Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights
Long-distance migration in birds is a complex syndrome that involves high energy costs and, in some species, substantial physiological re-organisation. Such flexible migratory phenotypes are commonly associated with bird species flying non-stop across vast ecological barriers, where there are few op...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.749534/full |
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| author | Tess Handby Julia Slezacek Sara Lupi Kendrew Colhoun Xavier A. Harrison Stuart Bearhop |
| author_facet | Tess Handby Julia Slezacek Sara Lupi Kendrew Colhoun Xavier A. Harrison Stuart Bearhop |
| author_sort | Tess Handby |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Long-distance migration in birds is a complex syndrome that involves high energy costs and, in some species, substantial physiological re-organisation. Such flexible migratory phenotypes are commonly associated with bird species flying non-stop across vast ecological barriers, where there are few opportunities to stop and refuel en route. Prior to making migratory flights, some species have been found to atrophy organs that are not required (e.g., digestive organs) and grow those associated with powering flight (pectora muscles and heart), presumably to optimise costs. However, most studies of this flexibility have required sacrificing study animals and this has limited our capacity to measure individual variation and its potential consequences. Here we investigate the behavioural and, indirectly, physiological adaptation of an arctic breeding long-distance migrant the light-bellied brent goose Branta bernicla hrota, during spring staging in southwest Iceland. We use a sequential sampling approach to record behavioural observations and conduct stable isotope analysis of faecal samples from uniquely marked individuals to assess protein catabolism. Individuals showed a three-phase fuel deposition process, with initial slow intake rates followed by hyperphagia and then a period of inactivity immediately prior to migratory departure (despite multiple days with favourable wind conditions). The C:N ratio and δ15N values in faeces were significantly linked to fat deposition during the latter stages and suggests catabolism (reorganisation of proteins) occurring prior to departure. Our results suggest a strategic delay in migratory departure to enable reorganisation into a flying phenotype and that the extent of this varies among individuals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T23:58:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-daaa83c97951451e8e51e0372e64be70 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-701X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T23:58:36Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-daaa83c97951451e8e51e0372e64be702022-12-21T17:25:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2022-02-011010.3389/fevo.2022.749534749534Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance FlightsTess Handby0Julia Slezacek1Sara Lupi2Kendrew Colhoun3Xavier A. Harrison4Stuart Bearhop5Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Exeter, United KingdomKonrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, AustriaKonrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, AustriaKRC Ecological Ltd., Bryansford, United KingdomCentre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Exeter, United KingdomCentre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Exeter, United KingdomLong-distance migration in birds is a complex syndrome that involves high energy costs and, in some species, substantial physiological re-organisation. Such flexible migratory phenotypes are commonly associated with bird species flying non-stop across vast ecological barriers, where there are few opportunities to stop and refuel en route. Prior to making migratory flights, some species have been found to atrophy organs that are not required (e.g., digestive organs) and grow those associated with powering flight (pectora muscles and heart), presumably to optimise costs. However, most studies of this flexibility have required sacrificing study animals and this has limited our capacity to measure individual variation and its potential consequences. Here we investigate the behavioural and, indirectly, physiological adaptation of an arctic breeding long-distance migrant the light-bellied brent goose Branta bernicla hrota, during spring staging in southwest Iceland. We use a sequential sampling approach to record behavioural observations and conduct stable isotope analysis of faecal samples from uniquely marked individuals to assess protein catabolism. Individuals showed a three-phase fuel deposition process, with initial slow intake rates followed by hyperphagia and then a period of inactivity immediately prior to migratory departure (despite multiple days with favourable wind conditions). The C:N ratio and δ15N values in faeces were significantly linked to fat deposition during the latter stages and suggests catabolism (reorganisation of proteins) occurring prior to departure. Our results suggest a strategic delay in migratory departure to enable reorganisation into a flying phenotype and that the extent of this varies among individuals.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.749534/fullmigratory birdsspring stagingphenotypic flexibilityatrophybehaviour |
| spellingShingle | Tess Handby Julia Slezacek Sara Lupi Kendrew Colhoun Xavier A. Harrison Stuart Bearhop Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution migratory birds spring staging phenotypic flexibility atrophy behaviour |
| title | Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights |
| title_full | Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights |
| title_fullStr | Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights |
| title_short | Changes in Behaviour and Proxies of Physiology Suggest Individual Variation in the Building of Migratory Phenotypes in Preparation for Long-Distance Flights |
| title_sort | changes in behaviour and proxies of physiology suggest individual variation in the building of migratory phenotypes in preparation for long distance flights |
| topic | migratory birds spring staging phenotypic flexibility atrophy behaviour |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.749534/full |
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