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

博士论文研究：过渡到独立-探索信天翁的极端生活史在有亲代照顾的物种中，过渡到独立是对个体适应性的第一次真正考验。对许多鸟类来说，离开巢(1)结束了父母的照顾，(2)需要从静止到持续飞行的突然转变，(3)需要学习觅食。鉴于这些要求，年龄和出发时的条件会影响未来的生存和繁殖成功就不足为奇了。雏鸟使用什么近似的触发因素来确定这一重要的生活史转变的时间？过去的研究主要集中在形态学、能量或内分泌方面。这一建议解决了羽化的近因，整合形态学，能量储备和内分泌生理的措施，在一个长寿的海鸟，Laysan信天翁。此外，激素水平和食物供应将被操纵，以实验方式解决能量、体重、食物输送和糖皮质激素之间的相互作用。这些策略的结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含义。信天翁已被确定为NWHI海鸟种群的指示物种之一，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。了解羽化过程中生理变化的机制和影响将有助于理解行为机制和对长寿海洋海鸟的知情管理。

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.