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Mora-Rubio C, Garcia-Longoria L, Ferraguti M, Magallanes S, Cruz JT, de Lope F, Marzal A. The Impact of Avian Haemosporidian Infection on Feather Quality and Feather Growth Rate of Migratory Passerines. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1772. [PMID: 38929391 PMCID: PMC11200494 DOI: 10.3390/ani14121772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bird feathers have several functions, including flight, insulation, communication, and camouflage. Since feathers degrade over time, birds need to moult regularly to maintain these functions. However, environmental factors like food scarcity, stress, and parasite infections can affect feather quality and moult speed. This study examined the impact of avian haemosporidian infection and uropygial gland volume, as well as feather quality and feather growth rate in two migratory hirundine species captured in southwestern Spain-the house martin (Delichon urbicum) and sand martin (Riparia riparia). Our findings showed that the prevalence of infection varied among species, with house martins having the highest rates, possibly due to their larger colony size. Moreover, haemosporidian infection had a different impact on each species; infected house martins exhibited lower feather quality than healthy individuals, although this outcome was not observed in sand martins. Furthermore, no effect of infection on feather growth rate was observed in both hirundinids. Additionally, feather growth rate only correlated positively with feather quality in house martins. Finally, no link was observed between uropygial gland volume and feather quality or feather growth rate in any of the species in this study. These findings highlight the effect of haemosporidian infections on the plumage of migratory birds, marking, for the first time, how avian haemosporidian infection is shown to adversely impact feather quality. Even so, further research is needed to explore these relationships more deeply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mora-Rubio
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Luz Garcia-Longoria
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Martina Ferraguti
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Doñana Biological Station (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (M.F.); (S.M.)
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Magallanes
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Doñana Biological Station (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 41092 Sevilla, Spain; (M.F.); (S.M.)
- Centre for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - João T. Cruz
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV-ULisboa), University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Florentino de Lope
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Alfonso Marzal
- Department of Anatomy, Cellular Biology and Zoology, University of Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain; (L.G.-L.); (F.d.L.); (A.M.)
- Wildlife Research Group, San Martin National University, 22021 Tarapoto, Peru
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2
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Hegyi G, Laczi M, Kötél D, Csörgő T. Melanin-based ornament darkness positively correlates with across-season nutritional condition. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13087-13094. [PMID: 33304519 PMCID: PMC7713921 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexually dimorphic ornamental traits are widely regarded as indicators of nutritional condition. However, variation of nutritional condition outside the reproductive and the ornament production seasons has rarely been considered, although it affects the generality of information content, especially for ornaments that may be used across the year. We measured several indicators of migratory and molt condition in male and female blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) during their autumn migration, and quantified their crown reflectance. We detected robust correlations between migratory and molt condition indices, and the correlation structure was similar in the two sexes. Furthermore, the across-season measure of body condition was positively related to the darkness of the black crown in males, while being unrelated to reflectance traits of the reddish crown in females. Our results reinforce the possibility that some melanin-based ornaments may be year-round indicators of individual quality via their dependence on nutritional condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Hegyi
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Miklós Laczi
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Dóra Kötél
- Department of Systematic Zoology and EcologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Tibor Csörgő
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental BiologyELTE Eötvös Loránd UniversityBudapestHungary
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3
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Delhey K, Guallar S, Rueda-Hernández R, Valcu M, Wang D, Kempenaers B. Partial or complete? The evolution of post-juvenile moult strategies in passerine birds. J Anim Ecol 2020; 89:2896-2908. [PMID: 32979275 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Moulting strategies in birds have evolved to avoid overlap with, or prepare for, other demanding parts of the annual cycle, such as reproduction or migration. When moulting for the first time after leaving the nest, young birds replace their typically poor-quality plumage during the post-juvenile moult. The extent of this moult varies between species from partial to complete. Earlier studies, restricted to Western Palearctic birds, suggest that in most species a complete post-juvenile moult may not be possible simply because young birds are constrained by not having the same access to resources as adults, unless environmental conditions are favourable. These studies also show that complete post-juvenile moult is more common in species with poor-quality nest-grown plumage. We expanded the spatial and taxonomic scope of previous studies to 1,315 species of passerines from across the world and considered both the role of constraints, plumage quality and other selective pressures favouring a complete post-juvenile moult. Thus, we test whether complete moult is more prevalent in species where nest-grown feathers are presumably of poor quality (shorter nestling period), that live in environments that foster quick plumage degradation (open habitats, high insolation and humidity), and where males are under strong sexual selection. Our data reveal that 24% of species carry out a complete post-juvenile moult, and that this trait has a strong phylogenetic signal. Complete moult is more common in species that inhabit warmer regions and open habitats, show no delayed plumage maturation and have higher levels of sexual dichromatism (indicative of strong sexual selection). Neither the presumed quality of the nest-grown plumage nor living in regions with high insolation correlates with complete moult. In conclusion, the evolution of complete post-juvenile moult not only depends on whether birds can perform a complete moult (i.e. suitable environmental conditions) but also on the strength of selection associated with the need of a complete moult. In particular, the necessity to keep the plumage in good condition in challenging environments and the benefits associated with producing adult-like plumage colours to attract mates or deter rivals seem to play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaspar Delhey
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.,School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Santiago Guallar
- Department de Vertebrats, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Rueda-Hernández
- Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México DF, México
| | - Mihai Valcu
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Daiping Wang
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany
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4
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Janas K, Łatkiewicz A, Parnell A, Lutyk D, Barczyk J, Shawkey MD, Gustafsson L, Cichoń M, Drobniak SM. Differential effects of early growth conditions on colour-producing nanostructures revealed through small angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb228387. [PMID: 32764026 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.228387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The costs associated with the production and maintenance of colour patches is thought to maintain their honesty. Although considerable research on sexual selection has focused on structurally coloured plumage ornaments, the proximate mechanisms of their potential condition dependence, and thus their honesty, is rarely addressed, particularly in an experimental context. Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nestlings have ultraviolet (UV)-blue structurally coloured tail feathers, providing a unique opportunity for investigation of the causes of variation in their colour. Here, we examined the influence of early growing conditions on the reflectance and structural properties of UV-blue-coloured tail feathers of blue tit nestlings. We applied a two-stage brood size manipulation to determine which stage of development more strongly impacts the quality of tail feather colouration and microstructure. We used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and electron microscopy to characterise the nanoscale and microscale structure of tail feather barbs. Nestlings from the broods enlarged at a later stage of growth showed a sex-specific rectrix development delay, with males being more sensitive to this manipulation. Contrary to predictions, treatment affected neither the quality of the barbs' nanostructures nor the brightness and UV chroma of feathers. However, at the microscale, barbs' keratin characteristics were impaired in late-enlarged broods. Our results suggest that nanostructure quality, which determines the UV-blue colour in tail feathers, is not sensitive to early rearing conditions. Furthermore, availability of resources during feather growth seems to impact the quality of feather microstructure more than body condition, which is likely to be determined at an earlier stage of nestling growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Janas
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Łatkiewicz
- Institute of Geological Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3a, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrew Parnell
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Sheffield, The Hicks Building, Sheffield S3 7RH, UK
| | - Dorota Lutyk
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Julia Barczyk
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures, Department of Biology, University of Ghent, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Lars Gustafsson
- Department of Animal Ecology/Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18 D, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mariusz Cichoń
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Szymon M Drobniak
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
- School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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5
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de la Hera I, Hernández-Téllez I, Pérez-Rigueiro J, Pérez-Tris J, Rojo FJ, Tellería JL. Mechanical and structural adaptations to migration in the flight feathers of a Palaearctic passerine. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:979-989. [PMID: 32282960 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Current avian migration patterns in temperate regions have been developed during the glacial retreat and subsequent colonization of the ice-free areas during the Holocene. This process resulted in a geographic gradient of greater seasonality as latitude increased that favoured migration-related morphological and physiological (co)adaptations. Most evidence of avian morphological adaptations to migration comes from the analysis of variation in the length and shape of the wings, but the existence of intra-feather structural adjustments has been greatly overlooked despite their potential to be under natural selection. To shed some light on this question, we used data from European robins Erithacus rubecula overwintering in Campo de Gibraltar (Southern Iberia), where sedentary robins coexist during winter with conspecifics showing a broad range of breeding origins and, hence, migration distances. We explicitly explored how wing length and shape, as well as several functional (bending stiffness), developmental (feather growth rate) and structural (size and complexity of feather components) characteristics of flight feathers, varied in relation to migration distance, which was estimated from the hydrogen stable isotope ratios of the summer-produced tail feathers. Our results revealed that migration distance not only favoured longer and more concave wings, but also promoted primaries with a thicker dorsoventral rachis and shorter barb lengths, which, in turn, conferred more bending stiffness to these feathers. We suggest that these intra-feather structural adjustments could be an additional, largely unnoticed, adaptation within the avian migratory syndrome that might have the potential to evolve relatively quickly to facilitate the occupation of seasonal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván de la Hera
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Irene Hernández-Téllez
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Pérez-Rigueiro
- Department of Materials Science, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Pérez-Tris
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - José Luis Tellería
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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6
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Insulin-like growth factor 1 is related to the expression of plumage traits in a passerine species. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-2821-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Avian plumage colors and ornaments are excellent models to study the endocrine mechanisms linking sexually selected traits and individual parameters of quality and condition. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an evolutionarily highly conserved peptide hormone. Its regulatory role in cell proliferation and differentiation and its high sensitivity to the nutritional state of individuals suggest it as an interesting candidate, possibly providing a link between body condition and individual capacity to grow elaborated ornamental features. We investigated whether IGF-1 levels during molting correlate with the expression of multiple ornaments in a sexually dichromatic passerine species, the bearded reedling (Panurus biarmicus). We collected blood samples of males and females shortly before the molting completed and measured the size and colors of ornamental traits. Our results indicate that in males, structural plumage colors, the size of the melanin-based ornament (beard), and tail length are independent traits. IGF-1 levels are associated with the length of the tail and the expression of male structural plumage components (UV coloration), but not the melanin-based ornament. In females, plumage color and tail length were independent traits, which were not related to IGF-1 levels. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that IGF-1 could play a role in the development of secondary sexual characters in a bird species.
Significance statement
IGF-1 is an evolutionarily highly conserved peptide hormone, which recently entered the center stage of research enquiry in evolutionary biology. It is considered as one of the key factors shaping individual life histories, but little is known about its effects on sexually selected traits. We investigated whether IGF-1 levels during molting predict the elaboration of multiple ornamental plumage traits in male and female bearded reedlings (Panurus biarmicus). Our results indicate that higher IGF-1 levels had positive effects on male structural plumage colors and tail feather length. This is the first study, bringing indication for a potential role of IGF-1 in the expression of plumage ornaments in a bird species. Our findings suggest that IGF-1 might serve as an ideal candidate to study the mechanisms linking condition and the capacity to develop sexually selected ornaments.
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7
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Age differences in night-time metabolic rate and body temperature in a small passerine. J Comp Physiol B 2020; 190:349-359. [PMID: 32095837 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-020-01266-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Spending the winter in northern climes with short days and cold ambient temperatures (Ta) can be energetically challenging for small birds that have high metabolic and heat loss rates. Hence, maintaining body temperature (Tb) in Ta below thermoneutrality can be energetically costly for a small bird. We still know little about how increased heat production below thermoneutrality affects the level at which Tb is maintained, and if these patterns are age specific. To test this, we measured subcutaneous body temperature (Ts) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) simultaneously in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) during winter nights in Ta's ranging from 25 to - 15 °C. RMR increased below the lower critical temperature (LCT, estimated at 14 °C) and was 6% higher in young (birds in their first winter) compared to old birds (birds in their second winter or older). The higher RMR was also mirrored in higher Ts and thermal conductance (C) in young birds, which we suggest could be caused by age differences in plumage quality, likely driven by time constraints during moult. Reduction in nightly predicted Tb was modest and increased again at the coldest ambient temperatures, suggesting that either heat retention or heat production (or both) improved when Ta reached levels which are cold by the standards of birds in our population. Our results show that levels of heat production and Tb can be age specific. Further studies should address age-specific differences on quality, structure, and thermal conductivity of plumage more explicitly, to investigate the role of variation in insulation in age-linked metabolic phenotypes.
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8
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Tomotani BM, de la Hera I, Lange CYMJG, van Lith B, Meddle SL, Both C, Visser ME. Timing manipulations reveal the lack of a causal link across timing of annual-cycle stages in a long-distance migrant. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.201467. [PMID: 31413104 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.201467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Organisms need to time their annual-cycle stages, like breeding and migration, to occur at the right time of the year. Climate change has shifted the timing of annual-cycle stages at different rates, thereby tightening or lifting time constraints of these annual-cycle stages, a rarely studied consequence of climate change. The degree to which these constraints are affected by climate change depends on whether consecutive stages are causally linked (scenario I) or whether the timing of each stage is independent of other stages (scenario II). Under scenario I, a change in timing in one stage has knock-on timing effects on subsequent stages, whereas under scenario II, a shift in the timing of one stage affects the degree of overlap with previous and subsequent stages. To test this, we combined field manipulations, captivity measurements and geolocation data. We advanced and delayed hatching dates in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and measured how the timing of subsequent stages (male moult and migration) were affected. There was no causal effect of manipulated hatching dates on the onset of moult and departure to Africa. Thus, advancing hatching dates reduced the male moult-breeding overlap with no effect on the moult-migration interval. Interestingly, the wintering location of delayed males was more westwards, suggesting that delaying the termination of breeding carries over to winter location. Because we found no causal linkage of the timing of annual-cycle stages, climate change could shift these stages at different rates, with the risk that the time available for some becomes so short that this will have major fitness consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara M Tomotani
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands .,Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
| | - Iván de la Hera
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.,School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland T23XA50
| | - Cynthia Y M J G Lange
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart van Lith
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone L Meddle
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Christiaan Both
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel E Visser
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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9
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Szép T, Dobránszky J, Møller AP, Dyke G, Lendvai ÁZ. Older birds have better feathers: A longitudinal study on the long-distance migratory Sand Martin, Riparia riparia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0209737. [PMID: 30608973 PMCID: PMC6319700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Feather quality is of critical importance to long-distance migratory birds. Here, we report a series of analyses of a unique data set encompassing known-age individuals of the long-distance migratory Sand Martin (Riparia riparia). Sampling over 17 years along the Tisza River, eastern Hungary, has resulted in the recapture of numerous individuals enabling longitudinal and cross-sectional investigation of the role of adaptation to variable environmental conditions on feather morphology. We show that older individuals tend to possess better quality feathers, measured using bending stiffness, feather length and thickness as proxies. Bending stiffness and feather thickness do not change with individual age, in contrast with