Meleagris Gallopavo Research Articles

The draft genome of the Temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) with evolutionary implications

BackgroundHigh-quality genome data of birds play a significant role in the systematic study of their origin and adaptive evolution. The Temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) (Galliformes, Phasianidae), a larger pheasant, is one of the most abundant and widely distributed species of the genus Tragopan, and was defined as class II of the list of national key protected wild animals in China. The absence of a sequenced genome has restricted previous evolutionary trait studies of this taxa.ResultsThe whole genome of the Temminck’s tragopan was sequenced using Illumina and PacBio platform, and then de novo assembled and annotated. The genome size was 1.06 Gb, with a contig N50 of 4.17 Mb. A total of 117.22 Mb (11.00%) repeat sequences were identified. 16,414 genes were predicted using three methods, with 16,099 (98.08%) annotated as functional genes based on five databases. In addition, comparative genome analyses were conducted across 12 Galliformes species. The results indicated that T. temminckii was the first species to branch off from the clade containing Lophura nycthemera, Phasianus colchicus, Chrysolophus pictus, Syrmaticus mikado, Perdix hodgsoniae, and Meleagris gallopavo, with a corresponding divergence time of 31.43 million years ago (MYA). Expanded gene families associated with immune response and energy metabolism were identified. Genes and pathways associated with plumage color and feather development, immune response, and energy metabolism were found in the list of positively selected genes (PSGs).ConclusionsA genome draft of the Temminck’s tragopan was reported, genome feature and comparative genome analysis were described, and genes and pathways related to plumage color and feather development, immune response, and energy metabolism were identified. The genomic data of the Temminck’s tragopan considerably contribute to the genome evolution and phylogeny of the genus Tragopan and the whole Galliformes species underlying ecological adaptation strategies.

Inverse relationships between coyote and wild turkey population time series: Implications for future studies of predator–prey interactions

AbstractChanges in predator communities such as the emergence of new predators alter predator–prey interactions profoundly. Coyotes (Canis latrans) have expanded their geographic distributions from the western United States (US) to the Eastern US, potentially suppressing some prey populations as their relative abundance has increased. To assess the relationship between coyotes and one of their prey, the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), we employed time series analysis and multivariate autoregressive state‐space models (MARSSMs) to a 23‐year capture per unit effort data set from both species in the state of Mississippi, US. The best MARSSM model indicated density dependence in each species. The competing MARSSM indicated that increases in coyote relative abundance reduced the population growth rate of wild turkeys. We recommend that future studies use long‐term time series of multiple coexisting predators and their alternative prey to assess the effects of the predator guild on the dynamics of prey populations.

Divergent Reactivity of Hemoglobin Isoforms α2Aβ2 and α2Dβ2 from Meleagris gallopavo in Native and Fatty Acid-Modified States.

Meleagris gallopavo (turkey) coexpresses distinct hemoglobin (Hb) isoforms, Hb α2Aβ2 (HbA) and α2Dβ2 (HbD), at a ratio of ∼3:1 (HbA:HbD). Herein, the reactivities of HbA and HbD were investigated in their native and free fatty acid (FFA)-modified states. Results indicated that HbD displays elevated autoxidation (kox) and an increased propensity to oxidize lipids in its reduced (oxy) and oxidized (met) forms. Interestingly, metHbD displayed less heme-globin cross-linking compared to HbA. Regarding FFA-modified Hb, we found that an FFA mixture and linoleic acid (LA) produced a bis-histidyl ferric (Bis-His) Hb species, decreasing the ability of Hb to oxidize lipids. Using molecular docking, we found LA to hydrogen bond with β Arg C6, found at the α1β2 interface, but the extent of Bis-His formation differs between HbA and HbD. Our findings suggest HbA displays elevated oxidative stability compared to HbD and that FFA may act as allosteric effectors of metHb.

Prevalence of Leucocytozoon infection in domestic birds in Ghana.

Leucocytozoon is a haemosporidian parasite known to cause leucocytozoonosis in domestic and wild birds in most parts of the world. It is an important pathogen, as some species can be pathogenic, especially in domestic birds. One of the factors affecting poultry health management worldwide is parasitism. However, the study of haemosporidian parasites in Ghana is still lacking. This study sought to assess the prevalence and diversity of Leucocytozoon parasites in domestic birds in Ghana. Blood samples were collected from domestic birds in Ghana's Bono and Eastern regions to screen for Leucocytozoon parasites. Thin blood smears were prepared for microscopy and DNA was extracted from whole blood kept in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes for PCR. Due to the large number of samples, real-time PCR was performed to amplify the conserved rDNA gene. Two different nested PCR protocols were performed on the positive samples obtained from real-time PCR results, to amplify a partial region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and the amplicons were sequenced. Sequencing revealed six new lineages of Leucocytozoon sp. recovered in 976 individual domestic birds and these sequences were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. An overall Leucocytozoon prevalence of 11.6% was reported in all birds sampled. The most prevalent lineage LGHA146 (GenBank accession no. OM643346) (93.8%) was found infecting 3 bird species, Gallus gallus, Meleagris gallopavo, and Anas platyrhynchos. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new lineages (GenBank accession nos. OM643342, OM643343, OM643344, OM643345, OM643346, and OM643347), reported in this study were closely related to Leucocytozoon schoutedeni. We suggest that further studies be conducted to evaluate the effect of these parasite species on the general well-being of poultry in Ghana.

Robust assessment of associations between weather and eastern wild turkey nest success

AbstractTemperature and precipitation have been identified as factors that potentially influence eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) reproduction, but robust analyses testing the relationship between weather parameters and turkey nest success are lacking. Therefore, we assessed how weather influenced turkey daily nest survival using 8 years of data collected from 715 nests across the southeastern United States. We also conducted exploratory analyses investigating if weather conditions during or prior to nesting best predicted nest success. We then assessed the possible implications of climate change through 2041–2060 for future eastern wild turkey daily nest survival and nest success for variables determined significant in analyses. During incubation, positive anomalies of minimum daily temperature were associated with greater daily nest survival. Precipitation during nesting was not a good predictor of daily nest survival. Exploratory analyses unexpectedly indicated that weather conditions in January prior to incubation were more important to nest success than weather conditions during incubation. In January, negative anomalies of minimum temperature and greater average daily precipitation were associated with greater nest success. Projections of future nest success or daily nest survival based on these relationships with the predictive covariates, and informed by climate models, suggest that nest success may increase as January precipitation increases and that daily nest survival may increase as temperature during incubation increases. These positive associations could be offset by a negative association between nest success and the expected increases in January minimum average temperature. Additional research is needed to investigate causes of these relationships and assess the implications of climate change for eastern wild turkey poult survival.

Assessment of Metal Elements and Biochemical Constituents of Wild Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) Mushrooms Collected from the Shivalik Foothills of the Himalayas, India

Wild medicinal mushrooms are known to contain significant amounts of essential biochemical compounds with potential health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the metal elements and biochemical constituents of wild turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) mushrooms collected from the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas, India. Mushroom samples were purposefully collected from eleven (11) sampling sites located in three (3) districts of North Indian states (Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand). The results of this study indicated that wild T. versicolor showed the presence of eight metal elements (Cd: 0.011–0.139, Cr: 0.225–0.680, Cu: 1.073–3.108, Fe: 4.273–8.467, Mn: 2.157–3.892, Zn: 3.069–4.478, Ni: 0.065–0.186, and Co: 0.035–0.120 mg/kg). The samples also showed a significant presence of total phenolics (51.81–70.13 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (9.02–14.01 mg QE/mg), lycopene (0.02–0.08 mg/g), and β-carotene (0.31–0.72 mg/g). The proximate analysis also showed that T. versicolor is a good source of carbohydrate (38.33%–41.94%), protein (8.12%–11.06%), fat (0.93%–1.26%), moisture (63.80%–70.64%), dietary fiber (9.59%–14.30%), and total ash (2.42%–3.48%). In addition, gas chromatography (GC-FID) analysis revealed the presence of the five most dominant fatty acids, including linoleic acid (18:2n6c), palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (18:1n9c), linolenic acid (18:3n3), and stearic acid (C18:0). Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were helpful in identifying variations and similarities among different constituents of T. versicolor at selected sampling sites. Due to its low metal element content and rich biochemical profile, T. versicolor was highlighted in this research for its significant potential as a functional food or nutraceutical ingredient. This work promotes its sustainable use in the healthcare and food industries and lays the groundwork for further research into its therapeutic applications.

Seasonal roost selection of wild turkeys at their northern range edge

Wild turkeys Meleagris gallopavo are diurnally active birds that spend the dark hours roosting in trees. We tested the hypothesis that multiple benefits exist for roost tree selection by wild turkeys, including thermoregulation, resource acquisition, and protection from predators. We compared 48 roost trees used by eastern wild turkeys M. g. silvestris in Ontario, Canada to 48 non‐roost trees sampled contemporaneously during 2017–2019 to determine roost site selection between seasons. Mean (± SE) roost tree height (21.4 ± 0.8 m) was taller than non‐roost trees (18.2 ± 0.8 m), and roost trees were also larger in diameter at breast height (58.1 ± 5.5 vs 38.7 ± 3.1 cm). Using ibuttons to collect microclimate temperatures at the tree, we found that mean temperature (± SE) of a deciduous roost (14.5 ± 0.1°C) was higher than temperature at either a coniferous roost (13.9 ± 0.1°C) or ambient temperature (13.2 ± 0.1°C) during the summer months. In winter however, we did not find any relationship between temperature and tree type. Roosts were closer to buildings (150.8 ± 26.0 m) in the winter compared to summer and year‐round roosts, and winter roosts were also farther away from crops (395.2 ± 63.7 m) compared to roost sites used year‐round. Summer roosts were closer to roads (143 ± 36.3 m) than the roosts in the winter and roosts used year‐round. Our data suggest that thermoregulation is not the driving force behind roost selection; instead, predator avoidance appears to play the most important role, with some weaker evidence in support of proximity to resources.

Habitat selection of Gould’s wild turkeys in southeastern Arizona

In semi-arid environments, resources necessary for survival may be unevenly distributed across the landscape. Gould’s wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo 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 described how landcover type and topographical features influenced space use and habitat selection by Gould’s wild turkeys in southeastern Arizona. We used GPS data from 51 Gould’s wild turkeys to describe resource selection during 2016–2017 in southeastern Arizona, USA. We estimated home ranges and calculated resource selection functions using distance from landcover types, slope, aspect, and elevation at used locations and random locations within individual home ranges. Gould’s wild turkeys selected areas closer to pine forest and water. Likewise, Gould’s wild turkeys selected locations with moderate elevations of 1641 ± 235 m (range = 1223–2971 m), and on north and west facing slopes with a 10° ± 8.5 (range = 0.0–67.4°) incline. Our findings suggest that conserving portions of the landscape with appropriate topography and landcover types as described above will promote habitat availability for Gould’s wild turkeys.

Assessing springtime vertebrate prey of sympatric mesopredators in the southeastern United States using metabarcoding analysis.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) colonized the eastern United States over the last century and formed a 3-species predator guild with bobcats (Lynx rufus) and gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) across much of the southeastern United States. Diets among the three species vary along with respective impacts on game species such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). To determine predation impacts on vertebrate prey and dietary overlap in consumption of prey items, we assessed diets of coyote, bobcat, and gray fox during spring, coinciding with white-tailed deer fawning and wild turkey nesting and brood rearing. We sampled across three sites along the Savannah River in South Carolina from mid-May through mid-June of 2020-2021. We collected 180 scat samples along 295.9 kilometers (71.1-122.4 km/site) of unpaved secondary roads and used DNA metabarcoding to determine vertebrate diet items. We identified predator species of scat using DNA metabarcoding and species-specific mtDNA fragment analysis (153 were coyote, 20 bobcat, and seven gray fox). Overall, we found evidence that two species, coyote and bobcat, consumed deer while all three consumed turkeys. Frequency of deer in the diet varied across sites for coyotes from 62-86% and wild turkey was present with a frequency of occurrence of 9% for coyotes, 5% for bobcats, and 14% for gray fox. Vertebrate diet specialization was evident across predator species with high frequency of deer in coyote diets, rabbits and small mammals in bobcat diets, and herpetofauna in gray fox diets. During deer fawning and wild turkey nesting and brood rearing, dietary overlap appears to be mediated by disparate selection of prey items, which reduced competition among coyotes, bobcats, and gray foxes. Use of DNA metabarcoding may augment our understanding of dietary preferences within this predator guild by providing increased resolution of diet composition among important game species.

Mortality in Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Associated with Natural Infection with H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) Subclade 2.3.4.4.

A Eurasian strain of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was first detected in North America in December 2021 and has since been confirmed in numerous wild and domestic avian species. In April 2022, 41 Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were found dead in Johnson County, Wyoming, USA adjacent to a property with confirmed HPAIV in a backyard poultry flock. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 11 of the 41 turkeys and necropsy was performed on seven. Avian influenza virus RNA was detected in all 11 turkeys by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Acute, multiorgan necrosis was observed grossly and identified in all seven turkeys evaluated by histopathology, most consistently in the lung, spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and gonads. Lesions indicate high virulence of subclade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV in Wild Turkeys, with infections presenting as clusters of acute mortality. Although documented cases of HPAIV in Wild Turkeys are rare, these findings signify a risk of spillback from domestic poultry, which may be heightened by the recent rise in backyard poultry ownership and the use of peridomestic habitat by wild birds. Additional research is needed to better understand the risk of disease transmission at the interface of Wild Turkeys and backyard poultry and the potential conservation and management implications of HPAIV in wild gallinaceous birds.

Excerpt from Siteseeing

Between February 2021 and March 2022, Ariel Gordon and Brenda Schmidt wrote a collaborative poetry manuscript, formatted like a call and response. Ariel intended to write about urban Manitoba, the city and its trees, and Brenda was to write about rural Saskatchewan and birds. Over the course of the year, the matter of place took over and the intentions branched and flew apart. They both wrote birds and trees but also moose and mushrooms, pronghorns and wild turkeys, and people making their way through it all. They wrote climate as it was manifested in drought-stressed trees and stunted crops covered in grasshoppers, in wildfires and wildfire smoke hanging over the prairies. They wrote home as they found it.

Understanding implications of detection heterogeneity in wildlife abundance estimation

AbstractNegative bias in mark‐recapture abundance estimators due to heterogeneity in detection (capture) probability is a well‐known problem, but we believe most biologists do not understand why heterogeneity causes bias and how bias can be reduced. We demonstrate how heterogeneity creates dependence and bias in mark‐recapture approaches to abundance estimation. In comparison, heterogeneity, and hence estimator bias, is not as problematic for distance sampling and mark‐resight methods because both techniques estimate detection probabilities based on a known quantity. We show how the introduction of a known number of individuals planted into a study population prior to a mark‐recapture survey can reduce bias from heterogeneity in detection probability. We provide examples with simulation and an analysis of motion‐sensitive camera data from a study population of introduced eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) of known size with a subset of telemetered birds. In choosing a method for abundance estimation, careful consideration should be given to assumptions and how heterogeneity in detection probability can be accommodated for each application.

Behavioral-dependent recursive movements and implications for resource selection

Within home ranges, animals repeatedly visit certain areas. Recursive movement patterns are widespread throughout the animal kingdom, but are rarely considered when developing resource selection models. We examined how behavioral state-dependent recursive movements influenced reource selection of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) broods as they aged from day 1 to 28. Because broods become more plastic in behaviors once they begin roosting off the ground, we separated data into broods that were ground roosting (1–13 days) and tree roosting (14–28 days). We used Hidden Markov Models to identify 2 behavioral states (restricted and mobile). We extracted state-specific recursive movements based on states and specific step lengths, which we integrated into a step selection analysis to evaluate resource selection. We found that in a restricted state, ground roosting broods spent less time in areas of mixed pine-hardwoods and more time in areas with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods revisited areas closer to shrub/scrub landcover types, and areas with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods also spent less time near mixed pine-hardwoods, while spending more time in areas with greater vegetation density. We found that in a mobile state, ground roosting broods revisited areas closer to secondary roads and mixed pine-hardwoods, but farther from hardwoods. Tree roosting broods revisited areas farther from secondary roads and with greater vegetation density. Tree roosting broods also spent more time in areas closer to pine. Resource selection varied depending on behavioral state and recursive movements. However, revisitation and residence time impacted selection in both ground and tree roosting broods. Our findings highlight the need to consider how behaviors can influence movement decisions and ultimately resource selection.

Observations of avifauna on Rēkohu / Wharekauri / Chatham Island, Chatham Islands group, in February 2023

Rēkohu / Wharekauri / Chatham Island (hereafter Rēkohu) is the largest island in the Chatham Islands group, 800 km east of the Te Wai Pounamu / South Island, Aotearoa / New Zealand. This island has an avifauna of 170 taxa. Here, we present a list of bird species encountered during an eight-day undergraduate field trip in February 2023. Based on visual encounters or via calls heard, we encountered 38 species of bird (two seabirds, eight coastal birds, six freshwater birds and 22 terrestrial birds) across 13 locations over six days. The most common species sighted were common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris), followed by white-fronted terns (Sterna striata) and black swans (Cygnus atratus). We encountered a Chatham Island tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae chathamensis) in Nikau Bush Reserve, c.35 km north of the translocated population in Awatotara Valley. We also present the first list of bird species for Motuhinahina and a nearby limestone rock stack in Te Whanga Lagoon. Birds encountered there included Chatham Island shag (Leucocarbo onslowi), Pitt Island shag (Phalacrocorax featherstoni), Buff weka (Gallirallus australis hectori) and New Zealand little penguin (Eudyptula minor minor). We formally report the presence of feral emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), including chicks, at Te Matarae, where there is self-sustaining population following their release to the wild years ago. In previous observations, feral chicken (Gallus gallus gallus) and turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) were ‘semi-wild’ on the basis that observations made of these species were well outside sites of human habitation. In the case of turkey, they are in the process of self-establishing. We suggest a full census is required to determine the status of these populations, particularly emu. As the emu population is self-sustaining, they should be considered as a new addition not only to the avifauna of the Chatham Islands group but to Aotearoa / New Zealand.

History of the crested turkey, a rare variant of the domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo)

In 1919, the famous Dutch poultry judge Cornelis van Gink (1890–1968) was aware of the existence of crested turkeys. Was this bird a natural rarity, variation or mutation? A search through historical records and published works yielded very few references to crested turkeys. From the financial accounts of the Great Condé in 1679 to pictures in books and journals of the eighteenth and nineteenth century in England and America, from a mounted specimen in Parma to a first photograph in 1938 in Newsweek, the beauty and rareness of this bird is evident. Attempts to breed crested turkeys were unsuccessful. In the nineteenth century William Bernhardt Tegetmeier (1816–1912), editor of The Field, had a major interest in these turkeys and together with Charles Darwin (1809–1882) studied and described skull deformations associated with well-known and common crested breeds of chickens. Deformation of the skull was also observed in the mounted specimen of the crested turkey preserved in Parma, Italy. Genetic analyses of crested poultry indicate that a mutation (autosomal incompletely dominant) in the crest gene is responsible for this phenotype. The mutation for crest formation with additional skull deformation might be responsible for some in ovo lethality or poor hatching which could explain the failure or difficulty in breeding this phenotype. In conclusion, all data indicate that the crested turkey is a mutation of the domestic turkey Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo and does not justify a new species or subspecies name.

Effects of Hen Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Incubation Recess Behavior on Survival and Nest Survival in Florida

Effects of Hen Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Incubation Recess Behavior on Survival and Nest Survival in Florida

Age‐based shifts in habitat selection of wild turkey broods

AbstractAnimals exhibit pronounced age‐based shifts in habitat selection, often because of increasing body size. Body size affects how animals access resources, traverse landscapes, and perceive predation risk. While adults may be habitat generalists, offspring may be constrained by diet, predation avoidance methods, and mobility given smaller body size, and thus be more specialized. Observed declines in eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) productivity and recruitment across the southeastern United States has necessitated evaluations of availability and composition of brood habitat. As poults are smaller and have more specialized resource requirements than adults, selection of vegetation likely changes as poults age. We evaluated aged‐based shifts in selection relative to vegetation communities, normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI), and distances to trails by eastern wild turkey brooding females in a pine (Pinus spp.)‐dominated landscape in Georgia, USA, from April–July during 2017–2020. We used step‐selection functions and conditional logistic regression to evaluate resource selection of 36 brooding females. Of 175 nests monitored, 36 (20.6%) successfully hatched a brood and only 12 broods had at least 1 poult survive ≥28 days post‐hatch (i.e., 6.9% of nests produced a poult that was recruited into the population). Overall, brooding females selected for pastures (β = 0.730; 95% CI = 0.5144–0.9452), hardwoods (β = 0.324; 95% CI = 0.1608–0.4865), areas closer to trails (β = −0.002; 95% CI = −0.0023–−0.0014), and areas with greater NDVI values (β = 2.714; 95% CI = 1.7897–3.6380). Habitat selection shifted as broods aged, suggesting resource needs shift to scale allometrically with body size as broods get older. For example, selection strength waned as broods aged and broods were 2.47 times less likely to select pastures on day 28 relative to day 1 post‐hatch. Pastures were selected for after broods hatched, whereas selection for young pines increased as poults aged. Despite pine‐dominated cover types comprising nearly a third of the usable landscape, young pine communities were avoided by females with recently hatched broods. Managers may create better brood habitat by promoting early successional vegetation communities amidst a diversity of other land cover types to account for changing resource needs and predator avoidance capabilities as poults age.

Independent loss events of a functional tetherin gene in galliform birds.

Birds represent important hosts for numerous viruses, including zoonotic viruses and pathogens with the potential to cause major economic losses to the poultry industry. Viral replication and transmission can be inhibited or blocked by the action of antiviral restriction factors (RFs) encoded by the host. One well-characterized RF is tetherin, a protein that directly blocks the release of newly formed viral particles from infected cells. Here, we describe the evolutionary loss of a functional tetherin gene in two galliform birds, turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and Mikado pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado). Moreover, we demonstrate that the structurally related protein TMCC(aT) exerts antiviral activity in several birds, albeit by a mechanism different from that of tetherin. The evolutionary scenario described here represents the first documented loss-of-tetherin cases in vertebrates.

Habitat Selection of Female Rio Grande Wild Turkey Influenced by Vegetation and Anthropogenic Structures

The Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) is a popular game species throughout the southcentral United States. It has experienced recent population declines in some areas of its distribution, though the cause is not clear. To better understand Rio Grande wild turkey (hereafter, turkey) ecology and inform management, we attached Global Positioning System transmitters to 34 females in 2016 and 2017. We evaluated habitat selection at both the second-order (landscape) and third-order (home range) scale for the breeding season and second-order selection for the nonbreeding season. Our resource selection function (RSF) models evaluated vegetation, management, and anthropogenic development including oil and gas infrastructure and roads. We found that turkey space use was strongly associated with tall woody cover at both the landscape and home range scale during breeding season and at the landscape scale during nonbreeding season. Additionally, turkey space use was negatively related to the density of oil/gas wells at both scales during the breeding season and at the landscape scale during the nonbreeding season. Turkeys also selected areas close to roads at the landscape scale but avoided high traffic roads within their home ranges during the breeding season. Turkey also chose areas that were >24 mo post fire and close to water sources during the breeding season at both scales. Although turkeys exhibited consistent habitat selection patterns throughout the year relative to trees and oil and gas, our results suggest that their habitat requirements in western Oklahoma are seasonally variable. Management for the Rio Grande subspecies of turkey should maintain tree cover that provides roosting and loafing cover, as well as consider the potential negative impacts of oil and gas infrastructure when locating future energy development.

Influence of Core Type and Shell Thickness on Avian-Inspired Structural Colors Produced from Melanin Nanoparticle Assemblies.

Hollow melanosomes found in iridescent bird feathers, including violet-backed starlings and wild turkeys, enable the generation of diverse structural colors. It has been postulated that the high refractive index (RI) contrast between melanin (1.74) and air (1.0) results in brighter and more saturated colors. This has led to several studies that have synthesized hollow synthetic melanin nanoparticles and fabricated colloidal nanostructures to produce synthetic structural colors. However, these studies use hollow nanoparticles with thin shells (<20 nm), even though shell thicknesses as high as 100 nm have been observed in natural melanosomes. Here, we combine experimental and computational approaches to examine the influence of the varying polydopamine (PDA, synthetic melanin) shell thickness (0-100 nm) and core material on structural colors. Experimentally, a concomitant change in overall particle size and RI contrast makes it difficult to interpret the effect of a hollow or solid core on color. Thus, we utilize finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to uncover the effect of shell thickness and core on structural colors. Our FDTD results highlight that hollow particles with thin shells have substantially higher saturation than same-sized solid and core-shell particles. These results would benefit a wide range of applications including paints, coatings, and cosmetics.