Characterising thermal stress response in passerines: from underlying mechanisms to evolutionary consequences.

2026-07-22

Our ability to quantify and predict the magnitude of environmental global changes effects represents one of the major challenges of the 21st century. These changes are characterised by a a gradual increase of ambient temperature through time, but also leading to an increased frequency of climate anomalies, such as heat waves. Habitat urbanisation, in particular, is a key driver of the increase of ambient temperature. These temperature changes can drastically modify the phenology of species, their geographic distribution, food webs, interspecific interactions, but also life history trajectories, behaviour and physiology of individuals. Yet endotherms capacities to adapt to thermal stress remain poorly understood. The aim of this project is to evaluate the harmful repercussions of thermal stress on the physiology of organisms, and on their life history trajectories (reproduction and survival). Using a multidisciplinary and integrative approach, I plan to conduct two experiments on Great tits to assess the effects of thermal stress on different molecular and physiological mechanisms (metabolic rates, mitochondrial function, markers of ageing, stress, Hsp expression) by manipulating temperature (increase, decrease, mis-match) under common garden conditions, during development and growth period and follow various life history traits such as growth and survival patterns. This project will provide exceptional insights to characterise variation of individuals’ life history trajectories and physiological responses to thermal stress and unusually warm temperatures; such results will be key to pinpoint the mechanisms linking thermal changes to any potential effects on life-history trajectories, which is crucial to monitor organisms’ responses to climate change. We hope that this work will help to assess the fitness prospects of wild animals and potentially to predict extinction risks of animal populations in the context of global changes.

France

2025-10-01