Alectoris Chukar Research Articles

Application of probiotic on egg production and egg quality of chukar partridge

®supplemented) treatments with four replicates per treatment. The birds were fed PrimaLac ® at the rate of 1.0 and 0.5 g/kg of feed from 1 to 3 and 4 to 40 weeks of age, respectively. At 32 weeks of age, 64 female chukar partridges with uniform body weight were selected to determine the effects of PrimaLac ® on egg production over 33 to 40 weeks and egg quality characteristics over the last two days ® increased (P 0.05), although these values were numerically greater in probiotic treated birds.

Evaluation of Haematopoietic Cells and M/E Ratio in the Bone Marrow of the Partridge (Alectoris chukar)

In order to study the normal haematopoiesis, cellular components and M/E ratio in the bone marrow of the partridge (Alectoris chukar), bone marrow samples were collected from the proximal tibiotarsus bone of 16 clinically healthy adult partridge (9 male and 7 female). The bone marrow smears were stained using the Giemsa stain. The results indicated that the development and formation of bloo d cells in the bone marrow of partridge were similar to other birds, whereas the morphology of the cells was similar to chickens, ducks, quail and black-head gull. The mean Myeloid/Erythroid (M/E) ratio was 1.33, the mean erythroid percentage was 39.15%, the mean myeloid percentage was 52.34% and the mean percentage of all other cells percentage was 7.45 %. There was no significant difference in any of the cellular composition between male and female.

Testing radiotransmitter attachment techniques on northern bobwhite and chukar chicks

AbstractWe compared 4 external radiotransmitter attachment techniques to determine the optimum attachment method on chicks of 2 galliform species. The attachment methods included tissue glue, silicone gel, suturing, and leg harness. The study was conducted in captivity with a 2‐phase assessment: first with northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), and then chukar (Alectoris chukar) chicks. We applied each technique and assessed effects on growth rates, retention times, ease of attaching the transmitter, and effects on physical development. No apparent adverse impacts on chicks were observed for any of the attachment techniques. We found the leg‐harness technique was most reliable in terms of retention time, required the least amount of handling time, and was the simplest to administer. Modifications to our suture technique likely would result in similar retention times, but would still require additional handling time and complexity in attaching transmitters. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

Fitness consequences of anthropogenic hybridization in wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae) populations

Hybridization is a widespread phenomenon, which plays crucial roles in the speciation of living beings. However, unnatural mixing of historically isolated taxa due to human-related activities has increased in recent decades, favouring levels of hybridization and introgression that can have important implications for conservation. The wild red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae) populations have recently declined and the releases of farm-reared partridges have become a widespread management strategy. The native range of the red-legged is limited to the south-west of Europe (from Italy to Portugal). This species does not breed in sympatry with the chukar partridge (A. chukar), whose range is Eurasian (from Turkey to China). However, red-legged partridges have often been hybridized with chukar partridges to increase the productivity of farmed birds, and game releases may have spread hybrid birds into the wild. In this study, we investigated the fitness (survival and breeding) differences between hybrid and “pure” red-legged partridges in a wild population located in central Spain. Incubation probability was similar in hybrids and “pure” partridges. Hybrid females laid larger clutches than “pure” ones, but hatching success did not differ between hybrid and “pure” partridges. Hybrid birds had lower survival rate than “pure” ones, mainly because of higher predation rates. Our results show that, despite lower survival, hybrid partridges breed in natural populations, so this could increase extinction risk of wild pure partridge populations, through releases of farmed hybrid birds. The consequences of continued releases could be of vital importance for the long term conservation of wild red-legged partridges.

Molecular phylogeny and diversity of the Corsican red‐legged partridge: hybridization and management issues

