Breeding on the leading edge of a northward range expansion: differences in morphology and the stress response in the arctic Gambel' XXXX -crowned sparrow.

@entity2339 @entity1762
UNASSIGNED: Individuals at the forefront of a range shift are likely to exhibit phenotypic traits that distinguish them from the population breeding within the historic range. Recent studies have examined morphological, physiological and behavioral phenotypes of individuals at the edge of their range. Several studies have found differences in the @entity2339 activity in response to acute restraint stress in individuals at the range limits. @entity2339 activation leads to elevations in glucocorticoids that regulate physiology and behavior. Here we compare the hormonal  profiles and morphometrics from Gambel' @entity1762 -crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) breeding at the northern limit of the population's range to those birds breeding within the historic population range. Birds breeding at the northern limit experienced a harsher environment with colder temperatures; however, we found no differences in arthropod prey biomass between the northern limit and more southern (historic) sites. Males at the northern limit had higher body condition scores (mass corrected for body size) compared to individuals within the historic range, but no differences were found in beak and tarsus lengths, wing chord, muscle profile or fat stores. In males during the pre-parental stage, before breeding commenced, @entity2339 activity was elevated in birds at the northern limit of the range, but no differences were found during the parental or molt stages. Females showed no differences in @entity2339 activity during the parental stage. This study suggests that "pioneering" individuals at the limits of their breeding range exhibit physiology and morphology that are distinct from individuals within the historic range.
