PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 28: Avian Ecology
Thursday, August 11, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Seasonal and species differences in antimicrobial defense of wild bird eggs.
Wheeler, Emily*,1, Yu, Cathy1, Brawn, Jeffrey1, 1 Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Champaign, IL
ABSTRACT- While the effect of microbes on reproduction in domestic poultry is relatively well described, such information is less complete for wild avian species. Increased knowledge of host-microbe interactions during reproduction for wild species could be beneficial for understanding the effect of pathogens and commensal organisms on reproductive success or chick development and growth. In this poster, we present data on egg immune function (shell mineral content, lysozyme concentration and IgY concentration) of four species of temperate birds (Troglodytes aedon, Northern House Wren; Passer domesticus, House Sparrow; Sialia sialis, Eastern Bluebird; Tachycineta bicolor, Tree Swallow) sampled in central Illinois in the 2004 breeding season. Data were analyzed for species and seasonal trends in egg quality and antimicrobial defenses. Future plans for evaluating the effect of tropical and temperate breeding conditions on nest microbial ecology and immune investment in eggs will also be discussed.
Key words: avian reproduction, microbial ecology, immunology