How Lapland longspurs cope with extreme weather
Author Information
Author(s): Wu Zhou, Hindle Matthew M., Bishop Valerie R., Reid Angus M. A., Miedzinska Katarzyna, Pérez Jonathan H., Krause Jesse S., Wingfield John C., Meddle Simone L., Smith Jacqueline
Primary Institution: The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh
Hypothesis
How does the Lapland longspur respond to acute and chronic environmental stress during its breeding cycle?
Conclusion
Lapland longspurs exhibit different coping strategies to acute and chronic environmental stressors, affecting their reproductive and metabolic functions.
Supporting Evidence
- Lapland longspurs showed significant changes in gene expression in response to extreme weather.
- Key genes involved in stress response, such as FKBP5, were up-regulated during adverse conditions.
- Physiological changes included alterations in reproductive behavior and energy metabolism.
Takeaway
This study shows how a bird called the Lapland longspur changes its behavior and body functions to survive harsh weather conditions.
Methodology
RNA sequencing was performed on tissues from Lapland longspurs collected during different environmental conditions to assess gene expression changes.
Limitations
The study focuses on specific extreme weather events and may not represent all types of environmental stress.
Participant Demographics
Wild male Lapland longspurs collected from four breeding sites in Alaska.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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