Exogenous corticosterone and melanin-based coloration explain variation in juvenile dispersal behaviour in the barn owl (Tyto alba).
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_581135601ABC
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Exogenous corticosterone and melanin-based coloration explain variation in juvenile dispersal behaviour in the barn owl (Tyto alba).
Journal
PloS one
ISSN
1932-6203 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1932-6203
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
16
Number
9
Pages
e0256038
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: epublish
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Natal dispersal affects many processes such as population dynamics. So far, most studies have examined the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that determine the distance between the place of birth and of first breeding. In contrast, few researchers followed the first steps of dispersal soon after fledging. To study this gap, we radio-tracked 95 barn owl nestlings (Tyto alba) to locate their diurnal roost sites from the fledging stage until December. This was used to test whether the age of nest departure, post-fledging movements and dispersal distance were related to melanin-based coloration, which is correlated to fitness-related traits, as well as to corticosterone, a hormone that mediates a number of life history trade-offs and the physiological and behavioural responses to stressful situations. We found that the artificial administration of corticosterone delayed the age when juveniles left their parental home-range in females but not in males. During the first few months after fledging, longer dispersal distances were reached by females compared to males, by individuals marked with larger black feather spots compared to individuals with smaller spots, by larger individuals and by those experimentally treated with corticosterone. We conclude that the onset and magnitude of dispersal is sensitive to the stress hormone corticosterone, melanin-based coloration and body size.
Keywords
Animal Distribution/physiology, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Corticosterone/metabolism, Feathers/physiology, Female, Homing Behavior/physiology, Male, Melanins/metabolism, Nesting Behavior/physiology, Phenotype, Pigmentation, Strigiformes/growth & development, Strigiformes/metabolism
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
04/10/2021 13:24
Last modification date
08/08/2024 7:33