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A multiscale approach reveals elaborate circulatory system and intermittent heartbeat in velvet worms (Onychophora)
(2023-04-28)
An antagonistic hemolymph-muscular system is essential for soft-bodied invertebrates. Many ecdysozoans (molting animals) possess neither a heart nor a vascular or circulatory system, whereas most arthropods exhibit a well-developed circulatory system. How did this system evolve and how was it subsequently modified in panarthropod lineages? As the closest relatives of arthropods and tardigrades, onychophorans (velvet worms) represent a key group for addressing this question. We therefore analyzed the entire circulatory ...
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Urbanisation threats to dairy cattle health: Insights from Greater Bengaluru, India
(2023-10-05)
Complex urbanisation dynamics, on the one hand, create a high demand for animal products, and on the other hand put enormous pressure on arable land with negative consequences for animal feed production. To explore the impact of accelerated urbanisation on dairy cattle health in urban farming systems, 151 farmers from different parts of the Greater Bengaluru metropolitan area in India were individually interviewed on aspects addressing cattle management and cattle health. In addition, 97 samples of forages from the ...
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Animal Welfare Consequences of Organic Boar Fattening and Occurrence of Boar Taint on Five Commercial Farms
(2021-10-10)
Simple Summary
The usual castration of male fattening pigs is under discussion, especially in organic farming, because of the negative effects on the pig’s welfare and integrity. Nevertheless, it is feared that boars show more aggressive and mounting behaviours, resulting in stress, painful injuries and lameness, and that their meat has an unpleasant odour/taste (called “boar taint”). Therefore, it was examined to which extent these concerns come true under commercial organic conditions. Additionally, influences ...
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Analysis of Pigment-Dispersing Factor Neuropeptides and Their Receptor in a Velvet Worm
(2020-05-12)
Pigment-dispersing factor neuropeptides (PDFs) occur in a wide range of protostomes including ecdysozoans (= molting animals) and lophotrochozoans (mollusks, annelids, flatworms, and allies). Studies in insects revealed that PDFs play a role as coupling factors of circadian pacemaker cells, thereby controlling rest-activity rhythms. While the last common ancestor of protostomes most likely possessed only one pdf gene, two pdf homologs, pdf-I and pdf-II, might have been present in the last common ancestors of Ecdysozoa ...
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Fecal Cortisol Metabolites in Dairy Cows: A Cross-Sectional Exploration of Associations with Animal, Stockperson, and Farm Characteristics
(2020-10-01)
To date, little is known about influences on cows’ physiological stress levels on farms. The present study explored associations of fecal cortisol metabolite concentrations (FCM) with (1) farm factors including human–animal contact, (2) cows’ fear behaviors towards humans, and (3) milk production and udder health, involving 25 dairy farms and repeated fecal samples (n = 2625) from 674 focal cows. Farm factors via interviews and observations, avoidance distance (AD) and qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) during a ...
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Feed Quality and Feeding Level Effects on Faecal Composition in East African Cattle Farming Systems
(2021-02-22)
Simple Summary
Sub-Saharan cattle are often exposed to a feed reduction caused by a seasonal lack of forage, which was investigated in the first experiment. The supplementation of roughage-based diets with sweet potato vine silage and urea molasses blocks is recommended to improve the growth of heifers, in particular, which was investigated in the second experiment. Across all data, the fungal C/bacterial C ratio was positively related to nitrogen and negatively to neutral detergent fiber concentrations in feces. ...
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Review of the Psychodinae from Mallorca, Spain, with description of Pericoma unipennata, sp. n. (Diptera, Psychodidae)
(2016-04-05)
We review the Psychodinae of Mallorca, recognising fifteen species based on recent collections and available literature. Previously unpublished data is presented for eleven species, of which Neoarisemus ibericus Wagner, 1978, Mormia tenebricosa (Vaillant, 1954), Clogmia albipunctata (Williston, 1893), Lepiseodina rothschildi (Eaton, 1913), Paramormia ustulata (Walker, 1856), Philosepedon pyrenaicus Vaillant, 1974 and Psychoda (Psycha) grisescens Tonnoir, 1922 are first records for Mallorca. An old record of Pericoma ...
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Exploration of production conditions: a step towards the development of a community-based breeding program for Butana cattle
(2020-11-17)
In Sudan, many Butana cattle farmers practice indiscriminate crossbreeding to improve the milk yield performance of cows, as organized breeding programs are lacking. Objectives of this study were to identify the current production conditions of Butana cattle and to determine farmers’ production objectives and trait preferences using a field survey. The overall aim was to explore the possibility of establishing a community-based breeding program for the genetic improvement of the breed. A semi-structured questionnaire ...
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Automatic Assessment of Keel Bone Damage in Laying Hens at the Slaughter Line
(2021-01-12)
Simple Summary
Keel bone damage (KBD) is very prevalent in commercial laying hen flocks with a wide range of affected hens/flock. It can cause pain, and affected hens have been found to be less mobile. The assessment of this animal welfare indicator provides important feedback for the farmer about flock health and consequently on the need for interventions. However, the assessment of keel bone damage is time-consuming, and prior training is needed in order to gain reliable results. Optical detection methods can be ...
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Suitability of Slower Growing Commercial Turkey Strains for Organic Husbandry in Terms of Animal Welfare and Performance
(2021-01-06)
Intensive turkey production with fast growing strains is often critically discussed regarding animal welfare problems. Studies evaluating the welfare status of both organic and less intensive selected turkey strains are limited, except in the slightly slower growing Kelly Broad Breast Bronze (Kelly). The aim of this study was to assess the welfare of turkeys from two strains with further decreased growth rate, Hockenhull Large Bronze (HoBr) and Hockenhull Black (HoBl), in comparison to Kelly under commercial organic ...