Keeping it regular: Development of thermoregulation in four tropical seabird species |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204, USA;2. Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72035, USA;1. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Cameroon;2. Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I Cameroon;3. Sezionedi Patologia Veterinaria, Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti, Università degli Studi di Udine, Via Sondrio, 233100 Udine, Italy;1. Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, 2480 Lismore, NSW, Australia;2. University Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia;1. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Hobrovej 18, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark;2. Danish Armed Forces, Health Services, Aarhus, Denmark;3. Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark;4. Biomedical Research Laboratory, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark;5. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark;1. Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia;2. Department of Environmental Physiology, Swedish Aerospace Physiology Center, School of Technology and Health, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden;1. Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sichuan 610041, China;2. West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China;3. State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing 102205, China |
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| Abstract: | The thermoregulatory capacity of a species can determine which climatic niche it occupies. Its development in avian chicks is influenced by numerous factors. Furthermore, it is suggested that altricial chicks develop their thermoregulatory capacity post-hatching, while precocial chicks develop aspects of this in the egg. We investigated the development of thermoregulation of four co-occurring seabird species in the Seychelles; namely white, ground-nesting white-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus) and tree-nesting fairy terns (Gygis alba); and dark plumaged, tree-nesting lesser noddies (Anous tenuirostris) and ground- and tree-nesting brown noddies (A. stolidus). White-tailed tropicbirds have semi-altricial chicks, while the remaining species have semi-precocial chicks. Cloacal temperatures (Tb) were measured at five day intervals from newly hatched chicks and compared over time, and with adult Tbs. Initial Tbs of all chicks, except fairy terns, were lower than those taken when chicks were older. Brooding cessation generally coincided with feather development, as did an increase in Tb. Mean chick Tb was significantly lower than mean adult Tb for all species, but only white-tailed tropicbird and brown noddy chicks in tree nests differed significantly from mean adult Tb when chick Tb at five day intervals were considered. There was a significant interactive effect of nest site and age on brown noddy chick Tb, but chick colour did not have a significant effect on Tb. However, brown noddy chicks on dune crests maintained a constant Tb sooner than chicks in tree nests. Our results demonstrate that tropical seabird species have a more delayed onset of thermoregulatory capabilities when compared with those in temperate environments, perhaps as nest sites are less thermally challenging. Nest microhabitats and behavioural thermoregulation, are likely more important during early chick development for these species. |
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| Keywords: | Body temperature Chick development Chick colour Feather development Nest microhabitat Seabird Thermoregulation |
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