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Peer-reviewedCC BYProceedings. Biological sciences

Developmental photoperiod alters the onset and capacity for reproduction in male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis).

  • Carlie G Saline1
  • Adam M Fudicker2
  • Allison J Byrd3,4
  • Ellen D Ketterson3
  • Timothy J Greives1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University , Fargo, ND 58105, USA.
  2. 2Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University Bloomington , Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
  3. 3Department of Biology, Indiana University Bloomington , Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
  4. 4Tin Mountain Conservation Center , Albany, NH 03818, USA.
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Abstract

Natural selection favours individuals able to physiologically adjust to seasonal environmental cues, such as photoperiod, and time their reproduction accordingly. Although it is known that differences along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis can explain differences in reproductive timing across the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) range, it remains unknown whether these differences arise from local adaptation or early-life environmental effects. We exposed nestlings from a single population to photoperiods mimicking development at the northern and southern extents of the species' breeding range. In autumn, we adjusted the photoperiod in the northern treatment to mimic southward migration, after which all birds experienced the same daylengths through the winter to simulate mixed overwintering flocks in the wild. Beginning early March, birds were injected with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to measure induced testosterone as a proxy for HPG axis maturation; brood patches, cloacal protuberances and fat were also measured. Males raised under northern developmental photoperiods delayed the onset of reproductive readiness compared with control males. Sample date affected females' GnRH-induced testosterone and fat deposition but not in clear patterns. These results indicate the daylength under which male songbirds develop can influence their reproductive schedules. Further research should discern the interplay of plasticity and genotypes and potential sex-specific differences.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{saline2026developmental,
  title = {{Developmental photoperiod alters the onset and capacity for reproduction in male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis).}},
  author = {Carlie G Saline and Adam M Fudicker and Allison J Byrd and Ellen D Ketterson and Timothy J Greives},
  journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1098/rspb.2026.1696},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42869484},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Developmental photoperiod alters the onset and capacity for reproduction in male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis).
AU  - Carlie G Saline
AU  - Adam M Fudicker
AU  - Allison J Byrd
AU  - Ellen D Ketterson
AU  - Timothy J Greives
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/01
JO  - Proceedings. Biological sciences
DO  - 10.1098/rspb.2026.1696
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42869484
AB  - Natural selection favours individuals able to physiologically adjust to seasonal environmental cues, such as photoperiod, and time their reproduction accordingly. Although it is known that differences along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis can explain differences in reproductive timing across the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) range, it remains unknown whether these differences arise from local adaptation or early-life environmental effects. We exposed nestlings from a single population to photoperiods mimicking development at the northern and southern extents of the species' breeding range. In autumn, we adjusted the photoperiod in the northern treatment to mimic southward migration, after which all birds experienced the same daylengths through the winter to simulate mixed overwintering flocks in the wild. Beginning early March, birds were injected with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to measure induced testosterone as a proxy for HPG axis maturation; brood patches, cloacal protuberances and fat were also measured. Males raised under northern developmental photoperiods delayed the onset of reproductive readiness compared with control males. Sample date affected females' GnRH-induced testosterone and fat deposition but not in clear patterns. These results indicate the daylength under which male songbirds develop can influence their reproductive schedules. Further research should discern the interplay of plasticity and genotypes and potential sex-specific differences.
SN  - 0962-8452
SN  - 1471-2954
ER  -