Effects of DDT on Steroid Metabolism and Energetics in Bobwhite Quail (Colinus Virginianus)

Female bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) fed low levels (5 ppm) of DDT in their diets showed increased enzyme induction in the liver and consequently a significant increase in steroid (progesterone) metabolism (a mean of 54% conversion of progesterone to its more polar metabolite in experimentals compared to a mean of 24.1% conversion in controls). The mean conversion of testosterone to its polar metabolite (25.1%) in experimental males was greater than in the controls (mean 18.1%) but was only significantly greater in certain males. There was a correlation (r = 0.7 P\u3c0.01) between percent body weight of testes and percent conversion of testosterone to its metabolites (the smaller the testes the greater the conversion). A correlation (r = 0.66 P\u3c0.02) was also found between circulating levels of DDE, DDT, and testes size (the higher the pesticide level the smaller the testes). Dietary levels of DDT (10,50,100,150 ppm) affected the energetics (oxygen consumption) of bobwhite quail. All DDT-treated birds had a higher metabolic rate than the controls at all ambient temperatures tested except 30 C. After acclimation to an ambient temperature of 5 C for 10-13 weeks, birds on 100-ppm DDT diets had a significantly (P\u3c0.01) higher metabolic rate than controls. After one week of exposure to -18 C there was a significant (P\u3c0.02) increase in thyroid weight in the birds on 100-ppm diets. Birds on 100-ppm diet exposed to extreme cold for 1 week died of DDT toxicity. Data on tissue residue levels, weight changes, I uptake by the thyroid, and adrenal changes are also presented. The ecological significance of the synergistic effect of DDT and cold stress on the bobwhite quail is discussed

Behavioral energetics: the cost of survival in vertebrates

(print) x, 300 p. : ill. ; 24 cmPreface ix SHELDON I. LUSTICK -- SURVIVAL STRATEGY 1 -- MAKING YOUR WAY Orientational Strategies in Birds : A Tribute to W. T. Keeton MELVIN L. KREITHEN 3 -- Life Energetics of Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka JOHN R. BRETT 29 -- SURVIVAL STRATEGY 2 : REPRODUCTION AND AGGRESSION -- Costs of Reproduction in Baboons (Papio cynocephalus) JEANNE ALTMANN 67 -- Reproductive Behavior of Subadult Elephant Seals : The Cost of Breeding CATHLEEN R. COX 89 -- Costs of Aggression in Trout and Pupfish C. ROBERT FELDMETH 117 -- SURVIVAL STRATEGY 3 : COST-BENEFITS OF TEMPERATURE REGULATION AND FORAGING -- Amphibians and Reptiles as Low-Energy Systems F. HARVEY POUGH 141 -- Cost-Benefit Analysis of Temperature and Food Resource Use : A Synthesis with Examples from the Fishes LARRY B. CROWDER JOHN J. MAGNUSON 189 -- Economics of Foraging Strategies in Sunbirds and Hummingbirds LARRY L. WOLF F. REED HAINSWORTH 223 -- Cost-Benefit of Thermoregulation in Birds : Influences of Posture, Microhabitat Selection, and Color SHELDON I. LUSTICK 265 -- Index 29

THE EFFECT OF INTENSE LIGHT ON BIRD BEHAVIOR AND PHYSIOLOGY

It has been known for centuries that light (photoperiod) is possibly the major environmental stimuli affecting bird behavior and physiology. The length of the light period stimulates the breeding cycle, migration, fat deposition, and molt in most species of birds. Therefore, it is only natural that one would think of using light as a means of bird control. In fact, light has already been used as a bird control; flood-light traps have been used to trap blackbirds (Meanley 1971); Meanley states that 2000-W search lights have been used to alleviate depredation by ducks in rice fields. Pulsing light is already used on aircraft, aircraft hangers and high towers as a means of detourinq birds (Schaefer, 1968). With some positive results already obtained with light as a bird control, the next step is to see if a better light source (the laser) might not have a greater effect. The laser is basically an intense and coherent light with extreme directivity and, thus, might have greater influence on a bird’s behavioral and physiological responses

WETTING AS A MEANS OF BIRD CONTROL

That birds are homeotherms is demonstrated by their ability to maintain a relatively constant body temperature over a wide range of ambient temperatures. An important com- ponent of this ability to maintain a constant body temperature in a cold environment is the feather layer. Birds have been shown to acclimate to cold by increasing their plum- age 20-30 percent and, hence, increasing their insulation (Kendeigh, 1934; Scholander, et al., 1950; West, 1962). Hutchinson (1954) states that oil secreted by uropygial (preen) glands maintains the ability of the feathers to shed water and, therefore, aids in maintaining the insulating layer. Since feathers are so important for minimizing heat loss, anything that will decrease their insulative efficiency will increase the thermal conductance and the lower critical temperature. Baldwin and Kendeigh (1932) clipped feathers off of Eastern House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon aedon) and observed a decrease in body temperature. Brush (1965) obtained similar results in the California Quail (Lophortyx californicus), thus indicat- ing the necessity of feathers for minimizing thermal conductance and maintaining a con- stant body temperature. Kessler, et al. (1968) observed mass deaths of Cowbirds (Molothrus ater ater), Bronzed Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula aeneus), and Starlings (sturnus vulgaris) after a driving rainstorm with concomitant low ambient temperatures (10°C). Under similar circum- stances Jogi (1968) reported mass deaths of swallows (Riparia riparia, Delichon urbica, and Hirundo rustica) in Estonia. Apparently the driving rain had destroyed the insulat- ing quality of feathers, and with low ambient temperatures the birds succumbed to hypo- thermia. Caslick and Stowers (1967) and Stickley, et al. (1971) used a surfactant to remove the preen gland oil from the Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus) and exposed them to low ambient temperatures and wetting, which resulted in a large number of deaths. The surfactant reduced the surface tension of the preen oil, allowing water to penetrate through the feathers to the skin, thus destroying the insulative quality of the feathers. More recently this technique of wetting the bird with surfactant has been used as a means of controlling blackbird populations

EFFECTS OF THE ROOST SITE ON THE ENERGETICS OF BLACKBIRDS AND STARLINGS

To augment their physiological and physical thermoregulatory capacity, many birds display long-term behavioral adjustments; the significance of this has been considered, yet detailed information is lacking (Dawson and Hudson 1970; Calder and King 1974). One such behavioral adjustment appears to be communal roosting in sheltered areas during winter nights. This behavior has been demonstrated in nuthatches (Sitta spp.) (Knorr 1957), finches (Leucosticte spp.) (French 1959; King and Wales 1964), eastern bluebirds (Siala sialis) (Frazier and Nolan 1959), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoniceus), brown headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), bronzed grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) (Francis 1976), and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) (Francis 1976; Yom-Tov et al. 1977). Congregating in sheltered roost sites must alter some of those environmental factors which comprise the thermal climate space (Porter and Gates 1969) of the organism, and in doing so, confer an energetic advantage upon the inhabitants. To further quantify the energetic advantage of the starling\u27s nocturnal roost site selection in a dense coniferous pine woods, this study was undertaken to determine: (1) what microclimate factors distinguish areas of the pine woods selected as nocturnal roost sites from those that are not, and (2) what is the energetic advantage of roost site selection, and is this advantage dependent upon large roosting concentrations of birds

Brief Note: The Oxygen Requirements of the Crayfish, Orconectes Rusticus

Author Institution: Science Division, Keene State College ; Department of Zoology, Ohio State Universit