Dg. Oberheu et Cb. Dabbert, Aflatoxin production in supplemental feeders provided for northern bobwhite in Texas and Oklahoma, J WILDL DIS, 37(3), 2001, pp. 475-480
Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by various species of fungi. Afla
toxin (AF), a particular type of mycotoxin, can negatively impact many wild
life species in the laboratory; however, the magnitude of the problem in th
e field environment is unclear. Wild birds generally consume a combination
of native foods and agricultural grains. A common practice in which birds,
such as northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), contact stored agricultura
l grain is through supplemental feeding. This feeding practice may promote
the production of AF. The objectives of this study were to (1) examine AF p
roduction in supplemental feeders and (2) examine the relationship between
weather and AF production in supplemental feeders. Samples were collected f
rom supplemental feeders from November through February of 1996-97 and 1997
-98. Mean monthly AF concentration of samples from feeders ranged from 0.57
+/- 2.86 to 15.47 +/- 14.69 ppb. Aflatoxin concentration in supplemental f
eeders increased from pre-sample to one month after filling the feeders eac
h year. AF production in supplemental feeders was highly variable among mon
ths with no real temporal pattern between years. Instead, AF production was
related to the highly variable relative humidity of the study area which i
nfluences moisture content of grain. Average relative humidity can be used
to predict AF production.