DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Transition to Independence: Exploring an Extreme Life History

PI Breuner提案# IOS 0808479博士论文研究：向独立的过渡——探索信天翁的极端生活史对于有父母照顾的物种，向独立的过渡是对个体适应性的第一个真正考验。 对于许多鸟类来说，离开巢穴（1）结束了父母的照顾，（2）需要从不动到持续飞行的突然转变，（3）需要学习觅食。 鉴于这些要求，出发时的年龄和状况会影响未来的生存和繁殖成功也就不足为奇了。 雏鸟使用什么直接触发因素来计时这一重要的生活史转变？ 过去的研究主要集中在形态、能量或内分泌方面与雏鸟的相关性。该提案解决了长出羽毛的直接触发因素，综合了长寿海鸟莱桑信天翁的形态、能量储备和内分泌生理学测量。 此外，将操纵激素水平和食物供应，以通过实验解决能量、体重、食物输送和糖皮质激素之间的相互作用。 策略的组合将允许在生理框架内对羽翼未丰的行为进行实验评估。 更广泛的影响包括强烈的保护生物学意义。莱桑信天翁已被确定为西北世界海鸟群落的众多指示物种之一，并且是海洋资源的主要消耗者，因此它们的繁殖成功反映了海洋的健康和状况。 了解雏鸟期间生理变化的机制和影响将有助于了解长寿海洋海鸟的行为机制和明智的管理。

PI BreunerProposal # IOS 0808479Doctoral Dissertation Research: Transition to Independence- Exploring theExtreme Life History of AlbatrossesIn species with parental care, transition to independence is the first true test of individual fitness. In many birds, leaving the nest (1) ends parental care, (2) requires an abrupt transition from immobility to sustained flight, and (3) requires learning to forage. In light of these requirements, it is not surprising that age and condition at departure can influence future survival and reproductive success. What proximate triggers do fledglings use to time this important life-history transition? Past studies have focused either on morphological, energetic, or endocrine correlates of fledging. This proposal addresses proximate triggers of fledging, integrating measures of morphology, energetic reserves, and endocrine physiology in a long-lived seabird, the Laysan Albatross. Further, hormone levels and food availability will be manipulated to experimentally address interactions between energetics, body mass, food delivery, and glucocorticoid hormones. The combination of strategies will allow for experimental evaluation of fledging behavior within a physiological framework. Broader impacts include strong conservation biology implications. Laysan Albatross have been identified as one of a number of indicator species for the seabird colonies of the NWHI and are a major consumer of marine resources, so their reproductive success is reflective of the health and status of the oceans. Knowledge of the mechanisms and effects of physiological changes during fledging will aid in both understanding the mechanisms of behavior and the informed management of long-lived oceanic seabirds.