RUI: Mechanisms Regulating Facultative Migrations of the Pine Siskin

提案标题：RUI：管理松树兼性迁徙的机制洛约拉·马里蒙特大学与加州大学戴维斯分校的合作摘要日期：2015年3月13日迁徙行为的特征是定期和可预测的季节性和方向性移动，或者移动在时间和方向上都很难预测。更难预测的迁移，也就是所谓的兼性迁移，研究起来要困难得多。本项目将调查一种圈养鸟类--松树的兼性迁徙的驱动因素。该项目的目标是评估1)什么线索(S)触发了迁徙阶段的发展；以及2)什么内分泌激素调节了迁徙反应？四个线索(光周期、食物可获得性、种群密度和配偶可获得性)和两种激素(皮质酮和睾酮)将被研究。在当今不断变化的气候中，了解动物对环境变化的反应是至关重要的。该项目将在一个以本科生为主的机构培训一名研究生研究员，并将涉及大量本科生，包括来自代表性不足群体的本科生。首席调查员是一个初级调查员。该项目将系统和全面地调查兼性迁徙背后的机制，这是一组在分类学上广泛存在的行为。正是圈养的鸟类模式生物使这项研究成为可能。作为该项目第一个目标的一部分，将研究四种不同的假设：(I)越来越多的光周期刺激春季的兼性迁徙；(Ii)食物可获得性的下降刺激迁徙的发展；(Iii)在食物可获得性下降之前，当地人口密度高，可能会引发向迁徙阶段的过渡；以及(Iv)潜在配偶的短缺可以在繁殖前后刺激迁徙。作为第二个目标的一部分，将研究另外两个假设：(I)循环皮质酮水平的增加刺激迁移阶段的发展；以及(Ii)循环睾酮水平的增加刺激向迁移阶段的转变。实验将包括操纵环境触发因素和跟踪行为和生理反应，以及直接操纵内分泌激素。这两种方法的结合将为在一个以本科为主的机构进行研究培训提供重要机会。该小组将与洛约拉·马里蒙特大学城市复原力中心合作，开发和传播洛杉矶地区学校使用的材料。

Proposal Title: RUI: Mechanisms regulating facultative migrations of the Pine SiskinInstitutions: Loyola Marymount University, and a partnership with UC-DavisAbstract Date: 03/13/2015Migratory behavior can be characterized by regular and predictable seasonal and directional movements, or the movements may be much less predictable with respect to both timing and direction. The less predictable movements, known as facultative migration, are much more difficult to study. This project will investigate the drivers of facultative migration in a captive species of bird, the pine siskin (Spinus pinus). The goals of the project are to assess 1) What cue(s) trigger the development of a migratory stage; and 2) What endocrine hormones mediate the migratory response? Four cues (photoperiod, food availability, population density, and mate availability) and two hormones (corticosterone and testosterone) will be investigated. Understanding how animals respond to environmental variability is critical in today's changing climate. The project will train a post-graduate researcher at a primarily undergraduate institution, and will involve large numbers of undergraduates, including those from underrepresented groups. The lead investigator is a beginning investigator.The project will systematically and comprehensively investigate the mechanisms underlying facultative migration, a suite of behaviors that are taxonomically widespread. It is the captive avian model organism that enables this research. Four different hypotheses will be investigated as part of the first goal of the project: (i) an increasing photoperiod stimulates facultative migration in the spring; (ii) declining food availability stimulates the development
of migration; (iii) high local population density, prior to a decline in food availability, can trigger the transition to a migratory
 stage; and (iv) that a shortage of potential mates can stimulate migration around the time of breeding. Two additional hypotheses will be investigated as part of the second goal: (i) increased circulating corticosterone levels stimulate 
the development of a migratory stage; and (ii) the transition to a migratory stage is stimulated
 by increased circulating testosterone levels. Experiments will include manipulating the environmental triggers and tracking behavioral and physiological responses, and direct manipulation of the endocrine hormones. The combined approaches will provide significant opportunities for research training at a primarily undergraduate institution. The team will work with the Loyola Marymount University Center for Urban Resilience to develop and disseminate materials to be used in Los Angeles area schools.