Geographic variation in the association between exploratory behavior and physiology in rufous-collared sparrows.
Physiol Biochem Zool
; 85(6): 618-24, 2012.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23099459
ABSTRACT
Increasing research has attempted to clarify the links between animal personality and physiology. However, the mechanisms driving this association remain largely unknown, and knowledge of how ecological factors may affect its direction and strength is scant. In this study, we quantified variation in the association between exploratory behavior, basal metabolic rate (BMR), and total evaporative water loss (TEWL) in rufous-collared sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) inhabiting desert, Mediterranean, and cold-temperate climates. We found that the exploratory behavior score was highest in birds from the cold-temperate site, which was characterized by a moderate level of ecological variability (seasonality). Moreover, the association between exploratory behavior and physiological variables differed among localities. Only birds from the Mediterranean site showed a positive correlation between exploratory behavior and BMR. We found no association between exploration and TEWL at any study site. Our findings suggest that differences in the ecological conditions experienced by each sparrow population result in a particular combination of behavioral and physiological traits. An understanding of this intraspecific variation along ecological gradients provides unique insights into how specific ecological conditions affect the coupling of behavioral and physiological traits and the mechanisms underlying that relationship.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Conducta Animal
/
Ecosistema
/
Gorriones
/
Conducta Exploratoria
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Physiol Biochem Zool
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA
/
FISIOLOGIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Chile