Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joanna Klees van Bommel, Catherine Sun, Adam T. Ford, Melissa Todd, A. Cole Burton
Summary: The urban-wildland interface is expanding and increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict. In this study, we investigated black bear habitat use in a North American hotspot of conflict and found that bears modify their behaviors by avoiding humans in space and time, but conflicts still occur in summer and autumn.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Don W. Hardeman Jr, Hannah B. Vander Zanden, J. Walter McCown, Brian K. Scheick, Robert A. McCleery
Summary: Growing human populations and development have led to increased conflicts between humans and carnivores, especially bears. Wildlife managers often remove bears from developed areas under the assumption that they will become food conditioned and more likely to cause conflicts. However, our study using isotopic values of bear hair found that the presence of bears in developed areas does not necessarily indicate food conditioning. Therefore, assumptions about bears in developed areas should not be made based solely on observations of their behavior.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jennifer Vonk
Summary: By training an American black bear, it was found that the bear was able to choose the correct response button for a preferred food item but struggled with a less preferred food item. This study represents the first attempt to train a bear to indicate its preferences using a Likert scale-like method, and it could be beneficial for improving animal welfare.
Article
Virology
Arturo Oliver-Guimera, Alzbeta Hejtmankova, Kenneth Jackson, Patricia A. Pesavento
Summary: Polyomaviruses are ancient DNA viruses that infect various species of animals. Black bears are the natural hosts for Ursus americanus polyomavirus 1 (UaPyV1), with the virus detected in tissues of six out of seven bears submitted for examination. However, there is currently no evidence of a specific disease associated with UaPyV1 infection in this small group of bears.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Greta M. Schmidt, Tabitha A. Graves, Jordan C. Pederson, Sarah L. Carroll
Summary: Spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models are powerful tools for estimating abundance and density of wild animal populations. This study evaluated the factors influencing the uncertainty of SCR parameter estimates using black bear data, and provided density estimates for Utah black bear populations. The results showed that sample sizes are important for the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates, and multiple years of data are needed for precise density estimates.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sean. M. M. Sultaire, Yuki Kawai-Harada, Ashley Kimmel, Emily. M. M. Greeson, Patrick. J. J. Jackson, Christopher. H. H. Contag, Carl. W. W. Lackey, Jon. P. P. Beckmann, Joshua. J. J. Millspaugh, Robert. A. A. Montgomery
Summary: In the first two decades of the 21st century, the population of American black bear (Ursus americanus) has rebounded and expanded its range into previously extinct areas. Habitat quality and availability are crucial factors limiting the range expansion, especially in western Nevada, USA. Through various data collection methods, including cameras, hair sampling, genotyping, and GPS tracking, we found that black bears preferred the Sierra Nevada with conifer land cover over the Great Basin Desert. The population density of black bears in the Sierra Nevada was over 4 times higher than in desert mountain ranges, indicating limited range expansion into the western Great Basin due to habitat quality and availability.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Maximilian L. Allen, L. Mark Elbroch, Heiko U. Wittmer
Summary: Interactions between apex predators and dominant scavengers, such as kleptoparasitism by American black bears on puma kills, can have significant effects on the foraging behavior and energetics of the apex predators. The study found that black bears were the most frequent scavenger of puma kills, leading to pumas spending less time at their kill sites and experiencing energetic losses, which in turn influenced their inter-kill intervals and kill rates. The results highlight the importance of understanding interspecific interactions in ecological communities and how dominant scavengers can impact apex predator dynamics.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Ashley Friedenberger, Colleen Doyle, Lindsey Couillard, Christopher J. Kyle
Summary: A multiplex qPCR assay was developed in this study to detect and distinguish different bear species, showing its sensitivity and applicability in bile mixture recipes. This assay can aid wildlife enforcement applications for the protection of bear species.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL-GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tzoulia-Maria Tsalazidou-Founta, Evangelia A. Stasi, Maria Samara, Yorgos Mertzanis, Maria Papathanassiou, Pantelis G. Bagos, Spyros Psaroudas, Vasiliki Spyrou, Yorgos Lazarou, Athanasios Tragos, Yannis Tsaknakis, Elpida Grigoriadou, Athanasios Korakis, Maria Satra, Charalambos Billinis
Summary: This study estimated the population size, genetic status, and gene flow of brown bear sub-populations in three National Parks in Greece. The results showed high levels of inbreeding in some sub-populations and a distinct genetic structure in one sub-population. Significant gene flow was also observed between certain sub-populations.
