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Deer, parasites and other small creatures on the pasture – a multifactorial, diverse biocenosis: Papers presented at the „Timely questions in grassland and game management” scientific conference (Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Kaposvár University, 18-19 May 2006)
34-38Views:85Red, roe and fallow deer have outstanding importance in game management and hunting in Hungary. They live in very diverse ecological circumstances affected by parasites and other ecological factors (Table1). Among the many parasites, lungworms are considered to be the most significant, at least for animals in captivity. Species differentiation in large lungworms (Dictyocaulidae) on the basis of their morphological features is difficult; therefore, the sequencing of ITS2 of rDNA has become a useful tool for their genetic characterization. In our study, in addition to the typical Dictyocaulus eckerti ITS2 sequence another sequence is derived, which is significantly different from the known D. eckerti and D. viviparus sequence characteristics. This indicates the real need for a large-scale molecular, systematic study of Dictyocaulus specimens from red, fallow and roe deer from an epidemiological point of view.
In the period of host to host (deer), lungworm larvae (L1) on the pasture face many different environmental factors, including enemies and helpers. Number of L1s can be strongly reduced by dung beetle imagos as small predators. At the same time Pilobolus fungi help L1s to be spread on the ground vegetation, and improve and equalize the chance to get into the final hosts (deer) in the case of large lungworms (direct development) or into the intermediate hosts (terrestrial snails) for the necessary larval development of the Protostrongylidae species. Dung-breeding flies (Diptera) complete the set of factors. This is the uniquely functioning „micro”-biocenosis on the deer pasture.
Deer herds, especially those kept intensively (eg. deer farm), are usually routinely treated with anti-parasitic chemicals, such as albendazol or ivermectin. A number of studies demonstrate that the later is toxic for the dung utilizing insects (dung beetles and flies) inhibiting the normal ecological processes: the decomposition of feces and reduction of lungworm larvae. The necessity of chemotherapy against lungworm is questionable. If we know that in sound ecological circumstances (healthy deer with good immune response on one side, and sound pasture as a well functioning biocenosis on the other), these parasites are harmless due to the long-term coevolution with their deer hosts, we may discontinue using anti-parasitics. Furthermore, because of the long food-hygienic waiting period (3-6 weeks), it is even contraindicated in terms of eco production of meat products, such as venison. -
Matching Nutrient Requirements of Farmed Red Deer on Pasture. International and National Experiences: Papers presented at the „Timely questions in grassland and game management” scientific conference (Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Kaposvár University, 18-19 May 2006)
7-12Views:52The authors summarize the factors influencing the nutritional value of grasses which constitute the dominant proportion of pasture biomass, and emphasize the percentage proportion of leguminous species. Interactions are discussed between the phenological status of grasses, digestability, metabolic energy requirements of deer and their voluntary intake. The very often neglected factor of water awailability on feed effciency in red deer farming is stressed. Some data are presented considering the research results obtained at the red deer research farm of the University of Kaposvár.
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Connective tissue eelworm Elaphostrongylus cervi larvaes in farmed and wild red deers
35-37Views:31The tissue worm Elaphostrongylus cervi is very common in red deer (Cervus elaphus) overall in Europe including Hungary. Its eggs are transported to the lung tissue by the bloodstream, where will be hatched. The first stage larvae are shed likewise the entire lungworm larvae. In the period of 2005-2009 altogether the faeces of 304 farmed and 94 wild living red deer were examined for E. cervi larvae using the Baermann sedimentation method. The larva occurrence data, according to age, sex and the time of sample collection, were analysed by the standard statistical methods used by parasitologists The results are demonstrated in diagrams. E. cervi larvae appeared in the faeces of the calves after six month-of-age (January). In the spring – 10-12 month-of-age – prevalence and intensity values were elevated. In deer over one year-of-age prevalence as high as 50-100% was detected repeatedly with varying intensity in farmed and wild animals equally. The prevalence of larva shedding was fluctuating seasonally in farmed deer, with lower values in early summer. However in calves it was high even in June. In farm stags no larva were detected in June (good body condition) in contrary to the 80% prevalence in November (weak condition after the rutting season).
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Results of grazing preference investigations incounty and abroad
21-25Views:45Many kinds of animals were already studied on which composition of pasture they reside most of their time, respectively which constituents of pasture they eat more pleasantly. In Hungary there have not been done any researches on the red deer grazing habitude in farming conditions yet. The target of this study was to examine which species of the plants are the most preferred by the red deer under the conditions of Bőszénfa’s area. The pasture planting was in 2005. At the choice of the species’ planted the climate conditions and relief of this area were taken into consideration. Seven kinds of pastures or pasture mixtures were planted in two repetitions. Because of the unfavourable weather conditions the development of planted pasture was slower than expected, in this manner the preferences examination was put off to 2007. The preference study of plots planted with different pasture constituents was carried out by grazing of 48 hinds. During the grazing season the time of residence of the grazing hinds on every single plot was measured 14 times by five hours’ observations. The observations could be carried out from April to the end of June because of the pasture plots were totally burnt out due to the lack of the moisture. Our measurements were completed with field reviews. During the reviews the most consumed species of plants were noted. The statistical analysis of the observed period was carried out in monthly dividing too. In April the gramineaes and the white clover (Trifolium repens L) were grazed in the same proportion (P<0.001) by the hinds, but they did not prefere the giant agrostis (Agrostis gigantea Roth) and the bunias orientalis (Bunias orientalis). In May the dears grazed the white clover the most intensively, and the gramineas on the right hand side, the giant agrostis and the bunias orientalis were eaten the least. In June the hinds spent the most time by grazing on the white clover, the graminneaes were mediumly grazed, the giant agrostis and the bunias orientalis were grazed almost not at all. Summarized the red deers spent the most of their grazing time on the white clover, while they grazed on the giant agrostis and on the bunias orientalis for the least time.
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The turn of the Somogy county red deer population from the 70-es to nowadays
13-19Views:71It is commonly known that the red deer population of Somogy County is of excellent quality, due to the good genetic background and habitat conditions. This article tries to point to the changing situation, as a consequence of the forced overharvest and the repeal of the so-called minus-point sanctions for the trophies (which can be evaluated as a too early harvest). The stag stock become markedly younger, the average age of the medal stags is decreasing while the female stock is aged.
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The role of grasslands in natural and farm-like game management: Papers presented at the „Timely questions in grassland and game management” scientific conference (Hungarian Academy of Sciences – Kaposvár University, 18-19 May 2006)
25-33Views:74This paper investigates the relationship between grasslands and game management. It focuses on three questions:
- grasslands as habitats for game,
- grasslands as sites for prolification,
- grasslands as sources of nutrition.
Five so-called big, and five so-called small game species were considered, based on my own research and a literature review. Main results and consequences:
- grasslands as ecosystems are more important in game management than as solely resources of nutrients,
- compared to their territorial proportions, grasslands play a 2-3 time grates role in game management,
- grasslands are more preferred on areas where vegetation types are frequently changing (a given vegetation occupies only a small area),
- there is a remarkable seasonality in grassland use of small game, spring being the peak season,
- classification of game considering grasslands as sources of nutrients:
I. grasslands are hardly eaten by: red deer, wild pig, wild ducks
II. grass is consumed, but it is not a main source of nutrients: for fallow deer
III. grass is consumed as frequently as other forages by roe deer, wild sheep
IV. grasslands are important feeding sites for pheasants, partridges
V. grass is the main forage for hares, wild ducks -
Some aspects of red deer farming bared on grassland
49-50Views:59A szerzők tanulmányukban összefoglalják a legelőre alapozott gímszarvastartás néhány legfontosabb kérdését a legelöhasznosítás szempontjából. A legelö metabolizálható energiatartalma növekedésével lineárisan javul a szarvasborjak napi tömeggyarapodása a szoptatási idószak azon szakaszában, amikor a borjak legelőfű felvétele számottevó.
A gyepek pillangós alkotóinak növekedésével 0-20% közötti tartományban nagyon jelentös a legelő állatok napi tömeggyarapodás javulása. 20% feletti pillangós arány már kismértékű tömeggyarapodás többlettel jár, és ugyanakkor negatív hatású a területi termelékenységre.