A5050364333- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
Netherlands Institute of Ecology
2019-2025
University of Oslo
2011-2020
Metropolitan University
2020
Arizona State University
2010-2019
American Museum of Natural History
2015
University of Chicago
2006-2011
Abstract Climate warming is considered to be among the most serious of anthropogenic stresses environment, because it not only has direct effects on biodiversity, but also exacerbates harmful other human‐mediated threats. The associated consequences are potentially severe, particularly in terms threats species preservation, as well preservation an array ecosystem services provided by biodiversity. Among affected groups animals insects—central components many ecosystems—for which climate...
Abstract Exposure to extreme temperatures can negatively affect animal reproduction, by disrupting the ability of individuals produce any offspring (fertility), or number produced fertile (fecundity). This has important ecological consequences, because reproduction is ultimate measure population fitness: a reduction in reproductive output lowers growth rate and increases extinction risk. Despite this importance, there have been no large‐scale summaries evidence for effect temperature on...
To forecast how fast populations can adapt to climate change, it is essential determine the evolutionary potential of different life-cycle stages under selection. In birds, timing gonadal development and moult are primarily regulated by photoperiod, while laying date highly phenotypically plastic temperature. We tested whether geographic variation in phenology these events between great tits ( Parus major ) has a genetic basis, indicating that contemporary adaptation possible. carried out...
Summary 1. Initial work on oxidative stress and antioxidant defences described basic chemical biochemical properties processes applied this information to issues of animal health husbandry. Seminal experimental investigations the damaging effects mitigating were conducted primarily in domesticated organisms. 2. In recent years, ecologists have taken studying antioxidants free‐ranging organisms integrated principles into several core evolutionary concepts, such as life‐history trade‐offs...
Female promiscuity is highly variable among birds, and particularly songbirds. Comparative work has identified several patterns of covariation with social, sexual, ecological life history traits. However, it unclear whether these reflect causes or consequences female promiscuity, if they are byproducts some unknown evolutionary drivers. Moreover, factors that explain at the deep nodes in phylogenetic tree may be different from those important tips, i.e. closely related species. Here we...
When ejaculates from rival males compete for fertilization, there is strong selection sperm traits that enhance fertilization success. Sperm quantity one such trait, and numerous studies have demonstrated a positive association between competition both testes size the number of available copulations. also thought to favor increases in quality changes testicular morphology lead increased production. However, contrast quantity, these hypotheses received considerably less empirical support...
Rapid diversification of sexual traits is frequently attributed to selection, though explicit tests this hypothesis remain limited. Spermatozoa exhibit remarkable variability in size and shape, studies report a correlation between sperm morphology (sperm length shape) competition risk or female reproductive tract morphology. However, whether postcopulatory processes (e.g., cryptic choice) influence the speed evolutionary form unknown. Using passerine birds, we quantified rates divergence...
For sexually reproducing species, functionally competent sperm are critical to reproduction. While high atmospheric temperatures known influence the timing of breeding, incubation and reproductive success in birds, effect temperature on quality remains largely unexplored. Here, we experimentally investigated impact ecologically relevant extreme cloacal morphology motility zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata . We periodically sampled males exposed 30°C or 40°C daily for 14 consecutive days....
Abstract Critical thermal limits (CTLs) gauge the physiological impact of temperature on survival or critical biological function, aiding predictions species range shifts and climatic resilience. Two recent Drosophila studies, using similar approaches to determine temperatures that induce sterility (thermal fertility [TFLs]), reveal TFLs are often lower than CTLs better predict both current distributions extinction probability. Moreover, many studies show is more sensitive at less extreme...
Sperm competition often leads to increase in sperm numbers and quality, its effects on function are now beginning emerge. Rapid swimming speeds crucial for mammalian spermatozoa, because they need overcome physical barriers the female tract, reach ovum, generate force penetrate vestments. Faster velocities associate with high levels many taxa may be due increases dimensions, but also relate higher adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content. We examined if variation ATP relates both speed rodents....
Seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) mediate an array of postmating reproductive processes that influence fertilization and fertility. As such, it is widely held SFPs may contribute to postmating, prezygotic barriers between closely related taxa. We investigated seminal (SF) diversification in a recently diverged passerine species pair (Passer domesticus Passer hispaniolensis) using combination proteomic comparative evolutionary genomic approaches. First, we characterized compared the SF proteome...
Spermatozoa exhibit considerable interspecific variability in size and shape. Our understanding of the adaptive significance this diversity, however, remains limited. Determining how variation sperm structure translates into performance will contribute to our evolutionary diversification form. Here, using data from passerine birds, we test hypothesis that longer swim faster because they have more available energy. We found with midpieces higher levels intracellular adenosine triphosphate...
Consistent individual differences in behaviour are widespread animals, but the proximate mechanisms driving these remain largely unresolved. Parasitism and immune challenges hypothesized to shape expression of animal personality traits, few studies have examined influence neonatal status on development adult personality. We how non-pathogenic challenges, administered at different stages development, affected two common measures personality, activity exploratory behaviour, as well...
Several life history and ecological variables have been reported to affect the likelihood of species becoming urbanized. Recently, studies also focused on role brain size in explaining ability adapt urban environments. In contrast, however, little is known about effect colonization pressure from surrounding areas, which may confound conclusions what makes a urban. We recorded presence/absence data for birds 93 sites Oslo (Norway) compared these with lists generated 137 forest 51 farmland...
Sperm exhibit extraordinary levels of morphological diversification across the animal kingdom. In songbirds, sperm have a helically shaped head incorporating distinct acrosomal membrane or "helical keel," form and extent which varies species. The functional significance this helical shape, however, remains unknown. Using scanning electron microscopy, we quantified inter‐ intraspecific variation in morphology 36 songbird species (Passeriformes: Passerida). phylogenetic comparative methods,...
Abstract Copulation is essential for transferring sperm from males to females in most animals. During copulation, and are often static thus prone predation or other threats. Its duration should therefore be reduced minimize costs but sufficient ensure the fertilization of eggs. Here, we investigated reproductive behavior success false widow spider, Steatoda grossa (Araneae: Theridiidae), when copulation was interrupted after 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 min not experimentally (control). this study...
The success of introduced species often relies on flexible traits, including immune system traits. While theories predict non-natives will have weak defences due to decreased parasite pressure, effective surveillance remains crucial, as infection risk is rarely zero and the evolutionary novelty elevated in non-native areas. This study examines relationship between cytokine responsiveness native house sparrows, hypothesizing that maintain high pathogen while avoiding costly inflammation. We...
ABSTRACT Sperm performance is likely to be an important determinant of male reproductive success, especially when females copulate with multiple males. Understanding sperm therefore crucial fully understand the evolution strategies. In this study, we examined repeatability morphology and motility measures over three breeding seasons, studied relationships between function. We conducted study in wild‐derived captive house sparrows ( Passer domesticus ) Spanish P. hispaniolensis ). Results for...
Interspecific variation in sperm size is enigmatic, but generally assumed to reflect species-specific trade-offs selection pressures. Among passerine birds, length varies sevenfold, and competition risk seems drive the evolution of longer sperm. However, little known about factors favouring short or constraining Here, we report a comparative analysis head abnormalities among 11 species bird Chernobyl, presumably resulting from chronic irradiation following 1986 accident. Frequencies varied...
Male secondary sexual characters can provide females with information regarding the fertilizing capacity of a male's sperm. In some fishes and birds, intense nuptial coloration is correlated male capacity, but no mechanistic link between sperm quality has been established. One plausible mechanism that carotenoid pigments, which color skin feathers in many animals, are present seminal fluid serve as antioxidant protectors We used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze...
Investigations of millipede mating dynamics have focussed primarily on Old World or North American species. In contrast, data for the diverse and abundant polydesmid millipedes Australia are lacking. Here I examine copulation, behaviour sexual dimorphism in an Australian millipede, Cladethosoma clarum. this species, copula position is best described as ‘in parallel’. Both females males mated with two more individuals opposite sex, average copulation duration was 4.7 min. Behavioural...