Phenotypic and genetic variability in Forest thrush, Turdus lherminieri at different scales

La compréhension de l'apparition d'espèces nouvelles est depuis longtemps un problème majeur en biologie évolutive. Dans le cadre de la spéciation, une attention particulière est portée sur l'étude de la structure des populations c'est-à-dire l'agencement spatio-temporel de la diversité biologique permettant de mesurer et d'identifier la nature de la divergence. Cette divergence est dépendante de quatre forces: la dérive génétique, le flux de gène, la mutation et la sélection et a largement été étudié au sein des milieux insulaires. En effet, ces milieux ont toujours occupé une place de choix dans l'étude de la diversification du vivant car i) ils fournissent un cadre idéal pour étudier les mécanismes impliqués dans la diversification et ii) ils renferment une faune et une flore originales composées de nombreuses espèces endémiques. Ces espèces endémiques montrent une fragilité singulière de part leur faible effectif et leur aire de distribution restreinte. La Grive à Pieds Jaunes, Turdus lherminieri, est un oiseau forestier et endémique de quatre îles des Petites Antilles : Montserrat, la Guadeloupe, la Dominique et Sainte-Lucie. Quatre-sous espèces ont été décrites sur chacune des îles sur des critères de coloration du plumage mais aucune étude n'a réellement quantifié la divergence entre ces sous-espèces. De plus, cet oiseau voit ses effectifs déclinés depuis une quinzaine d'années ce qui lui vaut d'être protégé sur trois îles alors qu'il est encore chassé en Guadeloupe. Les objectifs dégagés dans cette étude sont: i) d'étudier la structure spatiale des grives et d'en inférer les causes, ii) de retracer l'évolution temporelle récente de la diversité génétique ces populations, iii) de déterminer si les parasites peuvent exercer des pressions de sélection contrastées entre ces populations. Notre étude a permis d'identifier trois clades et quatre îles très différenciées sur le plan génétique et morphologique à confronter aux quatre sous-espèces définies auparavant sur des critères de coloration du plumage. A une échelle spatiale plus fine, la Guadeloupe seule, nous avons constaté des niveaux de différentiation peu commun chez des oiseaux. Enfin, le contexte parasitaire semble lui aussi structuré spatialement et présente des éléments de congruence avec les structurations morphologiques et génétiques. A la suite de cette étude, trois unités de gestion peuvent être définies afin de préserver les populations de Grives à pieds jaunes: une première incluant Sainte-Lucie, une seconde incluant la Dominique et une troisième incluant l'ensemble Guadeloupe et MontserratUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying population structure is a crucial issue in evolutionary biology and ecology. Identifying the processes driving biodiversity is also of prime interest to draw up guidelines for population management and conservation planning. Level of differentiation depends on a subtle balance between gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection and insight into the relative contribution of these factors can be provided by spatial and temporal patterns of intra-specific phenotypic and genetic variations. Differentiation has mainly been studied in insular systems because i) islands give ideal framework to study divergence in species ii) islands enclosed endemic fauna and flora. These endemic species are characterised by small population sizes and small distribution areas. They are consequently more fragilized by strong environmental changes. The Forest thrush Turdus lherminieri is an endemic and understorey bird present in four islands of Lesser Antilles: Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint-Lucia. Four subspecies have been described on each island on the basis of feathers coloration but no study has really quantified the divergence between these subspecies. In addition, bird numbers have decline since 15 years and now Forest thrushes are protected on three islands but are always hunted in Guadeloupe. Aims proposed in this study are i) to study the spatial structure in Forest thrush in order to deduce potential causes of this structure ii) to describe the temporal evolution of genetic diversity, iii) to determine if parasites can exert contrasted selection pressures which follow gentic and morphological pattern in Forest thrushes populations. In this study, we have identified three clades and subspecies on each island which are differentiated morphologically and genetically. At fine scale i.e Guadeloupe only, we have revealed an uncommon level of differentiation. In last, the parasites’ structure seems to follow the morphological and genetic structure observed in Forest thrushes. To conclude, three management units can be defined: a first in Saint- Lucia, a second in Dominica and a third including Montserrat and Guadeloup

Variabilités phénotypique et génétique chez la grive à pieds jaunes, Turdus lherminieri, à différentes échelles

Understanding the mechanisms underlying population structure is a crucial issue in evolutionary biology and ecology. Identifying the processes driving biodiversity is also of prime interest to draw up guidelines for population management and conservation planning. Level of differentiation depends on a subtle balance between gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection and insight into the relative contribution of these factors can be provided by spatial and temporal patterns of intra-specific phenotypic and genetic variations. Differentiation has mainly been studied in insular systems because i) islands give ideal framework to study divergence in species ii) islands enclosed endemic fauna and flora. These endemic species are characterised by small population sizes and small distribution areas. They are consequently more fragilized by strong environmental changes. The Forest thrush Turdus lherminieri is an endemic and understorey bird present in four islands of Lesser Antilles: Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint-Lucia. Four subspecies have been described on each island on the basis of feathers coloration but no study has really quantified the divergence between these subspecies. In addition, bird numbers have decline since 15 years and now Forest thrushes are protected on three islands but are always hunted in Guadeloupe. Aims proposed in this study are i) to study the spatial structure in Forest thrush in order to deduce potential causes of this structure ii) to describe the temporal evolution of genetic diversity, iii) to determine if parasites can exert contrasted selection pressures which follow gentic and morphological pattern in Forest thrushes populations. In this study, we have identified three clades and subspecies on each island which are differentiated morphologically and genetically. At fine scale i.e Guadeloupe only, we have revealed an uncommon level of differentiation. In last, the parasites’ structure seems to follow the morphological and genetic structure observed in Forest thrushes. To conclude, three management units can be defined: a first in Saint- Lucia, a second in Dominica and a third including Montserrat and GuadeloupeLa compréhension de l'apparition d'espèces nouvelles est depuis longtemps un problème majeur en biologie évolutive. Dans le cadre de la spéciation, une attention particulière est portée sur l'étude de la structure des populations c'est-à-dire l'agencement spatio-temporel de la diversité biologique permettant de mesurer et d'identifier la nature de la divergence. Cette divergence est dépendante de quatre forces: la dérive génétique, le flux de gène, la mutation et la sélection et a largement été étudié au sein des milieux insulaires. En effet, ces milieux ont toujours occupé une place de choix dans l'étude de la diversification du vivant car i) ils fournissent un cadre idéal pour étudier les mécanismes impliqués dans la diversification et ii) ils renferment une faune et une flore originales composées de nombreuses espèces endémiques. Ces espèces endémiques montrent une fragilité singulière de part leur faible effectif et leur aire de distribution restreinte. La Grive à Pieds Jaunes, Turdus lherminieri, est un oiseau forestier et endémique de quatre îles des Petites Antilles : Montserrat, la Guadeloupe, la Dominique et Sainte-Lucie. Quatre-sous espèces ont été décrites sur chacune des îles sur des critères de coloration du plumage mais aucune étude n'a réellement quantifié la divergence entre ces sous-espèces. De plus, cet oiseau voit ses effectifs déclinés depuis une quinzaine d'années ce qui lui vaut d'être protégé sur trois îles alors qu'il est encore chassé en Guadeloupe. Les objectifs dégagés dans cette étude sont: i) d'étudier la structure spatiale des grives et d'en inférer les causes, ii) de retracer l'évolution temporelle récente de la diversité génétique ces populations, iii) de déterminer si les parasites peuvent exercer des pressions de sélection contrastées entre ces populations. Notre étude a permis d'identifier trois clades et quatre îles très différenciées sur le plan génétique et morphologique à confronter aux quatre sous-espèces définies auparavant sur des critères de coloration du plumage. A une échelle spatiale plus fine, la Guadeloupe seule, nous avons constaté des niveaux de différentiation peu commun chez des oiseaux. Enfin, le contexte parasitaire semble lui aussi structuré spatialement et présente des éléments de congruence avec les structurations morphologiques et génétiques. A la suite de cette étude, trois unités de gestion peuvent être définies afin de préserver les populations de Grives à pieds jaunes: une première incluant Sainte-Lucie, une seconde incluant la Dominique et une troisième incluant l'ensemble Guadeloupe et Montserra

La Grive à Pieds Jaunes, Turdus lherminieri (Turdidés): une espèce méconnue à valeur patrimoniale.

10 pagesNational audienceLes départements et régions d’Outre-Mer présentent une biodiversité remarquable et un fort taux d’endémisme,mais cet endémisme a pour conséquence une plus grande fragilité et un plus grand risque d’extinction. Les enjeuxde conservation de la biodiversité sont alors importants et l’élaboration de mesures de gestion se heurte biensouvent à une profonde méconnaissance de la biologie des espèces. Dans ce contexte, la Grive à Pieds Jaunes,oiseau endémique de quatre îles des Petites Antilles (statut vulnérable, UICN) est un modèle de choix dans la miseen place de mesures de gestion et de conservation. Les premiers résultats d’un programme d’étude dédié à cetteespèce ont permis d’améliorer les connaissances sur cet oiseau : abondance, répartition, domaines vitaux et fluxde populations

Variabilités phénotypique et génétique chez la grive à pieds jaunes, Turdus lherminieri, à différentes échelles

La compréhension de l'apparition d'espèces nouvelles est depuis longtemps un problème majeur en biologie évolutive. Dans le cadre de la spéciation, une attention particulière est portée sur l'étude de la structure des populations c'est-à-dire l'agencement spatio-temporel de la diversité biologique permettant de mesurer et d'identifier la nature de la divergence. Cette divergence est dépendante de quatre forces: la dérive génétique, le flux de gène, la mutation et la sélection et a largement été étudié au sein des milieux insulaires. En effet, ces milieux ont toujours occupé une place de choix dans l'étude de la diversification du vivant car i) ils fournissent un cadre idéal pour étudier les mécanismes impliqués dans la diversification et ii) ils renferment une faune et une flore originales composées de nombreuses espèces endémiques. Ces espèces endémiques montrent une fragilité singulière de part leur faible effectif et leur aire de distribution restreinte. La Grive à Pieds Jaunes, Turdus lherminieri, est un oiseau forestier et endémique de quatre îles des Petites Antilles : Montserrat, la Guadeloupe, la Dominique et Sainte-Lucie. Quatre-sous espèces ont été décrites sur chacune des îles sur des critères de coloration du plumage mais aucune étude n'a réellement quantifié la divergence entre ces sous-espèces. De plus, cet oiseau voit ses effectifs déclinés depuis une quinzaine d'années ce qui lui vaut d'être protégé sur trois îles alors qu'il est encore chassé en Guadeloupe. Les objectifs dégagés dans cette étude sont: i) d'étudier la structure spatiale des grives et d'en inférer les causes, ii) de retracer l'évolution temporelle récente de la diversité génétique ces populations, iii) de déterminer si les parasites peuvent exercer des pressions de sélection contrastées entre ces populations. Notre étude a permis d'identifier trois clades et quatre îles très différenciées sur le plan génétique et morphologique à confronter aux quatre sous-espèces définies auparavant sur des critères de coloration du plumage. A une échelle spatiale plus fine, la Guadeloupe seule, nous avons constaté des niveaux de différentiation peu commun chez des oiseaux. Enfin, le contexte parasitaire semble lui aussi structuré spatialement et présente des éléments de congruence avec les structurations morphologiques et génétiques. A la suite de cette étude, trois unités de gestion peuvent être définies afin de préserver les populations de Grives à pieds jaunes: une première incluant Sainte-Lucie, une seconde incluant la Dominique et une troisième incluant l'ensemble Guadeloupe et MontserratUnderstanding the mechanisms underlying population structure is a crucial issue in evolutionary biology and ecology. Identifying the processes driving biodiversity is also of prime interest to draw up guidelines for population management and conservation planning. Level of differentiation depends on a subtle balance between gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection and insight into the relative contribution of these factors can be provided by spatial and temporal patterns of intra-specific phenotypic and genetic variations. Differentiation has mainly been studied in insular systems because i) islands give ideal framework to study divergence in species ii) islands enclosed endemic fauna and flora. These endemic species are characterised by small population sizes and small distribution areas. They are consequently more fragilized by strong environmental changes. The Forest thrush Turdus lherminieri is an endemic and understorey bird present in four islands of Lesser Antilles: Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Saint-Lucia. Four subspecies have been described on each island on the basis of feathers coloration but no study has really quantified the divergence between these subspecies. In addition, bird numbers have decline since 15 years and now Forest thrushes are protected on three islands but are always hunted in Guadeloupe. Aims proposed in this study are i) to study the spatial structure in Forest thrush in order to deduce potential causes of this structure ii) to describe the temporal evolution of genetic diversity, iii) to determine if parasites can exert contrasted selection pressures which follow gentic and morphological pattern in Forest thrushes populations. In this study, we have identified three clades and subspecies on each island which are differentiated morphologically and genetically. At fine scale i.e Guadeloupe only, we have revealed an uncommon level of differentiation. In last, the parasites structure seems to follow the morphological and genetic structure observed in Forest thrushes. To conclude, three management units can be defined: a first in Saint- Lucia, a second in Dominica and a third including Montserrat and GuadeloupeDIJON-BU Doc.électronique (212319901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Suppressing an anti-inflammatory cytokine reveals a strong age-dependent survival cost in mice.

