Corticosterone responses to capture and restraint in Australasian Gannets, Morus serrator, at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand
John F. Cockrem A E , E. Jane Candy A , Murray A. Potter B and Gabriel E. Machovsky-Capuska C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
B Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
C Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
D Faculty of Veterinary Science, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Biological Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: J.F.Cockrem@massey.ac.nz
Emu 116(1) 86-90 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU15012
Submitted: 28 January 2015 Accepted: 12 November 2015 Published: 20 January 2016
Abstract
Birds can respond to threats or potential threats in their immediate environment with increased secretion of the glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone. The size of a corticosterone response to capture reflects the sensitivity of a bird to stimuli from its immediate environment, and there is marked variation between individual birds in their corticosterone responses. Whilst corticosterone responses to capture have been described in many species of birds, there are few reports of corticosterone responses in Australasian seabirds, and the aim of the present study was to describe individual and mean corticosterone responses to capture and restraint in Australasian Gannets (Morus serrator) at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand. Corticosterone concentrations were low initially, then increased after capture in all gannets, with mean concentrations 55.77 ± 4.72 ng mL–1 after 30 min of restraint. This is the first report of corticosterone responses in gannets. Mean corticosterone concentrations at 30 min were within the range of responses reported for the blue-footed booby, another species within the family Sulidae, suggesting that different species of Sulidae have similar sensitivities to their immediate environment. Further studies of corticosterone in gannets and other Australasian seabirds will be worthwhile to provide information about how these seabirds can respond to changes in their environment.
Additional keywords: climate change, New Zealand birds, seabirds, stress.
References
Adams, N. J., Cockrem, J. F., Taylor, G. A., Candy, E. J., and Bridges, J. (2005a). Corticosterone responses of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) are higher during incubation than during other breeding stages. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78, 69–77.| Corticosterone responses of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) are higher during incubation than during other breeding stages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXisFCqsr0%3D&md5=4465be63361c6cbbcff212891e2a6dcaCAS | 15702465PubMed |
Adams, N. J., Cockrem, J. F., Taylor, G. A., Candy, E. J., and Bridges, J. (2005b). Corticosterone responses of hand-reared and parent-reared grey-faced petrel chicks (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi). Zoo Biology 24, 283–290.
| Corticosterone responses of hand-reared and parent-reared grey-faced petrel chicks (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXnsl2gtbs%3D&md5=6755e1bbe19bc65b13e1602a06ed0439CAS |
Adams, N. J., Cockrem, J. F., Candy, E. J., and Taylor, G. A. (2008). Non-precocial grey-faced petrel chicks (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) show no age-related variation in corticosterone responses to capture and handling. General and Comparative Endocrinology 157, 86–90.
| Non-precocial grey-faced petrel chicks (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) show no age-related variation in corticosterone responses to capture and handling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmtVSnsLs%3D&md5=9bdc1bd5e5dd185d9793edcc22ea14e0CAS | 18472100PubMed |
Cockrem, J. F. (2007). Stress, corticosterone responses and avian personalities. Journal für Ornithologie 148, 169–178.
| Stress, corticosterone responses and avian personalities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cockrem, J. F. (2013). Individual variation in glucocorticoid stress responses in animals. General and Comparative Endocrinology 181, 45–58.
| Individual variation in glucocorticoid stress responses in animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1eru7s%3D&md5=72e36a1216291448accdb3acb4feea41CAS | 23298571PubMed |
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=23e675f66770da00a1c7497dd1348182CAS | 11884065PubMed |
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=8369459758e9191604872a084998aa7cCAS | 16876799PubMed |
Cockrem, J. F., Potter, M. A., Barrett, D. P., and Candy, E. J. (2008). Corticosterone responses to capture and restraint in emperor and Adelie penguins in Antarctica. Zoological Science 25, 291–298.
| Corticosterone responses to capture and restraint in emperor and Adelie penguins in Antarctica.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXptFyju70%3D&md5=d681abe02047f4adf1b06f500eff0b48CAS | 18393566PubMed |
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=da32fe3d72367e82701fa0b828268180CAS | 19351536PubMed |
Daniel, C., Millar, C. D., Ismar, S. M. H., Stephenson, B. M., and Hauber, M. E. (2007). Evaluating molecular and behavioural sexing methods for the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator). Australian Journal of Zoology 55, 377–382.
| Evaluating molecular and behavioural sexing methods for the Australasian gannet (Morus serrator).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXntFOrs70%3D&md5=9566d4cfa67b5fd57e38f16fb3e5239cCAS |
Dehnhard, M., Schreer, A., Krone, O., Jewgenow, K., Krause, M., and Grossmann, R. (2003). Measurement of plasma corticosterone and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in the chicken (Gallus domesticus), the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), and the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). General and Comparative Endocrinology 131, 345–352.
| Measurement of plasma corticosterone and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in the chicken (Gallus domesticus), the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), and the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXjtFWmtLY%3D&md5=2eb9e5d781da0da27b7568270cdd86d5CAS | 12714017PubMed |
Ellenberg, U., Setiawan, A. N., Cree, A., Houston, D. M., and Seddon, P. J. (2007). Elevated hormonal stress response and reduced reproductive output in yellow-eyed penguins exposed to unregulated tourism. General and Comparative Endocrinology 152, 54–63.
| Elevated hormonal stress response and reduced reproductive output in yellow-eyed penguins exposed to unregulated tourism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXkvFOitrg%3D&md5=1e2fb8ab7402ab22f606eb89e7e2a7edCAS | 17400221PubMed |
Fargallo, J. A., Velando, A., Lopez-Rull, I., Ganan, N., Lifshitz, N., Wakamatsu, K., and Torres, R. (2014). Sex-specific phenotypic integration: endocrine profiles, coloration, and behavior in fledgling boobies. Behavioral Ecology 25, 76–87.
| Sex-specific phenotypic integration: endocrine profiles, coloration, and behavior in fledgling boobies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Franci, C. D., Guillemette, M., Pelletier, E., Chastel, O., Bonnefoi, S., and Verreault, J. (2014). Endocrine status of a migratory bird potentially exposed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: a case study of northern gannets breeding on Bonaventure Island, Eastern Canada. The Science of the Total Environment 473–474, 110–116.
| Endocrine status of a migratory bird potentially exposed to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: a case study of northern gannets breeding on Bonaventure Island, Eastern Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24361782PubMed |
Gill, F. D., and Donsker, D. E. (Eds.) (2015). IOC World Bird List (v 5.4).
Grace, J. K., and Anderson, D. J. (2014). Corticosterone stress response shows long-term repeatability and links to personality in free-living Nazca boobies. General and Comparative Endocrinology 208, 39–48.
| Corticosterone stress response shows long-term repeatability and links to personality in free-living Nazca boobies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsFGgs73I&md5=990a74d39e53a121456d97f11ca2c22fCAS | 25220912PubMed |
Grace, J. K., Dean, K., Ottinger, M. A., and Anderson, D. J. (2011). Hormonal effects of maltreatment in Nazca booby nestlings: Implications for the “cycle of violence”. Hormones and Behavior 60, 78–85.
| Hormonal effects of maltreatment in Nazca booby nestlings: Implications for the “cycle of violence”.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXntlGhsr0%3D&md5=a28e732ab70bb006a4a5c924414eca7fCAS | 21439288PubMed |
Ismar, S. M. H., Hunter, C., Lay, K., Ward-Smith, T., Wilson, P. R., and Hauber, M. E. (2010). A virgin flight across the Tasman Sea? Satellite tracking of post-fledging movement in the Australasian gannet Morus serrator. Journal für Ornithologie 151, 755–759.
| A virgin flight across the Tasman Sea? Satellite tracking of post-fledging movement in the Australasian gannet Morus serrator.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Machovsky-Capuska, G. E., Hauber, M. E., Dassis, M., Libby, E., Wikelski, M. C., Schuckard, R., Melville, D. S., Cook, W., Houston, M., and Raubenheimer, D. (2014). Foraging behaviour and habitat use of chick-rearing Australasian Gannets in New Zealand. Journal für Ornithologie 155, 379–387.
| Foraging behaviour and habitat use of chick-rearing Australasian Gannets in New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Osorno, J. L., Nunez-de la-Mora, A., D’Alba, L., and Wingfield, J. C. (2010). Hormonal correlates of breeding behavior and pouch color in the Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens. General and Comparative Endocrinology 169, 18–22.
| Hormonal correlates of breeding behavior and pouch color in the Magnificent Frigatebird, Fregata magnificens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtFGju7jO&md5=abeae5747e8e0af565df8eed03685910CAS | 20603124PubMed |
Ramos-Fernández, G., Nunez-de la Mora, A., Wingfield, J. C., and Drummond, H. (2000). Endocrine correlates of dominance in chicks of the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii): testing the challenge hypothesis. Ethology Ecology and Evolution 12, 27–34.
| Endocrine correlates of dominance in chicks of the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii): testing the challenge hypothesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
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. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology 140, 73–79.
| Collecting baseline corticosterone samples in the field: is under 3 min good enough?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stephenson, B. M. (2005). Variability in the breeding ecology of Australasian gannets, Morus serrator, at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand. PhD thesis, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Tarlow, E. M., Wikelski, M., and Anderson, D. J. (2001). Hormonal correlates of siblicide in Galapagos Nazca boobies. Hormones and Behavior 40, 14–20.
| Hormonal correlates of siblicide in Galapagos Nazca boobies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXltlWlsLc%3D&md5=72027860a696c6c697e55c040ab823dbCAS | 11467880PubMed |
Tarlow, E. M., Hau, M., Anderson, D. J., and Wikelski, M. (2003a). Diel changes in plasma melatonin and corticosterone concentrations in tropical Nazca boobies (Sula granti) in relation to moon phase and age. General and Comparative Endocrinology 133, 297–304.
| Diel changes in plasma melatonin and corticosterone concentrations in tropical Nazca boobies (Sula granti) in relation to moon phase and age.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmvVOrs74%3D&md5=abf709201c5dfed0e8b8e9fb65e51be2CAS | 12957473PubMed |
Tarlow, E. M., Wikelski, M., and Anderson, D. J. (2003b). Correlation between plasma steroids and chick visits by nonbreeding adult Nazca boobies. Hormones and Behavior 43, 402–407.
| Correlation between plasma steroids and chick visits by nonbreeding adult Nazca boobies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXivV2msLY%3D&md5=495feb0df17424b3d9155652fff96ee5CAS | 12695114PubMed |
Vallarino, A., Wingfield, J. C., and Drummond, H. (2006). Does extra corticosterone elicit increased begging and submissiveness in subordinate booby (Sula nebouxii) chicks? General and Comparative Endocrinology 147, 297–303.
| Does extra corticosterone elicit increased begging and submissiveness in subordinate booby (Sula nebouxii) chicks?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XltFOlsrw%3D&md5=cda67337d936dd328ea11947b213e55bCAS | 16530762PubMed |
Wingfield, J., Ramos-Fernández, G., Nunez-de la Mora, A., and Drummond, H. (1999). The effects of an ‘El Nino’ southern oscillation event on reproduction in male and female blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii). General and Comparative Endocrinology 114, 163–172.
| The effects of an ‘El Nino’ southern oscillation event on reproduction in male and female blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXisVais7Y%3D&md5=a4b28d3c2c5550f596ae957c774411c5CAS | 10208765PubMed |
Wodzicki, K., and Stein, P. (1958). Migration and dispersal of New Zealand gannets. Emu 58, 289–312.
| Migration and dispersal of New Zealand gannets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wodzicki, K. A., Robertson, C. J. R., Thompson, H. R., and Alderton, C. J. T. (1984). The distribution and number of gannets (Sula serrator) in New Zealand. Notornis 31, 232–261.