WINTER BIOENERGETICS OF EASTERN WILD TURKEYS: UNDERSTANDING ENERGY BALANCE AND SURVIVAL IN NORTHERN POPULATIONS
Abstract: Northern populations of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) extend beyond their historic northern range and are exposed to longer, more extreme winter conditions than ancestral populations. Winter mortality is a common management concern, and survival is a function of ene...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2005.tb00318.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Northern populations of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) extend beyond their historic northern range and are exposed to longer, more extreme winter conditions than ancestral populations. Winter mortality is a common management concern, and survival is a function of energy balance that is influenced primarily by snow depth and condition that dictate use and availability of forage, mobility, and activity. The winter bioenergetics of northern populations were examined by reviewing standard and maintenance energy requirements, forage use and nutrition, body condition, activity and behavioral adaptations, and field metabolic rate. Nutritional value of winter diets is inversely related to snow depth with ground diets dominated by acorns or corn of highest metabolizable energy. Shrub and tree/seep diets typically eaten during periods of food restriction require 3 times higher intake than ground diets to meet daily energy demands. Effective thermoregulation, substantial body fat, and low field metabolic rate (FMR) are physiological adaptations for energy conservation, particularly during periods of restricted food availability and negative energy balance. In such situations adult hens have survival advantage over juvenile hens due to more body fat and lower FMR (kJ/kg/d). Use of available supplemental food is predictable and a function of energy balance that is strongly influenced by snow conditions that reduce quantity and quality of forage. The persistence and stability of many northern populations of wild turkeys may depend on their use of supplemental food during winter. The potential for management conflict exists as biologists attempt to restrict purposeful feeding of game species. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |