Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches
Abstract Under climate change, increasing air temperature average and variability pose substantial thermal challenges to animals. While plasticity in thermoregulatory traits could potentially attenuate this impact, whether thermal acclimatisation can occur quickly enough to track weather variability...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45291-0 |
| _version_ | 1797453062297616384 |
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| author | Anaïs Pessato Eve Udino Andrew E. McKechnie Andrew T. D. Bennett Mylene M. Mariette |
| author_facet | Anaïs Pessato Eve Udino Andrew E. McKechnie Andrew T. D. Bennett Mylene M. Mariette |
| author_sort | Anaïs Pessato |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Under climate change, increasing air temperature average and variability pose substantial thermal challenges to animals. While plasticity in thermoregulatory traits could potentially attenuate this impact, whether thermal acclimatisation can occur quickly enough to track weather variability in hot climates is unknown in any endotherm, and sex differences have never been tested. We investigated acclimatisation responsiveness of male and female wild zebra finches to short-term (< 2 weeks) summer temperature fluctuations in the Australian desert. Hotter weather before respirometry trials triggered a typical acclimatisation response (especially at chamber temperature Tchamb ≥ 40). However, acclimatisation occurred remarkably rapidly: metabolic rate responded within just one day, while body temperature (Tb) and evaporative cooling capacity (EHL/MHP) were best predicted by weather on the trial day; whereas evaporative water loss responded more slowly (1 week). Nonetheless, rapid acclimatisation only occurred in males, and females had higher Tb and lower EHL/MHP than males, potentially increasing hyperthermia risk. Furthermore, acclimatisation did not translate into greater acute heat tolerance (i.e. ability to tolerate Tchamb = 46 °C). Our results therefore reveal surprisingly rapid acclimatisation and even anticipatory adjustments to heat. However, with no changes in acute heat tolerance, and in females, phenotypic flexibility may provide only limited buffering against the detrimental impact of heatwaves. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:17:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5e96ddb20b1a400382cd8d193f7b5584 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:17:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-5e96ddb20b1a400382cd8d193f7b55842023-11-26T13:00:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-10-0113111210.1038/s41598-023-45291-0Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finchesAnaïs Pessato0Eve Udino1Andrew E. McKechnie2Andrew T. D. Bennett3Mylene M. Mariette4Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversitySouth African Research Chair in Conservation Physiology, South African National Biodiversity InstituteCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityCentre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin UniversityAbstract Under climate change, increasing air temperature average and variability pose substantial thermal challenges to animals. While plasticity in thermoregulatory traits could potentially attenuate this impact, whether thermal acclimatisation can occur quickly enough to track weather variability in hot climates is unknown in any endotherm, and sex differences have never been tested. We investigated acclimatisation responsiveness of male and female wild zebra finches to short-term (< 2 weeks) summer temperature fluctuations in the Australian desert. Hotter weather before respirometry trials triggered a typical acclimatisation response (especially at chamber temperature Tchamb ≥ 40). However, acclimatisation occurred remarkably rapidly: metabolic rate responded within just one day, while body temperature (Tb) and evaporative cooling capacity (EHL/MHP) were best predicted by weather on the trial day; whereas evaporative water loss responded more slowly (1 week). Nonetheless, rapid acclimatisation only occurred in males, and females had higher Tb and lower EHL/MHP than males, potentially increasing hyperthermia risk. Furthermore, acclimatisation did not translate into greater acute heat tolerance (i.e. ability to tolerate Tchamb = 46 °C). Our results therefore reveal surprisingly rapid acclimatisation and even anticipatory adjustments to heat. However, with no changes in acute heat tolerance, and in females, phenotypic flexibility may provide only limited buffering against the detrimental impact of heatwaves.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45291-0 |
| spellingShingle | Anaïs Pessato Eve Udino Andrew E. McKechnie Andrew T. D. Bennett Mylene M. Mariette Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches Scientific Reports |
| title | Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches |
| title_full | Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches |
| title_fullStr | Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches |
| title_short | Thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex-specific in wild zebra finches |
| title_sort | thermal acclimatisation to heatwave conditions is rapid but sex specific in wild zebra finches |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45291-0 |
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