Migration physiology and energetics of birds and bats

鸟类和蝙蝠的迁徙生理学和能量学

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-07204
• 负责人: Guglielmo, Christopher
• 金额: $ 5.68万
• 依托单位: University of Western Ontario
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=718544
• 关键词: Migration; physiology; energetics; birds; bats

Migratory birds and bats face extreme physiological challenges. Energy expenditure during flight is exceptionally high, and migrants sustain flight for many hours, days and even over a week without water, food or rest. They often fly at high altitudes in order to gain the assistance of tailwinds, forcing them to exercise intensely in thin air with low oxygen. When they stop to refuel they have high levels of activity, eating and digesting food. What migrants eat during refueling may be important for flight performance. In particular omega-3 fatty acids have been hypothesized to improve energy metabolism in shorebirds. Migrating bats and some birds (hummingbirds) use torpor (decreasing body temperature and metabolism to minimal levels) at stopovers to minimize the loss of fat during roosting periods when they are unable to feed. How torpor is switched on and off in these species is not known. The long term objective of my research is to understand the energetics and physiology of endurance flight and refueling of migratory birds and bats, and how these are affected by intrinsic factors (season, sex, age) and extrinsic conditions (altitude, temperature, humidity, diet, disease, and pollutants). In the short term we will study: 1) the physiological mechanisms that allow songbirds and shorebirds to fly at high altitudes; 2) energy costs and fuel substrate oxidation during flight using stable isotopes (13C enrichment) in breath; 3) the importance of biofilm feeding and omega-3 fatty acids for migration in shorebirds; 4) how the powerhouses of muscle cells (mitochondria) may be specialized for flight and torpor in migratory birds and bats; 5)the specialized physiology of ultra-endurance fliers. We will use specialized facilities and technologies for the proposed research. A unique hypobaric, climatic wind tunnel, specifically designed for birds, will be used to test the physiological effects of high altitude flight and energy costs in different species, sexes and ages. Carbon isotopes in breath will be measured in real time using a spectroscopic analyzer. Automated ground-based and satellite radio-telemetry will be used to track bird migrations after experimental manipulation of their diets. Mitochondrial function and free radicals that can damage cells during intense exercise will be measured by high-resolution respirometry. The research program will train 15 20 highly qualified personnel, advance basic knowledge, and have practical relevance for the conservation of migratory species. North American bird populations have declined by 30% since 1970, and Canada's long-distance migrants are at the greatest risk. Migratory bats are at elevated risk for mortality at wind energy developments, and they are very poorly studied. This research will improve our understanding of why these animals migrate the way they do, and thus help us protect them.

候鸟和蝙蝠面临极端的生理挑战。飞行过程中的能源支出异常高，而移民在没有水，食物或休息的情况下维持了许多小时，数天甚至一周的时间。他们通常在高海拔地区飞行以获得尾风的帮助，迫使他们在氧气低的空气中强烈运动。当他们停止加油时，他们会有很高的活动，饮食和消化食物。加油过程中的移民饮食对于飞行表现可能很重要。特别是已经假设omega-3脂肪酸可以改善海岸鸟的能量代谢。迁移的蝙蝠和一些鸟类（蜂鸟）在中途停留时使用Torpor（降低体温和新陈代谢至最小水平），以最大程度地减少栖息时期的损失。这些物种中如何打开和关闭Torpor是未知的。 我的研究的长期目标是了解耐力飞行以及迁徙鸟类和蝙蝠加油的能量和生理学，以及它们如何受到内在因素（季节，性别，性别）和外在条件（高度，温度，温度，湿度，饮食，饮食，疾病和污染物）的影响。在短期内，我们将研究：1）允许鸣禽和shore鸟在高海拔地区飞行的生理机制； 2）在呼吸中使用稳定的同位素（13c富集）飞行过程中的能源成本和燃料基质氧化； 3）生物膜喂养和omega-3脂肪酸在岸鸟中迁移的重要性； 4）肌肉细胞（线粒体）的强力室如何专门用于候鸟和蝙蝠的飞行； 5）超耐用传单的专门生理学。 我们将使用专门的设施和技术进行拟议的研究。独特的低估的气候风洞，专门为鸟类设计，将用于测试不同物种，性别和年龄的高海拔飞行和能量成本的生理影响。呼吸中的碳同位素将使用光谱分析仪实时测量。在实验操纵饮食后，将使用自动化地面和卫星的无线电仪来跟踪鸟类的迁移。线粒体功能和在强烈运动过程中可能损害细胞的自由基将通过高分辨率呼​​吸测定法测量。 该研究计划将培训15名高素质的人员，提高基本知识，并与迁徙物种的保护具有实际相关性。自1970年以来，北美鸟类种群下降了30％，加拿大的长途移民处于最大的风险。在风能开发中，迁徙蝙蝠的死亡风险升高，并且研究很差。这项研究将提高我们对这些动物为何迁移其方式的理解，从而帮助我们保护它们。