Effect of rapid modulation of circulating plasma testosterone concentration on begging, aggressive behavior and competition for food in black-headed gull ( Larus ridibundus ) chicks

Sibling competition mediated by begging behavior is extremely common in avian species and recent studies have highlighted the role of endogenous testosterone in regulating such phenomenon. However, current literature depicts an inconsistent pattern in altricial vs. semi-precocial species, with stimu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hormones and Behavior
Main Authors: Boncoraglio, Giuseppe, Groothuis, Ton G. G.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2013
Subjects:
Aggressive behavior
Androgens
Begging behavior
Sibling competition
Testosterone
NESTLING TESTOSTERONE
CHALLENGE HYPOTHESIS
FICEDULA-HYPOLEUCA
PIED FLYCATCHER
EGGS
ALLOCATION
SUPPORT
GUTTATA
Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundus
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/11370/bf1b59cf-a5cf-4af7-84a3-10d5f8f61c16
https://research.rug.nl/en/publications/bf1b59cf-a5cf-4af7-84a3-10d5f8f61c16
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.08.004
https://pure.rug.nl/ws/files/6800678/2013HormBehavBoncoraglio.pdf
Description
Summary:Sibling competition mediated by begging behavior is extremely common in avian species and recent studies have highlighted the role of endogenous testosterone in regulating such phenomenon. However, current literature depicts an inconsistent pattern in altricial vs. semi-precocial species, with stimulating versus inhibitory effects of the hormone respectively. This is possibly due to a difference in the methodology of hormone treatment (short-term moderate dose versus a long-term stronger elevation, respectively) between the studies performed so far. In this study, we induced short-term moderate peaks in plasma testosterone levels, as applied in altricial bird species, and assessed the effects of our manipulation on begging, competitive and aggressive behavior in black-headed gull (Lams ridibundus) chicks, a semi-precocial species. Our results suggest that, unlike in altricial songbirds, temporary increase of plasma testosterone concentration suppresses begging and enhances aggressiveness towards intruders. However, it also increases aggression and the chances of getting priority while scrambling with nest mates to gain access to food. Thus, the inconsistencies in the hormonal control of begging behavior observed between altricial vs. semi-precocial birds seem real and perhaps related to species differences in complexity of the display and the nature of competition. These may be elucidated by future comparative studies. (c) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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