Comparative Temperature and Moisture Responses in Gambel and Scaled Quail

Abstract

ico, while Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) generally inhabit the more mesic semiarid grass plains of the Southwest and much of Mexico. The ranges of the two species overlap in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico (A.O.U. 1957; Leopold 1959). The habitats of these species are similar in the area of sympatry. The species are also similar in general body size, food habits, and in other parameters of their ecology. Comparative data relating to temperature and water relations would appear to be valuable in understanding these sympatric and closely related species. These data are also important in understanding adaptations of birds to hot, arid climates. Bartholomew and Cade (1963) reviewed the literature concerning water economy studies of birds. Since 1963 several studies dealing with water and temperature relations have provided additional information on several species of birds, but, to date, published data are lacking on minimum water requirements, metabolism, and evaporative water loss in Gambel and Scaled Quail. Gullion and Gullion (1964) studied the response of body weight to complete water deprivation in Gambel Quail. Bartholomew and Dawson (1958) studied the effect of various ambient temperatures on body temperature in Gambel Quail. No physiological studies of Scaled Quail appear in the literature. More physiological studies have been done on California Quail (Lophortyx californicus) than on the other two species. Bartholomew and MacMillen (1961) determined the minimum daily water requirement necessary for weight maintenance in California Quail, and Hudson and Brush (1964) and Brush (1965) studied the responses of body temperature, metabolism, and evaporative water loss to various ambient temperatures in the same species. Bartholomew and Dawson (1958) also studied body temperature in California Quail.