The Physiological Ecology of Seasonal Interactions: How Do Wintering Ground Events Constrain Breeding Success in Neotropical Migrants?

候鸟在北美的温带地区繁殖，但在更南部的不同栖息地过冬。 虽然1000公里或更长的距离可能会将越冬区与繁殖区分开，但最近的研究表明，冬季的生态条件会影响随后的繁殖成功。 本研究的主要目的是调查潜在的生理因素，冬季事件与个人的繁殖能力。 美洲红尾椋鸟（Setophaga ruticilla）是一种优秀的研究动物：其越冬和繁殖期间的生态和行为已被深入研究。在何种程度上红尾莺准备繁殖，以及影响这一点的因素，而仍然在他们的冬季领土将调查分析之间的联系自然和实验诱导的变化，在冬季栖息地质量（食物供应），鸟类的能量状况（体重、脂肪储存、能量储存和使用的血浆指标）以及它们离开越冬地之前的繁殖状态（生殖激素）。 当红尾椋鸟到达繁殖地时，也将对它们的精力和繁殖状况进行类似的测量。 稳定碳同位素，作为冬季栖息地起源的标志，将被用来连接冬季和夏季事件。 这项研究提供了一个人的生命周期的不同时期如何相互作用，影响繁殖成功的更好的理解，将大大有助于我们了解如何候鸟种群的调节，并最终帮助资源管理人员更有效地指导保护工作。这项研究的更广泛的影响包括有机会大大提高许多学生的专业培训的广度，特别是那些来自代表性不足的群体，通过其生理学，行为学和生态学的整合以及各种实验室和现场方法，并将加强与牙买加保护团体的联系。

Migratory birds breed throughout the temperate regions of North America but winter in very different habitats further south. Although 1000 km or more may separate wintering from breeding areas, recent research has revealed that ecological conditions during winter can influence subsequent reproductive success. The major objective of this research is to investigate the underlying physiological factors linking winter events with an individual's ability to breed. The American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is an excellent study animal: its ecology and behavior during the wintering and breeding periods have been intensively studied. The degree to which redstarts prepare for breeding, and the factors that influence this, while still on their winter territories will be investigated by analyzing the links between natural and experimentally induced variation in winter habitat quality (food availability), the birds' energetic condition (body mass, fat stores, plasma indicators of energy storage and use), and their breeding status (reproductive hormones) before they leave the wintering grounds. Similar measures of energetic and reproductive condition will also be taken in redstarts as they arrive at the breeding grounds. Stable-carbon isotopes, as markers of winter habitat origin, will be used to link winter and summer events. This research provides greater understanding of how different periods of an individual's life cycle interact to influence reproductive success, will contribute significantly to our understanding of how migrant bird populations are regulated, and will ultimately help resource managers direct conservation efforts more efficiently. The broader impacts of this research include the opportunity to greatly enhance the breadth of professional training of many students, particularly those from underrepresented groups, through its integration of physiology, behavior, and ecology and a variety of lab and field methods, and will strengthen ties with conservation groups in Jamaica.