Female Gazelles Research Articles

PLATE OSTEOSYNTHESIS FOR THE TREATMENT OF A COMPLEX METACARPAL FRACTURE IN A SAND GAZELLE (Gazella leptoceros)

A 5-month-old female gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) from Algeria was presented for consultation at the clinic, following a trauma that occurred when the gazelle was trapped in a wire mesh forelimb. The radiographic examination revealed a complex fracture displaced at the level of the left metacarpus, a surgical treatment by osteosynthesis was carried out, after approach and incision of the fracture site, a reduction and fixation of the bone was practiced using a screwed plate in steel and seven cortical bone screws, a suture by separate stitches was performed to close the skin, and a modified Robert Jones bondage was performed. X-rays performed 7, 15 and 21 days postoperative revealed very limited osteogenic activity and delayed healing despite bone alignment. This may be due to a defect in the periosteal vascularization linked to the direct surgical approach to the fracture.

A gazelle's extraordinary, 18,000-km-long journey through the steppes of Mongolia.

A gazelle's extraordinary, 18,000-km-long journey through the steppes of Mongolia.

Calculation of The Intracranial Volume in Gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa) by Stereology and Computed Tomography

The danger of extinction faced by the gazelles, which show a broad geographical distribution, in recent times and inclusion of the gazelles in the conservation list of IUCN indicate the importance and necessity of the studies on continuity of the species. In this context, the determination of intracranial volume is clinically essential for the breed and sexual dysmorphism. In the present study the crania of 11 gazelles (5 male and 6 female gazelles) (Gazella subgutturosa) were used. The cranium of the gazelles were scanned at 80 kV, 200 mA, 639 mGY, and 0.625 mm section thickness using 64‐slice Multi‐Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT). The intracranial volume of the gazelles was estimated using computed tomography sections according to Cavalieri’s Principle. Three‐dimensional models of the intracranial area were created using MIMICS 20.1 Software, the software calculated intracranial volume. The obtained results were statistically tested in terms of both methods and sexual dimorphism. The study results revealed that crania showed no difference between sexes (P>0.05). No difference was detected between the two methods in statistical analysis of the intracranial volumes calculated using stereology and CT models. Consequently, it was considered that the use of intracranial volumes of the gazelles would contribute to the clinical sciences concerning detection, diagnosis and progression of the diseases.

Genomic Investigation of Hepatitis E Virus in Persian Gazelle

Background: Numerous studies have shown that a variety of animal species can be the hosts of the hepatitis E virus. In addition to pigs, wild boars, deer, and rats, new types of hepatitis E virus have been found in ferrets and bats. Objectives: Due to the limited reports of virus identification in deer and the potential role of this animal as a reservoir in maintaining the virus, in the present study, the genome of the virus was investigated in the samples of feces and gastrointestinal swabs of Gazelle. Methods: Samples were collected from 50 Gazelle in the protected area of Moteh and the lands around Maymeh City from winter, 2017 to winter, 2019. After RNA extraction and reverse transcription reaction, the genomic identification of the virus was performed by RT-PCR. Results: The results of the present study showed that out of 50 samples taken, three samples were positive for the hepatitis E virus, including one sample from female Gazelle under one year of age and two samples from female animals over one year of age. Conclusions: No statistically significant relationship was found between hepatitis E infection, age, and sex using statistical tests. The present study indicated the contamination of Iranian wildlife animals and the importance of these animals as the potential reservoirs of the disease.

Considerations on Two Cruces Philologorum (Ael. NA 15, 15)

The present article aims to elucidate an interesting narrative that forms a portion of Aelian’s paradoxographic work Περὶ ζῴων ἰδιότητος (On the Characteristics of Animals, Lat. De natura animalium). The passage under discussion describes some horned animals of oriental origin that were involved in the annual fighting contests during a one-day competition held on the initiative of a “great king of India” — probably Chandragupta (4th–3rd c. BC), the founder of the Maurya dynasty. Aelian’s chapter (NA 15, 15) was perhaps taken from Megasthenes’s Ἰνδικά (Description of India). The passage includes two hapax legomena referring to two species of animals: †μέσοι† and †ὕαιναι†. The first of these should be identified with the Ladakh urial (Ovis orientalis vignei Blyth); cf. Prasun məṣé ‘ram, urial’ (< Vedic mēṣá- m. ‘ram’). Aelian’s exact description of the horned animals called †ὕαιναι† clearly demonstrates that the alleged “striped hyena” (Gk. ὕαινα) must represent the chinkara, i. e., the Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii Sykes). The Indo-Aryan term for ‘chinkara’ (Ved. hariṇá- m ‘Indian gazelle’, hariṇī́- f. ‘female gazelle’; cf. Pa. and Pk. hariṇa- m., hariṇī- f.) suggests that the corrupted form in Aelian’s passage should be emended as ὑάριναι [hyárinai]. This seems a near-optimal adaptation of the Pali or Prakrit appellative háriṇā pl. ‘chinkaras’.

Cattle grazing effects on mountain gazelles in Mediterranean natural landscapes

ABSTRACTFrequently, Mediterranean natural and semi‐natural areas will undergo cattle grazing as a form of fire fuel reduction management. We used a multi‐species approach to understand effects of cattle grazing on mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) in relation to 2 potential predators of gazelle neonates: golden jackal (Canis aureus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). We used light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and a fine‐scale camera trap design (0.01‐km2 grid) in Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park in the Mediterranean region of Israel to determine gazelle habitat and patch preferences in response to grazing using N‐mixture models. Cattle grazing decreased female gazelle detectability and activity and attracted potential predators during the most sensitive time of the year for gazelle: parturition and the critical first 5 weeks of fawns' lives. Grazing management acts as a disturbance for gazelles and increases risk for neonates. Our results show the importance of understanding the broader mechanism behind predator–prey dynamics and how indirect human‐mediated management actions and direct predation may have adverse effects on wild populations. We recommend that cattle be allowed to enter natural areas only after the spring birth peak. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF HISTOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN CAPTIVE GAZELLE SPECIES.

Capturing disease trends among different species has indisputable value to both veterinary clinicians and zoo managers for improving the welfare and management of zoo species. The causes of mortality for eight species of gazelle (addra gazelle, Nanger dama; dorcas gazelle, Gazella dorcas; Grant's gazelle, Nanger granti; sand gazelle, Gazella leptoceros; Saudi goitered gazelle, Gazella subgutturosa; Soemmerring's gazelle, Nanger soemmerringii; Thomson's gazelle, Eudorcas thomsonii; and Speke's gazelle, Gazella spekei) are presented from an 18-yr period (1996 2014). The leading cause of mortality for all species was trauma, followed by bronchopneumonia, and failure to thrive/maternal neglect. Nephritis and rumenitis/abomasitis/enteritis were common ancillary lesions across all species. On average, female gazelle lived twice as long as male gazelle, with an average overall adult survival time of 9.3 yr. Dorcas, Thomson's and addra gazelle females had the longest average survival time (10-13 yr). Calves up to 6 mo of age died most frequently from failure of passive transfer or maternal neglect. Thyroid carcinoma was frequently identified in Thomson's gazelle. Sand and Speke's gazelle frequently died from systemic amyloidosis, and Saudi goitered gazelle were more likely to have renal amyloidosis. Hematuria syndrome was the second most common cause of death in Grant's gazelle. The majority of lesions identified in this study that cause or contribute to mortality are preventable with appropriate management. Knowledge of disease trends in captive gazelle populations can help guide veterinary care, management decisions, and collection management planning.

Fecal progesterone metabolites and ovarian activity in cycling and pregnant mountain gazelles ( Gazella gazella)

Fecal reproductive progestagen monitoring in the mountain gazelle ( Gazella gazella) provided a non-invasive method for tracking reproductive cycling, estimating age of sexual maturity and diagnosing pregnancy in this species of gazelle. Fresh fecal samples were collected from eight female mountain gazelle ( Gazella gazella) for a period of two months. Two of the animals were pregnant while the other six were not. Using the progestagen profile the luteal phase, interluteal (follicular) phase and estrous cycle in adult female gazelles were determined to be 12.5 ± 1.2, 5.9 ± 0.59 and 18.8 ± 0.98 days respectively. Significant inter-animal differences in fecal progestagen concentration were observed in both the luteal and follicular phases. Significant differences were observed in the levels of fecal progestagen between cycling females and females in late pregnancy. Low concentrations of fecal progestagen in females aged less than 18 months old indicated that sexual maturity in captivity is not attained before that age.

Histoplasmosis diseminada en una gacela dorca (Gazella dorcas neglecta) mantenida en condiciones de cautividad en España

A 17 month old female gazelle dorca ( Gazella dorcas neglecta), kept in captivity in a Spanish zoo, showed several symptoms of illness including fever, lethargy and behavioural changes. X-ray revealed ruminal “foreign bodies” and pneumonia with a nodular pattern. After surgical intervention, the animal died. At necropsy, histopathologic and microbiological findings were consistent with the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis, with an inflammatory histological pattern associated with immunodepression in the animal, similar to those observed in patients with severe immunodeficiency (AIDS and others).

Hunting and overhunting in the Levantine Late Middle Palaeolithic

We examine the larger mammals from late Middle Palaeolithic Kebara Cave (Israel), and offer eight principal conclusions concerning Neanderthal hunting activities at the site. (1) Regardless of prey size, most procurement was by hunting, not scavenging. The major prey were gazelle and fallow deer, but also aurochs, red deer, and boar. (2) Hunting was seasonal, with most hunts in winter and/or spring. (3) Hunters took male and female deer in similar numbers, but a preponderance of female gazelle. These sex ratios probably reflect local availability and encounter rates. (4) More juvenile deer than juvenile gazelle were taken. The frequency of juveniles has not been severely impacted by taphonomic processes. Because of their small size and limited body fat, juveniles were probably low-ranked resources by comparison to their adult counterparts and may often have been excluded from the hunters' optimal diet. If so, fluctuations in the numbers of juveniles do not track changes in hunting season, but instead indi...

Periparturient increase in faecal egg counts in a captive population of mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr)

The objective of this study was to assess whether there was a periparturient rise in the faecal egg output of a population of North African gazelles (Gazeia dama mhorr) kept...

Hormonal characterization of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy in the female Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr).

The oestrous cycles of seven captive Mohor Gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr) were investigated. Hormone profiles obtained from faecal samples collected each day from cyclic females indicated that the mean duration of the oestrous cycle was 18.62 +/- 0.26 days (range 16-22 days; n = 37 oestrous cycles). No inter-individual differences in the concentration of faecal progestagen metabolites excreted were observed, but mean faecal oestrogen excretion during both the luteal and inter-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle varied among females (P < 0.001 and P = 0.070, respectively). Oestrous cycles were synchronized using controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices, before natural mating with an intact male. Concentrations of faecal progestagen metabolites remained approximately constant for the first 10 weeks of gestation (mean +/- SEM = 4048 +/- 407 ng g(-1) faeces), before increasing to a mean of 23 556 +/- 1176 ng g(-1) faeces. Two of seven female gazelles conceived immediately after removal of the CIDR device, a similar proportion to that conceived at the postpartum oestrus under natural conditions. Life history data for these individuals indicated that the mean time to conception in female gazelles is positively correlated with peak values in the ratio of excreted oestrogen : progestagen during the inter-luteal period of their oestrous cycles (R(2) = 0.58; P < 0.05). This finding indicates that interactions between steroid production and metabolism may influence the likelihood of conception occurring in this species.

Hormonal characterization of the reproductive cycle and pregnancy in the female Mohor gazelle (Gazella dama mhorr)

The oestrous cycles of seven captive Mohor Gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr) were investigated. Hormone profiles obtained from faecal samples collected each day from cyclic females indicated that the mean duration of the oestrous cycle was 18.62 +/- 0.26 days (range 16-22 days; n = 37 oestrous cycles). No inter-individual differences in the concentration of faecal progestagen metabolites excreted were observed, but mean faecal oestrogen excretion during both the luteal and inter-luteal phases of the oestrous cycle varied among females (P < 0.001 and P = 0.070, respectively). Oestrous cycles were synchronized using controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices, before natural mating with an intact male. Concentrations of faecal progestagen metabolites remained approximately constant for the first 10 weeks of gestation (mean +/- SEM = 4048 +/- 407 ng g(-1) faeces), before increasing to a mean of 23 556 +/- 1176 ng g(-1) faeces. Two of seven female gazelles conceived immediately after removal of the CIDR device, a similar proportion to that conceived at the postpartum oestrus under natural conditions. Life history data for these individuals indicated that the mean time to conception in female gazelles is positively correlated with peak values in the ratio of excreted oestrogen : progestagen during the inter-luteal period of their oestrous cycles (R(2) = 0.58; P < 0.05). This finding indicates that interactions between steroid production and metabolism may influence the likelihood of conception occurring in this species.

Use of space and social organization of female mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella gazella) in Ramat HaNadiv, Israel

AbstractThe social organization of female mountain gazelles was studied on Mount Carmel, Israel. The behaviour of distinctly recognized individuals was studied by year‐round observations. Female gazelles lived in groups whose composition remained constant throughout the year, and new females did not freely enter the established groups. Group home ranges overlapped, but various groups replaced each other in the same area at different times of the day. Different groups tended to use different parts of the overlapping home range. In general, but especially in summer, the different groups largely avoided being synchronously together in the same area. The occurrence of two groups in the same area at the same time was a rare event and when it occurred, a high rate of agonistic interaction was observed between the groups. Hence, groups of female mountain gazelles hold and defend temporal territories against other female groups. Mean seasonal group size ranged between 3.4 and 6.4 and was largest during winter, when groups of females joined together occasionally and little agonistic interaction was observed between the groups. It is suggested that group size is affected by food availability and predation pressure.

Why do hunting cheetahs prefer male gazelles?

Cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus, in the Serengeti National Park kill more male Thomson's gazelles, Gazella thomsoni, than expected from the sex ratio of the local population. This paper examines whether behavioural differences between male and female gazelles predispose males to higher rates of predation. Cheetahs hunting groups of Thomson's gazelles preferentially selected individuals that were positioned on the periphery of groups, were further from their nearest neighbours, were in areas of high vegetation, were less vigilant and were either in small groups or on their own. As a result, male Thomson's gazelles, which tended to concentrate on the periphery of groups, had greater nearest-neighbour distances, were less vigilant and were found in smaller groups, were more vulnerable than females and were preferentially selected from groups. There was no evidence that males were more vulnerable because they tended to concentrate in areas of high vegetation. Overall, gazelles in groups were far less vulnerable to predation than solitary individuals and the fact that males spent so much more time alone than females was another factor contributing to their high risk of predation; although solitary males were actually better at escaping once chased by cheetahs than solitary females, the difference in escape ability was not sufficient to offset the high number of attacks experienced by males as a result of their more solitary behaviour.

Reproductive strategies in female Mountain and Dorcas gazelles (Gazella gazella gazella and Gazella dorcas)

Observations of reproduction in four gazelle populations in the semi–arid and arid habitats of Israel during three years have revealed intra– and interspecific differences. In the eastern Lower Galilee of northern Israel, female Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella gazella) reproduce during every month of the year, conceive first at six months of age and exercise long parental care. Females of a population 80 km to the north (Upper Galilee) maintain a seasonal reproductive pattern, conceive first at 18 months of age and have a short parental care period. The latter pattern is similar to the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) females of the southern Negev Desert. Interspecific similarities in reproduction of these two populations is attributed to the lack of free water during lactation in both environments where females rely on water available in plant tissue only. The importance of the daily accessibility to water during lactation in female gazelles is discussed. It is suggested that the timing of births and the ability of female gazelles to conceive while lactating are not species‐specific characteristics but simply a matter of short‐term adaptation to changing environmental conditions common understanding today that animal reproductive strategies are a function of prevailing environmental conditions.