Is microevolution the only emergency exit in a warming world?: temperature influences egg laying but not its underlying mechanisms in great tits

Caro, Samuel P.; Schaper, Sonja V.; Dawson, Alistair; Sharp, Peter J.; Gienapp, Phillip; Visser, Marcel E.. 2013 Is microevolution the only emergency exit in a warming world?: temperature influences egg laying but not its underlying mechanisms in great tits. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 190. 164-169. 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.02.025

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Abstract/Summary

Many bird species have advanced their seasonal timing in response to global warming, but we still know little about the causal effect of temperature. We carried out experiments in climate-controlled aviaries to investigate how temperature affects luteinizing hormone, prolactin, gonadal development, timing of egg laying and onset of moult in male and female great tits. We used both natural and artificial temperature patterns to identify the temperature characteristics that matter for birds. Our results show that temperature has a direct, causal effect on onset of egg-laying, and in particular, that it is the pattern of increase rather than the absolute temperature that birds use. Surprisingly, the pre-breeding increases in plasma LH, prolactin and in gonadal size are not affected by increasing temperature, nor do they correlate with the onset of laying. This suggests that the decision to start breeding and its regulatory mechanisms are fine-tuned by different factors. We also found similarities between siblings in the timing of both the onset of reproduction and associated changes in plasma LH, prolactin and gonadal development. In conclusion, while temperature affects the timing of egg laying, the neuroendocrine system does not seem to be regulated by moderate temperature changes. This lack of responsiveness may restrain the advance in the timing of breeding in response to climate change. But as there is heritable genetic variation on which natural selection can act, microevolution can take place, and may represent the only way to adapt to a warming world.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.02.025
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 2 - Ecological Processes in the Environment > BD - 2.4 - Estimate the impact of the main drivers and pressures on biodiversity ... CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity > BD Topic 2 - Ecological Processes in the Environment
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Watt
ISSN:	0016-6480
Additional Keywords:	adaptation, heritability, climate change, phenology, Parus major, Cyanistes caeruleus, endocrinology, seasonal timing
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Zoology Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	15 Aug 2013 10:06 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/502923

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