Linked Life Data

18729776

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/18729776

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-9-16
pubmed:abstractText
Tropical bird species usually have lower testosterone (T) levels during breeding than temperate species. However, the potential mechanisms behind the positive interspecific correlation between T and latitude remain unexplored. In a comparative study of more than 100 bird species, we examined whether social constraints during male-male competition arising from migration and breeding synchrony are responsible for the latitude effects. Species that breed at higher latitudes are more likely to migrate and experience more intense intrasexual competition upon spring arrival than nonmigrant species from lower latitudes. Additionally, species from higher latitudes cope with shorter breeding seasons and thus with more synchronous breeding, which selects for high T titers via increased male-male conflicts. Accordingly, peak T levels were associated with migration and the duration of the egg laying period that reflects breeding synchrony. Because migration and breeding synchrony were related to latitudinal distribution, they appear to be important components of the latitude effects on T. A multivariate model controlling for covariation of predictor variables revealed that latitude remained the strongest predictor of peak T. Therefore, selection due to migration and breeding synchrony may partially cause the latitude effect, but other geographically varying factors may also play a role in mediating peak T levels at different latitudes.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
1537-5323
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
172
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
533-46
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Latitudinal distribution, migration, and testosterone levels in birds.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. laszlo.garamszegi@ua.ac.be
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't