Meleagris Gallopavo Research Articles

Factors influencing survival of female eastern wild turkeys in northeastern South Dakota

AbstractPopulation growth can be sensitive to changes in survival rates for many avian species. Understanding sources of mortality, and how to mitigate negative effects on survival, can give managers insight into factors contributing to population change. Harvest trends of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in northeastern South Dakota suggest a decline in abundance. We investigated factors influencing survival of wild turkeys to identify potential factors contributing to the decline. We monitored 122 female wild turkeys using VHF radio transmitters from February 2017 to April 2019. Annual survival was 0.52 (95% CI = 0.33–0.64) for juvenile and 0.49 (95% CI = 0.23–0.63) for adult females, respectively. Daily survival probability was significantly lower during the spring (log‐odds ratio [LOR] = −0.9; 95% CI = −1.5–−0.2) and while a juvenile female was incubating (LOR = −0.67; 95% CI = −1.23–−0.09) but not while an adult female was incubating (LOR = −0.35; 95% CI = −0.92–0.24). Mammalian predation was the leading cause of mortality, and female wild turkeys were most vulnerable to predation during the spring while engaging in nesting and rearing of young broods. Wild turkeys were at risk for additional sources of mortality while incubating nests that were not contributors to mortality during other periods of the year, as deaths caused by haying equipment—the second greatest cause of mortality—only occurred while a female was incubating. Reducing female mortality due to haying, by delaying cutting, installing flushing bars on haying equipment, or increasing availability of suitable nesting cover types to reduce the probability of nesting in hayfields, could improve female survival. Annual survival during our study was about 16–29% lower than survival estimates from northeastern South Dakota during the 1990s, suggesting that reduced female survival could be contributing to the apparent decline in wild turkey abundance.

P2/P8 primer PCR effective in sex determination in Domestic birds

In avian species, sex determination is based on ZW-ZZ chromosomes. Males are homogametic have two Z chromosomes (ZZ), while females are heterogametic and have a Z and a W chromosome (ZW). The PCR has been successfully used for the detection of the sex in birds. In the current study, an effort to compare the accuracy of sex determination using primers P2/P8 & P2/NP/MP, targeting the Chromo-Helicase DNA binding (CHD) gene, in Domestic birds of known gender using PCR technique. A total of seventy-four sexed samples were identified by the P2/P8 PCR. A total of 72 valid results were obtained while two samples failed to provide an amplification. The female (ZW) showed two bands (350 & 365 bp approximately) separated from each other by a mere 15 bp, while, males (ZZ) showed a single band at 350 bp. Out of the seventy-two results all seventy-two samples were correctly identified by the test. The overall accuracy of the test stood at 97.29% (72/74).In the P2/NP/MP PCR, the female (ZW) showed two bands (330 & 270 bp) separated from each other by a 60 bp, while, males (ZZ) showed a single band at 270 bp. A total of 74 valid results were obtained. Out of the 74 samples sexed using P2/NP/MP PCR test, all 74 samples provided an amplification. However, out of the seventy-four samples, seven samples provided erroneous results. The overall accuracy of the test stood at 90.54%.Thus, the P2/P8 primer was more accurate in the sex estimation in domestic birds, whereas, the P2/MP/NP PCR has comparatively less accurate in detecting the sex in domestic birds. Although, it is worth mentioning that the P2/MP/NP PCR was 100% accurate in the estimation of sex in Khaki campbell duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus), Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Depending on targeted species the P2/P8 PCR can be used to identify birds with precision.

