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，但在南方非常不同的栖息地过冬。尽管越冬区和繁殖区之间可能相隔1000公里或更远，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研究将冬季事件与个体繁殖能力联系起来的潜在生理因素。美洲红尾鸲（Setophaga ruticilla）是一种极好的研究动物，其在越冬和繁殖期的生态学和行为已被深入研究。研究人员将通过分析冬季栖息地质量（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）和它们离开越冬地前的繁殖状况（生殖激素）之间的自然变化和实验诱导变化之间的联系，来调查红尾鸲在冬季领地上为繁殖做准备的程度及其影响因素。当红海龟到达繁殖地时，也会对它们的精力和繁殖状况采取类似的措施。作为冬季栖息地起源标志的稳定碳同位素将用于将冬季和夏季事件联系起来。这项研究提供了对个体生命周期的不同时期如何相互作用影响繁殖成功的更好理解，将对我们理解如何调节候鸟种群做出重大贡献，并最终帮助资源管理者更有效地指导保护工作。这项研究的广泛影响包括，通过整合生理学、行为学、生态学以及各种实验室和实地方法，极大地提高了许多学生的专业培训广度，特别是那些来自代表性不足群体的学生，并将加强与牙买加保护组织的联系。

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.