A5084534636- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms
- Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Meat and Animal Product Quality
- Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Mercury impact and mitigation studies
- Climate variability and models
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Genetics and Physical Performance
- Spaceflight effects on biology
University of Massachusetts Amherst
2020-2025
Northern Michigan University
2025
California Polytechnic State University
2016-2021
During migration, long-distance migratory songbirds may fly nonstop for days, whereas shorter-distance migrants complete flights of 6 to 10 h. Fat is the primary fuel source, but protein also assumed provide a low, consistent amount energy flight. However, little known about how use these sources differs among bird species and in response flight duration. Current models predict that birds can until fat stores are exhausted, with consideration protein’s limits on range or We captured two...
Technological advancements now enable the use of flow-through respirometry for rapid, high-throughput metabolic phenotyping, though live-in systems currently do not exist birds. We designed chambers small birds with an Arduino-based electronic system to continuously monitor bird body weight, food intake, and water intake in sync data collection. To demonstrate how this can be implemented, we kept phenotypic 10 days while progressively lowered temperature from 25 °C 5 °C. used calculate...
Many bird species commonly aggregate in flocks for reasons ranging from predator defense to navigation. Available evidence suggests that certain types of flocks—the V and echelon formations large birds—may provide a benefit reduces the aerodynamic cost flight, whereas cluster typical smaller birds may increase flight costs. However, metabolic costs have not been directly measured any these group contexts [Zhang Lauder, J. Exp. Biol. 226 , jeb245617 (2023)]. Here, we energetic benefits small...
Abstract The Gulf of Mexico represents the largest ecological barrier between breeding and non-breeding grounds for long-distance migratory songbirds in Nearctic–Neotropical system. Despite prominence Mexico, there are still gaps on fundamental physiological aspects stopover migrants this region, including role relative importance fat lean mass depletion deposition. We examined arrival body condition at a coastal site St. George Island, FL, northern during pre-breeding migration spring...
Migratory birds seasonally increase fat stores and the capacity to use fuel long-distance migratory flights. However, lean mass loss also occurs during flights and, if adaptive, should exhibit seasonal changes in for protein metabolism. We conducted a photoperiod manipulation using captive white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) investigate metabolism between nonmigratory "winter" condition after exposure long-day "spring" stimulate condition. After photostimulation, rapidly...
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global pollutant that can cause metabolic disruptions in animals and thereby potentially compromise the energetic capacity of birds for long-distance migration, but its effects on avian lipid metabolism pathways support endurance flight stopover refueling have never been studied. We tested short-term (14-d), environmentally relevant (0.5 ppm) dietary MeHg exposure markers pectoralis livers yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata) were found previous study to...
Abstract During the long‐distance migratory flights of birds, lean mass breakdown occurs in concert with fat catabolism and is expected to have repercussions on total stopover duration because birds require time rebuild tissue before accumulating reserves. Despite this, little known about role in‐flight direct measurements are restricted by destructive nature traditional body composition analysis technological limitations tracking small over large expanses. We used non‐lethal, non‐invasive...
Synopsis Homeothermic endotherms defend their body temperature in cold environments using a number of behavioral and physiological mechanisms. Maintaining stable primarily requires heat production through shivering or non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). Although the use NST is well established mammalian systems, mechanisms extent to which used birds are poorly understood. In mammals, one well-characterized mechanism uncoupling Ca2+ transport from ATP hydrolysis by sarco/endoplasmic reticulum...
Migratory songbirds undertake challenging journeys to reach their breeding grounds each spring. They accomplish these nonstop flapping feats of endurance through a suite physiological changes, including the development substantial fat stores and flight muscle hypertrophy an increased capacity for catabolism. In addition, migratory birds may show large reductions in organ masses during flight, liver, which they must rapidly rebuild stopover before replenishing stores. However, molecular basis...
Coastal habitats fluctuate with the 12.4 h tidal and 24 light/dark cycle to predictably alter conditions such as air exposure, temperature, food availability. Intertidal sessile bivalves exhibit behavioural physiological adjustments minimize challenges of this environment. We investigated a high-resolution time course changes in protein abundance gill tissue intertidal mussel Mytilus californianus simulated environment 12:12 light:dark cycles matching 6:6 high:low tide within each 12 period....
ABSTRACT In order to complete their energetically demanding journeys, migratory birds undergo a suite of physiological changes prepare for long-duration endurance flight, including hyperphagia, fat deposition, reliance on as fuel source, and flight muscle hypertrophy. mammalian muscle, SLN is small regulatory protein which binds sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) uncouples Ca2+ transport from ATP hydrolysis, increasing energy consumption, heat production, cytosolic transients...
Synopsis Endothermic species have evolved strategies to maximize survival in highly variable or extreme environments. Birds are exemplary as they among the most widely distributed endotherms on planet, living all manner of inhospitable As an example, winter temperate regions is characterized by cold temperatures and low food availability. Some birds tolerate these conditions seasonally increasing thermogenic capacity, heterothermy, displaying flexible phenotypes. Other avoid altogether...
Abstract Avian haemosporidia are blood parasites that can have dramatic fitness consequences on their hosts, including largescale population declines when introduced to naïve hosts. Yet the physiological effects accompany haemosporidian infection and underlie these decrements poorly characterized in most wild birds. Because destroy host red cells consume hemoglobin, they predicted detrimental impacts avian blood-oxygen transport and, as a result, reduce aerobic performance. However,...