Increasing photoperiod stimulates the initiation of spring migratory behaviour and physiology in a facultative migrant, the pine siskin

Royal Society Open Science
Ashley R RobartHeather E Watts

Abstract

The transition to a migratory state involves coordinated changes in physiology and behaviour. In species with regular, predictable (obligate) migrations, increasing day length triggers the expression of a spring migratory state and androgens play an important role in stimulating its development. By contrast, we know little about the environmental cues and endocrine mechanisms that regulate migration in species with less predictable (facultative) migrations. Here, we tested whether photoperiod stimulates a migratory state in a facultative nomadic migrant, the pine siskin (Spinus pinus). We exposed wintering birds to either a naturally increasing or short-day photoperiod and measured physiological and behavioural changes indicative of a migratory state. We also examined changes in circulating hormones that may play a role in the migratory transition. Natural-day, but not short-day, birds displayed physiological preparations for migration, including increases in fat deposition, and showed increased levels of migratory restlessness. We found no evidence for a role of corticosterone in the migratory transition, but testosterone may be important. This study is the first experimental test of the role of photoperiod in regulating facul...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 29, 2019·Biology Letters·Jeffrey L RittenhouseHeather E Watts
Feb 26, 2019·Hormones and Behavior·Ashley R RobartHeather E Watts
Nov 6, 2021·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·Melvin Konner

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
blood collection
PCA

Software Mentioned

lme4
Image Calibration and Analysis Toolbox
changepoint
R
ImageJ
glmmADMB

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