Comparing the behavioural thermoregulation response to heat stress by Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in two rivers

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme thermal events in rivers. The Little Southwest Miramichi River (LSWM) and the Ouelle River (OR) are two Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers located in eastern Canada, where in recent years, water temperatures have exceeded known thermal limits (~23°C). Once temperature surpasses this threshold, juvenile salmon exploit thermal heterogeneity to behaviourally thermoregulate, forming aggregations in coolwater refuges. This study aimed to determine whether the behavioural thermoregulation response is universal across rivers, arising from common thermal cues. We detailed the temperature and discharge patterns of two geographically distinct rivers from 2010 to 2012 and compared these with aggregation onset temperature. PIT telemetry and snorkelling were used to confirm the presence of aggregations. Mean daily maximum temperature in 2010 was significantly greater in the OR versus the LSWM (p = 0.005), but not in other years (p = 0.090–0.353). Aggregations occurred on 14 and 9 occasions in the OR and LSWM respectively. Temperature at onset of aggregation was significantly greater in the OR (T_onset = 28.3°C) than in the LSWM (T_onset = 27.3°C; p = 0.049). Logistic regression models varied by river and were able to predict the probability of aggregation based on the preceding number of hours >23°C (R² = 0.61 & 0.65; P₅₀ = 27.4°C & 28.9°C; in the OR and LSWM respectively). These results imply the preceding local thermal regime may influence behaviour and indicate a degree of phenotypic plasticity, illustrating a need for localised management strategies.     

A survey on the use of rugs in Australian horses

The practice of horse rugging has important implications for horse welfare and performance, but in Australia, rugging practices have not been properly documented. The objective of this study was to obtain an understanding of Australian horse rugging practices. An online survey reviewed the management of 2659 Australian horses over 12 months. Of the reported horses a total of 84.8% were rugged, although most owners (69.5%) indicated that they were unsure whether horses needed to be rugged at all. Rugging was felt by 59.8% of owners to be a requirement for horses in competition. Riding and competition were significantly associated with the use of rugs. Nearly all respondents (89.0%) felt that ‘over-rugging’ was a concern. However, 4.8% of owners would use up to 4 rugs at any one time on their horse and 21.4% of horses were still rugged in temperatures above 20°C in Australia. Many Australian horse owners (42.8%) also believe that horses feel cold if they are not rugged. Anthropomorphism when it comes to rugging horses cannot be justified as the horse has a much wider thermoneutral zone (TNZ) than humans. Australian climate, owner opinions, equestrian discipline and whether a horse is used for riding influence Australian horse rugging practices. However, current practices are based on limited available research and are not necessarily to the benefit of the horse. The major limitation was that the survey likely attracted respondents who are interested in the topic creating a self-selection bias.     

Behaviour and thermal experience of adult sockeye salmon migrating through stratified lakes near spawning grounds: the roles of reproductive and energetic states

Roscoe DW, Hinch SG, Cooke SJ, Patterson DA. Behaviour and thermal experience of adult sockeye salmon migrating through stratified lakes near spawning grounds: the roles of reproductive and energetic states. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 51–62. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Abstract –  Little is known about physiological factors underlying thermal behaviour in Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.). We implanted acoustic transmitters and temperature loggers into migrating adult sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ) and nonlethally assessed their reproductive hormone levels and energetic states immediately prior to their passing through natal lakes en route to spawning grounds. We tested the hypothesis that energetic and reproductive status influence thermoregulatory and other in-lake behaviours. More reproductively advanced females with lower levels of energy transited through cooler temperatures compared to less mature females with high levels of energy, possibly to reduce metabolic energy expenditure and delay final maturation. Transit temperatures of males were not related to physiological variables. Salmon travelled on average 13.6 km·day⁻¹ through two lakes, and often circled or held for more than 1 day before moving upstream, but these behaviours were generally not related to physiological variables.     

温热环境对育肥猪体温调节的影响规律

环境温湿度是影响育肥猪福利、生长及健康的重要因素。猪属于恒温动物,当环境温湿度发生变化时,可以通过调整自身的产热量、采食量、呼吸频率、皮肤温度及体核温度等指标来维持产热和散热的平衡,从而在一定温湿度范围内维持体温的恒定。本文总结和分析了育肥猪在不同环境温湿度条件下体温调节指标发生剧烈变化的顺序,判断不同温度下育肥猪的舒适状态,为今后研究、建立猪舒适环境参数,科学调控猪舍内的温热环境提供参考。     

Functional anatomy of the ocular circulatory system: vascular corrosion casts of the cetacean eye

OBJECTIVE: To examine the functional anatomy of the ocular circulation in four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and five melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). PROCEDURE: Eyes were obtained postmortem from whales that died while in captivity and/or were found beached. Specimens from whales were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vascular corrosion casts and histology. The thermal characteristics of live dolphin eyes were measured using an infrared imaging system. RESULTS: The whale eye receives its primary blood supply from the ophthalmic rete, which extends just behind the eyeball. The ophthalmic rete diverges from the basilar rete and the cervical rete via the posterior thoracic artery. The iris and ciliary processes are supplied by iridic arteries via the major arterial circle that is located around the iris edge. The retinal vessels show the holangiotic type. Choroidal arteries run in parallel arrays so as to interdigitate the densely packed choroidal veins. The venules in the conjunctival fold and palpebral conjunctiva form a well-developed venous plexus. Thermographic examination revealed that the eye shows a substantially higher degree of thermal emission than adjacent skin areas. CONCLUSIONS: The cetacean eye is characterized by a unique vascular pattern and multivessel plexuses, which are quite different from those of terrestrial mammals. This suggests that the ocular vasculature might function as a thermoregulatory system so that the appropriate operating temperature for the photoreceptors can be maintained in a deep and cold aquatic environment. The distinctive plexuses in the orbit might also be for pooling blood in the eye to conserve oxygen during dives. The ophthalmic rete might play a role in a pressure-damping effect on cetacean ocular circulation as well.     

自然环境中地面温度对亚洲小车蝗体温的影响

为了解白天地面温度对亚洲小车蝗体温的影响,2017年7月和2018年6-8月在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟的自然生境中6个地点开展了调查。结果表明:亚洲小车蝗的平均体温随地温变化,且在6:00-12:00和16:00-19:00内高于平均地温。地温与不同龄期和性别亚洲小车蝗体温之间呈极显著的非线性关系(P0.01)。体温只出现一次高峰,13:00左右的(39.3±0.2)℃;地温出现2次高峰,13:00左右的(42.0±0.5)℃和15:00左右的(38.9±0.4)℃。地温为31.5～38.3℃时,成虫的体温调节能力显著强于蝗蝻(P0.05);地温低于31.5℃和38.3～48.2℃时,蝗蝻的体温调节能力显著强于成虫(P0.05)。地温为26.1～40.0℃,雌虫的体温调节能力显著强于雄虫(P0.05);地温高于40.0℃,雄虫的体温调节能力显著强于雌虫(P0.05)。因此,地温可以作为监测该虫生长发育的因子为其防控提供依据。     

夏季皖东牛与荷斯坦牛皮肤汗腺及其散热调节特征

为了探究夏季高温时皖东牛与荷斯坦牛皮肤组织形态和皮肤散热调节特征的差异,在30℃以上的夏日,选择皖东牛和荷斯坦牛母牛各4头,屠宰后采集颈部、肩部、背部、腹部、臀部和腿部6个部位的皮肤样本,通过HE染色切片分析皮肤的汗腺(SWG)与皮脂腺(SEG)的分布与形态,测定皮肤组织乙酰胆碱(ACh)浓度及乙酰胆碱转移酶(AChT)和酯酶(AChE)活力,采用RT-qPCR和Western blot检测皮肤组织乙酰胆碱M3受体(ACh M3R)、一氧化氮合酶(eNOs)及水通道蛋白5(AQP5)mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果:部位间比较,皖东牛与荷斯坦牛表皮厚度均为背部最厚,颈部最薄(P<0.05)。品种间比较,皖东牛平均皮肤厚度较高,平均表皮厚度较薄(P<0.05);汗腺密度与皮脂腺密度品种间无显著差异(P>0.05);皖东牛汗腺和皮脂腺的平均长度、直径、深度、体积均显著增加(P<0.05)。肩部、背部和臀部皮肤对比:夏季皖东牛和荷斯坦牛皮肤组织ACh浓度品种间无显著差异(P>0.05),部位间以臀部最高,肩部次之,背部最低(P<0.05)。ACh M3R和AQP...