Transcriptome signature changes in the liver of a migratory passerine

Genomics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 114(2), P. 110283 - 110283

Published: Feb. 7, 2022

The liver plays a principal role in avian migration. Here, we characterised the transcriptome of long-distance migrant, Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), sampled at different migratory stages, looking for molecular processes linked with adaptations to analysis differentially expressed genes suggested changes periods circadian rhythm, variation proportion cells G1/S cell-cycle stages and putative polyploidization this cell population. This may explain dramatic increment liver's metabolic capacities towards Additionally, involved anti-oxidative stress, detoxification innate immune responses, lipid metabolism, inflammation angiogenesis were regulated. Lipophagy catabolism active all increased fattening fat periods, explaining relevance lipolysis controlling steatosis maintaining health. Our study clears way future functional studies regarding

Language: Английский

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Jackdaw nestlings rapidly increase innate immune function during the nestling phase but no evidence for a trade-off with growth

Developmental & Comparative Immunology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 117, P. 103967 - 103967

Published: Dec. 13, 2020

Although animals are born with a protective immune system, even the innate system is under development from birth to adulthood and this may be affected by sex growth. However, most knowledge comes captive or long-lived slow growing species. Moreover, little known about how function, important first line of defence, develops during early life in fast-growing such as free-living passerines. We studied baseline function nestlings jackdaws Corvus monedula. measured four parameters (hemolysis, hemagglutination, bacterial-killing capacity, haptoglobin concentration) structural body size (body mass, wing length, tarsus length) at day 12 29 post-hatching. found that three out capacity) substantially increased nestling age had roughly reached adult levels shortly prior fledging. differences between males females despite them differing development. also no evidence traded off That rapidly increase similarly indicates importance well-functioning already phase.

Language: Английский

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A conceptual framework on the role of magnetic cues in songbird migration ecology

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(4), P. 1576 - 1593

Published: April 17, 2024

ABSTRACT Migrating animals perform astonishing seasonal movements by orienting and navigating over thousands of kilometres with great precision. Many migratory species use cues from the sun, stars, landmarks, olfaction Earth's magnetic field for this task. Among vertebrates, songbirds are most studied taxon in magnetic‐cue‐related research. Despite multiple studies, we still lack a clear understanding when, where how affect decision‐making process birds hence, their realised behaviour wild. This is especially important to interpret results laboratory experiments an ecologically appropriate way. In review, summarise current findings about role decisions songbirds. First, review methodological principles orientation navigation research, specifically comparing on caged free‐flying birds. While cage can show sensory abilities birds, studies characterise ecological roles cues. Second, stages, stopover endurance flight, which incorporate into novel conceptual framework. examining whether when or during relatively well studied, but mostly laboratory. Notably, many such have produced contradictory so that biological importance not straightforward. One potential explanation reproducibility magnetic‐cue low, probably because variability behavioural responses among high. We convinced parts be explained species‐specific context‐dependent reactions study conditions bird's high flexibility they include decision not. Ultimately, should help researchers challenging magnetoreception design meticulously carefully considering migration ecology focal species.

Language: Английский

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Adaptive Regulation of Stopover Refueling during Bird Migration: Insights from Whole Blood Transcriptomics

Genome Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2023

Abstract Migration is one of the most energy-demanding tasks in avian life cycle. Many birds might not have sufficient fuel stores to cover long distances, so they must stop rest and refuel at stopover sites, especially after crossing large ecological barriers. There, undergo several behavioral, morphological, physiological trait adjustments recover from prepare for their journey; however, regulation such processes molecular level remains largely unknown. In this study, we used transcriptomic information whole blood migrating garden warblers (Sylvia borin) identify key regulatory pathways related adaptations migration. Birds were temporarily caged during spring migration then sampled twice different refueling states (lean vs. fat), reflecting migratory stages (stopover arrival departure) an extended barrier. Our results show that top expressed genes are involved important regarding high altitudes as increase aerobic capacity angiogenesis. Gene expression profiles reflected two experimental conditions with enzymes aspects metabolic activity being differentially between providing candidate future functional studies. Additionally, identified hub genes, upregulated lean could be extraordinary phenotypic flexibility organ mass displayed by migrants. Finally, our approach provides novel evidence water homeostasis may represent a significant adaptive mechanism, allowing conserve long-distance flight, mainly through protein catabolism.

Language: Английский

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Innate immune function and antioxidant capacity of nestlings of an African raptor covary with the level of urbanisation around breeding territories

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 92(1), P. 124 - 141

Published: Nov. 10, 2022

Urban areas provide breeding habitats for many species. However, animals raised in urban environments face challenges such as altered food availability and quality, pollution pathogen assemblages. These can affect physiological processes immune function antioxidant defences which are important fitness. Here, we explore how levels of urbanisation influence innate function, response to a mimicked bacterial infection capacity nestling Black Sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus South Africa. We also the effect timing rainfall on physiology since both environmental condition under nestlings raised. Finally, because indirectly, use path analyses direct indirect associations between urbanisation, oxidative stress. obtained measures immunity (haptoglobin, lysis, agglutination, bactericidal capacity), indices (total non-enzymatic (tAOX) total glutathione from 2015 2019. In addition, 2018 2019, by injecting with lipopolysaccharide quantified their response. Increased cover was associated an increase lysis decrease tAOX, but not any other parameters. Furthermore, except no parameters were breeding. Lysis capacity, however, varied consistently annual pattern. Immune decreased nor rainfall. Our suggested some via tAOX results show that early-life development environment is variation functions. The association impact likely factor mediating urban-dwelling animals. Future studies should these linked fitness whether responses adaptive

Language: Английский

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Macroecological patterns of resource use in resident and migratory hummingbirds

Basic and Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 51, P. 71 - 82

Published: Jan. 9, 2021

Language: Английский

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Delay in arrival: lineage-specific influence of haemosporidians on autumn migration of European robins

Parasitology Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 121(10), P. 2831 - 2840

Published: Aug. 24, 2022

Haemosporidian blood parasites are widely used in evolutionary ecological research when exploring the effects of on different life-history traits their bird hosts. However, roles migration less studied. If these deteriorate body condition birds strongly, they might negatively affect whole phenology and survival as well. In our study, we tested relationships between infection for parasite genera (Haemoproteus or Plasmodium), three most frequent lineages (body mass, fat deposit), timing autumn European Robin (Erithacus rubecula). We found that mean mass scores did not differ parasitized non-parasitized individuals, but infected juveniles arrived later than non-infected counterparts. The difference arrival time was greater case Haemoproteus infections. analysed distinct separately, prevalence correlated with storage, a direction. Our results therefore emphasize importance testing impacts individually, because possible lineage-specific during exist.

Language: Английский

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Long-distance movement dynamics shape host microbiome richness and turnover

FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 100(7)

Published: June 8, 2024

Abstract Host-associated microbial communities are shaped by host migratory movements. These movements can have contrasting impacts on microbiota, and understanding such patterns provide insight into the ecological processes that contribute to community diversity. Furthermore, long-distance new environments anticipated occur with increasing frequency due distribution shifts resulting from climate change. Understanding how hosts transport their microbiota them could be of importance when examining biological invasions. Although well-documented, underlying mechanisms lead restructuring these remain relatively unexplored. Using literature simulations, we develop a framework elucidate major factors We group two types—regular (repeated/cyclical movements, as found in many birds mammals) irregular (stochastic/infrequent do not cyclical basis, insects plants). Ecological simulations prior research suggest movement type frequency, alongside environmental exposure (e.g. internal/external microbiota) key considerations for movement-associated changes. From our framework, derive series testable hypotheses, means test them, facilitate future dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Permanent Ad-lib Feeders Decrease the Survival of Wintering Great Tits (Parus major)

Birds, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(2), P. 225 - 235

Published: May 15, 2023

The optimal body mass hypothesis posits that the reserves of wintering birds are balanced between risk starvation and predation. In this study, we tested whether Great Tits (Parus major) was higher under conditions less predictable food resources. We compared mass, index, speed at take-off, apparent survival Tit adult males in small urban areas either near feeders providing permanent access to for months or irregular food. Body index were greater, while take-off lower, than feeders. Thus, birds, with their high energy food, did not follow fattening strategy predicted by hypothesis. This study shows regular excess amounts high-energy may affect birds’ physiological behavioral strategies a non-adaptive way. recommend feeding placing places safe against attacking predators.

Language: Английский

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Stopover territoriality in songbirds crossing the Sahara: aggression and energetics during migration

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 77(5)

Published: May 1, 2023

Abstract Stopover territoriality, i.e., the defense and broadcast of an ephemeral home range during avian migration, is rare or perhaps overlooked. However, settling on a territory may allow for easier access to resources therefore promote faster refueling despite added costs defense. We examined occurrence stopover territoriality its relationship body condition rates. color-ringed Western Subalpine Warblers ( Curruca iberiae ) mapped their ranges measured associated habitat characteristics spring in Sahara. simulated intrusions via song playback quantify territorial behavior. Males aggressively defended broadcasted territories response intruders. Initial males was negatively related vegetation density, suggesting that higher are selective certain features. Low density does not support selection foraging, but social monitoring predator vigilance as functions. Fuel deposition rates recaptured were unrelated characteristics. Female did use repeated yet had similar rates, conditions, durations males. Therefore, while selected based condition, influence expressed reduced migratory characteristics, making prolonged stopovers up 27 days with low maintaining defending territories. These results suggest some individuals staging non-energetic reasons, such pre-breeding preparations, transitioning between breeding life history stage. Significance statement Territoriality birds commonly activities, less so wintering period rarely periods. migration be energetically beneficial. During trans-Saharan stopover, male warblers establish defend temporary by singing engaging physical ranges, those better occupied sparser vegetation. Females refueled at increase food-rich patches, aided efficient preparations approaching season. This first detailed documentation potential functions, benefits inform studies full-annual cycles histories many species.

Language: Английский

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