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Jiménez T, Peña-Villalobos I, Arcila J, Del Basto F, Palma V, Sabat P. The effects of urban thermal heterogeneity and feather coloration on oxidative stress and metabolism of pigeons (Columba livia). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169564. [PMID: 38142996 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization stands out as a significant anthropogenic factor, exerting selective pressures on ecosystems and biotic components. A notable outcome of urbanization is thermal heterogeneity where the emergence of Urban Heat Islands is characterized by elevated air and surface temperatures compared to adjacent rural areas. Investigating the influence of thermal heterogeneity on urban animals could offer insights into how temperature variations can lead to phenotypic shifts. Urban pigeons (Columba livia) serve as an excellent model for studying urban thermal effects, given the melanism variations, which are associated with the pleiotropy of the melanocortin system. To examine the development of physiological plasticity in response to urban thermal variations, we conducted a study on pigeons in Santiago, Chile, during the rainy season. We assessed the influence of habitat on physiological traits related to metabolism and antioxidant capacities, which are theoretically affected by feather coloration. Our findings reveal that variations in melanism significantly impact pigeon physiology, affecting both antioxidant capacities and the mitochondrial activity of red blood cells. It was found that higher urban temperatures, from both the current sampling month and the prior sampling month (from CRU TS dataset), were negatively and strongly associated with lower antioxidant and metabolic activities. This suggests that elevated urban temperatures likely benefit the energetic budgets of pigeon populations and mitigate the negative effects of oxidative metabolism, with differential effects depending on feather colorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás Jiménez
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Isaac Peña-Villalobos
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Laboratorio de Células troncales y Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Javiera Arcila
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisco Del Basto
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Verónica Palma
- Laboratorio de Células troncales y Biología del Desarrollo, Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Sabat
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago, Chile; Millennium Nucleus of Patagonian Limit of Life (LiLi)
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Stonehouse JC, Spurgin LG, Laine VN, Bosse M, Groenen MAM, van Oers K, Sheldon BC, Visser ME, Slate J. The genomics of adaptation to climate in European great tit ( Parus major) populations. Evol Lett 2024; 8:18-28. [PMID: 38370545 PMCID: PMC10872194 DOI: 10.1093/evlett/qrad043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The recognition that climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate means that there is increased urgency in understanding how organisms can adapt to a changing environment. Wild great tit (Parus major) populations represent an attractive ecological model system to understand the genomics of climate adaptation. They are widely distributed across Eurasia and they have been documented to respond to climate change. We performed a Bayesian genome-environment analysis, by combining local climate data with single nucleotide polymorphisms genotype data from 20 European populations (broadly spanning the species' continental range). We found 36 genes putatively linked to adaptation to climate. Following an enrichment analysis of biological process Gene Ontology (GO) terms, we identified over-represented terms and pathways among the candidate genes. Because many different genes and GO terms are associated with climate variables, it seems likely that climate adaptation is polygenic and genetically complex. Our findings also suggest that geographical climate adaptation has been occurring since great tits left their Southern European refugia at the end of the last ice age. Finally, we show that substantial climate-associated genetic variation remains, which will be essential for adaptation to future changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lewis G Spurgin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Veronika N Laine
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mirte Bosse
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Section Ecology and Evolution, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martien A M Groenen
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kees van Oers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ben C Sheldon
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jon Slate
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Cai Z, La Sorte FA, Chen Y, Wu J. The surface urban heat island effect decreases bird diversity in Chinese cities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166200. [PMID: 37567292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
The audiovisual experience of observing birds in cities provides numerous benefits to residents, but their diversity is endangered by urbanization. Although the magnitude of the surface urban heat island effect (hereafter SUHI) has grown in recent years, its impact on bird diversity has not been adequately investigated. Here, we calculate the SUHI in 336 Chinese cities and we document the implications of the SUHI for avian species richness and functional diversity during the 2001, 2011, and 2019 breeding and non-breeding seasons. We predict that the SUHI will result in greater species richness and functional diversity in urban areas during the non-breeding season, especially for cities located within colder regions of China where the SUHI is more likely to relax thermoregulatory costs and reduce the propensity of some species to migrate. We predict that the SUHI will result in decreased species richness and functional diversity during the breeding season due to increased physiological stress, especially for cities located within warmer regions of China. Our findings showed that the SUHI was associated with lower species richness and lower functional diversity of birds in urban areas compared to suburban areas during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. These results suggest that the SUHI induced birds to avoid urban areas or to move to cooler suburban areas during both the breeding and non-breeding seasons. This effect persisted irrespective of a city's size or geographical location. Our findings suggest that the SUHI is degrading bird diversity in Chinese cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizheng Cai
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China; Center for Balanced Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Frank A La Sorte
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
| | - Yu Chen
- The Architectural Design & Research Institute of Zhejiang University Co., Ltd., Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310028, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jiayu Wu
- Institute of Landscape Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
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Chang JH, Lee YL, Chang LT, Chang TY, Hsiao TC, Chung KF, Ho KF, Kuo HP, Lee KY, Chuang KJ, Chuang HC. Climate change, air quality, and respiratory health: a focus on particle deposition in the lungs. Ann Med 2023; 55:2264881. [PMID: 37801626 PMCID: PMC10561567 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2264881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This review article delves into the multifaceted relationship between climate change, air quality, and respiratory health, placing a special focus on the process of particle deposition in the lungs. We discuss the capability of climate change to intensify air pollution and alter particulate matter physicochemical properties such as size, dispersion, and chemical composition. These alterations play a significant role in influencing the deposition of particles in the lungs, leading to consequential respiratory health effects. The review paper provides a broad exploration of climate change's direct and indirect role in modifying particulate air pollution features and its interaction with other air pollutants, which may change the ability of particle deposition in the lungs. In conclusion, climate change may play an important role in regulating particle deposition in the lungs by changing physicochemistry of particulate air pollution, therefore, increasing the risk of respiratory disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jer-Hwa Chang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Lun Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Te Chang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Yuan Chang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chih Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kian Fan Chung
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Kin Fai Ho
- JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Han-Pin Kuo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Jen Chuang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Chi Chuang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sumasgutner P, Nilles T, Hykollari A, de Chapa MM, Isaksson C, Hochleitner L, Renner S, Fusani L. Integument colouration and circulating carotenoids in relation to urbanisation in Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus). THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2023; 110:48. [PMID: 37736824 PMCID: PMC10516791 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-023-01874-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, yet we still lack an integrative understanding of how cities affect behaviour, physiology and parasite susceptibility of free-living organisms. In this study, we focus on carotenoids, strictly dietary micronutrients that can either be used as yellow-red pigments, for integument colouration (signalling function), or as antioxidants, to strengthen the immune system (physiological function) in an urban predator, the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Kestrels are specialised vole hunters but shift to avian prey in cities where diurnal rodents are not sufficiently available. This different foraging strategy might determine the quantity of carotenoids available. We measured integument colouration, circulating carotenoids in the blood and ectoparasite burden in kestrels along an urban gradient. Our results showed that nestlings that were raised in more urbanised areas displayed, unrelated to their ectoparasite burden, a paler integument colouration. Paler colours were furthermore associated with a lower concentration of circulating carotenoids. These findings support the hypothesis that the entire urban food web is carotenoid deprived and only prey of low quality with low carotenoid content is available (e.g. fewer carotenoids in urban trees, insects, small birds and finally kestrels). The alternative hypothesis that nestlings allocate carotenoids to reduce physiological stress and/or to cope with parasites rather than invest into colouration could not be supported. Our study adds to existing evidence that urban stressors negatively affect carotenoid production in urban areas, a deficiency that dissipate into higher trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Sumasgutner
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center, Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau/Almtal, Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tom Nilles
- Konrad Lorenz Research Center, Core Facility for Behavior and Cognition, University of Vienna, Grünau/Almtal, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alba Hykollari
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Merling de Chapa
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Hessian Agency for Nature, Environment and Geology, Biodiversity Center, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Lukas Hochleitner
- Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Swen Renner
- Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leonida Fusani
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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Koskenpato K, Lehikoinen A, Morosinotto C, Gunko R, Karell P. Regional variation in climate change alters the range-wide distribution of colour polymorphism in a wild bird. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10311. [PMID: 37470029 PMCID: PMC10352091 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
According to Gloger's rule, animal colouration is expected to be darker in wetter and warmer climates. Such environmental clines are predicted to occur in colour polymorphic species and to be shaped by selection if colour morphs represent adaptations to different environments. We studied if the distribution of the colour polymorphic tawny owl (Strix aluco) morphs (a pheomelanic brown and a pale grey) across Europe follow the predictions of Gloger's rule and if there is a temporal change in the geographical patterns corresponding to regional variations in climate change. We used data on tawny owl museum skin specimen collections. First, we investigated long-term spatiotemporal variation in the probability of observing the colour morphs in different climate zones. Second, we studied if the probability of observing the colour morphs was associated with general climatic conditions. Third, we studied if weather fluctuations prior to the finding year of an owl explain colour morph in each climate zone. The brown tawny owl morph was historically more common than the grey morph in every studied climate zone. Over time, the brown morph has become rarer in the temperate and Mediterranean zone, whereas it has first become rarer but then again more common in the boreal zone. Based on general climatic conditions, winter and summer temperatures were positively and negatively associated with the proportion of brown morph, respectively. Winter precipitation was negatively associated with the proportion of brown morph. The effects of 5-year means of weather on the probability to observe a brown morph differed between climate zones, indicating region-dependent effect of climate change and weather on tawny owl colouration. To conclude, tawny owl colouration does not explicitly follow Gloger's rule, implying a time and space-dependent complex system shaped by many factors. We provide novel insights into how the geographic distribution of pheomelanin-based colour polymorphism is changing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Koskenpato
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, The Helsinki Lab of OrnithologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Present address:
Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and ForestryUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Aleksi Lehikoinen
- Finnish Museum of Natural History, The Helsinki Lab of OrnithologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Chiara Morosinotto
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
- Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
- Present address:
Department of BiologyUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
- Present address:
National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC)PalermoItaly
| | - Ruslan Gunko
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
- Department of BiologyUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Patrik Karell
- Bioeconomy Research TeamNovia University of Applied SciencesEkenäsFinland
- Department of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
- Present address:
Department of Ecology and GeneticsUniversity of UppsalaUppsalaSweden
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