Population Management and Recovery of the Endangered Loggerhead Shrike

我们的研究将评估红伯劳迁徙行为的变异程度是由基因决定的，以及它是如何因环境条件的差异而变化的，包括持续的圈养期。数据将从圈养的红雀种群中获得，每个个体都有已知的血统。圈养鸟类的行为将被数字成像和分析，以量化不同年龄和环境条件下鸟类表现出的迁徙冲动程度。将对从迁徙行为不同的野生和圈养伯劳身上获得的样本进行基因组分析。已知的系谱（即亲缘关系）和基因组分析将用于性状遗传力的定量遗传分析，并有助于阐明与迁徙冲动表达有关的基因。通过在一个物种内工作，我们的实验设计将控制物种之间固有的传播能力差异。

Our research will assess the degree to which variation in migratory behavior in Loggerhead Shrike is genetically determined and how it varies due to differences in environmental conditions, including sustained periods of captivity. Data will be obtained from a captive population of Loggerhead Shrike for which known pedigree exists for each individual. Behaviour of captive birds will be digitally imaged and analyzed to quantify the degree of migratory urge displayed by birds differing in age and environmental conditions. Genomic assays of samples obtained from both wild and captive shrikes varying in migratory behaviour will be undertaken. The known pedigree (i.e. relatedness) and genomics assays will be used for quantitative genetic analyses of heritability in traits and to help elucidate the genes involved in the expression of migratory urge. By working within a species, our experimental design will control for differences in dispersal ability inherent among species.