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free radical exposure creates paler carotenoid-based ornaments: a possible interaction in the expression of black and red traits.oxidative stress could be a key selective force shaping the expression of colored traits produced by the primary animal pigments in integuments: carotenoids and melanins. however, the impact of oxidative stress on melanic ornaments has only recently been explored, whereas its role in the expression of carotenoid-based traits is not fully understood. an interesting study case is that of those animal species simultaneously expressing both kinds of ornaments, such as the red-legged partridge (alect ...201121556328
bioaccessibility of pb from ammunition in game meat is affected by cooking treatment.the presence of lead (pb) ammunition residues in game meat has been widely documented, yet little information exists regarding the bioaccessibility of this pb contamination. we study how cooking treatment (recipe) can affect pb bioaccessibility in meat of animals hunted with pb ammunition.201121264290
identification of carotenoid pigments and their fatty acid esters in an avian integument combining hplc-dad and lc-ms analyses.yellow-orange-red ornaments present in the integuments (feathers, bare parts) of birds are often produced by carotenoid pigments and may serve to signal the quality of the bearer. although carotenoid esterification in tissues is a common phenomenon, most of the work on avian carotenoids has been focused on the identification of free forms or have been done after sample saponification. here we determined free and esterified carotenoid composition in a bird species with red ornaments: the red-legg ...201121239236
real-time fluorogenic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the specific detection of bagaza virus.in september 2010, an outbreak of disease in 2 wild bird species (red-legged partridge, alectoris rufa; ring-necked pheasant, phasianus colchicus) occurred in southern spain. bagaza virus (bagv) was identified as the etiological agent of the outbreak. bagv had only been reported before in western africa (central african republic, senegal) and in india. the first occurrence of bagv in spain stimulated a demand for rapid, reliable, and efficacious diagnostic methods to facilitate the surveillance ...201222807508
occurrence of avian pathogenic escherichia coli and antimicrobial-resistant e. coli in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa): sanitary concerns of farming.red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) are a significant part of the culture, diet and income for many people in central and southern spain. due to declining populations in the wild, intensive farming is common and 4 million juvenile partridges are released each autumn. intensive management and high densities result in high prevalence of enteric disease and the use of antimicrobials as preventive measures on partridge farms and prior to restocking in the wild. we determined the occurrence of avi ...201222834546
distribution patterns of influenza virus receptors and viral attachment patterns in the respiratory and intestinal tracts of seven avian species.this study assessed the presence of sialic acid α-2,3 and α-2,6 linked glycan receptors in seven avian species. the respiratory and intestinal tracts of the chicken, common quail, red-legged partridge, turkey, golden pheasant, ostrich, and mallard were tested by means of lectin histochemistry, using the lectins maackia amurensis agglutinin ii and sambucus nigra agglutinin, which show affinity for α-2,3 and α-2,6 receptors, respectively. additionally, the pattern of virus attachment (pva) was eva ...201222489675
natural bagaza virus infection in game birds in southern spain.in late summer 2010 a mosquito born flavivirus not previously reported in europe called bagaza virus (bagv) caused high mortality in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) and ring-necked pheasants (phasianus colchicus). we studied clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in naturally bagv infected game birds in order to understand the apparently higher impact on red-legged partridges. the disease induced neurologic signs in the two galliform species and, to a lesser extent, in ...201222966904
do pairing systems improve welfare of captive red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) in laying cages?although animal welfare has become an important premise in poultry, little attention has been paid to the effects of present-day rearing methods on the welfare of game birds, species released for hunting and re-establishment purposes. this work studied the effect of pairing methods on the welfare of the red-legged partridge kept in laying cages (4,500 cm2), a commonly hunted game species in western europe. agonistic behavior and possible injuries caused by aggression were studied during the pair ...201222802164
systemic candidiasis in farm-reared red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) caused by leucosporidium spp.this report describes the results of radiological, histological and molecular examination of three farm-reared red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) affected by candidiasis.201222709925
contrasted effects of an oxidative challenge and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on cellular immune responsiveness: an experiment with red-legged partridges alectoris rufa.oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key selective force shaping evolutionary trade-offs. one such trade-off involves investing in immunity versus combating oxidative stress. while there is broad evidence that mounting an immune response causes increased oxidative stress, the effect that increased oxidative stress during development has at a later stage on immune responsiveness remains little known. the production of melanin-based coloration in vertebrates is influenced by oxidative ...201222159871
harvest of red-legged partridge in central spain.a basic rule to attain sustainable use of harvested resources is to adjust take to availability. populations of red-legged partridges in spain have decreased in recent decades, and releases of farm-bred partridges to improve short-term availability are increasingly common. we used questionnaires and bird surveys to assess whether harvest was related to availability of wild partridges or intensity of farm-bred partridge releases. we studied 50 hunting estates, including 6 administratively labeled ...201223049142
age and breeding effort as sources of individual variability in oxidative stress markers in a bird species.oxidative stress is the imbalance between the production of pro-oxidant substances and the level of antioxidant defenses, which leads to oxidative damage. it has been proposed that senescence is the result of accumulated oxidative damage throughout life. in birds, the sources of individual variability in oxidative stress are still poorly understood. among these sources, age, as related to senescence, should be particularly relevant. furthermore, recent findings suggest that breeding effort may a ...201319922287
free and esterified carotenoids in ornaments of an avian species: the relationship to color expression and sources of variability.many animal species show ornaments with yellow-orange-red colors produced by carotenoid pigments. such traits have evolved as reliable signals of individual quality because of the costs inherent to their production or maintenance. in animal tissues, carotenoids are often found combined with free fatty acids, as carotenoid esters, which may confer more stability to coloration than free carotenoids. surprisingly, the potential relevance of carotenoid esterification in the expression of animal sexu ...201323995480
effect of game management on wild red-legged partridge abundance.the reduction of game and fish populations has increased investment in management practices. hunting and fishing managers use several tools to maximize harvest. managers need to know the impact their management has on wild populations. this issue is especially important to improve management efficacy and biodiversity conservation. we used questionnaires and field bird surveys in 48 hunting estates to assess whether red-legged partridge alectoris rufa young/adult ratio and summer abundance were r ...201323840515
fractal geometry of a complex plumage trait reveals bird's quality.animal coloration is key in natural and sexual selection, playing significant roles in intra- and interspecific communication because of its linkage to individual behaviour, genetics and physiology. simple animal traits such as the area or the colour intensity of homogeneous patches have been profusely studied. more complex patterns are widespread in nature, but they escape our understanding because their variation is difficult to capture effectively by standard, simple measures. here, we used f ...201323345576
experimental exposure of red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) to seeds coated with imidacloprid, thiram and difenoconazole.pesticide coated seeds are commonly used in agriculture, and may be an important source of food for some birds in times of scarcity, as well as a route of pesticide ingestion. we tested the lethal and sub-lethal effects of treated seed ingestion by the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa), a game bird of high socio-economic value in spain. one year-old partridges (n = 42 pairs) were fed for 10 days in spring (prior to breeding) with wheat treated with difenoconazole (fungicide), thiram (fungici ...201323111803
raman spectroscopy as a non-invasive technique for the quantification of melanins in feathers and hairs.the quantification of melanins is a complex task due to the chemical heterogeneity of the pigments and the difficulty of their isolation. the best accepted procedure currently consists in the chemical cleavage of melanins and the subsequent detection of degradation products by hplc, which implies the destruction of samples. here, we show that raman spectroscopy is a non-invasive technique that can be used to quantify melanins. we made parallel analyses of the characteristics of pheomelanin and e ...201323890020
human h7n9 avian influenza virus infection: a review and pandemic risk assessment.china is undergoing a recent outbreak of a novel h7n9 avian influenza virus (nh7n9) infection that has thus far involved 132 human patients, including 37 deaths. the nh7n9 virus is a reassortant virus originating from the h7n3, h7n9 and h9n2 avian influenza viruses. nh7n9 isolated from humans contains features related to adaptation to humans, including a q226l mutation in the hemagglutinin cleavage site and e627k and d701n mutations in the pb2 protein. live poultry markets provide an environment ...201326038484
monitoring of the bagaza virus epidemic in wild bird species in spain, 2010.by the end of august 2010, high mortalities in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) and pheasants (phasianus colchicus) were detected in several hunting states in the province of cádiz (southern spain). retrospective epidemiological studies revealed that the first clinical signs had been observed in late july-early august. the most common clinical signs were incoordination, disorientation and ataxia. the estimated mean morbidity rates were 37% in partridges and 11% in pheasants. the estimated ...201322486922
protection of red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) against west nile virus (wnv) infection after immunization with wnv recombinant envelope protein e (re).west nile virus (wnv) is maintained in nature in an enzootic transmission cycle between birds and mosquitoes, although it occasionally infects other vertebrates, including humans, in which it may result fatal. to date, no licensed vaccines against wnv infection are available for birds, but its availability would certainly benefit certain populations, as birds grown for restocking, hunting activities, or alimentary purposes, and those confined to wildlife reservations and recreation installations ...201323933372
a colibacillosis outbreak in farmed red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa).colibacillosis in different forms is responsible for significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. escherichia coli strains frequently implicated in poultry disease are designated as avian pathogenic e. coli (apec). natural infections and disease due to apec have been described in wild birds, but not as yet in red-legged partridges. during an outbreak in an experimental partridge farm, 23 of 43 1-day-old chicks belonging to the same batch died. putative apec strains were detecte ...201323678744
a single strain of tetratrichomonas gallinarum causes fatal typhlohepatitis in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) to be distinguished from histomonosis.typhlohepatitis was observed in a flock of 2500 red-legged partridges in great britain, characterized by the sudden deaths of 15 birds within 2 days. necropsy of five dead birds revealed severe lesions in the caeca with thickened caecal walls, a reddened lining and bloody contents. the livers contained multiple miliary lesions and similar pathological changes were found in the spleens of some birds. microscopic examination of intestinal contents showed the occurrence of coccidial oocysts in two ...201425175532
oculopathologic findings in flavivirus-infected gallinaceous birds.using eye samples of nine 9-week-old experimentally west nile virus (wnv)-infected red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa), time course of lesions and wnv antigen appearance in ocular structures were examined. in addition, eye samples of 6 red-legged partridges and 3 common pheasants (phasianus colchicus) naturally infected with bagaza virus (bagv) were used to study lesions and flavivirus antigen distribution in relation to apparent blindness in the former. the rapid onset of microscopic lesions ...201424395913
effects of lead shot ingestion on bone mineralization in a population of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa).the effect of lead (pb) toxicity on bone mineralization was investigated in a wild population of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) inhabiting a farmland area contaminated with pb-shot from recreational hunting activities in albacete, a southeastern province of spain. femora from 40 specimens of red-legged partridge were analyzed for pb by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (gf-aas), and for bone composition by fourier transform infrared (ftir) spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction ...201423892021
experimental approaches to test pesticide-treated seed avoidance by birds under a simulated diversification of food sources.pesticide coated seeds are known to be potentially toxic for birds, but the risk of poisoning will depend on how likely the individuals are to consume them. to refine the risk assessment of coated seed consumption by birds we studied the consumption and avoidance of seeds treated with imidacloprid, thiram, maneb or rhodamine b under different scenarios of food unpredictability (diversity or changes in food sources). in a first set of experiments, we examined during four days the amount of ingest ...201425079236
incidence of single and mixed infections with eimeria kofoidi, e. caucasica and e. legionensis on the health of experimentally infected red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa).little is known about eimeria-induced coccidiosis in partridges. after a coccidiosis outbreak in a farm rearing red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) in brittany (france), three eimeria species were identified as eimeria kofoidi, eimeria caucasica and eimeria legionensis. this study aimed to reproduce the effects of the disease occurring in field conditions, in the absence of preventive treatments, to further build a coccidiosis model, helpful for coccidiostatic development. the pathogenic effe ...201425037895
astaxanthin and papilioerythrinone in the skin of birds: a chromatic convergence of two metabolic routes with different precursors?carotenoids are organic pigments involved in several important physiological functions and may serve as indicators of individual quality in animals. these pigments are only obtained by animals from the diet, but they can be later transformed into other carotenoids by specific enzymatic reactions. the diet of farm-reared and probably wild red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) is mainly based on cereals that contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. these two carotenoids are also predominant ...201424691990
effects of storage temperature and length of the storage period on hatchability and performance of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) eggs.the aim of the present study was to investigate, in red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) eggs, the effects of 7- and 42-d storage periods with different storage temperatures (15, 12, and 9°c) on egg weight loss, hatchability, chick weight at hatch, incubation length, and development stage at embryonic mortality. a total of 420 red-legged partridge eggs were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial design with 2 levels of storage length and 3 levels of storage temperature, resulting in 6 treatments consist ...201424604871
influence of staining method on the values of avian sperm head morphometric variables.computer-assisted systems for the assessment of sperm morphometry (asma systems) have been used successfully with several mammalian species. unfortunately, they have so far been of little use for assessing bird semen, a consequence of the filiform shape of avian spermatozoa. this study compares two staining techniques (hemacolor(®) and aniline blue staining) for the morphometric analysis of rooster and red-legged partridge spermatozoa as part of a computer-assisted light microscopy method. for b ...201526192019
the use of biomarkers to measure the interactive effects of chemicals.biomarker assays that provide measures of the toxic effects of chemicals on key organisms are of particular interest in ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment. typically, such assays provide measures of the molecular mechanisms that underlie toxicity (e.g., inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase activity by organophosphorus insecticides and retardation of the vitamin k cycle by anticoagulant rodenticides). they are particularly valuable for detecting and quantifying toxicity where org ...20159626537
first finding of spontaneous infections with cryptosporidium baileyi and c. meleagridis in the red-legged partridge alectoris rufa from an aviary in the czech republic.this paper represents the first report of spontaneous infection with cryptosporidium baileyi and cryptosporidium meleagridis in the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa), as well as the percentage of positive samples and age-associated dynamics of cryptosporidial infections in an aviary in the czech republic. the entire infection process was monitored over two semesters (july-december 2012 and 2013) until release of birds for hunting purposes. coprological examination of 663 pooled fecal samples ...201525814162
outbreak of encephalitic listeriosis in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa).an outbreak of neurological disease was investigated in red-legged partridges between 8 and 28 days of age. clinical signs included torticollis, head tilt and incoordination and over an initial eight day period approximately 30-40 fatalities occurred per day. no significant gross post mortem findings were detected. histopathological examination of the brain and bacterial cultures followed by partial sequencing confirmed a diagnosis of encephalitis due to listeria monocytogenes. further isolates ...201525921827
bagaza virus is pathogenic and transmitted by direct contact in experimentally infected partridges, but is not infectious in house sparrows and adult mice.bagaza virus (bagv) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus belonging to the ntaya serocomplex. in 2010, a disease outbreak was reported in cádiz (southern spain) affecting game birds (red-legged partridges and common pheasants). in this work, red-legged partridges were inoculated experimentally with infectious bagv isolated from this outbreak in order to make a complete clinical and analytical assessment of the disease caused by the pathogen in this species. viral load (by real-time rt-pcr) in blood, or ...201526338714
the protozoan parasite trichomonas gallinae causes adult and nestling mortality in a declining population of european turtle doves, streptopelia turtur.studies incorporating the ecology of clinical and sub-clinical disease in wild populations of conservation concern are rare. here we examine sub-clinical infection by trichomonas gallinae in a declining population of free-living european turtle doves and suggest caseous lesions cause mortality in adults and nestlings through subsequent starvation and/or suffocation. we found a 100% infection rate by t. gallinae in adult and nestling turtle doves (n = 25) and observed clinical signs in three adul ...201525212735
characterization of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) sperm: seasonal changes and influence of genetic purity.the general decline in wild iberian populations of the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) has been accompanied by an increase in game-farm facilities producing hybrids with chukar partridges (alectoris chukar). genetic introgression from chukar partridges is thought to modify male red-legged partridge reproductive indicators. the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of such genetic introgression on seasonal reproductive patterns by comparing the sperm and plasma testosterone ...201525577796
assessing the risk of fipronil-treated seed ingestion and associated adverse effects in the red-legged partridge.fipronil is an insecticide commonly used in agriculture, but there are growing concerns over its environmental impacts (e.g., harmful effects on pollinators). fipronil-treated seed ingestion might threaten granivorous farmland birds, in particular, gallinaceous birds that are particularly sensitive to this insecticide. we report here on exposure risk and effects in a game bird of high socioeconomic importance, the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa). we fed captive birds with untreated maize ( ...201526448319
are parent-reared red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) better candidates for re-establishment purposes?aiming to produce game birds suitable for re-establishment purposes, we studied the survival and behavior of 31 adult red-legged partridges reared by their natural parents in captivity (parent-reared) and 67 wild red-legs (35 adults and 32 subadults). birds were radio-tracked and released in a game estate where management targeting small game species was conducted and shooting was not allowed. survival of parent-reared partridges was shorter (mean 108 d) than wild adults (mean 160 d), though no ...201526362976
transcriptomic characterization of innate and acquired immune responses in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa): a resource for immunoecology and robustness selection.present and future challenges for wild partridge populations include the resistance against possible disease transmission after restocking with captive-reared individuals, and the need to cope with the stress prompted by new dynamic and challenging scenarios. selection of individuals with the best immune ability may be a good strategy to improve general immunity, and hence adaptation to stress. in this study, non-infectious challenges with phytohemagglutinin (pha) and sheep red blood cells allow ...201526331304
measuring oxidative stress: the confounding effect of lipid concentration in measures of lipid peroxidation.lipid peroxidation products are widely used as markers of oxidative damage in the organism. to properly interpret the information provided by these markers, it is necessary to know potential sources of bias and control confounding factors. here, we investigated the relationship between two indicators of lipid mobilization (circulating levels of triglycerides and cholesterol) and two common markers of oxidative damage (plasma levels of malondialdehyde and hydroperoxides; the latter estimated from ...201525860832
host specificity of turkey and chicken eimeria: controlled cross-transmission studies and a phylogenetic view.protozoan parasites of the eimeria genus have undergone extensive speciation and are now represented by a myriad of species that are specialised to different hosts. these species are highly host-specific and usually parasitise single host species, with only few reported exceptions. doubts regarding the strict host specificity were frequent in the original literature describing coccidia parasitising domestic turkeys. the availability of pure characterised lines of turkey and chicken eimeria speci ...201525660426
imidacloprid-treated seed ingestion has lethal effect on adult partridges and reduces both breeding investment and offspring immunity.the ingestion of imidacloprid treated seeds by farmland birds may result in exposure to toxic amounts of this insecticide. here we report on the effects that the exposure to the recommended application rate and to 20% of that rate may produce on birds feeding on treated seeds. experimental exposure to imidacloprid treated seeds was performed on red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) (n=15 pairs per treatment group: control, 20% or 100% of the recommended application rate) during two periods that ...201525460626
adverse effects of thiram-treated seed ingestion on the reproductive performance and the offspring immune function of the red-legged partridge.pesticide research traditionally has focused on compounds with high acute toxicity or persistence, but the adverse sublethal effects of pesticides with different properties also may have important consequences on exposed wildlife. the authors studied the effects of thiram, a fungicide used for seed coating with known effects as endocrine disruptor. red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa; n = 15 pairs per treatment group) were fed wheat treated with 0%, 20%, or 100% of the thiram application rate ...201525663614
accumulation of dietary carotenoids, retinoids and tocopherol in the internal tissues of a bird: a hypothesis for the cost of producing colored ornaments.carotenoid-based ornaments may have evolved as a consequence of their costs of production, which would assure the reliability of the traits as signals of individual quality. different costs due to carotenoid allocation to the signal have been proposed, considering the scarcity of these pigments at the environment (ecological cost) and their physiological properties that would trade against the maintenance of the organism. carotenoids of many red ornaments (ketocarotenoids) are often the result o ...201525421097
sublethal pb exposure produces season-dependent effects on immune response, oxidative balance and investment in carotenoid-based coloration in red-legged partridges.ingestion of lead (pb) shot pellets constitutes the main cause of pb poisoning in avifauna. we studied the effects of sublethal pb exposure on immunity, carotenoid-based coloration, oxidative stress and trade-offs among these types of responses during spring and autumn in red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa). we evaluated constitutive immunity testing lysozyme and natural antibody levels, and blood bactericidal and phagocytic activities. we studied induced immunity by testing pha and humoral r ...201525674808
specific carotenoid pigments in the diet and a bit of oxidative stress in the recipe for producing red carotenoid-based signals.colorful ornaments have been the focus of sexual selection studies since the work of darwin. yellow to red coloration is often produced by carotenoid pigments. different hypotheses have been formulated to explain the evolution of these traits as signals of individual quality. many of these hypotheses involve the existence of a signal production cost. the carotenoids necessary for signaling can only be obtained from food. in this line, carotenoid-based signals could reveal an individual's capacit ...201627635308
effects of lead exposure on sperm quality and reproductive success in an avian model.lead (pb) poisoning via ingestion of shot pellets is a frequent cause of death in wild birds and also has a wide range of subclinical effects. here we report on the sublethal effects pb exposure has on the breeding performance of red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa). we studied the effects of pb exposure on sperm quality, reproductive success, egg properties, laying performance, antioxidant levels, and carotenoid-based coloration. birds were exposed by oral gavage to one or three no. 6 pb shot ...201627753482
anti-predator behaviour of adult red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) tutors improves the defensive responses of farm-reared broods.the aim of this work was to improve natural anti-predator behaviour of farm-reared gamebirds. we evaluated the anti-predator behaviour of reared red-legged partridge alectoris rufa chicks kept in brooder houses in large groups (>350 chicks), trained and not trained by parent red-legged partridges acting as experienced tutors. the experiment consisted of two conditioned tests (a raptor model and a human) and two control tests, which were conducted during three consecutive phases of life (1-4, 15- ...201626955894
gender-related amino acid intake of adult wild red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa).the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) is under an enormous hunting pressure. it is bred intensively in game farms. the hunting season is during the non-reproductive resting period when partridges are at maintenance conditions. there is a lack of information about the amino acid (aa) composition of the natural diet of the adult birds in their habitat or differences in dietary aa composition related to gender. the objective of this work was to establish a first approach to the aa composition o ...201627137762
experimental north american west nile virus infection in the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa).after the introduction of west nile virus (wnv) into north america, bird mortalities associated with west nile disease have dramatically increased in this continent and, to a lesser extent, in europe. the different west nile disease incidence in birds in these 2 continents demands an explanation, and experimental studies can provide important information. the authors inoculated thirteen 9-week-old red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) with 10(7)plaque-forming units of a wnv strain isolated in n ...201626508695
characterization of fecal vancomycin-resistant enterococci with acquired and intrinsic resistance mechanisms in wild animals, spain.the objectives were to evaluate the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci with acquired (vre-a) and intrinsic (vre-i) resistance mechanisms in fecal samples from different wild animals, and analyze their phenotypes and genotypes of antimicrobial resistance. a total of 348 cloacal/rectal samples from red-legged partridges (127), white storks (81), red kites (59), and wild boars (81) (june 2014/february 2015) were inoculated in slanetz-bartley agar supplemented with vancomycin (4 μg/ml). we ...201626194421
age and sex ratios in a high-density wild red-legged partridge population.the dynamics of a wild red-legged partridge population were examined over a 14-year period in spain to identify patterns in age and sex ratios in relation to weather parameters, and to assess the importance of these parameters in population dynamics and management. the results gave age ratios of 1.07 (but 2.13 in july counts), juvenile sex ratios of 1.01 and adult sex ratios of 1.47. overall, 12% more females were hatched and female juvenile mortality was 7.3% higher than in males. sex different ...201627508503
genetic characterization of vana-enterococcus faecium isolates from wild red-legged partridges in portugal.vancomycin-resistant enterococci (vre) have been detected in wild animals representing a public health concern. the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) is a common game bird and its meat is consumed in several countries, including portugal. three hundred five fecal samples of red-legged partridge from the north of portugal were screened for vre. samples were cultured on slanetz-bartley agar supplemented with vancomycin (4 mg/l) and six vana-enterococcus faecium were recovered. isolates were te ...201728504889
red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) de-novo transcriptome assembly and identification of gene-related markers.the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) has a great socio-economic importance as a game species and is reared by millions in farms in several european countries. the ability to respond to a wide spectrum of pathogens and environmental changes is key for farm-reared animals that, as such, face even higher pathogen exposure and specifically for those submitted to restocking programs. in this study, rna-sequencing and de-novo assembly of genes expressed in different immune tissues were performed. ...201728239549
successful chilling of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) sperm for use in artificial insemination.the fertilizing capacity of pure, fresh avian semen may disappear in just half an hour, hindering its successful use in artificial insemination (ai) projects. longer storage requires the use of infra-physiological temperatures and of semen diluents that help preserve the spermatozoa but that do not interfere with their fertilizing capacity. this study examines the effect on sperm quality of storing red-legged partridge sperm for 3 h at 5°c with 2 different semen extenders: 1) a medium referred t ...201729050419
from sport hunting to breeding success: patterns of lead ammunition ingestion and its effects on an endangered raptor.lead is highly toxic for wildlife, with pernicious consequences especially in long-lived predators. the causes of lead ammunition ingestion in bonelli's eagle (aquila fasciata) and its effects on breeding success were studied in one of the most important populations of this endangered species in europe. regurgitated pellets belonging to different pairs from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed, both in the breeding (1363 pellets from 12 territories) and non-breeding (172 pellets from 9 territories) season ...201828918280
the fractal dimension of a conspicuous ornament varies with mating status and shows assortative mating in wild red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa).complex body designs, such as plumage ornaments in birds, can be described by fractal geometry. these complex patterns could have a role as visual signals during courtship and social interactions, but an empirical validation in the wild is currently lacking. here, we investigated whether the fractal dimension (fd) of a complex plumage pattern displayed by red-legged partridges alectoris rufa could function as a potential sexual signal. we captured wild birds early in the breeding season and test ...201829959540
the effects of scaling on age, sex and size relationships in red-legged partridges.wild birds differ in size according to their age and sex, adult birds being larger than juveniles. in the galliforms, males are larger than females, in contrast to some groups, such as the raptors, in which the females are larger. size generally influences the rank hierarchy within a group of birds, although the age, sex, temperament and behaviour of an individual may override its size related rank order. the scaled size of birds according to age and sex affects their physiology and behaviour. p ...201829391508
absence of protection from west nile virus disease and adverse effects in red legged partridges after non-structural ns1 protein administration.the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) is a competent host for west nile virus (wnv) replication and highly susceptible to wnv disease. with the aim to assess in this species whether the inoculation of non-structural protein ns1 from wnv elicits a protective immune response against wnv infection, groups of partridges were inoculated with recombinant ns1 (ns1 group) or an unrelated recombinant protein (mock group), and challenged with infectious wnv. a third group received no inoculation prior ...201829406280
body proportions for the facilitation of walking, running and flying: the case of partridges.predation is one of the most important natural selection forces. prey species can optimize feeding behavior and escape from predators based on mobility conditioned by body proportions. with age, mobility capacity increases and individuals are more efficient in finding resources and safety (e.g., food and refuge). birds' mobility is driven by the dimensions, of the head and torso, as well as the extremities and flight feathers. to assess the relationship between body traits and to understand how ...201830477435
dietary canthaxanthin reduces xanthophyll uptake and red coloration in adult red-legged partridges.carotenoids give color to conspicuous animal signals that are often the product of sexual selection. knowledge of the mechanisms involved in carotenoid-based signaling is critical to understanding how these traits evolve. however, these mechanisms remain only partially understood. carotenoids are usually viewed as scarce dietary antioxidants whose allocation to ornaments may trade off against health. this trade-off would ensure its reliability as a signal of individual quality. in the case of re ...201830224370
brood size is reduced by half in birds feeding on flutriafol-treated seeds below the recommended application rate.despite the efforts of the european commission to implement measures that offset the detrimental effects of agricultural intensification, farmland bird populations continue to decline. pesticide use has been pointed out as a major cause of decline, with growing concern about those agro-chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors. we report here on the effects of flutriafol, a ubiquitous systemic fungicide used for cereal seed treatment, on the physiology and reproduction of a declining gamebird. ...201830216876
experimental infection of grey partridges with bagaza virus: pathogenicity evaluation and potential role as a competent host.bagaza virus (bagv; synonymous to israel turkey meningoencephalomyelitis virus, itv) is a relevant arthropod-borne epornitic flavivirus. in its first emergence in europe (southern spain, 2010) bagv caused an outbreak, severely affecting red-legged partridges and common pheasants. the effects (pathogenicity, role as reservoir host) of bagv in other european phasianids are unknown. to fill this gap, grey partridges were experimentally infected with bagv. the clinical course of the disease was seve ...201829739470
game meat consumption by hunters and their relatives: a probabilistic approach.this study aimed to estimate the consumption of meat and products derived from hunting by the consumer population and, specifically, by hunters and their relatives. for this purpose, a survey was conducted on the frequency of consuming meat from the four most representative game species in spain, two of big game, wild boar (sus scrofa) and red deer (cervus elaphus), and two of small game, rabbit (oryctolagus cuniculus) and red partridge (alectoris rufa), as well as of processed meat products (sa ...201829912678
susceptibility and role as competent host of the red-legged partridge after infection with lineage 1 and 2 west nile virus isolates of mediterranean and central european origin.west nile virus (wnv; genus flavivirus; family flaviviridae) is the aetiological agent of an emerging, mosquito-borne disease with great impact on human and animal health. over the past 15 years, wnv has been responsible for large epidemics mainly in north america but also in europe, where lineage 1 and more recently lineage 2 strains have caused an upsurge in the number of outbreaks with increased human infection and higher virulence for certain wild bird species. this study aimed to compare th ...201830080671
anti-predator behavior in pure and hybrid red-legged partridges.the purpose of this study was to examine the anti-predator behavior in pure red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) and hybrids with chukar partridges (a. rufa × (a. rufa × a. chukar)). a total of 117 birds (66 pure and 51 hybrid partridges; 74 females and 43 males) maintained in outdoor cages were used at a range of 52 to 55 wk of age. four active fear tests were performed (novel object test, fear of humans test, emergence test, and restraint test) in order to analyze differences between pure an ...201930778564
nutritional value of meat lipid fraction from red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) obtained from wild and farmed specimens1.the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) is a feathered game species of great socioeconomic importance in its native range and also in the uk. the aim of this study was to present a detailed comparison of meat's lipid fraction obtained from wild and farm-raised specimens and simultaneously compare the breast and leg meat portions. meat from wild specimens had a significant (p < 0.05) lower proportion of saturated fatty acid (less 5.1%) and presented better p/s and n-6/n-3 ratios, and atherogeni ...201930165698
influence of flavivirus co-circulation in serological diagnostics and surveillance: a model of study using west nile, usutu and bagaza viruses.this study aims at assessing the serological cross-reactions existing between three mosquito-borne flaviviruses with avian reservoirs co-circulating in europe: west nile (wnv), usutu (usuv) and bagaza (bagv). the study is useful for a better interpretation of serological results in diagnostics and surveillance. serum samples obtained from a natural host, the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa), experimentally infected with wnv, usuv or bagv were analysed using two commercially available wnv co ...201931150146
using long-term datasets to assess the impacts of dietary exposure to neonicotinoids on farmland bird populations in england.over the last 20 years, a new group of systemic insecticides-the neonicotinoids-has gained prominence in arable systems, and their application globally has risen year on year. previous modelling studies using long-term data have suggested that neonicotinoid application has had a detrimental impact on bird populations, but these studies were either limited to a single species or neglected to analyse specific exposure pathways in conjunction with observed population trends. using bird abundance da ...201931574132
carotenoid-based coloration predicts both longevity and lifetime fecundity in male birds, but testosterone disrupts signal reliability.sexual selection promotes the evolution of conspicuous animal ornaments. to evolve as signals, these traits must reliably express the "quality" of the bearer, an indicator of individual fitness. direct estimates of individual fitness may include the contribution of longevity and fecundity. however, evidence of a correlation between the level of signal expression and these two fitness components are scarce, at least among vertebrates. relative fitness is difficult to assess in the wild as age at ...201931442265
feathers and hair as tools for non-destructive pollution exposure assessment in a mining site of the iberian pyrite belt.mining is responsible of releasing trace elements to the environment with potential negative effects on wildlife. traditionally, wildlife exposure assessment has been developed by analyzing mainly environmental compartments or internal tissues. nowadays, the use of non-destructive matrices such as hair or feathers has increased. nevertheless, its use in free-living terrestrial mammals or in birds other than raptors or passerines is less frequent. the main objective of our study was to determine ...202032298936
an open platform system based on snp type genetic markers for discrimination between alectoris rufa and alectoris chukar.the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) is one of the most emblematic game species in southern europe. for the conservation of its natural populations against hybridization with chukar partridges (alectoris chukar) a public and agreed control system able to detect genetic introgression between the two species should be established. as the already available method has not been implemented yet, this paper presents an improvement of the genetic analysis technique by using an open platform system ...202033166632
a stereological study of the renal and adrenal glandular structure of red-legged partridge (alectoris chukar).partridge is a major bird species that has recently gained an increasing importance as an alternative food source and a game animal in hunting tourism. herein, we aimed to examine the histological structure and stereological properties of the renal and adrenal glands of red-legged partridge.202032020577
multi-level analysis of exposure to triazole fungicides through treated seed ingestion in the red-legged partridge.triazole fungicides are the most widely used products to treat cereal seeds. granivorous birds, such as red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa), which consume seeds left on the surface of fields after sowing, have a high risk of exposure. as triazole fungicides can affect sterol synthesis, we tested the hypothesis that treated seed consumption could alter the synthesis of sex hormones and reduce the reproductive capacity of partridges. we exposed adult partridges to seeds treated with four differ ...202032980015
egg overspray with herbicides and fungicides reduces survival of red-legged partridge chicks.within the environmental risk assessment conducted for pesticide registration in the european union (eu), avian reproductive toxicity is characterized after exposing adults. however, eggs of ground-nesting species can be exposed when pesticide applications occur during laying or incubation. we simulated environmentally realistic exposure of red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) eggs to an herbicide (2,4-d) and a fungicide (tebuconazole) applied to winter cereal crops during the breeding season o ...202032911930
risk assessment of cd, cu, and pb from the consumption of hunted meat: red-legged partridge and wild rabbit.the objective was to assess that potential health risk from cd, cu, and pb, through the consumption of hunted red-legged partridge and wild rabbit meat, with special focus on the population of hunters and their relatives. mineral content was analyzed by atomic absorption methods (f-aas for cu and gf-aas for cd and pb) after microwave digestion of lyophilized samples. the average concentrations of these elements were 0.008 and 0.01 mg/kg for cd; 1.41 and 1.63 mg/kg for cu and 0.98 and 1.28 mg/kg ...202032734532
high prevalence of the neonicotinoid clothianidin in liver and plasma samples collected from gamebirds during autumn sowing.since neonicotinoid insecticides were introduced to the agricultural market, evidence of the negative impacts of these systemic compounds on non-target species has accumulated. birds are one of the largest groups of species to inhabit farmland, but the extent of neonicotinoid exposure in avian communities is poorly understood and very little is known about how any exposure may affect wild birds. here, free-living gamebirds were used as a model group to measure the extent of avian exposure to the ...202032629254
protozoan and helminth infections of aviary-reared alectoris rufa (galliformes: phasianidae) before releasing for hunting in the czech republic: infection dynamics and potential risks.age-related dynamics of protozoan and helminth infections in the red-legged partridge, alectoris rufa, were studied in an intensive breeding aviary in the czech republic before releasing birds for hunting purposes. pooled fecal samples (n = 900) were examined over 3 rearing seasons (2012-2014). a total of 4 protozoan species, cryptosporidium baileyi, cryptosporidium meleagridis, eimeria kofoidi, and eimeria legionensis, and 4 helminths, capillaria phasianina, eucoleus perforans, heterakis gallin ...202032615595
haemoparasites in red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa): first record of haemoproteus sp. in italy?during a health survey in the province of alessandria (nw italy) 267 free ranging red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa; 137 males and 130 females) were captured in 2009 (n = 101), 2010 (n = 130) and 2011 (n = 36). after biometric data and blood samples collection, animals were released on site. blood samples were used for the preparation of blood smears. a total of 1.5% of smears presented parasites with a light blue finely granular cytoplasm in red blood cells. the parasites were identified, on ...202032508424
non-native and hybrid in a changing environment: conservation perspectives for the last italian red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) population with long natural history.the ever-increasing biotic homogenization - especially when associated with introgressive hybridization - raises concern for the reduction of the spatial component of diversity in wildlife worldwide. nonetheless, there is a growing attention to the potential conservation value of hybridization in fastening the adaptive evolutionary responses to rapidly changing selective pressures. under these premises, we investigated the genetic affinity of the red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa) population ...202031935616
lead in terrestrial game birds from spain.we analysed exposure to pb and its relationship with lead-based ammunition in seven species of terrestrial game birds-common woodpigeon (columba palumbus), rock dove (columba livia), stock dove (columba oenas), european turtle-dove (streptopelia turtur), red-legged partridge (alectoris rufa), barbary partridge (alectoris barbara) and common quail (coturnix coturnix)-from rural and urban areas in different parts of spain (valencia, castilla-la mancha, castilla y león, madrid, islas canarias and n ...202031755055
pathogenesis of two western mediterranean west nile virus lineage 1 isolates in experimentally infected red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa).west nile virus (wnv) is the most widespread flavivirus in the world with a wide vertebrate host range. its geographic expansion and activity continue to increase with important human and equine outbreaks and local bird mortality. in a previous experiment, we demonstrated the susceptibility of 7-week-old red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa) to mediterranean wnv isolates morocco/2003 and spain/2007, which varied in virulence for this gallinaceous species. here we study the pathogenesis of the i ...202134199167
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