Publications

local survival of pied flycatcher males and females in a pollution gradient of a cu smelter.	survival is one of the most central population measures when the effects of the pollution are studied in natural bird populations. however, only few studies have actually measured rigorous survival estimates on adult birds. in recent years there has been a methodological advance in survival analyses by mark-recapture models. we modelled local survival (including mortality and emigration) with the program mark in a population of a small insectivorous passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (ficedula ...	2009	19232803
indirect cues of nest predation risk and avian reproductive decisions.	current life-history theory predicts that increased mortality at early stages of life leads to reduced initial investment (e.g. clutch size) but increased subsequent investment during the reproduction attempt. in a field experiment, migratory pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca perceived differences in mammalian nest predation risk and altered their reproductive strategies in two respects. first, birds avoided nest sites manipulated to reflect the presence of a predator. second, birds breeding i ...	2009	19126533
selection on sperm morphology under relaxed sperm competition in a wild passerine bird.	theories regarding the role of sexual selection on the evolution of sperm traits are based on an association between pre-copulatory (e.g. female preference) and post-copulatory (e.g. ejaculate quality) male reproductive traits. in tests of these hypotheses, sperm morphology has rarely been used, despite its high heritability and intra-individual consistency. we found evidence of selection for longer sperm through positive phenotypic associations between sperm size and the two major female prefer ...	2009	18986959
permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 january 2009-30 april 2009.	this article documents the addition of 283 microsatellite marker loci to the molecular ecology resources database. loci were developed for the following species: agalinis acuta; ambrosia artemisiifolia; berula erecta; casuarius casuarius; cercospora zeae-maydis; chorthippus parallelus; conyza canadensis; cotesia sesamiae; epinephelus acanthistius; ficedula hypoleuca; grindelia hirsutula; guadua angustifolia; leucadendron rubrum; maritrema novaezealandensis; meretrix meretrix; nilaparvata lugens; ...	2009	21564911
isospora hypoleucae sp. n. (apicomplexa: eimeriidae), a new coccidian parasite found in the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca).	a new coccidia species is reported from the natural population of pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) in northern germany. sporulated oocysts were found in faeces from 6 of 8 sampled adults. the spherical oocysts of the new isospora species have a brownish, smooth, bi-layered wall. average size of sporulated oocysts was 19.4 x 19.3 microm (17.5-22.8 microm x 17.5-22.8 microm ) with a shape index (length/width) of 1.0. the sporulated oocysts have no micropyle or residuum, but enclose several sma ...	2009	19450377
effects of reduced lead deposition on pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings: tracing exposure routes using stable lead isotopes.	to what extent the lead burden of birds living in strongly contaminated ecosystems is responding to decreased atmospheric lead deposition is not well known. in this study, we measured lead concentrations and stable lead isotope ratios (206pb/207pb and 208pb/207pb) in liver and feces from pied flycatcher nestlings (ficedula hypoleuca) along a 90 km pollution gradient from the rönnskär smelter in northern sweden. changes in lead concentration in the birds from 1984 to 2006 were used for assessing ...	2009	19209608
effects of pollution on land snail abundance, size and diversity as resources for pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca.	passerine birds need extra calcium during their breeding for developing egg shells and proper growth of nestling skeleton. land snails are an important calcium source for many passerines and human-induced changes in snail populations may pose a severe problem for breeding birds. we studied from the bird's viewpoint how air pollution affects the shell mass, abundance and diversity of land snail communities along a pollution gradient of a copper smelter. we sampled remnant snail shells from the ne ...	2010	20542535
habitat selection as an antipredator behaviour in a multi-predator landscape: all enemies are not equal.	1. breeding territory choice constitutes a crucial antipredator behaviour for animals that determines reproductive success and survival during the breeding season. on arrival to breeding grounds migrant prey face a multitude of 'waiting' predators already settled within the landscape. 2. we studied territory selection and reproductive investment of migrant pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) relative to breeding pygmy owls (pos) (glaucidium passerinum) and tengmalm's owls (tos) (aegolius funere ...	2010	19912426
predator proximity as a stressor in breeding flycatchers: mass loss, stress protein induction, and elevated provisioning.	we investigated the physiological and behavioral consequences for prey breeding at different distances from a nesting predator. in a natural setting, pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) made territory location decisions relative to established sparrowhawk (accipiter nisus) nests. from female flycatchers attending nests at different distances from sparrowhawk nests, we measured body mass, blood stress protein (hsp60 and hsp70), and plasma immunoglobulin levels at the beginning (initial) and end ...	2010	20583723
lead exposure and biological effects in pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) before and after the closure of a lead mine in northern sweden.	mining activities affect the surrounding environment by increasing exposure to metals. in this study, metal accumulation and its effects on reproduction and health of pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings were monitored before and up to five years after a lead mine and enrichment plant closed down. the lead concentration in moss, nestling blood, liver and feces all indicated decreased lead exposure by at least 31% after closure, although only blood lead decreased significantly. although ...	2010	20116150
speciation in ficedula flycatchers.	speciation in animals often requires that population divergence goes through three major evolutionary stages, i.e. ecological divergence, development of sexual isolation and the build-up of genetic incompatibility. there is theoretical consensus regarding favourable conditions required for speciation to reach its final and irreversible stage, but empirical tests remain rare. here, we review recent research on processes of speciation, based on studies in hybrid zones between collared (ficedula al ...	2010	20439285
ecology and genetics of speciation in ficedula flycatchers.	birds have for long been popular study objects in speciation research. being easy to observe in the field, they have traditionally been particularly important in studies of behavioural and ecological factors in speciation, whereas the genetic aspects of the process have been studied in other organisms, such as drosophila. more recently, however, a stronger genetic focus has been placed on speciation research also in birds. here, we review ecological, behavioural and genetic studies on speciation ...	2010	20163542
polluted environment and cold weather induce laying gaps in great tit and pied flycatcher.	we studied the occurrence of laying gaps in free-living populations of the pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca, and the great tit, parus major, in a pollution gradient of a copper smelter in south-west finland. laying gaps were 2.8 times more common in f. hypoleuca than in p. major. the probability of laying gaps was highest in the heavily polluted zone and lowest in the unpolluted zone for both bird species. cold weather at the time of laying increased the number of laying gaps in both species, ...	2010	19784674
towards the simplification of mhc typing protocols: targeting classical mhc class ii genes in a passerine, the pied flycatcher ficedula hypoleuca.	major histocompatibility complex (mhc) has drawn the attention of evolutionary biologists due to its importance in crucial biological processes, such as sexual selection and immune response in jawed vertebrates. however, the characterization of classical mhc genes subjected to the effects of natural selection still remains elusive in many vertebrate groups. here, we have tested the suitability of flanking intron sequences to guide the selective exploration of classical mhc genes driving the co-e ...	2010	20815923
behavioral and physiological responses of nestling pied flycatchers to acoustic stress.	the extended secretion of stress hormones in fully developed animals is known to have profound consequences. however, little is known about the effects of stress on the behavior and physiology of free-living young animals, and how such responses relate to each other. we repeatedly (during 5 consecutive days, 1 h/day) exposed the nestlings of a passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca), to recordings of nestling distress calls and examined their behavioral and physiological respons ...	2010	20171225
flexibility of timing of avian migration to climate change masked by environmental constraints en route.	during the past decades, phenology of many organisms has advanced in response to climate change [1]. earlier arrival of long-distance migrants has been reported frequently [2, 3], but advancements of arrival and breeding were not always sufficient to match phenology at other trophic levels [4]. this has led to increased selection for early breeding [5] and severe population declines [6, 7]. this inadequate response has been explained by an inflexible start of migration, governed by cues unrelate ...	2010	20116248
melanin coloration has temperature-dependent effects on breeding performance that may maintain phenotypic variation in a passerine bird.	fluctuating selection pressure may maintain phenotypic variation because of different types of individuals being adapted to different environmental conditions. we show that the extensive variation in the coloration of male pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) can be maintained through differences in the reproductive success of male phenotypes under different conditions. the effects of weather conditions on the relative success of different male phenotypes varied between different phases of bree ...	2010	20846173
