Interactive effects of rising temperatures and urbanisation on birds across different climate zones: A mechanistic perspective

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(9), P. 2399 - 2420

Published: March 13, 2023

Abstract Climate change and urbanisation are among the most pervasive rapidly growing threats to biodiversity worldwide. However, their impacts usually considered in isolation, interactions rarely examined. Predicting species' responses combined effects of climate urbanisation, therefore, represents a pressing challenge global biology. Birds important model taxa for exploring both behaviour physiology have been well studied urban non‐urban systems. This understanding should allow interactive rising temperatures be inferred, yet considerations these almost entirely lacking from empirical research. Here, we synthesise our current potential mechanisms that could affect how species respond with focus on avian taxa. We discuss motivate future in‐depth research this critically important, overlooked, aspect Increased pronounced consequence (through heat island effect) change. The biological impact warming systems will likely differ magnitude direction when interacting other factors typically vary between habitats, such as resource availability (e.g. water, food microsites) pollution levels. Furthermore, nature may cities situated different types, example, tropical, arid, temperate, continental polar. Within article, highlight drivers mechanistic birds, identify knowledge gaps propose promising avenues. A deeper behavioural physiological mediating provide novel insights into ecology evolution under help better predict population responses.

Language: Английский

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A physiological perspective on the ecology and evolution of partial migration

Journal of Ornithology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 160(3), P. 893 - 905

Published: March 19, 2019

Abstract Billions of animals migrate between breeding and non-breeding areas worldwide. Partial migration, where both migrants residents coexist within a population, occurs in most animal taxa, including fish, insects, birds mammals. migration has been hypothesised to be the common form an evolutionary precursor full migration. Despite extensive theoretical models about partial its potential provide insight into ecology evolution physiological mechanisms that shape remain poorly understood. Here, we review current knowledge on how processes mediate causes consequences avian they may help us understand why some individuals others resident. When information from is missing, highlight examples other taxa. In particular, focus temperature regulation, metabolic rate, immune function, oxidative stress, telomeres, neuroendocrine endocrine systems. We argue these traits pathways regulate ecological behavioural and/or mechanistic basis wintering decisions. They may, thus, also explain switch strategies among winters. gaps our suggest promising future research opportunities. A deeper understanding mediating will not only novel insights general, but vital precisely modelling population trends predicting range shifts under global change.

Language: Английский

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Immune function and blood parasite infections impact stopover ecology in passerine birds

Oecologia, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 188(4), P. 1011 - 1024

Published: Nov. 1, 2018

Stopovers play a crucial role for the success of migrating animals and are key to optimal migration theory. Variation in refuelling rates, stopover duration departure decisions among individuals has been related several external factors. The physiological mechanisms shaping ecology are, however, less well understood. Here, we explore how immune function blood parasite infections relate aspects behaviour autumn short- long-distance songbirds. We sampled six species used an automated radio-telemetry system area subsequently quantify duration, 'bush-level' activity patterns (~ 0.1–30 m), landscape movements 30–6000 direction time. show that complement activity, acute phase protein haptoglobin were prolonged duration. Complement (i.e., lysis) total immunoglobulins negatively correlated with bush-level patterns. differences partly depended on whether birds or short-distance migrants. Birds infected avian malaria-like parasites showed longer during than uninfected individuals, double departed more 2.5 h later after sunset/sunrise suggesting shorter flight bouts. conclude variation baseline infection status affects helps explain individual behaviour. These affect overall speed, thus can have significant impact induce carry-over effects other annual-cycle stages. Immune should, therefore, be considered as important factors when applying

Language: Английский

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Exposure to artificial light at night alters innate immune response in wild great tit nestlings

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 224(10)

Published: March 26, 2021

The large-scale impact of urbanization on wildlife is rather well documented; however, the mechanisms underlying effects urban environments animal physiology and behaviour are still poorly understood. Here, we focused one major pollutant - artificial light at night (ALAN) its capacity to mount an innate immune response in wild great tit (Parus major) nestlings. Exposure ALAN alters circadian rhythms physiological processes, by disrupting nocturnal production hormone melatonin. Nestlings were exposed a source emitting 3 lx for seven consecutive nights. Subsequently, nestlings challenged with lipopolysaccharide injection, measured haptoglobin nitric oxide levels pre- post-injection. Both important markers function. We found that exposure altered response, having lower higher after challenge compared dark-night Unexpectedly, overall than before. These probably mediated melatonin, as ALAN-treated birds had average 49% melatonin birds. did not have any clear nestling growth. This study provides potential mechanism documented differences function between rural observed other studies. Moreover, it gives evidence affects physiology, potentially causing long-term behaviour, which ultimately can affect their fitness.

Language: Английский

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Migrating birds rapidly increase constitutive immune function during stopover

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7(2), P. 192031 - 192031

Published: Feb. 1, 2020

Migratory flight is physiologically highly demanding and has been shown to negatively affect multiple parameters of constitutive immune function (CIF), an animal's first line physiological defence against infections. In between migratory flights, most birds make stopovers, periods during which they accumulate fuel for the next flight(s). Stopovers are also commonly thought as rest recovery, but what this encompasses largely undefined. Here, we show that stopover, northern wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe, a long-distance bird, can rapidly increase innate function. We caught temporarily caged under ad libitum food conditions at stopover site in autumn. Within 2 days, significantly increased complement activity their ability kill microbes. Changes were not related birds' intake or extent accumulation. Our study suggests stopovers may only be important refuel restore Additionally, CIF could help migrating deal with novel pathogens encounter sites.

