| Brain size, innovative propensity and migratory behaviour in temperate Palaearctic birds. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 16011917 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
The evolution of migration in birds remains an outstanding, unresolved question in evolutionary ecology. A particularly intriguing question is why individuals in some species have been selected to migrate, whereas in other species they have been selected to be sedentary. In this paper, we suggest that this diverging selection might partially result from differences among species in the behavioural flexibility of their responses to seasonal changes in the environment. This hypothesis is supported in a comparative analysis of Palaearctic passerines. First, resident species tend to rely more on innovative feeding behaviours in winter, when food is harder to find, than in other seasons. Second, species with larger brains, relative to their body size, and a higher propensity for innovative behaviours tend to be resident, while less flexible species tend to be migratory. Residence also appears to be less likely in species that occur in more northerly regions, exploit temporally available food sources, inhabit non-buffered habitats and have smaller bodies. Yet, the role of behavioural flexibility as a response to seasonal environments is largely independent of these other factors. Therefore, species with greater foraging flexibility seem to be able to cope with seasonal environments better, while less flexible species are forced to become migratory. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Daniel Sol; Louis Lefebvre; J Domingo Rodríguez-Teijeiro |
Related Documents
:
|
1637497 - Ceramide composition of whole brain synaptosomal gangliosides from mice genetically bre... 21314627 - Methods to study postprandial lipemia. 21109087 - Relationship between olfactory function and olfactory neuronal population in c57bl6 mic... 11080767 - Simulium (psaroniocompsa) tergospinosum new species (diptera: simuliidae) in siolii gro... 17852477 - Effect of a blueberry nutritional supplement on macronutrients, food group intake, and ... 11171627 - Decreased orexigenic response to neuropeptide y in rats with obstructive cholestasis. |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Volume: 272 ISSN: 0962-8452 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Biol. Sci. Publication Date: 2005 Jul |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2005-07-13 Completed Date: 2005-10-04 Revised Date: 2013-06-09 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 101245157 Medline TA: Proc Biol Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 1433-41 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205, Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Québec H3A 1B1 Canada. d.sol@creaf.uab.es |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Analysis of Variance Animal Migration / physiology* Animals Behavior, Animal / physiology* Brain / anatomy & histology* Environment* Feeding Behavior / physiology Geography Organ Size Passeriformes / anatomy & histology*, physiology* Seasons Selection, Genetic* Species Specificity |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: An ecological 'footprint' of climate change.
Next Document: Ontogeny of energy allocation reveals selective pressure promoting risk-taking behaviour in young fi...