Meeting Abstract
Climate change is a global trend creating new evolutionary pressures for existing species. With climate change comes an increase in the number and length of heatwaves. These periods of increased temperatures can induce thermal stress in organisms. Many of these heatwaves have caused large mortality events in birds. While some studies have addressed the lethal effects of high temperatures on endotherms such as birds, relatively few have addressed sublethal effects. Recent research has shown that sublethal thermal stress can negatively influence cognition in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). We hypothesize that thermal stress can affect an organism’s ability to select mates due to reduced motor and cognitive ability. Female birds often select mates based on the quality of males’ song. We predict that female birds will put less effort into selecting a mate while under thermal stress than at ambient temperatures, as well as discriminate less between favorable and unfavorable songs. To test this, we used operant conditioning on female zebra finches, with a choice between conspecific and heterospecific songs. Our findings suggest that most females under heat stress will invest energy into mate choice but may not be as discriminating. We discuss our results in the context of associated fitness costs under current and future climate conditions.
