Meleagris Gallopavo Research Articles

Genetic diversity in 10 populations of domestic Turkeys by using microsatellites markers

The domestic turkey is a native breed in danger of extinction due to the introduction of new breeds specializing in meat production and yield. Turkeys have lost some prominence in urban areas, and only certain breeds of turkeys are preserved in rural areas. Wild and domestic turkeys are different; rural or indigenous turkeys, with black plumage, were domesticated from Mexican turkeys and have been reproduced throughout Latin America. Some of them were taken to Europe in the 16th century and later arrived in North America, where they crossed with another wild species, from which the bronze turkey emerged: the ancestor of all commercial turkeys. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the genetic diversity in 10 populations of domestic turkeys worldwide by using breeds from Europe: Spain and Italy; America: Mexico, United States and Brazil; and the Near East: Iran and Egypt. A total of 522 blood samples of both sexes were collected from domestic turkey populations. Thirty-four microsatellites were used to obtain genetic parameters, and genetic diversity was evaluated. All microsatellites used were polymorphic, and a total of 427 alleles were detected across the 34 markers investigated. In this study, a mean number of 13.44 alleles was found. The four most diverse breeds were from the Andalusia, Mexico, United States, and wild populations, which had the highest mean heterozygosity expected (0.619, 0.612, 0.650, and 0.773) and heterozygosity observed (0.422, 0.521, 0.429, and 0.627), respectively. The MNT348 marker deviated from the HWE in all populations. Our study has shown that the populations close to the species origin are more diverse than those resulting from posterior expansions. Mexican birds were the most diverse, followed by the Spanish populations because Spain imported a large number of turkeys coming from America. Such information can be complementary to other genotypic data required to validate the evolutionary relationships among turkey populations.

Susceptibility of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) to experimental West Nile virus infection

ABSTRACT Since the introduction of West Nile virus (WNV) to North America in 1999, WNV is estimated to have contributed to population-level declines in numerous avian species. However, the potential impacts of this virus on many free-ranging upland game bird species, including the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), which is undergoing regional population declines, remain unknown. Herein, two age groups (∼5 to 6 weeks and ∼15 to 16 weeks post-hatch) of juvenile wild turkeys were subcutaneously inoculated with WNV, sampled daily from 1 to 7 days post-inoculation (dpi), and euthanized on 14 dpi. No clinical signs and minimal gross lesions were attributable to WNV infection. Peak viraemia titres were similar between age groups (<101.7 to 104.6 plaque-forming units [PFU]/ml), but the duration of viraemia was longer in the old group (3–4 days) than in the young group (0–3 days). Intermittent oral and/or cloacal viral shedding from 2 to 7 dpi was detected in both age groups. No infectious virus was detected in the heart, brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, spleen, and feathers from WNV-inoculated turkeys euthanized on 14 dpi. All WNV-inoculated birds seroconverted by 14 dpi, as well as two co-housed sham-inoculated birds. The most consistent microscopic lesions among all WNV-inoculated birds were mild lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis and encephalitis. Minimal immunohistochemical labelling was detected in tissues in addition to scant macrophages within the blood, spleen, and bone marrow. These data suggest WNV is unlikely to pose a significant risk to wild turkey populations, although the possibility remains that WNV may indirectly decrease fitness or predispose wild turkeys to other health stressors. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Clinical disease was not observed in wild turkeys experimentally infected with WNV. Pathology attributed to WNV was mild and included brain and heart inflammation. Viraemias suggest WNV-infected wild turkeys do not play a role in WNV transmission. No age-associated differences in WNV clinical disease or pathology were observed.

Understanding Turkey Management in the Mimbres Valley of Southwestern New Mexico Using Ancient Mitochondrial DNA and Stable Isotopes

AbstractIn the US Southwest and Northwest Mexico, people and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) have had a reciprocal relationship for millennia; turkeys supplied feathers, meat, and other resources, whereas people provided food, shelter, and care. To investigate how turkeys fit within subsistence, economic production, sociopolitical organization, and religious and ritual practice in the Mimbres Valley of southwestern New Mexico, we report on genetic (mtDNA) and stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N) data from turkeys recovered from Mimbres Classic period (AD 1000–1130) sites. Results indicate that Mimbres aviculturists had haplogroup H1 and H2 turkeys, and most ate maize-based diets similar to humans, but some ate nonmaize and mixed diets. We contextualize these data to other turkey studies from the northern Southwest and discuss how the human-turkey relationship began, the evidence for pens and restricting turkey movement, and the socioecological factors related to turkey management during the Classic period, particularly the challenges associated with providing maize to turkeys during times of environmental stress. This study has broad relevance to places where people managed wild, tame, and domestic animals, and we offer new insights into how prehispanic, small-scale, middle-range agricultural societies managed turkeys for ritual and utilitarian purposes.

Vegetation structure and food availability following disturbance in recently restored early successional plant communities

AbstractFields dominated by nonnative grasses, such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), are being restored to native plant communities across the eastern U.S. Upon restoration, disturbance is necessary to maintain native communities in an early seral stage, and plant response to different management practices is of interest to managers to guide habitat enhancement for various wildlife species. We evaluated effects of burning and mowing following restoration of native plant communities via 2 methods (planting native grasses and forbs and seedbank response without planting), across 11 replicated sites in Tennessee and Alabama, 2019–2020. We compared vegetation composition and structure, openness at ground level, forage availability, and nutritional carrying capacity (NCC) following 4 treatments (Seedbank Burned, Seedbank Mowed, Planted Burned, Planted Mowed, and tall fescue Control), and we related these measurements to the food and cover requirements for 3 popular game species: white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). The combination of planting and mowing increased grass coverage, whereas units that were established via seedbank response and managed by burning had greater forb coverage. Visual obstruction above 25 cm was greater in all treatments than Control, which provided cover that has been described as selected nesting cover by wild turkey and bedding cover for deer. Openness at ground level, which is especially important for bobwhite and wild turkey broods, was 30% greater in Seedbank Burned than Planted Mowed where we recorded the least openness among treatments by the second year of treatment. Similarly, coverage of bobwhite food and deer forage plant species was greatest in Seedbank Burned. Biomass (kg/ha) of plant species known to be selected as forage by deer was greater in all treatments than in Control, and NCC (deer days/ha) was greatest in Seedbank Burned by year 2. Our results highlight differences in plant composition and structure following management of early successional communities. Where possible, we encourage managers to use fire instead of mowing to maintain plant communities, especially if food plants and enhanced structure at multiple levels for bobwhite, wild turkey, and deer are management objectives. Furthermore, our results illustrate planting native grasses and forbs is not necessary to restore native early successional plant communities on most sites.

Nucleotide analysis and prevalence of Escherichia coli isolated from feces of some captive avian species

The aim of the study was to check the prevalence of Escherichia coli in some captive avian species, seasonal effect on the E.coli prevalence and analysis of nucleotide sequences of E.coli. A total of 132 samples, 33 from Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), 33 form Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), 33 from Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulates) and 33 from Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) were collected from Conservation and Research Center, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki. Colony forming units was quantified for each sample. E. coli confirmation was done by biochemical and molecular characterization. 16S rRNA was amplified and sequenced. 16S rRNA sequence was submitted to NCBI under the accession number MN841017, MN841018 and MN841019.Descriptive statistics showed the mean ± SEM value for E. coli CFU/ml of fecal sample from Turkey 1.91 × 108 ± 4.4 × 107, for Pheasants, the mean ± SEM was 1.55 × 108 ± 5.2 × 107 CFU/ml of fecal sample. The mean ± SEM of the fecal sample for Budgerigars and Chukar were 2.12 × 108 ± 3.3 × 107 CFU/ml and 1.6 × 108 ± 4.5 × 107 CFU/ml respectively. Inferential statistics showed that regardless of the bird species, there was almost a similar frequency of E. coli CFU/ml of fecal sample (p = 0.74). However, the incidence of E. coli fluctuates significantly depending on the season in the case of turkey and pheasants, and the impact was statistically significant (p < 0.0005). E.coli was most prevalent in Turkey during rainy summer and in Pheasants during cool dry winter. These findings show that accidental or direct contact with feces of these captive birds have possible risk of gastric illness to humans and animals. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms driving the seasonality of this important zoonotic pathogen will allow for the execution of effective control strategies when it is most prevalent.

Retraction Note to: Upregulation of INF-γ, IL-6, and IL-8 expression during replication of turkey coronavirus in nonepithelial cells obtained from Meleagris gallopavo.

Retraction Note to: Upregulation of INF-γ, IL-6, and IL-8 expression during replication of turkey coronavirus in nonepithelial cells obtained from Meleagris gallopavo.

Animal use of fence crossings in southwestern rangelands.

Net‐wire fencing built to confine livestock is common on rangelands in the Southwestern USA, yet the impacts of livestock fencing on wildlife are largely unknown. Many wildlife species cross beneath fences at defined crossing locations because they prefer to crawl underneath rather than jump over fences. Animals occasionally become entangled jumping or climbing over fences, leading to injury or death. More commonly, repeated crossings under net‐wire fencing by large animals lead to fence damage, though the damage is often tolerated by landowners until the openings affect the ability to enclose livestock. The usage, placement, characteristics, and passage rates of fence crossings beneath net‐wire fencing are poorly understood. We monitored 20 randomly selected fence crossings on net‐wire livestock fencing across two study sites on rangelands in South Texas, USA, from April 2018 to March 2019. We assessed the characteristics of fence‐crossing locations (openings beneath the fence created by animals to aid in crossing) and quantified crossing rates and the probability of crossing by all species of animals via trail cameras. We documented 10,889 attempted crossing events, with 58% (n = 6271) successful. Overall, 15 species of medium‐ and large‐size mammals and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) contributed to crossing events. Crossing locations received 3–4 crossing attempts per day on average, but the number of attempts and probability of successful crossing varied by location and fence condition. The probability of crossing attempts was most consistently influenced by the opening size of the crossing and season; as crossing size (opening) increased, the probability of successful crossing significantly increased for all species. Peaks in crossing activity corresponded with species' daily and seasonal movements and activity. The density and size of fence‐crossing locations were dependent on fence maintenance and not associated with vegetation communities or habitat variables. However, crossing locations were often re‐established in the same locations after fence repairs. This is one of the few studies to monitor how all animal species present interacted with net‐wire livestock fencing in rangelands. Our results will help land managers understand the impact of net‐wire livestock fencing on animal movement.

Including a spatial predictive process in band recovery models improves inference for Lincoln estimates of animal abundance.

Abundance estimation is a critical component of conservation planning, particularly for exploited species where managers set regulations to restrict harvest based on current population size. An increasingly common approach for abundance estimation is through integrated population modeling (IPM), which uses multiple data sources in a joint likelihood to estimate abundance and additional demographic parameters. Lincoln estimators are one commonly used IPM component for harvested species, which combine information on the rate and total number of individuals harvested within an integrated band‐recovery framework to estimate abundance at large scales. A major assumption of the Lincoln estimator is that banding and recoveries are representative of the whole population, which may be violated if major sources of spatial heterogeneity in survival or harvest rates are not incorporated into the model. We developed an approach to account for spatial variation in harvest rates using a spatial predictive process, which we incorporated into a Lincoln estimator IPM. We simulated data under different configurations of sample sizes, harvest rates, and sources of spatial heterogeneity in harvest rate to assess potential model bias in parameter estimates. We then applied the model to data collected from a field study of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallapavo) to estimate local and statewide abundance in Maine, USA. We found that the band recovery model that incorporated a spatial predictive process consistently provided estimates of adult and juvenile abundance with low bias across a variety of spatial configurations of harvest rate and sampling intensities. When applied to data collected on wild turkeys, a model that did not incorporate spatial heterogeneity underestimated the harvest rate in some subregions. Consistent with simulation results, this led to overestimation of both local and statewide abundance. Our work demonstrates that a spatial predictive process is a viable mechanism to account for spatial variation in harvest rates and limit bias in abundance estimates. This approach could be extended to large‐scale band recovery data sets and has applicability for the estimation of population parameters in other ecological models as well.

Early nest initiation and vegetation density enhance nest survival in Wild Turkeys

Abstract The theory of adaptive habitat selection suggests resource selection by animals should reflect underlying quality, such that individual selection confers an adaptive advantage via increased fitness. Using resource selection functions and nest survival models, we demonstrated that visual obstruction at the nest site was adaptively significant but timing of nest initiation had the greatest effect on nest survival for eastern Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). Predation risk is a selective pressure, and if individuals can perceive predation risk, they may respond by altering the selection of nest site characteristics based on prior experience. We evaluated patterns in nest site selection of 387 Wild Turkeys and the consequences of selection on reproductive success across the southeastern United States from 2014 to 2019. We monitored 549 nest sites and found that nest initiation date had the strongest effect on daily nest survival rates, wherein adult females at our earliest nest initiation date were ~4 times more likely to successfully nest than females at our latest nest initiation date. Selection of nest sites with greater visual obstruction also increased daily nest survival rates, and females were 1.17 (95% CI: 1.100–1.234) and 1.37 (95% CI: 1.258–1.486) times more likely to select sites for every 10-cm increase in visual obstruction and maximum vegetation height, respectively. Collectively, our results indicate that nest initiation date is likely the critical parameter driving Wild Turkey nest success, whereas vegetative conditions play a lesser role in influencing nest success. Females nesting earlier may be in better body condition and show increased nest attentiveness, which may mediate nest success more than vegetation conditions around nest sites. Our work indicates that increasing the reproductive success of Wild Turkeys may hinge on females being able to nest as early as possible within the reproductive season.

