No description available.

A partially automated radio-tracking system with semi-continuous azimuth data collection and XYLOG5 and MAP computer programs for azimuth data analysis was used for studies of California quail (Callipepla californica) at the E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area, Oregon, in 1988 and 1989. Movements of 58 hens were monitored daily to determine nest locations and dates of incubation activities throughout 2 breeding seasons (May to mid-August). Locations for specified periods during the breeding season for nesting quail were used in 2 studies: 1) effect of methyl parathion application to home ranges; and 2) home ranges and habitats used. Foraging home ranges during the first one-half of incubation for 15 hens were treated with water (n = 8) or methyl parathion 4E (n = 7) at a rate of 0.56 kg a.i./ha. No significant measurable effects were found for rates of nesting success and recruitment to 15 days post-hatching between water and methyl parathion groups. A significantly lower hatching rate was found for the methyl parathion group wherein 71 of 103 (69%) eggs for control hens and 36 of 71 (51%) methyl parathion group hens hatched. No significant measurable effects were found for nest attentiveness from pre- to post-treatment period within groups and use of treated areas between groups. Home range sizes, nesting cover, and cover-type composition of home ranges were described for radio-tracked hens. During 4 periods of the breeding season, mean home range size ranged from 4 to 22 ha and was significantly smaller during incubation. Hens used roadsides, characterized by early seral stage vegetation, for nesting more frequently than expected in relation to availability, used cultivated fields less than expected, and did not use road surfaces, buildings, and foundations. Nest sites had significantly more bareground and less grass, shrub, and vertical cover than random sites and also were located in early successional vegetation. Ability to collect azimuth data and precisely analyze locations and home ranges for hens within a 6-hour period daily throughout the 2 field seasons were advantages of the radio-tracking system. Small sample size largely because of transmitter failures, potential for system overload, expenses incurred to employ personnel, and subjectiveness of collected azimuth data were disadvantages of the system. Efforts to advance radio-tracking technology should focus upon development of remote antennas, which are computer-controlled to collect and relay azimuth data to a central station. / Graduation date: 1991

No description available.

No description available.

I compared Japanese quail Coturnix japonica, and Ring doves Streptopelia risoria, in the development of thyrotropin (TSH) influence on thyroid hormone (TH) content in the thyroid gland (TG) and the serum, and on TG-cAMP content. In embryos, pituitary gland (PG)-TSH content was measured by an avian bioassay system. Adult quail and doves were studied for comparability of thyroid gland function when receiving comparable dietary iodine. Also, thyroid function in adult doves was compared with different iodine intake. In embryonic quail, there is considerable maturation of thyroid function prior to hatching, TG-TH content is low but detectable in day 8 embryos; TG-TH content increases 300X between day 8 and hatching (16.5 day incubation). Pituitary TSH was detectable on embryonic day 8, with higher levels found closer to hatching. The TG of 8 day embryos responds to TSH injection by increased TG-cAMP content but the serum TH response to TSH does not mature until day 9. Serum TH concentrations suggest that the TG is under the control of endogenous TSH from the pituitary during the latter part of incubation. In doves, most of the development of thyroid function and the maturation of its pituitary control occur after hatching, Thus, thyroid functional development is much later in doves than in quail. TG-TH content is extremely low in embryos and nestlings up to 3 days after hatching, increases slowly innestlings up to day 10, then increases sharply. Serum TH are very low in embryos and rise steadily in nestlings to plateau after day 8. Pituitary TSH content is undetectable in embryos and in nestlings until day 4. The TG does not respond (based on serum TH concentrations) to TSH injection through the day of hatching (day 16; mean incubation period of 16.5 days), but an increase in serum TH occurs in day 2 nestlings in response to TSH injection. The magnitude of this response continues to increase during the first week after hatching. In adult birds, thyroid function was studied in Japanese quail and Ring doves, when both were fed the same dietary iodine (I; 930 μg I/kg). We also compared thyroid function in groups of doves receiving low I (< 100 μg I/kg) or moderate I (930 μg I/kg). We measured thyroid gland (TG) weight, TG stable I (¹²⁷I) I content, TG ¹²⁵I uptake, ¹²⁵I labeling of thyroid hormones, and serum ¹²⁵I thyroxine (T4) half-life. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations in TGs and serum also were determined. Our results indicate that doves and quail receiving the same dietary I show similar serum T3 concentrations and TG functional state, but that there are some differences between the species in the way which this equivalent functional state is achieved. Doves fed low dietary 1 (< 100 μg 1/kg) when compared to doves with moderate I intakes (930 μg I/kg) showed similar serum T3 concentrations despite reduced serum T4 concentrations and TG-hormone stores. This study demonstrates that quail and doves show similar TG function and a similar regulation of serum T3, the · presumed metabolically active hormone, when dietary I availability is the same. Also, doves with low dietary I show decreases in some measures of TG function compared to doves with moderate I, but still maintain a level of serum T3 comparable to that with adequate I intake. This set point regulation of T3 therefore appears to be independent of serum T4 or TG hormone stores. / Ph. D.

Present sampling techniques are not capable of assessing both contamination with an organochlorine chemical and reproductive success without the need for removing individuals from that population. Experiments were performed to evaluate vitellogenin, vitamin A, and vitamin E as biomarkers of contamination with DDT, an organochlorine pesticide, and reproductive success in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) or northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). The utility of vitellogenin as a biomarker in northern bobwhites was investigated. Female northern bobwhites were dosed with 0, 1, 10, or 100 μg DDT/g body weight via corn oil intubation. The females were induced to lay eggs by providing the proper daylength, and number of eggs laid was monitored. No differences were found for number of eggs laid, egg morphology, or plasma concentration of vitellogenin among dose groups. Dietary supplementation and corn oil intubation were evaluated as alternative dosing techniques because handling involved with intubation may have caused decreased egg production in all treatment groups in the first experiment. Nonlaying female bobwhites were dosed with 0 μg DDT, 25 μg DDT/g food, or 25 μg/g body weight (intubation). Bobwhites receiving DDT via intubation accumulated more DDT in brains and livers than did bobwhites receiving DDT via their diet. The two techniques were found not to be equivalent. Vitamins A and E were investigated as biomarkers of DDT contamination and reproductive success in Japanese quail. Female Japanese quail were given 0, 1, 10, or 25 μg dietary DDT. Significant differences were found among dose groups for reproductive success (number of eggs showing embryonic development), and for plasma concentrations of vitamin A. Concentrations of vitamin E were not measurable. Correlation and regression analyses failed to show a relationship between reproduction and vitamin A concentrations. Vitamins A and E also were investigated as biomarkers in northern bobwhites. Female bobwhites were given 0, 1, 10, or 25 ppm dietary DDT. No significant differences were found among dose groups for reproductive success or for concentrations of either vitamin A or vitamin E. Correlation and regression analyses again failed to show any relationship between reproduction and plasma concentrations of vitamins A or E. During each experiment, concentrations of DDT and its metabolites were measured. DDE/DDT ratios in livers, a means of estimating liver enzyme induction, were calculated. The DDE/DDT ratios in livers of Japanese quail and northern bobwhites were found to be markedly different. More work needs to be done to better evaluate the relationship between differences in enzyme induction and reproductive success among different species. / Ph. D.

Wild birds can be exposed to high concentrations of lead caused by spent lead shot and industrial waste. The immunosuppressive effects of lead have been demonstrated in laboratory mammals, but little research has been conducted in birds. Because immunocompetence is important for survival, the effects of acute lead exposure on immune function in 2 quail species, Japanese quail (Cotumix coturllix) and northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), were investigated. In preliminary experiments, intubation with lead shot produced inconsistent doses within treatment groups. Both quail species exhibited poor antibody responses after immunization with sheep erythrocytes. In a third experiment, male Japanese quail were dosed with 100 or 400 ppm lead in drinking water for 7 days. Quail were fed either laying mash or com. Some quail were treated with corticosterone as a positive control Lead enhanced the loss of body mass caused by com. Lead-induced mortality was observed only in quail fed com. There was marginal evidence that lead increased the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in quail fed com. Com decreased the cell-mediated immune response to an intradermal injection of phytohemagglutinin. Corticosterone suppressed cell-mediated immunity more than lead. The primary total antibody response to chukar (Alectoris graeca chukar) erythrocytes was significantly suppressed in lead-dosed quail fed com. Lead also reduced the secondary total antibody and IgG responses in the low lead/com group. The most pronounced effect of lead on immune function was a suppression of antibody responses in groups that exhibited clinical lead poisoning. / Master of Science

This investigation was conducted to determine the ecology and dynamics of Massachusetts quail populations, and to interpret the findings in terms of practical management of the resource. Weight data collected during the course of the study support the thesis that the northeastern coastal quail population may be separated, subspecifically. Declines in quail populations in Massachusetts during the past century probably resulted from a deterioration in habitable range. Present populations are apparently limited to areas of farming activity. Coastal populations are probably less dependent on a strictly agricultural environment than inland populations. No statistically significant change in quail populations was observed between 1952 and 1956, based on whistle-count census data. A probable increase in 1954 was detected, however, in both the whistle-count census and in age composition data. An analysis of 772 hatching dates for three years indicated that early and successful nesting occurred in Massachusetts quail populations. Weight studies showed that all sex and age segments of the quail population were heaviest during early January, and lightest in April. No weight difference between sexes was observed. Adults were significantly heavier than juveniles throughout the winter. but weight differences between the age segments decreased as winter progressed. Comparisons of spring and fall movement among individual quail indicated that spring movement was greater than in the fall. A 30 per cent increase in six months was observed for the total population of a 1790-acre area that was intensively managed using annual grains. A significant increase occurred simultaneously in the percentage of juveniles in the same population. Data collected from an expanding insular quail population indicated that summer gains were inversely related to spring population densities, and that a decrease in the percentage of juveniles might be attributed to post-nesting mortality. The insular population was maintained using “bucket-type" feeders at a cost of $4.00 per additional bird. Plantings of perennial shrub lespedezas apparently were of limited value to quail. Likewise, predator control and refuge establishment were thought to be ineffective techniques. The use of narrow-strip annual grain plantings with maximum edge in areas reverting to non-productive habitat apparently provides the most economical ($2.50 per bird) and practical means of increasing quail populations. Except in very special cases, the artificial propagation and release of quail was found to be unwise. Studies of hunting pressure and total kill suggest that effort should be directed to liberalize hunting restrictions if greater utilization of the resource is to be realized. / Ph. D.

This study aims to compare non-linear models fitted to the growth curves of quail in order to determine which model best describes the growth , to verify the similarity of the models by analyzing estimates of the parameters and to apply the model identity in different groups of strains and Treatments . We used the weight and age data from European quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) from three strains, in a 2x4 factorial design, housed in a completely randomized design with two levels of energy and four levels of crude protein, with six replications. Non-linear models were used: Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Logistic and Gompertz. To choose the best model we used the adjusted coefficient of determination, the percentage of convergence, the Mean Square Residue, the Durbin - Watson test, the Akaike information criteria and the Bayesian information criteria as evaluators of the quality of fit. We used cluster analysis to verify, based on average estimates of the parameters, the similarities between the models. We tested the identity of the models in order to verify whether the curve parameters for the eight treatments and for the three strains, would be equal. Among the models studied, the Logistic was the most appropriate to describe the growth curves. The Logistic and Richards models were similar in the analyzes irrespective of strain, so the analysis of Lineage 1, 2 and 3. There was no significant difference for the chosen parameters between treatments within each strain, however, there was significant difference, except for treatment 5, for the parameters of strains within each treatment, caused by the adult weight. / Objetivaram-se, neste estudo, comparar modelos não lineares ajustados às curvas de crescimento de codornas para determinar qual modelo que melhor descreve o crescimento, verificar a similaridade dos modelos analisando as estimativas dos parâmetros e, aplicar a identidade de modelos em diferentes grupos de Linhagens e Tratamentos. Para a análise, foram utilizados os dados peso e idade de codornas européias de corte (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) proveniente de três linhagens, em um esquema fatorial 2x4, instalado em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com dois níveis de energia metabolizável e quatro níveis de proteína bruta, com seis repetições. Os modelos não lineares utilizados foram: Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Logístico e Gompertz. Para a escolha do melhor modelo utilizou-se o coeficiente de determinação ajustado, o Percentual de convergência, o Quadrado Médio do Resíduo, o Teste de Durbin-Watson, o Critério de informação Akaike e o Critério de informação Bayesiano como avaliadores da qualidade do ajuste. Utilizou-se a análise de agrupamento para verificar, baseado nas estimativas médias dos parâmetros, a similaridades entre os modelos. Testou-se a identidade de modelos para verificar se os parâmetros das curvas, para os oito tratamentos e para as três linhagens, seriam iguais. Entre os modelos estudados, o Logístico foi o mais adequado para descrever as curvas de crescimento. Os modelos Logístico e Richards foram considerados similares nas análises sem distinção de linhagem, assim também nas análises das Linhagem 1, 2 e 3. Não houve diferença significativa para os parâmetros do modelo escolhido entre tratamentos dentro de cada linhagem, contudo, houve diferença significativa, exceto para o Tratamento 5, para os parâmetros entre linhagens dentro de cada tratamento, ocasionada pelo peso adulto.

Home range, habitat use, and movements of reintroduced masked bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgewayi) were studied during 1986-88 on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Home ranges averaged 10.9 ha (5.2-14.6 ha), and core areas averaged 1.1 ha (0.2-2.7 ha). Core areas had significantly higher visual obstruction by vegetation from 0-1 dm, aerial and basal grass cover, and significantly lower bare ground, litter, half-shrub cover, half shrub density, and visual obstruction by vegetation from 5-20 dm than non-core areas. The majority of the masked bobwhite moved less than 1 km between their release location and the site of first trapping. However, some long distance movements occurred. Once home ranges were established, masked bobwhite seldom left the boundaries. Key habitat components are identified for masked bobwhite on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge.