Energy demands can be particularly high in arctic-nesting birds that face harsh, unpredictable conditions during the breeding season. Consequences of these demands, particularly energy-partitioning during egg laying and incubation, are fundamentally important for arctic nesters. This study investigated differences in breeding strategies between Long-tailed Duck (<i>Clangula hyemalis</i>) and King Eider (<i>Somateria spectabilis</i>) in the central Canadian arctic. The focus was on ecological variables and influences of variation in nutrient resources used during incubation and egg production. Research was done at Karrak Lake, Nunavut, where both species nest sympatrically at relatively high densities, permitting comparative research about breeding strategies.<p>This study used stable-carbon (d13C) and nitrogen (d15N) isotope analysis to investigate origins and allocation of endogenous (stored) and exogenous (external) nutrients used in egg production. Remote temperature sensors were placed in nests to estimate and compare incubation rhythms and gain insight into capital and income incubating strategies of both species. Results suggest that breeding Long-tailed Ducks and King Eiders used a mixed breeding strategy, that is they relied on both exogenous and endogenous resources for reproduction. Close correspondence between d13C and d15N values of egg components and potential diet items indicated that King Eiders allocated exogenous nutrients for egg production (albumen 98.1%, yolk protein 96.8%, whole yolk 98.4%, and yolk lipids 84%). Female King Eiders relied on endogenous nutrients for incubation, as evidenced by high incubation constancy (96%). Conversely, the range of d13C values in components of Long-tailed Duck eggs and d13C values of diet items suggested that although some females allocated endogenous reserves for egg production, most females allocated exogenous resources for egg production (albumen 98.5%, yolk protein 78.3%, whole yolk 84.9%, and yolk lipids 38.3%). Long-tailed Duck females had an 84% incubation constancy, suggesting less reliance on endogenous nutrients for incubation than was estimated for female King Eiders. Knowledge about the relative importance of endogenous reserves and exogenous nutrients for egg production and incubation may help direct management decisions to specific winter/staging and or breeding areas used by King Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks.

Two closely-related, different-sized species of geese nest sympatrically south of the Queen Maud Gulf (QMG) in Canadas central arctic. Following a period of high population growth rate in both species within the QMG, the population growth rate of larger-bodied lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens; hereafter snow geese) has slowed most recently to roughly half that observed in smaller-bodied Rosss geese (Chen rossii). I focused on factors that influence productivity and recruitment in these two species, to improve our understanding of life history variation associated with interspecific differences in body size, and to test for density-dependent population responses. I used long-term data (1991 to 2008) to compare spring nutrient reserves, breeding strategies, clutch sizes, nest success, and juvenile survival in Rosss and snow geese breeding at Karrak Lake, Nunavut; a large breeding colony located within the QMG.<p> Long-term patterns of spring body condition (i.e., fat and protein reserves) diverged in prospective breeding female Rosss and snow geese implying that differences in food acquisition ability had become more acute. Snow geese displayed larger reductions in protein and fat reserves through time compared to Rosss geese thereby suggesting a differential density-dependent response in the ability to store nutrient reserves, a prerequisite for breeding in both species. Decreased per capita food availability influenced the timing of reproduction in both species. Nesting phenologies of Rosss and snow geese, adjusted for variation in phenology of local spring climate, have become later by 6.5 and 5.0 days, respectively, since 1991. Nutritional strategies (i.e., reliance on reserves versus local food) used for clutch formation differed between species. Rosss geese displayed greater reliance on stored reserves (i.e., capital breeding) than did snow geese, though both used endogenous reserves (> 62% of yolk protein, > 48% of albumen, and > 73% of yolk lipid) for clutch formation. Rosss and snow geese experienced declines of 28% and 23% in body masses from arrival to post-laying and also until hatch demonstrating that endogenous reserves are the main nutrient sources for incubation. Still, constraints of small size forced Rosss geese to use a mixture of local food plants and reserves for incubation metabolism.<p> I then examined differences in clutch size, nest success, and juvenile survival to understand of the role of recruitment in the interspecific divergence of population trajectories. I did not find strong interspecific differences in clutch size and nest success. Overall, snow geese had a larger mean clutch size, which was expected based on benefits of a larger-body size. Clutch sizes decreased with delays in breeding and decreasing protein reserves of arriving females, although Rosss geese displayed larger declines with decreasing protein reserves. Mean apparent nest success for Rosss geese was 4.5% higher compared to snow geese. Nest success showed large declines (11%) in both species with increasing population size at the breeding colony. However, nest success of snow geese decreased twice as fast with delays in breeding compared to Rosss geese. Last, I found no evidence of negative density dependence in juvenile survival over time. Juvenile survival was higher in snow geese (48%) compared to Rosss geese (38%), consistent with a life history prediction based on body size differences. Despite lower juvenile survival, recruitment by Rosss geese is likely greater than that of snow geese because of earlier sexual maturity, higher breeding probability and/or greater nest success.<p> Ultimately, small body size of Rosss geese may produce an ideal life history schedule under resource limitation at this colony i.e., one that maximizes fitness compared to larger snow geese. Life history characteristics of Rosss geese (e.g., absolutely lower energy requirement, have a flexible breeding strategy, higher reproductive effort, an earlier age of sexual maturity, a shorter breeding cycle allowing delayed arrival and nest initiation on arctic breeding areas, and shorter time required by goslings to attain adult size), in addition to their smaller bill morphology may allow exploitation of a wider niche space (i.e., one that includes marginal quality and low quantity vegetation) relative to snow geese. Because there were no large differences in components of recruitment considered here, other components of recruitment (age of sexual maturity, breeding probability) may be affected more strongly by diminished spring nutrition in snow geese and thus have a larger influence on local population dynamics.

The aim of the thesis was to document patterns in breeding and migration in Swedish Canada geese Branta canadensis, to explain these against the genetic and historical background of the population, and to test predictions of hypotheses pertaining to parental investment. The Canada goose population in Sweden was founded by the introduction of a few individuals in the 1930's. DNA fingerprint similarity between geese breeding in Sweden was on average at the same level as between inbred close relatives in other wild bird species. The genetic variability of the population appeared to be considerably reduced in comparison to that of Canada geese breeding in North America. Dispersal and migration patterns were studied using plastic neck-bands that could be identified at long distance. Most Canada goose females nested at the lake where they grew up. Males were more prone to disperse than females, although most of them still returned to breed close to their area of origin. Geese from three breeding areas in Sweden had different winter distributions, although wintering areas overlapped considerably. Individual geese tended to return to the same wintering area as they had used in previous years. The females' investment in the egg clutch was related to the migration distance from spring foraging areas to the nesting area, suggesting an energetic cost of migration for egg production. Within breeding seasons, clutch size decreased with later initiation of nesting, but only in years with early breeding. A probable reason for this decrease was that body reserves available for egg production were larger in early layers. In years with late breeding, clutch size did not decrease, most likely because late-nesting females could supplement their body reserves by foraging on fresh vegetation. Nest defence intensity was studied by recording the behaviour of the female geese when a human approached the nest. The results largely confirmed predictions for nest defence intensity extracted from parental investment theory. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1993, härtill 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

This study investigates two questions about anti-predator behaviour of the red-backed shrike. 1) Is the red-backed shrike able to assess the differing dangers represented by various types or species of predators? 2) How does the red-backed shrike recognize the predator? We found, that the red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) adjusts its anti-predator behaviour by assessing the potential threat to themselves from different predator species and by assessing the chance of a successful attack. Further, we found that the presence of general raptor salient features is absolutely necessary for proper categorisation of the intruder as a predator, whereas the natural species-specific colouration in itself is an insufficient cue.

