Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University( continued)
Hot weather is bad news for bird sperm and size
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Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University( continued)
Hot weather is bad news for bird sperm and size
A new study led by Macquarie University’ s Laura L Hurley( Biological Sciences) has shown that exposure to extreme temperatures, such as those experienced during heatwave conditions, significantly reduces sperm quality in zebra finches.
These findings, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, suggest that rising global temperatures and increases in the frequency of extreme heat events could be a concern for male fertility and reproductive success in some birds.
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Another study by Macquarie University’ s Samuel Andrew( Biological Sciences) and colleagues, and published in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, has found that warming temperatures may cause birds to shrink.
By measuring adult European House Sparrows at 30 locations across Australia and New Zealand, they found that maximum temperatures during summer— when the birds breed— were a better predictor of adult body size at each location than winter minimum temperatures.
Find out more Photo by Laura Hurley. Syllabus links: Biology Module 3 Inquiry question: What is the relationship between evolution and biodiversity?
FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
22 SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 3