Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Communities Related to Nesting Success of Northern Bobwhite at Two Western Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas

Arthropod prey vary among orders in their nutrient and exoskeleton content

“…Individuals likely gain greater nutritional benefits when consuming prey low in exoskeleton due to increases in assimilation efficiency (Nestler et al, 1942 ; Peoples et al, 1994 ). Hence, changes in the relative abundance of high (e.g., Coleoptera and Hymenoptera) versus low (e.g., Araneae) exoskeleton prey could have important impacts on overall nutrient intake by insectivores (Butler et al, 2012 ; Foye et al, 2015 ; Morrow et al, 2015 ; Weiser et al, 1997 ). While some insectivores are able to modulate expenditures related to handling indigestible components (i.e., extraoral digestion in spiders avoids ingestion of exoskeleton; Cohen, 1995 ), many consumers do not have these adaptations and cannot digest exoskeleton.…”

“…and Hymenoptera) versus low (e.g., Araneae) exoskeleton prey could have important impacts on overall nutrient intake by insectivores (Butler et al, 2012;Foye et al, 2015;Morrow et al, 2015;Weiser et al, 1997). (Gregg & Rogers, 1986;Kaur & Ab, 2015;Peoples, 1992;Peoples et al, 1994).…”

“…A variety of vertebrate and invertebrate insectivores rely on arthropods for most or all of their diet. For example, northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ; hereafter bobwhite) are seasonally insectivorous, and the proportion of arthropods in the bobwhite diet depends on sex and life stage (Butler et al, 2012 ; Doxon & Carroll, 2010 ; Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ). Brooding hens require large amounts of arthropod‐derived protein and energy in order to produce high‐quality eggs (Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ), and chicks require a high‐protein (~28%), arthropod‐based diet (94.1% up to two weeks post hatch) to quickly accumulate mass and develop feathers necessary for locomotion and predator avoidance (Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ; Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ; Nestler et al, 1942 ; Scott et al, 1963 ).…”

“…For example, northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ; hereafter bobwhite) are seasonally insectivorous, and the proportion of arthropods in the bobwhite diet depends on sex and life stage (Butler et al, 2012 ; Doxon & Carroll, 2010 ; Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ). Brooding hens require large amounts of arthropod‐derived protein and energy in order to produce high‐quality eggs (Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ), and chicks require a high‐protein (~28%), arthropod‐based diet (94.1% up to two weeks post hatch) to quickly accumulate mass and develop feathers necessary for locomotion and predator avoidance (Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ; Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ; Nestler et al, 1942 ; Scott et al, 1963 ). In the present study, we use bobwhites as a focal insectivore because the digestibility of exoskeleton is known and low for this species (Weiser et al, 1997 ) and because their nutrient requirements, prey size preference, and capture limitations are well‐documented (Butler et al, 2012 ; Doxon & Carroll, 2010 ; Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ).…”

“…Brooding hens require large amounts of arthropod‐derived protein and energy in order to produce high‐quality eggs (Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ), and chicks require a high‐protein (~28%), arthropod‐based diet (94.1% up to two weeks post hatch) to quickly accumulate mass and develop feathers necessary for locomotion and predator avoidance (Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ; Giuliano et al, 1996 ; Harveson et al, 2004 ; Nestler et al, 1942 ; Scott et al, 1963 ). In the present study, we use bobwhites as a focal insectivore because the digestibility of exoskeleton is known and low for this species (Weiser et al, 1997 ) and because their nutrient requirements, prey size preference, and capture limitations are well‐documented (Butler et al, 2012 ; Doxon & Carroll, 2010 ; Eubanks & Dimmick, 1974 ; Foye et al, 2015 ). Hence, this allows us to focus our analysis on a group of prey that are all relevant to a consumer as opposed to using the entire community of prey some of which may or may not be consumed by a single consumer species.…”