Ao nascerem, os mamíferos não estão com o sistema nervoso plenamente desenvolvido e os primeiros dias de vida representam uma fase crítica para o desenvolvimento desse sistema. De fato, nesta fase o encéfalo está passando por diversos processos fundamentais como organização funcional das redes neurais, proliferação neuronal, migração, diferenciação, além de gliogênese e mielinização. Em ratos, um procedimento simples, como “manipular” os filhotes por alguns minutos durante a primeira semana de vida, pode marcar decisivamente o desenvolvimento do indivíduo. Assim, a manipulação neonatal tem sido muito utilizada para se examinar os mecanismos pelos quais variações ambientais podem afetar o desenvolvimento do filhote. A manipulação neonatal promove uma série de alterações comportamentais e neuroendócrinas que se caracterizam basicamente por uma diminuição do medo e da resposta ao estresse no adulto. Embora muitos autores até caracterizem a manipulação como uma intervenção positiva ela também pode provocar graves déficits em comportamentos sociais e reprodutivos para a prole aparecendo desde o inicio do desenvolvimento e persistindo até a vida adulta. Além de seu efeito sobre os filhotes, estudos tem demostrado que intervenções na prole no período neonatal também afetam de forma duradoura a resposta ao estresse das genitoras, mas este tema ainda é muito pouco explorado pela literatura Portanto, na primeira parte desta tese, iremos estudar os efeitos da manipulação neonatal sobre a formação do vínculo mãe-filhote, tentando associar mudanças no comportamento da mãe ao longo dos 10 primeiros dias pós-parto com a preferencia pelo odor do ninho em filhotes testados no labirinto em Y. Na segunda parte desta tese iremos abordar os efeitos da manipulação sobre a resposta ao estresse agudo e crônico em ratas que tiveram seus filhotes manipulados no período neonatal, para isso submetemos genitoras dos grupos controle e manipulado após o desmame a um dos dois protocolos descritos a seguir: com estresse (estresse por contenção de movimentos 1h/dia por 7 dias) ou sem estresse (nenhuma intervenção após o desmame) e testamos os animais através do teste de nado forçado para observar mudanças na resposta emocional. Também medimos os níveis de BDNF e corticosterona no plasma após o teste e medimos o peso das adrenais para verificar o efeito da manipulação na resposta ao estresse das genitoras Os resultados dessa tese mostram que a manipulação neonatal afeta a estrutura do comportamento maternal, mudando a sequencia e a sincronia do comportamento da mãe com o filhote, o que poderia ser em parte a causa da alteração no comportamento de preferencia pelo odor do ninho observado em animais manipulados, principalmente nas fêmeas. Além disso, observamos que a manipulação afeta de forma duradoura a resposta ao estresse (agudo e crônico) das genitoras, podendo alterar a resposta emocional desses animais e predispor a sintomas do tipo depressivo em resposta ao estresse agudo Esses resultados reforçam a ideia de que o estudo dos efeitos duradouros da manipulação não só nos filhotes, mas também no organismo materno, podem servir como uma importante ferramenta para elaboração de projetos clínicos, visando a exploração da existência de comportamentos similares em humanos. Isso ajudará na elaboração de politicas de saúde publica que visem minimizar os efeitos de eventos adversos acontecidos no inicio da vida sobre a saúde física e mental tanto da mãe quanto da criança. / Mammals are not born with fully developed nervous system, and the first days of life represent a critical stage in the development of this system. In fact, at this stage, the brain is undergoing many fundamental processes such as functional organization of neural networks, neuronal proliferation, migration, differentiation, gliogenesis and myelination. In rats, a simple procedure such as "handling" the pups for a few minutes during the first week of life can decisively mark the development of the individual. Thus, neonatal handling has been widely used to examine the mechanisms by which environmental adversity can affect the development of the pups. Neonatal handling promotes a series of behavioral and neuroendocrine changes that are characterized primarily by a decrease of fear and stress responses in the adult. Although many authors characterize the handling procedure as a positive intervention, it is also associated with severe deficits in social and reproductive behaviors of the offspring that appear early during development and persist into adulthood. Apart from its effect on the pups, studies have shown that interventions in the offspring during the neonatal period can also induce long lasting effects in the maternal stress response, but this subject is still little explored in the literature Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we will study the effects of neonatal handling on the mother-pups’ bond formation, trying to associate changes in maternal behavior over the first 10 days postpartum with the preference for the odor of the nest in pups tested the Y maze. The second part of this thesis will address the effects of neonatal handling on the acute and chronic stress response in dams that had their pups handled. For this purpose, we submitted mothers of control and manipulated groups after weaning to: stress (restraint 1h/day for 7 days) or no stress (no intervention after weaning) and tested the animals using the forced swim test to observe changes in emotional response. We also measured plasma BDNF and corticosterone levels after the test and the adrenals’ weight to verify the effect of handling on the dam’s stress response. The results of this thesis show that neonatal handling affects the structure of maternal behavior, changing the behavioral sequence and synchrony of the mother with her pups, which could be in part the cause of the altered social behaviors observed in handled pups, especially in females. Moreover, we observed that handling affects the dam´s response to stress (acute and chronic), and may alter the emotional response of the dams increasing the susceptibility to developing psychiatric disorders such as depression at least in response to acute stress These results reinforce the idea that investigating the long lasting effects of handling not only in the young, but also in the dam’s physiology becomes an important tool for the development of clinical studies, aiming at exploring the existence of similar effects in humans. The final goal will be the elaboration of public health policy to minimize the effects of early life adverse events on physical and mental health of both mothers and their children.

I investigated differences in egg volumes for two common species diving ducks ? Common pochard (Aythya ferina) and Tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula). I tested selected reproductive and environmental factors with potential influence on egg volume and sex of embryo in clutches. Further, I examined egg volume in connection with the nest parasitism and compared parasitic and non-parasitic eggs in context of egg volume. I also estimated rate of nest parasitism in studied ducks population.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:21:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3223.pdf: 1875073 bytes, checksum: da879cb2bcfcd8ac244156eec8eca3ad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-05 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / Genetic architecture of a phenotype represents the total number of genes, independent effects (additivity), the interactions between alleles (dominance and epistasis), and its effects on other phenotypes (pleiotropy). An enormous debate about general types of genetic architectures relates the importance of independent and interactive variation in the adaptive process. Because natural selection reduces additive variation, we expect, of fitness related phenotypes, lesser additive than interactive variation and relatively more genes with moderate effects. Maternal care is a phenotype with enormous importance to fitness. Of the maternal care behaviors, the nest building highlights itself improving pups survival by protection against predators and temperature maintenance. We investigated the genetic architecture of nest building in mice and tested the hypothesis that this behavior has a genetic architecture related to fitness, also verifying possible associations with anxiety and weight. For that, we checked the relation between all phenotypes and tested, using the QTL analysis, the phenotypic association with regions (microsatellites markers) spread about all genome of F2 females at maternal stage from the intercross of inbred strains SM/J and LG/J. We found 23 QTLs which, individually, are associated with phenotypic variation on nest building, weight and anxiety (15 QTLs at the 6 nest building phenotypes). The nest building s individual QTLs have moderate effects (from 4 to 13%), and the numerous epistatic QTLs add to increase this explained variation. There are common regions for nest building with anxiety and weight and, searching for candidate genes, we found genes with effects already described for these phenotypes. Hence, we corroborate our hypothesis of the genetic architecture type related to fitness for nest building behavior, of genes with bigger effects and high interactive variation. The identification of regions associated with maternal care in mice and the knowledge of the related genetic architecture can help in identifying genes for these behaviors in other mammals, and in the comprehension of general patterns in adaptive process and life evolution. / Arquitetura genética de um fenótipo representa o número total de genes, os efeitos independentes (aditividade), as interações entre alelos (dominância e epistasia), e o efeito destes em outros fenótipos (pleiotropia). Um