Colinus Virginianus Research Articles

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam and a Short-Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

The development of fluorine-free firefighting foams has been proposed as a way to reduce the adverse environmental consequences of foams containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. While there are likely fewer environmental and ecological concerns with these new fluorine-free foams in terms of persistence and bioaccumulation, it is prudent to evaluate the ecotoxicity of these fluorine-free foam products given the absence of data. Oral chronic drinking water exposure studies on adult pairs of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) were conducted with a short-chain fluorinated and a fluorine-free foam: Buckeye Platinum Plus C6 and National Foam Avio Green KHC, respectively, at three exposure concentrations (0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25%). Adults were monitored for survival, growth, and reproductive output; and chicks were monitored for survival and growth. Growth parameters in adult quail were not affected by exposure to the Buckeye or Avio foam. However, liver lipid content was higher in adult males exposed to the Buckeye foam or the Avio foam at the highest exposure concentrations. Chicks were heavier and had higher growth rates after adult exposure to Avio at the highest exposure level (0.25%) and to Buckeye at the two lowest exposure levels but not at the highest exposure level. The two adverse reproductive effects observed from avian exposure to Buckeye were an increased percentage of cracked eggs and earlier arrested embryonic development. Similarly, chronic exposure to Avio also induced earlier arrested embryonic development. These results show that the fluorine-free foams tested did cause toxicity to bobwhite quail, but whether they pose a risk at contaminated sites requires further laboratory and field study and additional exposure data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:211-221. © 2023 SETAC.

Four Different Surgical Approaches to Vasectomies in Male Texas Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus texanus) and Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus).

Vasectomies render a male sterile and have been used for various management purposes, including conservation efforts. This report evaluated 4 different surgical approaches (external approach, internal approach with dissection, internal approach with cautery, and internal approach caudally) to perform 177 vasectomies in Texas bobwhite (Colinus virginianus texanus; n = 171) and northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus; n = 6) in a field setting. Birds were not randomized into groups for the different approaches. Survival was recorded in 83% (147/177) of the birds. The most common cause of death was hemorrhage from the common iliac vein due to damage during the surgical procedure. Other causes for death included transection of the ureter, parasitism, euthanasia, and undetermined causes. The approach that had the highest survival rate (89.8%, 132/147) was the internal approach with cautery, and based on these results the authors recommend this approach for vasectomies in Texas and northern bobwhite quail.

Health impacts of gastrointestinal and ocular parasites in northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in western Oklahoma, USA.

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is a popular upland game bird that is suffering from severe and ongoing population decline. In this study, we investigated the potential health impacts of gastrointestinal and periorbital parasites in bobwhite in western Oklahoma, USA. A sample of 206 bobwhites from 2018 to 2020 indicated a low prevalence and diversity of parasites. However, at least one gastrointestinal or ocular parasite species was detected in 112 bobwhite (54.4%). A total of three gastrointestinal parasite species were detected, including Aulonocephalus pennula (54% prevalence, mean intensity 71.6±99.8), Raillietina spp. (7%, 4.2±1.9), and a single immature Mediorhynchus sp. acanthocephalan (0.5%). Burdens of A. pennula infections were negatively associated with fat stores in their bobwhite host. Low intensities (range 1-10, mean 3.9±2.9) of eyeworms (Oxyspirura petrowi) were observed in 12.6% (26/206) of bobwhite sampled and were not associated with fat stores. No significant histologic lesions were associated with O. petrowi worms in ocular and surrounding tissues of 68 quail eyes examined, of which 26 (38%) were positive for eyeworms. Overall, the prevalence and intensity of parasites in bobwhite in Oklahoma were lower than in previous studies in Texas in similar physiographic regions. However, continued studies on the impacts of these parasites on quail health are needed as environmental and climate changes could alter the ecology and significance of these parasites.

EXPLORING A PLANT-DIVERSITY HYPOTHESIS TO EXPLAIN HELMINTH PREVALENCE IN NORTHERN BOBWHITE (COLINUS VIRGINIANUS) IN TEXAS, USA.

Helminths, in particular eyeworms (Oxyspirura petrowi) and cecal worms (Aulonocephalus pennula), may be a factor influencing northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations in Texas. Previous research has shown a discrepancy in helminth infections between the Rolling Plains and Rio Grande Plains of Texas, US, potentially caused by differences in intermediate host distribution and abundance. We explored an alternative hypothesis centered on plant diversity, given that many plants possess phytochemicals with anthelmintic properties. We predicted that plant diversity would be greater and bobwhite diet more diverse in the Rio Grande Plains than the Rolling Plains, which in turn would potentially expose bobwhites to more plants with anthelmintic properties and therefore result in lower parasite prevalence and intensity. We conducted a literature review of plant diversity, anthelmintic plants, and bobwhite diet in Texas to explore this hypothesis. We also quantified the relationship between helminth prevalence in bobwhites and latitude. We documented trends for higher plant species richness, greater number of anthelmintic plants, and more diverse bobwhite diet in the Rio Grande Plains compared to the Rolling Plains. In addition, we documented a trend for increasing helminth prevalence with latitude for eyeworms but not cecal worms. Our study provides circumstantial evidence supporting the plant-diversity hypothesis and warrants experimental testing.

Nonbreeding season survival of northern bobwhite in northeastern Colorado

Northern bobwhites have experienced population declines in Colorado and range wide. Estimating vital rates can provide clues to factors limiting population growth rate. Although recent estimates of breeding season survival in the northwest corner of the northern bobwhite range are available, there have been no recent studies on nonbreeding season survival. We used radio‐telemetry to estimate nonbreeding season (October–March) survival of northern bobwhites at two study sites in northeastern Colorado during winter 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. Based on our sample of 157 bobwhites, we found that survival was highly variable between years and was negatively affected by colder daily minimum temperatures and deeper snow depths. Seasonal (six‐month) survival during the first year was 0.219 (SE = 0.040) and during the second year was 0.006 (SE = 0.005). We found no evidence that sex, age or study site influenced survival, and very weak support for an effect of body mass. During our study, there were two extreme winter weather events, during which we found unusually high numbers of non‐predation mortality. Overall, northern bobwhite nonbreeding season survival in the northwest corner of their range appears to be generally similar to other regions, except during extreme winter weather events, which resulted in high mortality. We encourage managers to create or maintain vegetation characteristics that will provide shelter from winter weather while also providing abundant food in close proximity.

Optimizing detection of the bobwhite reproduction call using passive acoustic monitoring

AbstractNorthern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have declined across much of their range. In response to these declines, wildlife biologists and managers have increased survey efforts and tried to optimize detection and capitalize on technological advances to improve population estimates and cost‐effectiveness. Our objective was to determine how environmental conditions influence detection of the reproduction call, or whistle, of masked bobwhite (C. v. ridgwayi), an endangered subspecies of northern bobwhite, using autonomous recording units (ARUs). We estimated the call intensity of the masked bobwhite reproduction call as 112 ± 0.5 decibels (mean ± SE) at 10 cm. We then broadcasted 16,284 calls during 17 trials to compare manual and automated call detection in recordings collected with ARUs. We used these data to model detectability of a bobwhite reproduction call, for when the bird is present and available, as a function of distance and weather conditions using generalized linear mixed models with trial as a random effect. Regardless of detection type, one model structure was competitive and suggested detection probability was a function of distance, wind speed, and wind direction. Detectability decreased with increased distance and wind speed and was influenced by wind direction. We demonstrate the use of our results to predict the probability of detecting a reproduction call during ARU‐based monitoring efforts. By understanding the effects of environmental factors on the detection of a bobwhite reproductive call, bobwhite surveys can be improved.

Distance sampling and spatial capture-recapture for estimating density of Northern Bobwhite

Obtaining accurate density estimates is critical for managers making decisions regarding wildlife populations. A variety of methods have been used to estimate population density, with two of the most common being distance sampling (DS) and spatial capture recapture (SCR). We evaluated precision and bias of density estimators through a simulation study of DS using data collected from either human observer point counts or automated recording units (ARUs), and SCR using trapping data or trapping data augmented with telemetry data. We then fit each of the four models to empirical data collected during autumn 2016–2018 for a population of northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus on Di-Lane Wildlife Management Area in Georgia. Density estimates in our simulation study were relatively unbiased using all four methods but were most accurate for the two SCR methods. Empirical density estimates were similar across methods and years, with annual averages of 0.41 birds per ha in 2016, 0.44 birds per ha in 2017 and 0.31 birds per ha in 2018. In general, both SCR methods were also the most precise using the empirical data, although ARU distance sampling did also produce comparable density estimates and precision values. Although SCR methods performed the best overall, cost and increased labor of these monitoring programs should be evaluated in relation to the relative ease of ARU deployment or point count surveys, which also provided adequate, and often similar, density estimates. Integrating these constraints into a structured decision-making framework will aid managers weighing decisions regarding how to monitor, and ultimately make management decisions.

An efficient acoustic classifier for high‐priority avian species in the southern Great Plains using convolutional neural networks

AbstractPassive acoustic monitoring is a valuable ecological and conservation tool that allows researchers to collect data from vocal species across large geographic areas and temporal spans. Grassland bird populations, many of which are indicators of ecosystem health, have experienced precipitous declines over the past several decades. Acoustic monitoring of grassland bird populations provides opportunities to monitor declines and focus conservation practices, yet the ability to identify species efficiently and accurately from acoustic data is challenging. Therefore, development of automated classifiers such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are at the forefront of streamlining detection and identification of individual species. Here, we present a CNN classifier for 5 key grassland bird species across southcentral Oklahoma, a part of the southern Great Plains: northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), painted bunting (Passerina ciris), dickcissel (Spiza americana), eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna), and Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii). We compiled a high‐quality training dataset consisting of 6,933 calls, built semiautonomously using template matching that can be expanded easily to any bird species of interest. Our trained multilabel CNN achieved a high level of classification accuracy (≥98%) for the 5 species using the library of test calls and field recordings played using a programmable game caller. The ability to conduct acoustic wildlife surveys across large spatial extents will allow for more efficient monitoring of wildlife to determine key population parameters and trends and effects of biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., vegetation, disturbance, weather) on these key species.

Northern bobwhite breeding season and nest survival are greater on native grasslands

AbstractNorthern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) are declining across their range. Population recovery requires a better understanding of the influence of management strategies and land cover on specific demographic components of full annual cycle population dynamics. We used known‐fate daily survival models to relate adult breeding season survival and nest survival to land cover composition, woody cover, and management actions on 5 study sites in southwest Missouri, USA. We collected 3,516 observations of daily nest survival from 364 bobwhite nests for 7,509 exposure days and 34,386 observations of adult survival from 955 bobwhites for 85,225 exposure days during breeding seasons in 2014–2018. The most supported model for nest and adult breeding season survival included environmental covariates for percent native grass and agricultural cover, distance to shrub, and distance to tree. Both nest and adult breeding season survival were positively related to distance to trees. Nest survival was negatively related to percent agricultural crop cover. Areal nest and adult breeding season survival were greater on native grassland sites compared to conservation areas that maintained small units of strip crop and wooded cover. Management to sustain or expand native grass cover and reduce tree cover should benefit bobwhite nest survival and adult breeding season survival in the landscapes we studied.

Behavioral state‐specific resource selection of northern bobwhite chicks

AbstractDetermining resource selection rates across life stages of a species is important to enable a comprehensive management approach that focuses on bolstering populations. Moreover, tying these selection rates to specific life‐history needs (e.g., foraging, roosting, loafing) can provide information for management practices. We studied northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) chick resource selection on a private property in Brunswick County, North Carolina, USA, to better understand foraging and roosting habitat selection. We tested 2 hypotheses (resource selection is influenced by predator avoidance, resource selection is influenced by food availability) to understand what influences specific resource use. The site was managed intensively for bobwhites using prescribed fire, seasonal mowing and disking, meso‐mammal control, and supplemental feeding. We radio‐tagged 156 chicks between 11–15 days of age from 29 unique brood captures and collected location data of roost sites and daily movement tracks for individual chicks from 2018–2019. We modeled roosting and foraging habitat selection using mixed‐effects conditional logistic regression models under a Bayesian framework. Burned upland pine (Pinus spp.) stands were selected by chicks for foraging and roosting sites. Fallow fields, unburned uplands (1 yr post‐burn), and areas closer to supplemental feed were selected by chicks as foraging habitat. We observed a negative interaction between age and fallow field selection as roosting habitat and age and areas closer to supplemental feed as foraging habitat. Our study results shed light on how circadian habitat use can vary and illustrate that one specific land cover type may not provide ideal diurnal and nocturnal habitat for bobwhite chicks.

Trophic interactions between primary consumers appear to weaken during periods of synchrony

Our understanding of synchrony between populations from different taxonomic groups has been centered on predator–prey dynamics in simple systems but has rarely been examined in complex predator–prey systems. In addition to trophic interactions such as predator–prey dynamics, there is some evidence that exogenous factor such as climatic variation may facilitate synchrony between different taxonomic groups. Using three longitudinal datasets on quail (Colinus virginianus) and cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) we examined 1) the consistency of synchrony across time and space, 2) the relative influence of trophic interactions vs. exogenous factors on synchrony and 3) if trophic interactions were positively associated with synchrony between populations. We found evidence of consistent synchrony in cotton rat and bobwhite populations at both the site and regional levels. We found that trophic interactions between cotton rats and bobwhite were associated with relative synchrony between these populations, but these interactions appeared to weaken in years of greater synchrony. We did not find evidence that exogenous factors influenced relative synchrony at the regional level. Given the lack of a clear mechanistic explanation of the patterns observed in our data, we propose an alternative climate-mediated predation framework to explain synchrony in complex predator–prey systems. This framework includes both classic bottom-up theories of regulation while integrating trophic interactions via components of the shared predator hypothesis.

Connecting dryland fine-fuel assessments to wildfire exposure and natural resource values at risk

BackgroundWildland fire in arid and semi-arid (dryland) regions can intensify when climatic, biophysical, and land-use factors increase fuel load and continuity. To inform wildland fire management under these conditions, we developed high-resolution (10-m) estimates of fine fuel across the Altar Valley in southern Arizona, USA, which spans dryland, grass-dominated ecosystems that are administered by multiple land managers and owners. We coupled field measurements at the end of the 2021 growing season with Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and vegetation indices acquired during and after the growing season to develop predictions of fine fuel across the entire valley. We then assessed how climate, soil, vegetation, and land-use factors influenced the amount and distribution of fine fuels. We connected fine fuels to fire management points, past ignition history, and socio-economic vulnerability to evaluate wildfire exposure and assessed how fuel related to habitat of the endangered masked bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus ridgwayi).ResultsThe high amount of fine fuel (400–3600 kg/ha; mean = 1392 kg/ha) predicted by our remote sensing model (R2 = 0.63) for 2021 compared to previous years in the valley was stimulated by near-record high growing season precipitation that was 177% of the 1990–2020 mean. Fine fuel increased across the valley if it was contained within the wildlife refuge boundary and had lower temperature and vapor pressure deficit, higher soil organic content, and abundant annual plants and an invasive perennial grass (R2 = 0.24). The index of potential exposure to wildfire showed a clustering of high exposure centered around roads and low-density housing development distant from fire management points and extending into the upper elevations flanking the valley. Within the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, fine fuel increased with habitat suitability for the masked bobwhite quail within and adjacent to core habitat areas, representing a natural resource value at risk, accompanied with higher overall mean fine fuel (1672 kg/ha) in relation to 2015 (1347 kg/ha) and 2020 (1363 kg/ha) means.ConclusionsBy connecting high-resolution estimates of fine fuel to climatic, biophysical and land-use factors, wildfire exposure, and a natural resource value at risk, we provide a pro-active and adaptive framework for fire risk management within highly variable and rapidly changing dryland landscapes.

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF INSECT INTERMEDIATE HOSTS WITH POTENTIAL PARASITE TRANSMISSION TO THE DEFINITIVE HOST NORTHERN BOBWHITE (COLINUS VIRGINIANUS).

Grassland birds have been declining substantially for the past several years. Habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation as well as climate change are all thought to be the main drivers of the decline. However, as the declines continue to accelerate, it is becoming imperative to examine other factors that may contribute to population fluctuations. The nematodes Oxyspirura petrowi, Aulonocephalus pennula, and Physaloptera sp. are commonly found infecting northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), a game species of economic importance, and all 3 nematodes use insects as an intermediate host. Here we used polymerase chain reaction techniques to determine the occurrence of the 3 nematodes in 7 insect orders to uncover epidemiological patterns of the greatest potential for transmission to northern bobwhite. Insects were collected from March through September using sweep nets and pitfall traps. An R × C chi-squared test with Monte Carlo simulation was used to determine differences in the occurrence of the parasites across taxa and time. The results of the statistical analysis showed the nematodes are predominantly found in the order Orthoptera, and A. pennula and Physaloptera sp. showed epidemiological patterns in insects. However, no such pattern was observed with O. petrowi. An explanation for the lack of epidemiological pattern in O. petrowi is proposed and the diversity of known insect hosts of the 3 nematodes is increased.

Physiologically Relevant Levels of Biliverdin Do Not Significantly Oppose Oxidative Damage in Plasma In Vitro.

AbstractAntioxidants have important physiological roles in limiting the amount of oxidative damage that an organism experiences. One putative antioxidant is biliverdin, a pigment that is most commonly associated with the blue or green colors of avian eggshells. However, despite claims that biliverdin functions as an antioxidant, neither the typical physiological concentrations of biliverdin in most species nor the ability of biliverdin to oppose oxidative damage at these concentrations has been examined. Therefore, we quantified biliverdin in the plasma of six bird species and found that they circulated levels of biliverdin between 0.02 and 0.5 μM. We then used a pool of plasma from northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and spiked it with one of seven different concentrations of biliverdin, creating plasma-based solutions ranging from 0.09 to 231 μM biliverdin. We then compared each solution's ability to oppose oxidative damage in response to hydrogen peroxide relative to a control addition of water. We found that hydrogen peroxide consistently induced moderate amounts of oxidative damage (quantified as reactive oxygen metabolites) but that no concentration of biliverdin ameliorated this damage. However, biliverdin and hydrogen peroxide interacted, as the amount of biliverdin in hydrogen peroxide-treated samples was reduced to approximately zero, unless the initial concentration was over 100 μM biliverdin. These preliminary findings based on in vitro work indicate that while biliverdin may have important links to metabolism and immune function, at physiologically relevant concentrations it does not detectably oppose hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in plasma.

An island 'endemic' born out of hybridization between introduced lineages.

Humans have profoundly impacted the distribution of plant and animal species over thousands of years. The most direct example of these effects is human-mediated movement of individuals, either through translocation of individuals within their range or through the introduction of species to new habitats. While human involvement may be suspected in species with obvious range disjunctions, it can be difficult to detect natural versus human-mediated dispersal events for populations at the edge of a species' range, and this uncertainty muddles how we understand the evolutionary history of populations and broad biogeographical patterns. Studies combining genetic data with archaeological, linguistic and historical evidence have confirmed prehistoric examples of human-mediated dispersal; however, it is unclear whether these methods can disentangle recent dispersal events, such as species translocated by European colonizers during the past 500 years. We use genomic DNA from historical museum specimens and historical records to evaluate three hypotheses regarding the timing and origin of Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Cuba, whose status as an endemic or introduced population has long been debated. We discovered that bobwhites from southern Mexico arrived in Cuba between the 12th and 16th centuries, followed by the subsequent introduction of bobwhites from the southeastern USA to Cuba between the 18th and 20th centuries. These dates suggest the introduction of bobwhites to Cuba was human-mediated and concomitant with Spanish colonial shipping routes between Veracruz, Mexico and Havana, Cuba during this period. Our results identify endemic Cuban bobwhites as a genetically distinct population born of hybridization between divergent, introduced lineages.

A cost assessment of intensive wild quail management on private lands in the southeastern United States

AbstractPrivate landowners who operate multifunctional landscapes play a critical role in the conservation of native and imperiled species, and the restoration of native ecosystems. In the southeastern United States, both northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and pine savanna ecosystems are imperiled and heavily reliant on conservation efforts by private landowners. Engaging private landowners in the restoration and management of pine savannas and grasslands is essential to the recovery of northern bobwhite, which is also managed as a game species. Since the early 1900s, the cultural tradition of wild bobwhite hunting has motivated landowners to manage their properties to increase bobwhite populations. However, the costs and revenues associated with intensive wild bobwhite management and hunting are imperfectly understood. From May 2021 to February 2022, we conducted semistructured interviews with landowners and land managers of 37 wild bobwhite hunting properties (total of 65,317 ha in bobwhite management) in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina to enumerate the costs and revenues associated with intensive wild bobwhite management. Landowners spent an average of $154/acre/year (~$381/ha/year; median of $142/acre/year or ~$352/ha/year) to manage for northern bobwhite. These costs included salaries and benefits for labor, depreciated equipment and infrastructure expenditures, and other supplies (e.g., fuel, seed) needed to maintain wild bobwhite populations and their habitat. Few properties offset their bobwhite management costs with revenues generated on the property, including hunting revenues. Non‐financial motivations for owning a bobwhite property included a strong land stewardship ethic, the desire to maintain rural lifestyles and family heritage, and securing hunting and recreational opportunities. Through wild quail management, private landowners are helping to secure critical habitat for threatened and endangered species and increasing the landscape's overall resilience to climate change without the use of public funding.

Mesopredator predation risk limits northern bobwhite nesting habitat

AbstractPredators can significantly limit the amount of available habitat for vulnerable prey. Encouraging spatial segregation of predators and prey through habitat management prescriptions may be a useful tool to increase productivity and abundances of prey species of conservation concern. We estimated the total area of low‐risk nesting habitat by interacting predator habitat selection models with northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) nest‐site selection models. We used trail cameras, transect sampling, spotlighting transects, and incidental tracking to survey and map occurrences of mesopredators at a site in western Oklahoma, USA. We created broad‐scale resource selection function models for bobwhite nest‐site and mesopredator habitat selection using generalized linear models to create maps of occurrence probability in ArcGIS. Bobwhite nests were more likely to be depredated in areas of high selection by coyotes (Canis latrans) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) compared to areas with low mesopredator selection. Approximately 392 ha of bobwhite nesting habitat (17%) had low probabilities of selection by both coyotes and striped skunks. Our results demonstrate the need for incorporating species' interactions into estimations of available habitat. Based on the total area of highly selected cover by northern bobwhite, approximately 29% of the study area would have been deemed suitable for nesting. However, only 5% of that area is predicted to have a low predation risk.

Storage time and temperature of filter paper strips affect anti-West Nile virus antibody detection in 2 galliform species.

The effects of filter paper strip (FPS) storage time and temperature on antibody detection are poorly understood despite widespread use in wildlife research. We collected sera and FPSs from 23 wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and 20 northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) experimentally infected with West Nile virus (WNV) to compare FPS storage methods with WNV plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) sensitivity. FPS storage methods included: immediate elution after drying, and storage at -20°C for 3 mo, -20°C for 6 mo, room temperature (RT) for 3 mo, and RT for 6 mo prior to elution. FPS eluates and sera were co-titrated to determine endpoint antibody titers, which were compared between FPS sera eluted immediately and sera, and among FPS eluates that underwent different storage conditions. Antibody titers were ~4-fold less in FPS sera eluted immediately versus sera, and dropped more frequently below PRNT detection threshold in northern bobwhites, which had ~10-fold lower serum antibody titers than wild turkeys. Antibody titers were lower in FPS samples stored at RT and for 6 mo. WNV serologic surveys may result in falsely low seroprevalence estimates if FPSs are stored at RT for ≥ 3 mo before elution.

Are breeding activities risky for northern bobwhites? An assessment of survival costs of reproduction

Behaviors associated with breeding can increase mortality risk. This increased risk can be thought of as a cost of reproduction. Increased movements prior to breeding are common as individuals search for food and breeding sites. These increased movements are thought to entail greater predation risks as individuals travel through unfamiliar areas but few studies have looked at how these prebreeding movements affect survival, especially at a fine temporal resolution. Costs of reproduction may also occur during reproduction. For birds, incubation and brood‐rearing can increase predation risk because individuals spend most of their time at nest sites or with broods, which may make them more easily detected and captured by predators. Using time‐ and individual‐specific predictors of survival, I examined the relationship between survival, movements, habitat use and breeding status of northern bobwhites Colinus virginianus in Colorado, USA. I found that prebreeding ranges were larger for breeders (29 ha) than non‐breeders (18.7 ha) but daily movement distance was not different (163 m). Range size did not affect survival; however, longer recent daily movement distances (within 10 days) resulted in higher survival. Breeding status also affected survival; laying individuals experienced the highest daily survival rates followed by incubating, non‐breeding and brood‐rearing individuals. Overall, there appears to be a survival cost of reproduction for individuals during brood‐rearing, but I found no evidence that increased movements results in decreased survival.

Validation of an LC-MS/MS method for assessment of fenbendazole sulfone drug residue in northern bobwhite liver.

The Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an economically important game bird within the Rolling Plains Ecoregion. Within this region, bobwhite is experiencing extreme cyclic population fluctuations which are resulting in a net decline in total population. It is suspected that within this region two helminth parasites, an eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and a cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula), are contributing to this phenomenon. However, this has been difficult to study as the primary mode of investigation would be the deployment of anthelmintic treatment. Unfortunately, no registered treatments for wild bobwhite currently exist. Thus, utilizing an anthelmintictreatment for wild bobwhite would require registration of that treatment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As bobwhite are game birds that are hunted, they are considered food-producing animals to the FDA, and as such require the assessment for the withdrawal of the drug residues to be assessed for human food safety. In this study, we optimized and validated a bioanalytical method for the quantification of fenbendazole sulfone in bobwhite following the U.S. FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Guidance for Industry #208 [VICH GL 49 (R)] for assessment of fenbendazole sulfone drug residue in Northern bobwhite liver. The official method for quantifying fenbendazole sulfone in domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) was adapted for use in bobwhite. The validated method quantitation range is 2.5-30 ng/mL for fenbendazole with an average recovery of 89.9% in bobwhite liver.