Locomotor development in the Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
| |
Authors: | John J Lees Karl-Arne Stokkan Lars P Folkow Jonathan R Codd |
| |
Institution: | (1) Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK;(2) Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Troms?, 9037 Troms?, Norway; |
| |
Abstract: | Juvenile animals often suffer from high levels of predation. Development of an effective and efficient locomotor system is
therefore likely to be crucial towards ensuring their survival. However, our understanding of locomotor efficiency, at least
in terms of energetic cost in young animals is poor. We performed this study as Svalbard rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta hyperborea must rapidly develop the ability to locomote prior to the onset of their first winter, during which conditions are extreme.
To aid survival, adult ptarmigan deposit large winter fat stores, whilst at the same time males exhibit a reduced metabolic
cost of locomotion. Sub-adult males, however, are unable to fully acquire fat stores during their first winter and the maturity
of their locomotor systems is unknown. Here, we investigate the energetics and kinematics of terrestrial locomotion in sub-adult
male birds using flow-through respirometry and high-speed video recordings, respectively. We demonstrate that in terms of
running speed and metabolic cost, sub-adult ptarmigan develop a mature functioning locomotor system prior to the onset of
winter. This research indicates that achieving a mature locomotor system allows young males to emerge from the winter with
the ability to compete for territories and mates during the breeding season. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|