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Bottini CLJ, Whiley RE, Branfireun BA, MacDougall-Shackleton SA. Effects of sublethal methylmercury and food stress on songbird energetic performance: metabolic rates, molt and feather quality. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246239. [PMID: 38856174 PMCID: PMC11418191 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Organisms regularly adjust their physiology and energy balance in response to predictable seasonal environmental changes. Stressors and contaminants have the potential to disrupt these critical seasonal transitions. No studies have investigated how simultaneous exposure to the ubiquitous toxin methylmercury (MeHg) and food stress affects birds' physiological performance across seasons. We quantified several aspects of energetic performance in song sparrows, Melospiza melodia, exposed or not to unpredictable food stress and MeHg in a 2×2 experimental design, over 3 months during the breeding season, followed by 3 months post-exposure. Birds exposed to food stress had reduced basal metabolic rate and non-significant higher factorial metabolic scope during the exposure period, and had a greater increase in lean mass throughout most of the experimental period. Birds exposed to MeHg had increased molt duration, and increased mass:length ratio of some of their primary feathers. Birds exposed to the combined food stress and MeHg treatment often had responses similar to the stress-only or MeHg-only exposure groups, suggesting these treatments affected physiological performance through different mechanisms and resulted in compensatory or independent effects. Because the MeHg and stress variables were selected in candidate models with a ΔAICc lower than 2 but the 95% confidence interval of these variables overlapped zero, we found weak support for MeHg effects on all measures except basal metabolic rate, and for food stress effects on maximum metabolic rate, factorial metabolic scope and feather mass:length ratio. This suggests that MeHg and food stress effects on these measures are statistically identified but not simple and/or were too weak to be detected via linear regression. Overall, combined exposure to ecologically relevant MeHg and unpredictable food stress during the breeding season does not appear to induce extra energetic costs for songbirds in the post-exposure period. However, MeHg effects on molt duration could carry over across multiple annual cycle stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L. J. Bottini
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Rebecca E. Whiley
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Brian A. Branfireun
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Biology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
| | - Scott A. MacDougall-Shackleton
- Advanced Facility for Avian Research, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6G 4W4, Canada
- The University of Western Ontario, Department of Psychology, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5C2, Canada
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2
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Amjad R, Ruby T, Ali K, Asad M, Imtiaz A, Masood S, Saeed MQ, Arshad M, Talib S, Alvi QTA, Khan A, Sharif MM. Exploring the effects of noise pollution on physiology and ptilochronology of birds. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305091. [PMID: 38900819 PMCID: PMC11189234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Short and long-term sound-induced stress on daily basis can affect the physiology of avian individuals because they are more susceptible to sound stress in an open environment. OBJECTIVES An ex-situ study was carried out to determine the impact of noise on physiology and ptilochronology of non-breeding male domesticated quail birds. METHODOLOGY During 60-days long trial, male quail birds, aged 5-weeks, weighing (c.100gm) were used. Out of 72 experimental birds, 18 birds were assigned to the Control Group (G1) while remaining 54 birds were divided equally into 3 treatment groups: Road Traffic noise (G2), Military activity noise (G3) and Human Activities noise (G4). Birds were housed in standard-sized separate cages (20 ×45 × 20 cm), every bird was kept apart in separate cage in open laboratory under maintained environmental conditions. Millet seeds and water were provided to all the experimental birds ad libitum. Noise originated from several sources of recorded high-intensity music (1125 Hz/ 90 dB), was administered for 5-6 hours per day. Observations were recorded in the morning and afternoon. The experiment was conducted during the non-breeding season from August to October in triplicate. Blood sampling was done after 60 days. RESULTS According to the current study, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentrations of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, and glucose while a decline in the levels of albumin was seen in treatment birds of G3. While in terms of hematology, total white blood cells count (TWBC), total red blood cells count (TRBC), mean cell volume (MCV) & packed cell volume (PCV) concentrations were raised in blood of treatment birds of G3. In terms of hormones, noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increased the serum concentrations of Corticosterone in G3 while a significant (p<0.05) decline was observed in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the same group. Moreover, fault bar formation in G3 was more prominent than others. CONCLUSION Noise stress can significantly affect serology, hematology, hormonal physiology and ptilochronology in quail birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rida Amjad
- Faculty of Chemical & Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Tahira Ruby
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Kashif Ali
- Department of Zoology, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asad
- Department of Zoology, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Imtiaz
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Samra Masood
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Qamar Saeed
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Maryam Arshad
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Saima Talib
- Department of Zoology, Government Sadiq College Women University, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Qura-tul Ain Alvi
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Afifa Khan
- Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Muazim Sharif
- Faculty of Chemical & Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
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3
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Bellot P, Brischoux F, Budzinski H, Dupont SM, Fritsch C, Hope SF, Michaud B, Pallud M, Parenteau C, Prouteau L, Rocchi S, Angelier F. Chronic exposure to tebuconazole alters thyroid hormones and plumage quality in house sparrows (Passer domesticus). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-28259-5. [PMID: 37365357 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28259-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Triazoles belong to a family of fungicides that are ubiquitous in agroecosystems due to their widespread use in crops. Despite their efficiency in controlling fungal diseases, triazoles are also suspected to affect non-target vertebrate species through the disruption of key physiological mechanisms. Most studies so far have focused on aquatic animal models, and the potential impact of triazoles on terrestrial vertebrates has been overlooked despite their relevance as sentinel species of contaminated agroecosystems. Here, we examined the impact of tebuconazole on the thyroid endocrine axis, associated phenotypic traits (plumage quality and body condition) and sperm quality in wild-caught house sparrows (Passer domesticus). We experimentally exposed house sparrows to realistic concentrations of tebuconazole under controlled conditions and tested the impact of this exposure on the levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), feather quality (size and density), body condition and sperm morphology. We found that exposure to tebuconazole caused a significant decrease in T4 levels, suggesting that this azole affects the thyroid endocrine axis, although T3 levels did not differ between control and exposed sparrows. Importantly, we also found that exposed females had an altered plumage structure (larger but less dense feathers) relative to control females. The impact of tebuconazole on body condition was dependent on the duration of exposure and the sex of individuals. Finally, we did not show any effect of exposure to tebuconazole on sperm morphology. Our study demonstrates for the first time that exposure to tebuconazole can alter the thyroid axis of wild birds, impact their plumage quality and potentially affect their body condition. Further endocrine and transcriptomic studies are now needed not only to understand the underlying mechanistic effects of tebuconazole on these variables, but also to further investigate their ultimate consequences on performance (i.e. reproduction and survival).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bellot
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France.
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Hélène Budzinski
- CNRS-EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, University of Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Sophie M Dupont
- BOREA, MNHN, CNRS 8067, SU, IRD 207, UCN, UA, 97233, Schoelcher, Martinique, France
- LIENSs, UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Clémentine Fritsch
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249, CNRS/Université de Franche-Comté, F-25000, Besançon, France
| | - Sydney F Hope
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Bruno Michaud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Marie Pallud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Charline Parenteau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Louise Prouteau
- CNRS-EPOC, UMR 5805, LPTC Research Group, University of Bordeaux, 33400, Talence, France
| | - Steffi Rocchi
- Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, UMR 6249, CNRS/Université de Franche-Comté, F-25000, Besançon, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
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4
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Amjad R, Ruby T, Talib S, Zahra S, Liaquat M, Batool A. Noise-induced hormonal & morphological malformations in breeding pigeons. BRAZ J BIOL 2023; 84:e271945. [PMID: 37255177 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.271945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pollution has the potential to have a significant impact on animal's health especially on birds due to daily exposure and habitat. This experimental study was carried out for a 60 days period in which, a total of 24 pigeon birds with suitable weight (80-100 g) were kept in Animal house with suitable environmental conditions viz, controlled temperature, humidity & light source to minimize any other stress. Out of twenty-four, eighteen birds were divided into three treatment groups (6 birds in each group). Whole experiment was run in triplicate manner in breeding season. One served as Control (Group 1) and remaining three were experimental groups including Road traffic noise (Group 2), Military noise (Group 3) & Human activities noise (Group 4). Noise was applied as recorded high intensity music (1125 Hz/ 90 dB) through speakers for 5-6 hrs. daily. Blood sampling was done after 20, 40 and 60 days by sacrificing treatment birds. Noise stress significantly (p<0.05) increase the serum levels of corticosterone and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Group 2 while significantly (p<0.05) decrease the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) of Group 3 birds. Moreover, major fault bars formation was seen both in Group 2 and Group 3. It was concluded as that Noise stress caused rise in serum levels of Corticosterone and TSH but fall in LH and FSH. Along with fault bars formation was also prominent in all treatment groups due to stress hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Amjad
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - T Ruby
- Bahauddin Zakariya University, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Zoology Division, Multan, Pakistan
| | - S Talib
- Government Sadiq College Women University, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - S Zahra
- Government Sadiq College Women University, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M Liaquat
- Bahauddin Zakariya University, Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Zoology Division, Multan, Pakistan
| | - A Batool
- University of Narowal, Department of Zoology, Narowal, Pakistan
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5
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Terrill RS, Shultz AJ. Feather function and the evolution of birds. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:540-566. [PMID: 36424880 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The ability of feathers to perform many functions either simultaneously or at different times throughout the year or life of a bird is integral to the evolutionary history of birds. Many studies focus on single functions of feathers, but any given feather performs many functions over its lifetime. These functions necessarily interact with each other throughout the evolution and development of birds, so our knowledge of avian evolution is incomplete without understanding the multifunctionality of feathers, and how different functions may act synergistically or antagonistically during natural selection. Here, we review how feather functions interact with avian evolution, with a focus on recent technological and discovery-based advances. By synthesising research into feather functions over hierarchical scales (pattern, arrangement, macrostructure, microstructure, nanostructure, molecules), we aim to provide a broad context for how the adaptability and multifunctionality of feathers have allowed birds to diversify into an astounding array of environments and life-history strategies. We suggest that future research into avian evolution involving feather function should consider multiple aspects of a feather, including multiple functions, seasonal wear and renewal, and ecological or mechanical interactions. With this more holistic view, processes such as the evolution of avian coloration and flight can be understood in a broader and more nuanced context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan S Terrill
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, 1600 Campus rd., Los Angeles, CA, 90042, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, 95382, USA
| | - Allison J Shultz
- Ornithology Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
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6
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Brown CL, Montina T, Inglis GD. Feather pulp: a novel substrate useful for proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolomics and biomarker discovery. Poult Sci 2022; 101:101866. [PMID: 35679673 PMCID: PMC9189206 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive biomarkers of stress that are predictive of poultry health are needed. Feather pulp is highly vascularized and represents a potential source of biomarkers that has not been extensively explored. We investigated the feasibility and use of feather pulp for novel biomarker discovery using 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)-based metabolomics. To this end, high quality NMR metabolomic spectra were obtained from chicken feather pulp extracted using either ultrafiltration (UF) or Bligh-Dyer methanol-chloroform (BD) methods. In total, 121 and 160 metabolites were identified using the UF and BD extraction methods, respectively, with 71 of these common to both methods. The metabolome of feather pulp differed in broiler breeders that were 1-, 23-, and 45-wk-of-age. Moreover, feather pulp was more difficult to obtain from older birds, indicating that age must be considered when targeting feather pulp as a source of biomarkers. The metabolomic profile of feather pulp obtained from 12-day-old broilers administered corticosterone differed from control birds, indicating that the metabolome of feather pulp was sensitive to induced physiological stress. A comparative examination of feather pulp and serum in broilers revealed that the feather pulp metabolome differed from that of serum but provided more information. The study findings show that metabolite biomarkers in chicken feather pulp may allow producers to effectively monitor stress, and to objectively develop and evaluate on-farm mitigations, including practices that reduce stress and enhance bird health.
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7
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Jenni-Eiermann S, Olano Marin J, Bize P. Variation in feather corticosterone levels in Alpine swift nestlings provides support for the hypo-responsive hypothesis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 316:113946. [PMID: 34822843 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In birds, feather corticosterone values (CORTf) are increasingly used as a retrospective and integrative proxy of an individual's physiological state during the period of feather growth. Relatively high CORTf values are usually interpreted as an indicator of exposure to energy-demanding or stressful conditions during feather growth. However, in nestlings this interpretation might not always hold true. The reasons are that, firstly nestlings (especially altricial ones) still develop their hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) reactivity during the growth of their feathers. Hence, at a young age, nestlings might be unable to mount a substantial adrenocortical stress response. Secondly, some species are able to down-regulate their metabolism during food scarcity and therewith probably also their CORT release. Consequently, CORTf values may not unambiguously reflect whether nestlings have suffered from energy-demanding or stress situations. Relatively high CORTf values might indicate either energy-demanding or stressful conditions ('stress responsive hypothesis'), or - conversely - favourable conditions during the period of feather growth ('hypo-responsive hypothesis'). In the altricial Alpine swift (Tachymarptis melba), we tested which factors help to distinguish between the two hypotheses by considering factors which affect CORT release (brood size, weather) and factors which are affected by high CORT levels (nestling size and condition). We measured CORTf in 205 nestlings over 7 years and collected data on brood size, body size, body condition and prevailing weather. Nestling CORTf values were positively correlated with body condition and negatively with adverse weather, supporting the hypo-responsive hypothesis. Results from the Alpine swift study, supplemented with a survey of the literature, show that relatively easily collected parameters on brood size, nestling size and condition, and environmental factors can help to distinguish between the two hypotheses. A meaningful interpretation of nestling CORTf should only be made in the context of species-specific traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pierre Bize
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Zoology Building, Tillydrone Avenue, AB24 2TZ, UK
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8
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Lendvai ÁZ, Tóth Z, Mahr K, Osváth G, Vogel-Kindgen S, Gander BA. Effects of experimental increase in insulin-like growth factor 1 on feather growth rate, moult intensity and feather quality in a passerine bird. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:269142. [PMID: 34124749 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Moulting is a crucial, yet often overlooked life-history stage in many animals, when they renew their integumental structures. This life-history stage is an energetically demanding somatic growth event that has particular importance in birds because feathers play a crucial role in flight, insulation and communication. Somatic growth processes are regulated by the evolutionarily conserved peptide hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). However, the role of IGF-1 in feather growth remains unknown. In this study, we captured 41 juvenile free-living bearded reedlings (Panurus biarmicus) that had started their first complete moult and brought them into captivity. Then, we manipulated their circulating IGF-1 levels using poly-(lactic-co-glycolid acid) microparticles (microspheres) that provide a sustained release of IGF-1. The treatment increased IGF-1 levels but did not affect the feather growth rate. However, 2 weeks after the treatment, birds in the increased IGF-1 group were moulting more feathers simultaneously than the controls and were at a more advanced stage of moult. Birds with experimentally increased IGF-1 levels had better quality feathers (measured by a lower number of fault bars) than the controls. These results suggest that an increase in IGF-1 does not speed up feather growth, but may alter moult intensity by initiating the renewal of several feathers simultaneously. This may shorten the overall moulting time but may imply costs in terms of IGF-1-induced oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Z Lendvai
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Tóth
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.,Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences , University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Katharina Mahr
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.,Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.,Juhász-Nagy Pál Doctoral School of Biology and Environmental Sciences , University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Museum of Zoology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Bruno A Gander
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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9
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Claunch NM, Holding M, Frazier JT, Huff EM, Schonour RB, Vernasco B, Moore IT, Rokyta DR, Taylor EN. Experimental Manipulation of Corticosterone Does Not Affect Venom Composition or Functional Activity in Free-Ranging Rattlesnakes. Physiol Biochem Zool 2021; 94:286-301. [PMID: 34166170 DOI: 10.1086/714936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AbstractVenom is an integral feeding trait in many animal species. Although venom often varies ontogenetically, little is known about the proximate physiological mediators of venom variation within individuals. The glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (CORT) can alter the transcription and activation of proteins, including homologues of snake venom components such as snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). CORT is endogenously produced by snakes, varies seasonally and also in response to stress, and is a candidate endogenous mediator of changes in venom composition and functional activity. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CORT induces changes in snake venom by sampling the venom of wild adult rattlesnakes before and after they were treated with either empty (control) or CORT-filled (treatment) Silastic implants. We measured longitudinal changes in whole-venom composition, whole-venom total protein content, and enzymatic activity of SVMP and PLA2 components of venom. We also assessed the within-individual repeatability of venom components. Despite successfully elevating plasma CORT in the treatment group, we found no effect of CORT treatment or average plasma CORT level on any venom variables measured. Except for total protein content, venom components were highly repeatable within individuals ([Formula: see text]). Our results indicate that the effects of CORT, a hormone commonly associated with stress and metabolic functions, in adult rattlesnake venom are negligible. Our findings bode well for venom researchers and biomedical applications that rely on the consistency of venoms produced from potentially stressed individuals and provide an experimental framework for future studies of proximate mediators of venom variation across an individual's life span.
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10
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Leishman EM, van Staaveren N, McIntyre DR, Mohr J, Wood BJ, Baes CF, Harlander-Matauschek A. Describing the growth and molt of modern domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) primary wing feathers. J Anim Sci 2021; 98:5986750. [PMID: 33205202 PMCID: PMC7755177 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of feathers as noninvasive physiological measurements of biomarkers in poultry research is expanding. Feather molting patterns and growth rates, however, are not well described in domestic poultry. These parameters could influence the measurement of these biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the juvenile primary feather molting patterns and feather growth rates for domestic turkeys. The 10 primary wing feathers of 48 female turkeys were measured weekly from week 1 (0 d of age) to week 20. Feathers were manually measured, and the presence or absence of each primary feather was recorded weekly. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate if feather growth differed between the primary feathers. The molting of the juvenile primary feathers followed a typical descending pattern starting with P1 (5 wk of age), while P9 and P10 had not molted by the end of the study (20 wk of age). The average feather growth rate was 2.4 cm/wk, although there was a significant difference between the 10 primary feathers (P < 0.0001, 2.1 to 2.8 cm/wk). Over time, feather growth followed a pattern where the growth rate reaches a peak and then declines until the feather is molted. The results of this study provide a critical update of patterns of molting and feather growth in primary wing feathers of modern turkeys. This can have implications for the interpretation of physiological biomarkers, such as the longitudinal deposition of corticosterone, in the feathers of domestic turkeys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Leishman
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Nienke van Staaveren
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department of Animal Biosciences, The Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jeff Mohr
- Department is Research and Development, Hybrid Turkeys, Kitchener, ON, Canada
| | - Benjamin J Wood
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Department is Research and Development, Hybrid Turkeys, Kitchener, ON, Canada.,School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christine F Baes
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Centre for the Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Harlander-Matauschek
- Department of Animal Biosciences, The Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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11
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Terrill RS. Simultaneous Wing Molt as a Catalyst for the Evolution of Flightlessness in Birds. Am Nat 2020; 196:775-784. [DOI: 10.1086/711416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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12
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Buttemer W, Addison B, Klasing K. The energy cost of feather replacement is not intrinsically inefficient. CAN J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Feathers serve a diversity of functions in birds and their continuous use and exposure to the environment requires a scheduled moult to maintain their full functionality. As feathers represent about 25% of a bird’s protein content, moult is expected to impose substantial energy and nutrient demands, but perhaps not to the extent reported. Energy conversion efficiencies for feather formation are among the lowest for any biological structure examined, but this assumes that increases in maintenance energy requirements (minimum resting metabolic rate (RMRmin)) during moult are predominately due to feather synthetic costs. We tested this assumption by comparing the RMRminand protein turnover rates of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) during peak moult and in a non-moulting cohort before and 12 days after having a similar amount of feathers plucked. Replacement of plucked feathers had no effect on metabolic rate, whereas RMRminwas 28% higher in moulting than in non-moulting House Sparrows. Protein turnover rates were lowest in non-moulting birds, but rate differences between non-moulting and moulting birds were threefold higher than those between non-moulting and plucked House Sparrows. Thus, the energy inefficiencies reported for feather replacement are mainly due to costs associated with coincident processes rather than being a direct cost of feather synthesis per se.
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Affiliation(s)
- W.A. Buttemer
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - B.A. Addison
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - K.C. Klasing
- Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA
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Arrazola A, Mosco E, Widowski TM, Guerin MT, Kiarie EG, Torrey S. The effect of alternative feeding strategies for broiler breeder pullets: 1. Welfare and performance during rearing. Poult Sci 2019; 98:3377-3390. [PMID: 31001626 PMCID: PMC6698192 DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Broiler breeders have impaired reproductive performance when fed to satiety but they can achieve an optimal hatching egg production under feed restriction. Feed restriction is a welfare concern due to signs of hunger, lack of satiety, and frustrated feeding motivation. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of a rationed alternative diet and non-daily feeding schedules on the performance and welfare of broiler breeder pullets reared under simulated commercial conditions. At 3 wk of age, 1,680 Ross 308 pullets were allocated to 24 pens fed with 1 of 4 treatments: 1) daily control diet (control); 2) daily alternative diet (40% soybean hulls and 1 to 5% calcium propionate); 3) 4/3 control diet (4 on-feed days per week; 3 non-consecutive off-feed days per week); and 4) graduated control diet (feeding frequency varied with age). Body weight and body weight uniformity were recorded at 3, 5, 7, 11, 17, and 21 wk of age. Pullets were scored for feather coverage, foot lesions, and hock burns biweekly. Physiological indicators (plasma glucose, corticosterone, hematology, and feather traits) and feeding motivation were also determined throughout rearing during on- and off-feed days. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed regression model, with pen nested in the model and age as a repeated measure. Compared to control, pullets under the 3 alternative feeding strategies had a lower feeding motivation during early rearing (P = 0.03), better feather coverage throughout rearing (P = 0.001), fewer feather fault bars (P = 0.006), and a delayed increase in the basophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.001). These results indicate that the 3 alternative feeding strategies (the alternative, the graduated, and the 4/3 schedule) may decrease feeding motivation and alleviate stress compared to the control, suggesting an overall improvement in broiler breeder welfare without negative consequences on their performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Arrazola
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elyse Mosco
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Tina M Widowski
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Michele T Guerin
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Elijah G Kiarie
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stephanie Torrey
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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14
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Berg ML, Knott B, Ribot RFH, Buchanan KL, Bennett ATD. Do glucocorticoids or carotenoids mediate plumage coloration in parrots? An experiment in Platycercus elegans. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 280:82-90. [PMID: 31002829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Conspicuous coloration can indicate phenotypic quality, and may reflect exposure or vulnerability to stress, or access to essential nutrients such as pigments. Although the production of pigmented colours is well understood, much less is known about how structural colours are affected by physiological state. In this study, we tested whether glucocorticoids (corticosterone) predicted expression of plumage coloration in an Australian parrot, the crimson rosella (Platycercus elegans). Parrots provide an interesting and unique test, as they possess conspicuous coloration produced by distinctive pigments known as psittacofulvins, in addition to structural coloration. We have previously documented that coloration in P. elegans is condition-dependent and responds to dietary manipulation. Here, n = 21 P. elegans underwent a dietary manipulation (including food restriction or carotenoid supplementation) during which they moulted, and the change in reflectance was measured for three structural and three pigmentary plumage patches. Stress-induced corticosterone (10 min after handling) measured at the start of the experiment predicted change in coloration in two pigmentary patches (crown and front). We also found that change in stress-induced corticosterone during the experiment was associated with the change in coloration of the crown and two structural patches (cheek and epaulette). Baseline corticosterone (<3 min after handling) was not associated with any measure of coloration. We found no effects of dietary manipulation on baseline or stress-induced corticosterone, but carotenoid supplementation was associated with an increase in a measure of chronic stress (heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), and the corticosterone response to handling decreased over the course of the study. Our results suggest that corticosterone may be linked to colour expression more broadly than previously recognised, including psittacofulvin and structural coloration in parrots, and they confirm the independence of plumage pigmentation in parrots from carotenoid accumulation. Moreover, our study provides new insight into the stress responses of Psittaciformes, one of the most highly threatened avian orders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew L Berg
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
| | - Ben Knott
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Raoul F H Ribot
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew T D Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
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15
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Sorensen MC, Dixit T, Kardynal KJ, Newton J, Hobson KA, Bensch S, Jenni‐Eiermann S, Spottiswoode CN. Migration distance does not predict blood parasitism in a migratory songbird. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:8294-8304. [PMID: 31380090 PMCID: PMC6662322 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Migration can influence host-parasite dynamics in animals by increasing exposure to parasites, by reducing the energy available for immune defense, or by culling of infected individuals. These mechanisms have been demonstrated in several comparative analyses; however, few studies have investigated whether conspecific variation in migration distance may also be related to infection risk. Here, we ask whether autumn migration distance, inferred from stable hydrogen isotope analysis of summer-grown feathers (δ 2Hf) in Europe, correlates with blood parasite prevalence and intensity of infection for willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) wintering in Zambia. We also investigated whether infection was correlated with individual condition (assessed via corticosterone, scaled mass index, and feather quality). We found that 43% of birds were infected with Haemoproteus palloris (lineage WW1). Using generalized linear models, we found no relationship between migration distance and either Haemoproteus infection prevalence or intensity. There was spatial variation in breeding ground origins of infected versus noninfected birds, with infected birds originating from more northern sites than noninfected birds, but this difference translated into only slightly longer estimated migration distances (~214 km) for infected birds. We found no relationship between body condition indices and Haemoproteus infection prevalence or intensity. Our results do not support any of the proposed mechanisms for migration effects on host-parasite dynamics and cautiously suggest that other factors may be more important for determining individual susceptibility to disease in migratory bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie C. Sorensen
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Tanmay Dixit
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | | | - Jason Newton
- NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry FacilityScottish Universities Environmental Research CentreEast KilbrideUK
| | - Keith A. Hobson
- Environment and Climate Change CanadaSaskatoonSaskatchewanCanada
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Western OntarioLondonOntarioCanada
| | | | | | - Claire N. Spottiswoode
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence at the FitzPatrick Institute of African OrnithologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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16
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Dupont SM, Grace JK, Brischoux F, Angelier F. Post-natal corticosterone exposure affects ornaments in adult male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 276:45-51. [PMID: 30831120 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, the ontogeny of several crucial organismal systems is known to occur early in life. Developmental conditions can ultimately have important consequences on adult fitness by affecting individual phenotype. These developmental effects are thought to be primarily mediated by endocrine systems, and especially by glucocorticoids. In this study, we tested how post-natal exposure to corticosterone (the primary avian glucocorticoid) may subsequently affect the expression of ornaments in adult male house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Specifically, we investigated the long-term consequences of this manipulation on the size and color of several visual signals: badge, wing bar, tarsus and beak. Post-natal corticosterone exposure had a strong negative impact on the size, but not the color, of some male ornaments (badge and wing bar surface area). Because wing bar and badge surface area are used as sexual and/or hierarchical signals in house sparrow, we showed that early life stress can affect some aspect of attractiveness and social status in this species with potentially important fitness consequences (e.g. sexual selection and reproductive performance). Future studies need now to explore the costs and benefits of this developmental plasticity for individuals (i.e. fitness).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie M Dupont
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France.
| | - Jacquelyn K Grace
- Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-ULR, UMR 7372, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
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17
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Valdez‐Juarez SO, Krebs EA, Drake AE, Green DJ. Assessing the effect of seasonal agriculture on the condition and winter survival of a migratory songbird in Mexico. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Simon O. Valdez‐Juarez
- Department of Biological SciencesCentre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University Burnaby British Columbia Canada
| | - Elizabeth A. Krebs
- Wildlife Research DivisionWildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada Delta British Columbia Canada
| | - Anna E. Drake
- Department of Biological SciencesCentre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University Burnaby British Columbia Canada
- Department of Forest and Conservation SciencesUniversity of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia Canada
| | - David J. Green
- Department of Biological SciencesCentre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University Burnaby British Columbia Canada
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18
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Buttemer WA, Bauer S, Emmenegger T, Dimitrov D, Peev S, Hahn S. Moult-related reduction of aerobic scope in passerine birds. J Comp Physiol B 2019; 189:463-470. [DOI: 10.1007/s00360-019-01213-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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19
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Sarpong K, Madliger CL, Harris CM, Love OP, Doucet SM, Bitton PP. Baseline corticosterone does not reflect iridescent plumage traits in female tree swallows. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 270:123-130. [PMID: 30392885 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The production of high quality secondary sexual traits can be constrained by trade-offs in the allocation of energy and nutrients with other metabolic activities, and is mediated by physiological processes. In birds, the factors influencing male plumage quality have been well studied; however, factors affecting female plumage quality are poorly understood. Furthermore, it remains uncertain which physiological traits mediate the relationship between body condition and ornaments. In this three-year study of after-second-year female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), we investigated (1) the relationship between baseline corticosterone near the end of the brood-rearing period (CORTBR) and feather colour characteristics (hue, saturation, brightness) the following year, and (2) the relationship between baseline corticosterone measured during incubation (CORTI) and brood rearing (CORTBR), and feather colour in the same year. To control for reproductive effort, we included reproductive parameters as covariates in all analyses. In this first study between CORT and the plumage colour characteristics of a species bearing iridescent feathers, we did not find any relationship between CORTBR and the colour of subsequently-produced feathers, nor did we find any relationship between CORT and the colour of feathers displayed during that breeding season. If CORT levels at the end of breeding carry over to influence the immediately subsequent moult period as we expect, our results generally indicate that structural plumage quality may not be as sensitive to circulating CORT levels compared to carotenoid-based colouration. Future studies, particularly those employing experimental manipulations of CORT during moult in species with iridescent traits, are necessary to fully determine the role glucocorticoids play in mediating the quality of secondary sexual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keneth Sarpong
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Christine L Madliger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Christopher M Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Stéphanie M Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
| | - Pierre-Paul Bitton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada.
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20
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James C, Asher L, Herborn K, Wiseman J. The effect of supplementary ultraviolet wavelengths on broiler chicken welfare indicators. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018; 209:55-64. [PMID: 30510331 PMCID: PMC6222521 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
Qualities of the light environment are important for good welfare in a number of species. In chickens, UVA light is visible and may facilitate flock interactions. UVB wavelengths promote endogenous vitamin D synthesis, which could support the rapid skeletal development of broiler chickens. The aim of the study was to investigate the impacts of Ultraviolet wavelengths (UV) on welfare indicators in broiler chickens. Day-old Ross 308 birds reared under commercially representative conditions were randomly assigned to one of three lighting treatments: A) White Light Emitting Diode (LED) and supplementary UVA LED lighting (18-hour photoperiod); B) White LED with supplementary UVA and UVB fluorescent lighting providing 30 micro watts/cm2 UVB at bird level (on for 8 h of the total photoperiod to avoid over-exposure of UVB); C) White LED control group, representative of farm conditions (18-hour photoperiod). Welfare indicators measured were; feather condition (day 24, n = 546), tonic immobility duration (day 29, n = 302), and gait quality, using the Bristol Gait Score (day 31, n = 293). Feather condition was improved in male broilers in the UVA treatment (A), compared to the control treatment (C). Birds in the UVA treatment had shorter tonic immobility durations compared to the control treatment (C), suggesting lower fearfulness. Broilers reared in UVA (A) and UVA + UVB (B) had better Bristol Gait Scores compared to the control (C). Together these results suggest UV may be beneficial for broiler chicken welfare. While treatment A and B both provided UVA, the improvements in welfare indicators were not consistent, which may be due to exposure time-dependent beneficial effects of UVA. The modification of commercial lighting regimes to incorporate UVA wavelengths for indoor-reared broiler chickens would be an achievable change with significant positive impacts on bird welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte James
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK
| | - Lucy Asher
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution IoN, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Newcastle, UK
| | - Katherine Herborn
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution IoN, Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building, Newcastle, UK
| | - Julian Wiseman
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, UK
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21
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de Bruijn R, Romero LM. The role of glucocorticoids in the vertebrate response to weather. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 269:11-32. [PMID: 30012539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the environment related to inclement weather can threaten survival and reproductive success both through direct adverse exposure and indirectly by decreasing food availability. Glucocorticoids, released during activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as part of the stress response, are an important candidate for linking vertebrate coping mechanisms to weather. This review attempts to determine if there is a consensus response of glucocorticoids to exposure to weather-related stimuli, including food availability, precipitation, temperature and barometric pressure. The included studies cover field and laboratory studies for all vertebrate taxa, and are separated into four exposure periods, e.g., hours, days, weeks and months. Each reported result was assigned a score based on the glucocorticoid response, e.g., increased, no change, or decreased. Short-term exposure to weather-related stimuli, of up to 24 h, is generally associated with increased glucocorticoids (79% of studies), suggesting that these stimuli are perceived as stressors by most animals. In contrast, the pattern for exposures longer than 24 h shows more variation, even though a majority of studies still report an increase (64%). Lack of glucocorticoid increases appeared to result from instances where: (1) prolonged exposure was a predictable part of the life history of an animal; (2) environmental context was important for the ultimate effect of a stimulus (e.g., precipitation limited food availability in one environment, but increased food in another); (3) prolonged exposure induced chronic stress; and (4) long-term responses appeared to reflect adaptations to seasonal shifts, instead of to short-term weather. However, there is a strong bias towards studies in domesticated laboratory species and wild animals held in captivity, indicating a need for field studies, especially in reptiles and amphibians. In conclusion, the accumulated literature supports the hypothesis that glucocorticoids can serve as the physiological mechanism promoting fitness during inclement weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert de Bruijn
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| | - L Michael Romero
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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22
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Salleh Hudin N, Teyssier A, Aerts J, Fairhurst GD, Strubbe D, White J, De Neve L, Lens L. Do wild-caught urban house sparrows show desensitized stress responses to a novel stressor? Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.031849. [PMID: 29632231 PMCID: PMC6031342 DOI: 10.1242/bio.031849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While urbanization exposes individuals to novel challenges, urban areas may also constitute stable environments in which seasonal fluctuations are buffered. Baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone (cort) levels are often found to be similar in urban and rural populations. Here we aimed to disentangle two possible mechanisms underlying such pattern: (i) urban environments are no more stressful or urban birds have a better ability to habituate to stressors; or (ii) urban birds developed desensitized stress responses. We exposed wild-caught urban and rural house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to combined captivity and diet treatments (urban versus rural diet) and measured corticosterone levels both in natural tail feathers and in regrown homologous ones (cortf). Urban and rural house sparrows showed similar cortf levels in the wild and in response to novel stressors caused by the experiment, supporting the growing notion that urban environments are no more stressful during the non-breeding season than are rural ones. Still, juveniles and males originating from urban populations showed the highest cortf levels in regrown feathers. We did not find evidence that cortf was consistent within individuals across moults. Our study stresses the need for incorporating both intrinsic and environmental factors for the interpretation of variation in cortf between populations. Summary: Corticosterone in natural and regrown feathers was similar between urban and rural birds. Sex and age related to corticosterone in regrown feathers. Feather corticosterone was not consistent across different moults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraine Salleh Hudin
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science & Mathematics, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Aimeric Teyssier
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johan Aerts
- Stress Physiology Research Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium.,Stress Physiology Research Group, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Graham D Fairhurst
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5E2 Canada
| | - Diederik Strubbe
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joël White
- Laboratoire Evolution & Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 CNRS-Université Paul Sabatier-IRD-ENSFEA, 118 route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Liesbeth De Neve
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Department of Biology, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Wingfield JC, Hau M, Boersma PD, Romero LM, Hillgarth N, Ramenofsky M, Wrege P, Scheibling R, Kelley JP, Walker B, Wikelski M. Effects of El Niño and La Niña Southern Oscillation events on the adrenocortical responses to stress in birds of the Galapagos Islands. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 259:20-33. [PMID: 29106968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
El Niño Southern Oscillation events (ENSO) and the subsequent opposite weather patterns in the following months and years (La Niña) have major climatic impacts, especially on oceanic habitats, affecting breeding success of both land and sea birds. We assessed corticosterone concentrations from blood samples during standardized protocols of capture, handling and restraint to simulate acute stress from 12 species of Galapagos Island birds during the ENSO year of 1998 and a La Niña year of 1999. Plasma levels of corticosterone were measured in samples collected at capture (to represent non-stressed baseline) and subsequently up to 1 h post-capture to give maximum corticosterone following acute stress, and total amount of corticosterone that the individual was exposed to during the test period (integrated corticosterone). Seabird species that feed largely offshore conformed to the brood value hypothesis whereas inshore feeding species showed less significant changes. Land birds mostly revealed no differences in the adrenocortical responses to acute stress from year to year with the exception of two small species (<18 g) that had an increase in baseline and stress responses in the ENSO year - contrary to predictions. We suggest that a number of additional variables, including body size and breeding stage may have to be considered as explanations for why patterns in some species deviated from our predictions. Nevertheless, comparative studies like ours are important for improving our understanding of the hormonal and reproductive responses of vertebrates to large scale weather patterns and global climate change in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Wingfield
- Department of Biology, Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Michaela Hau
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Max-Planck-Institut für Ornithologie, Seewiesen, and Univerzsity of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - P Dee Boersma
- Department of Biology, Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | - Nigella Hillgarth
- Center for Ecosystem Sentinels, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 95195, USA
| | - Marilyn Ramenofsky
- Department of Biology, Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | | | - Robert Scheibling
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - J Patrick Kelley
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Brian Walker
- Department of Biology, Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Biology, Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Max-Planck-Institut für Ornithologie, Seewiesen, and Univerzsity of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Vágási CI, Pătraș L, Pap PL, Vincze O, Mureșan C, Németh J, Lendvai ÁZ. Experimental increase in baseline corticosterone level reduces oxidative damage and enhances innate immune response. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192701. [PMID: 29432437 PMCID: PMC5809056 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are significant regulators of homeostasis. The physiological effects of GCs critically depend on the time of exposure (short vs. long) as well as on their circulating levels (baseline vs. stress-induced). Previous experiments, in which chronic and high elevation of GC levels was induced, indicate that GCs impair both the activity of the immune system and the oxidative balance. Nonetheless, our knowledge on how mildly elevated GC levels, a situation much more common in nature, might influence homeostasis is limited. Therefore, we studied whether an increase in GC level within the baseline range suppresses or enhances condition (body mass, hematocrit and coccidian infestation) and physiological state (humoral innate immune system activity and oxidative balance). We implanted captive house sparrows Passer domesticus with either 60 days release corticosterone (CORT) or control pellets. CORT-treated birds had elevated baseline CORT levels one week after the implantation, but following this CORT returned to its pre-treatment level and the experimental groups had similar CORT levels one and two months following the implantation. The mass of tail feathers grown during the initial phase of treatment was smaller in treated than in control birds. CORT implantation had a transient negative effect on body mass and hematocrit, but both of these traits resumed the pre-treatment values by one month post-treatment. CORT treatment lowered oxidative damage to lipids (malondialdehyde) and enhanced constitutive innate immunity at one week and one month post-implantation. Our findings suggest that a relatively short-term (i.e. few days) elevation of baseline CORT might have a positive and stimulatory effect on animal physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csongor I. Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- * E-mail: (CIV); (ÁZL)
| | - Laura Pătraș
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Cosmin Mureșan
- Emergency Hospital, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - József Németh
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ádám Z. Lendvai
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- * E-mail: (CIV); (ÁZL)
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25
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Al Rubaiee Z, Al Murayati H, Nielsen JT, Møller AP. Fungi, feather damage, and risk of predation. Ecol Evol 2018; 7:10797-10803. [PMID: 29299258 PMCID: PMC5743683 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation is a powerful selective force with important effects on behavior, morphology, life history, and evolution of prey. Parasites may change body condition, health status, and ability to escape from or defend prey against predators. Once a prey individual has been detected, it can rely on a diversity of means of escape from the pursuit by the predator. Here we tested whether prey of a common raptor differed in terms of fungi from nonprey recorded at the same sites using the goshawk Accipiter gentilis and its avian prey as a model system. We found a positive association between the probability of falling prey to the raptor and the presence and the abundance of fungi. Birds with a specific composition of the community of fungi had higher probability of falling prey to a goshawk than individual hosts with fewer fungi. These findings imply that fungi may play a significant role in predator–prey interactions. The probability of having damaged feathers increased with the number of fungal colonies, and in particular the abundance of Myceliophthora verrucos and Schizophyllum sp. was positively related to the probability of having damaged feathers. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the rate of feather growth of goshawk prey with birds with more fungi being more likely to be depredated. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that survival and feather quality of birds are related to abundance and diversity of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Al Rubaiee
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
| | - Haider Al Murayati
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
| | | | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
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26
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Johns DW, Marchant TA, Fairhurst GD, Speakman JR, Clark RG. Biomarker of burden: Feather corticosterone reflects energetic expenditure and allostatic overload in captive waterfowl. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David W. Johns
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Canada
| | | | - Graham D. Fairhurst
- Department of Veterinary PathologyUniversity of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Canada
| | - John R. Speakman
- Institute of Biochemical and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Aberdeen Aberdeen UK
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Robert G. Clark
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Canada
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research CentreEnvironment and Climate Change CanadaSaskatoonCanada
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27
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Salleh Hudin N, De Neve L, Strubbe D, Fairhurst GD, Vangestel C, Peach WJ, Lens L. Supplementary feeding increases nestling feather corticosterone early in the breeding season in house sparrows. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:6163-6171. [PMID: 28861222 PMCID: PMC5574790 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies on birds have proposed that a lack of invertebrate prey in urbanized areas could be the main cause for generally lower levels of breeding success compared to rural habitats. Previous work on house sparrows Passer domesticus found that supplemental feeding in urbanized areas increased breeding success but did not contribute to population growth. Here, we hypothesize that supplementary feeding allows house sparrows to achieve higher breeding success but at the cost of lower nestling quality. As abundant food supplies may permit both high‐ and low‐quality nestlings to survive, we also predict that within‐brood variation in proxies of nestling quality would be larger for supplemental food broods than for unfed broods. As proxies of nestling quality, we considered feather corticosterone (CORTf), body condition (scaled mass index, SMI), and tarsus‐based fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Our hypothesis was only partially supported as we did not find an overall effect of food supplementation on FA or SMI. Rather, food supplementation affected nestling phenotype only early in the breeding season in terms of elevated CORTf levels and a tendency for more variable within‐brood CORTf and FA. Early food supplemented nests therefore seemed to include at least some nestlings that faced increased stressors during development, possibly due to harsher environmental (e.g., related to food and temperature) conditions early in the breeding season that would increase sibling competition, especially in larger broods. The fact that CORTf was positively, rather than inversely, related to nestling SMI further suggests that factors influencing CORTf and SMI are likely operating over different periods or, alternatively, that nestlings in good nutritional condition also invest in high‐quality feathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noraine Salleh Hudin
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium.,Department of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science & Mathematics Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Tanjong Malim Perak Malaysia
| | - Liesbeth De Neve
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Diederik Strubbe
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Graham D Fairhurst
- Department of Biology University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
| | - Carl Vangestel
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium.,Joint Experimental Molecular Unit Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Brussels Belgium
| | - Will J Peach
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science RSPB Sandy Bedfordshire UK
| | - Luc Lens
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit Department of Biology Ghent University Ghent Belgium
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28
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Claunch NM, Frazier JA, Escallón C, Vernasco BJ, Moore IT, Taylor EN. Physiological and behavioral effects of exogenous corticosterone in a free-ranging ectotherm. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 248:87-96. [PMID: 28237812 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In the face of global change, free-ranging organisms are expected to experience more unpredictable stressors. An understanding of how organisms with different life history strategies will respond to such changes is an integral part of biodiversity conservation. Corticosterone (CORT) levels are often used as metrics to assess the population health of wild vertebrates, despite the fact that the stress response and its effects on organismal function are highly variable. Our understanding of the stress response is primarily derived from studies on endotherms, leading to some contention on the effects of chronic stress across and within taxa. We assessed the behavioral and hormonal responses to experimentally elevated stress hormone levels in a free-ranging, arid-adapted ectotherm, the Southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus helleri). Plasma CORT was significantly elevated in CORT-implanted snakes 15days after implantation. Implantation with CORT did not affect testosterone (T) levels or defensive behavior. Interestingly, we observed increased defensive behavior in snakes with more stable daily body temperatures and in snakes with higher plasma T during handling (tubing). Regardless of treatment group, those individuals with lower baseline CORT levels and higher body temperatures tended to exhibit greater increases in CORT levels following a standardized stressor. These results suggest that CORT may not mediate physiological and behavioral trait expression in arid-adapted ectotherms such as rattlesnakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie M Claunch
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA.