increases in feather length and declines in daily feather growth versus age of individual alongside moult duration. Individuals who live to older ages tend to have similar, or higher, feather growth rates and better feather quality than individuals captured at younger ages. Thus, on the basis of strong selection against individuals with slow feather growth, as seen in other species of swallows and martins, which causes a delay in moult completion, the results of this analysis highlight the potential cost of producing better quality feathers when this depends on moult duration. Feather length also does change during the lifetime of the individual and thus enabled us to further investigate influence of individual and environmental conditions during the moult. The results of this analysis provide important insights on the adaptive significance of these traits, and the potential use of physical characteristics in unravelling the reasons why long distance migratory bird populations are in global decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Szép
- Institute of Environmental Science, University of Nyíregyháza, Nyíregyháza, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - János Dobránszky
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systematique et Evolution, UMR 8079 CNRS-Université Paris-Sud XI-AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Sud XI, Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Gareth Dyke
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ádám Z. Lendvai
- Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- Department of Geology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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10
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Tomotani BM, Muijres FT. A songbird compensates for wing molt during escape flights by reducing the molt gap and increasing angle-of-attack. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.195396. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.195396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
During molt, birds replace their feathers to retain feather quality and maintain flight performance. However, wing gaps inherent of this process can also reduce flight capacities, which could be detrimental when foraging or escaping predators. Still, many bird species will not stop their normal activities when molting. In this study, we investigated whether and how birds adjust their escape flight behavior to compensate for the reduction in performance when flying with wing gaps. Using stereoscopic high-speed videography, we filmed 146 upward-directed escape flights of 19 and 22 pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) with and without simulated molt gaps, respectively. We then reconstructed the three-dimensional body and wing movements throughout each maneuver. By comparing flights with and without gaps, we determined how wing molt gaps affected wing morphology, escape flight performance, and how the birds adjusted their flight kinematics in order to negate possible negative aerodynamic effects. Our manipulations resulted in a lower second-moment-of-area of the wings, but flight speed and net aerodynamic force production did not differ between the two groups. We found that in manipulated birds, the size of the gap was reduced as the flight feathers adjacent to the gap had moved towards each other. Moreover, the experimental decrease in second-moment-of-area was associated with an increase in angle-of-attack, whereas changes in wingbeat-induced speeds were associated with variations in aerodynamic force production. This suggests that the control of escape flight in molting birds might be modular, allowing relatively simple flight control, thus reducing the burden on the neuro-muscular flight control system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara M. Tomotani
- Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), PO Box 50, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Florian T. Muijres
- Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Kiat Y, Izhaki I, Sapir N. The effects of long-distance migration on the evolution of moult strategies in Western-Palearctic passerines. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 94:700-720. [PMID: 30334341 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Although feathers are the unifying characteristic of all birds, our understanding of the causes, mechanisms, patterns and consequences of the feather moult process lags behind that of other major avian life-history phenomena such as reproduction and long-distance migration. Migration, which evolved in many species of the temperate and arctic zones, requires high energy expenditure to endure long-distance journeys. About a third of Western-Palearctic passerines perform long-distance migrations of thousands of kilometres each year using various morphological, physiological, biomechanical, behavioural and life-history adaptations. The need to include the largely non-overlapping breeding, long-distance migration and feather moult processes within the annual cycle imposes a substantial constraint on the time over which the moult process can take place. Here, we review four feather-moult-related adaptations which, likely due to time constraints, evolved among long-distance Western-Palearctic migrants: (i) increased moult speed; (ii) increased overlap between moult and breeding or migration; (iii) decreased extent of plumage moult; and (iv) moult of part or all of the plumage during the over-wintering period in the tropics rather than in the breeding areas. We suggest that long-distance migration shaped the evolution of moult strategies and increased the diversity of these strategies among migratory passerines. In contrast to this variation, all resident passerines in the Western Palearctic moult immediately after breeding by renewing the entire plumage of adults and in some species also juveniles, while in other species juvenile moult is partial. We identify important gaps in our current understanding of the moult process that should be addressed in the future. Notably, previous studies suggested that the ancestral moult strategy is a post-breeding summer moult in the Western Palearctic breeding areas and that moult during the winter evolved due to the scheduling of long-distance migration immediately after breeding. We offer an alternative hypothesis based on the notion of southern ancestry, proposing that the ancestral moult strategy was a complete moult during the 'northern winter' in the Afro-tropical region in these species, for both adults and juveniles. An important aspect of the observed variation in moult strategies relates to their control mechanisms and we suggest that there is insufficient knowledge regarding the physiological mechanisms that are involved, and whether they are genetically fixed or shaped by environmental factors. Finally, research effort is needed on how global climate changes may influence avian annual routines by altering the scheduling of major processes such as long-distance migration and feather moult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Kiat
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa 199 Aba Khoushy Avenue, Mount Carmel 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Izhaki
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa 199 Aba Khoushy Avenue, Mount Carmel 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nir Sapir
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa 199 Aba Khoushy Avenue, Mount Carmel 3498838, Haifa, Israel
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12
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Kiat Y, Sapir N. Life-history trade-offs result in evolutionary optimization of feather quality. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Kiat
- Animal Flight Laboratory, Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nir Sapir
- Animal Flight Laboratory, Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology and the Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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13
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Briedis M, Krist M, Král M, Voigt CC, Adamík P. Linking events throughout the annual cycle in a migratory bird—non-breeding period buffers accumulation of carry-over effects. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Hegyi G, Laczi M, Kötél D, Csizmadia T, Lőw P, Rosivall B, Szöllősi E, Török J. Reflectance variation in the blue tit crown in relation to feather structure. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.176727. [PMID: 29615523 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.176727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Structural plumage colour is one of the most enigmatic sexually selected traits. The information content of structural colour variation is debated, and the heterogeneity of the findings is hard to explain because the proximate background of within-species colour differences is very scarcely studied. We combined measurements of feather macrostructure and nanostructure to explain within-population variability in blue tit crown reflectance. We found that sexual dichromatism in aspects of crown reflectance was explained only by feather macrostructure, whereas nanostructural predictors accounted for some of the age-related differences in reflectance. Moreover, we found that both mean reflectance and spectral shape traits reflected a combination of quantity and regularity aspects in macrostructure and nanostructure. This rich proximate background provides ample scope for reflectance to convey various types of information on individual quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Hegyi
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Laczi
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.,The Barn Owl Foundation, Temesvári út 8, H-8744 Orosztony, Hungary
| | - Dóra Kötél
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Csizmadia
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Lőw
- Department of Anatomy, Cell and Developmental Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Rosivall
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Szöllősi
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Török
- Behavioural Ecology Group, Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Ecology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Al Rubaiee Z, Al Murayati H, Nielsen JT, Møller AP. Fungi, feather damage, and risk of predation. Ecol Evol 2018; 7:10797-10803. [PMID: 29299258 PMCID: PMC5743683 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Predation is a powerful selective force with important effects on behavior, morphology, life history, and evolution of prey. Parasites may change body condition, health status, and ability to escape from or defend prey against predators. Once a prey individual has been detected, it can rely on a diversity of means of escape from the pursuit by the predator. Here we tested whether prey of a common raptor differed in terms of fungi from nonprey recorded at the same sites using the goshawk Accipiter gentilis and its avian prey as a model system. We found a positive association between the probability of falling prey to the raptor and the presence and the abundance of fungi. Birds with a specific composition of the community of fungi had higher probability of falling prey to a goshawk than individual hosts with fewer fungi. These findings imply that fungi may play a significant role in predator–prey interactions. The probability of having damaged feathers increased with the number of fungal colonies, and in particular the abundance of Myceliophthora verrucos and Schizophyllum sp. was positively related to the probability of having damaged feathers. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the rate of feather growth of goshawk prey with birds with more fungi being more likely to be depredated. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that survival and feather quality of birds are related to abundance and diversity of fungi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaid Al Rubaiee
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
| | - Haider Al Murayati
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
| | | | - Anders Pape Møller
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, Agro Paris Tech, Université Paris-Saclay Orsay Cedex France
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16
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Tomotani BM, Muijres FT, Koelman J, Casagrande S, Visser ME. Simulated moult reduces flight performance but overlap with breeding does not affect breeding success in a long‐distance migrant. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara M. Tomotani
- Department of Animal EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Florian T. Muijres
- Experimental Zoology GroupWageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Julia Koelman
- Experimental Zoology GroupWageningen University Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Stefania Casagrande
- Evolutionary Physiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Ornithology Seewiesen Germany
| | - Marcel E. Visser
- Department of Animal EcologyNetherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen The Netherlands
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17
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Lank DB, Xu C, Harrington BA, Morrison RIG, Gratto-Trevor CL, Hicklin PW, Sandercock BK, Smith PA, Kwon E, Rausch J, Pirie Dominix LD, Hamilton DJ, Paquet J, Bliss SE, Neima SG, Friis C, Flemming SA, Anderson AM, Ydenberg RC. Long-term continental changes in wing length, but not bill length, of a long-distance migratory shorebird. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3243-3256. [PMID: 28480022 PMCID: PMC5415538 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We compiled a >50‐year record of morphometrics for semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla), a shorebird species with a Nearctic breeding distribution and intercontinental migration to South America. Our data included >57,000 individuals captured 1972–2015 at five breeding locations and three major stopover sites, plus 139 museum specimens collected in earlier decades. Wing length increased by ca. 1.5 mm (>1%) prior to 1980, followed by a decrease of 3.85 mm (nearly 4%) over the subsequent 35 years. This can account for previously reported changes in metrics at a migratory stopover site from 1985 to 2006. Wing length decreased at a rate of 1,098 darwins, or 0.176 haldanes, within the ranges of other field studies of phenotypic change. Bill length, in contrast, showed no consistent change over the full period of our study. Decreased body size as a universal response of animal populations to climate warming, and several other potential mechanisms, are unable to account for the increasing and decreasing wing length pattern observed. We propose that the post‐WWII near‐extirpation of falcon populations and their post‐1973 recovery driven by the widespread use and subsequent limitation on DDT in North America selected initially for greater flight efficiency and latterly for greater agility. This predation danger hypothesis accounts for many features of the morphometric data and deserves further investigation in this and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Lank
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
| | - Cailin Xu
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
| | | | - Richard I Guy Morrison
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada Carleton University Ottawa ON Canada
| | - Cheri L Gratto-Trevor
- Prairie and Northern Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada Saskatoon SK Canada
| | - Peter W Hicklin
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada Sackville
NB Canada
| | | | - Paul Allen Smith
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change Canada Carleton University Ottawa ON Canada
| | - Eunbi Kwon
- Division of Biology Kansas State University Manhattan KS USA.,Present address: Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Virginia Tech Blacksburg VA USA
| | - Jennie Rausch
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada Yellowknife NT Canada
| | - Lisa D Pirie Dominix
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada Iqaluit NU Canada
| | - Diana J Hamilton
- Department of Biology Mount Allison University Sackville NB Canada
| | - Julie Paquet
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada Sackville
NB Canada
| | - Sydney E Bliss
- Department of Biology Mount Allison University Sackville NB Canada
| | - Sarah G Neima
- Department of Biology Mount Allison University Sackville NB Canada
| | - Christian Friis
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada Toronto ON Canada
| | - Scott A Flemming
- Environmental and Life Sciences Trent University Peterborough ON Canada
| | | | - Ronald C Ydenberg
- Centre for Wildlife Ecology Simon Fraser University Burnaby BC Canada
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18
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19
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Pap PL, Vincze O, Wekerle B, Daubner T, Vágási CI, Nudds RL, Dyke GJ, Osváth G. A phylogenetic comparative analysis reveals correlations between body feather structure and habitat. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Beatrix Wekerle
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
| | - Timea Daubner
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Robert L. Nudds
- Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester ManchesterM13 9PT UK
| | - Gareth J. Dyke
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 H‐4032 Debrecen Hungary
- Museum of Zoology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 RO‐400006 Cluj Napoca Romania
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20
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Václav R, Kolníková Z. Effects of food and thermal regimes on body condition indices and skin colouration in corn snakes. Biologia (Bratisl) 2017. [DOI: 10.1515/biolog-2017-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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21
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Lifetime variation in feather corticosterone levels in a long-lived raptor. Oecologia 2016; 183:315-326. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3708-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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22
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Jovani R, Rohwer S. Fault bars in bird feathers: mechanisms, and ecological and evolutionary causes and consequences. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1113-1127. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Jovani
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology; Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC); Avenida Americo Vespucio s/n 41092 Seville Spain
| | - Sievert Rohwer
- Department of Biology and Burke Museum; University of Washington; Seattle WA 98195 U.S.A
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23
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Gardner JL, Amano T, Sutherland WJ, Clayton M, Peters A. Individual and demographic consequences of reduced body condition following repeated exposure to high temperatures. Ecology 2016. [DOI: 10.1890/15-0642.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Janet L. Gardner
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. 3168 Australia
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Tatsuya Amano
- Conservation Science Group Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 3EJ United Kingdom
| | - William J. Sutherland
- Conservation Science Group Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge CB2 3EJ United Kingdom
| | | | - Anne Peters
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. 3168 Australia
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24
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Pap PL, Osváth G, Aparicio JM, Bărbos L, Matyjasiak P, Rubolini D, Saino N, Vágási CI, Vincze O, Møller AP. Sexual Dimorphism and Population Differences in Structural Properties of Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Wing and Tail Feathers. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130844. [PMID: 26110255 PMCID: PMC4482263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual selection and aerodynamic forces affecting structural properties of the flight feathers of birds are poorly understood. Here, we compared the structural features of the innermost primary wing feather (P1) and the sexually dimorphic outermost (Ta6) and monomorphic second outermost (Ta5) tail feathers of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) from a Romanian population to investigate how sexual selection and resistance to aerodynamic forces affect structural differences among these feathers. Furthermore, we compared structural properties of Ta6 of barn swallows from six European populations. Finally, we determined the relationship between feather growth bars width (GBW) and the structural properties of tail feathers. The structure of P1 indicates strong resistance against aerodynamic forces, while the narrow rachis, low vane density and low bending stiffness of tail feathers suggest reduced resistance against airflow. The highly elongated Ta6 is characterized by structural modifications such as large rachis width and increased barbule density in relation to the less elongated Ta5, which can be explained by increased length and/or high aerodynamic forces acting at the leading tail edge. However, these changes in Ta6 structure do not allow for full compensation of elongation, as reflected by the reduced bending stiffness of Ta6. Ta6 elongation in males resulted in feathers with reduced resistance, as shown by the low barb density and reduced bending stiffness compared to females. The inconsistency in sexual dimorphism and in change in quality traits of Ta6 among six European populations shows that multiple factors may contribute to shaping population differences. In general, the difference in quality traits between tail feathers cannot be explained by the GBW of feathers. Our results show that the material and structural properties of wing and tail feathers of barn swallows change as a result of aerodynamic forces and sexual selection, although the result of these changes can be contrasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- MTA-DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Museum of Zoology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
| | - José Miguel Aparicio
- Grupo de Investigación de la Biodiversidad Genética y Cultural, IREC-(CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lőrinc Bărbos
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- ‘Milvus Group’ Bird and Nature Protection Association, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Piotr Matyjasiak
- Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Saino
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj Napoca, Romania
- MTA-DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- MTA-DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Anders Pape Møller
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution, CNRS UMR 8079, Université Paris-Sud, Orsay Cedex, France
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25
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Crates RA, Sheldon BC, Garroway CJ. Causes and consequences of individual variation in the extent of post-juvenile moult in the blue titCyanistes caeruleus(Passeriformes: Paridae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ross A. Crates
- Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Ben C. Sheldon
- Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
| | - Colin J. Garroway
- Edward Grey Institute; University of Oxford; South Parks Road Oxford OX1 3PS UK
- Département de Sciences Biologiques; Université de Montréal; Montréal QC H2V 2S9 Canada
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26
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Pap PL, Osváth G, Sándor K, Vincze O, Bărbos L, Marton A, Nudds RL, Vágási CI. Interspecific variation in the structural properties of flight feathers in birds indicates adaptation to flight requirements and habitat. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Gergely Osváth
- Museum of Zoology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Krisztina Sándor
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
| | - Lőrinc Bărbos
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
- ‘Milvus Group’ Bird and Nature Protection Association Márton Áron street 9/BTîrgu Mureş RO–540058 Romania
| | - Attila Marton
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
- ‘Milvus Group’ Bird and Nature Protection Association Márton Áron street 9/BTîrgu Mureş RO–540058 Romania
| | - Robert L. Nudds
- Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PT UK
| | - Csongor I. Vágási
- MTA‐DE “Lendület” Behavioural Ecology Research Group Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology University of Debrecen Egyetem tér 1 Debrecen H–4032 Hungary
- Evolutionary Ecology Group Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology Babeş‐Bolyai University Clinicilor Street 5–7 Cluj Napoca RO–400006 Romania
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27
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Gamero A, Senar JC, Hohtola E, Nilsson JÅ, Broggi J. Population differences in the structure and coloration of great tit contour feathers. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gamero
- Department of Biology; University of Oulu; FIN-90014 Oulu Finland
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology; University of Göttingen; D-37077 Göttingen Germany
| | - Juan C. Senar
- Unitat Associada d'Ecologia Evolutiva i de la Conducta; CSIC; Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona; 08003 Barcelona Spain
| | - Esa Hohtola
- Department of Biology; University of Oulu; FIN-90014 Oulu Finland
| | - Jan-Åke Nilsson
- Department of Ecology, Animal Ecology; University of Lund; S-22362 Lund Sweden
| | - Juli Broggi
- Estación Biológica Doñana; CSIC; 41092 Sevilla Spain
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Hegyi G, Laczi M, Nagy G, Szász E, Kötél D, Török J. Stable correlation structure among multiple plumage colour traits: can they work as a single signal? Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gergely Hegyi
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - Miklós Laczi
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - Gergely Nagy
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - Eszter Szász
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - Dóra Kötél
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
| | - János Török
- Behavioural Ecology Group; Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology; Eötvös Loránd University; Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C H1117 Budapest Hungary
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Danner RM, Greenberg RS, Danner JE, Walters JR. Winter food limits timing of pre‐alternate moult in a short‐distance migratory bird. Funct Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M. Danner
- Department of Biological Sciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia 24061 USA
- Migratory Bird Center Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington District of Columbia 20008 USA
| | - Russell S. Greenberg
- Migratory Bird Center Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington District of Columbia 20008 USA
| | - Julie E. Danner
- Department of Biological Sciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia 24061 USA
- Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington District of Columbia 20008 USA
| | - Jeffrey R. Walters
- Department of Biological Sciences Virginia Tech Blacksburg Virginia 24061 USA
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D'Alba L, Van Hemert C, Spencer KA, Heidinger BJ, Gill L, Evans NP, Monaghan P, Handel CM, Shawkey MD. Melanin-Based Color of Plumage: Role of Condition and of Feathers' Microstructure. Integr Comp Biol 2014; 54:633-44. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icu094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
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31
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Legagneux P, Harms NJ, Gauthier G, Chastel O, Gilchrist HG, Bortolotti G, Bêty J, Soos C. Does feather corticosterone reflect individual quality or external stress in arctic-nesting migratory birds? PLoS One 2013; 8:e82644. [PMID: 24391720 PMCID: PMC3877000 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of environmental perturbations or stressors on individual states can be carried over to subsequent life stages and ultimately affect survival and reproduction. The concentration of corticosterone (CORT) in feathers is an integrated measure of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity during the molting period, providing information on the total baseline and stress-induced CORT secreted during the period of feather growth. Common eiders and greater snow geese replace all flight feathers once a year during the pre-basic molt, which occurs following breeding. Thus, CORT contained in feathers of pre-breeding individuals sampled in spring reflects the total CORT secreted during the previous molting event, which may provide insight into the magnitude or extent of stress experienced during this time period. We used data from multiple recaptures to disentangle the contribution of individual quality vs. external factors (i.e., breeding investment or environmental conditions) on feather CORT in arctic-nesting waterfowl. Our results revealed no repeatability of feather CORT within individuals of either species. In common eiders, feather CORT was not affected by prior reproductive investment, nor by pre-breeding (spring) body condition prior to the molting period. Individual feather CORT greatly varied according to the year, and August-September temperatures explained most of the annual variation in feather CORT. Understanding mechanisms that affect energetic costs and stress responses during molting will require further studies either using long-term data or experiments. Although our study period encompassed only five years, it nonetheless provides evidence that CORT measured in feathers likely reflects responses to environmental conditions experienced by birds during molt, and could be used as a metric to study carry-over effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Legagneux
- Département de biologie & Centre d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - N. Jane Harms
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Gilles Gauthier
- Département de biologie & Centre d'études nordiques, Pavillon Vachon, Université Laval Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS-UPR 1934, Carrefour de la Canauderie, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - H. Grant Gilchrist
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary Bortolotti
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Joël Bêty
- Département de biologie & Centre d'études nordiques, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Catherine Soos
- Environment Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Dietz MW, Rogers KG, Piersma T. When the seasons don't fit: speedy molt as a routine carry-over cost of reproduction. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53890. [PMID: 23349758 PMCID: PMC3547963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The failure of animals to fit all life-cycle stages into an annual cycle could reduce the chances of successful breeding. In some cases, non-optimal strategies will be adopted in order to maintain the life-cycle within the scope of one year. We studied trade-offs made by a High Arctic migrant shorebird, the red knot Calidris canutus islandica, between reproduction and wing feather molt carried out in the non-breeding period in the Dutch Wadden Sea. We compared primary molt duration between birds undertaking the full migratory and breeding schedule with birds that forego breeding because they are young or are maintained in captivity. Molt duration was ca. 71 days in breeding adults, which was achieved by an accelerated feather replacement strategy. Second-year birds and captive adults took ca. 22% and 27% longer, respectively. Second-year birds start molt in late June, more than four weeks before captive adults, and almost seven weeks before adults that return from breeding in late July–August. Adults finish molt in October when steeply increasing thermostatic costs and reductions in food availability occur. Primary molt duration was longer in female than in male knots (all ages), which was accordance with the somewhat larger body size of females. Since fast growth leads to lower quality feathers, the speedy wing molt shown by Arctic-breeding birds may represent a time constraint that is an unavoidable and routine cost of reproduction. So far it was hypothesized that only birds over 1 kg would have difficulty fitting molt within a year. Here we show that in birds an order of magnitude smaller, temporal imperatives may impose the adoption of non-optimal life-cycle routines in the entire actively breeding population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurine W Dietz
- Animal Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Pap PL, Vágási CI, Bărbos L, Marton A. Chronic coccidian infestation compromises flight feather quality in house sparrowsPasser domesticus. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.02029.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Péter L. Pap
- Evolutionary Ecology Group; Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology; Babeș-Bolyai University; Clinicilor St. 5-7; RO-400006; Cluj Napoca; Romania
| | | | - Lőrinc Bărbos
- Evolutionary Ecology Group; Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology; Babeș-Bolyai University; Clinicilor St. 5-7; RO-400006; Cluj Napoca; Romania
| | - Attila Marton
- Evolutionary Ecology Group; Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology; Babeș-Bolyai University; Clinicilor St. 5-7; RO-400006; Cluj Napoca; Romania
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