Yellow-rumped Warbler Inceville Los Liones Canyon Los Angeles California 159
"Butterbutt biology: warblers, migration and mitochondria
A non-migratory population of songbirds appears to have acquired mitochondria from their close relatives that are migratory, potentially allowing these birds to migrate better
A non-migratory population of songbirds appears to have acquired mitochondria from their close relatives that are migratory, potentially allowing these birds to migrate better, according to a newly-published study by a group of researchers based at Canada's University of British Columbia. Mitochondria synthesise the biochemical energy that powers living cells. The team studied a population of neotropical warblers living in the transition zone between the northern (seasonally migratory) form and the southern (resident) form. Using a variety of novel approaches, they compared mitochondrial genetics and function, and migratory behaviour. The researchers found that mitochondria in flight muscles of the migratory birds may be more metabolically efficient, thus capable of powering the energetic demands of migration over longer distances.
..."Our findings suggest that over generations, the Audubon's warbler may have co-opted the myrtle's mitochondria to better power its own travels", said Mr Toews.
Yellow-rumped warblers are not the only known example of mitochondrial borrowing: last year, Mr Toews and a colleague, Alan Brelsford, identified more than 100 such cases in animals."
theguardian.com
Yellow-rumped Warbler Inceville Los Liones Canyon Los Angeles California 159
"Butterbutt biology: warblers, migration and mitochondria
A non-migratory population of songbirds appears to have acquired mitochondria from their close relatives that are migratory, potentially allowing these birds to migrate better
A non-migratory population of songbirds appears to have acquired mitochondria from their close relatives that are migratory, potentially allowing these birds to migrate better, according to a newly-published study by a group of researchers based at Canada's University of British Columbia. Mitochondria synthesise the biochemical energy that powers living cells. The team studied a population of neotropical warblers living in the transition zone between the northern (seasonally migratory) form and the southern (resident) form. Using a variety of novel approaches, they compared mitochondrial genetics and function, and migratory behaviour. The researchers found that mitochondria in flight muscles of the migratory birds may be more metabolically efficient, thus capable of powering the energetic demands of migration over longer distances.
..."Our findings suggest that over generations, the Audubon's warbler may have co-opted the myrtle's mitochondria to better power its own travels", said Mr Toews.
Yellow-rumped warblers are not the only known example of mitochondrial borrowing: last year, Mr Toews and a colleague, Alan Brelsford, identified more than 100 such cases in animals."
theguardian.com