grande debate entre tipos gerais de arquitetura genética está no papel da variação independente e de interações no processo adaptativo. Pela seleção natural reduzir a variação aditiva, esperamos de fenótipos ligados ao fitness menor variação aditiva relativa a variação de interações e genes com efeitos médios relativamente mais comuns. O cuidado materno é um fenótipo com grande importância para o fitness. Dentre os comportamentos de cuidado materno, a construção de ninho destaca-se aumentando a sobrevivência dos filhotes pela proteção contra predadores e manutenção da temperatura. Investigamos a arquitetura genética da construção de ninho em camundongos e testamos a hipótese que esse comportamento tem a arquitetura genética relacionada ao fitness, verificando também possíveis associações com ansiedade e peso. Para isso, checamos as relações entre os fenótipos e testamos, com a análise de QTL, a associação dos fenótipos com regiões (marcadores microssatélites) por todo o genoma de fêmeas F2 em fase materna do intercruzamento das linhagens endogâmicas SM/J e LG/J. Obtivemos 23 QTLs que, individualmente, estão associados com a variação nos fenótipos de construção de ninho, peso e ansiedade (15 QTLs para os 6 fenótipos de construção de ninho). Os QTLs individuais de construção de ninho têm efeitos moderados (de 4 a 13%), e os muitos QTLs epistáticos colaboram aumentando essa variação explicada. Existem regiões em comum para ninho com peso e ansiedade e, na procura de genes candidatos, descobrimos genes já descritos com efeitos nesses fenótipos. Assim, corroboramos a hipótese do tipo de arquitetura genética relacionada ao fitness para o comportamento de construção de ninho, de genes com grandes efeitos e alta variação genética de interações. A identificação de regiões associadas ao cuidado materno em camundongos e o entendimento da arquitetura genética envolvida poderão contribuir na identificação de genes para esses comportamentos em outros mamíferos, e na compreensão do padrão geral do processo adaptativo e da evolução dos seres vivos.

Ao nascerem, os mamíferos não estão com o sistema nervoso plenamente desenvolvido e os primeiros dias de vida representam uma fase crítica para o desenvolvimento desse sistema. De fato, nesta fase o encéfalo está passando por diversos processos fundamentais como organização funcional das redes neurais, proliferação neuronal, migração, diferenciação, além de gliogênese e mielinização. Em ratos, um procedimento simples, como “manipular” os filhotes por alguns minutos durante a primeira semana de vida, pode marcar decisivamente o desenvolvimento do indivíduo. Assim, a manipulação neonatal tem sido muito utilizada para se examinar os mecanismos pelos quais variações ambientais podem afetar o desenvolvimento do filhote. A manipulação neonatal promove uma série de alterações comportamentais e neuroendócrinas que se caracterizam basicamente por uma diminuição do medo e da resposta ao estresse no adulto. Embora muitos autores até caracterizem a manipulação como uma intervenção positiva ela também pode provocar graves déficits em comportamentos sociais e reprodutivos para a prole aparecendo desde o inicio do desenvolvimento e persistindo até a vida adulta. Além de seu efeito sobre os filhotes, estudos tem demostrado que intervenções na prole no período neonatal também afetam de forma duradoura a resposta ao estresse das genitoras, mas este tema ainda é muito pouco explorado pela literatura Portanto, na primeira parte desta tese, iremos estudar os efeitos da manipulação neonatal sobre a formação do vínculo mãe-filhote, tentando associar mudanças no comportamento da mãe ao longo dos 10 primeiros dias pós-parto com a preferencia pelo odor do ninho em filhotes testados no labirinto em Y. Na segunda parte desta tese iremos abordar os efeitos da manipulação sobre a resposta ao estresse agudo e crônico em ratas que tiveram seus filhotes manipulados no período neonatal, para isso submetemos genitoras dos grupos controle e manipulado após o desmame a um dos dois protocolos descritos a seguir: com estresse (estresse por contenção de movimentos 1h/dia por 7 dias) ou sem estresse (nenhuma intervenção após o desmame) e testamos os animais através do teste de nado forçado para observar mudanças na resposta emocional. Também medimos os níveis de BDNF e corticosterona no plasma após o teste e medimos o peso das adrenais para verificar o efeito da manipulação na resposta ao estresse das genitoras Os resultados dessa tese mostram que a manipulação neonatal afeta a estrutura do comportamento maternal, mudando a sequencia e a sincronia do comportamento da mãe com o filhote, o que poderia ser em parte a causa da alteração no comportamento de preferencia pelo odor do ninho observado em animais manipulados, principalmente nas fêmeas. Além disso, observamos que a manipulação afeta de forma duradoura a resposta ao estresse (agudo e crônico) das genitoras, podendo alterar a resposta emocional desses animais e predispor a sintomas do tipo depressivo em resposta ao estresse agudo Esses resultados reforçam a ideia de que o estudo dos efeitos duradouros da manipulação não só nos filhotes, mas também no organismo materno, podem servir como uma importante ferramenta para elaboração de projetos clínicos, visando a exploração da existência de comportamentos similares em humanos. Isso ajudará na elaboração de politicas de saúde publica que visem minimizar os efeitos de eventos adversos acontecidos no inicio da vida sobre a saúde física e mental tanto da mãe quanto da criança. / Mammals are not born with fully developed nervous system, and the first days of life represent a critical stage in the development of this system. In fact, at this stage, the brain is undergoing many fundamental processes such as functional organization of neural networks, neuronal proliferation, migration, differentiation, gliogenesis and myelination. In rats, a simple procedure such as "handling" the pups for a few minutes during the first week of life can decisively mark the development of the individual. Thus, neonatal handling has been widely used to examine the mechanisms by which environmental adversity can affect the development of the pups. Neonatal handling promotes a series of behavioral and neuroendocrine changes that are characterized primarily by a decrease of fear and stress responses in the adult. Although many authors characterize the handling procedure as a positive intervention, it is also associated with severe deficits in social and reproductive behaviors of the offspring that appear early during development and persist into adulthood. Apart from its effect on the pups, studies have shown that interventions in the offspring during the neonatal period can also induce long lasting effects in the maternal stress response, but this subject is still little explored in the literature Therefore, in the first part of this thesis, we will study the effects of neonatal handling on the mother-pups’ bond formation, trying to associate changes in maternal behavior over the first 10 days postpartum with the preference for the odor of the nest in pups tested the Y maze. The second part of this thesis will address the effects of neonatal handling on the acute and chronic stress response in dams that had their pups handled. For this purpose, we submitted mothers of control and manipulated groups after weaning to: stress (restraint 1h/day for 7 days) or no stress (no intervention after weaning) and tested the animals using the forced swim test to observe changes in emotional response. We also measured plasma BDNF and corticosterone levels after the test and the adrenals’ weight to verify the effect of handling on the dam’s stress response. The results of this thesis show that neonatal handling affects the structure of maternal behavior, changing the behavioral sequence and synchrony of the mother with her pups, which could be in part the cause of the altered social behaviors observed in handled pups, especially in females. Moreover, we observed that handling affects the dam´s response to stress (acute and chronic), and may alter the emotional response of the dams increasing the susceptibility to developing psychiatric disorders such as depression at least in response to acute stress These results reinforce the idea that investigating the long lasting effects of handling not only in the young, but also in the dam’s physiology becomes an important tool for the development of clinical studies, aiming at exploring the existence of similar effects in humans. The final goal will be the elaboration of public health policy to minimize the effects of early life adverse events on physical and mental health of both mothers and their children.

This thesis deals with the problem of empty nest. The theoretical part is devoted to the description of this phenomenon. The first chapter deals with the term of empty nest, with the time span when it occurs, and with the cause and consequences for all family members. In the second chapter the thesis discusses the difference between the present and the past of this syndrome, and the tendencies of young people to this problem. The third chapter brings actual suggestions for solution of the empty nest syndrome. The praktical part contains the results of dialogues, which were carried out with respondents over 40. years of age. The awareness of the empty nest syndrome among the respondents is good this is one of the results. Another one is the fact that the respondents have had personal experince with the syndrome or they know about it from their friends families. A very important result was that the respondents agreed with the start of a new service which would provide help to parents with the empty nest syndrome. The practical part also contains a project, focused on the implementation of the service to parents with this syndrome.