Using Fecal Glucocorticoids for Stress Assessment in Mourning Doves

Abstract Fecal glucocorticoid assays provide a potentially useful, noninvasive means to study physiological responses of wildlife to various stressors. The objective of our study was to validate a method for measuring glucocorticoid metabolites in Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) feces. We validated the assay using standard procedures (e.g., parallelism, recovery of exogenous corticosterone) to demonstrate that the assay accurately and precisely measured glucocorticoid metabolites in Mourning Dove fecal extracts. We conducted adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) challenge experiments to validate the assay's ability to determine biologically important changes in fecal glucocorticoids. Fecal glucocorticoid levels increased significantly approximately 2–3 hr after administration of ACTH at 50 IU per kg body mass to wild Mourning Doves held in captivity. In contrast, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites did not increase in control birds, birds that received saline injections, or a lower dose of ACTH (1 IU per kg body mass). Variation in overall fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels may have been influenced by season and the length of time birds were held in captivity. Noninvasive fecal glucocorticoid metabolite analyses, in combination with demographic information, may have considerable utility for monitoring the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on Mourning Dove populations. Uso de Glucocorticoides Fecales Para Evaluar el Estrés en Zenaida macroura Resumen. Las evaluaciones de glucocorticoides fecales representan un medio no invasor potencialmente útil para estudiar las respuestas fisiológicas de los animales silvestres ante agentes causantes de estrés. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue validar un método para medir metabolitos glucocorticoides en heces de palomas Zenaida macroura. Validamos el método mediante procedimientos estándar (e.g., paralelismo, recuperación de corticosterona exógena) para demostrar que éste mide con exactitud y precisión los metabolitos glucocorticoides en extractos fecales de Z. macroura. Realizamos experimentos de desafío con adrenocorticotropina (ACTH) para validar la habilidad que tenía el método para determinar cambios biológicamente importantes en los glucocorticoides fecales. Los niveles de glucocorticoides fecales aumentaron de forma significativa aproximadamente 2–3 hr después de la administración de ACTH a 50 IU por kg de peso corporal a palomas silvestres mantenidas en cautiverio. En contraste, los metabolitos glucocorticoides fecales no aumentaron en aves control, ni en aves que recibieron inyecciones salinas o una menor dosis de ACTH (1 IU por kg de peso corporal). La variación en los niveles generales de metabolitos glucocorticoides fecales podría haber sido influenciada por la estación y la longitud del período de tiempo en que las aves fueron mantenidas en cautiverio. Los análisis no invasores de metabolitos glucocorticoides, en combinación con información demográfica, podrían ser de considerable utilidad para monitorear los efectos de los disturbios naturales y antropogénicos sobre las poblaciones de Z. macroura.

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A preliminary survey for avian pathogens in Columbiform birds on Socorro Island, Mexico.

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc110011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Saturnino Yanga ◽

Juan E Martinez-Gomez ◽

Ravinder N M Sehgal ◽

Patricia Escalante ◽

Frank Carlos Camacho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Amplification ◽

Cloacal Swab ◽

Mourning Dove ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Zenaida Macroura ◽

Trichomonas Gallinae ◽

Socorro Island ◽

Disease Risks ◽

Mourning Doves ◽

Avian Pox

To assess the potential disease risks posed by resident Columbiformes to the reintroduction of the Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni to Socorro Island, Mexico, the endemic Socorro Ground Dove Columbina passerina socorrensis and the recently arrived Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura, were screened for ecto- and endoparsites, haemosporidia, Trichomonas gallinae, Chlamydophila psittaci and avian pox. All of the Mourning Doves and Socorro Ground Doves sampled appeared healthy upon capture. We detected Haemoproteus spp. in 88% of Mourning Dove and 30% of Socorro Ground Dove samples using microscopy. Two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA amplification methods detected either Haemoproteus spp. or Plasmodium spp. Pooling results from both tests yielded positives in 100% of the Mourning Doves and 52% of the Socorro Ground Doves. A nested PCR detected Leucocytozoon spp. in 94% of the Mourning Doves and 61% of the Socorro Ground Doves sampled. Thus, at least two genera of haemosporidia are present in columbids of Socorro Island. Microscopy for T. gallinae yielded positives in 33% of Mourning Dove and 30% of Socorro Ground Dove samples. C. psittaci was not detected using PCR on either cloacal swab samples or tissue samples from tested Mourning Doves or Socorro Ground Doves. Necropsies revealed neither lesions indicative of the wet form of avian pox, nor internal lesions associated with trichomoniasis. These results suggest that Socorro Doves selected for reintroduction should be screened carefully to evaluate potential immunological challenges by native haemosporidians and to avoid introduction of other diseases apparently absent from native Columbiformes on Socorro Island.

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Seasonal Dynamics of Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Body Mass and Primary Molt

The Wilson Journal of Ornithology ◽

10.1676/14-158.1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 127 (4) ◽

pp. 630-638 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Clait E. Braun ◽

Roy E. Tomlinson ◽

Gregory T. Wann

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Seasonal Dynamics ◽

Mourning Dove ◽

Zenaida Macroura

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Levels of plasma and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites following an ACTH challenge in male and female coyotes (Canis latrans)

Journal of Comparative Physiology B ◽

10.1007/s00360-017-1125-2 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 188 (2) ◽

pp. 345-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erika T. Stevenson ◽

Eric M. Gese ◽

Lorin A. Neuman-Lee ◽

Susannah S. French

Keyword(s):

Canis Latrans ◽

Male And Female ◽

Acth Challenge ◽

Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽

Fecal Glucocorticoid

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Sex ratios of hatchling Mourning Doves

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z87-138 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 65 (4) ◽

pp. 871-874 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Suzanne R. Edmunds ◽

C. Davison Ankney

Keyword(s):

Sex Ratio ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Seasonal Changes ◽

Egg Size ◽

Mourning Dove ◽

Seasonal Effect ◽

Zenaida Macroura ◽

Family Types ◽

Offspring Sex ◽

Mourning Doves

The sex of 306 Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) chicks from 153 two-egg clutches laid during March–August 1984 was determined by gonadal inspection. Sex of offspring was unrelated to egg sequence over the entire breeding season. There was, however, a seasonal effect on the sex versus egg sequence pattern, particularly in broods with both sexes: during the middle of the breeding season males predominated in first eggs and females in second eggs but this pattern was reversed late in the season. All other comparisons, i.e., overall sex ratio, seasonal changes in sex ratio, binomial distribution of family types, and the relation between egg size and offspring sex, were nonsignificant.

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Serendipity with chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Menoponidae, Philopteridae) infesting rock pigeons and mourning doves (Aves: Columbiformes: Columbidae) in Manitoba, with new records for North America and Canada

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/n07-041 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 140 (2) ◽

pp. 208-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Terry D. Galloway ◽

Ricardo L. Palma

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

New Records ◽

Columba Livia ◽

The Other ◽

Mourning Dove ◽

Zenaida Macroura ◽

Chewing Lice ◽

Extensive Survey ◽

Rock Pigeon ◽

Mourning Doves

AbstractAn extensive survey of chewing lice from rock pigeon, Columba livia Gmelin, and mourning dove, Zenaida macroura (L.), carried out from 1994 to 2000 and from 2003 to 2006 in Manitoba, Canada, produced the following new records: Colocerastovornikae Tendeiro for North America; Columbicola macrourae (Wilson), Hohorstiellalata (Piaget), H. paladinella Hill and Tuff, and Physconelloides zenaidurae (McGregor) for Canada; and Bonomiella columbae Emerson, Campanulotes compar (Burmeister), Columbicola baculoides (Paine), and C. columbae (L.) for Manitoba. We collected 25 418 lice of four species (C. compar, C. columbae, H. lata, and C. tovornikae) from 322 rock pigeons. The overall prevalence of infestation was 78.9%, 52.5%, and 23.3% for C. compar, C. columbae, and H. lata, respectively. Coloceras tovornikae was not discovered until 2003, after which its prevalence was 39.9% on 114 pigeons. We collected 1116 lice of five species (P. zenaidurae, C. baculoides, C. macrourae, H. paladinella, and B. columbae) from 117 mourning doves. Physconelloides zenaidurae was encountered most often (prevalence was 36.7%), while the prevalence of the other four species was 26.3%, 18.4%, 3.5%, and 2.6%, respectively.

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Effects of Radio-Transmitters on Fecal Glucocorticoid Levels in Captive Dickcissels

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/105.4.805 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 105 (4) ◽

pp. 805-810 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Kimberly M. Suedkamp Wells ◽

Brian E. Washburn ◽

Joshua J. Millspaugh ◽

Mark R. Ryan ◽

Michael W. Hubbard

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

The Other ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Spiza Americana ◽

Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽

In Captivity ◽

Radio Transmitters ◽

Baseline Levels ◽

Fecal Glucocorticoid

Abstract We determined the effects of a leg-harness transmitter on fecal glucocorticoid levels of wild male Dickcissels (Spiza americana) in captivity. During the postbreeding season of 2001, we captured 10 male Dickcissels in central Missouri and housed them in individual pens of an outdoor aviary. We radio-tagged five birds; the other five were captured and handled, but were not radio-tagged. We collected fecal samples every other day prior to attachment (31 July–21 August) and after attachment (24 August–20 September). Body condition and morphology were similar between control and transmitter-equipped birds. We observed a significant interaction between transmitter attachment and time since attachment. Compared to baseline levels, fecal glucocorticoid metabolites were significantly lower in control (6.1 ± 13.7 ng g−1) than transmitter-equipped (102.3 ± 13.7 ng g−1) birds during the first 24 hr after attachment. Although transmitter-equipped birds showed elevated fecal glucocorticoid levels, the response was acute and returned to baseline levels within 48 hr. Efecto de los Radiotransmisores en los Niveles de Glucocorticoides Fecales en Individuos Cautivos de Spiza americana Resumen. Determinamos los efectos de poner un transmisor con arnés de pata en los niveles de glucocorticoides fecales de machos silvestres de Spiza americana en cautiverio. Durante la temporada post-reproductiva de 2001, capturamos 10 individuos de S. americana en la parte central de Missouri y hospedamos estas aves en jaulas individuales que formaban parte de un aviario al aire libre. Pusimos radio-transmisores en sólo cinco de estos pájaros, los otros cinco sólo fueron capturados y manipulados. Colectamos muestras fecales en días alternados antes (31 julio–21 agosto) y después (24 agosto–20 septiembre) de poner los transmisores. La condición corporal y morfología fueron similares entre individuos con transmisor y individuos control. Observamos una interacción significativa entre poner los transmisores y el tiempo desde que fueron puestos. Comparados con niveles iniciales, hubo diferencias significativas en los metabolitos de los glucocorticoides fecales entre los pájaros control (6.1 ± 13.7 ng g−1) y con transmisores (102.3 ± 13.7 ng g−1) durante las primeras 24 hr despues de ponerlos. Aunque los pájaros con transmisores mostraron niveles elevados de glucocorticoides fecales, la respuesta aguda regresó a niveles iniciales en menos de 48 hr.

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Basal Metabolic Rate Declines During Long-Distance Migratory Flight in Great Knots

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/103.4.838 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 103 (4) ◽

pp. 838-845 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Phil F. Battley ◽

Anne Dekinga ◽

Maurine W. Dietz ◽

Theunis Piersma ◽

Sixian Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Body Mass ◽

Basal Metabolic Rate ◽

The Body ◽

Long Distance ◽

Migratory Flight ◽

Before And After ◽

In Captivity ◽

Para Determinar

Abstract Great Knots (Calidris tenuirostris) make one of the longest migratory flights in the avian world, flying almost 5500 km from Australia to China during northward migration. We measured basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition in birds before and after this flight and found that BMR decreased 42%. The mass-specific BMR based on lean mass decreased 33%. We also starved a group of pre-migratory Great Knots in captivity to determine whether they showed the same reduction in BMR without having undergone the hard work of flight. The captive birds showed a similar range and reduction of BMR values as the wild birds. Exponents of relationships between BMR and body mass in different comparisons were high, indicating large changes in BMR as a function of body mass. Analysis of the body composition of ten wild and three captive birds found that the flight muscle mass and intestine mass positively correlated with BMR. La Tasa Metabolica Basal Disminuye durante Vuelos Migratorios de Larga Distancia en Calidris tenuirostris Resumen. Calidris tenuirostris realiza uno de los vuelos migratorios más largos entre las aves, volando desde Australia hasta China durante la migración al norte. Medimos la tasa metabólica basal (TMB) y la composición corporal en aves antes y después del vuelo y encontramos que TMB se reduce en 42%. La TMB específica por masa, o sea la TMB corregida por masa magra, se redujo en 33%. También expusimos un grupo premigratorio de Calidris tenuirostris a un periodo de ayuno en cautiverio, para determinar si mostraban una tasa de reducción similar en la TMB sin haber soportado la dura tarea de volar. Las aves en cautiverio mostraron un rango y una reducción de los valores de la TMB similares a los de las aves en libertad. Los exponentes de la relación entre TMB y masa corporal en diferentes comparaciones fueron altos, indicando grandes cambios de la TMB en función de la masa corporal. El análisis de la composición corporal de diez aves libres y tres en cautiverio mostró que la masa de los músculos del vuelo y la masa de los intestinos esta positivamente correlacionada con la TMB.

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Influence of temperature and other factors on the daily roosting times of Mourning Doves in winter

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z94-171 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 72 (7) ◽

pp. 1287-1290 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Denis R. Doucette ◽

Stéphan G. Reebs

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

New Brunswick ◽

Mourning Dove ◽

Zenaida Macroura ◽

Influence Of Temperature ◽

Reduce Heat Loss ◽

Recent Addition ◽

Mourning Doves ◽

Unusual Finding

From November 1992 to February 1993, observations were made during 30 departures and 30 arrivals at a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) roost in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Our objective was to identify the effect of cold on the timing of roosting flights in this species, a recent addition to the local wintering fauna. The effect of other environmental factors was taken into account by including them, along with temperature, in a multiple regression analysis. Doves left the roost later relative to sunrise (i) on longer days, (ii) on cloudy mornings, (iii) when fewer birds were using the roosts, (iv) on colder mornings, and (v) when winds were high. They returned to the roost later relative to sunset (i) on colder evenings and (ii) in clear weather. Late arrivals on colder days represent an unusual finding. Anatomical and behavioural considerations suggest that Mourning Doves cannot reduce heat loss as substantially as other species; therefore, late arrivals on cold evenings may reflect the more important role of energy gain through extended foraging required to survive the long winter night.

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