A comparison of salt and water regulation in California quail ( Lophortyx californicus) and Gambel's quail ( Lophortyx gambelii)

Abstract

1. 1. The relative abilities in water conservation of Gambel's quail, a desert species, and California quail, a closely related non-desert species, were compared. 2. 2. Gambel's quail could maintain body weight on higher concentrations of sea water (62·5%) and NaCl solutions (0·45 M) than California quail (50% sea water and 0·30 M NaCl). 3. 3. Gambel's quail produced a significantly more concentrated urine than California quail when they were drinking NaCl solutions. 4. 4. During heat stress Gambel's quail reduced locomotor activity and California quail increased it. The reduction of activity under heat stress exhibited by Gambel's quail might enable them to require less water per day than California quail at high ambient temperatures. 5. 5. The slightly better ability of Gambel's quail to cope physiologically and behaviorally with conditions found in arid regions helps to explain the differences in preferred habitat observed for the two species.