Songbirds rely on an endogenous program to follow species-specific routes and schedule their migrations to the annual cycle. Due to competition, birds are often under time stress to complete their migrations, especially in spring when they are heading to the breeding areas. How birds are affected by parasites on migration and in particular, if fueling and expression of migratory activity potentially leading to slower migration speeds decrease in sick birds compared to healthy birds is not well known. We have collected fueling and activity data from a number of migratory songbird species in controlled experiments, from which we have blood samples that will be analyzed with respect to prevalence of avian malaria parasites. We hypothesize that migratory songbirds are affected by chronic avian malaria infections and will show decreased levels of fueling and migratory activity recorded by films.
We aim to test the hypothesis that songbirds can adjust their schedule of migratory fueling, migration activity and orientation to parasite load by exploring already collected data potentially in combination with new data collected during the study period. We are looking for a dedicated master’s student to conduct the avian malaria genotyping and analyses of behavioural and ecophysiological data collected in controlled experiments. There is a possibility to collect additional experimental data during spring or autumn.
Labwork and potential fieldwork starts: Autumn 2024/Spring 2025.
If understanding how songbirds are affected by parasites on migration excites you, then this may be your master’s project.
Please, contact Susanne Åkesson (migration phenotype, behavioural data) or Helena Westerdahl (genetics) for more information.
Professor Susanne Åkesson, Department of Biology
susanne.akesson@biol.lu.se
Professor Helena Westerdahl, Department of Biology
helena.westerdahl@biol.lu.se