Resistance of flight feathers to mechanical fatigue covaries with moult strategy in two warbler species

Weber, Thomas; Borgudd, Johan; Hedenström, Anders; Persson, Kent; Sandberg, Göran

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2004.0244

Cited by 32 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…This contradicts the current concept of biannual moult which states that birds moult twice a year owing to the fast abrasion of their feathers ( Weber et al 2005;Svensson & Hedenströ m 1999). One may argue, however, that even if fast abrasion would favour two moults in a year, the birds can perform them only if favourable conditions (e.g.…”

Section: Discussion (A)contrasting

confidence: 48%

Optimal moult strategies in migratory birds

Barta

McNamara

Houston

et al. 2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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146

187

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Avian migration, which involves billions of birds flying vast distances, is known to influence all aspects of avian life. Here we investigate how birds fit moult into an annual cycle determined by the need to migrate. Large variation exists in moulting patterns in relation to migration: for instance, moult can occur after breeding in the summer or after arrival in the wintering quarters. Here we use an optimal annual routine model to investigate why this variation exists. The modelled bird's decisions depend on the time of year, its energy reserves, breeding status, experience, flight feather quality and location. Our results suggest that the temporal and spatial variations in food are an important influence on a migratory bird's annual cycle. Summer moult occurs when food has a high peak on the breeding site in the summer, but it is less seasonal elsewhere. Winter moult occurs if there is a short period of high food availability in summer and a strong winter peak at different locations (i.e. the food is very seasonal but in opposite phase on these areas). This finding might explain why only long-distance migrants have a winter moult.

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Section: Discussion (A)contrasting

confidence: 48%

Optimal moult strategies in migratory birds

Barta

McNamara

Houston

et al. 2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

Self Cite

146

187

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Preliminary results on the structure-performance relationship of flight feathers of chiffchaffs (Phylloscopus collybita) and willow warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) are suggestive of feather shaft diameter being associated with resistance to damage (Weber et al, 2005). Feather wear is likely to affect the reflective properties of the plumage and could thus function to signal individual quality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candidate genes for colour and vision exhibit signals of selection across the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) breeding range

et al. 2011

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The role of natural selection in shaping adaptive trait differentiation in natural populations has long been recognized. Determining its molecular basis, however, remains a challenge. Here, we search for signals of selection in candidate genes for colour and its perception in a passerine bird. Pied flycatcher plumage varies geographically in both its structural and pigment-based properties. Both characteristics appear to be shaped by selection. A single-locus outlier test revealed 2 of 14 loci to show significantly elevated signals of divergence. The first of these, the follistatin gene, is expressed in the developing feather bud and is found in pathways with genes that determine the structure of feathers and may thus be important in generating variation in structural colouration. The second is a gene potentially underlying the ability to detect this variation: SWS1 opsin. These two loci were most differentiated in two Spanish pied flycatcher populations, which are also among the populations that have the highest UV reflectance. The follistatin and SWS1 opsin genes thus provide strong candidates for future investigations on the molecular basis of adaptively significant traits and their co-evolution.

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“…There are differences in the mechanical properties of feathers depending on whether they have grown during summer or winter (Weber et al 2005), which are likely to affect the selection of moult strategy. Moult during winter usually takes longer than post-breeding moult in the summer (Underhill et al 1992), which could be due to constraints in obtaining resources or, alternatively, be due to relaxed time constraints in completing the moult.…”

Section: Moultmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptations to migration in birds: behavioural strategies, morphology and scaling effects

Hedenström

2007

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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242

217

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The annual life cycle of many birds includes breeding, moult and migration. All these processes are time and energy consuming and the extent of investment in any one may compromise the others. The output from breeding is of course the ultimate goal for all birds, while the investment in moult and migration should be selected so that lifetime fitness is maximized. In particular, long-distance migrants breeding at high latitudes face severe time pressures, which is a probable reason why natural selection has evolved efficient behaviours, physiological and morphological adaptations allowing the maximum possible migration speed. Optimal migration theory commonly assumes time minimization as an overall strategy, but the minimization of energy cost and predation risk may also be involved. Based on these assumptions, it is possible to derive adaptive behaviours such as when and at which fuel load a stopover site should be abandoned. I review some core components of optimal migration theory together with some key predictions. A review of accumulated empirical tests of the departure rule indicates that time minimization is an important component of the overall migration strategy, and hence gives support to the assumption about time-selected migration. I also briefly discuss how the optimal policy may be implemented by the bird by applying a set of simple rules. The time constraints on migrants increase with increasing body size. Some consequences of this are discussed.

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Resistance of flight feathers to mechanical fatigue covaries with moult strategy in two warbler species

Cited by 32 publications

References 16 publications

Optimal moult strategies in migratory birds

Optimal moult strategies in migratory birds

Candidate genes for colour and vision exhibit signals of selection across the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) breeding range

Adaptations to migration in birds: behavioural strategies, morphology and scaling effects

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