Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

04 Mar, 11 AM - 06 Apr, 11 PM

This study tests whether populations in which birds lay more eggs per clutch will have less robust immune defenses. This idea stems from the principle of life history trade-offs, in which higher reproductive effort leaves less energy and nutrients available for self-maintenance tasks, such as immune function. To address this issue I will study song sparrows from southern California to Alaska. Within this region the number of eggs per clutch increases significantly from South to North, representing an increase in reproductive effort and providing an ideal model for testing my hypothesis. My field methods have minimal impact on the sparrows and habitat. I attract a bird to a net using song playback, draw a small blood sample, place a numbered band on the bird's leg and immediately release it. I then freeze the sample and measure levels of immune defenses upon returning to the lab. I will be using Boyd Deep Canyon as a base during this study period, though I will be spending most of my time away from this facility at other field sites. No work on vertebrates or other animals will be conducted for this project on Boyd Deep Canyon Reserve lands.

Visit #12188 @Boyd Deep Canyon Desert Research Center

Approved

Under Project # 8032 | Research

Using Life History to Predict Differences in Immune Function Among Song Sparrow Populations

graduate_student - Princeton University

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James Adelman Mar 4 - Apr 6, 2007 (34 days)

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Mayhew housing facilities 1 Mar 4 - Apr 6, 2007