Three-dimensional morphology of the Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus (Cypriniformes : Cyprinidae) horn based on synchrotron X-ray microtomography.
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Sinocyclocheilus is a cave-dwelling cyprinid genus endemic to southwest China. Several species possess a conspicuous horn on their head, which has been suggested as a constructive troglomorphic trait but lacks substantial evidence. We used non-invasive, high spatial resolution synchrotron X-ray microtomography to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) morphology of the horn of Sinocyclocheilus hyalinus, one of eight such troglobiotic species. 3D renderings demonstrated the osteological components, which were comprised of a rear wall comprised of the supraoccipital bone, a remaining frontal wall with numerous fenestrae, and the bottom continuous with the parietal and epiotic. A horn cavity occurred within the horn. The fenestrae in the frontal wall were continuous in the horn cavity and showed elaborate channeling, and were, connected to the cranial cavity by soft tissue. We tentatively called this configuration the "otocornual connection" due to its anatomic and putative functional similarity to the otolateralic connection in clupeids and loricariids, which provide an indirect pathway to enhance perception of underwater sound signals. This study provides a functional morphology context for further histological and physiological investigations of such horn structures in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish, and we suggest that the horn might enhance acoustic perception to compensate for visual loss in subterranean life, which warrants future physiological examination as lab-reared S. hyalinus become available. (+info)
Do pre- and post-copulatory sexually selected traits covary in large herbivores?
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Control of bovine leukosis virus in a dairy herd by a change in dehorning.
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Following the demonstration that bovine leukosis virus was transmitted in calves by gouge dehorning, electrical dehorning at a younger age was implemented in a commercial Holstein herd. Subsequently, annual testing of the herd revealed a decline in the prevalence of bovine leukosis virus antibodies as older cattle dehorned by the former method were replaced by younger cattle dehorned by the latter method. (+info)
Seasonal changes of testis volume and sperm quality in adult fallow deer (Dama dama) and their relationship to the antler cycle.
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Four adult male fallow deer were investigated for 1-4 consecutive years to study the relationships between annual changes in testis volume, sperm quality and antler status. Testicular volume started to increase in July/August, peaked just before the rut, declined until December to 50% of maximum, persisted at this level up to February/March and reached minimal volume after antler casting in late April. There was no apparent age effect on the seasonality of testis size fluctuations. Velvet shedding and antler casting occurred at about 80% and 25%, respectively, of maximal testis volume. Spermatozoa had the same general appearance as those of related ruminants. Viable spermatozoa appeared between August and early May which corresponds almost exactly to the time when fallow deer are in hard antler. From September to March sperm quality would fulfil artificial insemination standards for cattle semen. In June and the first half of July 14 out of 15 ejaculates were devoid of any sperm cells. There were no indications of a secondary seasonal peak in values monitored. (+info)
Natural transmission of bovine leukemia virus in dairy calves by dehorning.
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Gouge dehorning was evaluated as a mode of transmitting bovine leukemia virus in Holstein calves at a commercial dairy. Significantly (p less than 0.05) more calves dehorned by the gouge method developed antibodies to bovine leukemia virus, as measured by agar-gel immunodiffusion, three months after dehorning, than calves not dehorned. The field use of a blood-contaminated dehorning device resulted in transmission of bovine leukemia virus. (+info)