Language: Английский

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Conservation‐focused mapping of avian migratory routes using a pan‐European automated telemetry network

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 24, 2025

Accelerated biodiversity loss has destabilized functional links within and between ecosystems. Species that cross different ecosystems during migration breeding nonbreeding sites are particularly sensitive to global change because they exposed various, often ecosystem-specific, threats. Because these threats have lethal nonlethal effects on populations, many migratory species declining, making this group especially vulnerable change. To mitigate their decline, research at a continental flyway scale is required adequately monitor changes in the demographic processes of populations all parts annual cycle. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) could provide solution data gaps exist for small, species. an automated telemetry system animal tracking uses single very-high-frequency radio signal track tagged individuals. can information movements made by individuals small migrant species, thereby aiding understanding aspects affect parameters. Conservation-focused opportunities related include identification critical stopover support connect multiple insight into decisions birds environmental stressors, such as artificial light night. Examples studies from existing network demonstrate its utility high-conservation-value area blackpoll warbler (Setophaga striata) eastern United States. Geographical across Mediterranean region Europe need be filled continent-wide movements. individual-level variety small-bodied taxa, drive expand will improve ability direct conservation plans

Language: Английский

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Pathogen-induced alterations in fine-scale movement behaviour predict impaired reproductive success

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2044)

Published: April 1, 2025

Pathogens play an important role in ecosystems and may impair fitness-enhancing activities such as foraging. However, the sublethal effects of pathogens on host movement behaviour their subsequent impacts reproductive success are poorly understood. In this study, we used high-resolution tracking to examine movements free-ranging European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) associated with avian blood parasite infections. We found that naturally infected individuals displayed reduced foraging behaviour, remained closer breeding location, selected lower-quality habitats. These patterns were poorer body condition adults less favourable development for offspring. behavioural changes suggest physiological limitations imposed by infection, reducing parental care output. Our results provide compelling evidence pathogen-induced fine-scale linked impaired success, further emphasizing need a ecology perspective local host–pathogen dynamics.

Language: Английский

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Context-Dependent Effects of Trematode Parasites on Snail Host Feeding, Movement, and Behavior

Journal of Parasitology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 111(2)

Published: April 21, 2025

Parasites can alter their hosts in a myriad of ways, including physiology, movement, and behavior. In this study, we investigated how trematode parasites impact the movement behavior first intermediate host, keystone grazer Pleurocera proxima, both lab field. Trematode frequently castrate snail increase metabolic needs. Therefore, predicted that infected snails would have increased feeding rates, prefer eating food over spending time with conspecifics, move significantly less than uninfected snails. To test this, conducted series experiments. First, field experiment to quantify rates P. proxima We found consumed 14% more did Next, laboratory preference amount spent either or conspecific. snails, regardless infection status, conspecifics food. then influenced social context an isolated under conditions. moved but context. also whether these differences translate into altered dispersal no effect status on distance direction traveled This work demonstrates influence host substantial ways and, importantly, effects be dependent Future parasite-mediated should investigate different biotic (as done) abiotic contexts establish robust understanding role play shaping our ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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A mimicked bacterial infection prolongs stopover duration in songbirds—but more pronounced in short‐ than long‐distance migrants

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 87(6), P. 1698 - 1708

Published: Aug. 13, 2018

Abstract Migration usually consists of intermittent travel and stopovers, the latter being crucially important for individuals to recover refuel successfully complete migration. Quantifying how sickness behaviours influence stopovers is crucial our understanding migration ecology diseases spread. However, little known about infections in songbirds, which constitute majority avian migrants. We experimentally immune‐challenged autumn migrating passerines (both short‐ long‐distance species) with a simulated bacterial infection. Using an automated radiotelemetry system stopover area, we subsequently quantified duration, “bush‐level” activity patterns (0.1–30 m) landscape movements (30–6,000 m). show that compared controls, birds prolonged their duration by on average 1.2 days 2.9 short‐distance migrants, respectively (100%–126% longer than respectively). During stopover, kept high (which was unexpected) but reduced local movements, independent strategy. Baseline immune function, not blood parasite prior challenge, had prolonging effect particularly conclude mimicked infection does cause lethargy, per se, restricts prolongs this behavioural response also depends status baseline function This adds new level acute inflammation affect behaviour hence evolution Accounting these effects will enable us fine‐tune apply optimal theory. Finally, it help predicting animals may respond increased pathogen pressure caused global change.

Language: Английский

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Do departure and flight route decisions correlate with immune parameters in migratory songbirds?

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 36(12), P. 3007 - 3021

Published: Sept. 23, 2022

Abstract Many songbirds migrate twice a year to exploit seasonally available resources. These journeys are energetically demanding and energy reserves of these small birds limited. Accordingly, most the time migrating is spent during stopovers that serve rest, replenish resources recover. While external influences, like prevailing weather conditions resource availability, well studied with regard stopover behaviour departure decisions, studies on how birds' individual physiological condition decisions may be linked scarce. We used large‐scale radio‐telemetry network covering German Bight (SE North Sea) study immunological constitution at correlate flight in five species short‐ medium‐distance migratory songbirds. measured markers innate (bacterial killing activity, lysozyme concentration, natural antibodies complement titres) acquired immune function (immunoglobulin Y) plasma. After sampling, we tracked terms duration as routes distances within telemetry after departure. found durations were positively related immunoglobulin Y across bacterial activity solely song thrushes spring, while no relations became apparent fall. Flight concentrations both spring fall, though not all investigated species. Coastal offshore‐oriented taken independent status. Our for first shows wild correlated their status, only but also beyond stopover. Furthermore, increased titres Immunoglobulin concentrations, either due recent infection or greater investment function, took additional sites, probably reach breeding grounds good condition. During less time‐constrained fall season, generally prolonged, from status any delays improve likely detrimental fitness. Read free Plain Language Summary this article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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