gradually to get post-equilibration stage (4⁰ C) within 24 hours. After that 10% glycerol was added to the sample. Then it was transferred to liquid nitrogen (LN₂) cylinder for 24 hours. After thawing stage sample was removed from LN₂ cylinders and placed in water bath for 4 hours to achieve post-thawing. Then performed sperm quality assays at each stage of cryopreservation. Sperm motility was assessed by Neubauer Chamber Hemocytometer. Plasma Membrane Integrity was checked by using Hypo Osmotic Swelling Test with the help to 2% Eosin. Sperm livability was assessed by Lake’s glutamate solution and sperm Acrosome Integrity was checked by dual staining technique by using Formal citrate solution and Giemsa stain. The better results were seen at 3mM treatment of ascorbic acid. Sperm motility percentage was significantly different (P < 0.05) on 3mM treatment on all the stages of cryopreservation rather than other treatments. Plasma membrane integrity assay also showed good results at same concentration (P < 0.05) on all the stages of cryopreservation rather than other treatments. At the sperm livability stage 3mM treatment showed significantly difference (P < 0.05) on all the stages of cryopreservation rather than other treatments. The sperm acrosome integrity showed highest percentage on 3mM treatment (P < 0.05) on all stages of cryopreservation rather than other treatments. Effect of ascorbic acid on all the quality parameters (sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, livability and acrosome integrity) was showed significant difference (P < 0.05) at 3mM treatment of ascorbic acid as compare to control as well as remaining treatments. It was seen that by increasing the concentration of ascorbic acid from 3mM concentration to onward it shows negative results on its cryopreservation. Now this cryopreserved semen can be transfer from one place to another place to obtain good varieties as well as better genetic characteristics of this species.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0195.v1

Crab Species-Specific Excavation and Architecture of Burrows in Restored Mangrove Habitat

Wah Wah Min, Kathiresan Kandasamy, Balasubramaniyan Balakrishnan

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: crabs; fiddlers; sesarmids; burrowing; bioturbation; mangrove restoration

Online: 21 April 2022 (08:18:59 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202204.0137.v1

Metabolomic Profiling Reveals the Distinct Nutritional Properties of Breed and Feed on the Muscles in Chinese Taihe Black-bone Silky Fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson)

Guanghua Xiong, Kai Jiang, Xinjun Liao

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Taihe silky fowl; metabolic components; un-targeted metabolome; breed and feed; biosynthesis of amino acids

Online: 15 April 2022 (05:47:06 CEST)

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Chinese Taihe Black-bone silky fowl (TBsf) is the homology of medicine and food and has high nutritional and medical value all over the world. However, the nutritional compositions and specific metabolite advantages of Taihe silky fowl muscle are still poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the differences of nutritional components between TBsf and another similar breed (Black Feathered chicken and laid green-shelled eggs, BF-gsc). Meanwhile, we also explored the divergences in muscle characteristics of Taihe silky fowl fed with two different diets, that is normal chicken feed (TBsf-ncf) and Broussonetia papyrifera-fermented feed (TBsf-bpf). Firstly, the growth performance and biochemical index of Taihe silky fowl was significantly different compared with black-feathered chicken. Secondly, we identified the metabolic alterations in Taihe silky fowl by performing an un-targeted UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Our results suggested that the whole metabonomic characteristics had obvious separation between TBsf-ncf, TBsf-bpf and BF-gsc groups both in the positive and negative ion mode by PCA analysis. Next, OPLS-DA multivariate analysis revealed that 57 metabolites (in positive mode) and 49 metabolites (in negative mode) were identified as differential metabolites between TBsf-ncf and BF-gsc group. These differential metabolites were mainly enriched to ABC transporters, biosynthesis of amino acids and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. Besides, there were 47 metabolites (in positive) and 13 metabolites (in negative) were differentially regulated between TBsf-ncf and TBsf-bpf group, which were majorly involved in histidine metabolism and linoleic metabolism. Furthermore, the integrated network analysis suggested that DL-arginine, DL-isoleucine, linoleoylcarnitine, stearoylcarnitine (positive) and ricionleic acid, D-proline, uric acid (negative) were the significantly metabolic biomarkers in Taihe silky fowl. Moreover, the metabolites of primaquine, ticlpoidine, riboflavin, acetylcarnitine (positive) and salicylic acid, acetaminophen sulfate, glutamic acid (negative) were markedly changed in the Taihe silky fowl fed with BP-fermented feed. In summary, a global survey of the nutritional components and metabolite differences were performed in muscle tissues of Taihe silky fowl between various breeds and feeds. The comprehensive expression profiles of the metabolites in Taihe silky fowl affected by genetic and environmental factors were acquired. This study provided valuable evidence fo breed and feed-induced putative biomarkers as well as improved the economic value of Taihe silky fowl through targeted metabolite regulation.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0412.v1

Ecological Traits and Trophic Plasticity in the Greater Pipefish Syngnathus acus in NW Iberian Peninsula

Miquel Planas

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: pipefish; Syngnathus acus; biology; ecology; reproduction; trophic plasticity; stable isotopes; diet

Online: 31 March 2022 (14:37:45 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0394.v1

Turnover Rates and Diet-Tissue Discrimination Factors of Nitrogen and Carbon Stable Isotopes in Seahorse Hippocampus reidi Juveniles Following a Laboratory Diet Shift

Jorge Hernández-Urcera, Mario D. Dias Carneiro, Miquel Planas

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: hippocampus; seahorse; diet switch; stable isotopes; turnover; discrimination factor

Online: 30 March 2022 (15:19:41 CEST)

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The initial development of seahorse juveniles is characterized by low digestion capabilities. Stable isotope analysis is an effective tool in studies of trophic food webs and animal feeding patterns. The present study provides new insights for the understanding of growth and food assimilation in early developing seahorses following a laboratory diet switch. The study was performed in early life stages of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi by assessing the influence of diet shift on changes and turnovers in carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope in juveniles. Newborn seahorses were fed for 60 days following two feeding schedules (A6 and A11) based initially on copepods Acartia tonsa and subsequently on Artemia nauplii (since days 6 and 11, respectively). After prey shift, we determined δ13C and δ15N turnover rates as functions of change in either body mass (fitting model G) and days of development (fitting model D), contributions of metabolism and growth to those turnover rates, and diet-tissue discrimination factors. Survival, final dry weight and final standard length for diet A11 were higher compared to diet A6. The shift from copepods to Artemia lead to fast initial enrichments in δ13C and δ15N. Afterwards, the enrichment was gradually reduced until reaching the isotopic equilibrium with diet. In most cases, both fitting models performed similarly. The isotopic analysis revealed that 100% of tissue turnover was attributed to growth in diet A11, whereas 19-25% was endorsed to metabolism in diet A6. Diet-tissue discrimination factors were estimated for the first time in seahorse juveniles, resulting in higher estimates for diet A11 (2.9 ± 0.7‰ for δ13C; 2.5 ± 0.2‰ for δ15N) than in diet A6 (1.8 ± 0.1‰ for δ13C; 1.9 ± 0.1‰ for δ15N). This study highlights the relevance of feeding on copepods and their effect on isotopic patterns and discrimination factors in seahorse juveniles after a dietary shift. Regarding the application of the results achieved to feeding schedules in the rearing of H. reidi, a long period of feeding on copepods during the first days of development is highly recommended.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0324.v1

Convergent Evolution of Attachment Mechanisms in Aquatic Animals

Jérôme Delroisse, Victor Kang, Anaïd Gouveneaux, Romana Santos, Patrick Flammang

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: metazoans; adhesive organs; suction organs; functional morphology; adhesive proteins

Online: 24 March 2022 (07:20:55 CET)

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To resist hydrodynamic forces, two main underwater attachment strategies have evolved multiple times in aquatic animals: glue-like “bioadhesive secretions” and pressure-driven “suction attachment”. In this review, we use a multi-level approach to highlight convergence in underwater attachment mechanisms across four different length-scales (organism, organ, microscopic and molecular). At the organism level, the ability to attach may serve a variety of functions, the most important being: (i) positional maintenance, (ii) locomotion, (iii) feeding, (iv) building, and (v) defense. Aquatic species that use bioadhesive secretions have been identified in 28 metazoan phyla out of the 34 currently described, while suction organs have a more restricted distribution and have been identified in five phyla. Although biological adhesives are highly diverse, it is possible to categorize them into four main types according to the time scale of operation: permanent, temporary, transitory, and instantaneous adhesion. At the organ level some common principles have evolved independently in different biological lineages: for example, animals with single-unit attachment organs can be distinguished from those with multi-unit organs. Fundamental design elements can also be recognized for both types of attachment mechanisms. Suction attachment systems comprise a circular or elliptical attachment disc, a sealing rim to prevent leakage and a mechanism to lower the internal pressure. Bioadhesive-producing organs, on the other hand, usually contain a glandular tissue associated with connective tissues or other types of load-bearing support structures and muscles that facilitate locomotion or mechanical detachment. At the microscopic level, similar designs and organizations appear once again to have emerged independently in different phylogenetic lineages. Independent of the taxon and type of adhesion, there are species in which the biosynthesis, packaging and release of adhesive secretions takes place at the level of a single type of secretory cell, whereas in others these secretions are produced by two or more secretory cell types. Duo-gland adhesive systems involved in temporary adhesion present an additional level of complexity as they also exhibit de-adhesive secretory cells. Yet, strikingly similar cellular organizations have been reported in highly disparate species. In the case of biological suction organs, regions of the organ that contact the substratum are highly textured with stiff microstructures. Although clearly non-homologous in different animals, these microstructures are thought to enhance friction on rough surfaces. At the molecular level, proteins are the main organic constituent of adhesive secretions in aquatic animals. We compared the global amino acid compositions of bioadhesives using principal component analysis to show that homologous adhesives from phylogenetically related species cluster together, and there is little overlap between taxonomic groups. However, several non-permanent adhesives are grouped together even though they belong to disparate phyla, indicating convergence in amino acid composition. We also investigated relatedness among individual adhesive proteins using a sequence similarity-based clustering analysis. While many proteins appear taxon-specific, some have clear sequence homologies based on shared protein domains between phylogenetically distant organisms. However, it is highly probable that these domains, which are also present in many non-adhesive proteins, were convergently acquired from ancestral proteins with unrelated general functions. We herein present morphological, structural, and molecular convergences between different attachment mechanisms in aquatic animals that likely arose in response to shared functional and selective pressures.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0179.v1

Consequences of Evolving Limbless, Burrowing Forms for the Behavior and Population Density of Tropical Lizards

Agustín Camacho, Adriana Tiemi Yamanouchi, Carlos Navas, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: functional evolution; herpetology; limbless lizards; morphotypes

Online: 14 March 2022 (09:10:31 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0120.v1

Magnesium Butyrate Is a Readily Available Magnesium Source in Dairy Cow Nutrition

Bastiaan de Groot, Joan Edwards, Thomas Schonewille

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: magnesium; absorption; rumen; butyrate; volatile fatty acids

Online: 8 March 2022 (08:59:14 CET)

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Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202203.0027.v1

Understanding the Role of Arsenic in Camouflage Strategy: A Study with Common River Prawn

Mihieka Bose, Kalpesh Jas, Arnab Barua, Chayan Munshi

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: camouflage; colouration; arsenic; toxicity; common river prawn

Online: 1 March 2022 (16:29:06 CET)

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Preprint TECHNICAL NOTE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0341.v1

Stable Laboratory Culture System for the Ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi

Joan Josep Soto-Àngel, Eva-Lena Nordmann, Daniela Sturm, Maria Sachkova, Kevin Pang, Pawel Burkhardt

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Ctenophora; breeding; comb jelly; cultivation; husbandry; protocol; sea walnut

Online: 25 February 2022 (15:26:33 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0284.v1

The Italian Alpine and Subalpine Trouts. Taxonomy, Evolution, and Conservation

Gianluca Polgar, Mattia Iaia, Tommaso Righi, Pietro Volta

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Recreational fisheries fishery management; introgressive hybridization; stocking; non-native species; allochthonous species; trout fishing; trout taxonomy

Online: 23 February 2022 (03:09:39 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0211.v1

Comparative Analysis of the pIgR Gene from the Antarctic Teleost Trematomus bernacchii Revealed Distinctive Features of Cold Adapted Notothenioidei

Alessia Ametrano, Simona Picchietti, Laura Guerra, Stefano Giacomelli, Umberto Oreste, Maria Rosaria Coscia

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: pIgR; gene structure; cold environment; gene expression; teleost immunity; adaptive evolution; mucosal tissues; genome alteration; Notothenioidei; IgV domains.

Online: 17 February 2022 (11:47:52 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0191.v1

Molecular Detection of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. in Acanthocheilonema Reconditum and Potential Vectors

Yineth Palacios, Reinel Rincón, Angélica Castellanos

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Wolbachia; Aedes sp.; Culex sp.; Ctenocephalides felis; Acanthocheilonema reconditum; poly-merase chain reaction

Online: 16 February 2022 (04:38:29 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202202.0108.v1

A Novel Application of 3D Printing Technology Facilitating Shell Wound Healing of Freshwater Turtle

Tsung-Fu Hung, Po-Jan Kuo, Yu-Shin Nai

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: 3D printing technology; freshwater turtle; Ocadia Spp.; shell wound healing

Online: 8 February 2022 (12:22:31 CET)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202201.0462.v1

Clinical Tick Borne Encephalitis in a Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Graziana Da Rold, Federica Obber, Isabella Monne, Adelaide Milani, Silvia Ravagnan, Federica Toniolo, Sofia Sgubin, Gianpiero Zamperin, Greta Foiani, Marta Vascellari, Petra Drzewniokova, Martina Castellan, Paola De Benedictis, Carlo Vittorio Citterio

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: roe deer; Tick-Borne Encephalitis; neurologic disease; pathology; genetic characterization

Online: 31 January 2022 (13:21:18 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202201.0295.v1

From Water to Land: The Structural Construction and Molecular Switches in Lungs during Metamorphosis of Microhyla fissipes

Liming Chang, Meihua Zhang, Qiheng Chen, Jiongyu Liu, Wei Zhu, Jianping Jiang

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: WGCNA; lung development; histological structure; molecular changes; amphibian

Online: 20 January 2022 (10:16:10 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202201.0251.v1

eIF2α Phosphorylation in Response to Nutritional Deficiency and Stressors in the Aquaculture Fish, Rachycentron canadum

Chieh Lun Liu, Erica Amah Dasi, Aaron McKenzie Watson, Allen Richard Place, Rosemary NMI Jagus

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: eIF2α; eIF2α-kinases; diets; stressors; Rachycentron canadum; cobia cells

Online: 18 January 2022 (10:39:48 CET)

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Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202201.0097.v1

Formation of Benign Tumours by Stem Cell Misregulation

Matthieu Valet, Patrick Narbonne

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Stem cells; proliferation; tumour; benign tumour; cancer

Online: 10 January 2022 (11:05:50 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0416.v1

Bistability in macrophage polarization and metabolic implications

Carsten Geiß, Elvira Salas, Jose Guevara-Coto, Anne Régnier-Vigouroux, Rodrigo A Mora-Rodríguez

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: macrophage, bistability, metabolism, systems biology, miRNA

Online: 25 December 2021 (00:02:25 CET)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0368.v1

Isolation and Identification of Three Parvovirus Strains in Raccoon Dogs From Liaoning Province, China

Xiaoqin Guo, Zhuochen Li, Tiantian Lv, Haixu Cao, Xin Du, Zirui Li, Chuanfang Zhao

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Raccoon dog parvovirus; Epidemiology; VP2 gene; NS1 gene; Evolutionary analysis.

Online: 22 December 2021 (12:52:50 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0027.v2

Welfare Assessment Tools in Zoos: From Theory to Practice

Narelle Jones, Sally Sherwen, Rachel Robbins, David McLelland, Alexandra Whittaker

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Zoo animal welfare; Five Domains; Validity; Animal-based; Resource-based; Scoring

Online: 22 December 2021 (11:59:32 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0322.v1

Development of a Corporate-Based Beef Cattle Breeding Area

Hamdi Mayulu, Irsan Tricahyadinata, Agus Soepriyadi

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Development; area; livestock; beef cattle; corporation

Online: 21 December 2021 (11:31:54 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0166.v1

Effects of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Sulfur on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Ileal Morphology, and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens

Yoo Bhin Kim, Sang Hyeok Lee, Da-Hye Kim, Hyun-Gwan Lee, Yongjun Choi, Sung-Dae Lee, Kyung-Woo Lee

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: methyl sulfonyl methane; sodium sulfate; laying hen; antioxidant capacity

Online: 10 December 2021 (08:32:41 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0108.v1

Trial Assay for Safe First-Aid Protocol for the Stinging Sea Anemone Anemonia viridis (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) and a Severe Toxic Reaction

Ainara Ballesteros, Janire Salazar, Macarena Marambio, Jose Tena, Jose Rafael Garcia-March, Diana López, Clara Tellez, Carles Trullàs, Eric Jourdan, Corinne Granger, Josep-Maria Gili

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: cnidarian venom; cnidocyst discharge; cnidocyte; ocean literacy; risk prevention; seawater; sting; vinegar

Online: 7 December 2021 (14:43:25 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0082.v1

Exogenous Application of Methyl Jasmonate Increases Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds in Pyrenean Oak Trees, Quercus pyrenaica

Luisa Amo, Anna Mrazova, Irene Saavedra, Katerina Sam

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Avian olfaction; foraging; herbivore-induced plant volatiles; defence against herbivory

Online: 6 December 2021 (15:21:49 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202112.0027.v1

Welfare Assessment Tools in Zoos: From Theory to Practice

narelle jones, Sally Sherwen, Rachel Robbins, David McLelland, Alexandra Whittaker

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Zoo animal welfare; Five Domains; Validity; Animal-based; Resource-based; Scoring

Online: 2 December 2021 (10:09:22 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0526.v1

Circulating Phylotypes of White Spot Syndrome Virus in Bangladesh and Their Virulence

Mehedi Mahmudul Hasan, M. Nazmul Hoque, Firoz Ahmed, Md. Inja-Mamun Haque, Munawar Sultana, M. Anwar Hossain

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: VP28; WSSV; real-time PCR; viral load; apoptosis

Online: 29 November 2021 (11:55:17 CET)

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White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) has emerged as one of the most prevalent and lethal viruses globally, and infects both shrimps and crabs in the aquatic environment. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of WSSV in different ghers of Bangladesh and the virulence of the circulating phylotypes. We collected 360 shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and 120 crab (Scylla sp.) samples from the South-East (Cox’s Bazar) and South-West (Satkhira) coastal regions of Bangladesh. The VP28 gene-specific PCR assays and sequencing revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05, Kruskal Wallis test) differences in the prevalence of WSSV in shrimps and crabs between the study areas (Cox’s Bazar and Satkhira), and over the study periods (2017-2019). The mean Log load of WSSV varied from 8.40 (Cox’s Bazar) to 10.48 (Satkhira) per gram of tissue. The mean values for salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH were 14.71±0.76 ppt, 3.7±0.1 ppm, 34.11±0.38˚C and 8.23±0.38, respectively in the WSSV-positive ghers. The VP28 gene-based phylogenetic analysis showed an amino-acid substitution (E→G) at 167th position in the isolates from Cox’s Bazar (referred to as phylotype BD2) compared to the globally circulating one (BD1). Shrimp PL artificially challenged with BD1 and BD2 phylotypes with filtrates of tissue containing 0.423 X 109 copies of WSSV per mL resulted a median LT50 value of 73 hrs and 75 hrs, respectively. The in-vivo trial showed higher mean Log WSSV copies (6.47±2.07 per mg tissue) in BD1 challenged shrimp PL compared to BD2 (4.75±0.35 per mg tissue). Crabs infected with BD1 and BD2 showed 100% mortality within 48 hrs and 62 hrs of challenge, respectively with mean Log WSSV copies of 12.06±0.48 and 9.95±0.37 per gram tissue, respectively. Moreover, shrimp antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) penaeidin and lysozyme expression was lower in BD1 challenged group compared to BD2 challenged shrimps. These results collectively demonstrated that relative virulence properties of WSSV based on mortality rate, viral load and expression of host immune genes in artificially infected shrimp PL could be affected by single aa substitution in VP28.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0436.v1

DNA Environment of Centromeres and Non-homologous Chromosomes Interactions in Mouse

Victor Spangenberg, Losev Michail, Volkhin Ilya, Svetlana Smirnova, Nikitin Pavel, Oxana Kolomiets

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Prophase I of meiosis; chromatin; synaptonemal complex; chromosome; satellite DNA; chromocenter; nuclear architecture; MSCI; sex chromosomes; interactions of non-homologous chromosomes; chromatin silencing

Online: 23 November 2021 (15:58:17 CET)

