Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

01 May, 05 AM - 31 Jul, 05 AM

I am conducting my dissertation research on plasticity in reproductive effort and mediation by the adrenocortical stress response in the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). My study populations are located in the vicinity of the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory (SNARL), along Convict and McGee creeks. The purpose of my study is to determine the extent to which song sparrows can adaptively adjust reproductive effort to reflect the value of the current reproductive attempt, if behavioral responses to predators are affected by the value of the reproductive attempt, and whether responses are mediated by the stress response. The stress response is a physiological mechanism that generally serves to direct energy investment toward survival, and may thus modulate levels of investment into reproduction. To test my research questions, I am capturing birds in mist nets, color-banding birds, and measuring the stress response by obtaining serial blood samples. In addition, I am characterizing the value of the current reproductive attempt by measuring clutch size, time in season, and metrics of mate quality. To measure reproductive effort, as reflected by incubation attentiveness and nestling provisioning rates, I am video-recording nests. In addition, I am presenting nest and adult predators at nests to quantify responses to off-spring and adult-directed threats.

Visit #24470 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 21464 | Research

Coping with environmental perturbation: Adaptive plasticity in reproductive effort and mediation by the adrenocortical stress response

graduate_student - University of California, Riverside

Reservation Members(s)

Melissa Grunst May 1 - Jul 31, 2011 (92 days)

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Dorm 1 May 1 - Jul 31, 2011
Q1 1 May 1 - Jul 31, 2011
Q2 1 May 1 - Jul 31, 2011
Q3 1 May 1 - Jul 31, 2011