White-crowned sparrow, or Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii (Image by Seabamirum via Flickr)
Evolution might give some birds a much-needed boost for long-distance migrations, a new study suggests. Every year in spring, white-crowned sparrows complete a long journey from their wintering spots to summer breeding grounds. Researchers analyzed a chain of proteins in the sparrows’ muscles during wintering and after the arrival to the late-spring breeding spot. Their findings suggest that the birds remodel the muscles necessary for flight just before the long migration, making those muscles more efficient. These results are a fascinating demonstration of the adaptive nature of these migratory birds.
Authors:
Brandy P. Velten, Kenneth C. Welch, Marilyn Ramenofsky
Corresponding author:
Brandy Velten, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto at Scarborough
Original paper published in Royal Society Open Science on November 30, 2016.
