AUTHORS: Cy Marchese1, Caroline Skidmore1, Dave Haukos2, Dan Sullins2,
1Kansas State University Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit, Kansas State University
2 United States Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Kansas State University
ABSTRACT: In Kansas, a decline in Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive success has been observed, potentially reflecting broader population trends of this important game species. Factors such as predation, starvation, and hunting pressure create complex interactions that influence gamebird survival and reproduction, with varying effects among differing landscapes. To sustain or grow wild turkey populations, adequate poult survival is essential. Despite the importance of poult survival, a critical information gap remains regarding their diets in the Great Plains region. Previous studies, which relied on methods such as crop and fecal dissection are limited, invasive, and may introduce biased detection of soft-bodied prey items. Our study aims to address this gap by comparing the species richness and evenness of arthropods in the diets of wild turkey brood-rearing hens and their poults among three distinct regions and multiple cover types in Kansas. We collected fecal samples (n=246) from GPS-tracked wild turkey hens and their poults during the brood-rearing season (April–July) and used DNA metabarcoding to identify arthropod and plant taxa consumed. We grouped the samples by ecotype (grassland, cropland, woodland, shrubland) based on the 48-hour home ranges in which fecals were collected, linking diet composition to specific foraging areas. Preliminary analyses indicated that the top three arthropod orders consumed included Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera, while the top three plant orders were Poales, Brassicales, and Asterales. The total number of exact sequence variants (ESVs), which represent unique DNA sequences used to identify different species or taxa, was 2,153 for arthropods and 25 for plants. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining arthropod diversity across the landscape to support the dietary needs of wild turkey poults. Management strategies that promote the diversity and abundance of arthropods are important when working to enhance turkey populations throughout Kansas.
