RUI: Mechanisms Regulating Facultative Migrations of the Pine Siskin

提案标题：- 我知道机制调节兼性迁移的松树Siskin机构：洛约拉玛丽蒙特大学，并与加州大学戴维斯分校的合作关系摘要日期：03/13/2015迁移行为的特点是定期和可预测的季节性和方向性运动，或运动可能是更不可预测的时间和方向。可预测性较低的运动，被称为兼性迁移，更难以研究。 该项目将调查圈养鸟类松雀（Spinus pinus）兼性迁移的驱动因素。该项目的目标是评估1）什么线索（S）触发迁移阶段的发展;和2）什么内分泌激素介导的迁移反应？四个线索（光周期，食物供应，人口密度，和配偶的可用性）和两种激素（皮质酮和睾酮）将进行调查。了解动物对环境变化的反应在当今气候变化中至关重要。该项目将在一个以本科为主的机构培训一名研究生研究员，并将涉及大量本科生，包括代表性不足群体的本科生。 该项目的主要研究者是一个刚开始的研究者。该项目将系统地、全面地研究兼性迁移的机制，兼性迁移是一系列在分类学上广泛存在的行为。这是圈养的鸟类模式生物，使这项研究。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）光周期的增加会刺激春季的兼性迁徙;（ii）食物供应量的下降会刺激迁徙的发展;（iii）在食物供应量下降之前，当地人口密度高，可以引发向迁徙阶段的过渡;以及（iv）潜在配偶的短缺可以刺激繁殖期间的迁徙。 作为第二个目标的一部分，将研究另外两个假设：（i）循环皮质酮水平升高刺激迁移阶段的发展;（ii）循环睾酮水平升高刺激迁移阶段的过渡。实验将包括操纵环境触发器和跟踪行为和生理反应，以及直接操纵内分泌激素。综合方法将为主要本科院校的研究培训提供重要机会。 该团队将与Loyola Marymount大学城市恢复力中心合作，开发和传播用于洛杉矶地区学校的材料。

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.