A5032630425- Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Meat and Animal Product Quality
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Marine animal studies overview
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Bucknell University
2015-2025
Kenyon College
2007-2020
Iowa State University
1999-2007
Swarthmore College
2005
Early embryonic exposure to maternal glucocorticoids can broadly impact physiology and behaviour across phylogenetically diverse taxa. The transfer of offspring may be an inevitable cost associated with poor environmental conditions, or serve as a effect that alters phenotype in preparation for stressful environment. Regardless, are likely have both costs benefits paid collected over different developmental time periods. We manipulated yolk corticosterone (cort) domestic chickens ( Gallus...
We know very little about physiological constraints on the evolution of life-history traits in general, and, particular, and molecular adjustments that accompany variation lifespan. Identifying mechanisms underlie adaptive lifespan should provide insight into trade–offs between other life–history traits. Telomeres, DNA caps at ends linear chromosomes, usually shorten as animals age, but whether telomere rate change is associated with unknown. measured length erythrocytes from five bird...
Evidence accumulates that telomere shortening reflects lifestyle and predicts remaining lifespan, but little is known of dynamics their relation to survival under natural conditions. We present longitudinal data in free-living jackdaws ( Corvus monedula ) test hypotheses on survival. Telomeres erythrocytes were measured using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Telomere rates within individuals twice as high the population level slope, demonstrating with short telomeres are less likely...
Telomeres play a fundamental role in the protection of chromosomal DNA and regulation cellular senescence. Recent work human epidemiology evolutionary ecology suggests adult telomere length (TL) may reflect past physiological stress predict subsequent morbidity mortality, independent chronological age.Several different methods have been developed to measure TL, each offering its own technical challenges. The aim this review is provide an overview advantages drawbacks method for researchers,...
Differences in individual quality and survival within species are a major focus evolutionary ecology, but we know very little about the underlying physiological mechanisms that determine these differences. Telomere shortening associated with cellular senescence ageing may be one such mechanism. To date, however, there is evidence linking telomere length survival. Here, show tree swallows ( Tachycineta bicolor ) relatively short telomeres at age of 1 year have lower than same long telomeres....
Abstract Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes. The loss telomeres through cell division and oxidative stress is related to cellular aging, organismal growth disease. In this way, link molecular mechanisms with processes, may explain variation in a number important life-history traits. Here, we discuss how telomere biology relates study physiological ecology life history evolution. We emphasize current knowledge on relate growth, survival lifespan natural...
The natural nighttime environment is increasingly polluted by artificial light. Several studies have linked light at night to negative impacts on human health. In free-living animals, pollution associated with changes in circadian, reproductive, and social behavior, but whether these animals also suffer from physiologic costs remains unknown. To fill this gap, we made use of a unique network field sites which are either completely unlit (control), or artificially illuminated white, green,...
Telomeres are highly conserved regions of DNA that protect the ends linear chromosomes. The loss telomeres can signal an irreversible change to a cell's state, including cellular senescence. Senescent cells no longer divide and damage nearby healthy cells, thus potentially placing them at crossroads cancer ageing. While epidemiology, molecular biology well studied, newer field exploring telomere in context ecology evolution is just emerging. With work date focusing on how shortening relates...
Individuals of the same age can differ substantially in degree to which they have accumulated tissue damage, akin bodily wear and tear, from past experiences. This damage reflects individual's biological may better predict physiological behavioural performance than chronological age. However, at present it remains unclear how reliably assess individual wild vertebrates.We exposed hand-raised adult Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) a combination repeated immune disturbance stressors for...
Highly plastic endocrine traits are thought to play a central role in allowing organisms respond rapidly environmental change. Yet, not all individuals display the same degree of plasticity these traits, and costs this individual variation unknown. We studied differences corticosterone levels under varying conditions test whether there consistent (1) baseline levels; (2) hormonal response an ecologically relevant stressor (food restriction); (3) related fitness costs, as estimated by...
This study was designed to examine the physiology and behavior of pigs whose dams were snared then injected with ACTH during gestation. Administration pregnancy has been shown replicate effects prenatal stress in other species. Control sows (n = 8) given no treatment, whereas treatment (ACTH, n immobilized by snaring snout administered an i.v. injection (1 IU/kg BW) weekly from 6 12 wk A pig killed each sow at 1, 30, 60 d age. The hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, liver...
Identifying mechanisms that underlie variation in adult survivorship provide insight into the evolution of life history strategies and phenotypic longevity. There is accumulating evidence shortening telomeres, protective caps at ends chromosomes, play an important role individual Given telomeres generally shorten with age, it was surprising to find a population long-lived seabird, Leach's storm petrel, appear lengthen age. This unique finding suggested longest lived individuals are able...
Abstract The mechanisms that underpin the evolution of ageing and life histories remain elusive. Oxidative stress, which results in accumulated cellular damages, is one suggested to play a role. In this paper, we set out test “oxidative stress theory ageing” hypothesis histories” using comprehensive phylogenetic comparison based on an unprecedented dataset oxidative physiology 88 free‐living bird species. We show for first time species with longer lifespan have higher non‐enzymatic...
Chronic, low-intensity parasite infections can reduce host fitness through negative impacts on reproduction and survival, even if they produce few overt symptoms. As a result, these parasites influence the evolution of morphology, behaviour physiology. The physiological consequences chronic infection provide insight into processes underlying parasite-driven natural selection. Here, we evaluate natural, in an avian host-parasite system: adult male red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus)...
Abstract Early‐life conditions can drive ageing patterns and life history strategies throughout the lifespan. Certain social, genetic nutritional developmental are more likely to produce high‐quality offspring: those with good likelihood of recruitment productivity. Here, we call such “favoured states” explore their relationship physiological variables during development in a long‐lived seabird, black‐legged kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla ). Two favoured states were experimentally generated by...
Abstract Exposure to unpredictable environmental stressors could influence animal health and fitness by inducing oxidative stress, potentially through downstream effects of glucocorticoid stress hormones ( e.g . corticosterone) on mitochondrial function. Yet, it remains unclear whether species that have evolved in stochastic challenging environments may present adaptations alleviate the exposure stress. We tested this hypothesis wild king penguins investigating responses acute...
Chronic stressors, such as chronic isolation in social mammals, can elevate glucocorticoids, which affect cellular mechanisms of aging, including increased levels oxidative stress and shortened telomere lengths. Recent work the selectively prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) suggests that oxytocin support may mitigate some negative consequences isolation, possibly by reducing glucocorticoid levels. We investigated influences support, daily injections female voles. Glucocorticoid levels,...