Physiological and biochemical thermoregulatory responses of Chinese bulbuls Pycnonotus sinensis to warm temperature: Phenotypic flexibility in a small passerine |
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Authors: | Wei-Hong Zheng Lin Lin Jin-Song Liu Hao Pan Meng-Ting Cao Yi-Lin Hu |
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Institution: | 1. School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China;2. Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325035, China;3. Institute of Applied Ecology, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China |
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Abstract: | Temperature is an important environmental cue for the regulation of thermogenesis in small birds. We tested the hypothesis that a small passerine, the Chinese bulbul Pycnonotus sinensis can decrease thermogenesis in response to warmer temperatures by decreasing body mass, the organ mass and changing physiological and biochemical processes in the liver and muscle. Captive Chinese bulbuls decreased in body mass and basal metabolic rate (BMR) during 4 weeks of acclimation to 30±1 °C. They also showed a decrease in liver, kidney and small intestine mass and reduced mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome C oxidase (COX) activity in the liver and muscle compared to 10±1 °C. Furthermore, BMR was positively correlated with body mass, organ mass (liver, kidney, small intestine and entire digestive tract), and mitochondrial state-4 respiration and cytochrome C oxidase (COX) activity in the liver and muscle. These results indicate that changes in body mass, organ mass and respiratory enzyme activity are mechanisms by which Chinese bulbuls adapt to warmer temperatures. The data support the hypothesis that such physiological flexibility is ubiquitous in birds. |
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Keywords: | Pycnonotus sinensis Physiological flexibility Thermoregulation Temperature acclimation Cytochrome C oxidase State-4 respiration |
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