AMINO-ACID-CONCENTRATIONS IN SEED OF PREFERRED FORAGES OF BOBWHITES

Nutritional factors have been hypothesized to regulate gallinaceous bi rd populations such as the Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Al though protein is considered one of the most important and limiting nu trient categories in wild animal populations, we lack a complete under standing of the availability of essential amino acids in foodstuff pro tein. Seed grains comprise a major component of the annual diet of bob whites throughout its geographic range. We investigated the concentrat ion of 17 amino acids in seed of 4 highly preferred forages of bobwhit es from central Oklahoma. The total nitrogen content of seed was compo sed of 28-43% nonamino nitrogen of limited nutritional value. We provi de evidence that crude protein may grossly over estimate true protein. Amino acid content of forages in lieu of crude protein may better des cribe the nutritional ecology of quail and other gallinaceous birds an d provide new insights into the role of nutrition in regulating animal populations.