Landscape characteristics and predation risk influence spatial variation in auditory courtship of an upland game bird

ContextNumerous wildlife species use a polygynous mating system, where males use auditory courtship behaviors to secure breeding opportunities. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis, risk reward, and landscape of fear theories suggest spatial variation in male auditory courtship will be influenced by areas in landscapes where sound transmission is increased, and predation risk is reduced. However, it is often unclear what landscape features drive spatial variation in courtship behaviors.ObjectivesWe quantified the influence of predation risk, land cover type, and resource selection on spatial trends in the auditory courtship behavior (gobbling activity) of Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris).MethodsWe used 53,025 gobbles coupled with GPS locations from 111 turkeys and 36 coyotes (Canis latrans), and distance metrics associated with hunter activity and land cover type, to investigate influences of predation risk, resource selection, and land cover type on spatial variation in gobbling activity in Georgia, USA.ResultsDistance to public access during hunting was the most influential predictor of gobbling activity, wherein the expected number of daily gobbles increased by 40% for every 500 m farther from public access. Daily gobbles decreased by 22% for every 500 m farther away from private property during hunting. We failed to find significant effects of land cover type and coyote use but found limited evidence that areas with increased predicted probability of turkey use was associated with increased gobbling.ConclusionsPredation risk associated with increased anthropogenic disturbance had the greatest influence on gobbling activity. Our findings suggest that altering hunter access by closing roads to vehicle use, reducing hunter activity, or creating refuge areas on the landscape could positively influence gobbling activity.

Review of range-wide vital rates quantifies eastern wild Turkey population trajectory.

Recent declines in eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have prompted increased interest in management and research of this important game species. However, the mechanisms underlying these declines are unclear, leaving uncertainty in how best to manage this species. Foundational to effective management of wildlife species is understanding the biotic and abiotic factors that influence demographic parameters and the contribution of vital rates to population growth. Our objectives for this study were to (1) conduct a literature review to collect all published vital rates for eastern wild turkey over the last 50 years, (2) perform a scoping review of the biotic and abiotic factors that have been studied relative to wild turkey vital rates and highlight areas that require additional research, and (3) use the published vital rates to populate a life-stage simulation analysis (LSA) and identify the vital rates that make the greatest contribution to population growth. Based on published vital rates for eastern wild turkey, we estimated a mean asymptotic population growth rate (λ) of 0.91 (95% CI=0.71, 1.12). Vital rates associated with after-second-year (ASY) females were most influential in determining population growth. Survival of ASY females had the greatest elasticity (0.53), while reproduction of ASY females had lower elasticity (0.21), but high process variance, causing it to explain a greater proportion of variance in λ. Our scoping review found that most research has focused on the effects of habitat characteristics at nest sites and the direct effects of harvest on adult survival, while research on topics such as disease, weather, predators, or anthropogenic activity on vital rates has received less attention. We recommend that future research take a more mechanistic approach to understanding variation in wild turkey vital rates as this will assist managers in determining the most appropriate management approach.

Specific expression of alternatively spliced genes in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive tract revealed their function in spermatogenesis and post-testicular sperm maturation

The tissue-specific profile of alternatively spliced genes (ASGs) and their involvement in reproduction processes characteristic of turkey testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens were investigated for the first time in birds. Deep sequencing of male turkey reproductive tissue RNA samples (n=6) was performed using Illumina RNA-Seq with 2 independent methods, rMATs and SUPPA2, for differential alternative splicing (DAS) event prediction. The expression of selected ASGs was validated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The testis was found to be the site of the highest number of posttranscriptional splicing events within the reproductive tract, and skipping exons were the most frequently occurring class of alternative splicing (AS) among the reproductive tract. Statistical analysis revealed 86, 229, and 6 DAS events in the testis/epididymis, testis/ductus deferens, and epididymis/ductus deferens comparison, respectively. Alternative splicing was found to be a mechanism of gene expression regulation within the turkey reproduction tract. In testis, modification was observed for spermatogenesis specific genes; the changes in 5' UTR could act as regulator of MEIG1 expression (a player during spermatocytes meiosis), and modification of 3' UTR led to diversification of CREM mRNA (modulator of gene expression related to the structuring of mature spermatozoa). Sperm tail formation can be regulated by changes in the 5' UTR of testicular SLC9A3R1 and gene silencing by producing dysfunctional variants of ODF2 in the testis and ATP1B3 in the epididymis. Predicted differentially ASGs in the turkey reproductive tract seem to be involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, including acrosome formation and sperm tail formation and binding of sperm to the zona pellucida. Several ASGs were classified as cilia by actin and microtubule cytoskeleton organization. Such genes may play a role in the organization of sperm flagellum and post-testicular motility development. To our knowledge, this is the first functional investigation of alternatively spliced genes associated with tissue-specific processes in the turkey reproductive tract.

Modified collection methods and quality of semen in Nigerian local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Semen collection in birds was initially achieved either via post-mortem drainage of the vas deferens or by cloacal retrieval after natural mating. Current techniques do not exclude stress and risk of injury during restraint or milking, especially in domestic turkeys. The present study was designed to develop more convenient methods of semen collection in turkeys. It involved five (n = 5) matured turkey toms weighing approximately 12 – 15 kg and two (n = 2) turkey hens. In the improved collection method, toms were stimulated by exposing them to hens, covered using a locally constructed wooden box. They were allowed to mount until there was evidence of ejaculatory response, demonstrated by increased abdominal pressure and cloacal contraction. After mounting, the tail feathers were lifted, and a collection vial was placed immediately below the cloaca to collect the ejaculates. In the modified abdominal massage, the turkey toms were restrained on sterna recumbency while the ejaculatory response was initiated by gently massaging the soft part of the abdomen and backward massage of the tail feathers. This is continued by rubbing either side of the cloaca till erection is achieved and semen is milked into a collection vial by gently squeezing the cloaca. Collections were made twice a week for four weeks using each method independently. The mean semen volume in the improved collection method was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the modified abdominal massage. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in motility, abnormalities and concentration between both methods. The results from this study suggest that both collection methods were satisfactory for practical use and may offset some challenges associated with the most widely used abdominal massage technique of semen collection in turkeys.

Genetic parameters of feather corticosterone and fault bars and correlations with production traits in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

Robustness can refer to an animal’s ability to overcome perturbations. Intense selection for production traits in livestock has resulted in reduced robustness which has negative implications for livability as well as production. There is increasing emphasis on improving robustness through poultry breeding, which may involve identifying novel phenotypes that could be used in selection strategies. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and associated hormones (e.g., corticosterone) participate in many metabolic processes that are related to robustness. Corticosterone can be measured non-invasively in feathers (FCORT) and reflects the average HPA axis activity over the feather growing period, however measurement is expensive and time consuming. Fault bars are visible feather deformities that may be related to HPA axis activity and may be a more feasible indicator trait. In this study, we estimated variance components for FCORT and fault bars in a population of purebred turkeys as well as their genetic and partial phenotypic correlations with other economically relevant traits including growth and efficiency, carcass yield, and meat quality. The estimated heritability for FCORT was 0.21 ± 0.07 and for the fault bar traits (presence, incidence, severity, and index) estimates ranged from 0.09 to 0.24. The genetic correlation of FCORT with breast weight, breast meat yield, fillet weight, and ultimate pH were estimated at −0.34 ± 0.21, −0.45 ± 0.23, −0.33 ± 0.24, and 0.32 ± 0.24, respectively. The phenotypic correlations of FCORT with breast weight, breast meat yield, fillet weight, drum weight, and walking ability were −0.16, −0.23, −0.18, 0.17, and 0.21, respectively. Some fault bar traits showed similar genetic correlations with breast weight, breast meat yield, and walking ability but the magnitude was lower than those with FCORT. While the dataset is limited and results should be interpreted with caution, this study indicates that selection for traits related to HPA axis activity is possible in domestic turkeys. Further research should focus on investigating the association of these traits with other robustness-related traits and how to potentially implement these traits in turkey breeding.

Combining community science and MaxEnt modeling to estimate Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) winter abundance and distribution

Understanding the distribution and abundance of species is a fundamental aspect of conservation biology. Species distribution models aim to predict distributions based on species observations and ecologically relevant information. To understand the contemporary distribution of Wild Turkeys (<em>Meleagris gallopavo</em>) in Ontario, we curated and collated Wild Turkey flock observations from eBird and iNaturalist submitted during winter 2018. We combined these with environmental predictors to build distribution models using MaxEnt and evaluated model fit using 10-fold cross validation. We also estimated total population size for this species under different modeling scenarios. The potential presence of unknown spatial bias in community science datasets is a complex problem often requiring context-specific statistical solutions. Data cleaning, sometimes referred to as thinning, filtering, or culling, is often proposed to manage this bias. As such, we tested the effect of data cleaning on model outputs and on subsequent analyses. We evaluated all models using area under the curve (AUC). We found building density to be the most important environmental variable followed by winter severity. We validated our habitat suitability estimates using fine-scale GPS data and found that data cleaning had no effect on habitat suitability estimates inside available Wild Turkey habitat or inside core-use areas, except at one site in 2012 (t = -2.2, P = 0.04, df = 14). Use of community collected data offers a cost-efficient and collaborative method to obtain data for species distribution modeling and management. We discuss implications for Wild Turkey management and present potential contemporary distribution maps for this species.

Nutrient evaluation of different avian species eggs from Minna, Niger State Nigeria

Abstract The proximate composition and mineral contents of eggs from quail (Coturnix japonica) turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) commercial chicken (Gallus domesticus), local chicken (Gallus domesticus) guinea fowl, (Numida meleagris) and duck (Cairina moschata) obtained in Minna, Nigeria were studied. Standard laboratory procedures were used in determining the nutrients and mineral compositions of the egg samples. The local chicken eggs had significantly higher crude fat (11.73 ± 0.18%), ash (1.38 ± 0.01%), zinc (3.23 ± 0.11 mg/100 g), and manganese (0.44 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) contents, it also showed the lowest phosphorus (120.00 ± 3.50 mg/100 g, iron (19.70 ± 0.60 mg/100 g) and vitamin A concentration (1.62 ± 0.59 × 103 μg/L). Quail egg had the highest (p &lt; 0.05) vitamin A (4.16 ± 0.16 × 103 μg/L) and protein (13.49 ± 0.33%) contents. The moisture content was significantly higher in guinea fowl eggs (80.28 ± 0.41%) than in others. The outcome of this study indicated that some eggs which are seemingly underutilised may provide an enormous supply of nutrients needed for adequate human nutrition and health. Hence, if properly exploited they may substantially improve the quality of diet.

Detection of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in poultry from central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Domestic birds such as Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, Anser anser and Numida meleagris are widely distributed throughout the world and maintain contact with humans and other animal species considered reservoirs of both Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) and American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL), including dogs and cats; wild canids, marsupials; and synanthropic animals such as rodents and chiroptera. Therefore, this study aimed to detect the presence of anti-Leishmania spp. antibodies in birds from a rural area of the municipality of Santa Maria, southern Brazil. From May to December 2022, 262 blood samples were collected from 244 chickens, 8 turkeys, 7 guinea fowl and 3 geese, distributed in 27 rural properties in 6 districts. All the sites visited presented positive birds for the presence of Leishmania spp. Thus, it is inferred that, contact with this protozoan can induce the production of antibodies, suggesting that these animals can be used as sentinels for the circulation of this agent. In addition, the blood of these animals is a preferred food source for insects of the subfamily Phlebotominae, which can be used them as bioindicators of the presence of these phlebotomes.

Studies on parasitic prevalence in pet birds from Punjab, Pakistan.

During this one year study, blood and fecal samples of doves (Zenaida asiatica), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), pigeons (Columba livia), partridges (Alectoris chukar), turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and goose (Chen caerulescens) were collected to assess the parasitic prevalence in these birds. The birds were kept at Avian Conservation and Research Center, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. All these avian species were kept in separate cages and their entire body was inspected on regularly basis to record external parasites. For internal parasites, 100 blood and 100 fecal samples for each species were analyzed. During present study, two species of ectoparasites i.e. fowl ticks (Args persicus) and mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) while 17 species of endoparasites; three from blood and 14 from fecal samples were identified. Prevalence of blood parasites was Plasmodium juxtanucleare 29.3%, Aegyptinella pullorum 15% and Leucoctoyzoon simond 13%. Parasitic species recorded from fecal samples included 6 species of nematodes viz. Syngamus trachea with parasitic prevalence of 50%, Capillaria anatis 40%, Capillaria annulata 37.5%, Heterakis gallinarum 28.3%, Ascardia galli 24% and Allodpa suctoria 2%. Similarly, two species of trematodes viz. Prosthogonimus ovatus having parasitic prevalence of 12.1% and Prosthogonimus macrorchis 9.1% were also recorded from fecal samples of the birds. Single cestode species Raillietina echinobothrida having parasitic prevalence of 27% and 3 protozoan species i.e. Eimeria maxima having prevalence 20.1%, Histomonas meleagridis 8% and Giardia lamblia 5.3% were recorded. In our recommendation, proper medication and sanitation of the bird's houses and cages is recommended to avoid parasites.

Adaptive protocols identify sources of post-capture mortality in radio-marked wild turkeys

Context Stress or injury resulting from capture and marking of animals is a potential cause of mortality following release. Multiple methods have been developed to identify sources of post-capture mortality, but these are most often applied following completion of field work to identify an appropriate censor window for other analyses. Aims Following unacceptable levels of post-capture mortality (13 of 53) in radio-marked individuals in the first year of a larger wild turkey research project in Maine, USA, we assessed post-capture survival as data became available to inform proactive changes to capture protocols, with the goals of improving animal welfare and data quality. Methods We evaluated potential sources of post-capture mortality related to the capture and marking process, individual characteristics of the turkey, and local weather conditions. We then used results from the preliminary analysis to inform adaptive changes to capture protocols in subsequent years and confirmed the effectiveness of these changes through a final analysis. Key results We found that greater handling time was positively correlated with increased post-capture survival, possibly in response to releasing turkeys in larger groups to facilitate regrouping. We also found that transmitter style impacted post-capture survival, such that female turkeys fitted with backpack-style transmitters experienced a survival rate of 0.787 (0.677–0.861 95% CI), compared with 0.903 (0.538–0.976 95% CI) for those fitted with a necklace transmitter, although adjustments to the fit of backpack transmitters appeared to help mitigate such issues. Conclusions Following informed adjustments to our capture protocols, we observed a dramatic increase in post-capture survival such that no mortalities were experienced in the first 30 days post capture in the final year of our study (n = 65). Although our estimated censor window was similar to other studies (~10 days), differences in effects of external stressors further the need for adaptive capture protocols because local stressors and risks may vary according to climate and ecosystem characteristics such as predator communities and habitat type. Implications We recommend that when possible, investigators continuously assess their protocols throughout the capture process and adapt accordingly to limit negative repercussions of capture and handling to wildlife.

A contribution to the study of meat consumption by the wealthy burghers of Słupsk (Middle Ages to modern times)

During archaeological research of the Old Market Square in Słupsk, cultural strata and architectural relics related to various phases of the market’s development were discovered. The oldest remains date back to the pre-location period; the youngest come from the beginning of the 20th century. The original Gothic town hall was made of brick in the 14th century, accompanied by small wooden annexes. The structure was significantly damaged by the great fire of 1477, after which it had to be partially demolished, renovated and expanded. At the end of the 18th century, all existing buildings were destroyed, the area was lowered, and a new, smaller town hall was built. The last reconstruction of the town hall took place in 1901. The excavations in this area documented 1,179 fragments of animal remains. Due to the complexity of the area’s history and high number of uncovered structures, the remains were analysed chronologically. Their analysis aims to understand the burghers’ meat diet and briefly examine the state of animal husbandry in and around the city from medieval to modern times. The research showed the high importance of livestock, mainly species such as cattle and pigs that provide a large amount of meat. Remains of poultry, especially chicken and geese, were also relatively abundant. Discovery of the remains of the domestic turkey Meleagris gallopavo domesticus in 17th- and 18th-century contexts appears to be of great interest, as they were the leftovers from the luxurious meals at the tables of the burghers. Additionally, a surprising assemblage of corvid bird bones was found in a layer of decayed wood dating to the 18th–19th century, which consisted almost exclusively of the tarsometatarsus bones of a rook (Corvus frugilegus) and a raven (Corvus corax), found along with a skull of a passerine. This find could be associated with some unknown magical rituals; the bones may have also been collected as trophies.

