| Title | Comparative temperature and moisture responses in Gambel and Scaled Quail |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 1967 |
| Authors | Henderson CWallace |
| Date Published | 1967 |
| University | New Mexico State University |
| City | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Thesis Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Call Number | 00110 |
| Keywords | Aves, Callipepla , Aves, Lophortyx , bird, Gambel Quail, metabolism , bird, physiology , bird, Scaled Quail, metabolism , dissertation , dissertations , theses , thesis |
| Abstract | Various responses to high temperature and low moisture were studied in the laboratory in Gambel Quail (Lophortyx gambelii) and Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata). The minimum daily water requirements of the two species were not found to differ significantly at 28 degrees - 29 degrees Celsius. Evaporative water loss rates were similar at 25 degrees, 30 degrees, and 35 degrees Celsius. At ambient temperatures of 40 degrees and 45 degrees Celsius, Gambel Quail lost significantly higher percentages of water through evaporation than Scaled Quail. The response of body temperature to increasing ambient temperatures was, in general, the same for both species. Body temperatures indicated that thermoneutrality probably existed between 25 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius for both species. Both species were able to tolerate an ambient temperature of 40 degrees Celsius without ill effects, but at 45 degrees Celsius Gambel Quail survived better than Scaled Quail. Gambel Quail exhibited gular flutter when body temperature exceeded 43 degrees Celsius. Oxygen consumption values were similar at 30 degrees Celsius, but the value for Gambel Quail was significantly higher at 40 degrees Celsius. Scaled Quail were more efficient in heat dissipation at 30 degrees and 40 degrees Celsius. These results show that Gambel Quail are better adapted physiologically to hot, arid environments than are Scaled Quail. This is quite plausible since Gambel Quail inhabit extreme desert areas, and Scaled Quail are confined to more mesic areas with more moderate temperatures. Comparisons were made towhee results of other workers on California Quail. |
