Telomere length predicts timing and intensity of migratory behaviour in a nomadic songbird.

ABSTRACT: Our understanding of state-dependent behaviour is reliant on identifying physiological indicators of condition. Telomeres are of growing interest for understanding behaviour as they capture differences in biological state and residual lifespan. To understand the significance of variable telomere lengths for behaviour and test two hypotheses describing the relationship between telomeres and behaviour (i.e. the causation and the selective adoption hypotheses), we assessed if telomere lengths are longitudinally repeatable traits related to spring migratory behaviour in captive pine siskins (Spinus pinus). Pine siskins are nomadic songbirds that exhibit highly flexible, facultative migrations, including a period of spring nomadism. Captive individuals exhibit extensive variation in spri

SUBMITTER: Vernasco BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9346355 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature