Urban environment shortens telomere length in nestling great tits, Parus major

Salmón, P. , Nilsson, J.F., Nord, A., Bensch, S. and Isaksson, C. (2016) Urban environment shortens telomere length in nestling great tits, Parus major. Biology Letters, 12(6), 20160155. (doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0155) (PMID:27303051) (PMCID:PMC4938044)

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Abstract

Urban environments are expanding rapidly, and with urbanization come both challenges and opportunities for wildlife. Challenges include combating the anthropogenic disturbances such as light, noise and air pollution and lower availability of natural food sources. The benefits are many, including the availability of anthropogenic food sources, breeding boxes and warmer temperatures. Thus, depending on the context, urbanization can have both positive and negative effects on fitness related traits. It is well known that early-life conditions can have lifelong implications on fitness; little is however known about development in urban environments. We reciprocally cross-fostered urban and rural nestling great tits (Parus major L.) to study how growing up in an urban versus rural habitat affected telomere length (TL)—a suggested biomarker of longevity. We show, for the first time, that growing up in an urban environment significantly shortens TL, independently of natal origin (i.e. urban or rural). This implies that the urban environment imposes a challenge to developing birds, with potentially irreversible effects on lifespan.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Nord, Dr Andreas and Salmon, Dr Pablo
Authors: Salmón, P., Nilsson, J.F., Nord, A., Bensch, S., and Isaksson, C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Biology Letters
Publisher:The Royal Society
ISSN:1744-9561
ISSN (Online):1744-957X
Published Online:01 June 2016

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