Eye region surface temperature reflects both energy reserves and circulating glucocorticoids in a wild bird.

ABSTRACT: Body temperature of endotherms shows substantial within- and between-individual variation, but the sources of this variation are not fully understood in wild animals. Variation in body temperature can indicate how individuals cope with their environment via metabolic or stress-induced effects, both of which may relate to depletion of energy reserves. Body condition can reflect heat production through changes to metabolic rate made to protect energy reserves. Additionally, changes in metabolic processes may be mediated by stress-related glucocorticoid secretion, which is associated with altered blood-flow patterns that affect regional body temperatures. Accordingly, both body condition and glucocorticoid secretion should relate to body temperature. We used thermal imaging, a novel non-invas

SUBMITTER: Jerem P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5789886 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature