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Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 15159

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Doug Tolleson

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Guest Editor

Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Sonora, TX, USA
Interests: near infrared spectroscopy; grazing animal nutrition; grazing animal physiology; grazing animal ecophysiology; grazing management; prescribed fire; rangeland monitoring

Dr. Carrie Vance

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Guest Editor

Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, USA
Interests: spectroscopy; chemical biology; reproductive biology; assisted reproductive technology; reproductive endocrinology; endocrinology; enzymology; SOD; cryopreservation; biochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Encyclopedia of Ecology defines ecophysiology as “the study of the complex relationships between an organism’s internal and external environments”. Ecologists most often apply the term in reference to plants; however, the term can also be applied to animals and perhaps most interestingly, to the study of the dynamic interactions between plants and animals. For instance, herbivory invokes chemical and or physical defense adaptations in plants to better equip their resistance to being eaten, which may in turn result in animal adaptations to mitigate the consequences of consuming a defended plant. Both occurrences should confer greater survivability. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive, non-destructive analytical technique that employs electromagnetic energy in the near infrared band (~700–2500 nm) to discern physico-chemical attributes of a substance. The rapid nature of the method and long-term low cost facilitate comprehensive experimental designs which allow investigators to sample at enhanced spatiotemporal scales and or resolution, thus facilitating the asking of research questions that may have been cost or time prohibitive previously. The advent of portable spectroscopy has made real-time in situ analysis possible and thus, further enhanced the analytical and investigative capabilities of NIRS. Remote Sensing will release a special issue in mid-2021 entitled “Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology”. We are seeking submitted articles that concern the application of NIRS to unravel the ecophysiological relationships of animals, plants, and their shared environment.

Dr. Doug Tolleson
Dr. Carrie Vance
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

near infrared spectroscopy
ecophysiology
plant/animal interface
herbivore nutrition
metabolism
foraging behavior

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Mode Cloning (NIR-MC) for In-Situ Analysis of Crude Protein in Bamboo

by Qingyu Sheng, Mariana Santos-Rivera, Xiaoguang Ouyang, Andrew J. Kouba and Carrie K. Vance

Remote Sens. 2022, 14(6), 1302; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs14061302 - 08 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

This study develops Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Mode-Cloning (MC) for the rapid assessment of the nutritional quality of bamboo leaves, the primary diet of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens). To test the NIR-MC approach, we evaluated three species of bamboo (Phyllostachys bissetii, Phyllostachys rubromarginata, Phyllostachys aureosulcata). Mode-Cloning incorporated a Slope and Bias Correction (SBC) transform to crude protein prediction models built with NIR spectra taken from Fine–Ground leaves (master mode). The modified models were then applied to spectra from leaves in the satellite minimal processing modes (Course–Ground, Dry–Whole, and Fresh–Whole). The NIR-MC using the SBC yielded a residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 2.73 and 1.84 for Course–Ground and Dry–Whole sample modes, respectively, indicating a good quantitative prediction of crude protein for minimally processed samples that could be easily acquired under field conditions using a portable drier and grinder. The NIR-MC approach also improved the model of crude protein for spectra collected from Fresh–Whole bamboo leaves in the field. Thus, NIR-MC has the potential to provide a real-time prediction of the macronutrient distribution in bamboo in situ, which affects the foraging behavior and dispersion of giant and red pandas in their natural habitats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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18 pages, 3202 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A NIRS-Aided Methodology to Elucidate the Nutrition of the Endangered Mountain Gazelle (Gazella gazella) Using Samples of Rumen Contents from Roadkills

by Amir Arnon, Serge Yan Landau, Ido Izhaki, Dan Malkinson, Yaniv Levy-Paz, Tova Deutch-Traubman, Hillary Voet, Ori Segev and Guy Dovrat

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(21), 4279; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13214279 - 24 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2051

Abstract

The populations of the endangered mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), which inhabit large parts of Israel, across various ecosystems and climatic conditions, shrunk drastically over the last decades. To date, data on gazelle nutrition, how these relate with individual characteristics and respond to seasonal and environmental changes, have not been available. We analyzed 110 samples from gazelle rumen contents collected throughout the country from occasional fatalities, mainly roadkills, and tested the feasibility of using them for near-infrared spectrometry (NIRS) calibrations. Although NIR calibrations for crude protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and ash were reasonable, we found that using calibrations based on local forage and feed plant species performed better, and used these to estimate several nutritional constituents in gazelle rumens, using NIRS. We tested how constituents relate to the sex, age-class, and weight of the individual gazelle, and to season and ecosystem type, and found that season plays a major role in gazelle nutrition. Winter is the most propitious season, when crude protein, ash and digestibility are highest, and acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio are lowest. Autumn, being the harshest season, mirrors winter conditions, and summer and spring show intermediate levels. Yet the relative changes between seasons were mild: about 30%, for crude protein, digestibility, and ash, and 14–22% for ADF, NDF, and C:N ratio. Ecosystem type affected several constituents, and nutrition was slightly better in Mediterranean than in dry ecosystems. Gazelle sex, weight, and age-class had minor effects on nutrition. Overall, it seems that the adaptation of gazelles to their environment is germane to keeping relatively steady nutrition throughout the year. Our results, which do not show a dramatic decline in the quality of gazelle nutrition during any season or among the climatic regions that were studied, suggest that nutrition is not a major driver of the survival of gazelles in the populations surveyed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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26 pages, 18285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wearable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Physiological Monitoring Tool for Seals under Anaesthesia

by Eva-Maria S. Bønnelycke, Gordon D. Hastie, Kimberley A. Bennett, Jana M. Kainerstorfer, Ryan Milne, Simon E. W. Moss, Alexander Ruesch, Jingyi Wu and J. Chris McKnight

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(18), 3553; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13183553 - 07 Sep 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3073

Abstract

Chemical immobilisation of pinnipeds is a routine procedure in research and veterinary practice. Yet, there are inevitable risks associated with chemical immobilisation, and the physiological response to anaesthetic agents in pinnipeds remains poorly understood. The current study used wearable continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) data from 10 trials of prolonged anaesthesia (0.5 to 1.4 h) induced through ketamine and midazolam in five grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) involved in other procedures. The aim of this study was to (1) analyse the effect of each compound on heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and relative concentration changes in oxygenated [ΔO₂Hb] and deoxygenated haemoglobin [ΔHHb] in cerebral tissue and (2) to investigate the use of NIRS as a real-time physiological monitoring tool during chemical immobilisation. Average group responses of ketamine (n = 27) and midazolam (n = 11) administrations were modelled using generalised additive mixed models (GAMM) for each dependent variable. Following ketamine and midazolam administration, [ΔHHb] increased and [ΔO₂Hb] remained relatively stable, which was indicative of apnoea. Periods of apnoea were confirmed from respiratory band data, which were simultaneously collected during drugging trials. Given that SpO₂ remained at 97% during apnoea, we hypothesized that increasing cerebral [ΔHHb] was a result of venous congestion as opposed to decreased oxygen delivery. Changes in heart rate were limited and appeared to be driven by the individual pharmacological actions of each drug. Future research could include simultaneous measures of metabolic rate, such as the relative change in concentration of cytochrome-c-oxidase, to guide operators in determining when apnoea should be considered prolonged if changes in [ΔHHb] and [ΔO₂Hb] occur beyond the limits recorded in this study. Our findings support the use of NIRS as real-time physiological monitoring tool during pinniped chemical immobilisation, which could assist veterinarians and researchers in performing safe anaesthetic procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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13 pages, 2838 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Use of NIRS in Wild Rodents’ Research: A Review of Timid Beginnings

by Ladislav Čepelka, Eva Jánová, Josef Suchomel and Marta Heroldová

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(16), 3268; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13163268 - 18 Aug 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1825

Abstract

The article summarizes the previous experience and results from the study of wild rodents using the NIRS method. The importance and role of rodents in ecosystems and the specifics associated with their research using the NIRS method are briefly mentioned. The results of previous partial studies are mentioned and discussed. The NIRS method proved to be a useful tool to determine the amount of a particular food ingredient in the diet from faeces or chyme and to estimate the food quality (i.e., diversity of nitrogenous substances in chyme). On this basis, other possible directions of research using the NIRS method in wild rodents are proposed. These could help to better understand both the relationship between rodents and their environment and practical management in sectors where rodents interfere with human interests, especially in agriculture and forestry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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17 pages, 1669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating the Suitability for the Reintroduced Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx, Pallas 1777) of Two Desert Environments by NIRS-Aided Fecal Chemistry

by Serge Yan Landau, Ido Isler, Levana Dvash, Benny Shalmon, Amir Arnon and David Saltz

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(10), 1876; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13101876 - 12 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2443

Abstract

The re-introduction paradigm is that Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) herds adjust the size of their home ranges depending on the availability of vegetation, which is directly related to rainfall. In Israel, Arabian oryx were released in two hyper-arid sites: the Arava Valley and in the Paran wilderness, belonging to the Sudanese and the Saharo–Arabian biogeographic zones, respectively. While post-release survival was similar in both, reproductive success in the Paran wilderness reintroduction site was extremely low, resulting in an acute decline of the reintroduced population over time. The hypothesis that impaired nutrition might be associated with this finding was assessed with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-aided chemistry of monthly sampled fecal pellets, used as remote sensing evidence of ingested diets, throughout a year. Fecal nitrogen (FN), used as an estimate of nutritional status, was consistently higher in the Arava. Grass was never the sole or even a major dietary component. The dietary contribution of tannin-rich browse was high and steady all year-round in the Arava and increased steadily in Paran from winter to summer, corresponding to the period of availability of Acacia raddiana pods in both regions. The oryx in Paran had a home-range that was ten-fold, compared to the Arava, suggesting less feed availability. Acacia browsing may mitigate the effects of temporal variance in primary production. Under such conditions, oryx should be preferably released in areas that support significant acacia stands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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Other

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15 pages, 717 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

The Application of NIRS to Determine Animal Physiological Traits for Wildlife Management and Conservation

by Laura R. Morgan, Karen J. Marsh, Douglas R. Tolleson and Kara N. Youngentob

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(18), 3699; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13183699 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2701

Abstract

The ability to measure and monitor wildlife populations is important for species management and conservation. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to rapidly detect physiological traits from wildlife scat and other body materials could play an important role in the conservation of species. Previous research has demonstrated the potential for NIRS to detect diseases such as the novel COVID-19 from saliva, parasites from feces, and numerous other traits from animal skin, hair, and scat, such as cortisol metabolites, diet quality, sex, and reproductive status, that may be useful for population monitoring. Models developed from NIRS data use light reflected from a sample to relate the variation in the sample’s spectra to variation in a trait, which can then be used to predict that trait in unknown samples based on their spectra. The modelling process involves calibration, validation, and evaluation. Data sampling, pre-treatments, and the selection of training and testing datasets can impact model performance. We review the use of NIRS for measuring physiological traits in animals that may be useful for wildlife management and conservation and suggest future research to advance the application of NIRS for this purpose. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Animal Ecophysiology)

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