Are thyroid hormones mediators of incubation temperature-induced phenotypes in birds?

Incubation temperature influences a suite of traits in avian offspring. However, the mechanisms underlying expression of these phenotypes are unknown. Given the importance of thyroid hormones in orchestrating developmental processes, we hypothesized that they may act as an upstream mechanism mediating the effects of temperature on hatchling phenotypic traits such as growth and thermoregulation. We found that plasma T 3 , but not T 4 concentrations, differed among newly hatched wood ducks ( Aix sponsa ) from different embryonic incubation temperatures. T 4 at hatching correlated with time spent hatching, and T 3 correlated with hatchling body condition, tarsus length, time spent hatching and incubation period. In addition, the T 3 : T 4 ratio differed among incubation temperatures at hatch. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that incubation temperature modulates plasma thyroid hormones which in turn influences multiple aspects of duckling phenotype.

Download Full-text

Incubation temperature affects multiple measures of immunocompetence in young wood ducks ( Aix Sponsa )

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2011.0735 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 108-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

Sarah E. DuRant ◽

William A. Hopkins ◽

Dana M. Hawley ◽

Gary R. Hepp

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Vital Role ◽

Aix Sponsa ◽

Biologically Relevant ◽

Physiological Processes ◽

Wood Ducks ◽

Immune Challenges ◽

Acquired Immune Responses ◽

Incubation Temperatures

Parental effects play a vital role in shaping offspring phenotype. In birds, incubation behaviour is a critical parental effect because it influences the early developmental environment and can therefore have lifelong consequences for offspring phenotype. Recent studies that manipulated incubation temperature found effects on hatchling body composition, condition and growth, suggesting that incubation temperature could also affect energetically costly physiological processes of young birds that are important to survival (e.g. immune responses). We artificially incubated wood duck ( Aix sponsa ) eggs at three biologically relevant temperatures. Following incubation, we used two immunoassays to measure acquired immune responses of ducklings. Ducklings incubated at the lowest temperature had reduced growth, body condition and responses to both of our immune challenges, compared with those from the higher temperatures. Our results show that incubation temperatures can be an important driver of phenotypic variation in avian populations.

Download Full-text

Phytotoxic Effect of Decaying Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Residues

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s004317450004594x ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 595-598 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

T. V. Toai ◽

D. L. Linscott

Keyword(s):

Incubation Temperature ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Water Extracts ◽

Phytotoxic Activity ◽

Phytotoxic Effect ◽

Effects Of Temperature ◽

Incubation Temperatures ◽

Toxin Formation ◽

Agropyron Repens

We studied the effects of temperature (5, 10, 20, and 30 C) on the phytotoxic activity of decaying quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.] leaves and rhizomes that were incubated in soils for 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeds were grown for 96 h in water, water extracts of control soils, and water extracts of soil with quackgrass rhizomes or leaves. Dried quackgrass rhizomes and leaves contained water-soluble toxins that inhibited alfalfa seedling development and growth. There was a strong interaction between incubation time and temperature on the development of additional toxins by decomposing quackgrass. High incubation temperature (30 C) accelerated toxin formation and ultimate decay. Intermediate temperature (20 C) delayed toxin formation and decay. Low incubation temperatures (5 C and 10 C) prevented formation of additional toxin. In all extracts of quackgrass and soil that had been incubated for 6 weeks, normal alfalfa seedling number equaled that in water. However, seedling growth varied with incubation temperatures.Treatment of quackgrass with glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] in the greenhouse did not influence the toxicity of decaying quackgrass leaves. The highest toxic effect was noted after 1 week of decay on the soil surface.

Download Full-text

Decision letter for "Ambient temperature and female body condition are related to night incubation behavior in wood ducks ( Aix sponsa )"

10.1111/jav.02379/v2/decision1 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Ambient Temperature ◽

Body Condition ◽

Female Body ◽

Aix Sponsa ◽

Incubation Behavior ◽

Wood Ducks

Download Full-text

Review for "Ambient temperature and female body condition are related to night incubation behavior in wood ducks ( Aix sponsa )"

10.1111/jav.02379/v1/review1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Denis Deeming

Keyword(s):

Ambient Temperature ◽

Body Condition ◽

Female Body ◽

Aix Sponsa ◽

Incubation Behavior ◽

Wood Ducks

Download Full-text

Author response for "Ambient temperature and female body condition are related to night incubation behavior in wood ducks ( Aix sponsa )"

10.1111/jav.02379/v2/response1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander T. Grimaudo ◽

Sydney F. Hope ◽

Sarah E. DuRant ◽

Robert A. Kennamer ◽

John J. Hallagan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ambient Temperature ◽

Body Condition ◽

Female Body ◽

Author Response ◽

Aix Sponsa ◽

Incubation Behavior ◽

Wood Ducks

Download Full-text

Embryonic Developmental Patterns and Energy Expenditure Are Affected by Incubation Temperature in Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa)

Physiological and Biochemical Zoology ◽

10.1086/661749 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 84 (5) ◽

pp. 451-457 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

S. E. DuRant ◽

W. A. Hopkins ◽

G. R. Hepp

Keyword(s):

Energy Expenditure ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Aix Sponsa ◽

Developmental Patterns ◽

Wood Ducks

Download Full-text

Developmental plasticity in an unusual animal: the effects of incubation temperature on behavior in chameleons

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/1568539x-00003280 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 152 (10) ◽

pp. 1307-1324 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Cissy J. Ballen ◽

Richard Shine ◽

Mats M. Olsson

Keyword(s):

Developmental Plasticity ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Thermal Environment ◽

Activity Level ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Fitness Costs ◽

Slow Development ◽

Foraging Tactics ◽

Chamaeleo Calyptratus ◽

Incubation Temperatures

The thermal environment within a reptile nest can affect the phenotypic traits of hatchlings, and hence (potentially) their fitness. Research on this topic needs to measure phenotypic traits relevant to the species involved; and hence, studies on unusual species need to measure unusual traits. We investigated the effects of two incubation temperatures on the morphology and behaviour of hatchling veiled chameleons (Chamaeleo calyptratus). Colder-incubated eggs exhibited a longer incubation period, but produced larger faster-growing hatchlings. Incubation treatment also affected a chameleon’s activity level and its unique foraging tactics. Cold-incubated animals were more sedentary, caught prey faster, and extended their tongues farther to reach prey than did their warm-incubated counterparts. Thus, the fitness costs of low temperatures in the nest (slow development, and thus late hatching) may be offset by incubation-derived enhancements in hatchling growth rates and foraging abilities.

Download Full-text

THE EFFECT OF THE INCUBATION TIME AND TEMPERATURE ON THE DETERMINATION OF PSYCHROPHILIC BACTERIA IN MILK BY THE AGAR PLATE METHOD1*

Journal of Milk and Food Technology ◽

10.4315/0022-2747-17.12.365 ◽

1954 ◽

Vol 17 (12) ◽

pp. 365-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. C. Boyd ◽

C. K. Smith ◽

G. M. Trout

Keyword(s):

Incubation Period ◽

Incubation Time ◽

Incubation Temperature ◽

Agar Plate ◽

Psychrophilic Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Counts ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Incubation Temperatures

A study has been made of the effect of incubation time and temperature on the determination of psychrophilic bacteria in milk. The incubation of agar plates at 10° C resulted in the detection of a group of thermoduric organisms which was not found when agar plates were incubated at 5° C. These organisms are not considered to be true psychrophiles. Bacterial counts on milk obtained using the 5° C and 10° C incubation temperatures did not coincide regardless of the incubation period. The counts obtained using the 10° C incubation temperature were always higher than those obtained at 5° C for a similar period. Maximum bacterial counts on milk samples stored at 5° C for 10 days or less were not obtained in less than 20 days when the agar plates were incubated at 5° C.

Download Full-text