Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Hypoxic responses in quail development differ depending upon stage, duration and level of oxygen partial pressure of embryo. Incubation was switched to/from 110mmHg partial pressure (hypoxia), to/from 150mmHg (normoxia) during different stages in development, and control was incubated in normoxia throughout. Hatchability and embryo survival resulted in no hatchlings in continuous hypoxia. Responses to various hypoxic exposures throughout development resulted in recovery/repair of hypoxic damage by hatch. Heart and body mass, beak and toe length, hemoglobin, and hematocrit were measured to determine embryo responses to hypoxia during development at days 10, 15, and hatch. Hypoxia seemed to have the most deleterious effects on eggs in continuous hypoxia. Collectively, data indicate critical developmental windows for hypoxia susceptibility, especially during mid-embryonic development.

Objectives of this study were to examine effects of dietary pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) on copper and vitamin A metabolism in the chicken which are very susceptible to the hepatoxic effects of PA and Japanese quail which are highly resistant to PA. Also, the possible interaction between copper and vitamin A in the two species and effect of PA on retention of previously stored vitamin A in the chicken were investigated. Three experiments were designed. Experiment 1 was to examine the effect of feeding the PA-containing plant tansy ragwort (TR)(Senecio jacobaea) on tissue levels of copper and vitamin A in the chicken. Experiment 2 was to investigate if dietary PA affected the retention of previously stored vitamin A in the chicken. Experiment 3 was to determine if hepatoxic effects of PA are necessary to influence copper and vitamin A metabolism in Japanese quail. In experiment 1, a 2x2x2 factorial design with dietary 0 and 5% TR, 0 and 250 ppm copper, and 0 and 25,000 IU/kg diet vitamin A was used. The results showed that body weight gain was reduced (P < 0.01) in birds fed TR. Both serum and liver copper concentrations were markedly increased (P <0.01) in the TR-fed group with 250 ppm copper supplement. Zinc concentrations in the serum and liver were significantly decreased (P <0.05) in the TR-fed groups compared to TR-free groups. Liver iron was increased (P <0.05) in the TR-fed birds. The serum vitamin A levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in all TR-fed groups. The ranges of decrease were from 62 to 72 % in four TR -fed groups. The liver vitamin A concentrations were also significantly decreased (P <0.05) in TR-fed groups without vitamin A supplement. The effects of PA on liver and blood vitamin A concentration may reflect PA inhibition of synthesis of retinol-binding proteins, or impaired vitamin A absorption from reduced biliary excretion. There was no interaction between dietary copper and vitamin A levels and tissue concentrations of these nutrients. In experiment 2, a two period experiment was carried out. In the first period, two groups of chicks were fed a diet containing 25,000 IU vitamin A/kg diet for two weeks followed by a control or TR-containing diet for four weeks. Blood samples were taken at 4 day intervals for 24 days. It was found that by day 8, serum vitamin A levels were significantly depressed (P <0.05). After 24 days of PA exposure, serum vitamin A levels were reduced by 55 % and 8.5% in the TR-fed group and the control group, respectively. Liver concentration of vitamin A was increased (P < 0.05) at day 24 of TR feeding, while liver vitamin A concentration in birds fed the control diet was decreased by 13% over the same period. The results indicate that PA inhibit the mobilization of previously stored vitamin A from the liver, probably by inhibiting hepatic synthesis of retinol-binding proteins. Experiment 3 was a 2x2x2 factorial design with added 0 and 5% tansy ragwort, 0 and 250 ppm copper, and 0 and 25,000 IU/kg diet vitamin A. The results showed that consumption of TR did not affect the growth rate of Japanese quail. There were no significant differences in the serum copper concentrations among all treatment groups. Liver copper levels were decreased with TR feeding (P <0.05). The concentrations of zinc and iron in the serum and liver were normal in TR-fed groups compared to the controls. There was no significant effect (P >0.05) on the serum vitamin A concentration. The liver vitamin A concentrations were also not significantly different with the exception of the basal TR group. Copper supplementation of the diet increased serum vitamin A levels (P <0.05). The results suggest that hepatotoxicity is necessary to induce the changes in tissue levels of copper and vitamin A seen in PA-susceptible species. / Graduation date: 1991

Providing supplemental feed is a popular management practice for quail (northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus and scaled quail Callipepla squamata ) in Texas. It is common knowledge that non-target species, e.g., raccoons (Procyon lotor), are frequent visitors at feeding stations intended for quail. However, empirical data are scarce on seasonal visitation rates at such feeders, either by quail or by non-target species. The ecological efficacy and economic efficiency of a feeding program for quail depends on several variables; perhaps the most important of these is how much of the feed is consumed by quail versus various non-target species. I monitored species visitation seasonally at free-choice quail feeders with motion-sensing cameras at 4 sites in West Texas (Coke, Fisher and Stonewall counties). Quail feeders were monitored using active-infrared sensing camera systems and passive-infrared video systems, to compare data obtained via these 2 surveillance techniques. I tested 2 research hypotheses: 1) that quail feeders are visited by a wide range of non-target species; and 2) active-infrared surveillance will yield a more precise estimate of species visitation than estimates derived from passive video surveillance. Major findings included documentation of approximately 14 mammalian and 18 avian species that were recorded in a total of 6,558 events. Data analysis yielded a chronology of feeding behavior by all visiting species. I found that species visitation at quail feeders varied according to season, with the greatest number of events occurring during the fall and the fewest during the winter. Feeder visitation also varied according to lunar phase, with the fewest events occurring during the new moon phase. I recorded the duration of each event monitored on videotape, a total of 29,235 minutes, and determined that feeder visitation by raccoons comprised 43.2% of all time spent at quail feeders across all species. Visitation by bobwhite and scaled quail comprised only 5.4% of time spent at quail feeders by all visiting species. This study confirmed the need for strategy implementation that minimizes non-target consumption of feed intended for quail.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 111 p.; also includes graphics. Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Michael S. Lilburn, Dept. of Animal Science. Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-111).

Montezuma quail (Cyrtonix montezumae) life history is the least understood of all North American quail due to historical difficulties in capturing and monitoring marked individuals of this species. Most aspects of its population dynamics, range and habitat use have remained as knowledge gaps until now. My study overcame these difficulties and I was able to trap and monitor 88 individuals from 2008–2010 at 3 study sites in southeast Arizona. Techniques for trapping and monitoring included the use of trained pointing dogs, hoop nets, funnel traps, and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras. I estimated survival probabilities as well as range size for radio-marked individuals. The estimated survival, using the Kaplan-Meier staggered entry method, combined amongst 3 study sties, was 21.9% from fall 2008–2009. Survival for quail at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in 2010 was 4.8%. For range estimation, I used the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel estimators. The largest MCP range estimate for an individual (206.65 ha) was far greater than previous estimates reported for this species in the literature. The mean seasonal range size, using the fixed kernel 95% utilization distribution, also was 60% higher at Stevens Canyon, 63% higher at Hog Canyon, and 47% higher at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch than the largest use area (50 ha) reported in the literature. A wildfire in 2009 provided an opportunity to examine post-fire succession and habitat use. I observed roosting in fire-affected areas within 1 week post-fire and successful nesting in fire-affected areas within 3 months post-fire. Low survival and reduced 95% fixed kernel ranges for quail at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in 2010 was attributed to strong El Niño conditions in the Pacific that brought a severe winter storm to the region. The combined results from this research help to address knowledge gaps about Montezuma quail survival demographics, range, habitat use, and provide references to baseline data to assist managing potential impacts associated with stochastic events such as wildfire and periods of inclement weather associated with above average winter precipitation.

Thesis (M.S.)--Villanova University, 2008. / Biology Dept. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 53-60). Also available via the Internet.

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M.S.