Developmental stage shapes the realized energy landscape for a flight specialist.

ABSTRACT: The heterogeneity of the physical environment determines the cost of transport for animals, shaping their energy landscape. Animals respond to this energy landscape by adjusting their distribution and movement to maximize gains and reduce costs. Much of our knowledge about energy landscape dynamics focuses on factors external to the animal, particularly the spatio-temporal variations of the environment. However, an animal's internal state can significantly impact its ability to perceive and utilize available energy, creating a distinction between the 'fundamental' and the 'realized' energy landscapes. Here, we show that the realized energy landscape varies along the ontogenetic axis. Locomotor and cognitive capabilities of individuals change over time, especially during the early life stag

SUBMITTER: Nourani E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11390109 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature