• Title/Summary/Keyword: Egg Laying

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Free Range Hens Use the Range More When the Outdoor Environment Is Enriched

  • Nagle, T.A.D.;Glatz, P.C.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.584-591
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    • 2012
  • To evaluate the role of using forage, shade and shelterbelts in attracting birds into the range, three trials were undertaken with free range layers both on a research facility and on commercial farms. Each of the trials on the free range research facility in South Australia used a total of 120 laying hens (Hyline Brown). Birds were housed in an eco-shelter which had 6 internal pens of equal size with a free range area adjoining the shelter. The on-farm trials were undertaken on commercial free range layer farms in the Darling Downs in Southeast Queensland with bird numbers on farms ranging from 2,000-6,800 hens. The first research trial examined the role of shaded areas in the range; the second trial examined the role of forage and the third trial examined the influence of shelterbelts in the range. These treatments were compared to a free range area with no enrichment. Aggressive feather pecking was only observed on a few occasions in all of the trials due to the low bird numbers housed. Enriching the free range environment attracted more birds into the range. Shaded areas were used by 18% of the hens with a tendency (p = 0.07) for more hens to be in the paddock. When forage was provided in paddocks more control birds (55%) were observed in the range in morning than in the afternoon (30%) while for the forage treatments 45% of the birds were in the range both during the morning and afternoon. When shelterbelts were provided there was a significantly (p<0.05) higher % of birds in the range (43% vs. 24%) and greater numbers of birds were observed in areas further away from the poultry house. The results from the on-farm trials mirrored the research trials. Overall 3 times more hens used the shaded areas than the non shaded areas, with slightly more using the shade in the morning than in the afternoon. As the environmental temperature increased the number of birds using the outdoor shade also increased. Overall 17 times more hens used the shelterbelt areas than the control areas, with slightly more using the shelterbelts in the afternoon than in the morning. Approximately 17 times more birds used the forage areas compared to the control area in the corresponding range. There were 8 times more birds using a hay bale enriched area compared to the area with no hay bales. The use of forage sources (including hay bales) were the most successful method on-farm to attract birds into the range followed by shelterbelts and artificial shade. Free range egg farmers are encouraged to provide pasture, shaded areas and shelterbelts to attract birds into the free range.

Studies on tussah silkworm, Antheraea pernyi (작잠에 관한 연구)

  • 박병희;송기언;이상풍;박광의
    • Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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    • v.5
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    • pp.25-38
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    • 1965
  • I. Breeding of tussah silkworm(preliminary report). The preliminary examination for bleeding has been carried out since 1963 in tussah silkworms. 1) The strain(l-MG-B)of the heaviest silk quantity was the green silkworm and brown cocoon in univoltine, and the strains(2-G-B, 2-MG-B) of the heaviest silk quantity were also the green silkwom and brown cocoon in bivoltine in both spring and fall in 1965. 2) It looks like the voltinism, the body color and the cocoon color have reached to pure line up to 1965. II. Best place for the winter of tussah pupa. This work was aimed to find out good ways for the winter of tussah pupa. 1) The hatch of bivoltine was better than that of univoltine. 2) The cocoons covered with the leaves were good in the emergence of moth. 3) The cocoons which were kept at natural temperature till the first emergence of moths would show bad in both hatch and emergence. 4) If some of the pupae kept under natural condition were controled at proper temperature for a few days, hatch and laying eggs were best. 5) The best places for the winter were the egg storage and the rearing room. III. Relation between incubation temperature and voltinism. 1) When the tussah pupa are kept at natural temperature during winter, the moths do not come out of the pupa. 2) There is no difference between about 18$^{\circ}C$ and about 25$^{\circ}C$ during incubation in hatching ratio. 3) The tussah silkworms of univoltine in mortality are stronger than that of bivoltine. 4) There is not any relation between voltinism and high or low temperature for pupa and eggs. IV. Induced mutation by gamma-ray and neutron in tussah silkworm. This work was carried out in order to induce the mutation by treating the pupa or the eggs of tussah silkworm with gamma my and neutron. The results obtained are as follows. 1. Though the whole pupa treated with neutron become moths, the moths have no ability to copulate each other. The only moths emerged from pupa treated with neutron, 4000${\gamma}$ are able to lay all un-fertilized eggs, some of which have a hole on the surface and nothing of contents. 2. The non-diapause eggs are treated with neutron in spring, but the hatching ratio is 50∼60 percent, but the whole eggs treated with gamma ray are never hatched. 3. The sensitivity of the pupa to neutron is weaker than that of the eggs. 4. The hatching ratio is in direct proportion to the gamma ray dose. 5. Author find out a new mutant which is excellent in the cocoon quality, so he will do the progeny test next hear.

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Ecological Notes on Narcissus Flycatcher, Musciapa narcissina zanthopygia HAY - With special reference to the breeding process and feeding habits of nestlings during their nesting period- (흰눈섭황금새(Muscica narcissina zanthopygia HAY)의 생태-특히 번식경과와 육령기의 식습성)

  • WON, Pyong-Oh;RHEE, Kyung-Jho
    • The Korean Journal of Zoology
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.89-127
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    • 1965
  • 1. This report is on the outcome of observation made up the breeding process of Narcissus flycatcher, Muscicapa narcissina zanthopygia, using 15 ness-boxes at Seoul and Kwang Nung Experimental forest in 1964, and the relevant feeding habit was studied by the collar method of wrapping the necks of thenestlings for 50-60 minutes or more in some cases from 1963 to 1964. 2. The Narcissus flycatcheris a common summer resident throughout Korea arriving at the end of April. The earliest data of arrival of this species in Seoul, is April 26, 1964. They migrate southward from the later part of September to early part of October. 3. In a week after their arrival , they start to build nest after a brief courtship. Male and female prepare their nest ina nestboxes in 4 or 5 days. Nests are usually found in the moss, which provide definite frame-work. The inner side of the nest is usually composed of roots of Gramineae or leaves of pine, oak or other broad leave tree. 4. The laying period is generally from the later part of April to the middle of June : and the number of eggs laid is from 3 to 8 , therefore 5 in average : eggs are pink with traces of milky yellow blending of light auburn and orange red spots and chicken-egg-like in shape. 5.The incubation takes place for 7-12 days from the middle part of May to the middle of June, in the order of male and female . The hatching rate tends to increase in proportion to clutch size. 6. The feeding period usually lasts 15 days in average from the early part of June to the middle of July and the feeding urge tends to increase in proportion to brood size. 7. The animals invading into their nest-boxes are red ants, chipmunks, bees , barkbeetles and philippine red-tailed shirkes, etc. 8. On the basis of analysis covering 714 birds in 31 nests, the food they consumed during the nesting period of nestlings were mostly of animal matters composing of : insect larvae form-39. 88% insect adult form 36.26%, insect pupae-0.19%, spider-17.75% and other animal matters 5.92% , Besides a small amount of plant pieces were found . As to the insect larvae, Lepidoptera was the largest in the content followed by Hymenoptera , Orthoptera and Coleoptera. As to the insect adult, Diptera was the largest in the content followed by Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. In view of forest protection, noxious insect was of 69.38%, useful insect 4.39%, and spider 17.75%. 9. The rich assortment of its food, the ability of acquiring various insect (adults as well as larvae), its destruction of great numbers of harmful insects , and its quick assimilation artificial nesting with the nest-boxes of 2.5-3cm entrance hole employed, allow us to conclude that the flycatcher may be successfully employed in the elimination of fores pests. The above results are only that part obtained near Seoul in the middle of Korea, however, if we would extend the scheme to other broad areas using similar techniques, the nest-boxes could not only be well used by the birds, but also it would help to prevent the increase of harmful. insects.

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Studies on the Cellulase Producing Microorganisms (Part II) -Identification of the Selected Molds and their Utilization- (Cellulase생성균(生成菌)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究) 제2보(第2報) -분리균주(分離菌株)의 동정(同定) 및 그 이용(利用)에 대(對)하여-)

  • Kim, Chan-Jo;Choi, Woo-Young
    • Applied Biological Chemistry
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    • v.11
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    • pp.89-93
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    • 1969
  • The strains selected in the previous paper were identified according to the manual of Aspergilli by Thom and Raper, and the preparation of the crude enzymes with the strains were investigated. The fermented fodders were made with wheat bran and chaffs containing 20% wheat bran by the strains, and the feeding experiments concerned was conducted. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The selected strains were identified as below; MC-9 was a similar strain of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, MC-10 was a similar strain of Aspergillus flavus Link, MC-53 was a similar strain of Aspergillus penicilloides Spegazzini and MC-61 was a similar strain of Aspergillus niger mut Schiemanni n. comb. 2. Percentages of crude enzymes obtained from the dried matters of the wheat bran cultures were MC-9: 2.9%, MC-10: 3.9%, MC-53: 6.4% and MC-61:2.6%. And the cellulase activity of MC-9 was the most active among the crude enzymes as the same as the filtrates of wheat bran cultures. 3. As the results of the feeding experiments, changes of body weights showed no trends to be significant as compared with the control group, and the groups of MC-9 and MC-61 showed the increasing significance with P<0.05 in egg-laying rate.

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단백질 수준에 따른 비태인의 급여가 산란계의 생산능력과 난품질, 혈액 성상에 미치는 영향

  • 류명선;박재홍;박성복;류경선
    • Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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    • 2003.11a
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    • pp.91-92
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    • 2003
  • 비태인의 급여(0, 600 ppm)가 사료의 단백질 수준(14, 16 %)에 따라 산란계의 생산성과 난품질, 혈액성상, 간과 가슴육의 일반성분에 미치는 영향을 구명하기 위하여 83주령 하이라인 산란계 192수를 이용하여 12주간 사양실험을 실시하였다. 기초사료는 에너지 수준이 2,800 kcal/kg, methionine과 lysine, cystine의 수준은 단백질 수준에 비례하도록 하였다. 조사항목으로 산란율과 난중, 사료섭취량, 사료요구율, 계란품질은 4주 간격으로 측정했다. 실험 종료시 복강지방과 혈액중 total protein과 albumin, BUN, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol 함량, 간의 methionine, choline 함량, 간과 가슴육의 수분, 조단백질, 조지방 함량을 측정하였다. 산란율은 단백질 수준에 따라 증가하였으며(P<0.05) 비태인 급여에 의한 차이는 없었다. 난중은 단백질과 비태인 급여로 증가하였으며(P<0.05) 산란양은 단백질 수준이 증가할수록 감소하였다(P<0.05). 비태인 급여로 사료 요구율은 현저하게 개선되었지만(P<0.05), 계란의 품질은 차이가 없었다. 혈청 total protein은 비태인 급여로 현저히 증가하였으며 특히 단백질 14 % 급여구에서 크게 증가하였다(P<0.05). 복강지방 함량은 단백질 수준과 비태인 급여에 따라 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 가슴육과 간의 조단백질 함량은 사료의 단백질 수준에 따라 증가하였다(P<0.05). 간의 조지방 함량은 비태인의 급여로 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 간의 methionine 함량은 단백질과 비태인 수준에 따라 증가하는 경향을 보였으며 choline 함량은 비태인의 급여에 의해서만 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 따라서 비태인의 급여는 단백질 수준이 높은 조건에서 산란율을 개선시키고 난중을 증가시키며 사료 요구율을 개선한다.록 산가는 증가하는 것을 볼 수 있다. 홍국주의 전자 공여능에 의한 항산화력은 25.6%, 아질산염 소거능은 27.6%, Total phenolic compound 함량은 12.34mg%, ACE저해작용은 38%의 항산화력을 나타냈다.과 $O_2$$CO_2$의 농도에서 평균오차 0.2%로 정밀한 것으로 나타났으며 호흡속도 측정용 챔버의 혼합기체 공급측과 배기측의 가스 농도를 3회 반복 측정한 결과 재현성에서는 0.1%이하의 편차로 나타났다. 개방계 호흡속도 자동 측정 시스템을 이용하여 환경기체조성하에서 토마토의 호흡속도를 측정하는 실측 실험을 수행한 결과 2$0^{\circ}C$에서 12.7~42.1mg$CO_2$/kg.hr였으며 12$^{\circ}C$에서 2.5~8.2mg$CO_2$/kg.hr로 일반적으로 보고되고 있는 토마토 호흡속도와 일치하는 결과를 나타내었다.다.환원당인 sucrose 함량은 계속 증가하였고 fructose, glucose, sorbitol의 함량(추황의 sorbitol을 제외)은 생장이 촉진됨에 따라 증가하다가 다시 점차적으로 감소하였다. 이러한 결과는 총당과 환원당의 측정결과와 일치한 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 배의 성장에 따라 산 함량은 감소하였고 당 함량은 증가하였다.luco-pyranoside, quercetin 7-O- -glucopyranoside, acacetin 7-O-$\beta$-D-glucuronide and apigenin-6-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside were first isolated and identified from safflower leaf. Among these flavonoids, luteolin

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Integrated transcriptomic analysis on small yellow follicles reveals that sosondowah ankyrin repeat domain family member A inhibits chicken follicle selection

  • Zhong, Conghao;Liu, Zemin;Qiao, Xibo;Kang, Li;Sun, Yi;Jiang, Yunliang
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.34 no.8
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    • pp.1290-1302
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    • 2021
  • Objective: Follicle selection is an important process in chicken egg laying. Among several small yellow (SY) follicles, the one exhibiting the highest expression of follicle stimulation hormone receptor (FSHR) will be selected to become a hierarchal follicle. The role of lncRNA, miRNA and other non-coding RNA in chicken follicle selection is unclear. Methods: In this study, the whole transcriptome sequencing of SY follicles with different expression levels of FSHR in Jining Bairi hens was performed, and the expression of 30 randomly selected mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Preliminary studies and bioinformatics analysis were performed on the selected mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA and their target genes. The effect of identified gene was examined in the granulosa cells of chicken follicles. Results: Integrated transcriptomic analysis on chicken SY follicles differing in FSHR expression revealed 467 differentially expressed mRNA genes, 134 differentially expressed lncRNA genes and 34 differentially expressed miRNA genes, and sosondowah ankyrin repeat domain family member A (SOWAHA) was the common target gene of three miRNAs and one lncRNA. SOWAHA was mainly expressed in small white (SW) and SY follicles and was affected by follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) treatment in the granulosa cells. Knockdown of SOWAHA inhibited the expression of Wnt family member 4 (Wnt4) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) in the granulosa cells of prehierarchal follicles, while stimulated Wnt4 in hierarchal follicles. Overexpression of SOWAHA increased the expression of Wnt4 in the granulosa cells of prehierarchal follicles, decreased that of StAR and cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 in the granulosa cells of hierarchal follicles and inhibited the proliferation of granulosa cells. Conclusion: Integrated analysis of chicken SY follicle transcriptomes identified SOWAHA as a network gene that is affected by FSH in granulosa cells of ovarian follicles. SOWAHA affected the expression of genes involved in chicken follicle selection and inhibited the proliferation of granulosa cells, suggesting an inhibitory role in chicken follicle selection.

Gene expression changes in silkworm embryogenesis for prediction of hatching time

  • Jong Woo Park;Chang Hoon Lee;Chan Young Jeong;Hyeok Gyu Kwon;Seul Ki Park;Ji Hae Lee;Sang Kuk Kang;Seong-Wan Kim;Seong-Ryul Kim;Hyun-Bok Kim;Kee Young Kim
    • International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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    • v.46 no.1
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    • pp.16-23
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    • 2023
  • The silkworm's dormancy and embryonic development are accomplished through the interaction of various genes. Analysis of the expression of several interacting genes can predict the embryonic stage of silkworms. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the expression level of genes at each stage during the embryonic development of dormant silkworm eggs and selected genes that can predict the hatching time. Jam123 and Jam124 silkworms were collected after egg laying, and the silkworm eggs were preserved using a double refrigeration method and expression analysis was performed for 23 genes during embryogenesis. There were 5 genes showing significant changes during embryogenesis: UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (BmUGTs), heat shock protein hsp20.8 (BmHsp20.8), Cytochromes b5-like proteins (BmCytb5), Krüppel homolog 1 (BmKr-h1), and cuticular protein RR-1 motif 41 (BmCpr41). As a result of quantitative comparison of the expression levels of these 5 genes through real-time PCR, the BmUGTs gene showed a difference between Jam123 and Jam124, making it difficult to see it as an indicator for predicting hatching time. However, the BmHsp20.8 gene had a common expression decreased at the imminent hatching stage. In addition, it was confirmed that the expression level of the BmCytb5 gene decreased to the lowest level at the time of imminent hatching, and the expression of the BmKr-h gene was made only at the time of imminent hatching. The expression of the last BmCpr41 gene can be confirmed only at the time of imminent hatching, and it was confirmed that it shows a rapid increase right before hatching. Taken together, these results suggest that expression analysis of BmHsp20.8, BmCytb5, BmKr-h1, and BmCpr41 genes can determine the stage of embryogenesis, predict hatching time, which facilitate better management of silkworm eggs.

Study on the Change of Acid Soluble Phosphorus and Influence of Irradiation on Embryonic Developmental Silkworm Egg, Bombyx mori L. (Part. II) (가잠란발생과정에서 Acid Soluble Phosphorus의 변동과 방사선 영향에 관한 연구 (제2보))

  • 임영우
    • Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.9-13
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    • 1972
  • On the seventh day of mounting male and feamale cocoons are distinguished. A part of those male and female pupae is irradiated for 40 min. with 1,000r-ray irradiation. Those eggs obtained from the irradiated pupae are divided into six groups of 5, 15, 45, 90, 720 and 2,400 minutes after laying. The cahanges of accid soluble phosphorus in the each group of eggs are as follows. 1. In the control group of the maximum quantity in acid soluble phosphorus was 1,456r/100mg D.P. in the 2,400 minutes group, while the minimum quantity was 1,233r/100mg D.P. in the 720 minutes group. 2. In the mated group of *irradiated female moths and control male moths, the quantity of acid soluble phoshorus was small as compared with the control group in the five minute group of 1,288r/100mg D.P. and in the 15 minutes group of 1,299r/100mg D.P. while the quantity increased to 1,484r/100mg D.P. in the 45 minutes group. The quantity began to decrease again to 1,400r/100mg D.P. in the 2,400 minutes group which was smaller than that of the control group. The quantity was slightly small in the silkworm eggs laid in the early stage when compared with that of mated group of *irradiated male moths and control female moths. Both groups showed the larger quantity in the 720 minutes group than that of the control group. The quantity of acid soluble phosphorus in the mated group of control female moths .and *irradiated male moths was larger in variation than in the mated group of control male moths and *irradiated female moths. 3. In the mated group of *irradiated male and female moths the largerst quantity was 1,760r/100ms D.P. in 2,400 minutes group and second was 1,736r/100mg D.P. in 90 minutes group, and third was 1,288r/100mg D. P., in 5 minutes group. Generally the quantity was small in silkworm eggs laid by the irradiated one in the early stage than the control group, but in the later period of egg the quantity began to increase more than that of control group.

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Malacological Studies on Parafossarulus manchouricus(Gastropoda: Prosobranchia) in Korea (한국산(韓國産) 왜우렁(Parafossarulus manchouricus)의 패류학적(貝類學的) 연구(硏究))

  • Chung, Pyung-Rim
    • The Korean Journal of Malacology
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.24-50
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    • 1985
  • Five different populations of Parafossarulus manchouricus (Chongpyung, Chinju and Kunsan, Korea; and Japan and Taiwan), a population of Bitbynia (Gabbia) misella (Gongju, Korea) and two different populations of Bithynta tentaculata (Michigan, U.S.A. and Bodensee, Germany) were compared in regard to eff-laying characteristics, morphology, chromosome cytology, natural infections of parasites and ecology of habitats. A satisfactory culture method was devised for laboratory rearing of the snails. Tropical fish food (Terra SML) and powdered green leaves (Ceralife) were used as the main food sources for the snails. Benthic diatoms such as Navicula and Gomphonema from the periphyton were also essential for satisfactory growth, especially for the baby snails. The aquaria were stabilized with small stones from a local stream. Young P. manchouricus snails grew to adult size in about 54 days after hatching. They laid eggs 150-156 days after hatching. The whole cycle (birth to egg-laying) took approximately 5 months. The three species of bithyniid snails are iteroparous and lay eggs once a year. There were no major morphological differences in the shells of genera or subgenera studied here. They did exhibit the following rather minor differences. The shell of Parafossarulus has spirally raised ridges, and its apex is usually eroded; the other two genera lack these characteristics. The shell of B. (Gabbia) misella is small, nor exceeding 7.5 mm in length, while the shells of the other two species are larger, being more than 10 mm in length. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the protoconch of P. manchouricus reveals nearly smooth sculpture with small, low, spiral wrinkles. This sculpture is quite different from that of the Hydrobiidae, a family to which the bithyniids are frequently assigned. Scanning electron microscopy of the radulae of the three bithyniid species showed that their radular morphologies are very similar, but there are some small differences, which may be species-specific. There were some statistical differences in shell heights between the Korean and the other populations of P. manchouricus, and between this species and the other two bithyniids as well. The shell differences between the several populations of Korean P. manchouricus may be related to environment. Edtails of the chromosome cycle of these bithyniid snails are similar to those reported for other snails. No specific differences were observed in the chromosome cycle between the various species and populations of snails employed in this study. Reporred for the first time in molluscs are two darkly stained "nucleolar organizers" during pachyterne stages of meiosis. Two different chromosome numbers were observed in the three bithyniid species: n=17 in B. tentaculata and P. manchouricus, and n=18 in B. (G.) misella. no sex chromosomes or supernumerary chromosomes were seen. There were no morphological differences in karyotypes of three Korean strains of P. manchouricus. The infection rates of cercariae of Clonorchis sinensis in Chinju and Kunsan strains of P. manchouricus were 0.14% and 1.25%, respectively. However, Clonorchis cercariae were found in Chongpyung strain of P. manchouriceu and Gongju strain of B. (G.) misella. The habitats of P. manchouricus around Jinyang Lake were relatively clean without any heavy pollution of aquatic microorganisms and organic materials during the period of this study. The levels of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) and biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D.) of the water specimens sampled from the study areas ranged from 6.0 to 9.6 ppm and from 0.4 to 1.6 ppm, respectively. Eight metalic constituents from the water samples were also assayed, and all metalic ions detercted were remarkably low below the legal criteria. However, calcium ion in the water samples from the habitats of P. manchouricus was considerably higher than others.

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Ecological Studies on the Inhavitation of Artificial Nests by Wild Birds -Especially in Gyeongnam Province- (인공소상가설(人工巢箱架設)에 의(依)한 야생조류(野生鳥類)의 서식생태(棲息生態)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究) -경남지역(慶南地域)을 중심(中心)으로-)

  • Choi, Jai-Sik;Kim, Jai-Saing
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.76 no.2
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    • pp.109-118
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    • 1987
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhabiting ecology of wild birds using artificial nests in Gyeongnam province. The sort of birds, the utilization of artificial nests by the materials, by the sites and by the forest type, and other inhabiting ecology of birds were investigated from 1984 to 1986. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Wild birds in surveyed areas were classified into 20 families and 35 species. Among them the birds inhabiting the artificial nests were 6 species and those using them most frequently were Parus ater (17.2%), P. major (16.7%) and P. palustris (12.2%). 2. The artificial nests installed on the top and at the toot of the mountain were chiefly utilized by P. ater and P. major, but the artificial nests in park area were mostly used by Passer montanus and Sturnus cineraceus. 3. Sixty-one percent of the artificial nests were utilized by the birds; 45.5% were used for breeding and 15.6% were inhabitation only. 4. When different nest materials and shapes were tested, mixed nests (sawdust and cement) were used most frequently, and C type. (Diamond shape) of wood nests was used more frequently compared with the A (Roof shape) and B (Box shape) types of wood nests. Meanwhile, the birds prefered the 3cm hole size (81.1% of utilization) to 4cm of hole (57.8%) and 5cm of hole (24.4%). 5. The artificial nests constructed in mixed forest were more frequently inhabited (73.3%) by the birds than coniferous forest (68.3%) and broad-leaved forest (63.3%). 6. The period of egg-laying in Parus species was from late April to early May, while Eophona migratoria, Lanius bucephalus, Motacilla alba and Passer montanus laid eggs generally in the middle of May. 7. Parus species, Passer montanus and Motacilla alba laid one egg every day for 5-10days, but Eopphona migratoria laied 4 eggs in 7 days and Lanius bucephalus laid 5 eggs in 4 days. The incubation period of Parus species was 16-18 days, while the others were about 11 to 14 days. 8. Thirteen days after the hatch of Parus major, chicks reached 13.9g of body weight, 72.0mm of wing-length and 20.9mm of tarsus length. P. montanus chicks reached 20.3g of weight, 66.2mm of wing-length and 20.2mm of tarsus length during the same period. 9. Food item of feeding chicks almost consisted of creatures (98.2%) with following composition; 55.2% of insect larvae, 37.2% adult insects, 2.8% of pupae and 2.8% of spiders. Vegetable items were 2% only. Among those creature food items, 95.2% were insect pests to forest.

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