Article
Ecology
Joshua D. Alston, Joseph D. Clark, Daniel B. Gibbs, John Hast
Summary: This study used spatially explicit capture-recapture methods to estimate the abundance and growth of reintroduced American black bear population in Kentucky and Tennessee. The results showed that hunting seasons had minimal impact on the population growth, and genetic diversity was retained. This could be attributed to the lack of conspecifics, highly productive habitat, and initial age and sex distribution.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Michael J. Hooker, Joseph D. Clark, Bobby T. Bond, Michael J. Chamberlain
Summary: Habitat fragmentation and loss have negative impacts on the isolation and extinction risks of American black bear populations. The study found limited demographic connectivity between the central Georgia bear population and surrounding bear populations, and the establishment of corridors may have marginal effects on gene flow.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eric J. Howe, Derek Potter, Kaela B. Beauclerc, Katelyn E. Jackson, Joseph M. Northrup
Summary: This study proposes a method to quickly and accurately estimate animal abundance across different landscapes, while avoiding biases caused by pooling spatially heterogeneous data.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Melanie R. Boudreau, Mariela G. Gantchoff, Laura Conlee, Charles Anderson, Nathaniel R. Bowersock, Jerrold L. Belant, Raymond B. Iglay
Summary: Having reproducible and transparent science-based processes is crucial in wildlife management, especially when establishing harvest frameworks. This study provides an example of using multiple data sets to assess spatial and temporal vulnerability of black bear harvest, resulting in the establishment of bear management zones and timing recommendations to limit female harvest bias.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michelle L. Crabb, Matthew J. Clement, Andrew S. Jones, Kirby D. Bristow, Larisa E. Harding
Summary: This study investigates the habitat selection and home ranges of American black bears before and after the largest wildfire in Arizona history. The results show that after the fire, black bears continued to use all levels of burn severity and their home ranges did not expand.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Markus Dyck, Eric Regehr, Jasmine Ware
Summary: Knowledge of long-term demographic trends is crucial for managing large carnivore populations, and this study on the polar bear population in Gulf of Boothia revealed a stable and productive subpopulation. Ongoing monitoring is necessary due to the potential impact of climate change and loss of sea ice.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mehdi Momen, Andreas Kranis, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Peter Muir, Daniel Gianola
Summary: Single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) was proposed in 2009 for genomic prediction. This study generalized ssBLUP to accommodate two non-linear kernels, the averaged Gaussian kernel (AK) and the recently developed arc-cosine deep kernel (DK), and evaluated the methodology using body weight (BW) and hen-housing production (HHP) traits in commercial broiler chickens. Different ssGBLUP models showed varying predictive abilities based on the type of kernel and genotyping rate, with non-linear kernels (AK and DK) performing better when a large proportion of birds were genotyped.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Flavia M. Souza, Fernando B. Lopes, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Claudio U. Magnabosco
Summary: A bioeconomic model was developed to calculate the economic value of reproductive and growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits in a seedstock Nellore herd. The study found that preweaning average daily gain had the most significant economic impact on profits.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tiago Bresolin, Tiago Luciano Passafaro, Camila Urbano Braz, Anderson Antonio Carvalho Alves, Roberto Carvalheiro, Luiz Artur Loyola Chardulo, Guilherme Jordao de Magalhaes Rosa, Lucia Galvao de Albuquerque
Summary: This study investigated potential causal relationships among hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, backfat thickness, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and marbling score in Nellore cattle using structural equation models. The results revealed important causal relationships among these traits. The implied causal effects suggest that interventions on meat tenderness and fat content would affect overall growth and muscle deposition, which has important implications for the improvement of carcass and meat quality in Nellore cattle.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Nicolo Amalfitano, Lucio Flavio Macedo Mota, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Alessio Cecchinato, Giovanni Bittante
Summary: To improve selection strategies in dairy cattle breeding programs, it is important to understand the role of major genes encoding for milk protein fractions. This study investigated the effects of CSN2, CSN3, and BLG genotypes on protein fractions in milk and found that these major genes controlled a large portion of the genetic variance. The results have implications for enhancing milk quality and improving the efficiency of the dairy industry, as well as understanding the impact of dairy on human health.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Anderson Antonio Carvalho Alves, Rebeka Magalhaes da Costa, Larissa Fernanda Simielli Fonseca, Roberto Carvalheiro, Ricardo Vieira Ventura, Guilherme Jordao de Magalhaes Rosa, Lucia Galvao Albuquerque
Summary: This study used the Random Forest approach to conduct a genome-wide association analysis on Nellore cattle, identifying 117 SNPs associated with age at first calving. These SNPs spanned 10 autosomes and were related to 262 candidate genes, which play important roles in fertility.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mehdi Momen, Sabrina H. Brounts, Emily E. Binversie, Susannah J. Sample, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Brian W. Davis, Peter Muir
Summary: Degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis is a progressive idiopathic condition that leads to scarring and rupture of suspensory ligament fibers in multiple limbs in horses. The prevalence of degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis is breed related. Risk is high in the Peruvian Horse, whereas pony and draft breeds have low breed risk. The genetic architecture of this condition has not been definitively determined.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Rafael E. P. Ferreira, Tiago Bresolin, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Joao R. R. Dorea
Summary: This study develops a method using deep learning algorithms to identify individual animals through their dorsal 3D surfaces and verifies its robustness to changes in body shape and size through experiments using growing calves.
