Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) numbers in the southeastern region of the Edwards Plateau (EP) have shown a significant decline since the 1970s; however, the remainder of the EP had stable populations during this period. Since 2001, research has been conducted in the southeastern EP evaluating factors which could be responsible for the decline of Rio Grande turkeys in this region of Texas. I used digital cameras to evaluate the effect of nest predation on the reproductive success of Rio Grande wild turkeys in the region. Nest predation was the leading cause of nest loss in my study and I documented frequent predation events involving ≥1 predator species. While studying nest predation, I examined the effects of my methods, and those commonly used by others, on nest success. Nests with cameras failed at the same frequency as those without cameras but at a faster rate. Predation rates observed for artificial nests underestimated predation rates of real nests. Additionally, I photographed known turkey nest predators at 27% of random points with no eggs, suggesting that nest predation could be a random process depending on the nest predator’s unique search image. I also examined the spatial structure of the habitat surrounding nest locations of turkeys on my study sites to evaluate the effect of disturbance on nest-site selection. Out of 59 nests located on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area from 2005 through 2007, only 5 were in areas that had not been burned in the 9 years prior. Turkeys in my study consistently chose areas characteristic of the fire maintained, oak–juniper savanna historically found in the region.

Neste trabalho foi descrito e sistematizado a distribuição e território das artérias cerebrais média e caudal, artéria cerebroetmoidal e artéria cerebelar ventral caudal na superfície do encéfalo de 30 perus (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 machos e 20 fêmeas, jovens e adultos (idade entre 2,5 meses e 3,5). A artéria cerebral caudal de um antímero formava a artéria inter-hemisférica que lançava ramos hemisféricos dorsais para a face convexa de ambos os antímeros. Seu ramo tectal mesencefálico dorsal de apenas um antímero originava a artéria cerebelar dorsal. No interior da fissura transversa do cérebro, após a origem da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, a artéria cerebral caudal lançou ramos hemisféricos occipitais, ramos pineais e hemisféricos mediais em ambos os antímeros. O território da artéria cerebral caudal compreendeu toda a superfície do hemilobo óptico dorsal, a face rostral do cerebelo, as estruturas diencefálicas, o polo caudal e a face medial do hemisfério cerebral e na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral a eminência sagital exceto seu terço mais rostral. Devido à assimetria encontrada nas ramificações das artérias cerebrais caudais, foram classificados os modelos em três tipos com seus respectivos subtipos. A artéria cerebral média projetou-se em arco rostrolátero- medialmente através da superfície ventral do hemisfério cerebral e lançou inúmeros ramos perfurantes que penetravam no complexo estriado das aves. Lançou ramos hemisféricos ventrais que projetaram-se em direção medial na base do hemisfério cerebral e concorriam com a artéria cerebral rostral na vascularização dessa área, e uma sequência de ramos hemisféricos laterais que ascendiam no hemisfério cerebral, na face convexa, até a altura da valécula telencefálica e terminou-se em seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais, que curvaram-se lateralmente ao bulbo olfatório, dorsalmente, ascendendo à face convexa, vascularizando o terço mais rostral da eminência sagital. O território da artéria cerebral média compreendeu toda a extensão da base do hemisfério cerebral exceto uma área triangular mais medial e caudal que era vascularizada pela artéria cerebral rostral. Na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral, seu território alcançava a valécula telencefálica. Seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais vascularizavam o polo frontal do hemisfério cerebral e bulbo olfatório, mais o terço rostral da eminência sagital. A artéria cerebroetmoidal é a continuação natural do ramo rostral da artéria carótida do cérebro, a partir da origem da artéria cerebral média. Emitiu como ramos colaterais a artéria cerebral rostral, um vaso pequeno projetado da artéria cerebroetmoidal e a artéria etmoidal que projetou-se rostralmente em direção ao bulbo olfatório, acompanhando a fissura inter-hemisférica, alcançando o bulbo olfatório e a cavidade nasal, através do forame olfatório. O território da artéria cerebroetmoidal e suas ramificações vascularizaram uma pequena área triangular da base do hemisfério cerebral entre a artéria cerebral média e o quiasma óptico, porém sua principal função vascular nas aves, é irrigar toda a cavidade nasal. No peru a artéria carótida do cérebro, de apenas um antímero, apresentou seu ramo caudal desenvolvido formando à artéria basilar. No antímero oposto, o ramo caudal transformou-se na artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral e sua terminação medial, o ramo caudal vestigial, mergulhava na fossa interpeduncular, não se anastomosando com o ramo desenvolvido do antímero oposto. O círculo arterial cerebral foi sempre aberto caudalmente. O ramo caudal desenvolvido apresentou como ramo colateral a artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. O mesencéfalo do peru era composto pelo lobo óptico que teve sua face dorsal vascularizada pela artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, ramo da artéria cerebral caudal. Sua face ventral foi vascularizada pelas ramificações da artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. Esta apresentou variações alcançando parte do cerebelo, principalmente seus lóbulos ventro-rostrais. O rombencéfalo era composto por medula oblonga e cerebelo e foi vascularizado por dois pares principais de artérias cerebelares ventrais rostrais e caudais. A face rostral do cerebelo foi suprida, quando da presença, pela artéria cerebelar dorsal, proveniente de apenas um antímero, ramo da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, pertencente ao sistema arterial cerebral caudal. / In this work was described and systematized the distribution and territory of the middle and caudal cerebral arteries, cerebroethmoidal and caudal ventral cerebellar arteries at the surface of the brain of 30 young and adult turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 males and 20 females. The caudal cerebral artery of one antimere formed the interhemispheric artery, which gave off dorsal hemispheric branches to the convex surface of both antimeres. Its dorsal tectal mesencephalic branch of only one antimere originated the dorsal cerebellar artery. Inside the cerebral transverse fissure, after the origin of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, the caudal cerebral artery gave off occipital hemispheric branches, pineal branches and medial hemispheric branches on both antimeres. The territory of the caudal cerebral artery comprehended the entire surface of the dorsal hemioptic lobe, the rostral surface of the cerebellum, the diencephalic structures, the caudal pole and the medial surface the cerebral hemisphere and on the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere the sagittal eminence, except for its most rostral third. Due to an asymmetry found in the ramifications of the caudal cerebral arteries, the models were classified in three types with their respective subtypes. The middle cerebral artery projected in arch rostrolateromedialwards through the ventral surface of the cerebral hemisphere and gave off several perforating branches, which penetrated in the striated complex of the birds. It gave off ventral hemispheric branches, which were projected medialwards at the base of the cerebral hemisphere and disputed with the rostral cerebral artery for the vascularization of this area, and a sequence of lateral hemispheric branches, which ascended to the cerebral hemisphere, at the convex surface, at the level of the telencephalic vallecula and the terminal branch was the rostral hemispheric branches, which curved towards the lateral side of the olfactory bulb, ascending to the convex surface, vascularizing the most rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The territory of the middle cerebral artery comprehended the entire base extension of the cerebral hemisphere, except for a most medial and caudal triangular area, which was vascularized by the rostral cerebral artery. At the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere, its territory reached the telencephalic vallecula. Its rostral hemispheric branches vascularized the frontal pole of the cerebral hemisphere and olfactory bulb, and also the rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The cerebroethmoidal artery is the natural continuation of the rostral branch of the cerebral carotid artery, from the origin of the middle cerebral artery. It gave off as collateral branches the rostral cerebral artery, a small vessel projected from the cerebroethmoidal artery and the ethmoidal artery, which projected rostralwards towards the olfactory bulb, following the interhemispheric fissure, reaching the olfactory bulb and the nasal cavity, through the olfactory foramen. The territory of the cerebroethmoidal artery and its ramifications vascularized a small triangular area of the base of the cerebral hemisphere between the middle cerebral artery and the optic chiasm, however its main vascular function in birds is to irrigate the entire nasal cavity. In the turkey, the cerebral carotid artery, in only one antimere, presented a developed caudal branch forming the basilar artery. On the opposite antimere, the caudal branch transformed into the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery and its medial terminal branch, the vestigial caudal branch, entered the interpeduncular fossa, not anastomosing with the developed branch of the opposite antimere. The cerebral arterial circle was always opened caudalwards. The developed caudal branch presented as collateral branch the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. The mesencephalon of the turkey was composed by the optic lobe, which had its dorsal surface vascularized by the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, branch of the caudal cerebral artery. Its ventral surface was vascularized by the ramifications of the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. This presented variations reaching part of the cerebellum, mainly its rostroventral lobules. The rhombencephalon was composed by medulla oblongata and cerebellum and was vascularized by two main pairs of caudal and rostral ventral cerebellar arteries. The rostral surface of the cerebellum was supplied, when present, by the dorsal cerebellar artery, provided from just one antimere, branch of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, pertaining from the caudal cerebral arterial system.

Neste trabalho foi descrito e sistematizado a distribuição e território das artérias cerebrais média e caudal, artéria cerebroetmoidal e artéria cerebelar ventral caudal na superfície do encéfalo de 30 perus (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 machos e 20 fêmeas, jovens e adultos (idade entre 2,5 meses e 3,5). A artéria cerebral caudal de um antímero formava a artéria inter-hemisférica que lançava ramos hemisféricos dorsais para a face convexa de ambos os antímeros. Seu ramo tectal mesencefálico dorsal de apenas um antímero originava a artéria cerebelar dorsal. No interior da fissura transversa do cérebro, após a origem da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, a artéria cerebral caudal lançou ramos hemisféricos occipitais, ramos pineais e hemisféricos mediais em ambos os antímeros. O território da artéria cerebral caudal compreendeu toda a superfície do hemilobo óptico dorsal, a face rostral do cerebelo, as estruturas diencefálicas, o polo caudal e a face medial do hemisfério cerebral e na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral a eminência sagital exceto seu terço mais rostral. Devido à assimetria encontrada nas ramificações das artérias cerebrais caudais, foram classificados os modelos em três tipos com seus respectivos subtipos. A artéria cerebral média projetou-se em arco rostrolátero- medialmente através da superfície ventral do hemisfério cerebral e lançou inúmeros ramos perfurantes que penetravam no complexo estriado das aves. Lançou ramos hemisféricos ventrais que projetaram-se em direção medial na base do hemisfério cerebral e concorriam com a artéria cerebral rostral na vascularização dessa área, e uma sequência de ramos hemisféricos laterais que ascendiam no hemisfério cerebral, na face convexa, até a altura da valécula telencefálica e terminou-se em seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais, que curvaram-se lateralmente ao bulbo olfatório, dorsalmente, ascendendo à face convexa, vascularizando o terço mais rostral da eminência sagital. O território da artéria cerebral média compreendeu toda a extensão da base do hemisfério cerebral exceto uma área triangular mais medial e caudal que era vascularizada pela artéria cerebral rostral. Na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral, seu território alcançava a valécula telencefálica. Seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais vascularizavam o polo frontal do hemisfério cerebral e bulbo olfatório, mais o terço rostral da eminência sagital. A artéria cerebroetmoidal é a continuação natural do ramo rostral da artéria carótida do cérebro, a partir da origem da artéria cerebral média. Emitiu como ramos colaterais a artéria cerebral rostral, um vaso pequeno projetado da artéria cerebroetmoidal e a artéria etmoidal que projetou-se rostralmente em direção ao bulbo olfatório, acompanhando a fissura inter-hemisférica, alcançando o bulbo olfatório e a cavidade nasal, através do forame olfatório. O território da artéria cerebroetmoidal e suas ramificações vascularizaram uma pequena área triangular da base do hemisfério cerebral entre a artéria cerebral média e o quiasma óptico, porém sua principal função vascular nas aves, é irrigar toda a cavidade nasal. No peru a artéria carótida do cérebro, de apenas um antímero, apresentou seu ramo caudal desenvolvido formando à artéria basilar. No antímero oposto, o ramo caudal transformou-se na artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral e sua terminação medial, o ramo caudal vestigial, mergulhava na fossa interpeduncular, não se anastomosando com o ramo desenvolvido do antímero oposto. O círculo arterial cerebral foi sempre aberto caudalmente. O ramo caudal desenvolvido apresentou como ramo colateral a artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. O mesencéfalo do peru era composto pelo lobo óptico que teve sua face dorsal vascularizada pela artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, ramo da artéria cerebral caudal. Sua face ventral foi vascularizada pelas ramificações da artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. Esta apresentou variações alcançando parte do cerebelo, principalmente seus lóbulos ventro-rostrais. O rombencéfalo era composto por medula oblonga e cerebelo e foi vascularizado por dois pares principais de artérias cerebelares ventrais rostrais e caudais. A face rostral do cerebelo foi suprida, quando da presença, pela artéria cerebelar dorsal, proveniente de apenas um antímero, ramo da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, pertencente ao sistema arterial cerebral caudal. / In this work was described and systematized the distribution and territory of the middle and caudal cerebral arteries, cerebroethmoidal and caudal ventral cerebellar arteries at the surface of the brain of 30 young and adult turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 males and 20 females. The caudal cerebral artery of one antimere formed the interhemispheric artery, which gave off dorsal hemispheric branches to the convex surface of both antimeres. Its dorsal tectal mesencephalic branch of only one antimere originated the dorsal cerebellar artery. Inside the cerebral transverse fissure, after the origin of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, the caudal cerebral artery gave off occipital hemispheric branches, pineal branches and medial hemispheric branches on both antimeres. The territory of the caudal cerebral artery comprehended the entire surface of the dorsal hemioptic lobe, the rostral surface of the cerebellum, the diencephalic structures, the caudal pole and the medial surface the cerebral hemisphere and on the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere the sagittal eminence, except for its most rostral third. Due to an asymmetry found in the ramifications of the caudal cerebral arteries, the models were classified in three types with their respective subtypes. The middle cerebral artery projected in arch rostrolateromedialwards through the ventral surface of the cerebral hemisphere and gave off several perforating branches, which penetrated in the striated complex of the birds. It gave off ventral hemispheric branches, which were projected medialwards at the base of the cerebral hemisphere and disputed with the rostral cerebral artery for the vascularization of this area, and a sequence of lateral hemispheric branches, which ascended to the cerebral hemisphere, at the convex surface, at the level of the telencephalic vallecula and the terminal branch was the rostral hemispheric branches, which curved towards the lateral side of the olfactory bulb, ascending to the convex surface, vascularizing the most rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The territory of the middle cerebral artery comprehended the entire base extension of the cerebral hemisphere, except for a most medial and caudal triangular area, which was vascularized by the rostral cerebral artery. At the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere, its territory reached the telencephalic vallecula. Its rostral hemispheric branches vascularized the frontal pole of the cerebral hemisphere and olfactory bulb, and also the rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The cerebroethmoidal artery is the natural continuation of the rostral branch of the cerebral carotid artery, from the origin of the middle cerebral artery. It gave off as collateral branches the rostral cerebral artery, a small vessel projected from the cerebroethmoidal artery and the ethmoidal artery, which projected rostralwards towards the olfactory bulb, following the interhemispheric fissure, reaching the olfactory bulb and the nasal cavity, through the olfactory foramen. The territory of the cerebroethmoidal artery and its ramifications vascularized a small triangular area of the base of the cerebral hemisphere between the middle cerebral artery and the optic chiasm, however its main vascular function in birds is to irrigate the entire nasal cavity. In the turkey, the cerebral carotid artery, in only one antimere, presented a developed caudal branch forming the basilar artery. On the opposite antimere, the caudal branch transformed into the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery and its medial terminal branch, the vestigial caudal branch, entered the interpeduncular fossa, not anastomosing with the developed branch of the opposite antimere. The cerebral arterial circle was always opened caudalwards. The developed caudal branch presented as collateral branch the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. The mesencephalon of the turkey was composed by the optic lobe, which had its dorsal surface vascularized by the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, branch of the caudal cerebral artery. Its ventral surface was vascularized by the ramifications of the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. This presented variations reaching part of the cerebellum, mainly its rostroventral lobules. The rhombencephalon was composed by medulla oblongata and cerebellum and was vascularized by two main pairs of caudal and rostral ventral cerebellar arteries. The rostral surface of the cerebellum was supplied, when present, by the dorsal cerebellar artery, provided from just one antimere, branch of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, pertaining from the caudal cerebral arterial system.

Neste trabalho foi descrito e sistematizado a distribuição e território das artérias cerebrais média e caudal, artéria cerebroetmoidal e artéria cerebelar ventral caudal na superfície do encéfalo de 30 perus (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 machos e 20 fêmeas, jovens e adultos (idade entre 2,5 meses e 3,5). A artéria cerebral caudal de um antímero formava a artéria inter-hemisférica que lançava ramos hemisféricos dorsais para a face convexa de ambos os antímeros. Seu ramo tectal mesencefálico dorsal de apenas um antímero originava a artéria cerebelar dorsal. No interior da fissura transversa do cérebro, após a origem da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, a artéria cerebral caudal lançou ramos hemisféricos occipitais, ramos pineais e hemisféricos mediais em ambos os antímeros. O território da artéria cerebral caudal compreendeu toda a superfície do hemilobo óptico dorsal, a face rostral do cerebelo, as estruturas diencefálicas, o polo caudal e a face medial do hemisfério cerebral e na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral a eminência sagital exceto seu terço mais rostral. Devido à assimetria encontrada nas ramificações das artérias cerebrais caudais, foram classificados os modelos em três tipos com seus respectivos subtipos. A artéria cerebral média projetou-se em arco rostrolátero- medialmente através da superfície ventral do hemisfério cerebral e lançou inúmeros ramos perfurantes que penetravam no complexo estriado das aves. Lançou ramos hemisféricos ventrais que projetaram-se em direção medial na base do hemisfério cerebral e concorriam com a artéria cerebral rostral na vascularização dessa área, e uma sequência de ramos hemisféricos laterais que ascendiam no hemisfério cerebral, na face convexa, até a altura da valécula telencefálica e terminou-se em seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais, que curvaram-se lateralmente ao bulbo olfatório, dorsalmente, ascendendo à face convexa, vascularizando o terço mais rostral da eminência sagital. O território da artéria cerebral média compreendeu toda a extensão da base do hemisfério cerebral exceto uma área triangular mais medial e caudal que era vascularizada pela artéria cerebral rostral. Na face convexa do hemisfério cerebral, seu território alcançava a valécula telencefálica. Seus ramos hemisféricos rostrais vascularizavam o polo frontal do hemisfério cerebral e bulbo olfatório, mais o terço rostral da eminência sagital. A artéria cerebroetmoidal é a continuação natural do ramo rostral da artéria carótida do cérebro, a partir da origem da artéria cerebral média. Emitiu como ramos colaterais a artéria cerebral rostral, um vaso pequeno projetado da artéria cerebroetmoidal e a artéria etmoidal que projetou-se rostralmente em direção ao bulbo olfatório, acompanhando a fissura inter-hemisférica, alcançando o bulbo olfatório e a cavidade nasal, através do forame olfatório. O território da artéria cerebroetmoidal e suas ramificações vascularizaram uma pequena área triangular da base do hemisfério cerebral entre a artéria cerebral média e o quiasma óptico, porém sua principal função vascular nas aves, é irrigar toda a cavidade nasal. No peru a artéria carótida do cérebro, de apenas um antímero, apresentou seu ramo caudal desenvolvido formando à artéria basilar. No antímero oposto, o ramo caudal transformou-se na artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral e sua terminação medial, o ramo caudal vestigial, mergulhava na fossa interpeduncular, não se anastomosando com o ramo desenvolvido do antímero oposto. O círculo arterial cerebral foi sempre aberto caudalmente. O ramo caudal desenvolvido apresentou como ramo colateral a artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. O mesencéfalo do peru era composto pelo lobo óptico que teve sua face dorsal vascularizada pela artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, ramo da artéria cerebral caudal. Sua face ventral foi vascularizada pelas ramificações da artéria tectal mesencefálica ventral. Esta apresentou variações alcançando parte do cerebelo, principalmente seus lóbulos ventro-rostrais. O rombencéfalo era composto por medula oblonga e cerebelo e foi vascularizado por dois pares principais de artérias cerebelares ventrais rostrais e caudais. A face rostral do cerebelo foi suprida, quando da presença, pela artéria cerebelar dorsal, proveniente de apenas um antímero, ramo da artéria tectal mesencefálica dorsal, pertencente ao sistema arterial cerebral caudal. / In this work was described and systematized the distribution and territory of the middle and caudal cerebral arteries, cerebroethmoidal and caudal ventral cerebellar arteries at the surface of the brain of 30 young and adult turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), 10 males and 20 females. The caudal cerebral artery of one antimere formed the interhemispheric artery, which gave off dorsal hemispheric branches to the convex surface of both antimeres. Its dorsal tectal mesencephalic branch of only one antimere originated the dorsal cerebellar artery. Inside the cerebral transverse fissure, after the origin of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, the caudal cerebral artery gave off occipital hemispheric branches, pineal branches and medial hemispheric branches on both antimeres. The territory of the caudal cerebral artery comprehended the entire surface of the dorsal hemioptic lobe, the rostral surface of the cerebellum, the diencephalic structures, the caudal pole and the medial surface the cerebral hemisphere and on the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere the sagittal eminence, except for its most rostral third. Due to an asymmetry found in the ramifications of the caudal cerebral arteries, the models were classified in three types with their respective subtypes. The middle cerebral artery projected in arch rostrolateromedialwards through the ventral surface of the cerebral hemisphere and gave off several perforating branches, which penetrated in the striated complex of the birds. It gave off ventral hemispheric branches, which were projected medialwards at the base of the cerebral hemisphere and disputed with the rostral cerebral artery for the vascularization of this area, and a sequence of lateral hemispheric branches, which ascended to the cerebral hemisphere, at the convex surface, at the level of the telencephalic vallecula and the terminal branch was the rostral hemispheric branches, which curved towards the lateral side of the olfactory bulb, ascending to the convex surface, vascularizing the most rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The territory of the middle cerebral artery comprehended the entire base extension of the cerebral hemisphere, except for a most medial and caudal triangular area, which was vascularized by the rostral cerebral artery. At the convex surface of the cerebral hemisphere, its territory reached the telencephalic vallecula. Its rostral hemispheric branches vascularized the frontal pole of the cerebral hemisphere and olfactory bulb, and also the rostral third of the sagittal eminence. The cerebroethmoidal artery is the natural continuation of the rostral branch of the cerebral carotid artery, from the origin of the middle cerebral artery. It gave off as collateral branches the rostral cerebral artery, a small vessel projected from the cerebroethmoidal artery and the ethmoidal artery, which projected rostralwards towards the olfactory bulb, following the interhemispheric fissure, reaching the olfactory bulb and the nasal cavity, through the olfactory foramen. The territory of the cerebroethmoidal artery and its ramifications vascularized a small triangular area of the base of the cerebral hemisphere between the middle cerebral artery and the optic chiasm, however its main vascular function in birds is to irrigate the entire nasal cavity. In the turkey, the cerebral carotid artery, in only one antimere, presented a developed caudal branch forming the basilar artery. On the opposite antimere, the caudal branch transformed into the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery and its medial terminal branch, the vestigial caudal branch, entered the interpeduncular fossa, not anastomosing with the developed branch of the opposite antimere. The cerebral arterial circle was always opened caudalwards. The developed caudal branch presented as collateral branch the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. The mesencephalon of the turkey was composed by the optic lobe, which had its dorsal surface vascularized by the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, branch of the caudal cerebral artery. Its ventral surface was vascularized by the ramifications of the ventral tectal mesencephalic artery. This presented variations reaching part of the cerebellum, mainly its rostroventral lobules. The rhombencephalon was composed by medulla oblongata and cerebellum and was vascularized by two main pairs of caudal and rostral ventral cerebellar arteries. The rostral surface of the cerebellum was supplied, when present, by the dorsal cerebellar artery, provided from just one antimere, branch of the dorsal tectal mesencephalic artery, pertaining from the caudal cerebral arterial system.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF MARION F. CONLEE III, for the Master of Science degree in ZOOLOGY, presented on AUGUST 8, 2008, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: IMPACTS OF ILLINOIS OUTFITTERS ON WHITE-TAILED DEER AND WILD TURKEY POPULATIONS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Clayton K. Nielsen Midwestern states have little public land available for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting and access to private land is critical for maintaining healthy wildlife populations through recreational hunting. Between 1980 and 2001 trophy deer harvest in the Midwest increased and created a market for deer and turkey outfitters. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) noticed outfitting operations increased and created policy to understand outfitter management practices; however these data have not been formally analyzed. I sent 2 mail-in surveys to assess attitudes and business practices of Illinois outfitters and residents from Pike and Adams counties. For Pike County outfitters, I calculated hunter density, success rates, harvest intensity, and outfitter ability to predict hunter and harvest numbers. Outfitters indicated most of their clients were non-resident hunters, 30% of outfitters did not offer firearm deer hunts, and the deer sex ratio was skewed towards females on outfitter property. Many survey respondents who hunted in west-central Illinois lost access to property because of outfitters, which caused some hunters to quit hunting. Hunters on outfitter property did not harvest as many deer as expected at the county level. Increasing trends of deer and turkey outfitters in Illinois suggests that the IDNR should monitor outfitter activities so that management can be altered if necessary.

Since 1970, Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo intermedia) numbers in the southern region of the Edwards Plateau of Texas have been declining. Nest-site characteristics and invertebrate abundance were hypothesized as limiting wild turkey numbers in declining regions. Wild turkeys were trapped and fitted with mortality-sensitive radio transmitters on 4 study areas; 2 within a region of stable (northern Edwards Plateau) populations, and 2 within a region of declining populations. Monitoring occurred from February 2001 to August 2003. Nest-site locations were determined via homing during the breeding season. Following nesting attempts/completions, nest fate, vegetation height, visual obstruction, litter depth, percent cover, and cover scores of forbs, grass, litter, and bare ground at each nest site and surrounding area were sampled. This was done to determine if wild turkey hens selected nest sites with vegetative characteristics differing from surrounding habitat. Brood survival was calculated as >1 poult surviving to 2-weeks. Broods were followed for 6-weeks post-hatch or to brood failure. Invertebrates were collected, via sweep-net and D-vac, at each visually confirmed brood location and a paired random site to determine if wild turkey hens selected brood habitat based on invertebrate abundance. Analyses were performed to determine if invertebrate abundance differed between study regions. Turkey hens selected nest sites with greater visual obstruction and more litter depth on both regions of stable and declining turkey abundance. No vegetative differences were detected between stable and declining region nest sites. Frequency of Orthoptera was 3–5 times greater at nest sites on stable regions than declining regions in all 3 years. Orthoptera is a noted food source for young galliformes and comprised the majority of dry mass in invertebrate samples, nest sites and brood locations, on both the stable and declining regions. No differences in total invertebrate dry mass were detected between regional brood locations. Nest-site vegetative characteristics did not alter nest success between regions. The 2 overall objectives of this study were to determine if nest-site vegetation characteristics and invertebrate abundance affected wild turkey numbers in the Edwards Plateau. Regional differences in vegetative characteristics were not detected, thus not likely to be causing differences in turkey numbers between regions. Nest-site invertebrates were found to be 3–5 times greater at stable region nest sites, possibly giving wild turkey poults from stable regions greater initial chances of survival.

To determine possible causes of declining Rio Grande wild turkey (RGWT; Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) abundance in the southern Edwards Plateau, research was conducted on 4 sites, 2 with stable (S [SA and SB]; Kerr and Real counties) and 2 with declining (D [DA and DB]; Bandera County) RGWT populations. RGWTs were trapped, radio-tagged, and tracked. Ranges were constructed with 95% kernels. Data on brood survival and invertebrate and predator abundances were combined with range characteristics to assess habitat at a landscape scale. Annual range sizes did not differ in year 1, but were larger in S than in D in year 2. Range sizes in S increased from year 1 to year 2 while there was no change in range sizes in D. Range overlap was higher in D than S in both years. Movement distances remained consistent in S for both years, but were larger in D during year 1. During year 1 and year 2, RGWT females exhibited larger reproductive ranges and less range overlap in S. Invertebrate abundance for 4 insect orders was 2.5–15.9 times greater in S than in D while coyote abundance was 2–3 times greater in D than in S. Results were similar in year 3, with the exception of SB, where reproductive ranges and spatial arrangement were smaller than all other sites. My results refute the conventional assumption that larger ranges are indicative of poorer habitat quality. Range overlap suggests that useable space may have been limiting in D in the less productive year 2. In D, multiple broods used the same reproductive range, presumably depleting resources faster than in S. Greater predator abundance in D increased the risk of brood predation. The smaller reproductive spatial arrangement of SB females in year 3 correlates there being >3 times the percentage of females missing in other sites. If SB females moved further in year 3 than the detection distance of the radio telemetry equipment, the results would fit the pattern of greater dispersion distance in SA. RGWT females may attempt to separate themselves from other breeding females, possibly to avoid nest or brood predation and/or potential competition for brood resources.

Since 1970, Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo intermedia) numbers in the southern region of the Edwards Plateau of Texas have been declining. Nest-site characteristics and invertebrate abundance were hypothesized as limiting wild turkey numbers in declining regions. Wild turkeys were trapped and fitted with mortality-sensitive radio transmitters on 4 study areas; 2 within a region of stable (northern Edwards Plateau) populations, and 2 within a region of declining populations. Monitoring occurred from February 2001 to August 2003. Nest-site locations were determined via homing during the breeding season. Following nesting attempts/completions, nest fate, vegetation height, visual obstruction, litter depth, percent cover, and cover scores of forbs, grass, litter, and bare ground at each nest site and surrounding area were sampled. This was done to determine if wild turkey hens selected nest sites with vegetative characteristics differing from surrounding habitat. Brood survival was calculated as >1 poult surviving to 2-weeks. Broods were followed for 6-weeks post-hatch or to brood failure. Invertebrates were collected, via sweep-net and D-vac, at each visually confirmed brood location and a paired random site to determine if wild turkey hens selected brood habitat based on invertebrate abundance. Analyses were performed to determine if invertebrate abundance differed between study regions. Turkey hens selected nest sites with greater visual obstruction and more litter depth on both regions of stable and declining turkey abundance. No vegetative differences were detected between stable and declining region nest sites. Frequency of Orthoptera was 3–5 times greater at nest sites on stable regions than declining regions in all 3 years. Orthoptera is a noted food source for young galliformes and comprised the majority of dry mass in invertebrate samples, nest sites and brood locations, on both the stable and declining regions. No differences in total invertebrate dry mass were detected between regional brood locations. Nest-site vegetative characteristics did not alter nest success between regions. The 2 overall objectives of this study were to determine if nest-site vegetation characteristics and invertebrate abundance affected wild turkey numbers in the Edwards Plateau. Regional differences in vegetative characteristics were not detected, thus not likely to be causing differences in turkey numbers between regions. Nest-site invertebrates were found to be 3–5 times greater at stable region nest sites, possibly giving wild turkey poults from stable regions greater initial chances of survival.

To determine possible causes of declining Rio Grande wild turkey (RGWT; Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) abundance in the southern Edwards Plateau, research was conducted on 4 sites, 2 with stable (S [SA and SB]; Kerr and Real counties) and 2 with declining (D [DA and DB]; Bandera County) RGWT populations. RGWTs were trapped, radio-tagged, and tracked. Ranges were constructed with 95% kernels. Data on brood survival and invertebrate and predator abundances were combined with range characteristics to assess habitat at a landscape scale. Annual range sizes did not differ in year 1, but were larger in S than in D in year 2. Range sizes in S increased from year 1 to year 2 while there was no change in range sizes in D. Range overlap was higher in D than S in both years. Movement distances remained consistent in S for both years, but were larger in D during year 1. During year 1 and year 2, RGWT females exhibited larger reproductive ranges and less range overlap in S. Invertebrate abundance for 4 insect orders was 2.5–15.9 times greater in S than in D while coyote abundance was 2–3 times greater in D than in S. Results were similar in year 3, with the exception of SB, where reproductive ranges and spatial arrangement were smaller than all other sites. My results refute the conventional assumption that larger ranges are indicative of poorer habitat quality. Range overlap suggests that useable space may have been limiting in D in the less productive year 2. In D, multiple broods used the same reproductive range, presumably depleting resources faster than in S. Greater predator abundance in D increased the risk of brood predation. The smaller reproductive spatial arrangement of SB females in year 3 correlates there being >3 times the percentage of females missing in other sites. If SB females moved further in year 3 than the detection distance of the radio telemetry equipment, the results would fit the pattern of greater dispersion distance in SA. RGWT females may attempt to separate themselves from other breeding females, possibly to avoid nest or brood predation and/or potential competition for brood resources.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / This study described the first outbreak of avian fowlpox in Brazil in previously vaccinated turkeys and also established, in an attempt to help the Federal Inspection Service, a standard of condemnation for carcasses with lesions characteristic of fowlpox. The turkeys had crusted macroscopic lesions on their skin, suggestive of avian fowlpox in the head and neck and no additional clinical signs were observed. The mortality rates in the flock did not change. In the slaughterhouse, 30 carcasses were removed from the slaughter line to collect damaged skin fragments for its characterization and research of the virus. The samples were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, cut into sections of 6 microns and stained with hematoxylin-eosin for viewing in microscope. The agent identification was performed by conventional PCR with subsequent sequencing of the gene fpv167. On histopathology were observed: hyperkeratosis, acanthosis and hydropic degeneration; the presence of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion corpuscles (Bollinger) was observed in keratinocytes in 46.6% of samples. The PCR reaction was positive in 83.3% of samples. Using both diagnostic techniques was determined that 93.3% of the samples were positive for fowlpox. In the phylogenetic study, the samples show 100% of identity to each other suggesting that the outbreak occurred by a single virus strain. The sequenced gene fragment did not allow differentiation between strains of virus that infect turkeys, chickens or vaccinal strain. The fowlpox virus is avian species specific, and there are no reports of its occurrence in mammals. According to the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the skin lesions is not justified total condemnation of turkey\'s carcasses affected by avian fowlpox, except in cases of cachexia, disgusting aspect and other specifications at Federal Inspection Service regulations. Studies including the sequencing of other genes are needed to better viral characterization and can assist in identifying origin of the etiologic agent responsible for the outbreak and its possible sources. / Esse estudo descreveu o primeiro surto de bouba aviária no Brasil em perus de corte previamente vacinados e também estabeleceu, na tentativa de auxiliar o Serviço de Inspeção Federal, um padrão de condenação para carcaças apresentando lesões características de bouba aviária. As aves apresentaram lesões cutâneas crostosas macroscópicas sugestivas de bouba aviária na região da cabeça e do pescoço e nenhum sinal clínico adicional foram observados. Os índices de mortalidade no lote não foram alterados. No frigorífico, 30 carcaças foram retiradas da linha de abate para coleta de fragmentos de pele lesionada para sua caracterização e pesquisa do vírus. As amostras foram fixadas em formol, embebidas em parafina, cortadas em secções de 6 μm e coradas pela técnica de hematoxilina-eosina para visualização em microscópio de luz clara. A identificação do agente foi realizada por meio da técnica de PCR convencional com posterior sequenciamento do gene fpv167. No exame histopatológico foram observados: hiperqueratose, acantose e degeneração hidrópica; a presença de corpúsculos de inclusão intracitoplasmáticos eosinofílicos (Bollinger) nos queratinócitos foi observada em 46,6% das amostras. A reação de PCR foi positiva para 83,3% das amostras. Com o uso das duas técnicas de diagnóstico foi possível determinar que 93,3% das amostras foram positivas para bouba aviária. No estudo filogenético realizado, as amostras apresentam 100% de identidade entre si sugerindo que o surto ocorreu por uma única estirpe de vírus. O fragmento do gene sequenciado não permitiu a diferenciação entre estirpes de vírus que infectam perus, vacinal ou de galinhas. O vírus da bouba aviária é espécie específica, e não existem relatos sobre sua ocorrência em mamíferos. De acordo com as características macroscópicas e microscópicas das lesões cutâneas, não se justifica a condenação total das carcaças das aves acometidas pelo vírus da bouba aviária, exceto nos casos de caquexia, aspecto repugnante e outros especificados nos regulamentos do SIF. Estudos incluindo o sequenciamento de outros genes são necessários para melhor caracterização viral e podem auxiliar na identificação da origem do agente etiológico responsável pelo surto e suas possíveis fontes. / Mestre em Ciências Veterinárias