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Pericentromeric regions of chromosomes enriched in tandemly repeated satellite DNA although representing a significant part of eukaryotic genomes are still understudied mainly due to interdisciplinary knowledge gaps. Recent studies suggest their important role in genome regulation, karyotype stability and evolution. Thus, the idea of satellite DNA as a junk part of the genome was refuted. Integration of data about molecular composition, chromosome behaviour and details of in situ organization of pericentromeric regions is of great interest. The objective of this work was a cytogenetic analysis of the interactions of pericentromeric regions non-homologous chromosomes in mouse spermatocytes using immuno-FISH. We analysed two events: the associations between cerntomeric regions of X chromosome and autosomes, and associations between centromeric regions of autosomal bivalents forming chromocenters. We conclude that X chromosome form temporary synaptic associations with different autosomes in early meiotic prophase I which normally can be found at pachytene-diplotene without signs of pachytene arrest. These associations are formed between the satellite DNA-enriched centomeric regions of X chromosome and different autosomes but not involve the satellite-poor centromeric region of Y-chromosome. We suggest the mechanism of X chromosome competitive replacement from such associations during synaptic correction. We showed that centromeric region of the X chromosome remains free of γH2Ax-dependent chromatin inactivation, while Y chromosome is completely inactivated. This findings highlights the predominant role of associations between satellite DNA-enriched regions of different chromosomes including X. We assume that X-autosome temporary associations is a manifestation of an additional synaptic disorders checkpoint. These associations are normally corrected before the late diplotene. We revealed that the intense spreading conditions applied to the spermatocytes I nuclei did not lead to destruction of stretched chromatin fibers i.e. elongated chromocenters enriched in satellite DNA. Revealed by us tight associations between pericentromeric regions of different autosomal bivalents and X chromosome may represent the basis for repeat stability maintenance in autosomes an X chromosome. The consequences of our findings are discussed. We obtained the preparations of mouse spermatocytes nuclei in the meiotic prophase I using two approaches: standard and extremely intense surface spread techniques. Using immuno-FISH we visualized tandemly repeated mouse Major and Minor satellite DNA located in the pericentromeric regions of chromosomes and performed a morphological comparison of the standard- and intensely spreaded meiotic nuclei. Based on our results, we assume the remarkable strength of the chromocenter-mediated associations, “chromatin “bridges”, between different bivalents at the pachytene and diplotene stages. We have demonstrated that the chromocenter “bridges” between the centromeric ends of meiotic bivalents are enriched in both tandemly repeated Major and Minor satellite DNA. Association of centromeric regions of autosomal bivalents and X-chromosome but not with Y-chromosome correlates with the absence of Major and Minor satellites on Y-chromosome. We suggest that revealed tight associations between pericentromeric regions of bivalents may represent the network-like system providing dynamic stability of chromosomal territories, as well as add new data for the hypothesis of ectopic recombination in these regions which supports sequence homogeneity between non-homologous chromosomes and does not contradict the meiotic restrictions imposed by the crossing-over interference near centromeres. We conclude that nuclear architecture in meio-sis may play an essential role in contacts between the non-homologous chromosomes providing the specific characteristics of pericentromeric DNA.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0352.v1

Recovery of Haemal Lordosis in European Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus 1758)

Stephanos Fragkoulis, Chara Kourkouta, George Geladakis, Alice Printzi, Alexis Glaropoulos, George Koumoundouros

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: skeletal abnormalities; vertebral column; quality index; body shape; finfish aquaculture

Online: 19 November 2021 (12:43:54 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0279.v1

Effects of Dietary Fatty Acids on Gene Expression and Biological Processes in Different Tissues of Pigs: A Review

Simara Larissa Fanalli, Bruna Pereira Martins da Silva, Bruna Petry, Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana, Guilherme Henrique Gebim Polizel, Robson Carlos Antunes, Vivian Vezzoni de Almeida, Gabriel Costa Monteiro Moreira, Albino Luchiari Filho, Luiz Lehmann Coutinho, Júlio Cesar de Carvalho Balieiro, James Mark Reecy, James Koltes, Dawn Koltes, Aline Silva Mello Cesar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: animal model; dietary components; feeding strategy; gene expression; lipid profile; nutrients; nutrigenomic; physiological processes; signaling pathways; transcription.

Online: 16 November 2021 (09:07:22 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0258.v1

Multiple Methods of Monitoring Cats at a Landscape-scale

Cheryl Lohr, Kristen Nilsson, Ashleigh Johnson, Neil Hamilton, Mike Onus, David Algar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: feral cat; Felis catus; Australia; Indigenous Protected Area; 1080; camera; tracking

Online: 15 November 2021 (11:57:03 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0140.v1

Molecular Typing and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Streptococcus uberis Isolated From Sheep Milk

Nives Maria Rosa, Ilaria Dupre, Elisa Azara, Carla Maria Longheu, Sebastiana Tola

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Streptococcus uberis; mastitis; typing; antimicrobial susceptibility; resistance genes

Online: 8 November 2021 (13:12:44 CET)

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Intrammary infections are a major problem for dairy sheep farms, and Streptococcus uberis is one of the main etiological agents of ovine mastitis. Surveys on antimicrobial resistance are still limited in sheep and characterization of isolates is important for acquiring information on resistance and for optimizing therapy. In this study, a sampling of 124 S. uberis isolates collected in Sardinia (Italy) from sheep milk was analysed by multilocus-sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for genetic relatedness. All isolates were also subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility analysis by the disk diffusion test using a panel of 14 antimicrobials. Resistance genes were detected by PCR assays. MLST analysis revealed that the isolates were grouped into 86 sequence types (STs), of which 73 were new genotypes, indicating a highly diverse population of S. uberis. The most frequently detected lineage was the clonal complex (CC)143, although representing only 13.7% of all characterized isolates. A high level of heterogeneity was also observed among the SmaI PFGE profiles, with 121 unique patterns. Almost all (96.8%) isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial, while all exhibited phenotypic susceptibility to oxacillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ceftiofur. Of the antimicrobials tested, the highest resistance rate was found against streptomycin (93.5%), kanamycin (79.8%) and gentamicin (64.5%), followed by novobiocin (25%) and tetracycline-TE (19.3%). Seventy-four (59.7%) isolates were simultaneously resistant to all aminoglycosides tested. Seventeen isolates (13.7%) exhibited multidrug resistance. All aminoglycosides-resistant isolates were PCR negative for aad-6 and aphA-3’ genes. Among the TE-resistant isolates, the tetM gene was predominant, indicating that the resistance mechanism is mainly mediated by the protection of ribosomes and not through the efflux pump. Three isolates were resistant to erythromycin, and two of them harboured the ermB gene. This is the first study reporting a detailed characterization of the S. uberis strains circulating in Sardinian sheep. Further investigations will be needed to understand the relationships between S. uberis genotypes, mastitis severity, and intra-mammary infection dynamics in the flock, as well as to monitor the evolution of antimicrobial resistance.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0127.v1

Apoptosis in Type 2 Diabetes, Can It be Prevented?

Agnieszka Kilanowska, Agnieszka Ziółkowska

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Apoptosis; preclinical research; diabetes type 2; HIPPO pathway

Online: 8 November 2021 (11:45:49 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0094.v1

Social Hierarchy Effects on Stress Responses of Subordinate Specimens in Sea Bream (Sparus aurata)

Maria Dioguardi, Mirella Vazzana, Mariano Dara, Irene Vazzana, Davide Accardi, Pierluigi Carbonara, Sébastien Alfonso, Matteo Cammarata

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Sparus aurata; social stress; hierarchy; cortisol; phagocytosis

Online: 4 November 2021 (08:44:54 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202111.0033.v1

From the Atlantic Coast to Lake Tanganyika: Gill-Infecting Flatworms of Freshwater Pellonuline Clupeid Fishes in West and Central Africa, With Description of Eleven New Species and Key to Kapentagyrus (Monogenea, Dactylogyridae)

Maarten P.M. Vanhove, Raquel Hermans, Tom Artois, Nikol Kmentová

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Africa; biodiversity infrastructure; Clupeidae; Clupeiformes; Dactylogyridea; flatworm; historical collection; Monogenea; Pellonulini; sardine

Online: 2 November 2021 (10:28:05 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0281.v1

Signatures of Adaptation in Mitochondrial Genomes of the Palearctic Subterranean Voles (Arvicolinae, Rodentia)

Olga Bondareva, Evgeny Genelt-Yanovskiy, Tatyana Petrova, Semen Bodrov, Antonina Smorkatcheva, Natalia Abramson

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: selective pressures; mitochondrial protein-coding genes; subterranean voles; adaptations; subterranean lifestyle.

Online: 19 October 2021 (15:01:42 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0250.v1

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevalence in Bats’ Guano from Caves and Attics of Buildings Studied by Culture and qPCR Examinations

Ivo Pavlik, Vit Ulmann, Helena Modra, Milan Gersl, Barbora Rantova, Jan Zukal, Katerina Zukalova, Ondrej Konecny, Vlastislav Kana, Pavel Kubalek, Vladimir Babak, Ross Tim Weston

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM); mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT); saprophytic environmental mycobacteria; risk groups of microorganisms; Microchiroptera

Online: 18 October 2021 (14:54:06 CEST)

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Working Paper REVIEW

Probiotics Can Have a Significant Impact on Digestion Efficiency and the Environmental Impact of Fresh Water Fish Farms

Cosmas Nathanailides, Markos Kolygas, Konstantina Choremi, Theodore Mavraganis, Evangelia Gouva, Kosmas Vidalis, Foteini Athanassopoulou

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Aquaculture; Probiotics, Fish welfare.

Online: 14 October 2021 (10:33:01 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0200.v1

A Brief Overview: The Persistence and Pandemic of Virulent Newcastle Disease in Birds as Well as Role in Pakistan

Muqadas Baksh, Zafar Ali, Ghafran Ali

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Newcastle disease; poultry; Pakistan; vaccine; economic affects

Online: 13 October 2021 (11:59:23 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0173.v1

Indexing Baselines: Determining Physiological Stress in Rescued Orphaned Koala Joeys Under Rehabilitation by Comparing Faecal Cortisol Levels Between Healthy and Impaired Individuals

Harsh Pahuja, Edward Narayan

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cortisol; Faeces; Glucocorticoids; Iterative baseline; Joey; Koala; Stress

Online: 12 October 2021 (10:18:35 CEST)

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Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an iconic folivorous marsupial native to the sclerophyll forests and woodlands of Australia. Due to the ever-changing habitat, this species is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors such as habitat loss and fragmentation, and this is reflected in the increasing number of injured and/or diseased koalas over the years. The majority of adult koalas admitted at wildlife hospitals are deceased, either due to natural causes, or have to be euthanized. Thus, orphaned koala joeys constitute a substantial number of wildlife rescues, and mortality is also prevalent in koala joeys being hand-reared/rehabilitated, with little knowledge about the causes of such high rates of mortality. Wildlife hospitals/rehabilitation centres are inherently stressful, and although the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis plays a vital role in mediating the stress endocrine function (by producing glucocorticoids such as cortisol), there are no studies quantifying glucocorticoids in koala joeys. To contribute to this dearth of research, we sampled a total of seven individuals residing at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and noted their clinical information. Faecal samples were collected from all seven koala joeys during routine cage cleaning. In total, 123 faecal samples were collected, processed and analysed for cortisol using enzyme-immunoassay (EIA). We used the iterative baseline approach to determine baseline and peak concentrations of FCM in koala joeys. Baseline concentrations ranged between 14.11 ng/g – 51.10 ng/g (healthy – sick), whereas, peak FCM concentrations ranged between 25.65 ng/g – 56.58 ng/g (healthy – sick). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between FCM concentrations of healthy and impaired individuals. Healthy individuals displayed relatively consistent FCM concentrations, whereas, diseased individuals displayed a significant increase in FCM concentrations over time. Our study provides the first record of baseline and peak FCM concentrations in rescued koala joeys with their associated clinical condition. Future studies can use the iterative baseline approach to determine FCM concentration in wild koala joeys that can serve as a baseline to compare glucocorticoid levels of rescued joeys.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202110.0051.v1

Longman’s Beaked Whale Indopacetus pacificus and Mesoplodon spp. Entanglements Off Pakistan: Are Pelagic Gillnet Fisheries a Potential Threat?

Muhammad Shoaib Kiani, Rab Nawaz, Muhammad Moazzam, Bushra Shafiq, Koen Van Waerebeek

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Longman’s beaked whale; Indopacetus pacificus; Mesoplodon spp.; tuna gillnet fishery; bycatch; citizen science; Arabian Sea

Online: 4 October 2021 (11:40:47 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202109.0503.v1

Protein Structure, Models of Sequence Evolution, and Data Type Effects in Phylogenetic Analyses of Mitochondrial Data: A Case Study in Birds

Emily L. Gordon, Rebecca T. Kimball, Edward L. Braun

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: mitogenome; transmembrane proteins; substitution matrix; JTT matrix; molecular evolution; partitioned models; mixture models; RY coding; cyto-nuclear discordance

Online: 29 September 2021 (16:57:38 CEST)

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Phylogenomic analyses have revolutionized the study of biodiversity, but they have revealed that estimated tree topologies can depend, at least in part, on the subset of the genome that is analyzed. For example, estimates of trees for avian orders differ if protein coding or non-coding data are analyzed. The bird tree is a good study system because the historical signal for relationships among orders is very weak, which should permit subtle non-historical signals to be identified, while monophyly of orders is strongly corroborated, allowing identification of strong non-historical signals. Hydrophobic amino acids in mitochondrially-encoded proteins, which are expected to be found in transmembrane helices, have been hypothesized to be associated with non-historical signals. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the evolution of transmembrane helices and extramembrane segments of mitochondrial proteins from 420 bird species, sampled from most avian orders. We estimated amino acids exchangeabilities for both structural environments and assessed the performance of phylogenetic analysis using each data type. We compared those relative exchangeabilities with values calculated using a substitution dataset for transmembrane helices from a variety of sampled set of nuclear- and mitochondrially-encoded proteins, allowing us to compare the bird-specific mitochondrial models with a general model of transmembrane protein evolution. To complement our amino acid analyses, we examined the impact of protein structure on patterns of nucleotide evolution. Models of transmembrane and extramembrane sequence evolution for amino acids and nucleotides exhibited striking differences, but there was no evidence for strong topological data type effects. However, incorporating protein structure into analyses of mitochondrially-encoded proteins improved model fit. Thus, we believe that considering protein structure will improve analyses of mitogenomic data, both in birds and in other taxa.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202109.0473.v1

Squirrels and Tribes – A Cultural Analysis From Indian Eastern Himalayas

Hiranmoy Chetia, Murali Krishna Chatakonda, John L. Koprowski

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cultural Use; Squirrel; gliding squirrel; tribes; Arunachal Pradesh

Online: 28 September 2021 (13:32:46 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202109.0279.v1

I Wanna Draw Like You: Inter- and Intra-Individual Differences in Orang-utan Drawings

Marie Pelé, Gwendoline Thomas, Alaïs Liénard, Nagi Eguchi, Masaki Shimada, Cédric Sueur

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Primate cognition; scribbles; evolutive anthropology; art; aesthetics

Online: 16 September 2021 (11:20:42 CEST)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Mitochondrial Genomes, Phylogenetic Associations, and SNP Recovery for the Key Invasive Ponto-Caspian Amphipods in Europe

Tomasz Mamos, Michał Grabowski, Tomasz Rewicz, Jamie Bojko, Domink Strapagiel, Artur Burzyński

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Amphipoda; invasive species; population genetics; miogenome; Ponto-Caspian; SNP

Online: 7 September 2021 (10:56:34 CEST)

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Preprint BRIEF REPORT | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0407.v1

Physiological Stress in Rescued Wild Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) Being Held in a Rehabilitation Sanctuary: A Pilot Study

Renae Charalambous, Troy Simonato, Matthew Peel, Edward Narayan

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Hair; HPA-axis; Koalas; Rehabilitation Sanctuary; Stress; Faeces; Glucocorticoids

Online: 20 August 2021 (08:52:07 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0323.v1

Influence of Speed, Ground Surface and Shoeing Condition on Hoof Breakover Duration in Galloping Thoroughbred Racehorses

Kate Horan, James Coburn, Kieran Kourdache, Peter Day, Dan Harborne, Liam Brinkley, Henry Carnall, Lucy Hammond, Michael Peterson, Sean Millard, Thilo Pfau

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: racehorse; hoof; breakover; gallop; shoeing condition; surface; speed.

Online: 16 August 2021 (11:21:06 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0315.v1

Toward a More Comprehensive View of α-Amylase across Decapods Crustaceans: New Insights from Carnivorous

Leandro Rodriguez-Viera, Daniel Alpízar-Pedraza, Juan Miguel Mancera, Erick Perera

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: amylase; carbohydrates; crustaceans; decapods; digestion; feeding habits; lobster.

Online: 16 August 2021 (09:33:48 CEST)

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Decapod crustaceans are a very diverse group and have evolved to suit a wide variety of diets. Alpha-amylases enzymes, responsible for starch and glycogen digestion, have been more thoroughly studies in herbivore and omnivore than in carnivorous species. We used information on the α-amylase of a carnivorous lobster as a connecting thread to provide a more comprehensive view of α-amylases across decapods crustaceans. Omnivorous crustaceans such as shrimps, crabs and crayfish present relatively high amylase activity respect to carnivorous. Yet, contradictory results have been obtained and relatively high activity in some carnivores has been suggested to be a remnant trait from ancestor species. Here we provided information sustaining that high enzyme sequence and overall architecture conservation do not allow high changes in activity, and that differences among species may be more related to number of genes and isoforms, as well as transcriptional and secretion regulation. However, recent evolutionary analyses revealed that positive selection might have also occurred among distant lineages with feeding habits as a selection force. Some biochemical features of decapod α-amylases can be related with habitat or gut conditions, while less clear patterns are observed for other enzyme properties. Likewise, while molt cycle variations in α-amylase activity are rather similar among species, clear relationships between activity and diet shifts through development cannot be always observed. Regarding the adaptation of α-amylase to diet, juveniles seem to exhibit more flexibility than larvae, and it has been described variation in α-amylase activity or number of isoforms due to the source of carbohydrate and its level in diets, especially in omnivore species. In the carnivorous lobster, however, no influence of the type of carbohydrate could be observed. Also, lobsters were not able to fine-regulate α-amylase gene expression in spite of large changes in carbohydrate content of diet, while retaining some capacity to adapt α-amylase activity to very low carbohydrate content in the diets. In this review, we raised arguments for the need of more studies on the α-amylases of less studied decapods groups, including carnivorous species which rely more on dietary protein and lipids, to broad our view of α-amylase in decapods crustaceans.

Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202108.0198.v1

Combination of Xylan Depolymerizing and Debranching Enzymes Improves Digestion, Growth Performance and Intestinal Volatile Fatty Acid Profile of Piglets

Weiwei Wang, Dawen Zheng, Zhenzhen Zhang, Qingyun Cao, Hui Ye, Changming Zhang, Zemin Dong, Dingyuan Feng, Jianjun Zuo

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: depolymerizing enzyme; debranching enzyme; xylanase; arabinofuranosidase; feruloyl esterase; arabinoxylan; digestion; growth performance; volatile fatty acid; piglet

Online: 9 August 2021 (14:56:56 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202107.0266.v1

Metabolomic Characterizations of Fullerene Nanomaterials Potentiate Muscle of Clownfish (Amphiprion Ocellaris)

Xiaomei Huang, Meiying Zhao, Shan Lin, Min Xu, Linchun Li

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: fullerene; nanomaterials; clownfish; metabolomic; muscle

Online: 12 July 2021 (14:06:45 CEST)

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Preprint CONCEPT PAPER | doi:10.20944/preprints202106.0578.v1

The Integrative Approach to Inferring Homology: Morphology and Development Combined

Arsham Nejad Kourki

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: homology; developmental mechanism; evidential integration; eumetazoan body plan; phylogenetics

Online: 23 June 2021 (11:45:06 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202106.0279.v1

In silico tool for predicting and designing Blood-Brain Barrier Penetrating Peptides

Vinod Kumar, Sumeet Patiyal, Anjali Dhall, Neelam Sharma, Gajendra Pal Singh Raghava

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Blood-Brain Barrier, Penetrating Peptides, Machine learning techniques, Drug delivery, Therapeutic peptides

Online: 10 June 2021 (08:13:15 CEST)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Emotion Recognition in Horses with Convolutional Neural Networks

Luis A. Corujo, Emily Kieson, Peter A Gloor

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: convolutional neural networks; horse emotion recognition; horse emotion

Online: 7 June 2021 (12:42:05 CEST)

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Preprint CONCEPT PAPER | doi:10.20944/preprints202105.0767.v1

Beyond Congruence: Evidential Integration and Inferring the Best Evolutionary Scenario

Arsham Nejad Kourki

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: evidential integration; causal explanation; early animal evolution; phylogenetics; macroevolution; evolutionary scenario; cross-disciplinary research

Online: 31 May 2021 (12:25:44 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202103.0409.v1

The Ecological Niche of SARS-CoV-2-like Viruses in Bats, as Inferred from Phylogeographic Analyses of Rhinolophus Species

Alexandre Hassanin, Vuong Tan Tu, Manon Curaudeau, and Gabor Csorba

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: coronavirus; horseshoe bats; reservoir hosts; Indochina; China; herd immunity.

Online: 16 March 2021 (09:39:15 CET)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202102.0227.v1

Evaluating the Stressors Impacting Rescued Reptilian Wildlife

Harsh Pahuja, Edward Narayan

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: rehabilitation; stress; reptiles; injury; disease; euthanasia; trauma; clinical care

Online: 9 February 2021 (09:23:18 CET)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Intramuscular Fat Prediction Using Color and Image Analysis of Bísaro Pork Breed

Alfredo Teixeira

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: intramuscular fat; prediction; image analysis; Bísaro pork

Online: 13 January 2021 (13:16:19 CET)

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Working Paper REVIEW

A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting

Stefanie Riemer, Carmen Heritier, Ines Windschnurer, Christine Arhant, Lydia Pratsch, Nadja Affenzeller

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Stress; fear; anxiety; aggression; veterinary visit; low-stress handling; counterconditioning; behaviour modification; anxiolytic medication; psychoactive drugs; dogs; cats

Online: 5 January 2021 (11:15:02 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0283.v2

Assessing the Risks of SARS-CoV-2 in Wildlife

Richard Delahay, Jose de la Fuente, Graham Smith, Khan Sharun, Emma Snary, Luis Flores Giron, Julius Nziza, Anthony Fooks, Sharon Brookes, Fabian Lean, Andrew Breed, Christian Gortazar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; Covid-19; wildlife; host-switching; reservoirs; risk assessment; surveillance

Online: 24 December 2020 (09:20:20 CET)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202012.0138.v1

A Review on Mitigating Fear and Aggression in Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Setting

Stefanie Riemer, Carmen Heritier, Ines Windschnurer, Christine Arhant, Lydia Pratsch, Nadja Affenzeller

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Stress; fear; anxiety; aggression; veterinary visit; low-stress handling; counterconditioning; behaviour modification; anxiolytic medication; psychoactive drugs; dogs; cats

Online: 7 December 2020 (11:33:36 CET)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Inclusion of Different Molecular Weight Condensed Tannin on Ruminal Fermentation and Milk Fatty Acid Profile of Dairy Goats

Siwaporn Paengkoum, Anan Petlum, Pramote Paengkoum

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: CTs molecular weight; ruminal fermentation; bio-hydrogenation; milk compositions; goat

Online: 20 September 2020 (14:44:56 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0396.v1

Diversity of Feeding in Anthozoa (Cnidaria): A Systematic Review

Thaís Barbosa Santos, James D. Reimer, Fabián H. Acuña, Sérgio N. Stampar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Feeding behavior; Feeding habits; Physiology; Hexacorallia; Octocorallia; Ceriantharia

Online: 17 September 2020 (10:48:18 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0270.v1

Initial Multitarget Approach Shows Importance for Improved Caprine Arthritis-encephalitis Virus Control Program in Russia for Hobbyist Goat Farms

Eduard A. Shuralev, Nail I. Khammadov, Konstantin A. Osyanin, Inna A. Elizarova, Gaysha R. Lukmanova, Nikolai D. Shamaev, Sergei V. Petrov, Gevorg G. Kazarian, Clare Whelan, Nikolai Y. Saushkin, Jeanne V. Samsonova, Ilsur G. Galimzyanov, Marina A. Efimova, Kamil S. Khaertynov, Tagir K. Faizov, Malik N. Mukminov, Arkadiy V. Ivanov

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus; goat; antigens; antibodies; proviral DNA

Online: 12 September 2020 (09:57:24 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0261.v1

Love Bites – Do Venomous Arachnids Make Safe Pets?

Tobias J. Hauke, Volker Herzig

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Arachnid; Scorpion; Spider; Pet; Bite; Sting; Envenomation; Pain; Symptoms

Online: 12 September 2020 (03:40:40 CEST)

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Working Paper ARTICLE

Effect of Substrate on Growth, Survival and Molting in Juvenile Red Claw, Cherax quadricarinatus

Siti Nor Fatihah, Harman Muhd-Farouk, Nurul Ily Izyan Raduan, Lim Leong-Seng, Mhd Ikhwanuddin

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cherax quadricarinatus; red claw; substrate; survival; growth; molting

Online: 7 September 2020 (09:53:47 CEST)

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The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different substrate on the survival, growth and total number of moulting in juvenile red claw, Cherax quadricarinatus for aquaculture purposes. In the present study, there is a problem in culturing juvenile stage of C. quadricarinatus especially for survival and growth. Thus, a substrate was used to improve the survival and growth of C. quadricarinatus especially for the intensive system due C. quadricarinatus need a large space to survive. C. quadricarinatus with initial body weight from 1.10 to 2.90 g, total length 2.82 to 4.36 cm were placed in tanks (80 L in volume capacity) with 55L in water and there are eight juveniles in each tank. Treatment tanks were introduced with coral as treatment 2 and pipe as treatment 3. While, tank without shelters was set as control (treatment 1). Black nets were installed on top of each for circumventing foreign objects enter the tank and protect from direct sunlight. Besides, C. quadricarinatus were acclimatized for seven days before started the experiment. The experiment was done in duplicate and conducted for 60 days and C. quadricarinatus were fed twice daily (morning and evening) based on 5% of body weight. From the total of two replications, C. quadricarinatus for treatment 2 (coral) were significantly in survival (81.25±8.84%), weight gain (347.36 ±6.04%), specific growth rate (2.50±0.02%), carapace length (32.93 ± 0.93 %) and total number of moulting (55.00±2.93%) compared to other treatments. Besides, the control treatment (treatment 1) has a lower percentage in survival (37.50±8.84%) weight gain (122.60±20.51%) specific growth rate (1.33±0.15%), carapace length (25.84±0.33 %) and total number of molting (29.00±0.71%). As a conclusion, usage of coral as the substrate in the rearing tank showed improvement in survival, weight gain, specific growth rate, carapace length and total number of molting in C. quadricarinatus. The coral can use in rearing tank for increase the growth and survival for a small scale and not for commercial. In addition, in the environmental aspect, the present study showed the benefit of replacing the use of PVC pipes with the natural structure of dead coral.

Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0101.v1

The Utility of Grimace Scales for Practical Pain Assessment in Laboratory Animals

Daniel Mota-Rojas, Adriana Olmos-Hernández, Antonio Verduzco-Mendozab, Elein Hernández, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Alexandra Whittaker

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: facial expressions; pain; grimace scales; mice; rat; rabbit

Online: 4 September 2020 (11:18:42 CEST)

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Working Paper REVIEW

Fires in Nature: A Review of the Challenges for Wild Animals

Jara Gutierrez, Javier de Miguel

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: animal suffering; animal welfare; fires; wild animals

Online: 28 August 2020 (08:50:40 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0518.v1

The Association of RNF34 3′UTR-588 G>A and RNF128 I1-2380C>T with Carcass and Meat Quality Traits of Chinese Simmental-cross Steers

Azher Nawaz, JunZheng Zhang, Sihan Wang, Tian Quan, Chunyin Geng, YINGHAI JIN, Shuang Ji

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Cattle; RNF128; RNF34; Single nucleotide polymorphisms

Online: 24 August 2020 (09:44:34 CEST)

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Preprint COMMUNICATION | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0465.v1

Predatory Ants: First Report on Direct Evidence of Predation by Dorylus orientalis Westwood, 1885 on Olive Ridley Eggs from India

Sumedha Korgaonkar, Anuja Vartak, Kuppusamy Sivakumar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Red ants; Ex-situ; Conservation; Hatchery; Sea turtles; Lepidochelys olivacea

Online: 20 August 2020 (13:20:44 CEST)

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Preprint HYPOTHESIS | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0459.v1

Colonial Life-history: A Major Evolutionary Transition, Involving Modularization of Multicellular Individuals and Heterochrony (Miniaturization and Adultation)

Stefania Gutierrez

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: colonial life-history; major evolutionary transition (MET); cooperation; modularity; biological information; heterochrony; tunicate

Online: 20 August 2020 (13:05:33 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0395.v1

Economic Analysis of P.monodon Post Larvae by-catch in Indian Sundarbans: An Impasse between Livelihood and Conservation

Anjana Ekka, Arun Pandit, Sandhya K.M., Sajina A.M., Suman Kumari, D.K. Biswas, B.K. Das

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: economic analysis; conservation; P.monodon; by-catch; livelihood; seed collector; post larvae collector; coastal aquaculture; Indian Sundarbans

Online: 19 August 2020 (02:53:11 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0354.v1

Application of Effective Day Degrees in the Assessment of Stable Isotope Patterns in Developing Seahorses under Different Temperatures

Sonia Valladares, Miquel Planas

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: seahorse; effective day degrees; temperature; stable isotopes; Hippocampus

Online: 17 August 2020 (08:11:00 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0313.v1

Complementary Approaches to Understand Anthelmintic Resistance Using Free-Living and Parasitic Nematodes

Janneke Wit, Clayton Dilks, Erik Andersen

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: drug resistance; natural diversity; C. elegans; anthelmintics

Online: 14 August 2020 (08:56:53 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0276.v1

Effect of fattening period length on intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid profiles in Iberian pigs finished in the montanera sustainable system

Dolores Ayuso, Ana González, Francisco Peña, Francisco I Hernandez-Garcia, Mercedes Izquierdo

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Free-range; backfat layers; intramuscular fat; Iberian pig; subcutaneous fat.

Online: 12 August 2020 (08:11:09 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0214.v1

Effects of Tissue Preservation on Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Signatures in Syngnathid Fishes and Prey

Miquel Planas, Alex Paltrinieri, Mario Davi Dias Carneiro, Jorge Hernández-Urcera

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: stable isotopes; preservation; syngnathids; seahorses; pipefishes; conversion models

Online: 8 August 2020 (18:13:47 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0124.v1

Fires in Nature: A Review of the Challenges for Wild Animals

Jara Gutierrez, Javier de Miguel

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: animal suffering; animal welfare; fires; wild animals

Online: 5 August 2020 (10:26:16 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0103.v1

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Inhibitory Effects of Lentogenic Newcastle Disease Virus on Cell Survival and Immune Function in Spleen of Commercial Layer Chicks

Jibin Zhang, Michael G. Kaiser, Rodrigo A. Gallardo, Terra R. Kelly, Jack C. M. Dekkers, Huaijun Zhou, Susan J. Lamont

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: chicken; Newcastle disease; spleen; immune response; gene expression; RNA-seq

Online: 4 August 2020 (16:09:52 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202008.0014.v1

Density of Nocturnal Mammals in a Forest Patch in Bangladesh

Hassan Al-Razi, Sabit Hasan, Tanvir Ahmed, Sabir Bin Muzaffar

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Bengal slow loris; masked palm civet; common palm civet; conservation; forest canopy; density; Satchari National Park; tropical forest; Bangladesh

Online: 2 August 2020 (11:09:08 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0679.v1

Prevalence of Sub-clinical Mastitis and Associated Risk Factors at Cow Level in Dairy Farms in Southwestern Part of Bangladesh

Md. Abu Sayeed, Md. Ashikur Rahman, Md. Saiful Bari, Ariful Islam, Md. Mizanur Rahman, Md. Ahasanul Hoque

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Sub Clinical Mastitis; prevalence; Surf Field Mastitis Test; Jhenaidah

Online: 28 July 2020 (10:40:34 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0594.v1

Diversity and life-cycle analysis of Pacific Ocean zooplankton by videomicroscopy and DNA barcoding: Crustacea

Peter Bryant, Timothy Arehart

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: Crustacea; Zooplankton; Plankton; Pacific Ocean; Larvae; DNA barcoding

Online: 24 July 2020 (14:25:19 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0505.v1

Induced Short-term Hearing Loss due to Stimulation of Age-related Factors by Intermittent Hypoxia, High-Fat Diet, and Galactose Injection

Dong Jun Park, Sunmok Ha, Jin Sil Choi, Su Hoon Lee, Jeong-Eun Park, Young Joon Seo

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: mitochondria dysfunction; reactive oxygen species; hypoxic; D-galactose; high fat diet; aging; hearing loss; mechanisms of hearing loss

Online: 22 July 2020 (07:58:12 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0289.v1

Molecular, Sequencing and Bioinformatics of Insulin- like Growth Factor 1(IGF-1) Gene and Transforming Growth Factor β2 Gene Associations with Growth Traits in Three Strains of Chicken

Waleed El-Tahawy, Manal Abdel-Rahman

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: chickens; IGF-1 gene; TGFβ2 gene; DNA extraction; purification; sequencing and bioinformatics

Online: 14 July 2020 (05:17:40 CEST)

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Preprint ARTICLE | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0195.v1

Initial Investigations of the Cranial Size and Shape of Adult Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Great Britain

Damian JJ Farnell, Chern Khor, Zoe Doyle, Wayne N Ayre, Elizabeth Chadwick

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: cranial variation; otters (Lutra lutra); 3D surface scanning; multivariate statistical methods

Online: 9 July 2020 (12:52:26 CEST)

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Preprint REVIEW | doi:10.20944/preprints202007.0190.v1

Emerging Role of the Integrated Stress Response upon Viral Infection

Yongshu Wu, Xiaodong Qin, Meera Prajapati, Yijing Li, Zhidong Zhang, Yanmin Li

Subject: Biology, Animal Sciences & Zoology Keywords: integrated stress response; eIF2α phosphorylation; unfolded protein response; viral replication; host

Online: 9 July 2020 (12:22:42 CEST)

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BIOLOGY