Endocrine correlates of the breeding asynchrony between two corsican populations of blue tits (Parus caeruleus)

[en] Analyses of the development of the reproductive system in seasonally breeding birds in the framework of long-term ecological studies are rare. Here, we present the first results of such a study in two Corsican populations of a European passerine bird, the blue tit (Parus caeruleus). The two study populations occupy different oak habitats and are separated by only 25 km. Despite their close proximity, they show a one-month difference in onset of egg laying, even after controlling for altitude. This micro-geographic difference in breeding date appears adaptive because both study populations raise chicks when food is most plentiful. In our study, males reached their maximum song activity during the egg-laying stage while maximal testosterone levels and testes sizes were reached 2-3 weeks before egg laying. The rate of development of the reproductive system in males was much faster in the earlier population, in spite of a similar onset of gonad development and song activity for the two study populations. No change in the volume of the song-control nuclei (HVC and RA) could be detected during the study period. Development of brain nuclei was completed 2-3 months before the beginning of intense sexual activity. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Disciplines :

Zoology
Endocrinology, metabolism & nutrition

Author, co-author :

Caro, S. P.

Balthazart, Jacques ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences biomédicales et précliniques > Biologie de la différenciation sexuelle du cerveau

Thomas, D. W.

Lacroix, Alain ; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège - CHU > Neurologie Sart Tilman

Chastel, O.

Lambrechts, M. M.

Language :

English

Title :

Endocrine correlates of the breeding asynchrony between two corsican populations of blue tits (Parus caeruleus)

Publication date :

01 January 2005

Journal title :

General and Comparative Endocrinology

ISSN :

0016-6480

eISSN :

1095-6840

Publisher :

Elsevier, San Diego, United States - California

Volume :

140

Issue :

Pages :

52-60

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 20 April 2009

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