Inter-island differences in the corticosterone responses of North Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus rufusater) in New Zealand do not suggest selective effects of translocation
Nigel J. Adams A D , Kevin A. Parker B , John F. Cockrem C , Dianne H. Brunton B and E. Jane Candy C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Natural Sciences, Unitec, Private Bag 92025, Auckland, New Zealand.
B Institute of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, North Shore Mail Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.
C Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
D Corresponding author. Email: nadams@unitec.ac.nz
Emu 113(1) 45-51 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU12043
Submitted: 29 May 2012 Accepted: 8 October 2012 Published: 10 January 2013
Abstract
North Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus rufusater) have been the subject of a well-documented sequence of translocations to isolated islands around New Zealand. We measured corticosterone stress responses in North Island Saddlebacks derived from the ancestral population and from a series of three sequential translocations. Each translocation might impose a selective pressure on the founder populations of North Island Saddleback. This selective filter might favour a particular corticosterone response linked through an associated coping ability. Evidence of selection would be reflected in a progressive shift in the mean corticosterone response related to the number of sequential translocations. Mean corticosterone responses to a standardised stressor were highest in birds descended from a population subject to two sequential translocations. However, responses measured at localities representing the original source population and populations derived from one and three sequential translocations were not significantly different from each other. Accordingly, our data suggest that translocations do not necessarily cause directional selection on the stress responses of these vulnerable populations of birds.
References
Adams, N. J., Cockrem, J. F., Taylor, G. A., Candy, E. J., and Bridges, J. (2005). Corticosterone responses of Grey-faced Petrels are higher during incubation than other breeding stages. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78, 69–77.| Corticosterone responses of Grey-faced Petrels are higher during incubation than other breeding stages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXisFCqsr0%3D&md5=255de4c208141fc9d6deddedad8cd6ffCAS |
Adams, N. J., Parker, K. A., Cockrem, J. F., Brunton, D. H., and Candy, E. J. (2010). Corticosterone responses and post-release survival in translocated North Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus rufusater) in New Zealand. Emu 110, 296–301.
| Corticosterone responses and post-release survival in translocated North Island Saddlebacks (Philesturnus rufusater) in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Adams, N. J., Farnworth, M. J., Rickett, J., Parker, K. A., and Cockrem, J. F. (2011). Behavioural and corticosterone responses to capture and confinement of wild Blackbirds (Turdus merula). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134, 246–255.
| Behavioural and corticosterone responses to capture and confinement of wild Blackbirds (Turdus merula).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Angelier, F., Ballentine, B., Holberton, R. L., Marra, P. P., and Greenberg, R. (2011). What drives variation in the corticosterone stress response between subspecies? A common garden experiment of Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana). Journal of Evolutionary Biology 24, 1274–1283.
| What drives variation in the corticosterone stress response between subspecies? A common garden experiment of Swamp Sparrows (Melospiza georgiana).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MvpsFemsA%3D%3D&md5=2c395066783bd14046ec6d4395f44394CAS |
Armstrong, D. P., Davidson, R. S., Perrott, J. K., Roygard, J., and Buchanan, L. (2005). Density-dependent population growth in a reintroduced population of North Island Saddlebacks. Journal of Animal Ecology 74, 160–170.
| Density-dependent population growth in a reintroduced population of North Island Saddlebacks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baugh, A. T., Schaper, S. V., Hau, M., Cockrem, J. F., de Goede, P., and van Oers, K. (2012). Corticosterone responses differ between lines of Great Tits (Parus major) selected for divergent personalities. General and Comparative Endocrinology 175, 488–494.
| Corticosterone responses differ between lines of Great Tits (Parus major) selected for divergent personalities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtFGhsb0%3D&md5=fef995580d0f70f27199f182fe8a642fCAS |
Bremner-Harrison, S., Prodohl, P. A., and Elwood, R. W. (2004). Behavioural trait assessment as a release criterion: boldness predicts early death in a reintroduction programme of captive-bred Swift Fox (Vulpes velox). Animal Conservation 7, 313–320.
| Behavioural trait assessment as a release criterion: boldness predicts early death in a reintroduction programme of captive-bred Swift Fox (Vulpes velox).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carere, C., and van Oers, K. (2004). Shy and bold Great Tits (Parus major): body temperature and breath rate in response to handling stress. Physiology & Behavior 82, 905–912.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXnvFahurc%3D&md5=b9f3753ab1f3cd3051102668cf947bebCAS |
Cockrem, J. F. (2007). Stress, corticosterone and avian personalities. Journal of Ornithology 148, S169–S178.
| Stress, corticosterone and avian personalities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cockrem, J. F., and Silverin, B. (2002). Variation within and between birds in corticosterone responses of Great Tits (Parus major). General and Comparative Endocrinology 125, 197–206.
| Variation within and between birds in corticosterone responses of Great Tits (Parus major).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xhs1yrt70%3D&md5=354dd6cc3e1b923ed5d5217fb79885a4CAS |
Cockrem, J. F., Potter, M. A., and Candy, E. J. (2006). Corticosterone in relation to body mass in Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) affected by unusual sea ice conditions at Ross Island, Antarctica. General and Comparative Endocrinology 149, 244–252.
| Corticosterone in relation to body mass in Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) affected by unusual sea ice conditions at Ross Island, Antarctica.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xht1Smtr3I&md5=46438c7855f64e6c7ad349a86ed44d28CAS |
Cockrem, J. F., Barrett, D. P., Candy, E. J., and Potter, M. A. (2009). Corticosterone responses in birds: individual variation and repeatability in Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and other species, and the use of power analysis to determine sample sizes. General and Comparative Endocrinology 163, 158–168.
| Corticosterone responses in birds: individual variation and repeatability in Adelie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and other species, and the use of power analysis to determine sample sizes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXosV2itLo%3D&md5=b558776fcf3006040ef0ec1d08f08fe4CAS |
Cockrem, J. F., Candy, E. J., Castille, S. A., and Satterlee, D. G. (2010). Plasma corticosterone responses to handling in Japanese Quail selected for low or high plasma corticosterone responses to brief restraint. British Poultry Science 51, 453–459.
| Plasma corticosterone responses to handling in Japanese Quail selected for low or high plasma corticosterone responses to brief restraint.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXpsFOltbk%3D&md5=23547f1865221999e55892fdb3e53a90CAS |
Dickens, M. J., Delehanty, D. J., and Romero, L. M. (2009a). Stress and translocation: alterations in the stress physiology of translocated birds. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B – Biological Sciences 276, 2051–2056.
| Stress and translocation: alterations in the stress physiology of translocated birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dickens, M. J., Earle, K. A., and Romero, L. M. (2009b). Initial transference of wild birds to captivity alters stress physiology. General and Comparative Endocrinology 160, 76–83.
| Initial transference of wild birds to captivity alters stress physiology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFamtLfN&md5=fe82d8e775195a6b3034a5cbe5569c64CAS |
Dickens, M. J., Delehanty, D. J., and Romero, L. M. (2010). Stress: an inevitable component of animal translocation. Biological Conservation 143, 1329–1341.
| Stress: an inevitable component of animal translocation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ewenson, E. L., Zann, R. A., and Flannery, G. R. (2001). Body condition and immune response in wild Zebra Finches: effects of capture, confinement and captive-rearing. Natuurwissenschaften 88, 391–394.
| Body condition and immune response in wild Zebra Finches: effects of capture, confinement and captive-rearing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmslOksLY%3D&md5=872b8db89b40f7c465b0574391bf7227CAS |
Fraisse, F., and Cockrem, J. F. (2006). Corticosterone and fear behaviour in white and brown caged laying hens. British Poultry Science 47, 110–119.
| Corticosterone and fear behaviour in white and brown caged laying hens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XjvVaksL4%3D&md5=d17ae601bac401462dd39bfc272267fdCAS |
Hooson, S., and Jamieson, I. G. (2003). The distribution and current status of New Zealand Saddleback Philesturnus carunculatus. Bird Conservation International 13, 79–95.
| The distribution and current status of New Zealand Saddleback Philesturnus carunculatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jenkins, P. F., and Veitch, C. R. (1991). Sexual dimorphism and age determination in the North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 18, 445–450.
| Sexual dimorphism and age determination in the North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kitaysky, A. S., Kitaiskaia, E. V., Piatt, J. F., and Wingfield, J. C. (2003). Benefits and costs of increased levels of corticosterone in seabird chicks. Hormones and Behavior 43, 140–149.
| Benefits and costs of increased levels of corticosterone in seabird chicks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXhsVCgtLc%3D&md5=28206bc501c946ae353382e792daf940CAS |
Kitaysky, A. S., Piatt, J. F., and Wingfield, J. C. (2007). Stress hormones link food availability and population processes in seabirds. Marine Ecology Progress Series 352, 245–258.
| Stress hormones link food availability and population processes in seabirds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koolhaas, J. M., Korte, S. M., De Boer, S. F., Van der Vegt, B. J., Van Reenen, C. G., Hopster, H., De Jong, I. C., Ruis, M. A. W., and Blokhuis, H. J. (1999). Coping styles in animals: current status in behavior and stress-physiology. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 23, 925–935.
| Coping styles in animals: current status in behavior and stress-physiology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c%2Fks1amsA%3D%3D&md5=9ac71154e444f9bc87dbd94f17f3798aCAS |
Lambert, D. M., King, T., Shepherd, L. D., Livingston, A., Anderson, S., and Craig, J. L. (2005). Serial population bottlenecks and genetic variation: translocated populations of the New Zealand Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater). Conservation Genetics 6, 1–14.
| Serial population bottlenecks and genetic variation: translocated populations of the New Zealand Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lovegrove, T. G. (1996). Island releases of Saddleback Philesturnus carunculatus in New Zealand. Biological Conservation 77, 151–157.
| Island releases of Saddleback Philesturnus carunculatus in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marra, P. P., and Holberton, R. L. (1998). Corticosterone levels as indicators of habitat quality: effects of habitat segregation in a migratory bird during the non-breeding season. Oecologia 116, 284–292.
| Corticosterone levels as indicators of habitat quality: effects of habitat segregation in a migratory bird during the non-breeding season.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martin, J. G. A., and Réale, D. (2008). Animal temperament and human disturbance: implications for the response of wildlife to tourism. Behavioural Processes 77, 66–72.
| Animal temperament and human disturbance: implications for the response of wildlife to tourism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1c7jslyhtQ%3D%3D&md5=2ef219734b77a36c6270fce2c88565eeCAS |
McDougall, P. T., Réale, D., Sol, D., and Reader, S. M. (2006). Wildlife conservation and animal temperament: causes and consequences of evolutionary change for captive, reintroduced, and wild populations. Animal Conservation 9, 39–48.
| Wildlife conservation and animal temperament: causes and consequences of evolutionary change for captive, reintroduced, and wild populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McHalick, O. (1998). Translocation database summary. Threatened Species Occasional Publication Number 14, Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand.
Parker, K. A. (2008). Translocations: providing outcomes for wildlife resource managers, scientists and the human community. Restoration Ecology 16, 204–209.
| Translocations: providing outcomes for wildlife resource managers, scientists and the human community.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parker, K. A., and Laurence, J. (2008). Translocation of North Island Saddlebacks from Tiritiri Matangi Island to Motuihe Island, New Zealand. Conservation Evidence 5, 47–50.
Parker, K. A., Hauber, M. E., and Brunton, D. H. (2010). Contemporary cultural evolution of a conspecific recognition signal following serial translocations. Evolution 64, 2431–2441.
Parker, K. A., Dickens, M. J., Clarke, R. H., and Lovegrove, T. G. (2012a). The theory and practice of catching, holding, moving and releasing animals. In ‘Reintroduction Biology: Integrating Science and Management’. (Eds J. E. Ewen, D. P. Armstrong, K. A. Parker and P. J. Seddon.) pp. 105–137. (Wiley Blackwell: Chichester, UK.)
Parker, K. A., Anderson, M. J., Jenkins, P. J., and Brunton, D. H. (2012b). The effects of translocation-induced isolation and fragmentation on the cultural evolution of bird song. Ecology Letters 15, 778–785.
| The effects of translocation-induced isolation and fragmentation on the cultural evolution of bird song.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Romero, L. M. (2002). Seasonal changes in plasma glucocorticord concentrations in free-living vertebrates. General and Comparative Endocrinology 128, 1–24.
| Seasonal changes in plasma glucocorticord concentrations in free-living vertebrates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntVGqsLs%3D&md5=f00e04e0bf49a63d5cd8c7f046b83dbfCAS |
Romero, L. M., and Reed, J. M. (2005). Collecting baseline corticosterone samples in the field: is under 3 min good enough? Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A – Molecular & Integrative Physiology 140, 73–79.
| Collecting baseline corticosterone samples in the field: is under 3 min good enough?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Romero, L. M., and Wingfield, J. C. (2001). Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in free-living pigeons. Journal of Comparative Physiology B – Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 171, 231–235.
| Regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in free-living pigeons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXjvVent7w%3D&md5=5eedf16c524dd39cc76d21f4ec292a1fCAS |
Romero, L. M., Reed, J. M., and Wingfield, J. C. (2000). Effects of weather on corticosterone responses in wild free-living passerine birds. General and Comparative Endocrinology 118, 113–122.
| Effects of weather on corticosterone responses in wild free-living passerine birds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXit1Ckuro%3D&md5=bff9d22c30253f18405120806652e5b7CAS |
Sheean, V. A., Manning, A. D., and Lindemayer, D. B. (2012). An assessment of scientific approaches towards species relocations in Australia. Austral Ecology 37, 204–215.
| An assessment of scientific approaches towards species relocations in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sih, A., Bell, A., and Chadwick, J. C. (2004). Behavioral syndromes: an ecological and evolutionary overview. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 19, 372–378.
| Behavioral syndromes: an ecological and evolutionary overview.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Silverin, B. (1998). Stress responses in birds. Poultry and Avian Biology Reviews 9, 153–168.
Smith, G. T., Wingfield, J. C., and Veit, R. R. (1994). Adrenocortical response to stress in the Common Diving Petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix. Physiological Zoology 67, 526–537.
Spencer, K. A., Evans, N. P., and Monaghan, P. (2009). Postnatal stress in birds: a novel model of glucocorticoid programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Endocrinology 150, 1931–1934.
| Postnatal stress in birds: a novel model of glucocorticoid programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXktVWlsLc%3D&md5=1932129567b2d4ce1a1c0312ccc7ab97CAS |
Taylor, S. S., and Jamieson, I. G. (2007). Factors affecting the survival of founding individuals in translocated New Zealand Saddlebacks Philesturnus carunculatus. Ibis 149, 783–791.
| Factors affecting the survival of founding individuals in translocated New Zealand Saddlebacks Philesturnus carunculatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, S. S., and Jamieson, I. G. (2008). No evidence for loss of genetic variation following sequential translocations in extant populations of a genetically depauperate species. Molecular Ecology 17, 545–556.
Taylor, S. S., Jamieson, I. G., and Armstrong, D. P. (2005). Successful island reintroductions of New Zealand Robins and Saddlebacks with small numbers of founders. Animal Conservation 8, 415–420.
| Successful island reintroductions of New Zealand Robins and Saddlebacks with small numbers of founders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Teixeira, C. P., De Azevedo, C. S., Mendl, M., Cipreste, C. F., and Young, Y. (2007). Revisiting translocation and reintroduction programmes: the importance of considering stress. Animal Behaviour 73, 1–13.
| Revisiting translocation and reintroduction programmes: the importance of considering stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williams, T. D. (2008). Individual variation in endocrine systems: moving beyond the ‘tyranny of the Golden Mean’. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. Series B. Biological Sciences 363, 1687–1698.
| Individual variation in endocrine systems: moving beyond the ‘tyranny of the Golden Mean’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmtFOrtr4%3D&md5=24f6da36994a82b8e0f4a029dc828e5cCAS |
Williams, C. T., Kitaysky, A. S., Kettle, A. B., and Buck, C. L. (2008). Corticosterone levels of Tufted Puffins vary with breeding stage, body condition index and reproductive performance. General and Comparative Endocrinology 158, 29–35.
| Corticosterone levels of Tufted Puffins vary with breeding stage, body condition index and reproductive performance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXptVKrsbs%3D&md5=757017367f0edcafb199a02fc6835d89CAS |
Wingfield, J. C., Vleck, C. M., and Moore, M. C. (1992). Seasonal changes of the adrenocortical response to stress in birds of the Sonoran Desert. Journal of Experimental Zoology 264, 419–428.
| Seasonal changes of the adrenocortical response to stress in birds of the Sonoran Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXnslGhuw%3D%3D&md5=412de12fa2709b0cc0ad3d240c195227CAS |
Wolf, C. M., Griffith, B., Reed, C., and Temple, S. A. (1996). Avian and mammalian translocations: update and reanalysis of 1987 survey data. Conservation Biology 10, 1142–1154.
| Avian and mammalian translocations: update and reanalysis of 1987 survey data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |