| dc.description.abstract | During August 1979 to March 1980, 118 Gray Partridge were
collected from a 207[superscript 2] km study area near Tugaske, Saskatchewan.
Temperature and snowpack information were monitored throughout
the study period. Partridge were necropsied, searched for
internal and external parasites, and fat, protein and moisture
determinations conducted for each bird.
Mean monthly temperatures during the study period approximated
the 30 year mean for the area. The winter of 1979 - 80
was characterized by reduced snow depths and a longer snowfree
period than normally occurs in this area of Saskatchewan.
Male and female partridge exhibited a similar seasonal
pattern of body weight fluctuation during the study period. There were no significant differences (P>.05) in mean monthly body
weights of adult and subadult male partridge during August to
March. Female partridge weights increased significantly (P<.05)
from September to January, then declined through to March. Body
weight of male and female partridge attained January maxima of
416 g and 410 g, respectively and are among the highest recorded
in North America. The application of several condition indices
failed to provide more accurate estimates of metabolic reserves
than carcass weight alone.
Lipid reserves appeared to be of significant metabolic importance
to Gray Partridge in Saskatchewan. Among male Gray Partridge,peak
fat reserves (29% dry body weight) occurred in January and among
females, in December (30% dry body weight). There was no significant difference (P>.05) in mean monthly weight of body fat of male
partridge. Body fat increased significantly (P<.05) among females
between September and December. Thereafter, fat reserves in both
male and female partridge declined but not significantly, to the
end of March.
Subcutaneous fat deposits constituted the largest fat reserve
in partridge, comprising 53% and 48% of total body fat in males
and females, respectively. Carcass protein levels in both sexes
were relatively constant during the period of study.
Weight of the abdominal fat depot represented a practical,
easily obtained and relatively accurate predictor of total body fat
reserves, while carcass weight was the best predictor of protein
reserve in Gray Partridge.
Endoparasite and ectoparasite loads were not overly large
among partridge examined and appeared of no significance as a
mortality factor.
The implications of these findings to partridge management are
discussed. | |
