Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00835
Does neonatal need for taurine explain parental prey selection in Parids
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr KE Arnold, University of Glasgow, Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor P Surai, SRUC, Avian Science Research Centre
- Grant held at:
- University of Glasgow, Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Physiology
- Environment & Health
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- Early nutrition shapes an individual's development. Parental provisioning strategies can, therefore, have profound effects on offspring life history. In Blue Tits, like many Parids, an intriguing pattern of provisioning has been observed. Although caterpillars generally form the majority of offspring's diet, a well documented peak in spider provisioning occurs during early stages of chick development (around 5-6 days post-hatching). Spiders are preferentially chosen relative to the natural abundance of different prey types. So, this peak in provisioning is related to chick age not seasonal changes in spider abundance. Spiders have a similar nutritional composition to caterpillars, the predominant prey, except that they contain 40-100 times the level of taurine, an amino acid predicted to be vital to neonates. In mammals, taurine is found in high concentrations in placenta and milk and is vital for growth and development via its role in lipid digestion and assimilation of lipophilic antioxidants. This project aims to determine whether taurine is similarly important for avian development, thus explaining parental prey selection. We will study a population of Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) breeding in nestboxes around the University of Glasgow Field Station in Loch Lomond National Park. Half of each brood will be supplemented with taurine and the rest with a non-essential amino acid to control for overall amino acid intake. Chick growth, development and blood antioxidant activity will be compared between treatment groups and between natural sized and artificially reduced broods. Also, we will determine whether taurine aids the assimilation of lipophilic antioxidants, as recently suggested, by comparing the levels of lipophilic antioxidants and antioxidant activity in blood plasma of control and taurine supplemented chicks. All plasma analyses will be carried out by Dr Ramsay, the PDRA, in the laboratory of the Co-Investigator Professor Peter Surai, an expert in antioxidant analyses. Consequences of enhanced antioxidant levels in experimental chicks will be assessed by measuring cell-mediated immune function and plumage reflectance. Finally, we will test the idea that spiders are limiting in some way for Parids. We will monitor provisioning, using infrared cameras in nestboxes, to ascertain whether experimentally reduced broods receive a higher proportion of spiders than normal sized broods. The rigorous experimental design, intense breeding season and complex lab work needs an experienced PDRA to ensure success, for whom we request salary. This project will improve our understanding of parental provisioning decisions and the role of nutrition in avian development.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00835
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £27,724
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £17,299 | £417 | £2,050 | £7,958 |
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