Low heritability but significant early environmental effects on resting metabolic rate in a wild passerine

S. Eryn McFarlane, Murielle Ålund, Päivi M. Sirkiä, Anna Qvarnström

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Predicting the impact of climate change on biodiversity requires understanding the adaptation potential of wild organisms. Evolutionary responses depend on the additive genetic variation associated with the phenotypic traits targeted by selection. We combine 5 years of cross-fostering experiments, measurements of resting metabolic rate (RMR) on nearly 200 wild collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) nestlings, and animal models using a 17-year pedigree to evaluate the potential for an evolutionary response to changing environmental conditions. Contrary to other avian studies, we find no significant heritability of whole-organism, mass-independent, or mass-specific RMR, but we report a strong effect of nest environment instead. We therefore conclude that variation in nestling RMR is explained by variation in the early-life environment provided by the parents. We discuss possible underlying specific parental effects and the importance of taking different mechanisms into account to understand how animals phenotypically adapt (or fail to adapt) to climate change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)551-560
JournalAmerican Naturalist
Volume198
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Evolutionary Biology

Free keywords

  • Environmental effects
  • Ficedula albicollis
  • Heritability
  • Maternal effects
  • Metabolic rate

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Low heritability but significant early environmental effects on resting metabolic rate in a wild passerine'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this