A new haplotype-resolved turkey genome to enable turkey genetics and genomics research.

The domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a species of significant agricultural importance and is the second largest contributor, behind broiler chickens, to world poultry meat production. The previous genome is of draft quality and partly based on the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome. A high-quality reference genome of M. gallopavo is essential for turkey genomics and genetics research and the breeding industry. By adopting the trio-binning approach, we were able to assemble a high-quality chromosome-level F1 assembly and 2 parental haplotype assemblies, leveraging long-read technologies and genome-wide chromatin interaction data (Hi-C). From a total of 40 chromosomes (2n = 80), we captured 35 chromosomes in a single scaffold, showing much improved genome completeness and continuity compared to the old assembly build. The 3 assemblies are of higher quality than the previous draft quality assembly and comparable to the chicken assemblies (GRCg7) shown by the largest contig N50 (26.6 Mb) and comparable BUSCO gene set completeness scores (96-97%). Comparative analyses confirm a previously identified large inversion of around 19 Mbp on the Z chromosome not found in other Galliformes. Structural variation between the parent haplotypes was identified, which poses potential new target genes for breeding. We contribute a new high-quality turkey genome at the chromosome level, benefiting turkey genetics and other avian genomics research as well as the turkey breeding industry.

The introduction of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in early modern Sweden – historical and zooarchaeological evidence of husbandry and consumption

SUMMARY In this paper we describe how and why turkeys were introduced to Sweden during the 16th century, and how the bird spread to different social groups in the 17th century. We present data from unpublished financial records and provide a compilation of all archaeological findings of turkeys from the geographical area of present-day Sweden. The results show that turkeys, first imported by Duke Karl of Sweden in the 1580s, had spread to the Swedish nobility by the 1610s. During the first decades of turkey husbandry in Sweden, turkeys were items of conspicuous consumption, used to show off during elite dinners and as gifts to peers and subsequently also to subordinates. During the 17th century, the bird was adopted by the urban upper middle class. Early modern Swedish turkeys were small, and likely less affected by selective breeding when compared to modern heritage-breed turkeys.

NOVEL AVIBACTERIUM SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH SINUSITIS AND CONJUNCTIVITIS IN A MERRIAM'S WILD TURKEY (MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO MERRIAMI) FLOCK IN COLORADO, USA.

A Merriam's Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo merriami) with periocular swelling and periocular skin crusting in Pueblo County, Colorado, USA, was diagnosed with severe catarrhal and fibrinous sinusitis and conjunctivitis. A novel clade of Avibacterium was detected in the exudate from this bird. Although eight additional turkeys culled from the affected flock did not have clinical signs or gross lesions, histologically all had mild-to-moderate chronic sinusitis, and infraorbital cultures yielded the same novel clade of Avibacterium that was found in the symptomatic turkey. The presence of this Avibacterium species in the absence of significant disease in some birds suggested that other factors might have been involved in the development of severe sinusitis and conjunctivitis in the symptomatic Wild Turkey. Negative culture results from a distant flock of Wild Turkeys, acquired with similar methods to the affected flock, suggested that this novel species of Avibacterium was not widespread throughout Wild Turkeys in Colorado.

Molecular Surveillance for Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus and Reticuloendotheliosis Virus in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas, USA.

Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) are avian retroviruses that can cause neoplastic disease and present with similar pathologies. Lymphoproliferative disease virus has been reported in the Eastern US and states bordering Texas, USA, but has not been previously detected within the state. In a prior study, we detected REV in native Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) and an Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) originating from West Virginia. Given LPDV detection in states bordering Texas and our finding of an REV-positive Eastern Wild Turkey imported from a LPDV endemic region, we sought to determine LPDV prevalence in Texas and continue surveillance for REV. During 2018-20, dried blood spots from 373 individual Rio Grande Wild Turkeys from 20 different counties were tested for the presence of proviral REV or LPDV DNA. In affected counties, approximately 4% of individuals were infected with REV (7/197) or LPDV (10/273) and one bird was coinfected with both viruses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a close relationship of the LPDV isolates to variants from other Southern and Central states. This study provides molecular evidence of LPDV in Texas, and continued surveillance is necessary to determine the potential effects of the virus on reproductive success, coinfections, and overall health of Wild Turkey populations.

WHY DID THE TURKEY CROSS THE ROAD? EVIDENCE OF BONDS AMONG WILD TURKEYS

Reported herein is the demonstration of flock and pair bonds by members of a Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) rafter. This demonstration was observed following the fatal vehicle strike of one of the rafter's members.

Phenology‐specific space use by Rio Grande wild turkeys

AbstractConservation of wildlife populations necessitates identifying patterns in space use because fitness requirements influence resource selection; however, details on how phenology affects space use are often only cursorily addressed during development of space‐ and resource‐use estimates. Moreover, space‐use assessments often aggregate distinct, phenology‐specific behaviors into generalized realizations of biological processes, such as reproduction. Therefore, to improve the relevance and accuracy of biological inferences for wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) space use at the population level, we defined 12 distinct phenology‐specific periods to compare and contrast variations in space‐use estimates. We calculated 1,568 individual space‐use estimates using dynamic Brownian Bridge movement models for Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia; n = 255 females) across Texas, USA, during 2012−2018. Females in each pre‐laying state used larger areas than during all other phenological states, suggestive of exploratory movements related to reproductive activities and resource acquisition. Incubation core areas were consistently &lt;1.5 ha and incubation range sizes ranged from 10 ha to 48 ha. Core area and range sizes during the brooding period doubled from 15 days after hatch (3.1 ha and 42 ha) to 30 days after hatch (6.5 ha and 89 ha). Post‐breeding and wintering period ranges were &gt;30% smaller than reproductive period ranges. Mean daily distance traveled was similar across phenological states except during incubation and brooding periods. Our results indicate that examining wild turkey space use at identifiable, phenology‐specific temporal scales will help mitigate against biases in estimates of resource selection based on arbitrary phenology definitions that aggregate data across multiple, distinct, phenological states.

Dynamic winter weather moderates movement and resource selection of wild turkeys at high-latitude range limits.

For wide-ranging species in temperate environments, populations at high-latitude range limits are subject to more extreme conditions, colder temperatures, and greater snow accumulation compared with their core range. As climate change progresses, these bounding pressures may become more moderate on average, while extreme weather occurs more frequently. Individuals can mitigate temporarily extreme conditions by changing daily activity budgets and exhibiting plasticity in resource selection, both of which facilitate existence at and expansion of high-latitude range boundaries. However, relatively little work has explored how animals moderate movement and vary resource selection with changing weather, and a general framework for such investigations is lacking. We applied hidden Markov models and step selection functions to GPS data from wintering wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) near their northern range limit to identify how weather influenced transition among discrete movement states, as well as state-specific resource selection. We found that turkeys were more likely to spend time in a stationary state as wind chill temperatures decreased and snow depth increased. Both stationary and roosting turkeys selected conifer forests and avoided land covers associated with foraging, such as agriculture and residential areas, while shifting their strength of selection for these features during poor weather. In contrast, mobile turkeys showed relatively weak resource selection, with less response in selection coefficients during poor weather. Our findings illustrate that behavioral plasticity in response to weather was context dependent, but movement behaviors most associated with poor weather were also those in which resource selection was most plastic. Given our results, the potential for wild turkey range expansion will partly be determined by the availability of habitat that allows them to withstand periodic inclement weather. Combining hidden Markov models with step selection functions is broadly applicable for evaluating plasticity in animal behavior and dynamic resource selection in response to changing weather. We studied turkeys at northern range limits, but this approach is applicable for any system expected to experience significant changes in the coming decade, and may be particularly relevant to populations existing at range peripheries.