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Introduction: Birds are involved natural cycle of a number of vector-borne viruses in both rural and urban areas. Toscana (TOSV) and Sicilian (SFSV) phleboviruses are sandfly-borne viruses in the genus Phlebovirus that can cause diseases in human. However, there is limited information on the role of the birds in sandfly-borne phleboviruses natural cycle and reservoirs ofthese viruses remain unknown. Methods: In this study, we analyzed Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix) sera from Spain to identify the seroprevalence of these two phleboviruses. We tested respectively, 106 and 110 quail serum against TOSV and SFSV from 2018, 2019, and 2021 from two locations in northern Spain with using virus neutralization test. Results: We identified high neutralizing antibody rates for SFSV (45.45%) and TOSV (42.45%) with yearly fluctuation. Discussion: This is the first identification of SFSV and TOSV neutralizing antibodies in wild birds. High seroprevalence rates of TOSV and SFSV in quail birds raises the question whether birds have a role as amplifying hosts in the natural cycle of phleboviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palestine is a major route for migratory birds coming from Europe to Africa and vice versa. Both migratory and resident birds are commonly hunted for different purposes using different means in the Gaza Strip. The current descriptive study, which is the first of its kind, aims at introducing information on the hunting of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, which is a 365 km2 arid to semi-arid coastal zone lying in the southern part of the Palestinian coast along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2015, frequent field visits and discussions with bird hunters and other stakeholders have been carried out to get more information on quail hunting. Annually, hundreds of trammel or mist nets with camouflaging colors, having a height of about 2.5 meters and a distance of 100- 200 meters off the coastline, are cleverly placed along the beach to hunt Common Quails and other non-target birds. Guns are used in hunting of quails scattering among inland low-growing vegetation types. The Common Quail is a source of livelihood for dozens of Gazan families, though it does not generate large sums throughout its hunting season. For several reasons, quail hunters claimed that the current quantities of Common Quails reaching the Gaza Strip do not exceed 20% of the amount that arrived 30-40 years ago. Along with the Common Quail, 50 migratory and resident bird species, with passerines making their half, were found to be incidentally caught in quail nets. Because of its feeding and healthy values, the demand of Gazans on Quail and its eggs is increasing day by day, and as a result, quail breeding was found to be a successful task in the Gaza Strip. The goodness of wild quail is many times greater than its farmed counterpart. The price of wild quail is USD 6-7 per pair, while the farmed counterpart is about USD 2 per pair. Finally, bird hunting should be regulated in the Gaza Strip in order to conserve wildlife in a sustainable fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In species with female polygamy, pair bonds are frequently established since mate guarding can determine male fertilization success. However, extending the duration of pair bonds also implies reducing the chances of finding new mates. Males face a trade-off between mate guarding and looking for new mates, which can be shaped by their body condition. Here, we investigated the effect of male body condition and mate guarding over the female mating system (genetic monogamy or polygamy) and the male fertilization success in the common quail, Coturnix coturnix , a species with sperm storage and thus the potential for postcopulatory selection, and without paternal care. We monitored 20 females and 32 males. We genotyped them, the 21 clutches laid by these females and a large proportion of the males present in the population, which could have sired the clutches, to perform paternity analyses. We tested whether it is the pairing order or the duration of the pair bond that determines the fertilization outcome in clutches with multiple fathers. We hypothesized that males with better body condition might be able to find a mate faster, reducing the cost of mate switching and increasing fertilization success by spending less time in a pair bond. We observed socially monogamous and polygamous females, and our genetic analyses revealed that broods could be sired by one and by multiple fathers. Female genetic polygamy was more frequent when first matings were with males in good body condition. We detected two or three different fathers in multiple paternity broods. The male that mate guarded for longest was the one that sired most of the clutch. Although males in better body condition seemed to establish shorter pair bonds, further data are needed to confirm this trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lighting programs for male and female meat quails raised in an equatorial region on performance and carcass traits. A total of 1,500 sexed quails (Coturnix coturnix) was distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with 2 sexes (male and female) and 3 lighting programs (natural, intermittent, and continuous) with 5 replicates of 50 birds. The lighting programs were applied in the period from 7 to 49 d of age, being natural (12 h and 30 min of natural light and 11 h and 30 min of dark), intermittent (12 h and 30 min of natural light and 5 h and 30 min of artificial light, alternating lighting periods with one h and 06 min and periods of darkness with one h and 12 min), and continuous (23 h of natural + artificial light and one h of dark). Regardless of lighting program, female quails were heavier than males, and birds subjected to natural light weighed less than those exposed to continuous and intermittent lighting programs. Quails exposed to intermittent and continuous light presented higher weight gain and feed intake, and worse feed conversion ratio compared to birds under a natural light regimen. It is concluded that in an equatorial region, it is possible to use a lighting program with only natural light for raising male and female meat quails from 7 to 49 d of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimated genetic correlations between partial and total body weight gain (BWG) and individual feed conversion (FC) aiming to identify possible partial traits as selection criteria in meat quail breeding programs. Data included 379 records from two different genetic lines (188 quails from UFV1 and 191 from UFV2). The following traits were evaluated: individual feed conversion from 21 to 28 (FC 21–28 ) and from 28 to 35 days of age (FC 28–35 ); body weight gain from 1 to 21 (BWG 1–21 ), 21–28 (BWG 21–28 ), 28–35 (BWG 28–35 ) and from 1 to 35 (BWG 1–35 , full period) days of age. Genetic parameters (heritabilities and genetic correlations) were estimated through multi-trait models via Bayesian inference. For UFV1 line, genetic correlations estimates (with respective credible intervals) between BWG 1–21 and BWG 1–35 , BWG 21–28 and BWG 1–35 , BWG 28–35 and BWG 1–35 , FC 21–28 and FC 28–35 , FC 21–28 and BWG 1–35 , and FC 28–35 and BWG 1–35 were 0.62 0.15–0.90), 0.81 0.60–0.94), 0.69 0.35–0.88), 0.06 (−050 to 0.60), −0.87 (−0.97 to −0.63) and −0.51 (−0.84 to −0.01), respectively; and for UFV2 line, these estimates were 0.33 (−0.05 to 0.63), 0.79 0.59–0.92), 0.88 0.73–0.96), 0.35 (−0.30 to 0.78), −0.56 (−0.85 to −0.09) and −0.76 (−0.93 to −0.41), respectively. Additionally, for the UFV1 line heritability estimates for BWG 21–28 and FC 21–28 were 0.69 0.40–0.86) and 0.55 0.31–0.74), respectively; while for UFV2 line the heritabilities for BWG 28–35 and FC 28–35 were 0.68 0.47–0.83) and 0.37 0.17–0.63). Based on these results, we recommend as target traits BWG 21–28 and FC 21–28 for UFV1 line; and BWG 28–35 for UFV2 line. Selecting for these indicated traits, we expect to reduce breeding program costs related mainly to feeding of non-selected animals and labor with phenotyping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015, we used the same method as in the 1989-1996 period to count calling males of the Common Quail Coturnix coturnix in selected 1x1 km squares of Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia). We counted 39 males, which is 87% less compared to the survey 20 years ago. Quails were found in 56% fewer squares. Since Quail populations are known to fluctuate greatly between years, we think that the most realistic long-term estimate for population decline would be somewhere between 50 to 90%. We detected that within only one week males stopped calling in some squares, while in others they began calling although they had not been detected there before, indicating possible relocations. This dynamics should be considered when designing a population monitoring protocol for the Quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of genotype by environment (G×E) interaction for body weight (BW) of meat-type quails ( Coturnix coturnix ) during the growing period using two strains (LF1 and LF2) to changes in the dietary (methionine+cystine):lysine ([Met+Cys]:Lys) ratio. A total of 4512 records, collected during the initial phase (day 14 and 21), and final phase (day 28 and 35), was used for analyses. During the initial phase, quails were fed diets with increasing (Met+Cys):Lys ratios (0.61, 0.66, 0.71, 0.76, and 0.81), containing 26.1% crude protein (CP) and 2900 kcal ME/kg; and during the final phase, quails were fed a single diet containing 22% CP and 3050 kcal ME/kg. A single-trait animal model, including sex as the fixed effect, (Met+Cys):Lys ratio as the control variable, and breeding value as the random effect, was utilized for analyses. The Legendre polynomial of second order was utilized for the analysis of the G×E (nutritional levels) interaction using reaction norm. Genetic variance and heritability estimates varied according to the nutritional gradient. The LF2 strain had greater sensitivity to changes in the dietary (Met+Cys):Lys ratio compared with LF1, and greater residual effect of diets provided during the initial phase of the growing period. Genetic evaluations for quails fed different dietary (Met+Cys):Lys ratio provided changes in the predicted BW breeding values. We conclude that selection population must be fed with same dietary (Met+Cys):Lys ratio that commercial populations are fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed at giving a special focus on the early development of the Harderian gland - the principal orbital gland in birds. The development of the Harderian gland was studied in the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) at 7, 8, 9 and 10 days of incubation. The Harderian gland started its development as a long tube with a narrow lumen proximally and undifferentiated lumen distally at the seventh day of incubation, while at the eighth day of incubation, the studied gland differentiated into: the upper group formed from five opened tubules but the lower one consisted of three relatively closed tubules; the Harderian gland attained a strap-like appearance with hour-glass major borders, an increase in number of acini which share in formation of gland and its corresponding closed duct at the ninth day of incubation. More additional acini shared in formation of the Harderian gland. The tubular wide opened Harderian gland duct has appeared. Innervation of the Harderian gland was carried by the inferior ramus of oculomotor nerve at tenth day of incubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As mammals, birds exhibit two sleep phases, slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep characterized by presenting different electrophysiological patterns of brain activity. During SWS a high amplitude slow wave pattern in brain activity is observed. This activity is substituted by a low amplitude fast frequency pattern during REM sleep. Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is an animal model that has provided information related to different physiological mechanisms present in man. There are reports related to its electrophysiological brain activity, however the sleep characteristics that have been described are not. The objectives of this study is describing the sleep characteristics throughout the nychthemeral cycle of the common quail and consider this bird species as an avian model to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of sleep. Experiments were carried out in implanted exemplars of C. coturnix. Under general anesthesia induced by ether inhalation, stainless steel electrodes were placed to register brain activity from the anterior and posterior areas during 24 continuous hours throughout the sleep–wake cycle. Ocular and motor activities were visually monitored. Quail showed four electrophysiologically and behaviorally different states of vigilance: wakefulness (53.28%), drowsiness (14.27%), slow wave sleep (30.47%) and REM sleep (1.98%). The animals presented 202 REM sleep episodes throughout the nychthemeral cycle. Sleep distribution was polyphasic; however sleep amount was significantly greater during the period corresponding to the night. The number of nocturnal REM sleep episodes was significantly greater than that of diurnal one. Conclusion: The quail C. coturnix shows a polyphasic distribution of sleep; however the amount of this state of vigilance is significantly greater during the nocturnal period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A common quail (Coturnix coturnix) from a private keeping died unexpectedly and showed a moderate lymphocytic infiltration of the colonic mucosa associated with numerous protozoa-like objects at the pathological examination. These organisms were further identified using chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) and gene sequencing. ISH was performed on paraffin embedded tissue sections and produced a positive signal using a probe specific for the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of the order Trichomonadida, but remained negative with probes specific for the 18S rRNA gene of the common bird parasites Histomonas meleagridis, Tetratrichomonas gallinarum or Trichomonas gallinae. The trichomonads were found on the mucosal surface, inside the crypts and also immigrating into the lamina propria mucosae. DNA was extracted from the paraffin embedded tissue and the entire 18S rRNA gene, ITS-1 region, 5.8S rRNA gene, ITS-2 region and a part of the 28S rRNA gene were sequenced using primer walking. The acquired sequence showed 95% homology with Tritrichomonas foetus, a trichomonad never described in birds. A phylogenetic analysis of a part of the 18S rRNA gene or of the ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2 region clearly placed this nucleotide sequence within the family of Tritrichomonadidae. Therefore, the authors propose the detection of a putative new Tritrichomonas sp. in the intestine of a common quail. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most birds use at least two modes of locomotion: flying and walking (terrestrial locomotion). Whereas the wings and tail are used for flying, the legs are mainly used for walking. The role of other body segments remains, however, poorly understood. In this study, we examine the kinematics of the head, the trunk, and the legs during terrestrial locomotion in the quail (Coturnix coturnix). Despite the trunk representing about 70% of the total body mass, its function in locomotion has received little scientific interest to date. This prompted us to focus on its role in terrestrial locomotion. We used high-speed video fluoroscopic recordings of quails walking at voluntary speeds on a trackway. Dorso-ventral and lateral views of the motion of the skeletal elements were recorded successively and reconstructed in three dimensions using a novel method based on the temporal synchronisation of both views. An analysis of the trajectories of the body parts and their coordination showed that the trunk plays an important role during walking. Moreover, two sub-systems participate in the gait kinematics: (i) the integrated 3D motion of the trunk and thighs allows for the adjustment of the path of the centre of mass; (ii) the motion of distal limbs transforms the alternating forward motion of the feet into a continuous forward motion at the knee and thus assures propulsion. Finally, head bobbing appears qualitatively synchronised to the movements of the trunk. An important role for the thigh muscles in generating the 3D motion of the trunk is suggested by an analysis of the pelvic anatomy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim Information on the movements of bird populations in extensive landscapes is needed to assess environmental effects and conservation strategies over appropriate temporal and spatial scales. The common quail ( Coturnix coturnix) is a game bird that breeds mainly in dense cereal crops. These crops cover huge areas of the Iberian Peninsula. The aim of this work