Mechanisms of sex-specific reproductive timing and migratory movements in seasonal environments

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Evidence from around the Earth indicates that climate regimes are shifting, and society now faces the question: can animals keep pace with the rate of environmental change? In seasonal environments like those of Canada, the timing of migration and reproduction strongly influences reproductive fitness in animals. Yet optimal timing can be sex-specific and difficult to achieve in environments that vary at multiple spatial and temporal scales. To predict responses of populations accurately, we need to strengthen our understanding of how individuals anticipate seasonal change and respond to environmental variability. We also can no longer ignore sex differences in the timing of migration and reproduction, because the way individuals respond to abiotic and biotic factors likely will be sex-specific. My research program is uncovering key mechanisms that influence how males and females time their migratory and reproductive events in response to environmental factors. My proposed research will focus on two vertebrate groups that are migratory, highly seasonal, and exhibit sex-specific timing: Pacific salmon and North American warblers.***     *My research program has revealed new insights about individual variation in seasonal timing in salmon and birds, and a broad theme has emerged. My data suggest that individual animals may flexibly adjust their timing of migration and reproduction to maximize fitness, which may hasten adaptation to climate change. However, we are still not close to predicting population responses. My next step will be to learn more about adaptive, sex-specific timing by focusing on underlying mechanisms. ***     *My proposed new research program has three objectives. (1) I will undertake a definitive study of the behavioural and physiological mechanisms underlying sex-specific migration timing in warblers, by using a state-of-the-art, large-scale telemetry array (75 automated receivers) to track migratory movements over 40,000 sq. km in Ontario. (2) I will conduct field experiments to uncover the mechanisms underlying sex-specific migration timing in kokanee salmon. (3) I will evaluate how social behaviour influences migration behaviour and arrival timing to spawning areas in kokanee salmon. Data from these studies will address important hypotheses about timing and will feed into theory development.***     *My research program will advance knowledge of sex-specific timing in salmon and migratory birds, two groups that are of exceptional ecological, economic, and cultural importance to Canada. I will train 16 students and 9 other trainees. These trainees will become experts in the fundamentals of ecology, evolution, and behaviour, and will gain skills to study and model migration, reproduction, energy use, and movement. They will become highly competent scientists working in academia, industry, government, and NGOs to determine best practices for natural resource management.*****