Ecophysiology of avian migration in the face of current global hazards

Abstract

Long-distance migratory birds are often considered extreme athletes, possessing a range of traits that approach the physiological limits of vertebrate design. In addition, their movements must be carefully timed to ensure that they obtain resources of sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy their high-energy needs. Migratory birds may therefore be particularly vulnerable to global change processes that are projected to alter the quality and quantity of resource availability. Because long-distance flight requires high and sustained aerobic capacity, even minor decreases in vitality can have large negative consequences for migrants. In the light of this, we assess how current global change processes may affect the ability of birds to meet the physiological demands of migration, and suggest areas where avian physiologists may help to identify potential hazards. Predicting the consequences of global change scenarios on migrant species requires (i) reconciliation of empirical and theoretical studies of avian flight physiology; (ii) an understanding of the effects of food quality, toxicants and disease on migrant performance; and (iii) mechanistic models that integrate abiotic and biotic factors to predict migratory behaviour. Critically, a multi-dimensional concept of vitality would greatly facilitate evaluation of the impact of various global change processes on the population dynamics of migratory birds.

The effects of royal jelly on performance and fatty acid profiles of different tissues in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared under high stocking density

“…Another factor affecting bird fattening is a decrease in physical activity under HSD conditions. Fattening results in increased SFA synthesis and accumulation in tissues (26). In accordance with these data, we found in the present study that the SFA ratio of leg muscle and kidney tissues was highest in the HSD group, which is probably related to chronic stress.…”

The conservation physiology of seed dispersal

“…Furthermore, many island species are endemic, making local extinctions all the more serious. This importance of isolated population and dispersal between them emerges from other papers in this theme issue [71,72]. From this perspective, we argue that deliberate reintroduction of surrogate seed dispersers after anthropogenic loss of an important seed-dispersing species should not be prematurely discarded as a conservation tool, but rather should be subject to careful research and independent monitoring of existing examples.…”

Cryptic impacts of temperature variability on amphibian immune function

“…The need for a physiologically based, mechanistic understanding of the impacts of environmental change in species conservation is becoming increasingly recognized (Seebacher and Franklin, 2012;Stevenson et al, 2005;Wikelski and Cooke, 2006), and the field of vertebrate eco-physiology has grown rapidly in the past decade (e.g. Blaustein et al, 2012;Cooke et al, 2012;Klaassen et al, 2012;Raubenheimer et al, 2012). To accurately predict the physiological impacts of temperature variation on amphibians in situ, we need a better understanding of the distinct effects of variable weather patterns versus changes in absolute temperatures.…”