october, 2019
22oct1:00 pm2:00 pmThyroid hormones and life-histories – an avian perspectiveDr Suvi Ruuskanen
Event Details
Thyroid hormones and life-histories – an avian perspective Suvi Ruuskanen, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FIN The diverse life histories in the animal kingdom constitute a major part of biodiversity, where
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Event Details
Thyroid hormones and life-histories – an avian perspective
Suvi Ruuskanen, Department of Biology, University of Turku, FIN
The diverse life histories in the animal kingdom constitute a major part of biodiversity, where species vary in e.g. reproductive rates and longevity. Several physiological parameters have been proposed to be “mediators” to life-history variation. Potential, but rather neglect mediators are the thyroid hormones (TH). However, thyroid hormones (THs) have often been seen as purely metabolic hormones, and they have gained relatively little attention in eco-evolutionary context. Yet, individuals are exposed to THs starting prenatally, and THs likely contribute to life-history variation among and within species. THs have key pleiotropic functions both in development and coordinating transitions across life-history stages, such as initiation of breeding, moult and migration. I provide an overview on the role of THs on coordinating life-history events, and their associations with life-history strategies, focusing on birds. For example, we show, using a comparative analysis, that THs are associated with life-history strategies across species: altricial-precocial continuum and migratory vs resident species. I also summarize our recent results using experimental manipulations revealed that prenatal THs can have programming effects, influencing hatching, growth and biological markers of aging, and potentially also on initiation of reproduction and moult. Thus, THs certainly are key hormones widely affecting individual phenotype and performance, and we call for more research effort in an eco-evolutionary setting.
Time
(Tuesday) 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location
Dyer's Brae Seminar Room
Dyers Brae, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Greenside Place, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK
Organizer
Carolin Kosiol, Niki Khan, Miguel Barbosa, Nick Jones