Physiological mechanisms of migratory traits

迁徙性状的生理机制

• 批准号: 1147289
• 负责人: Marilyn Ramenofsky
• 金额: $ 56.6万
• 依托单位: University of California-Davis
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-07-01 至 2017-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1147289&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Physiological; mechanisms; migratory; traits

This proposal focuses on both spring and fall migrations of White-crowned Sparrows. The primary goal of this research is to determine the physiological mechanisms regulating migratory traits and the environmental signals birds rely upon for preparation and completion of each journey. Although spring and autumn migrations cover the same distance, all other facets of these trips are different and birds have evolved distinct strategies to complete each successfully. The underlying physiological bases have as yet to be rigorously investigated and the investigator posits that understanding these mechanisms is of growing concern as many migrant populations are declining rapidly owing to marked changes in the environment and loss of habitat. The proposed studies take advantage of two sub-species of White-crowned Sparrow, one that migrates long distances and one that no longer migrates and is resident. The investigator proposes to examine 1) the differences in muscle development and fat storage in the two subspecies as one prepares for spring migration and the other does not; 2) the different hormonal mechanisms involved in the spring and fall migrations, and 3) differences in preparation for the fall migration between young and adult birds. Results from this study may offer new insights into the mechanisms regulating migration while directing further investigations to define the cellular bases that influence the potential success or failure of a migratory population. The project would support a postdoctoral researcher, a graduate student and involve several undergraduate assistants. Outreach to the public would occur in California and Alaska through established collaborations between the investigator and the SLEWS (student and landowner education watershed stewardship) program associated with the Audubon Farm and Center for Land-based Learning and the Alaska Bird Observatory, respectively.

这项提案重点关注白冠麻雀的春季和秋季迁徙。这项研究的主要目标是确定鸟类迁徙特征的生理机制以及鸟类准备和完成每一次旅程所依赖的环境信号。尽管春季和秋季的迁徙距离相同，但这些旅程的所有其他方面都不同，鸟类已经进化出不同的策略来成功完成每一次迁徙。潜在的生理基础尚未得到严格的调查，调查者认为，由于环境的显着变化和栖息地的丧失，许多移徙人口正在迅速减少，因此了解这些机制越来越令人关切。这项拟议的研究利用了白冠麻雀的两个亚种，一个是长距离迁徙的，另一个是不再迁徙和居住的。研究人员建议研究1)两个亚种在一个为春季迁徙做准备而另一个不做准备时肌肉发育和脂肪储存的差异；2)春季和秋季迁徙所涉及的不同荷尔蒙机制；以及3)幼鸟和成年鸟在秋季迁徙准备方面的差异。这项研究的结果可能会为调节迁徙的机制提供新的见解，同时指导进一步的研究，以确定影响迁徙人口潜在成败的细胞基础。该项目将支持一名博士后研究员和一名研究生，并涉及几名本科生助理。通过调查员与分别与奥杜邦农场和陆基学习中心以及阿拉斯加鸟类观测站相关的SLEWS(学生和土地所有者教育分水岭管理)计划之间建立的合作，将在加利福尼亚州和阿拉斯加向公众进行宣传。