| | - Julius A Frazier
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
| | - Camilo Escallón
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ben J Vernasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Ignacio T Moore
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Emily N Taylor
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
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Abstract
Recent data suggest that, in animals living in social groups, stress-induced changes in behavior have the potential to act as a source of information, so that stressed individuals could themselves act as stressful stimuli for other individuals with whom they interact repeatedly. Such form of cross-over of stress may be beneficial if it enhances adaptive responses to ecological stressors in the shared environment. However, whether stress can be transferred among individuals during early life in natural populations remains unknown. Here we tested the effect of living with stressed siblings in a gull species where, as in many vertebrates, family represents the basic social unit during development. By experimentally modifying the level of stress hormones (corticosterone) in brood mates, we demonstrate that the social transfer of stress level triggers similar stress responses (corticosterone secretion) in brood bystanders. Corticosterone-implanted chicks and their siblings were faster in responding to a potential predator attack than control chicks. In gulls, fast and coordinated reactions to predators may increase the chances of survival of the whole brood, suggesting a beneficial fitness value of cross-over of stress. However, our data also indicate that living with stressed brood mates early in life entails some long-term costs. Near independence, fledglings that grew up with stressed siblings showed reduced body size, high levels of oxidative damage in lipids and proteins, and a fragile juvenile plumage. Overall, our results indicate that stress cross-over occurs in animal populations and may have important fitness consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- José C Noguera
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Sin-Yeon Kim
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
| | - Alberto Velando
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo 36310, Spain
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30
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Chatelain M, Pessato A, Frantz A, Gasparini J, Leclaire S. Do trace metals influence visual signals? Effects of trace metals on iridescent and melanic feather colouration in the feral pigeon. OIKOS 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.04262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Chatelain
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Inst. d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
- Warsaw Univ., Center of New Technologies, S. Banacha 2c; PL-02-097 Warsaw Poland
| | - Anaϊs Pessato
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175, CNRS; Montpellier France
| | - Adrien Frantz
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Inst. d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
| | - Julien Gasparini
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Inst. d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris; Paris France
| | - Sarah Leclaire
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, UMR 5175, CNRS; Montpellier France
- Laboratoire Evolution and Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 (CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, ENFA); Toulouse France
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31
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Aharon-Rotman Y, Buchanan KL, Klaassen M, Buttemer WA. An experimental examination of interindividual variation in feather corticosterone content in the house sparrow, Passer domesticus in southeast Australia. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 244:93-100. [PMID: 26699204 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Non-invasive techniques for measuring glucocorticoids (GCs) have become more prevalent, due to the advantage of eliminating the effects of animal disturbance on GC levels and their potential to provide an integrated, historic estimate of circulating GC levels. In the case of birds, corticosterone (CORT) is deposited in feathers, and may reflect a bird's GC status over the period of feather synthesis. This technique thus permits a retrospective view of the average circulating GC levels during the moult period. While it is generally assumed that differences in feather CORT content (CORTf) between individuals reflects their different stress histories during either natural or induced moult, it is not clear how much of this variation is due to extrinsic versus intrinsic factors. We examined this question by determining CORTf in free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus) from two populations, one urban and the other rural, that were plucked before and after exposure to different plasma CORT levels while held captive. We experimentally manipulated plasma CORT by implanting birds with either a corticosterone-filled, metyrapone-filled, or empty ('sham') silastic capsule as replacement feathers first emerged. The pattern of post-treatment CORTf was consistent with our expectations, based on plasma CORT levels of an experimentally implanted reference group. However, there was no statistically significant difference in CORTf between these treatment groups unless sex, population origin, and CORTf of original feathers for each individual were included in a model. Thus, birds with higher CORTf in feathers removed for this experiment tended to have higher CORTf in post-treatment replacement feathers, irrespective of treatment. In addition, we found that feather fault bar scores were significantly higher in CORT-treated birds than in the other two treatment groups, but did not vary directly with CORTf level. Our study therefore broadly confirms the use of feathers as a non-invasive tool to estimate plasma CORT during moult in birds, but importantly demonstrates the potential for intrinsic differences in stress characteristics between populations and individuals to obscure the effects extrinsic stressors might have on CORTf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaara Aharon-Rotman
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; Department of Zoology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Katherine L Buchanan
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Marcel Klaassen
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - William A Buttemer
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
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32
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Harris CM, Madliger CL, Love OP. An evaluation of feather corticosterone as a biomarker of fitness and an ecologically relevant stressor during breeding in the wild. Oecologia 2017; 183:987-996. [PMID: 28214946 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Feather corticosterone (CORT) levels are increasingly employed as biomarkers of environmental stress. However, it is unclear if feather CORT levels reflect stress and/or workload in the wild. We investigated whether feather CORT represents a biomarker of environmental stress and reproductive effort in tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Specifically, we examined whether individual state and investment during reproduction could predict feather CORT levels in subsequently moulted feathers and whether those levels could predict future survival and reproductive success. Through a manipulation of flight cost during breeding, we also investigated whether an increase in stress level would be reflected in subsequently grown feathers, and whether those levels could predict future success. We found that CORT levels of feathers grown during moult did not (1) reflect past breeding experience (n = 29), (2) predict reproductive output (n = 18), or (3) respond to a manipulation of flight effort during reproduction (10 experimental, 14 control females). While higher feather CORT levels predicted higher return rate (a proxy for survival), they did so only in the manipulated group (n = 36), and this relationship was opposite to expected. Overall, our results add to the mixed literature reporting that feather CORT levels can be positively, negatively, or not related to proxies of within-season and longer-term fitness (i.e., carryover effects). In addition, our results indicate that CORT levels or disturbances experienced during one time (e.g., breeding) may not carry over to subsequent stages (e.g., moult). We, therefore, petition for directed research investigating whether feather CORT represents exposure to chronic stress in feathers grown during moult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada.
| | - Christine L Madliger
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER), University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
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33
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Pap PL, Vincze O, Wekerle B, Daubner T, Vágási CI, Nudds RL, Dyke GJ, Osváth G. A phylogenetic comparative analysis reveals correlations between body feather structure and habitat. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Beatrix Wekerle
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
| | - Timea Daubner
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Robert L. Nudds
- Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester ManchesterM13 9PT UK
| | - Gareth J. Dyke
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
- Museum of Zoology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
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34
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Romero LM, Fairhurst GD. Measuring corticosterone in feathers: Strengths, limitations, and suggestions for the future. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2016; 202:112-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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35
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Fokidis HB. Sources of variation in plasma corticosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in the male northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis): I. Seasonal patterns and effects of stress and adrenocorticotropic hormone. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2016; 235:192-200. [PMID: 27255363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The secretion of steroids from the adrenal gland is a classic endocrine response to perturbations that can affect homeostasis. During an acute stress response, glucocorticoids (GC), such as corticosterone (CORT), prepare the metabolic physiology and cognitive abilities of an animal in a manner that promotes survival during changing conditions. Although GC functions during stress are well established, much less is understood concerning how adrenal androgens, namely dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are influenced by stress. I conducted three field studies (one experimental and two descriptive) aimed at identifying how both CORT and DHEA secretion in free-living male northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), vary during acute stress; across different circulations (brachial vs. jugular); in response to ACTH challenge; and during the annual cycle. As predicted, restraint stress increased plasma CORT, but unexpectedly DHEA levels decreased, but the latter effect was only seen for blood sampled from the jugular vein, and not the brachial. The difference in DHEA between circulations may result from increased neural uptake of DHEA during stress. Injection with exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) increased CORT concentrations, but failed to alter DHEA levels, thus suggesting ACTH is not a direct regulator of DHEA. Monthly field sampling revealed distinct seasonal patterns to both initial and restraint stress CORT and DHEA levels with distinct differences in the steroid milieu between breeding and non-breeding seasons. These data suggest that the CORT response to stress remains relatively consistent, but DHEA secretion is largely independent of the response by CORT. Although CORT functions have been well-studied in wild animals, little research exists for the role of DHEA and their variable relationship sets the stage for future experimental research addressing steroid stress responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Bobby Fokidis
- Department of Biology, Rollins College, Winter Park, FL 37289, USA.
