Seasonality, diet, and physiology as a predominant control factors of the moult dynamics in birds – a meta-analysis

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Authors

Szymon Marian Drobniak , Agnieszka Gudowska

Abstract

Moult is a process, usually occurring annually, in which birds replace their plumage. It is one of the most crucial life-history traits because it restores the functions of plumage and allows a bird to adapt to environmental conditions or special seasonal needs such as breeding and camouflage during non-breeding season. Consequently, moulting has advantages in terms of future performance. However, it also has immediate costs related to producing protein-rich tissue, reduced thermoregulation and flight performance. Expression of such costs may depend on a wide array of physiological and environmental factors experienced by an individual. Considering a variety of factors affecting moult dynamics in single studies, we use a systematic meta-analytical approach to summarise existing evidence and look for general patterns in how moult depends on both extrinsic (environment, ecological variability) and intrinsic (physiology, energy reserves, life stage) factors.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32942/osf.io/c5erh

Subjects

Animal Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences, Ornithology, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Keywords

adaptation, bird, experimental studies, feather replacement, global warming, meta-analysis, molt, moult, moult dynamics, observational studies, seasonal variation

Dates

Published: 2020-01-08 21:02

License

CC-By Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International