Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea)
The Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus muta hyperborea, is the only year-round resident terrestrial bird in the high Arctic. Many of the physiological and morphological adaptations permitting its winter endurance in this harsh environment are well understood. However, it remains unknown how the conspi...
Published in: | Polar Biology |
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Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
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Springer
2023
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Online Access: | https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 https://portal.research.lu.se/files/141438932/Nord_et_al._Polar_Biol_2023_Seasonal_changes_in_plumage_density_plumage_mass_and_feather_morphology_in_the_world_s_northernmost_landbird.pdf |
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ftulundlup:oai:lup.lub.lu.se:e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 2023-06-11T04:09:21+02:00 Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) Nord, Andreas Holje, Vidar Judik, Benjamin Folkow, Lars P. Pap, Péter L 2023 application/pdf https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 https://portal.research.lu.se/files/141438932/Nord_et_al._Polar_Biol_2023_Seasonal_changes_in_plumage_density_plumage_mass_and_feather_morphology_in_the_world_s_northernmost_landbird.pdf eng eng Springer https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 https://portal.research.lu.se/files/141438932/Nord_et_al._Polar_Biol_2023_Seasonal_changes_in_plumage_density_plumage_mass_and_feather_morphology_in_the_world_s_northernmost_landbird.pdf scopus:85150599442 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Polar Biology; 46(4), pp 277-290 (2023) ISSN: 1432-2056 Zoology Arctic Polar Feather moult Plumage Thermoregulation Bird ptarmigan season contributiontojournal/article info:eu-repo/semantics/article text 2023 ftulundlup https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 2023-05-31T22:27:52Z The Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus muta hyperborea, is the only year-round resident terrestrial bird in the high Arctic. Many of the physiological and morphological adaptations permitting its winter endurance in this harsh environment are well understood. However, it remains unknown how the conspicuous moult from a greyish brown summer to a white winter plumage, and any underlying changes in plumage structure and feather morphology, contribute to seasonal acclimatisation. We used standard morphometric techniques to describe the seasonal change in plumage and feather characteristics in six body regions. Then, we investigated whether winter plumage traits differed between first-winter and adult (second winter, or older) birds, because a difference in coat insulation has been suggested as an explanation for why first-winter Svalbard Ptarmigan loose more heat than adults. Plumage feather density (i.e., feathers × cm−2) and mass density (i.e., mg feathers × cm−2) were higher in winter, particularly on the head and feet where individual feathers were also heavier, longer, and downier. Seasonal changes in other regions (back, tarsi) indicated acclimatisation primarily to resist physical wear and wind. First-winter and adult birds had similar feather densities. However, mass density in first-winter birds was significantly lower than in adults in all but one body region (back) because individual feathers weighed less. This can explain previous observations of higher heat loss rates in first-winter birds. Our study suggests that plumage acclimatisation contributes to optimising the winter phenotype of Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, both through higher insulative capacity and by improved resistance to harsh weather. The extent of these adaptations may be determined by the time or energy available for feather growth, exemplified here by inferior insulation in first-winter birds. Article in Journal/Newspaper Arctic Lagopus muta Lagopus muta hyperborea Polar Biology rock ptarmigan Svalbard Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan Lund University Publications (LUP) Arctic Svalbard Polar Biology 46 4 277 290 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Lund University Publications (LUP) |
op_collection_id |
ftulundlup |
language |
English |
topic |
Zoology Arctic Polar Feather moult Plumage Thermoregulation Bird ptarmigan season |
spellingShingle |
Zoology Arctic Polar Feather moult Plumage Thermoregulation Bird ptarmigan season Nord, Andreas Holje, Vidar Judik, Benjamin Folkow, Lars P. Pap, Péter L Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
topic_facet |
Zoology Arctic Polar Feather moult Plumage Thermoregulation Bird ptarmigan season |
description |
The Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, Lagopus muta hyperborea, is the only year-round resident terrestrial bird in the high Arctic. Many of the physiological and morphological adaptations permitting its winter endurance in this harsh environment are well understood. However, it remains unknown how the conspicuous moult from a greyish brown summer to a white winter plumage, and any underlying changes in plumage structure and feather morphology, contribute to seasonal acclimatisation. We used standard morphometric techniques to describe the seasonal change in plumage and feather characteristics in six body regions. Then, we investigated whether winter plumage traits differed between first-winter and adult (second winter, or older) birds, because a difference in coat insulation has been suggested as an explanation for why first-winter Svalbard Ptarmigan loose more heat than adults. Plumage feather density (i.e., feathers × cm−2) and mass density (i.e., mg feathers × cm−2) were higher in winter, particularly on the head and feet where individual feathers were also heavier, longer, and downier. Seasonal changes in other regions (back, tarsi) indicated acclimatisation primarily to resist physical wear and wind. First-winter and adult birds had similar feather densities. However, mass density in first-winter birds was significantly lower than in adults in all but one body region (back) because individual feathers weighed less. This can explain previous observations of higher heat loss rates in first-winter birds. Our study suggests that plumage acclimatisation contributes to optimising the winter phenotype of Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan, both through higher insulative capacity and by improved resistance to harsh weather. The extent of these adaptations may be determined by the time or energy available for feather growth, exemplified here by inferior insulation in first-winter birds. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Nord, Andreas Holje, Vidar Judik, Benjamin Folkow, Lars P. Pap, Péter L |
author_facet |
Nord, Andreas Holje, Vidar Judik, Benjamin Folkow, Lars P. Pap, Péter L |
author_sort |
Nord, Andreas |
title |
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
title_short |
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
title_full |
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
title_fullStr |
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
title_full_unstemmed |
Seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) |
title_sort |
seasonal changes in plumage density, plumage mass, and feather morphology in the world’s northernmost land bird, the svalbard rock ptarmigan (lagopus muta hyperborea) |
publisher |
Springer |
publishDate |
2023 |
url |
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 https://portal.research.lu.se/files/141438932/Nord_et_al._Polar_Biol_2023_Seasonal_changes_in_plumage_density_plumage_mass_and_feather_morphology_in_the_world_s_northernmost_landbird.pdf |
geographic |
Arctic Svalbard |
geographic_facet |
Arctic Svalbard |
genre |
Arctic Lagopus muta Lagopus muta hyperborea Polar Biology rock ptarmigan Svalbard Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan |
genre_facet |
Arctic Lagopus muta Lagopus muta hyperborea Polar Biology rock ptarmigan Svalbard Svalbard Rock Ptarmigan |
op_source |
Polar Biology; 46(4), pp 277-290 (2023) ISSN: 1432-2056 |
op_relation |
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/e1a171c9-505b-4066-aae4-765ddd1cea98 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 https://portal.research.lu.se/files/141438932/Nord_et_al._Polar_Biol_2023_Seasonal_changes_in_plumage_density_plumage_mass_and_feather_morphology_in_the_world_s_northernmost_landbird.pdf scopus:85150599442 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-023-03118-8 |
container_title |
Polar Biology |
container_volume |
46 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
277 |
op_container_end_page |
290 |
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1768383156875952128 |