is to relate cereal mowing, which causes rapid and massive habitat loss for the common quail, to population movements of the species during its breeding season. Location Spain, southern Europe. Methods We used ring recoveries to analyse, using circular statistics, the orientation of movements by male common quails in the northern half of Spain. Forward stepwise multiple regressions were applied to correlate (1) the Julian day of cereal harvesting at 770 locations with the respective latitude, longitude and elevation, and (2) the number of hunted birds with hunting pressure, breeding densities and mean mowing date by province. Finally, data concerning the number of quails hunted at the end of the breeding season were compared by province and year using two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that during the breeding season in the northern half of Spain, male quails orient their movements towards higher areas, and mainly to the northern Castilian Plateau. These are the areas of Spain where cereals are harvested latest. Moreover, records show that the number of quails hunted is significantly higher in these areas than in other areas of the country, independently of hunting pressure and breeding densities, and it is extremely high in the northern Castilian Plateau. Main conclusions Cereal mowing combined with some Spanish geographical characteristics acts as a funnel, forcing quail populations to concentrate in certain areas of Spain at the end of the breeding season. This implies that the number of quails hunted in these areas may be high, and that they therefore constitute priority conservation areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yang, Y., Y. Cui, W. Wang, L. Zhang, L. Bufford, S. Sasaki, Z. Fan, and H. Nishimura. Molecular and functional characterization of a vasotocin-sensitive aquaporin water channel in quail kidney. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 287: R915-R924, 2004. First published June 17, 2004; 10.1152/ajpregu.00589.2003.—Both mammals and birds can concentrate urine hyperosmotic to plasma via a countercurrent multiplier mechanism, although evolutionary lines leading to mammals and birds diverged at an early stage of tetrapod evolution. We reported earlier (Nishimura H, Koseki C, and Patel TB. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 271: R1535-R1543, 1996) that arginine vasotocin (AVT; avian antidiuretic hormone) increases diffusional water permeability in the isolated, perfused medullary collecting duct (CD) of the quail kidney. In the present study, we have identified an aquaporin (AQP) 2 homolog water channel in the medullary cones of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix (qAQP2), by RT-PCR-based cloning techniques. A full-length cDNA contains an 822-bp open reading frame that encodes a 274-amino acid sequence with 75.5% identity to rat AQP2. The qAQP2 has six transmembrane domains, two asparagine-proline-alanine (NPA) sequences, and putative N-glycosylation (asparagine-124) and phosphorylation sites (serine-257) for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, qAQP2 is expressed in the membrane of Xenopus laevis oocytes and significantly in- creased its osmotic water permeability (Pf), inhibitable (P < 0.01) by mercury chloride, qAQP2 mRNA (RT-PCR) was detected in the kidney; medullary mRNA levels were higher than cortical levels. qAQP2 protein that binds to rabbit anti-rat AQP2 antibody is present in the apical/subapical regions of both cortical and medullary CDs from normally hydrated quail, and the intensity of staining increased only in the medullary CDs after water deprivation or AVT treatment. The relative density of the ∼29-kDa protein band detected by immunoblot from the medullary cones was modestly higher in water- deprived/AVT-treated quail. The results suggest that 1) medullary CDs of quail kidneys express a mercury-sensitive functioning qAQP2 water channel, and 2) qAQP2 is at least partly regulated by an AVT-dependent mechanism. This is the first clear identification of AQP2 homolog in nonmammalian vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorpyriphos (13 mg/kg) was administered to quail (Coturnix coturnix), and the responses of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasmacholinesterase (ChE) were studied. Both enzymes responded rapidly, and the maximal inhibition (76.6 and 80.1%, respectively) occurred 8 hpostadministration. Plasma ChE recovered rapidly, and even on day 4,ChE values of quail that had received chlorpyriphos were higher thanthose of controls. The recovery of brain AChE activity was slower than that of plasma; it reached 59% of controls 2 d after chlorpyriphosadministration, then it recovered slowly, and only at day 11 was itslevel not depressed with respect to controls. This recovery followedthe logarithmic pattern Y= a + b(log X), where Y is the AChE activity expressed as the percentage with respect to controls and X is the day after closing, giving a significant correlation (r = 0.9746, p< 0.001 when using group means and r = 0.9219, p < 0.001 when using individual values). No clinical signs or mortality were observed, and histopathological observations in the central nervous system (encephalytic reaction, necrotic Purkinje cells), liver (congestion, vacuolation), and kidney (congestion, nephrosis) were not severe and did not endanger the life of the quail. Sixteen hours after chlorpyriphos administration, some quail were treated with pralidoxime, which significantly reactivated brain AChE but not plasma ChE. However, this effect didnot last for the rest of the experiment; because no signs of toxicosis appeared, the experiment was not repeated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]