Seasonal energy, water, and food consumption of Negev Chukars and sand partridges. [Alectoris chukar; Ammoperdix heyl]
Chukars (Alectoris chukar) and Sand Partridges (Ammoperdix heyl), two ground-dwelling phasianids, are permanent residents of the Negev desert and are sympatric over much of their ranges. Sand Partridges (body mass = 150-250 g), however, inhabit only arid and very arid areas, whereas Chukars (m/sub b/ = 350-600 g) are widely distributed and inhabit deserts only at the margins of their ranges. They compared some of the desert adaptations of these phasianids by measuring the seasonal field metabolic rates (FMR) and water influxes (using doubly labelled water), diet selection, and food requirements of free-living Chukars and Sand Partridges at a site where both species occurred. Both species showed adaptation in the form of low energy metabolism, which ranged from 43 to 81% of that expected for birds of similar body mass. During summer, Sand Partridges had lower energy expenditures (5.47 kJ x g/sup -0.61/ x d/sup -1/) and water influxes (72.3 mL kg/sup -0.75/ d/sup -1/) than did Chukars (6.42 kJ g/sup -0.61/ d/sup -1/ and 93.5 mL x kg/sup -0.75/ x d/sup -1/, respectively), indicating more pronounced adjustments to arid conditions in the desert specialist. However, both species obtained more than half of their water influx in summer by drinking. Their summer diet was relatively dry, consisting mainly of seeds (80%) along with some green vegetation (18%) and, in Chukars, occasional arthropods. This situation changed abruptly after winter rains, which induced germination and reduced the availability of seeds. Chukars were unable to maintain energy balance in the face of low ambient temperatures and a diet (90% green vegetation) that contained much water but comparatively little energy, and they mobilized fat reserves to meet energy requirements. Most Sand Partridges left the study area after winter rains, apparently migrating to the lower elevation, warmer, and drier Arava (part of the Rift Valley).
- Research Organization:
- Ben-Gurion Univ. of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00012
- OSTI ID:
- 6026876
- Journal Information:
- Ecology; (United States), Vol. 68:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIRDS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
DIET
MIGRATION
METABOLISM
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
WATER
DOUBLE LABELLING
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
DESERTS
ENERGY BALANCE
EXCRETION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
ANIMALS
ARID LANDS
CLEARANCE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
VARIATIONS
VERTEBRATES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques