Dry matter intake (DMI), and dry matter digestibility (DMD) were determined for three diets, using three desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis mexicana. Bighorn sheep were placed in individual cages and fed three diets: high and low quality alfalfa, and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).Mean DMI of high quality alfalfa, low-quality alfalfa, and Bermuda grass was 1,281.3, 1,512.0, and 1,084.0 g/animal/day, respectively, with corresponding DMD's of 68.5, 64.1, and 57.7°/o. Dry matter digestibility was improved with increased crude protein and cell solubles, and with decreased neutral detergent fiber and hemicellulose. Mean digestibility energies for the high quality alfalfa, low quality alfalfa, and Bermuda grass were 642.6, 626.6, and 412.3 kJ/kg BW°-75 /day, respectively.

The present distribution of the Alpine marmot Marmota m. marmota (Linnaeus, 1758) in Austria, the historical range during the Pleistocene, and recent efforts of re-introduction were documented. Autochthonous populations inhabit a continuous range extending over the western part of the Austrian Alps. Non-autochthonous populations occur in a more fragmented area of partly isolated massifs in the east. The non-autochthonous populations were generated by the release of only a few founder individuals (median = 5). The impact of founder effects and migration barriers on the structure of the disjunct non-autochthonous populations is confirmed by the genetic analysis of allozymes and VNTR-loci. Whereas autochthonous populations are characterized by high genetic similarity and common polymorphisms, the non-autochthonous populations exhibit a more patchy pattern of variation caused by founder effects and subsequent drift. From the relationships indicated by the VNTR-patterns it appears possible to infer the putative origin of the founder individuals. In previous allozyme studies the genetic variability was found to be reduced with the exception of two widespread polymorphisms at the loci Pep-1 and Sod-1. A parasitological survey shows that Pep-1 genotypes differ in their degree of infestation by endoparasites (Citellina alpina and Ctenotaenia marmotae) indicating that this polymorphism may be maintained by selective forces.

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As revealed by allozyme studies, the genetic variation of the Alpine marmot (Marrnota rn. rnarrnota) has been reduced by a species-wide bottleneck at the end of the last glaciation. Therefore the more variable microsatellite loci were used as a genetic marker system to investigate variability and differentiation of four autochthonous and four allochthonous populations founded by the release of small numbers of individuals during the last 150 years. The microsatellite loci detected by the DNA-probe (ATCC), were found to be polymorphic in all populations, but the amount of variation was lower than in comparable mammalian species. In spite of founder effects the variation in the allochthonous populations was not significantly reduced compared to the autochthonous populations. The autochthonous populations from Austria and from the eastern part of Switzerland were genetically similar, only the population from western Switzerland was clearly differentiated from the others. In the allochthonous populations similarities in the microsatellite patterns reveal genetic affinities to putative autochthonous source populations of the founder individuals.