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Ronald J. Kendall

Ronald J. Kendall

Texas Tech University, USA

Title: Parasite Infection in Wild Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) in Texas

Biography

Biography: Ronald J. Kendall

Abstract

An extremely important gamebird in Texas is the Northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and one of the last major locations left in the United States that supports huntable wild quail populations is the Rolling Plains ecoregion. Although wild quail have generally declined over the last several decades in the Rolling Plains, upticks in population numbers are usually followed by serious population crashes. The last quail population crash occurred in 2010, which set the stage for a large interdisciplinary research program to consider, in addition to habitat ad rainfall issues, investigation of environmental contaminants, disease, and parasites. The Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory at Texas Tech University has documented extensive parasitic infection in wild quail throughout the Rolling Plains with both the eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula). Based on environmental conditions, parasitic infections can spread quickly at the landscape level infecting a large percentage of the wild quail that may utilize such zones for habitat. We now have information to document pathology and other impacts of parasitic infections in wild quail. This talk will discuss the research program that led to the discovery of widespread and cyclic parasitic infections in wild Northern bobwhite quail and the consequences of this infection to quail. In addition, the talk will discuss strategies in going forward that might address a remedy in order that wild and huntable quail populations can be sustained into the future.