One goal of evolutionary physiology is to relate phenotypic variation to Darwinian
fitness via organismal performance. Within this framework, I used breeding tree swallows,
(Tachycineta bicolor) to identify physiological correlates and potential fitness consequences
of inter-individual variation in parental energy expenditure (sustained metabolic rate,
SusMR).
I measured parental SusMR using the doubly labelled water technique and correlated
it with variation in natural brood size and nestling growth rate and mass. SusMR was
independent of natural brood size, although large broods had greater mass gain than small
broods. I hypothesized that parental efficiency increases with brood size. Among adults
rearing the same sized broods, SusMR increased with brood mass, and in one year, female
SusMR and nestling growth rate were positively correlated. Natural selection is defined as
correlation between variation in a phenotypic trait and variation in fitness. If nestling mass or
growth rate are accurate indices of fitness, SusMR was under selection in this population.
Individuals with high SusMR had relatively large intestines; presumably increasing
digestive capacity. This may result in an increased resting metabolic rate and identify a
potential energetic trade-off. I determined the influence of body composition on resting
oxygen consumption rate (VO2). The mass of most organs differed between breeding
seasons, possibly due to environmental conditions. Individuals with high resting VO2 had
large kidneys but relatively small intestines. The basis of a negative relationship is unclear
because the intestine contributes positively to VO2 in other species.
A major determinant of parental life-time reproductive success is the survival of
offspring to breeding. This is influenced by the quality of the rearing environment and its
affect on offspring condition. Few studies have investigated what physiological and
biochemical characters underlie variation in condition. I manipulated the number of nestlings
in a brood and followed growth and resting VO2 until near fledging. Surprisingly, many
characters were insensitive to environmental variation. Nonetheless, nestlings in reduced
broods had a greater mass of lipid, increased cardiac enzyme activity, and higher size-specific
resting VO2 than individuals raised in enlarged broods. How these characters affect survival
or the future adult phenotype remains unknown.Science, Faculty ofZoology, Department ofGraduat
