Captive European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in breeding condition show an increased cardiovascular stress response to intruders.
Physiol Biochem Zool
; 79(5): 937-43, 2006.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16927240
ABSTRACT
European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) alter their physiology and behavior between seasons, becoming territorial during the spring/summer and flocking during the fall/winter. We used captive male starlings in breeding (photostimulated to 18L 6D) and nonbreeding (11L 13D) conditions to determine whether changing physiology and behavior alters their reaction to crowding. One or five intruders entered a resident's cage without human disturbance. A subcutaneous heart rate transmitter recorded cardiovascular output in residents. Corticosterone and testosterone were measured in plasma samples taken before and after the intrusion. While corticosterone concentrations did not change, heart rate changed significantly, indicating that these responses can be regulated independently. Long-day birds showed a significantly elevated heart rate response to the single-bird intrusion compared to short-day birds. Whereas five intruders elicited an identical peak response in both groups, long-day birds also demonstrated an equivalent response to one intruder. In addition, one intruder induced longer elevation in heart rate for long-day birds. Male starlings in breeding condition, therefore, demonstrate an increased sensitivity to additional conspecifics. This seasonal shift in response suggests that a higher tolerance for intrusion (i.e., considering a nearby starling as less stressful) may facilitate flocking behavior, while a lower tolerance may aid in territoriality.
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01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Reprodução
/
Estresse Fisiológico
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Sistema Cardiovascular
/
Estorninhos
/
Frequência Cardíaca
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Physiol Biochem Zool
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
FISIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos