Browsing by Subject "Deer -- Texas -- Edwards Plateau Region -- Physiology"
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Item Physical condition evaluation of axis, fallow, sika, and white-tailed deer in central Texas(Texas Tech University, 1990-12) Osborn, David AllanVarious indices of physiological condition including body weights, gland weights, fat deposits, and reproductive status were calculated from 331 adult (> 1.5 years-of-age) axis (Axis axis) , fallow (Dama dama) , sika (Cervus nippon) , and white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) deer sampled during 2 winter (15 December 1987-15 January 1988 and 15 December 1988-15 January 1989) and 2 summer (15 July 1988-15 August 1988 and 15 July 1989-15 August 1989) sampling periods from 3 replicate study areas located in the Edwards Plateau Region of central Texas. Physiological condition of axis, fallow, and sika deer declined from 1987-88 to 1988-89, based on body weights, gland weights, and fat deposits, and may reflect below normal annual precipitation during 1988-89. These exotic deer species maintained high reproductive potential throughout the study. White-tailed deer showed no significant changes in body weights, gland weights, and fat deposits between years. However, reproductive potential of white-tailed deer decreased from 1987-88 to 1988-89 suggesting that other adaptive mechanisms had been exhausted. The physiological condition of white-tailed deer was generally lower than that of axis, fallow, and sika deer throughout the study. Seasonal effects on physiological indices were restricted primarily to the temperate deer species and may reflect increased metabolic stress associated with lactation during the critical summer season. Linear regression equations were developed to establish the weight-girth and weight-weight relationships for 403 axis, fallow, sika, and white-tailed deer in central Texas. Differences among age, season, species and the various interaction terms in the regression equations were tested with the creation of dummy variables. Separate weight estimation equations were required among cervid species, age classes, and seasons. General models using heart girth to provide an estimate of weight had R^2 values of 0.7 6, 0.75, and 0.75 for live weight, dressed weight, and carcass weight, respectively. General models using dressed weight to predict live weight and using live weight to predict carcass weight had R^ values of 0.89 and 0.83, respectively. To address concerns of state and federal health officials, a survey of infectious agents was conducted on 291 axis, fallow, sika, and white-tailed deer in central Texas. Sera were tested for prevalence of antibodies to 5 serovars of Leptospira interrogans. Brucella sp., infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, bluetongue virus (BT), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHD), and malignant catharral fever virus. Prevalence rates were below 5% for all disease agents except BT and EHD viruses. Host species influenced BT virus and EHD virus antibody prevalence. White-tailed, fallow, and sika deer had BT virus and EHD virus antibody prevalences exceeding 50%, while axis deer had prevalences of 4% and 16% for BT and EHD viruses, respectively. Precautions should be taken when transporting big game species to areas currently free of BT virus and EHD virus. A total of 178 and 242 axis, fallow, sika, and whitetailed deer were examined for the prevalence of hemoparasites and ectoparasites, respectively. Theileria sp. was the most frequently observed blood parasite and the only hemoparasite to be analyzed statistically. Prevalence of Theileria sp. differed by host species, ranging from 0% for sika deer to 83% for white-tailed deer. Ectoparasite species recovered from >: 5% of any deer species examined included the deer louse fly (Lipoptena mazamae), the winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), and the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Prevalence of A. amerlcanum was greater during summer than during winter for fallow, sika, and white-tailed deer. Prevalence of L. mazamae was greater during summer than during winter for axis and fallow deer. Host species differences in prevalence of A. americanum and L. mazamae were apparent during winter and summer. Prevalence of D.. albipictus also differed by host species and this ectoparasite was more prevalent during winter than during summer. The parasite faunas of the 3 exotic deer species examined were typical of those previously reported for white-tailed deer in Texas and the southeastern United States.