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fernando Brito Lopes, Fernando Baldi, Ludmilla Costa Brunes, Marcos Fernando Oliveira e Costa, Eduardo da Costa Eifert, Guilherme Jordao Magalhaes Rosa, Raysildo Barbosa Lobo, Claudio Ulhoa Magnabosco
Summary: This study evaluates the advantage of preselecting SNP markers using the Markov blanket algorithm in genomic prediction for carcass and meat quality traits in Nellore cattle. The results show that using the Markov blanket SNP markers can result in lower prediction accuracy compared to using all SNPs, but in certain cases, still achieve high prediction accuracy. The use of Markov blanket-identified SNP markers can improve genomic selection efficiency and management decisions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fernando B. Lopes, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Pablo Pinedo, Jose E. P. Santos, Ricardo C. Chebel, Klibs N. Galvao, Gustavo M. Schuenemann, Rodrigo C. Bicalho, Robert O. Gilbert, Sandra L. Rodriguez-Zas, Christopher M. Seabury, Fernanda Rezende, William Thatcher
Summary: This research used a structural equation model to investigate potential causal relationships among health events and fertility indicators in dairy cattle. The results revealed heritabilities and genetic correlations, as well as identified several potential causal connections between traits. This study provides valuable insights for managing postpartum events in dairy cattle.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Emily E. Binversie, Mehdi Momen, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Brian W. Davis, Peter Muir
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on canine whole-genome sequencing (WGS) repository data using breed phenotypes. By applying categorical GWAS, the study identified candidate loci and genes associated with canine spontaneous complex orthopedic diseases. The findings contribute to the understanding of these diseases and provide insights into the optimal approach for conducting GWAS without individual phenotypes.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luara A. Freitas, Rodrigo P. P. Savegnago, Anderson A. C. Alves, Ricardo L. D. Costa, Danisio P. P. Munari, Nedenia B. B. Stafuzza, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Claudia C. P. Paz
Summary: This study investigated the feasibility of using easy-to-measure phenotypic traits to predict sheep resistant, resilient, and susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes and compared the classification performances of different methods. The results showed that multinomial logistic regression and linear discriminant analysis models had the best classification performances. The use of readily available records and easily measurable traits may contribute to the identification of susceptible animals, supporting management decisions at the farm level and potentially reducing economic losses.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alexandre Cominotte, Arthur Fernandes, Joao Dorea, Guilherme Rosa, Rodrigo Torres, Guilherme Pereira, Welder Baldassini, Otavio Machado Neto
Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate different methods of predicting body weight and hot carcass weight of Nellore cattle using three-dimensional images. Multiple linear regression, LASSO, partial least square, and artificial neutral network models were compared based on their predictive qualities. The results showed that the artificial neutral network model was the most stable for predicting body weight, while the LASSO and partial least square models showed greater quality in predicting hot carcass weight. Overall, the use of three-dimensional images was effective in predicting the weights of Nellore cattle.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Guilherme L. Menezes, Tiago Bresolin, William Halfman, Ryan Sterry, Amanda Cauffman, Sandy Stuttgen, Heather Schlesser, Megan A. Nelson, Aerica Bjurstrom, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Joao R. R. Dorea
Summary: This study evaluated different beef sires and breeds based on morphometric measurements and performance on beef of dairy calves. The study aimed to use these morphometric measurements to improve the predictability of animal performance. The variation among sires accounted for approximately 35% and 52% of all within-breed variation for morphometric measurements and weight during the first days of the animals' lives. The morphometric measurements improved the model's predictive for weight, which can help farms to make earlier decisions and greater profitability in dairy farms.
TRANSLATIONAL ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luara A. Freitas, Rafael E. P. Ferreira, Rodrigo P. Savegnago, Joao R. R. Dorea, Nedenia B. Stafuzza, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Claudia C. P. Paz
Summary: The study aimed to predict anemia in sheep using image analysis and classification models, particularly for sheep with Famacha scores 2 to 4. The results showed that the random forest classification model successfully predicted anemic animals, eliminating the subjective evaluation of professionals.
TRANSLATIONAL ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Monica Mora, Ingrid David, Helene Gilbert, Guilherme J. M. Rosa, Juan Pablo Sanchez, Miriam Piles
Summary: This study infered the causal relationship between different factors involved in sow lactation feed efficiency and tested different selection strategies to improve feed efficiency. The results showed that selection based on an index including certain factors can effectively improve feed efficiency.
GENETICS SELECTION EVOLUTION
(2022)
