|
J. Zoo Wildl Med.: Fitness and nutritional assessment
of greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) using hematologic and
serum chemistry parameters through a cycle of seasonal habitats in
northern Nevada.
|
|
|
|
|
| Article Type: | Report |
| Subject: |
Sage grouse
(Physiological aspects) Sage grouse (Research) Hematology (Research) Nutrition (Product/Service Evaluations) Nutrition (Research) |
| Authors: |
Dyer, K.J. Perryman, B.L. Holcombe, D.W. |
| Pub Date: | 06/01/2009 |
| Publication: | Name: Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery Publisher: Association of Avian Veterinarians Audience: Academic Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Health Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Association of Avian Veterinarians ISSN: 1082-6742 |
| Issue: | Date: June, 2009 Source Volume: 23 Source Issue: 2 |
| Topic: | Event Code: 310 Science & research |
| Geographic: | Geographic Scope: Nevada Geographic Code: 1U8NV Nevada |
|
|
|
| Accession Number: | 252006959 |
| Full Text: |
Bird health can significantly affect spring reproductive fitness. A
better understanding of how female sage grouse health varies with
seasonal nutrition changes provides insight for determining if specific
nutritional habitats are limiting bird productivity. In 2004, greater
sage grouse adult and yearling hens were captured and blood samples were
collected during breeding (MARCH: March 15 to April 11; n = 22), early
brood rearing (MAY: May 20 to June 22; n = 21), and on summer range
(JULY: July 7 to August 17; n = 19) in 2 distinct but similar northern
Nevada population management units (Tuscarora [TU] and Lone Willow
[LW]). In TU, yearlings weighed less (P < .043) than adults at all
sampling periods. No age-related differences were observed for LW birds.
Serum blood chemistry values were influenced by site, bird age, and
season. Adults had more plasma protein and albumin than yearlings during
MARCH (P < .005) followed by a decrease by MAY (P [less than or equal
to] .0001). LW females had higher albumin levels (P = .0005). Higher
serum phosphorus levels were detected for LW females during MARCH (P
< .0001), and no site differences were detected for MAY or JULY. TU
yearlings had lower serum calcium levels than adults during MARCH (P
< .0001); LW yearlings had lower levels than adults during MAY (P =
.030). Both TU yearlings (MARCH P < .0001) and adults (MARCH P <
.0001; MAY P = .040) had lower values than LW counterparts. Tuscarora
adults and LW yearlings and adults showed decreases between MARCH and
MAY (P < .0001). The combination of lower yearling weight, plasma
protein, and serum calcium and phosphorus in the TU birds indicated a
lower nesting and renesting potential, leading to the conclusion that TU
yearlings contributed less to the population production than LW
yearlings for that particular year. 2009;40:18-28. |
| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |