Grow warm, live cold: ontogeny and plasticity of thermoregulation over a life-time

The overall goal of this grant is to answer the timely question of whether animals born during stochastic, extreme temperature events (heat waves, cold snaps) develop physiological adaptations that improve tolerance to such environments throughout life, at the possible expense of reduced performance in other contexts.

This is addressed by combining biochemical (mitochondrial function), physiological (heat production, body temperature) and biophysical (heat transfer) measurement from organelles to organisms in Japanese quail; a species showing pronounced thermal sensitivity during development.In years 1 and 2, I study if changes to heat- and energy-production by mitochondria in response to developmental temperature variation remain in adulthood (WP1).

I will also test the hypothesis that mitochondria in bird blood serve a unique role in heat production (WP2).

In year 3, I work on the organismal level to investigate if developmental temperature constrains or predisposes temperature tolerance in the adult stage (WP3).

In year 4, I consolidate WPs1-3 by studying if developmental temperature-induced changes to thermoregulation are passed on to offspring (WP4).Collectively, the grant informs on how animals accommodate summer heat waves and stochastic winters, which are expected to become increasingly frequent due to climate change.

This is broadly relevant for animal biology, conservation physiology and even human medicine; all of which pertain to the wellbeing of our societies.