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36
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Lifetime variation in feather corticosterone levels in a long-lived raptor. Oecologia 2016; 183:315-326. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3708-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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37
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Innate immunity and testosterone rapidly respond to acute stress, but is corticosterone at the helm? J Comp Physiol B 2016; 186:907-18. [PMID: 27188192 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-016-0996-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
When faced with a stressor, vertebrates can rapidly increase the secretion of glucocorticoids, which is thought to improve the chances of survival. Concurrent changes in other physiological systems, such as the reproductive endocrine or innate immune systems, have received less attention, particularly in wild vertebrates. It is often thought that glucocorticoids directly modulate immune performance during a stress response, but, in many species, androgens also rapidly respond to stress. However, to our knowledge, no study has simultaneously examined the interactions between the glucocorticoid, androgen, and innate immune responses to stress in a wild vertebrate. To address this issue, we tested the hypothesis that the change in plasma corticosterone (CORT) in response to the acute stress of capture and restraint is correlated with the concurrent changes in plasma testosterone (T) and innate immune performance (estimated by the capacity of plasma to agglutinate and lyse foreign cells) in the Abert's Towhee (Melozone aberti). Furthermore, to broaden the generality of the findings, we compared male and female towhees, as well as males from urban and non-urban populations. Acute stress increased plasma CORT, decreased plasma T in males, and decreased innate immune performance, but the increase in CORT during stress was not correlated with the corresponding decreases in either plasma T or innate immunity. By contrast, the plasma T stress response was positively correlated with the innate immune stress response. Collectively, our results challenge the proposition that the glucocorticoid stress response is correlated with the concurrent changes in plasma T, a key reproductive hormone, and innate immunity, as estimated by agglutination and lysis.
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38
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Schwabl P, Bonaccorso E, Goymann W. Diurnal variation in corticosterone release among wild tropical forest birds. Front Zool 2016; 13:19. [PMID: 27152116 PMCID: PMC4857432 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-016-0151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucocorticoids are adrenal steroid hormones essential to homeostatic maintenance. Their daily variation at low concentrations regulates physiology and behavior to sustain proper immunological and metabolic function. Glucocorticoids rise well above these baseline levels during stress to elicit emergency-state responses that increase short-term survival. Despite this essence in managing life processes under both regular and adverse conditions, relationships of glucocorticoid release to environmental and intrinsic factors that vary at daily and seasonal scales are rarely studied in the wild. METHODS This study on 41 passerine species of the Ecuadorian Chocó applied a standardized capture-and-restraint protocol to examine diurnal variation in baseline and stress-related release of corticosterone, the primary avian glucocorticoid. Tests for relationships to relative body mass, hemoglobin concentration, molt status and date complemented this evaluation of the time of day effect on corticosterone secretion in free-living tropical rainforest birds. Analyses were also partitioned by sex as well as performed separately on two common species, the wedge-billed woodcreeper and olive-striped flycatcher. RESULTS Interspecific analyses indicated maximum baseline corticosterone levels at the onset of the active phase and reductions thereafter. Stress-related levels did not correspond to time of day but accompanied baseline reductions during molt and elevations in birds sampled later during the September - November study period. Baseline corticosterone related negatively to hemoglobin in the wedge-billed woodcreeper and stress-related levels increased with body mass in the olive-striped flycatcher. There were no substantial sex-related differences. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest a diurnal rhythmicity in baseline corticosterone release so robust as to emerge in pooled analyses across a highly variable dataset. While this detection in nature is singular, correspondent patterns have been demonstrated outside of the tropics in captive model species. Congruity in daily rhythms and links to physiological and life-history state across disparate taxa and environments may promote the yet unresolved utility of corticosterone release as a global metric for population health. However, certain results of this study also deviate from laboratory and field research at higher latitudes, cautioning generalization. Environmental distinctions such as high productivity and tempered seasonality may precipitate unique life-history strategies and underlying hormonal mechanisms in tropical rainforest birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Schwabl
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK
| | - Elisa Bonaccorso
- Centro para la Investigación de la Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático, Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica, Machala y Sabanilla, Cotocollao, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Wolfgang Goymann
- Abteilung für Verhaltensneurobiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Ornithologie, Eberhard-Gwinner-Str. 6a, D-82319 Seewiesen, Germany
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López-Jiménez L, Blas J, Tanferna A, Cabezas S, Marchant T, Hiraldo F, Sergio F. Effects of Ontogeny, Diel Rhythms, and Environmental Variation on the Adrenocortical Physiology of Semialtricial Black Kites (Milvus migrans). Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:213-24. [DOI: 10.1086/684966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Jovani R, Rohwer S. Fault bars in bird feathers: mechanisms, and ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1113-1127. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Jovani
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC); Avenida Americo Vespucio s/n 41092 Seville Spain
| | - Sievert Rohwer
- Department of Biology and Burke Museum; University of Washington; Seattle WA 98195 U.S.A
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Dickens MJ, Vecchiarelli HA, Hill MN, Bentley GE. Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Stress Response of Male and Female Songbirds. Endocrinology 2015; 156:4649-59. [PMID: 26431225 PMCID: PMC4655215 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling plays an important role in the stress response pathways of the mammalian brain, yet its role in the avian stress response has not been described. Understanding eCB signaling in avian species (such as the European starling, Sturnus vulgaris) allows a model system that exhibits natural attenuation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responsiveness to stressors. Specifically, seasonally breeding birds exhibit the highest HPA activity during the breeding season and subsequently exhibit a robust HPA down-regulation during molt. Because eCB signaling in mammals has an overall inhibitory effect on HPA activity, we expected shifts in eCB signaling to regulate the seasonal HPA down-regulation during molt. However, our data did not support a role for eCB signaling in the molt-related suppression of HPA activity. For example, injection of the cannabinoid receptor (CB1) antagonist, AM251, did not potentiate molt-suppressed HPA activity. Instead, our data suggest eCB regulation of HPA plasticity as birds transition from breeding to molt. In support of this hypothesis, birds in the late breeding season demonstrated a more dynamic response at the level of avian amygdala eCB content in response to acute stress. The response and directionality of this effect match that seen in mammals. Overall, our data suggest that eCB signaling may allow for a dynamic range in HPA responsiveness (eg, breeding), but the signaling pathway's role may be limited when the HPA response is restrained (eg, molt). This first characterization of eCB signaling in the avian stress response also emphasizes that although the system functions similarly to other species, its exact role may be species specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly J Dickens
- Department of Integrative Biology (M.J.D., G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94609; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (H.A.V., M.N.H.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4; and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-1650
| | - Haley A Vecchiarelli
- Department of Integrative Biology (M.J.D., G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94609; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (H.A.V., M.N.H.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4; and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-1650
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Department of Integrative Biology (M.J.D., G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94609; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (H.A.V., M.N.H.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4; and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-1650
| | - George E Bentley
- Department of Integrative Biology (M.J.D., G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94609; Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy (H.A.V., M.N.H.), Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4; and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (G.E.B.), University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-1650
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Tringali A, Bowman R, Husby A. Selection and inheritance of sexually dimorphic juvenile plumage coloration. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:5413-5422. [PMID: 30151142 PMCID: PMC6102527 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic plumage coloration is widespread in birds and is generally thought to be a result of sexual selection for more ornamented males. Although many studies find an association between coloration and fitness related traits, few of these simultaneously examine selection and inheritance. Theory predicts that sex‐linked genetic variation can facilitate the evolution of dimorphism, and some empirical work supports this, but we still know very little about the extent of sex linkage of sexually dimorphic traits. We used a longitudinal study on juvenile Florida scrub‐jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) to estimate strength of selection and autosomal and Z‐linked heritability of mean brightness, UV chroma, and hue. Although plumage coloration signals dominance in juveniles, there was no indication that plumage coloration was related to whether or not an individual bred or its lifetime reproductive success. While mean brightness and UV chroma are moderately heritable, hue is not. There was no evidence for sex‐linked inheritance of any trait with most of the variation explained by maternal effects. The genetic correlation between the sexes was high and not significantly different from unity. These results indicate that evolution of sexual dimorphism in this species is constrained by low sex‐linked heritability and high intersexual genetic correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Tringali
- Avian Ecology Laboratory Archbold Biological Station 123 Main Dr. Venus Florida 33960
| | - Reed Bowman
- Avian Ecology Laboratory Archbold Biological Station 123 Main Dr. Venus Florida 33960
| | - Arild Husby
- Department of Biosciences University of Helsinki PO Box 65 FI-00014 Helsinki Finland
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Buttemer WA, Addison BA, Astheimer LB. Lack of seasonal and moult-related stress modulation in an opportunistically breeding bird: The white-plumed honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus). Horm Behav 2015; 76:34-40. [PMID: 25701624 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "SBN 2014". In most vertebrate species, glucocorticoid levels and stress sensitivity vary in relation to season and life-history stage. In birds, baseline corticosterone (CORT) and stress sensitivity are typically highest while breeding and decrease substantially during moult. Because elevated CORT adversely affects protein synthesis, moult-related CORT suppression is thought to be necessary for forming high-quality feathers. Surprisingly, some passerine species lack moult-related CORT suppression, but these are distinguished by having slow rates of moult and being opportunistic breeders. We examined baseline and stress-induced CORT levels in an opportunistically breeding Australian passerine, the white-plumed honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus). Although this species has a slower moult rate than high-latitude breeders, it differs little from north-temperate passerines. Neither baseline nor stress-induced CORT levels varied with season (winter, spring or summer), sex or moult status in adult birds. While breeding tended to be highest in early spring through late summer, laparotomies revealed only limited reduction in testicular size in males the year round. In all but one sampling period, at least some females displayed follicular hierarchy. Breeding usually coincides with outbreaks of phytophagous insects, which can happen at any time of the year. This results in moult/breeding overlap when infestations occur in late spring or summer. The ability of this species to moult and breed at the same time while having breeding-levels of CORT demonstrates that CORT suppression is not a prerequisite for synthesis of high-quality feathers. An experimental design incorporating moulting and non-moulting phenotypes is suggested to test the functional significance of CORT suppression in other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Buttemer
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - BriAnne A Addison
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lee B Astheimer
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Saino N, Rubolini D, Ambrosini R, Romano M, Scandolara C, Fairhurst GD, Caprioli M, Romano A, Sicurella B, Liechti F. Light-level geolocators reveal covariation between winter plumage molt and phenology in a trans-Saharan migratory bird. Oecologia 2015; 178:1105-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3299-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ross JD, Kelly JF, Bridge ES, Engel MH, Reinking DL, Boyle WA. Pallid bands in feathers and associated stable isotope signatures reveal effects of severe weather stressors on fledgling sparrows. PeerJ 2015; 3:e814. [PMID: 25780766 PMCID: PMC4358640 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In August 2013, we observed a high incidence (44%) of synchronous bands of reduced melanin (a type of fault bar we have termed “pallid bands”) across the rectrices of juvenile Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodrammus savannarum) captured near El Reno, Oklahoma. Earlier that year, on May 31, the site was struck by a severe storm which rained hailstones exceeding 5.5 cm diameter and spawned an historic 4.2 km-wide tornado <8 km to the south of the site. We hypothesized that this stressor had induced the pallid bands. An assessment of Grasshopper Sparrow nesting phenology indicated that a large number of nestlings were likely growing tail feathers when the storm hit. The pallid bands were restricted to the distal half of feathers and their widths significantly increased as a function of distance from the tip (i.e., age at formation). We predicted that if stress had caused these pallid bands, then a spike in circulating δ15N originating from tissue catabolism during the stress response would have been incorporated into the developing feather. From 18 juveniles captured at the site in August we measured δ15N and δ13C stable isotope ratios within four to five 0.25–0.40 mg feather sections taken from the distal end of a tail feather; the pallid band, if present, was contained within only one section. After accounting for individual and across-section variation, we found support for our prediction that feather sections containing or located immediately proximal to pallid bands (i.e., the pallid band region) would show significantly higher δ15N than sections outside this region. In contrast, the feathers of juveniles with pallid bands compared to normal appearing juveniles showed significantly lower δ15N. A likely explanation is that the latter individuals hatched after the May 31 storm and had consumed a trophically-shifted diet relative to juveniles with pallid bands. Considering this, the juveniles of normal appearance were significantly less abundant within our sample relative to expectations from past cohorts (z = − 2.03; p = 0.042) and, in as much, suggested widespread nest losses during the storm. Severe weather events may represent major stressors to ground-nesting birds, especially for recent fledglings. We call for others to exploit opportunities to study the effects of severe weather when these rare but devastating stressors impact established field research sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Ross
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma , Norman, OK , USA ; Sutton Avian Research Center, Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma , Bartlesville, OK , USA
| | - Jeffrey F Kelly
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma , Norman, OK , USA ; Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma , Norman, OK , USA
| | - Eli S Bridge
- Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma , Norman, OK , USA
| | - Michael H Engel
- ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma , Norman, OK , USA
| | - Dan L Reinking
- Sutton Avian Research Center, Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma , Bartlesville, OK , USA
| | - W Alice Boyle
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University , Manhattan, KS , USA
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Walker BG, Meddle SL, Romero LM, Landys MM, Reneerkens J, Wingfield JC. Breeding on the extreme edge: modulation of the adrenocortical response to acute stress in two High Arctic passerines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 323:266-75. [PMID: 25757443 PMCID: PMC4973825 DOI: 10.1002/jez.1923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Arctic weather in spring is unpredictable and can also be extreme, so Arctic‐breeding birds must be flexible in their breeding to deal with such variability. Unpredictability in weather conditions will only intensify with climate change and this in turn could affect reproductive capability of migratory birds. Adjustments to coping strategies are therefore crucial, so here we examined the plasticity of the adrenocorticotropic stress response in two Arctic songbird species—the snow bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) and Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus)—breeding in northwest Greenland. Across the breeding season, the stress response was strongest at arrival and least robust during molt in male snow buntings. Snow bunting females had higher baseline but similar stress‐induced corticosterone levels compared to males. Modification of the stress response was not due to adrenal insensitivity, but likely regulated at the anterior pituitary gland. Compared to independent nestlings and adult snow buntings, parental‐dependent chicks had a more robust stress response. For Lapland longspurs, baseline corticosterone was highest at arrival in both male and females, and arriving males displayed a higher stress response compared to arriving females. Comparison of male corticosterone profiles collected at arrival in Greenland (76°N) and Alaska (67–71°N;) reveal that both species have higher stress responses at the more northern location. Flexibility in the stress response may be typical for birds nesting at the leading edges of their range and this ability will become more relevant as global climate change results in major shifts of breeding habitat and phenology for migratory birds. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 266–275, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. J. Exp. Zool. published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian G Walker
- Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Department of Biology, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut
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Pap PL, Osváth G, Sándor K, Vincze O, Bărbos L, Marton A, Nudds RL, Vágási CI. Interspecific variation in the structural properties of flight feathers in birds indicates adaptation to flight requirements and habitat. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Museum of Zoology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Krisztina Sándor
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Lőrinc Bărbos
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
- ‘Milvus Group’ Bird and Nature Protection Association Márton Áron street 9/BTîrgu Mureş RO–540058 Romania
| | - Attila Marton
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
- ‘Milvus Group’ Bird and Nature Protection Association Márton Áron street 9/BTîrgu Mureş RO–540058 Romania
| | - Robert L. Nudds
- Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PT UK
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
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Jenni‐Eiermann S, Helfenstein F, Vallat A, Glauser G, Jenni L. Corticosterone: effects on feather quality and deposition into feathers. Methods Ecol Evol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabrice Helfenstein
- Institute of Biology University of Neuchâtel Rue Emile‐Argand 11 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Armelle Vallat
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry University of Neuchâtel Avenue de Bellevaux 51 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Gaétan Glauser
- Neuchâtel Platform of Analytical Chemistry University of Neuchâtel Avenue de Bellevaux 51 2000 Neuchâtel Switzerland
| | - Lukas Jenni
- Swiss Ornithological Institute Seerose 1 6204 Sempach Switzerland
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Roulin A. Condition-dependence, pleiotropy and the handicap principle of sexual selection in melanin-based colouration. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 91:328-48. [PMID: 25631160 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The signalling function of melanin-based colouration is debated. Sexual selection theory states that ornaments should be costly to produce, maintain, wear or display to signal quality honestly to potential mates or competitors. An increasing number of studies supports the hypothesis that the degree of melanism covaries with aspects of body condition (e.g. body mass or immunity), which has contributed to change the initial perception that melanin-based colour ornaments entail no costs. Indeed, the expression of many (but not all) melanin-based colour traits is weakly sensitive to the environment but strongly heritable suggesting that these colour traits are relatively cheap to produce and maintain, thus raising the question of how such colour traits could signal quality honestly. Here I review the production, maintenance and wearing/displaying costs that can generate a correlation between melanin-based colouration and body condition, and consider other evolutionary mechanisms that can also lead to covariation between colour and body condition. Because genes controlling melanic traits can affect numerous phenotypic traits, pleiotropy could also explain a linkage between body condition and colouration. Pleiotropy may result in differently coloured individuals signalling different aspects of quality that are maintained by frequency-dependent selection or local adaptation. Colouration may therefore not signal absolute quality to potential mates or competitors (e.g. dark males may not achieve a higher fitness than pale males); otherwise genetic variation would be rapidly depleted by directional selection. As a consequence, selection on heritable melanin-based colouration may not always be directional, but mate choice may be conditional to environmental conditions (i.e. context-dependent sexual selection). Despite the interest of evolutionary biologists in the adaptive value of melanin-based colouration, its actual role in sexual selection is still poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Building Biophore, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Grunst ML, Grunst AS, Parker CE, Romero LM, Rotenberry JT. Pigment-specific relationships between feather corticosterone concentrations and sexual coloration. Behav Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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