ABSTRACT:We captured 36 Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Mitchell County, Texas in June-September 2013, and examined them for the eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi. We recovered 334 eyeworms from 28 of 29 adult bobwhites (97%); infections ranged from 1-40 worms and mean (6SD) abundance of 11.9613.0. Three of seven juveniles were infected, and those infected had one eyeworm each. Prevalence of eyeworms was similar among months. However, mean abundance of eyeworms peaked in July and August (3.362.1, 13.5615.0, and 16.9615.5), and decreased in September (6.363.0). We suggest that several previous studies may underreport prevalence and abundance because in those studies only the eye surface and nictitating membrane were examined, and not eye-associated tissue, ducts, glands, or sinuses.

Wild populations of northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) have declined across nearly all of their U.S. range, and despite their importance as an experimental wildlife model for ecotoxicology studies, no bobwhite draft genome assembly currently exists. Herein, we present a bobwhite draft de novo genome assembly with annotation, comparative analyses including genome-wide analyses of divergence with the chicken (Gallus gallus) and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) genomes, and coalescent modeling to reconstruct the demographic history of the bobwhite for comparison to other birds currently in decline (i.e., scarlet macaw; Ara macao). More than 90% of the assembled bobwhite genome was captured within <40,000 final scaffolds (N50 = 45.4 Kb) despite evidence for approximately 3.22 heterozygous polymorphisms per Kb, and three annotation analyses produced evidence for >14,000 unique genes and proteins. Bobwhite analyses of divergence with the chicken and zebra finch genomes revealed many extremely conserved gene sequences, and evidence for lineage-specific divergence of noncoding regions. Coalescent models for reconstructing the demographic history of the bobwhite and the scarlet macaw provided evidence for population bottlenecks which were temporally coincident with human colonization of the New World, the late Pleistocene collapse of the megafauna, and the last glacial maximum. Demographic trends predicted for the bobwhite and the scarlet macaw also were concordant with how opposing natural selection strategies (i.e., skewness in the r-/K-selection continuum) would be expected to shape genome diversity and the effective population sizes in these species, which is directly relevant to future conservation efforts.

In 2003 we conducted a study to determine the consequences of feral hog (Sus scrofa) invasions in several ecoregions of Texas. We examined the observations, experiences, and actions of landowners and managers concerning feral hogs on their property. We used purposive sampling of landowners and managers who fit 1 or more of 3 selection criteria. Landowners and managers were either sent a self‐administered, mail‐out questionnaire or given a copy of the questionnaire during pesticide applicator workshops. There were 775 survey participants. The effective response rate from those landowners and managers who received a mailed questionnaire was 62% (n=284). Nearly all (95%, n = 491) of the pesticide applicator workshop participants turned in a completed questionnaire. Sampling error based on the farms (includes ranches) in Texas and in each region was ±3%, α=0.05. The majority (74%) of respondents were ranchers, and 18% were farmers. Most respondents felt that feral hogs came from the neighbor's property and were an agricultural pest. Rooting, wallowing, and crop damage were the major forms of damage caused by feral hogs. The average economic loss due to hog damage, over the lifetime ownership of the land by the respondent, was $7,515 (U.S). Hog control was an incidental process. The average cost for hog control over the lifetime ownership of the land by the respondent was $2,631 (U.S.). There was strong support for programs related to feral hog management and control, but only half of the survey participants responded to the question. The average quiz score of 11.5 indicated that respondents could correctly respond to < 50% of the 26 questions. Region was found to have an effect (P < 0.05) on all questions tested except one. Management implications included the need for educational programs about feral hogs, how landowners can make better use of feral hogs on their property, ongoing education efforts about feral hogs, and the impact of this study on the public policy and decision‐making process.

The effects of Oxyspirura petrowi infections in northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) are not well understood. While studies have reported O. petrowi infections, none has histopathologically examined the eye surface and intraorbital glands to assess cellular-level impacts associated with infection. This study is the first to document the histopathology associated with O. petrowi infections. Oxyspirura petrowi occurred on the eye surface as well as in the conjunctiva, lacrimal ducts, lacrimal glands, and Harderian glands. Histopathology showed infections of O. petrowi caused cellular damage to these tissues, scarring and interstitial keratitis of the cornea, and acinar atrophy of the Harderian gland.

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