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Snell KRS, Aldará J, Hammer S, Thorup K. Thermal stress during incubation in an arctic breeding seabird. J Therm Biol 2024; 125:103967. [PMID: 39293129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Arctic breeding seabirds have experienced dramatic population declines in recent decades. The population of Arctic skuas (Stercorarius parasiticus) nesting on the Faroe Islands, North Atlantic, breed near the southern extent of their breeding range and are experiencing some of the largest declines. This is thought to be caused in part by increased warming due to climate change and thus, it is becoming critical to investigate the proximate and ultimate effects of the thermal environment on parental physiology, behaviour and breeding success. Behavioural observations at an Arctic skua long-term monitoring colony were undertaken during the 2016 breeding season to determine the frequencies of thermoregulatory panting, and interrupted incubation events. Incubating Arctic skuas showed thermoregulatory behaviour at air temperatures (Ta) of 9 °C, which suggested that they may be operating near their upper thermal tolerance limit. Arctic skuas spent significantly more time panting as Ta increases, wind speed decreases and sun exposure increases. This relationship was apparent even within the narrow ranges of Ta (7.5-15 °C) and wind speed (0-5 ms-1) recorded. Incubation effort was not continuous with birds leaving the nest for up to 100% of the observation block. While we found no relationship between interrupted incubation and environmental conditions, panting was only observed in birds that were simultaneously incubating eggs. These results highlight the constraints on birds during the incubation phase of breeding, and indicate a potential maladaptive behaviour of maintaining incubation despite the increased cost of thermoregulation under warming temperatures in this species. However, the relationship between thermal stress, nest absence and demographic parameters remains unclear, highlighting the importance of longitudinal and/or high-resolution studies that focus on Arctic specialists and the interrelationships between environmental factors, nest absence rates and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R S Snell
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark; MPI-AB, Radolfzell, 78315, Germany; Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Jón Aldará
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark; Faroe Islands National Museum, Kúrdalsvegur 15, FO-188, Hoyvík, Faroe Islands
| | - Sjúrður Hammer
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Faroe Islands, Vestarabryggja 15, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Kasper Thorup
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 2100, Denmark
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2
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Li M, Xu M, Wang J, Yao Y, Zhang X, Liu J. Phenotypic flexibility in metabolic adjustments and digestive function in white-shouldered starlings: responses to short-term temperature acclimation. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246214. [PMID: 38009187 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246214] [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: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Changing the intrinsic rate of metabolic heat production is the main adaptive strategy for small birds to cope with different ambient temperatures. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the small passerine the white-shouldered starling (Sturnus sinensis) can modulate basal metabolism under temperature acclimation by changing the morphological, physiological and biochemical state of its tissues and organs. We measured the effects of temperature on body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), wet mass of various internal organs, state 4 respiration (S4R) and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity in the pectoral muscle and organs, metabolites in the pectoral muscle, energy intake, histological dynamics and the activity of duodenal digestive enzymes. Warm acclimation decreased BMR to a greater extent than cold acclimation. At the organ level, birds in the cold-acclimated group had significantly heavier intestines but significantly lighter pectoral muscles. At the cellular level, birds in the cold-acclimated group showed significantly higher S4R in the liver and heart and CCO activity in the liver and kidney at both the mass-specific and whole-organ levels. A metabolomic analysis of the pectoral tissue revealed significantly higher lipid decomposition, amino acid degradation, ATP hydrolysis, and GTP and biotin synthesis in cold-acclimated birds. Acclimation to cold significantly increased the gross energy intake (GEI), feces energy (FE) and digestive energy intake (DEI) but significantly decreased the digestive efficiency of these birds. Furthermore, cold-acclimated birds had a higher maltase activity and longer villi in the duodenum. Taken together, these data show that white-shouldered starlings exhibit high phenotypic flexibility in metabolic adjustments and digestive function under temperature acclimation, consistent with the notion that small birds cope with the energy challenges presented by a cold environment by modulating tissue function in a way that would affect BMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mingru Xu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yaqi Yao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xinhao Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
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3
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Pacioni C, Sentís M, Kerimov A, Bushuev A, Lens L, Strubbe D. Seasonal variation in thermoregulatory capacity of three closely related Afrotropical Estrildid finches introduced to Europe. J Therm Biol 2023; 113:103534. [PMID: 37055139 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
A species' potential geographical range is largely determined by how the species responds physiologically to its changing environment. It is therefore crucial to study the physiological mechanisms that species use to maintain their homeothermy in order to address biodiversity conservation challenges, such as the success of invasions of introduced species. The common waxbill Estrilda astrild, the orange-cheeked waxbill E. melpoda, and the black-rumped waxbill E. troglodytes are small Afrotropical passerines that have established invasive populations in regions where the climate is colder than in their native ranges. As a result, they are highly suitable species for studying potential mechanisms for coping with a colder and more variable climate. Here, we investigated the magnitude and direction of seasonal variation in their thermoregulatory traits, such as basal (BMR), summit (Msum) metabolic rates and thermal conductance. We found that, from summer to autumn, their ability to resist colder temperatures increased. This was not related to larger body masses or higher BMR and Msum, but instead, species downregulated BMR and Msum toward the colder season, suggesting energy conservation mechanisms to increase winter survival. BMR and Msum were most strongly correlated with temperature variation in the week preceding the measurements. Common waxbill and black-rumped waxbill, whose native ranges encompass the highest degree of seasonality, showed the most flexibility in metabolic rates (i.e., stronger downregulation toward colder seasons). This ability to adjust thermoregulatory traits, combined with increased cold tolerance, may facilitate their establishment in areas characterized by colder winters and less predictable climates.
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González-Medina E, Playà-Montmany N, Cabello-Vergel J, Parejo M, Abad-Gómez JM, Sánchez-Guzmán JM, Villegas A, Gutiérrez JS, Masero JA. Mediterranean songbirds show pronounced seasonal variation in thermoregulatory traits. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2023; 280:111408. [PMID: 36812978 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2023.111408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Addressing the patterns of variation in thermal traits is crucial to better predict the potential effects of climate change on organisms. Here, we assessed seasonal (winter vs summer) adjustments in key thermoregulatory traits in eight Mediterranean-resident songbirds. Overall, songbirds increased whole-animal (by 8%) and mass-adjusted (by 9%) basal metabolic rate and decreased (by 56%) thermal conductance below the thermoneutral zone during winter. The magnitude of these changes was within the lower values found in songbirds from northern temperate areas. Moreover, songbirds increased (by 11%) evaporative water loss within the thermoneutral zone during summer, while its rate of increase above the inflection point of evaporative water loss (i.e., the slope of evaporative water loss versus temperature) decreased by 35% during summer - a value well above that reported for other temperate and tropical songbirds. Finally, body mass increased by 5% during winter, a pattern similar to that found in many northern temperate species. Our findings support the idea that physiological adjustments might enhance the resilience of Mediterranean songbirds to environmental changes, with short-term benefits by saving energy and water under thermally stressful conditions. Nevertheless, not all species showed the same patterns, suggesting different strategies in their thermoregulatory adaptations to seasonal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick González-Medina
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain.
| | - Núria Playà-Montmany
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain. https://twitter.com/NuriaPlayaM
| | - Julián Cabello-Vergel
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Manuel Parejo
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - José M Abad-Gómez
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Juan M Sánchez-Guzmán
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEX, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Auxiliadora Villegas
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEX, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain. https://twitter.com/AuxVil
| | - Jorge S Gutiérrez
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEX, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain. https://twitter.com/JSGutierrez
| | - José A Masero
- Ecology in the Anthropocene, Associated Unit CSIC-UEX, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain. https://twitter.com/jamasero
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5
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Li C, Liu C, Hu P, Zheng X, Li M, Liu J. Seasonal adjustments in body mass and basal thermogenesis in Chinese hwameis (Garrulax canorus): the roles of temperature and photoperiod. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:276431. [PMID: 36004672 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
For small birds to survive during seasonal acclimatization in temperate zones, regulation of body mass and thermogenesis is crucial. To determine the role of temperature and photoperiod in seasonal changes in body mass and thermogenesis in Chinese hwameis (Garrulax canorus), we compared body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy intake and cellular metabolic capacity of the tissue (muscle) and/ or organs (liver, kidney, heart and small intestine) in seasonally acclimatized and laboratory acclimated hwameis. A significant seasonal influence on body mass and BMR (which peaked in winter) was found, and these variations were mirrored by exposing the housed birds to cold temperatures or a short photoperiod. The level of dry matter intake, gross energy intake and digestible energy intake were higher during winter, and in housed animals that were exposed to cold temperatures. These results suggest that by increasing energy intake and thermogenesis, Chinese hwameis can overcome winter thermoregulatory challenges. When compared with warm-acclimated birds, cold-acclimated birds displayed higher mass-specific and whole-organ state 4 respiration in the muscle, liver and kidney, and higher mass-specific and whole-organ cytochrome c oxidase activity in the liver. These data demonstrated that the cellular thermogenesis partly underpins basal thermoregulation in Chinese hwameis. Cold temperature and short photoperiod can be used as helpful environmental cues during seasonal acclimatization. However, the role of temperature is more significant compared with that of photoperiod in Chinese hwameis, the changes in energy metabolism and thermoregulation induced by temperature appear to be intensified by photoperiod.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxing Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chenyu Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Pingxia Hu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiyu Zheng
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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6
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Liang F, Yan L, Li Y, Jin Y, Zhang J, Che H, Diao J, Gao Y, He Z, Sun R, He Y, Zhou C. Effect of season on slaughter performance, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition, and metabolism of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). Anim Sci J 2022; 93:e13735. [PMID: 35644952 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of summer and winter on slaughter performance, muscle quality, flavor-related substance content, and gene expression levels related to the fat metabolism of pheasants. One-hundred 1-day-old pheasants were fed for 5 months starting in March and July and then, respectively, slaughtered in summer (August) and winter (December). The results revealed that compared with summer, winter not only increased pheasant live weight, dressed percentage, full-eviscerated yield, and muscle yield (p < 0.05) but also enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT in serum (p < 0.05). Winter significantly increased meat color, the contents of inosinic acid, and flavor amino acid in muscle. Amino acid contents in leg muscles of pheasants in winter were significantly higher than in summer except for histidine (p < 0.05). Winter increased the contents of muscle mono-unsaturated fatty acid, reducing saturated fatty acid. Summer improved fat synthesis in liver, promoted the deposition of triglycerides and cholesterol, and reduced the expression levels of fat metabolism-related genes in muscle, while winter increased the expression levels of genes related to muscle fat metabolism to provide energy for body and affect muscle fatty acid profile. Overall, pheasants fed in winter had better sensory quality and flavor than summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Liang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Yan
- New Hope Liuhe Co., Ltd./Quality Control for Feed and Products of Livestock and Poultry Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
| | - Yumei Li
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yongcheng Jin
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Haoyu Che
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jizhe Diao
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yequn Gao
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhaolan He
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruihong Sun
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuntong He
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Changhai Zhou
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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7
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Tang ZR, Chen SY, Lu W, Zhang HD, Li M, Liu JS. Morphological and physiological correlates of among- individual variation in basal metabolic rate in two passerine birds. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 267:111160. [PMID: 35124186 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Basal metabolic rate (BMR) has been shown to be a highly phenotypic flexibility trait within species. A significant proportion of an individual's energy budget is accounted for by BMR, hence among-individual variation in this trait may affect other energetic processes, as well as fitness. In this study, we measured BMR, organ mass, mitochondrial respiration capacities and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activities in muscle and liver and circulating levels of plasma triiodothyronine (T3) in Chinese bulbuls (Pycnonotus sinensis) and Eurasian tree sparrows (Passer montanus). Our results showed that heart and kidney mass was positively correlated with BMR in Chinese bulbuls, whereas liver and kidney mass was positively correlated with BMR in Eurasian tree sparrows. Regarding metabolic biochemical markers of tissues, state 4 respiration and COX activity in the muscles of the Chinese bulbuls was correlated with BMR, while state 4 respiration in the muscle and liver was correlated with BMR in Eurasian tree sparrows. T3 was significantly and positively correlated with BMR in Chinese bulbuls and Eurasian tree sparrows. Consistent with the above results, our findings suggest that T3 levels play an important role in modulating BMR in Chinese bulbuls and Eurasian tree sparrows. Moreover, individual variation in BMR can be explained partly by morphological and physiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Ru Tang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Shen-Yue Chen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wei Lu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hao-Di Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ming Li
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Jin-Song Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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8
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Oswald KN, Lee ATK, Smit B. Seasonal metabolic adjustments in an avian evolutionary relict restricted to mountain habitat. J Therm Biol 2020; 95:102815. [PMID: 33454043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2020.102815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
For endotherms, maintaining body temperature during cold winters is energetically costly.Greater increase in winter maximum thermogenic capacity (Msum) has typically been correlated with improved cold tolerance. However, seasonal studies have shown equivocal direction change in basal metabolic rate (BMR) in winter, perhaps explained by latitude or phylogeny. We examined seasonal metabolic responses in the Cape rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus; "rockjumper"), a range-restricted mountain bird. We hypothesized that, given their mountain habitat preference, rockjumpers would be physiologically specialized for cooler air temperatures compared to other subtropical passerines. We measured body condition (using the ratio of Mb/tarsus), BMR, and Msum, in wild-living rockjumpers during winter and summer (n = 12 adults in winter -- 4 females, 8 males; n = 12 adults in summer -- 6 females, 6 males). We found birds had lesser BMR and thermal conductance, and greater Msum and body condition, in winter compared to summer. These changes may help rockjumpers conserve energy in winter while still allowing birds to produce more metabolic heat during the coldest air temperatures. When compared with existing data on avian seasonal metabolic adjustments, rockjumper BMR fit general patterns observed in passerines, but their Msum was low compared with other members of the oscine Passeriformes. These patterns may be explained by the narrow temperature range of their habitat not requiring cold-adjustment, or perhaps by their basal placement within passerine phylogeny. Further work on the physiological phenotypic plasticity in habitat specialists across different latitudinal zones and taxa is needed to better understand the relationship between metabolism, habitat, and phylogeny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista N Oswald
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa; Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
| | - Alan T K Lee
- Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa; Centre for Functional Biodiversity, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Ben Smit
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Makhanda, 6139, South Africa; Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa
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Stawski C, Geiser F. Growing Up in a Changing Climate: How Temperature Affects the Development of Morphological, Behavioral and Physiological Traits of a Marsupial Mammal. Front Physiol 2020; 11:49. [PMID: 32116761 PMCID: PMC7028820 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change is likely to affect many mammalian phenotypes, yet little is known whether and how phenotypic plasticity is involved in responding to thermal challenges during mammalian development. We investigated the effect of continuous cold or warm exposure during development on morphological, behavioral, and functional variables of yellow-footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), a semelparous Australian marsupial mammal. Captive-bred young were exposed to two ambient temperatures (T a ), cold (17°C) or warm (25°C), once weaned. Treatments were reversed and metabolic rate (MR) measurements repeated after 2 months. We measured body mass weekly, activity continuously, and MRs over a range of T a once they were adults. Growth rate was similar in both groups, but was faster in males. Antechinus in the warm group were initially more active than the cold group and decreased activity when exposed to cold, whereas the cold group increased activity when exposed to warm. Interestingly, females changed their night-time activity when T a was changed, whereas males changed their daytime activity. MRs were originally lower in the warm group in comparison to the cold group for both sexes and increased slightly for females, but not for males, after being exposed to cold. After exposure to warm T a , the MRs of the cold group decreased significantly over the entire T a -range for both sexes. Our results reveal that temperatures experienced during development can influence behavioral and physiological traits in antechinus. Such phenotypic plasticity is vital for a species that within 1 year is dependent on a single breeding event and experiences a complete population turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Stawski
- Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Fritz Geiser
- Centre for Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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10
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MALEK I, HAIM A. Bright artificial light at night is associated with increased body mass, poor reproductive success and compromised disease tolerance in Australian budgerigars (
Melopsittacus undulatus
). Integr Zool 2019; 14:589-603. [DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Itay MALEK
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental BiologyUniversity of Haifa Mount Carmel Haifa Israel
| | - Abraham HAIM
- The Israeli Center for Interdisciplinary Research in ChronobiologyUniversity of Haifa Haifa Israel
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11
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Androulakis IP. The quest for digital health: From diseases to patients. Comput Chem Eng 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2019.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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12
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Wang Y, Shan S, Zhang H, Dong B, Zheng W, Liu J. Physiological and Biochemical Thermoregulatory Responses in Male Chinese Hwameis to Seasonal Acclimatization: Phenotypic Flexibility in a Small Passerine. Zool Stud 2019; 58:e6. [PMID: 31966307 PMCID: PMC6759861 DOI: 10.6620/zs.2019.58-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Many small birds living in regions with seasonal fluctuations and ambient temperatures typically respond to cold by increasing metabolic thermogenesis, internal organ mass and the oxidative capacity of certain tissues. In this study, we investigated seasonal adjustments in body mass, resting metabolic rate (RMR), evaporative water loss (EWL), the mass of selected internal organs, and two indicators of cellular aerobic respiration (mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome c oxidase activity) in Chinese hwamei (Garrulax canorus) that had been captured in summer or winter from Wenzhou, China. RMR and EWL were higher in winter than in summer. State-4 respiration in the heart, liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle, as well as cytochrome c oxidase activity in the liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle were also higher in winter than summer. In addition, there was a positive correlation between RMR and EWL, and between RMR and indicators of cellular metabolic activity in the heart, liver, kidneys and pectoral muscle. This phenotypic flexibility in physiological and biochemical thermoregulatory responses may be important to the hwamei's ability to survive the unpredictable, periodic, cold temperatures commonly experienced in Wenzhou in winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Shuangshuang Shan
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Haodi Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Beibei Dong
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Weihong Zheng
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water
Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035,
China
| | - Jinsong Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou
University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water
Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035,
China
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13
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Mao LY, Xu JY, Shi L, Zheng WH, Liu JS. Food restriction decreases thermoregulation in the silky starling Sturnus sericeus (Aves: Passeriformes). THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2019.1665114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- L.-Y. Mao
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - J.-Y. Xu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - L. Shi
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - W.-H. Zheng
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
| | - J.-S. Liu
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
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14
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Pierre K, Schlesinger N, Androulakis IP. The role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in modulating seasonal changes in immunity. Physiol Genomics 2016; 48:719-738. [PMID: 27341833 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00006.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal changes in environmental conditions are accompanied by significant adjustment of multiple biological processes. In temperate regions, the day fraction, or photoperiod, is a robust environmental cue that synchronizes seasonal variations in neuroendocrine and metabolic function. In this work, we propose a semimechanistic mathematical model that considers the influence of seasonal photoperiod changes as well as cellular and molecular adaptations to investigate the seasonality of immune function. Our model predicts that the circadian rhythms of cortisol, our proinflammatory mediator, and its receptor exhibit seasonal differences in amplitude and phase, oscillating at higher amplitudes in the winter season with peak times occurring later in the day. Furthermore, the reduced photoperiod of winter coupled with seasonal alterations in physiological activity induces a more exacerbated immune response to acute stress, simulated in our studies as the administration of an acute dose of endotoxin. Our findings are therefore in accordance with experimental data that reflect the predominance of a proinflammatory state during the winter months. These changes in circadian rhythm dynamics may play a significant role in the seasonality of disease incidence and regulate the diurnal and seasonal variation of disease symptom severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamau Pierre
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Naomi Schlesinger
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Ioannis P Androulakis
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey; and Department of Surgery, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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15
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Qiao QG, Liang HJ, Bai ML, Zheng WH, Liu JS. Interspecific variation of thermoregulation between small migratory and resident passerines in Wenzhou. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2016; 37:167-75. [PMID: 27265655 PMCID: PMC4914580 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2016.3.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Physiological adaptation arises from several fundamental sources of phenotypic variation. Most analyses of metabolic adaptation in birds have focused on the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the lower limit of avian metabolic heat production. In this study, we investigated thermoregulation in three passerine species; the yellow-billed grosbeak Eophona migratoria, white-rumped munia Lonchura striata and black-throated bushtit Aegithalos concinnus, in Wenzhou, China. Metabolic rate was measured using the closed-circuit respirometer containing 3.5 L animal chambers. Body temperature (Tb) was measured during metabolic measurements using a lubricated thermocouple. The minimum thermal conductance of these species was calculated by measuring their Tb and metabolic rates. The yellow-billed grosbeak remained largely normothermic, and the white-rumped munia and black-throated bushtit exhibited variable Tb at ambient temperatures (Ta). Mean metabolic rates within thermal neutral zone were 2.48±0.09 O2(mL)/g/h for yellow-billed grosbeaks, 3.44±0.16 O2(mL)/g/h for white-rumped munias, and 3.55±0.20 O2(mL)/g/h for black-throated bushtits, respectively. Minimum thermal conductance of yellow-billed grosbeak, white-rumped munia and black-throated bushtit were 0.13±0.00, 0.36±0.01, and 0.37±0.01 O2(mL)/g/h/℃, respectively. The ecophysiological characteristics of these species were:(1) the yellowbilled grosbeak had relatively high Tb and BMR, a low lower critical temperature and thermal conductance, and a metabolic rate that was relatively insensitive to variation in Ta; all of which are typical of cold adapted species and explain its broader geographic distribution; (2) the white-rumped munia and blackthroated bushtit had high thermal conductance, lower critical temperature, and relatively low BMR, all which are adapted to warm environments where there is little selection pressure for metabolic thermogenesis. Taken together, these data illustrate small migratory and resident passerines that exhibit the different characteristics of thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Gang Qiao
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Hong-Ji Liang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Min-Lan Bai
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China;Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jin-Song Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China;Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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16
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Wang JQ, Wang JJ, Wu XJ, Zheng WH, Liu JS. Short photoperiod increases energy intake, metabolic thermogenesis and organ mass in silky starlings Sturnus sericeus. DONG WU XUE YAN JIU = ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2016; 37:75-83. [PMID: 27029864 DOI: 10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2016.2.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Environmental cues play important roles in the regulation of an animal's physiology and behavior. One such cue, photoperiod, plays an important role in the seasonal acclimatization of birds. It has been demonstrated that an animal's body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and energy intake, are all affected by photoperiod. The present study was designed to examine photoperiod induced changes in the body mass, metabolism and metabolic organs of the silky starling, Sturnus sericeus. Captive silky starlings increased their body mass and BMR during four weeks of acclimation to a short photoperiod. Birds acclimated to a short photoperiod also increased the mass of certain organs (liver, gizzard and small intestine), and both gross energy intake (GEI) and digestible energy intake (DEI), relative to those acclimated to a long photoperiod. Furthermore, BMR was positively correlated with body mass, liver mass, GEI and DEI. These results suggest that silky starlings increase metabolic thermogenesis when exposed to a short photoperiod by increasing their body and metabolic organ mass, and their GEI and DEI. These findings support the hypothesis that bird species from temperate climates typically display high phenotypic flexibility in thermogenic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Qi Wang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jia-Jia Wang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xu-Jian Wu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Wei-Hong Zheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jin-Song Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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17
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Zhou LM, Xia SS, Chen Q, Wang RM, Zheng WH, Liu JS. Phenotypic flexibility of thermogenesis in the hwamei (Garrulax canorus): responses to cold acclimation. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2015; 310:R330-6. [PMID: 26661097 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00259.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cold acclimation in birds involves a comprehensive array of physiological and morphological adjustment ranging from changes in aerobic enzyme activity to metabolic rate and organ mass. In the present study, we investigated phenotypic variation in thermogenic activity in the hwamei (Garrulax canorus) under normal (35°C) or cold (15°C) ambient temperature conditions. Acclimation to an ambient temperature of 15°C for 4 wk significantly increased the body mass, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and energy intake, including both gross energy intake and digestible energy intake, compared with birds kept at 35°C. Furthermore, birds acclimated to 15°C increased the dry mass of their liver and kidneys, but not their heart and pectoral muscles, and displayed higher state-4 respiration in the liver, kidneys, heart, and pectoral muscles, and higher cytochrome-c oxidase (COX) activity in liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle, compared with those kept at 35°C. There was a positive correlation between BMR and state-4 respiration in all of the above organs except the liver, and between BMR and COX activity in all of the above organs. Taken together, these data illustrate the morphological, physiological, and enzymatic changes associated with cold acclimation, and support the notion that the hwamei is a bird species from temperate climates that exhibits high phenotypic flexibility of thermogenic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Meng Zhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and
| | - Su-Su Xia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and
| | - Qian Chen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and
| | - Run-Mei Wang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and
| | - Wei-Hong Zheng
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jin-Song Liu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; and Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou, China
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