Toxic quail

A cultural‐ecological investigation of coturnism

Bibliographic Data

ID14721686
AuthorsBruce W Kennedy (a 7672 Anita Lane, Huntington Beach, California, 92647), Louis Evan Grivetti (b Department of Nutrition , University of California , Davis, California, 95616)
Year1980
Volume9
Issue1
Pages15-41
Publication date1980-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEcology of Food and Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0367-0244 • E-ISSN: 1543-5237
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03670244.1980.9990580
OpenAlexW1972202290
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited67

Archaeological, mythological, and historical evidence reveals a long association between European Migratory Quail (Cotumix cotumix cotumix) and human diet. Despite this evidence cotumix presents a toxic threat to potential consumers in several European and African regions. The authors trace the history of coturnism (poisoning by toxic quail) and examine Sergent's hypothesis that human poisoning by quail is due to cotumix consumption of hemlock (Conium maculatum). Problems in four areas were identified with Sergent's hypothesis: (1) Hemlock seed kills quail, (2) Hemlock produces a sharp appetite depressant effect in quail, (3) Quail are toxic when hemlock seed is not available for consumption, and (4) Cotumix cannot accumulate toxic elements in hemlock seed. The authors suggest that a seed hypothesis remains a possibility, but that candidates must contain lipophyllic toxins. An alternative hypothesis is also advanced, based on human sensitivity to toxic metabolites accumulated by the quail during stress of migration

Biology · Quail · Zoology · Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies · Botanical Research and Chemistry · Plant Toxicity and Pharmacological Properties · Ecology

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