Glucocorticoid (GC) levels vary with environmental conditions, but the functional interpretation of GC variation remains contentious. A primary function is thought to be metabolic, mobilizing body reserves to match energetic demands. This view is supported by temperature-dependent GC levels, although reports of this effect show unexplained heterogeneity. We hypothesised that the temperature effect on GC concentrations will depend on food availability through its effect on the energy spent to gather the food needed for thermoregulation. We tested this hypothesis in zebra finches living in outdoor aviaries with manipulated foraging conditions (i.e. easy vs. hard), by relating within-individual differences in baseline GCs between consecutive years to differences in ambient temperature. In agreement with our hypothesis, we found the GC-temperature association to be significantly steeper in the hard foraging environment. This supports the metabolic explanation of GC variation, underlining the importance of accounting for variation in energy expenditure when interpreting GC variation.
Glucocorticoid-temperature association is shaped by foraging costs in individual zebra finches
Currently Viewing Accepted Manuscript - Newer Version Available
Blanca Jimeno, Michaela Hau, Simon Verhulst; Glucocorticoid-temperature association is shaped by foraging costs in individual zebra finches. J Exp Biol 2018; jeb.187880. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.187880
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