A phenotypic characterization of Rarámuri Criollo cattle introduced into the Southwestern United States

Our objective was to describe key phenotypic characteristics of a population of Rarámuri Criollo (RC) cattle introduced from the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, México into the Southwestern United States almost two decades ago. We recorded 26 phenotypic traits of 37 RC individuals including mature cows, first-calf heifers, and mature bulls raised at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico. This herd of RC cattle exhibited intermediate body sizes compared to the smaller Corriente and larger Texas Longhorn and Florida Cracker cattle. Coat colors were similar to those described for other Criollo biotypes but horn shape and size of RC appear to be different than that of other US-based Criollo breeds. Though smaller than commercial beef breeds, RC cattle appear to be well-matched to the Southwestern US environments as evidenced by previous studies that evaluated their grazing behavior, weight gains, and carcass quality. Rarámuri Criollo cattle are a genetic resource whose conservation could be critically important for climate change adaptation of ranches in the desert Southwest.

Molecular “Texas Longhorn”: An expanded Schiff base oligopyrrolic macrocycle

We report here the synthesis and structural characterization of a novel expanded Schiff base oligopyrrolic macrocycle TxLH (i.e. compound 2) along with its smaller congener hemi-TxLH (i.e. compound 1). The solid-state structure of TxLH is reminiscent of the shape of a Texas Longhorn[Formula: see text]. It thus defines a new architectural form for porphyrin analogues. The present study thus underscores the potential of using functionalized oligopyrroles as readily accessible molecular building blocks for the construction of structurally non-trivial molecules.

Relaciones entre los bovinos criollos panameños y algunas razas criollas de Latinoamérica

El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la relación genética entre poblaciones bovinas panameñas Guabalá y Guaymí y algunas poblaciones criollas de Latinoamérica. Se practicó un análisis factorial de correspondencias, análisis de varianza molecular, distancias genéticas, número medio de migrantes por población y los estadísticos F de Wright. Se evaluó la estructura de la población mediante un modelo Bayesiano, suponiéndose un número desconocido de K grupos diferentes genéticamente. El análisis factorial de correspondencias mostró que las poblaciones Guabalá y Guaymí se agrupan con los bovinos criollos mexicanos y el Texas Longhorn. Igualmente se observó menor diferenciación genética de las criollas panameñas con mexicanos y el Texas Longhorn. Los análisis de distancia genética también mostraron dados similares a los obtenidos por el Amova y por el análisis factorial de correspondencia, y se observó menor distancia entre poblaciones del norte y las panameñas, en comparación con las poblaciones del sur. La agrupación bayesiana permitió la asignación de los individuos a su respectivo grupo, con base en su semejanza genética, y proporcionó información acerca del número de poblaciones bajo el cual se originan. Hay una estrecha relación histórica, genética y geográfica de las poblaciones panameñas, criollas mexicanas y Texas Longhorn, a partir de las migraciones de sus precursores desde las Antillas hacia Panamá y México.

Bilateral Buphthalmia in a 4-Month-Old Texas Longhorn Steer

Congenital ocular disease occurs uncommonly in cattle, with multiple abnormalities reported only sporadically in the literature. This report describes a case of anterior segment dysgenesis resulting in glaucoma in a 4-month-old Texas Longhorn steer. On clinical exam, bilateral buphthalmia was present and intraocular pressures exceeded 47 mm Hg in both eyes. On histopathologic examination, the iridocorneal angle and filtration apparatus were distorted due to collapse of the ciliary cleft and anterior displacement of the anterior portion of the ciliary body. No evidence of inflammation or other causes of glaucoma were recognized.

Subcutaneous Botryomycosis Due to Bibersteinia trehalosi in a Texas Longhorn Steer

A 3-year-old Texas Longhorn steer had a long history of progressive swelling of the soft tissues of the jaw and neck. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescing dermal and subcutaneous pyogranulomas were surrounded by fibrous tissue. Microscopically, the pyogranulomas contained aggregates of gram-negative coccobacilli surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli material and were separated by bands of fibrovascular tissue (botryomycosis). Phylogenetic analysis of multilocus sequence-typing data revealed that the bacteria recovered in pure culture from swabs of submandibular tissue were most closely related to Bibersteinia [ Pasteurella] trehalosi. The bacterial colonies were immunohistochemically reactive with a rabbit polyclonal anti-Pasteurella class C acid phosphatase antibody. Botryomycosis is a pyogranulomatous inflammation caused by a variety of nonbranching, nonfilamentous bacteria that elicit the formation of Splendore-Hoeppli material. This case of botryomycosis is unique for its association with Bibersteinia trehalosi.