The red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa (Phasianidae), is a game bird hunted throughout its range (Italy, France with Corsica Island, Iberian Peninsula). The release into the wild of farmed birds of unknown origin coupled to the hybridization with the exotic chukar Alectoris chukar (East Mediterranean to East Asia) has led to the reduction of the spatial component of genetic variability and to the pollution of the genome of A. rufa, respectively. On the mainland, A. chukar genes occur according a decreasing gradient from Italy to the Iberian Peninsula. Corsica hosts a number of A. rufa×A. chukar hybrids, but at a much lower incidence than nearby Italy. We sampled 97 red-legged partridges in different habitats of Corsica [lower-Mediterranean: Desertu di l'Agriate; rural: Nessa-Felicetu; mountainous: Vivariu-Venacu and Fium'Orbu-Taravu (FT)]. We investigated kinship between Corsican and continental A. rufa populations by sequencing the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Cytochrome-b gene in a subset (n=60) of island specimens as well as in 105 partridges sampled on mainland Europe. All 97 Corsican partridges were genotyped at eight microsatellite DNA loci in order to estimate intraspecific relationships at a finer scale. We also used microsatellite data from previous studies to compare the genotypes of A. rufa reared in the only island farm with those of wild conspecifics. Corsican partridges grouped in the only statistically reliable and diverging mtDNA clade. Microsatellites provided evidence for the genetic isolation of the FT mountain population, whose low level of hybridization with A. chukar had been unveiled in a former paper. Both mtDNA and microsatellite markers revealed that released captive partridges did not enter the wild breeding populations to any great extent. We suggested banning A. rufa translocation from Corsica to the continent to comply with the disclosed genetic kinship, and vice versa to contain the spreading of A. chukar genes in to the A. rufa population.

Ontogeny of lift and drag production in ground birds

The juvenile period is often a crucial interval for selective pressure on locomotor ability. Although flight is central to avian biology, little is known about factors that limit flight performance during development. To improve understanding of flight ontogeny, we used a propeller (revolving wing) model to test how wing shape and feather structure influence aerodynamic performance during development in the precocial chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, 4 to >100 days post hatching). We spun wings in mid-downstroke posture and measured lift (L) and drag (D) using a force plate upon which the propeller assembly was mounted. Our findings demonstrate a clear relationship between feather morphology and aerodynamic performance. Independent of size and velocity, older wings with stiffer and more asymmetrical feathers, high numbers of barbicels and a high degree of overlap between barbules generate greater L and L:D ratios than younger wings with flexible, relatively symmetrical and less cohesive feathers. The gradual transition from immature feathers and drag-based performance to more mature feathers and lift-based performance appears to coincide with ontogenetic transitions in locomotor capacity. Younger birds engage in behaviors that require little aerodynamic force and that allow D to contribute to weight support, whereas older birds may expand their behavioral repertoire by flapping with higher tip velocities and generating greater L. Incipient wings are, therefore, uniquely but immediately functional and provide flight-incapable juveniles with access to three-dimensional environments and refugia. Such access may have conferred selective advantages to theropods with protowings during the evolution of avian flight.

Immunization of Chukar Partridges Against Coccidia (Eimeria kofoidi and Eimeria legionensis) with Low Doses of Live Oocysts

Experiments were conducted to determine whether chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) chicks would develop protective immunity after inoculation with coccidia. Young chukar chicks in battery cages inoculated with 100 or more oocysts of Eimeria kofoidi or Eimeria legionensis had significant protection at challenge 4 wk later, as measured by greatly reduced oocyst shedding and improved weight gain as compared with unvaccinated, challenged controls. However, when birds were housed in litter pens and vaccinated by various regimens (including two species of chukar coccidia at 100/dose), coccidiosis rapidly spread through all treatments and caused significant mortality. Vaccination with Coccivac-T or with 100 oocysts of Eimeria dispersa did not prevent mortality resulting from accidental contamination, and feed treatment with a Lactobacillus competitive-exclusion product had no benefit. Most if not all of the mortality was from E. kofoidi. This study illustrated the natural fecundity of chukar coccidia in a floor-pen environment where multiplication rate and reinfection combine to produce clinical disease from a small original exposure. Further, these results cast doubt on the potential use of low doses of live oocysts as a vaccine in the chukar partridge.

Mitochondrial and nuclear markers for the authentication of partridge meat and the specific identification of red-legged partridge meat products by polymerase chain reaction

Two PCR assays for the identification of partridge meat (red-legged partridge, chukar partridge, barbary partridge, and gray partridge species) and the specific identification of red-legged partridge meat products were developed based on species-specific primers targeting the 12S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene. Moreover, various PCR techniques based on the use of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers and nuclear growth hormone and rhodopsin genes were tested to find a method for the differentiation between pure and hybrid red-legged partridges. Among these techniques, the PCR method based on the amplification and sequencing of a nuclear rhodopsin gene fragment was selected as a suitable tool for the discrimination among meats from pure and hybrid red-legged partridge individuals. The PCR assays reported in this work could be useful in inspection programs to verify the correct labeling of raw and heat-treated partridge meat products.