7 pagesInternational audienceBACKGROUND: The central paradigm of ecological immunology postulates that selection acts on immunity as to minimize its cost/benefit ratio. Costs of immunity may arise because the energetic requirements of the immune response divert resources that are no longer available for other vital functions. In addition to these resource-based costs, mis-directed or over-reacting immune responses can be particularly harmful for the host. In spite of the potential importance of immunopathology, most studies dealing with the evolution of the immune response have neglected such non resource-based costs. To keep the immune response under control, hosts have evolved regulatory pathways that should be considered when studying the target of the selection pressures acting on immunity. Indeed, variation in regulation may strongly modulate the negative outcome of immune activation, with potentially important fitness consequences. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we experimentally assessed the survival costs of reduced immune regulation by inhibiting an anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) with anti-IL-10 receptor antibodies (anti-IL-10R) in mice that were either exposed to a mild inflammation or kept as control. The experiment was performed on young (3 months) and old (15 months) individuals, as to further assess the age-dependent cost of suppressing immune regulation. IL-10 inhibition induced high mortality in old mice exposed to the mild inflammatory insult, whereas no mortality was observed in young mice. However, young mice experienced a transitory lost in body mass when injected with the anti-IL-10R antibodies, showing that the treatment was to a lesser extent also costly for young individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a major role of immune regulation that deserves attention when investigating the evolution of immunity, and indicate that the capacity to down-regulate the inflammatory response is crucial for late survival and longevity

Phenotypic variation of Forest Thrushes Turdus lherminieri in Guadeloupe: evidence for geographic differentiation at fine spatial scale.

9 pagesInternational audienceSpatial differentiation in avian models has been extensively studied at a coarse scale for both theoretical and conservation purposes. Yet, studies at a finer spatial scale are also particularly relevant in birds because their dispersal ability may be much more reduced than expected. In the Forest Thrush Turdus lherminieri, we studied morphological characters commonly used to assess differentiation because they mirror both demographic and selective processes. The Forest Thrush is an endemic and vulnerable Antillean bird species which has dramatically declined in the last 15 years, and whose population functioning and structure remain unknown. We compared birds from 11 sites in Guadeloupe, which were distributed from 2 to 42 km apart over the two main geographic zones of the island (i.e. Grande-Terre and Basse-Terre). Using two synthetic descriptors (for body size and feather size), we detected a strong micro-geographic differentiation between Forest thrush populations for the body-size descriptor but not for the feather-size descriptor. Both males and females were significantly larger in Basse-Terre than in Grande- Terre despite the fine geographic scale. Several hypotheses could explain these results: (i) geographic isolation and differentiation caused by (1)absence of gene flow, (2) phenotypic plasticity, or (3) divergence with gene flow. Although further investigation is needed to identify the exact process generating phenotypic divergence, our study provides a first highlight to the high local variability of this species

Integument coloration signals reproductive success, heterozygosity, and antioxidant levels in chick-rearing black-legged kittiwakes.

10 pagesInternational audienceCarotenoid pigments are important for immunity and as antioxidants, and carotenoid-based colors are believed to provide honest signals of individual quality. Other colorless but more efficient antioxidants such as vitamins A and E may protect carotenoids from bleaching. Carotenoid-based colors have thus recently been suggested to reflect the concentration of such colorless antioxidants, but this has rarely been tested. Furthermore, although evidence is accruing for multiple genetic criteria for mate choice, carotenoid-based colors have rarely been shown to reflect both phenotypic and genetic quality. In this study, we investigated whether gape, tongue, eye-ring, and bill coloration of chick-rearing black-legged kittiwakes Rissa tridactyla reflected circulating levels of carotenoids and vitamins A and E. We further investigated whether integument coloration reflected phenotypic (body condition and fledging success) and genetic quality (heterozygosity). We found that the coloration of fleshy integuments was correlated with carotenoid and vitamin A levels and fledging success but only in males. Furthermore, the coloration of tongue and eye-ring was correlated with heterozygosity in both males and females. Integument colors might therefore be reliable signals of individual quality used by birds to adjust their parental care during the chick-rearing period

Colouration in Atlantic puffins and blacklegged kittiwakes: monochromatism and links to body condition in both sexes.

10 pagesInternational audienceSexual dimorphism is widely used as an indirect measure of the intensity of sexual selection. It is also a way to evaluate whether different selective pressures act on males and females. Dichromatism, defined as a difference in colouration between males and females, may for instance result from selection for crypsis in females and selection for conspicuousness in males. Here, we conducted a study to investigate whether differential sexual selective pressures might act on the colour traits of two colonial seabird species, the Atlantic puffin Fratercula artica and the black-legged kittiwake Rissa tricactyla. First, we used spectrophotometry and visual modelling to determine whether these presumed monomorphic birds are really monochromatic from an avian perspective (birds and humans have a different vision). Second, we estimated whether some of their colourations have the potential to be sexually or socially selected by determining whether these colourations were related to body condition in males and females, and whether the yellow, orange and red colourations may contain carotenoid pigments. Our results indicated that both species were fully monochromatic from an avian perspective. Moreover, our preliminary analyses suggested that the yellow, orange and red colours of these birds contained carotenoids. Lastly, some indices of colouration were positively linked to estimates of condition. Birds in better condition had redder gape (both species) and bill (puffins). In puffins, the relation between condition and gape colouration was significantly stronger in females than males. By contrast, the size of the gape rosette was larger in males than females. The positive links we found between colour indices and condition, together with the absence of sexual dichromatism, suggest that mutual sexual selection may act in these two species

Reduced inflammation in expanding populations of a neotropical bird species.

11 pagesInternational audienceThe loss of regulating agents such as parasites is among the most important changes in biotic interactions experienced by populations established in newly colonized areas. Under a relaxed parasite pressure, individuals investing less in costly immune mechanisms might experience a selective advantage and become successful colonizers as they re-allocate resources to other fitness-related traits. Accordingly, a refinement of the evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis proposed that immunity of invasive populations has evolved toward a reduced investment in innate immunity, the most costly component of immunity, and an increased humoral immunity that is less costly. Biogeographical approaches comparing populations between native and expansion ranges are particularly relevant in exploring this issue, but remain very scarce. We conducted a biogeographical comparison between populations of Spectacled Thrush (Turdus nudigenis) from the native area (South America) and from the expansion range (Caribbean islands). First, we compared haemosporidian prevalence and circulating haptoglobin (an acute-phase protein produced during inflammation). Second, we challenged captive birds from both ranges with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and measured postchallenge haptoglobin production and body mass change. Birds from the expansion range showed lower haemosporidian prevalence and lower levels of haptoglobin than birds from the native range. In addition, the inflammation elicited by LPS injection and its associated cost in terms of body mass loss were lower in birds from the expansion range than in birds from the native range. In accordance with the enemy release hypothesis, our results suggest that range expansion is associated with a reduced infection risk. Our study also supports the hypothesis that individuals from newly established populations have evolved mechanisms to dampen the inflammatory response and are in accordance with one prediction of the refined EICA hypothesis, proposed to understand biological invasions