Energy Content of Seeds of Palmer’s Pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri) in the Diet of Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) in Southeastern New Mexico

Authors

John L. Hunt, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow
Matthew E. Grilliot, Auburn University--MontgomeryFollow
Troy L. Best, Auburn UniversityFollow
Isaac C. Castillo, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow
Paige E. Eddington, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow
Faith A. Johnson, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow
Tyneshia L. Kilgore, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow
Jacob H. Courson, University of Arkansas at MonticelloFollow

Keywords

Scaled Quail, Callipepla squamata, Palmer's Pigweed, Amaranthus palmeri, Food Energetics

Abstract

Palmer’s pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri) is a common grassland plant that occurs across much of North America. It is often considered a weed but is an important source of food for many game birds. We analyzed the energy content of seeds of Palmer’s pigweed obtained from the crops of scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) collected from plains-mesa sand-scrub habitat in Eddy and Lea counties, New Mexico. Seeds were dried for 48 hours at 60°C to remove moisture and then analyzed for gross caloric value (i.e., energy content) in an oxygen bomb calorimeter. Energy content of seeds of Palmer’s pigweed from New Mexico averaged 16.6 J/kg (4.0 kcal/g), and was among the lowest values obtained when compared to those of many seeds previously reported from the diet of scaled quail and other granivorous birds.

Recommended Citation

Hunt, John L.; Grilliot, Matthew E.; Best, Troy L.; Castillo, Isaac C.; Eddington, Paige E.; Johnson, Faith A.; Kilgore, Tyneshia L.; and Courson, Jacob H. (2021) "Energy Content of Seeds of Palmer’s Pigweed (Amaranthus palmeri) in the Diet of Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) in Southeastern New Mexico," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 75, Article 12.
https://doi.org/10.54119/jaas.2021.7504
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol75/iss1/12