Stress Responsiveness Decreases With Age in Precocial, Juvenile Chukar

Abstract Development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and subsequent corticosterone (CORT) release in newly hatched birds is a balance between limiting exposure to the detrimental effects of CORT on growth and development, and the necessity of mounting an acute stress response. We measured the stress responsiveness of juvenile Chukar (Alectoris chukar) 20 to 60 days post-hatch prior to molting into full adult plumage. The integrated CORT response during 60 min of restraint in these individuals decreased with age. Comparisons to mean adult integrated CORT values imply the youngest juveniles have greater responses than adults while the oldest juveniles have reduced CORT responses. This pattern is currently an anomaly within the altricial-precocial range and suggests specific tradeoffs, such as molting into adult plumage, may affect timing of HPA suppression during development.

Mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA expression in the brain of translocated chukar (Alectoris chukar)

Although translocation is an important conservation tool in the effort to create self-sustaining wild populations of threatened species, avian translocations have a high failure rate and causes for failure are poorly understood. While “stress” is considered to play a major role in translocation failure, the physiological changes associated with chronic stress resulting from translocation have been investigated only recently. Translocation results in chronic stress-induced alterations of stress response physiology in the chukar (Alectoris chukar) and in the present study we tested the hypothesis that changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) are correlated with changes in the brain, specifically at the level of the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors (GR and MR, respectively) in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. Our previous research has shown that there are apparent changes in GR and MR expression in the brain of experimentally chronically stressed European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). In the present study however, translocation had no major detectable effect on levels of GR or MR mRNA expression in the hippocampus or hypothalamus of wild chukar suggesting that the observed dysregulation of the HPA axis by translocation may not be a result of such upstream changes.

When hatchlings outperform adults: locomotor development in Australian brush turkeys (Alectura lathami, Galliformes)

Within Galliformes, megapods (brush turkey, malleefowl, scrubfowl) exhibit unique forms of parental care and growth. Hatchlings receive no post-hatching parental care and exhibit the most exaggerated precocial development of all extant birds, hatching with fully developed, flight-capable forelimbs. Rather than flying up to safety, young birds preferentially employ wing-assisted incline running. Newly hatched Australian brush turkeys (Alectura lathami) are extraordinarily proficient at negotiating all textured inclined surfaces and can flap-walk up inclines exceeding the vertical. Yet, as brush turkeys grow, their forelimb-dependent locomotor performance declines. In an attempt to elucidate how hatchlings perform so well, we analysed hindlimb forces and forelimb kinematics. We measured ground reaction forces (GRFs) for animals spanning the entire growth range (110-2000 g) as they ascended a variably positioned inclined ramp that housed a forceplate. These data are compared with a similar dataset for a chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) that exhibit a growth strategy typical of most other Galliformes and that demonstrate improved incline performance with increasing age. The brush turkeys' ontogenetic decline in incline running performance is accompanied by loss of traction at steep angles, reduced GRFs and increased wing-loading. We hypothesize that Australian brush turkeys, in contrast to other Galliformes, develop from forelimb-dominated young that exploit a variable terrain (e.g. mound nests, boulders, embankments, cliffs, bushes and trees) into hindlimb-dominated adults dependent on size and running speed to avoid predation.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) Populations in Khorasan-e-Razavi Province of Iran by RAPD-PCR

RAPD markers were used to investigate population genetic parameters of an endangered partridge, Alectoris chukar, in four areas of Iran, as a part of a genetic conservation program. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic similarity among these populations. Blood samples from 75 birds were used for DNA extraction and RAPD-PCR analysis of 67 loci, with 28 polymorphic bands (41.79%). The populations of Kalat-e-Nader and Mashhad were found to be closely related, as were the Torbat-e-Jaam and the Quchan populations. Mean heterozygosity for all populations was 0.4405 ± 0.0755. The results indicate that chukar partridge genetic diversity in Khorasan-e-Razavi province is sufficient and the amount of gene flow among populations is acceptable.

Breeding biology of Chukar Partridge Alectoris Chukar (gray) in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand

Present paper reports on breeding biology of Chukar partridge Alectoris chukar studied in district Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Observations made from August 2008 to October 2009 revealed that Chukar breeds in spring-summer. Pairing between male and female occurs from mid February, territory formation in March, nesting and egg laying observed in the month of April. Four to 12 eggs were layed in simple scrape or on open ground having small vegetation cover. Only grass cover was recorded more than fifty percent. Hatching success was recorded 60 to 90 percent.

Genetic consequences of intensive management in game birds

Introduction of wildlife for game restocking is one major pathway of genetic homogenization. The red-legged partridge ( Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae), a small game bird native to south-western Europe, is in high demand by hunters and natural populations are constantly supplemented by commercial stocks of captive-bred individuals. Also, in recent years human-mediated hybridization with congeneric chukar partridges ( Alectoris chukar: Greece, Cyprus, from Middle East to East Asia) has been frequently documented in the wild and in captivity. This study attempts to evaluate the genetic consequences of intensive captive breeding and restocking in the A. rufa species. We investigated A. rufa genetic diversity by making comparisons in both a spatial (across the entire species’ range) and a temporal framework. We accomplished this latter by comparing modern vs. ancient partridges resident in museums and collected 1856–1934, well before supplemental stocking became common. Using mtDNA we found significant changes in the haplotype profile of modern vs. ancient A. rufa, and widespread introgression with chukar genes across the entire species range only in modern representatives, with the relevant exception of Corsican populations. However, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), as opposed to microsatellite DNA markers, showed also modern Corsican populations to harbour many A. rufa × A. chukar hybrids. We conclude that captive breeding programs should make strict use of time-saving and comparatively low cost DNA barcodes to minimize genetic pollution, such as those provided by diagnostic RAPD markers. We also recommend that the active ban on import of exotics and/or hybrids be extended to non-local populations. Altogether this would represent a substantial step forward to preserve A. rufa as well as other game species subjected to similar intensive management.

DNA Barcodes of Arabian Partridge and Philby's Rock Partridge: Implications for Phylogeny and Species Identification

Recently, DNA barcoding based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) has gained wide attention because of simplicity and robustness of these barcodes for species identification including birds. The current GenBank records show the COI barcodes of only one species, chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), of the Alectoris genus. In this study, we sequenced the 694 bp segment of COI gene of the two species including, Arabian partridge (Alectoris melanocephala) and Philby’s rock partridge (Alectoris philbyi) of the same genus. We also compared these sequences with earlier published barcodes of chukar partridge. The pair-wise sequence comparison showed a total of 53 variable sites across all the 9 sequences from 3 species. Within-species variable sites were found to be 4 (Alectoris chukar), 0 (Alectoris philbyi) and 3 (Alectoris melanocephala). The genetic distances among the 9 individuals varied from 0.000 to 0.056. Phylogenetic analysis using COI barcodes clearly discriminated the 3 species, while Alectoris chukar was found to be more closely related to Alectoris philbyi. Similar differentiation was also observed using 1155 bp mitochondrial control region (CR) sequences suggesting the efficiency of COI gene for phylogenetic reconstruction and interspecific identification. This is the first study reporting the barcodes of Arabian partridge and Philby’s rock partridge.

The protective effect of egg yolk from different avian species during the cryopreservation of Karayaka ram semen

Egg yolk is one of the most widely used cryoprotective components for sperm preservation and a wide range of factors affect its action on sperm motility, viability and fertilizing ability. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of different species egg yolk, namely the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), the goose (Anatidae anser), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), duck (Anatidae anas platyrhynchos), Japanase quail (Coturmix japonica) and chucker (Alectoris chukar) on sperm quality following cryopreservation of ram semen. Ejaculates were collected using the artificial vagina from three Karayaka rams and spermatological characteristics assessed for the pooled semen. Semen samples were evaluated as split ejaculates in the trial and samples extended with a Tris-citric acid-glucose extender containing the different avian egg yolk (15%) and glycerol (5%). The semen straws were equilibrated at 4 °C for 2 h, frozen in liquid nitrogen vapour (for 15 min at −120 °C) and stored in liquid nitrogen (−196 °C). After thawing (37 °C for 30 s), sperm motility, viability, abnormal acrosome and membrane integrity (HOST) were evaluated. Results showed chucker egg yolk to have the best cryoprotective effect in terms of the highest sperm motility (54.0%), compared to the other five avian egg yolks ( p < 0.05) evaluated. Sperm frozen in chucker egg yolk also showed a higher percentage viability (59%), than sperm stored in quail and turkey egg yolk ( p < 0.05). The percentage of acrosomal abnormalities after thawing was lower in the chucker egg yolk, than the other species ( p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in sperm membrane integrity between the egg yolks, except for the quail ( p < 0.05). Results suggest that chucker egg yolk could be used as an alternative for chicken egg yolk, in a semen extender in cryopreservation, but it warrants further evaluation in fertility trials.

New single nucleotide polymorphisms in Alectoris identified using chicken genome information allow Alectoris introgression detection

Using the chicken genome, 114 polymorphisms (109 SNPs and 5 INDELs) were identified in the Alectoris genus by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism. Using these, a panel of SNPs is described, which allows easy detection of introgression of Alectoris chukar in wild Alectoris rufa populations, when used with a primer extension protocol. The selected polymorphisms were genotyped and their allelic frequencies estimated on 98 A. rufa partridges sampled from nonrestocking Spanish areas, and 63 A. chukar partridges from Greek and Spanish farms. Power calculations to determine an optimum subset of markers for a given significance level were performed.

What happens to translocated game birds that ‘disappear’?

AbstractThe ultimate goal of most translocation efforts is to create a self‐sustaining wild population of a species deliberately moved from one part of their range to another. As follow‐up of a translocation attempt is often difficult, causes for failure are relatively unknown. Dispersal away from the release site is one potential source of failure because it decreases the likelihood of the released population establishing itself post‐translocation. In this study, we used chukar Alectoris chukar as a surrogate for translocated game birds in order to conduct a large‐scale experimental study. We observed that these desert‐adapted birds demonstrate a strong fidelity for specific water sources. We also report the propensity for the translocated individuals to either disperse and return to their original water source site or remain at the release site. During two field seasons, we observed opposing behaviors such that the proportion of individuals returning to the capture site, versus those remaining at the release site, shifted between years. We analyzed this change between the years as well as within the years to assess the potential underlying causes such as translocated distance, differences in rainfall between seasons and water source type. We concluded that homing behavior was strong in this non‐migratory bird species and that strength of this homing behavior varied, potentially due to conditions surrounding the limiting resource, water availability. The large‐scale, original data presented here may help to explain why some releases result in a successfully established population while other releases result in widely dispersed individuals.

Summer spatial patterning of chukars in relation to free water in western Utah

Free water is considered important to wildlife in arid regions. In the western United States, thousands of water developments have been built to benefit wildlife in arid landscapes. Agencies and researchers have yet to clearly demonstrate their effectiveness. We combined a spatial analysis of summer chukar (Alectoris chukar) covey locations with dietary composition analysis in western Utah. Our specific objectives were to determine if chukars showed a spatial pattern that suggested association with free water in four study areas and to document summer dietary moisture content in relation to average distance from water. The observed data for the Cedar Mountains study area fell within the middle of the random mean distance to water distribution suggesting no association with free water. The observed mean distance to water for the other three areas was much closer than expected compared to a random spatial process, suggesting the importance of free water to these populations. Dietary moisture content of chukar food items from the Cedar Mountains (59%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that of birds from Box Elder (44%) and Keg-Dugway (44%). Water developments on the Cedar Mountains are likely ineffective for chukars. Spatial patterns on the other areas, however, suggest association with free water and our results demonstrate the need for site-specific considerations. Researchers should be aware of the potential to satisfy water demand with pre-formed and metabolic water for a variety of species in studies that address the effects of wildlife water developments. We encourage incorporation of spatial structure in model error components in future ecological research.

Noninvasive Genotyping of the Red-Legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa, Phasianidae): Semi-Nested PCR of Mitochondrial DNA from Feces

DNA-based studies using avian feces are scarce and deal only with large-sized species. The red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa, is a medium-sized member of the order Galliformes. Our goal was to set up a fast, noninvasive procedure for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genotyping of A. rufa fecal samples. We focused on the protected population from Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago National Park, Italy). Dry A. rufa fecal samples (n = 30) were collected in winter. Both the cytochrome b gene (1,092 bp) and the control region (ca. 1,155 bp) were amplified by means of semi-nested PCRs. Twenty-five samples were successfully sequenced for both genes: 8 showed A. rufa mtDNA lineage and 17 chukar partridge (A. chukar), an exotic species. Mixed maternal ancestry suggests A. rufa x A. chukar hybridization. Our protocol allows noninvasive mtDNA genotyping of any Alectoris species and appears suitable to investigate protected populations as well as those existing either at very low density or inhabiting poorly accessible regions.