Meeting Abstract

P3-153  Saturday, Jan. 7 15:30 – 17:30  Incubation Temperature Alters Post-Hatching Temperature-Specific Metabolic Rates in the Northern Bobwhite Quail Colinus Virginianus MARKS, C*; NICKLES, N; WISE, T; MAVROIDIS, S; University of Mount Union; University of Mount Union; University of Mount Union; University of Mount Union markscp@mountunion.edu

Developmental conditions can have lasting impacts on organismal phenotypes. Avian development in particular can be altered by relatively small temperature changes experienced during incubation. In order to examine the effects of incubation temperature on post-hatching metabolism, we reared northern bobwhite quail in one of two temperature treatments (35.5°C or 37.5°C). We then measured the metabolic rates of hatchlings in both temperature treatments. Quail hatchlings exhibited higher metabolic rates when tested in the temperature different from their incubation temperature, regardless of the post hatching temperature being higher or lower than the incubation temperature. This resulted in a significant interaction between incubation temperature and post-hatching temperature. Our results suggest that long term metabolic rates in northern bobwhites can potentially be determined by conditions during incubation. More generally, our findings reiterate the impact developmental conditions can have on long term phenotypic expression.