Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) fossils discovered in the Kem Kem region of Morocco include large predatory dinosaurs that inhabited Africa as it drifted into geographic isolation. One, represented by a skull approximately 1.6 meters in length, is an advanced allosauroid referable to the African genus Carcharodontosaurus. Another, represented by a partial skeleton with slender proportions, is a new basal coelurosaur closely resembling the Egyptian genus Bahariasaurus. Comparisons with Cretaceous theropods from other continents reveal a previously unrecognized global radiation of carcharodontosaurid predators. Substantial geographic differentiation of dinosaurian faunas in response to continental drift appears to have arisen abruptly at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous.     

Comparison of qualitative and quantitative analyses of canine uroliths

A study was performed to compare qualitative test results of canine uroliths with quantitative test results. Qualitative test results were in agreement with quantitative test results in only 96 of 223 specimens (43 per cent). Lack of agreement was caused by false-negative qualitative test results (85 of 223), false-positive qualitative test results (15 of 233), and a combination of false-negative and false-positive qualitative test results (27 of 233). This study indicates that the veterinary profession should abandon exclusive use of qualitative chemical test kits for uroliths.     

Resolution of a Left Ureteral Stone Using Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy in a Thoroughbred Colt

A 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for evaluation of azotemia and anorexia. Physical examination revealed a ureterolith in the left ureter, approximately 10 cm from the bladder, which was thought to obstruct urine flow by approximately 90% when viewed cystoscopically. Ultrasonographic examination of both kidneys revealed indistinct corticomedullary junctions, and the right kidney was more hyperechoic. A percutaneous biopsy of the right kidney revealed chronic interstitial nephritis with marked interstitial medullary fibrosis. Medical therapy consisting of IV fluids, sodium chloride PO, and ammonium chloride PO was initiated. Ureteroscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy via a perineal urethrostomy was used to successfully remove the stone. Klebsiella oxytoca , which responded to oral enrofloxacin therapy, was cultured from the urine after surgery. Azotemia resolved and the horse resumed training.     

The effect of absolute alterations in energy concentration of developing and finishing diets for the large white Turkey on performance and carcass quality with a note on the correlation of back skin fat and grade of finish 1

A commercial strain of large white turkey was fed maize‐soybean meal type rations from 8 to 21 (for hens) and 23 weeks of age (for toms). During the developing period (8–18 weeks) each sex was offered diets having either a “high” or “low” energy concentration. To assure energy as the only dietary variable while con‐comitantly effecting a reasonable separation in caloric density, 3 per cent tallow was substituted by an equal amount of cellulose. At 18 weeks of age, the birds representing each of the developing period treatments, were subdivided into 3 further groups and subsequently offered the experimental finishing rations. These terminal diets, through the use of tallow, glucose and cellulose, were altered in energy content (2202, 2642, and 3083 kcal ME/kg) and respectively rated “low”, “moderate” and “high” in caloric concent. All birds were slaughtered, their specific gravity determined, and the quantity of fat in skin taken from the dorsal surface determined.

Though there was a reduced weight gain with those birds fed the “low” energy finishing diet, growth of all other turkeys, irrespective of sex, was comparable regardless of treatment during the developing period while the F/G ratio was altered to accommodate caloric density alterations. Excepting those groups offered the “low” energy finisher, period and cumulative consumption of metabolisable calories, like weight gain, was near equal. Dressing percentage and grade of fleshing essentially paralleled what was obtained with growth. There were no obvious effects due to developing period treatment or with the upper two levels of energy in the finishing ration; however, both of the aforementioned parameters were noticeably poorer when the “low” energy finisher was fed. The grade of finish of both the breast and back was found to improve with an increasing dietary caloric density of the terminal ration. Though there were no apparent effects on breast finish due to development period treatment, differences were noticed with the quality of back finish.

It is speculated that the grade of back finish can be confounded by a subdermal fat depot. This additional lipid deposit is probably a carry‐over from the developing period; hence, dietary adequacy during this time could influence ultimate grade of back finish.

Back skin fat, expressed as a percentage of dry weight, was found to be highly correlated with grade of finish on both the breast and back. Calculation of linear least squares lines indicated little or no difference with area of finish assessment; however, the correlation coefficient, apparently because of variations caused by developmental period dietary energy alterations, was lower on the back than the breast (r = ‐0.756 vs r = ‐0.771).     

The occurrence of congenital heart defects in an inbred herd of pigs in Australia

OBJECTIVE: To report on the first case of congenital heart defects in pigs in Australia. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of case records from an inbred herd of "Westran" pigs at the University of Sydney, between January 2001 and December 2004. Detailed gross and histological examination of 15 hearts from pigs that had died or were euthanased in 2004. CASE DETAILS: The necropsy records from a population of 471 pigs that had died (106 pigs) or were euthanased for research purposes (365 pigs) were analysed and the incidence of heart defects recorded, together with basic demographic data. No attempts were made to diagnose the condition in live pigs. RESULTS: Congenital heart defects were diagnosed in 6.4% of pigs but this is likely to be an underestimate of the incidence of the deformity. Eighteen pigs died on the farm as a result of the defect, and 12 pigs were diagnosed with the defect as an incidental finding. The most common abnormality seen at necropsy was a sac-like dilatation on the right lateral surface of the right atrium. This was associated with secondary deformity and hypoplasia of the adjacent left ventricle, interventricular region and part of the right ventricle. All hearts showed atrial septal defects of varying size. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of congenital heart defects in pigs in Australia, and one of less than five reported cases of atrial septal defects in pigs in the world. The authors conclude that there may be an element of genetic predisposition to the malformation, since it has only been reported in this inbred line of pigs.     

A description and evaluation of the physical and financial characteristics of dairy farms operating on soil types classified as poorly drained and associated with high rainfall

The physical and financial performance data used for analysis were obtained over a 6‐year period (2010–2015), from two different databases including a nationally representative data set of dairy farmers and a detailed data set of seven individual farms. Initial analysis indicated significant variations across soil type and region, across a wide range of physical and financial parameters. Further detailed analysis was completed using a group of seven farms participating in a Heavy Soils Programme (HSP), which were compared to different cohorts of the nationally representative database (National Farm Survey [NFS]), ranked on net profit per ha. The HSP farms utilized larger quantities of grass DM per ha per year than the median of the NFS farms, at similar grazing season lengths, but were using lower levels of purchased feed. Economic analysis indicated the HSP farmers achieved significantly lower net profits per hectare to the NFS median group but significantly higher net profits per kg of fat and protein. The HSP farms also achieved significantly greater overall net farm income per year (€83,788), when compared to the median nationally (€67,898), over the 6‐year period (excluding owned land and labour). The mean return on assets ascertained by the HSP farmers was also significantly greater, at 5.75% per year compared to 3.49% achieved by the median of NFS farms. In conclusion, this study has indicated that efficient dairy businesses operating on poorly drained soils can be as profitable as those across all ranges of soil types.     

Optimizing ex situ genetic resource collections for European livestock conservation

Ex situ collections offer the potential to reduce extinction risks, affording option to society in maintaining future breeding opportunities for productivity and heritage traits. However, how much should we be seeking to collect and conserve in gene banks, and where? We developed a mathematical model to optimize logistical decisions of breed conservation choices and to evaluate alternative scenarios for efficiently re‐allocating genetic materials currently stored in different European gene banks, allowing for cross‐country collections, cost and cryogenic capacity differentials. We show how alternative allocations for the breeds that are currently stored in 11 European gene banks could reduce overall conservation costs by around 20% by selecting cryogenic banks that have relatively lower combination of fixed and collection costs, and are geographically closer to collection regions. Our results show that centralizing collections in one gene bank would double the costs, relative to collective European collections approaches. We also calculate marginal costs of collections and show that increasing diversity within the gene banks implies in higher costs per conserved breed.     

The theropod ancestry of birds: new evidence from the late cretaceous of madagascar

A partial skeleton of a primitive bird, Rahona ostromi, gen. et sp. nov., has been discovered from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. This specimen, although exhibiting avian features such as a reversed hallux and ulnar papillae, retains characteristics that indicate a theropod ancestry, including a pubic foot and hyposphene-hypantra vertebral articulations. Rahona has a robust, hyperextendible second digit on the hind foot that terminates in a sicklelike claw, a unique characteristic of the theropod groups Troodontidae and Dromaeosauridae. A phylogenetic analysis places Rahona with Archaeopteryx, making Rahona one of the most primitive birds yet discovered.     

A long-snouted predatory dinosaur from africa and the evolution of spinosaurids

Fossils discovered in Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) rocks in the Tenere Desert of central Niger provide new information about spinosaurids, a peculiar group of piscivorous theropod dinosaurs. The remains, which represent a new genus and species, reveal the extreme elongation and transverse compression of the spinosaurid snout. The postcranial bones include blade-shaped vertebral spines that form a low sail over the hips. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the enlarged thumb claw and robust forelimb evolved during the Jurassic, before the elongated snout and other fish-eating adaptations in the skull. The close phylogenetic relationship between the new African spinosaurid and Baryonyx from Europe provides evidence of dispersal across the Tethys seaway during the Early Cretaceous.