
%0 Journal Article
%A Booth, DT 
%T Water Flux in Malleefowl, Leipoa-Ocellata Gould (Megapodiidae)
%J Australian Journal of Zoology
%D 1987/04/01
%V 35
%N 2
%P 147-159
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9870147
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/ZO9870147 
%X Water efflux of captive and free-ranging malleefowl Leiopa ocellata (body mass 2.0 kg) was monitored over a complete annual cycle. Water efflux in captive adult birds remained relatively constant throughout the study period and averaged 26.3 ml. kg-'.d-', which is 30% of the predicted rate based on allometric criteria. Water efflux of free-ranging birds was higher and more variable than in captive birds and averaged 49.0 ml. kg-'.d-', 56% of the predicted rate. The low water efflux rates of malleefowl indicate that this species is well adapted to an arid environment. Multiple regression analysis failed to find a significant relationship between rainfall or mean air temperature and water efflux rate in free-ranging birds. An examination of the literature on avian water flux indicated that rates obtained from studies on captive birds are lower than those obtained from free-ranging birds; it is suggested that allometric analysis should take this factor into account. Two allometric equations are presented, one for captive birds, the other for free-ranging birds. 