Survival, harvest, and population size of Rio Grande wild turkeys in Texas

AbstractUse of band recovery data combined with estimates of hunter harvests provides a foundation for estimation of abundance and population trajectory for a variety of wildlife species. We banded 3,141 Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) during 2015–2021 and used band‐recovery data to assess annual survival and harvest, and to generate population estimates for male Rio Grande wild turkeys in Texas, USA. Our results indicated male recovery rate was age‐specific (adult = 0.095 ± 0.010 [SE]; juvenile = 0.036 ± 0.009) and adult and juvenile male annual survival was 0.49 ± 0.04 and 0.96 ± 0.14, respectively. Annual survival for adult females (0.68 ± 0.02) was lower than for juvenile females (0.98 ± 0.01). Female recovery rates were not different between fall and spring (0.017 ± 0.004; 0.013 ± 0.003, respectively) and combined harvest rate was 0.009 ± 0.006. Male population estimates, based on hunter harvest estimates, exhibited considerable temporal variation, ranging from 328,185 ± 66,313 in 2016 to 136,700 ± 27,621 in 2020. Using harvest average over the 7‐year study period, we estimated average male abundance was 228,709 ± 46,213. Female population estimates ranged from 895,556 ± 635,146 in 2016 to 409,889 ± 290,702 in 2020. We estimated an average female population of 561,578 ± 396,507. Researchers and managers should continue banding Rio Grande wild turkeys to assess long‐term trends and conduct additional work to confirm the accuracy of harvest estimates in Texas.

Applicability of single-step genomic evaluation with a random regression model for reproductive traits in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

Fertility and hatchability are economically important traits due to their effect on poult output coming from the turkey hatchery. Traditionally, fertility is recorded as the number of fertile eggs set in the incubator (FERT), defined at a time point during incubation by the identification of a developing embryo. Hatchability is recorded as either the number of fertile eggs that hatched (hatch of fertile, HOF) or the number hatched from all the eggs set (hatch of set, HOS). These traits are collected throughout the productive life of the bird and are conventionally cumulated, resulting in each bird having a single record per trait. Genetic evaluations of these traits have been estimated using pedigree relationships. However, the longitudinal nature of the traits and the availability of genomic information have renewed interest in using random regression (RR) to capture the differences in repeatedly recorded traits, as well as in the incorporation of genomic relationships. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the applicability of a RR model with a cumulative model (CUM) using both pedigree and genomic information for genetic evaluation of FERT, HOF, and HOS and 2) to estimate and compare predictability from the models. For this study, a total of 63,935 biweekly FERT, HOF, and HOS records from 7,211 hens mated to 1,524 toms were available for a maternal turkey line. In total, 4,832 animals had genotypic records, and pedigree information on 11,191 animals was available. Estimated heritability from the CUM model using pedigree information was 0.11 0.02, 0.24 0.02, and 0.24 0.02 for FERT, HOF, and HOS, respectively. With random regression using pedigree relationships, heritability estimates were in the range of 0.04–0.09, 0.11–0.17, and 0.09–0.18 for FERT, HOF, and HOS, respectively. The incorporation of genomic information increased the heritability by an average of 28 and 23% for CUM and RR models, respectively. In addition, the incorporation of genomic information caused predictability to increase by approximately 11 and 7% for HOF and HOS, respectively; however, a decrease in predictability of about 12% was observed for FERT. Our findings suggest that RR models using pedigree and genomic relationships simultaneously will achieve a higher predictability than the traditional CUM model.

PATHOGEN SURVEY AND PREDICTORS OF LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASE VIRUS INFECTION IN WILD TURKEYS (MELEAGRIS GALLOPAVO).

Growing populations of Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) may result in increased disease transmission among wildlife and spillover to poultry. Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an avian retrovirus that is widespread in Wild Turkeys of eastern North America, and infections may influence mortality and parasite co-infections. We aimed to identify individual and spatial risk factors of LPDV in Maine's Wild Turkeys. We also surveyed for co-infections between LPDV and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Salmonella pullorum to estimate trends in prevalence and examine covariance with LPDV. From 2017 to 2020, we sampled tissues from hunter-harvested (n=72) and live-captured (n=627) Wild Turkeys, in spring and winter, respectively, for molecular detection of LPDV and REV. In a subset of captured individuals (n=235), we estimated seroprevalence of the bacteria M. gallisepticum and S. pullorum using a plate agglutination test. Infection rates for LPDV and REV were 59% and 16% respectively, with a co-infection rate of 10%. Seroprevalence for M. gallisepticum and S. pullorum were 74% and 3.4%, with LPDV co-infection rates of 51% and 2.6%, respectively. Infection with LPDV and seroprevalence of M. gallisepticum and S. pullorum decreased, whereas REV infection increased, between 2018 and 2020. Females (64%), adults (72%), and individuals sampled in spring (76%) had higher risks of LPDV infection than males (47%), juveniles (39%), and individuals sampled in winter (57%). Furthermore, LPDV infection increased with percent forested cover (β=0.014±0.007) and decreased with percent agriculture cover for juveniles (β=-0.061±0.018) sampled in winter. These data enhance our understanding of individual and spatial predictors of LPDV infection in Wild Turkeys and aid in assessing the associated risk to Wild Turkey populations and poultry operations.

Histomorphology and ultrastructure of the proventriculus of the broad breasted white turkey (Meleagris gallopavo, Linnaeus 1758).

This study aims to examine the functional morphology of the proventriculus of the broad breasted white turkey (BBWT) (Meleagris gallopavo, Linnaeus 1758) using gross anatomy, light microscopy, gross/histomorphometric analysis, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The proventriculus was characterized internally by many elevated papillae with a mound, leafy flower, and lotus flower-shapes. Each papilla was enclosed by concentrically organized mucosal folds with distinct or indistinct proventricular gland openings on its top. Longitudinal folds and grooves at the junction of the proventriculus with the esophagus exhibited various sized and shaped openings of esophageal glands with irregular outlines. Histologically, the surface epithelium of the proventriculus was covered by a thin layer of cuticle, particularly evident at its junction with the gizzard. The lamina epithelialis and propria, and secretory units of proventricular lobules were infiltrated by aggregations of lymphocytes and lymphoid follicles (nodules). Variably shaped glandular lobules of proventricular glands occupied the submucosa, surrounded by thin strands of smooth muscle fibers derived from muscularis mucosa. Triangular, cuboidal, or columnar-shaped secretory oxyntico-peptic cells lined the secretory units. Many telocytes (pyramidal or fusiform-shaped cell bodies with lengthy telopodes) were observed in interstitial tissue. Further, two types of argyrophilic endocrine cells were identified within the glandular epithelium. The morphology of the M. gallopavo proventriculus reflects its dietary habits and behavior.

Describing the relationships among meat quality traits in domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations

The presence of meat quality defects is increasing in the turkey industry. While the main strategy for mitigating these issues is through improved housing, management, and slaughter conditions, it may be possible to incorporate meat quality into a turkey breeding strategy with the intent to improve meat quality. Before this can occur, it is important to describe the current state of turkey meat quality as well as the correlations among the different meat quality traits and important production traits. The main objective of the present study was to provide a descriptive analysis of 8 different meat quality traits for turkey breast meat from 3 different purebred lines (A, B, and C), and their correlation with a selection of production traits. Using a total of 7,781 images, the breast meat (N = 590–3,892 birds depending on trait) was evaluated at 24 h postmortem for color (L*, a*, b*), pH, and physiochemical characteristics (drip loss, cooking loss, shear force). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and Pearson correlations were computed to describe the relationships among traits within each genetic line. A one-factor ANOVA and post hoc t-test were conducted for each trait and between each of the genetic lines. We found significant differences between genetic lines for some color traits (L* and a*), pHinitial, drip loss, and cooking loss. The lightest line in weight (line B) had meat that was the lightest (L*) in color. The heaviest line (line C) had meat that was less red (a*) with a higher pHinitial and greater cooking loss. Unfavorable correlations between production traits and meat quality were also found for each of the genetic lines where increases in production (e.g., body weight, growth rate) resulted in meat that was lighter and redder in color and in some cases (line B and C), with an increased moisture loss. The results of this study provide an important benchmark for turkey meat quality in purebred lines and provide an updated account of the relationships between key production traits and meat quality. Although the magnitude of these correlations is low, their cumulative effect on meat quality can be more significant especially with continued selection pressure on growth and yield.

Spatial dynamic N‐mixture models with interspecific interactions

Abstract Interspecific interactions and movement are key factors that drive the coexistence of metapopulations in heterogenous landscapes. Yet, it is challenging to understand these factors because separating movement from local population processes relied on capture‐based data that are difficult to collect. Recent development of spatial dynamic N‐mixture models (SDNMs) made it possible to draw inferences on local population growth and movement using count data of unmarked populations. However, no SDNMs have been developed to account for interspecific interactions and double‐counting observation errors. In this study we further developed SDNMs to account for interspecific interactions and both false‐negative and double‐counting observation errors. We conducted simulation studies to evaluate the inferential performance of these models under different ecological systems (competition, predator–prey), observation processes (binomial, Poisson) and sampling situations including the number of surveyed sites, detection and the adoption of robust sampling design. We then illustrated the applications of these models with two case studies, one representing a competition system (mallard Anas platyrhynchos, northern pintail Anas acuta) with binomial observations and the other representing a predator–prey system (bobcat Lynx rufus, wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo) with Poisson observations. The results of the simulation studies showed that the models provide unbiased parameter estimates regardless of the ecological system, observation process and sampling situation. Case studies further demonstrated the capabilities of these models in revealing important ecological processes. More specifically, the first case study revealed a negative effect of the superior competitor, Mallard, on the population growth of the inferior competitor, pintail as well as different movement patterns between these species, whereas the second case study reveal a top‐down effect of bobcat abundance on wild turkey population growth and their differential habitat preferences. The models developed in this study could be used by themselves on count data or serve as population sub‐models in integrated modelling frameworks to provide insights about metapopulation dynamics of interacting species in heterogeneous landscapes. The flexible structures of these models made them highly adaptive and relevant in population and community ecology.

An Investigation of the Cause of Wild Turkey Mortality in Mississippi.

Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an exogenous alpharetrovirus that sporadically causes fatal lymphoid neoplasia in affected turkeys. Previous studies of wild turkeys (Meleagridis gallopavo) in the United States have demonstrated geographically widespread LPDV infection and frequent coinfection with avian poxvirus (APV) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). This study was conducted to better understand health risks to Mississippi wild turkeys, including the relative importance of LPDV, APV, and REV in contributing to mortality. Thirteen wild turkeys, which died naturally or were euthanized due to illness, were submitted to Mississippi State University's Poultry Research and Diagnostic Laboratory for postmortem examinations. Birds originated from nine counties across the state over the past 5 yr. Carcasses were submitted as fresh (nonfrozen) or frozen. At autopsy, 9 of 13 turkeys had severe, proliferative cutaneous lesions on the head and neck, with diphtheritic or proliferative oral and esophageal lesions. Samples were collected for molecular diagnostic testing (LPDV and REV PCR), histopathology, and bacterial culture and isolation. External and internal parasites were preserved in formalin for identification. APV (cutaneous and/or diphtheritic forms) was diagnosed in 9 of 13 birds by identification of pathognomonic histologic lesions (including intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies). Interestingly, all birds with APV were also REV PCR positive. Furthermore, eight turkeys were positive for LPDV, and LPDV was commonly associated with coinfections with APV and REV.

In Silico Identification of lncRNAs Regulating Sperm Motility in the Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo L.)

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts not translated into proteins with a length of more than 200 bp. LncRNAs are considered an important factor in the regulation of countless biological processes, mainly through the regulation of gene expression and interactions with proteins. However, the detailed mechanism of interaction as well as functions of lncRNAs are still unclear and therefore constitute a serious research challenge. In this study, for the first time, potential mechanisms of lncRNA regulation of processes related to sperm motility in turkey were investigated and described. Customized bioinformatics analysis was used to detect and identify lncRNAs, and their correlations with differentially expressed genes and proteins were also investigated. Results revealed the expression of 863 new/unknown lncRNAs in ductus deferens, testes and epididymis of turkeys. Moreover, potential relationships of the lncRNAs with the coding mRNAs and their products were identified in turkey reproductive tissues. The results obtained from the OMICS study may be useful in describing and characterizing the way that lncRNAs regulate genes and proteins as well as signaling pathways related to sperm motility.

Listeriosis with viral coinfections in 8 gray foxes, 8 wild turkeys, and 2 young cervids in the southeastern United States.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause disease in many species, including humans, livestock, and wildlife. Increased interactions via shared habitats may promote pathogen transmission among these groups. Our objectives were to evaluate the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study diagnostic data to characterize and compare L. monocytogenes-induced lesions and comorbidities in gray foxes and wild turkeys, and to describe cases of listeriosis in 2 cervids. From 1991-2020, 8 gray foxes, 8 wild turkeys, a neonatal elk, and a white-tailed deer fawn from several eastern states in the United States were diagnosed with listeriosis. All 8 foxes had hepatitis and/or hepatic necrosis with intralesional gram-positive bacilli, and concurrent canine distemper virus (CDV) infection; 2 of the foxes had been vaccinated recently for CDV. L. monocytogenes was cultured from the liver (6 of 8) or lung (2 of 8) of foxes. Lesions in wild turkeys included hepatocellular necrosis (3 of 8), heterophilic hepatitis (1 of 8), heterophilic granulomas (1 of 8), intrasinusoidal gram-positive bacilli without hepatic lesions (1 of 8), granulomatous dermatitis (1 of 8), and/or granulomatous myocarditis (2 of 8). Lymphoproliferative disease viral DNA was detected in 5 of 6 turkeys tested; reticuloendotheliosis viral DNA was detected in 2 of 3 turkeys tested. Both cervids had systemic listeriosis, with L. monocytogenes isolated from liver. Immunohistochemistry for Listeria spp. on select cases revealed immunolabeling in affected organs. Listeriosis was thus established as a cause of morbidity and mortality in 3 wildlife species, which often suffered from concurrent infections and likely immunosuppression.

A comparison of mixed‐mode survey designs for collecting deer and fall turkey harvest data in North Dakota

AbstractAchieving state wildlife agency biological goals for deer (Odocoileus spp.) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) rely on high quality data collection via hunter harvest surveys. Concomitantly, better information is needed to optimize harvest survey methods. From 2017 to 2019, we surveyed North Dakota, USA, deer and fall turkey hunters using a self‐administered mail survey as a control and 3 mixed‐mode, internet/mail surveys to evaluate the efficacy of alternative survey designs for estimating harvest of game populations and informing future management. We measured response rates across segments of North Dakota deer and fall turkey hunters, and across mixed‐mode treatments that could easily be implemented with existing wildlife agency resources. We also determined whether early survey respondents were more likely to harvest deer or turkey. Finally, we estimated the effects of demographic factors that may be associated with hunters returning survey treatment modes to further North Dakota Game and Fish Department's ability to tailor surveys to certain hunter groups. We found that internet‐mail and mail‐internet treatments resulted in significantly higher response rates than a traditional mail‐only survey mode. We also found that hunters who successfully harvested an animal were more likely to return questionnaires shortly after the initial wave of surveying. Finally, we found that older, nonresident, and urban hunters were more likely to return questionnaires. Our research demonstrates potential use of tailored mixed‐mode surveys to increase response rates.

Roosting ecology of Gould's wild turkeys in southeastern Arizona

AbstractAvailability of suitable roosting sites influences distribution of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) across the landscape. In semi‐arid environments, roosts are limited to riparian corridors capable of supporting trees large enough to provide suitable roost sites. Gould's wild turkeys (M. g. mexicana) are spatially restricted to mountainous semi‐arid areas of southwestern United States and Mexico, and information on their distribution and habitat use is limited. We evaluated roost site selection and fidelity of Gould's wild turkeys relative to environmental gradients and forested land cover during 2016–2017 in southeastern Arizona, USA. We monitored 51 global positioning system (GPS)‐tagged individuals and collected 7,954 night roost locations. We quantified specific roost site characteristics at 274 unique roost locations. Gould's wild turkeys roosted in forested communities dominated by mature pine (Pinus spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.), and exhibited substantive roost site fidelity. Roost sites were selected at moderate elevations (range = 1,254–2,894 m), and were predominately on north‐facing slopes with slight incline (&lt;11°), suggesting little plasticity in selection of roost sites. Conserving habitat with topography and vegetative structure similar to those described in our study is likely to improve ongoing restoration and management of Gould's wild turkeys.