[estimation of heritability and repeatability of resting metabolic rate in birds, with free-living pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca (aves: passeriformes) as an example].	estimates of a trait heritability and repeatability can get at an idea of its usefulness for being an individual characteristic and its ability to change under selection pressure. heritability and repeatability of energetic parameters still poorly studied in birds. the most important physiological characteristic of homoiotherms is resting metabolic rate (rmr), which, in the absence of productive processes, does not exceed basal metabolic rate (bmr). we estimated bmr repeatability in free-living ...	2010	21061640
the risk of predation favors cooperation among breeding prey.	empirical studies have shown that animals often focus on short-term benefits under conditions of predation risk, which reduces the likelihood that they will cooperate with others. however, some theoretical studies predict that animals in adverse conditions should not avoid cooperation with their neighbors since it may decrease individual risks and increase long-term benefits of reciprocal help. we experimentally tested these two alternatives to find out whether increased predation risk enhances ...	2010	20714404
carotenoid composition of invertebrates consumed by two insectivorous bird species.	dietary carotenoids are important pigments, antioxidants, and immune-stimulants for birds. despite recent interest in carotenoids in bird ecology, we know surprisingly little about the carotenoid content of invertebrates consumed by birds. we compared carotenoid (lutein, beta-carotene, and total) concentrations in invertebrates brought to nestlings by two insectivorous passerines, the great tit, parus major and the pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca. we also compared carotenoid levels between e ...	2010	20446022
the increased risk of predation enhances cooperation.	theory predicts that animals in adverse conditions can decrease individual risks and increase long-term benefits by cooperating with neighbours. however, some empirical studies suggest that animals often focus on short-term benefits, which can reduce the likelihood that they will cooperate with others. in this experimental study, we tested between these two alternatives by evaluating whether increased predation risk (as a correlate of environmental adversity) enhances or diminishes the occurrenc ...	2010	19846454
yolk hormones have sex-specific long-term effects on behavior in the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca).	the hormonal environment during early development, such as maternally derived androgens in bird eggs, shapes the development and phenotype of the offspring in ways that may have important long-term consequences for behaviour. we studied the effects of yolk androgens on multiple behavioural traits in female and male pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) by experimentally elevating androgen levels (testosterone and androstenedione) in the eggs. the birds were housed in a common-garden environment ...	2010	19804778
digit ratios have poor indicator value in a wild bird population.	early androgen exposure is known to have long-lasting effects on phenotype, behaviour and even fitness, but difficulties in measuring the exposure hinders the study of its importance in evolutionary context. digit ratios have been highlighted as a potential easy-to-measure indicator of early steroid exposure, as they have been suggested to reflect steroid, mainly testosterone levels during prenatal development. however, evidence for digit ratios reflecting early steroid levels is weak, as experi ...	2011	21625648
prevalence of salmonella and yersinia in free-living pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) in central spain.	salmonella and yersinia are important enteropathogens in poultry and can affect birds of all ages, including embryos. these food-borne zoonotic enteropathogens are of great economic and medical concern worldwide and are intensely studied in poultry. information regarding the prevalence of these bacteria in wild birds is scarce and biased toward avian species ecologically linked to humans, which have often been incriminated as both reservoirs and disseminators of these enteropathogens. the preval ...	2011	22946412
translocation as a novel approach to study effects of a new breeding habitat on reproductive output in wild birds.	environmental conditions under which species reproduce have major consequences on breeding success and subsequent fitness. therefore breeding habitat choice is ultimately important. studies rarely address the potential fitness pay-offs of alternative natural breeding habitats by experimental translocation. here we present a new tool to study fitness consequences of free living birds in different habitats. we translocated a migratory passerine, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca), to a novel ...	2011	21479183
geographical trends in the yolk carotenoid composition of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca).	carotenoids in the egg yolks of birds are considered to be important antioxidants and immune stimulants during the rapid growth of embryos. yolk carotenoid composition is strongly affected by the carotenoid composition of the female's diet at the time of egg formation. spatial and temporal differences in carotenoid availability may thus be reflected in yolk concentrations. to assess whether yolk carotenoid concentrations or carotenoid profiles show any large-scale geographical trends or differen ...	2011	20848135
slow improvements of metal exposure, health- and breeding conditions of pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) after decreased industrial heavy metal emissions.	the environment around metal industries, such as smelters, is often highly contaminated due to continuous deposition of metals. we studied nest box breeding populations of pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) in a well-studied pollution gradient from a sulfide ore smelter in northern sweden, after reduced aerial metal emissions (by 93-99%) from the smelter. the deposition of arsenic, cadmium, copper and zinc (based on moss samples) reflected the reduced emissions fairly well. however, nestling ...	2011	21788063
species- and age-related variation in metal exposure and accumulation of two passerine bird species.	we measured the concentration of several elements (arsenic [as], calcium [ca], cadmium [cd], copper [cu], nickel [ni], lead [pb], selenium [se] and zinc [zn]) in adult and nestling pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) and great tits (parus major) at different distances to a cu-ni smelter in 2009. feces of nestlings generally failed to correspond with internal element concentrations but reflected the pollution exposure, indicating an increased stress by removal of excess metals. the uptake of cu ...	2011	21783288
geographical variation in egg mass and egg content in a passerine bird.	reproductive, phenotypic and life-history traits in many animal and plant taxa show geographic variation, indicating spatial variation in selection regimes. maternal deposition to avian eggs, such as hormones, antibodies and antioxidants, critically affect development of the offspring, with long-lasting effects on the phenotype and fitness. little is however known about large-scale geographical patterns of variation in maternal deposition to eggs. we studied geographical variation in egg compone ...	2011	22110579
yolk hormones and sexual conflict over parental investment in the pied flycatcher.	female birds might be able to manipulate the parental effort of their male partner through elevated transfer of hormones to the eggs, since these hormones affect many chick traits that males might use as cues for adjusting the level of their investment. we experimentally studied whether female pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca could manipulate male investment via yolk androgens. there is much more variation in yolk androgen levels between females than within clutches, and in order to change th ...	2011	22081740
what prevents phenological adjustment to climate change in migrant bird species? evidence against the "arrival constraint" hypothesis.	phenological studies have demonstrated changes in the timing of seasonal events across multiple taxonomic groups as the climate warms. some northern european migrant bird populations, however, show little or no significant change in breeding phenology, resulting in synchrony with key food sources becoming mismatched. this phenological inertia has often been ascribed to migration constraints (i.e. arrival date at breeding grounds preventing earlier laying). this has been based primarily on resear ...	2011	20405299
plasma carotenoid levels are not directly related to heavy metal exposure or reproductive success in three insectivorous passerines.	the authors measured plasma carotenoid levels in three insectivorous bird species, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca), the blue tit (cyanistes caeruleus), and the great tit (parus major) in metal-polluted and unpolluted sites around a copper smelter. their aim was to determine whether there was interspecific, age-related, or yearly variation in carotenoid levels and their responses to the ambient pollution level. the three bird species showed qualitatively and quantitatively similar carote ...	2012	22488531
higher nest predation risk in association with a top predator: mesopredator attraction?	breeding close to top predators is a widespread reproductive strategy. breeding animals may gain indirect benefits if proximity to top predators results in a reduction of predation due to suppression of mesopredators. we tested if passerine birds gain protection from mesopredators by nesting within territories of a top predator, the ural owl (strix uralensis). we placed nest boxes for pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) in ural owl nest sites and in control sites (currently unoccupied by owls) ...	2012	22492168
no evidence for pre-copulatory sexual selection on sperm length in a passerine bird.	there is growing evidence that post-copulatory sexual selection, mediated by sperm competition, influences the evolution of sperm phenotypes. evidence for pre-copulatory sexual selection effects on sperm traits, on the other hand, is rather scarce. a recent paper on the pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca, reported phenotypic associations between sperm length and two sexually selected male traits, i.e. plumage colour and arrival date, thus invoking pre-copulatory sexual selection for longer sper ...	2012	22384277
climate change, breeding date and nestling diet: how temperature differentially affects seasonal changes in pied flycatcher diet depending on habitat variation.	1. climate warming has led to shifts in the seasonal timing of species. these shifts can differ across trophic levels, and as a result, predator phenology can get out of synchrony with prey phenology. this can have major consequences for predators such as population declines owing to low reproductive success. however, such trophic interactions are likely to differ between habitats, resulting in differential susceptibility of populations to increases in spring temperatures. a mismatch between bre ...	2012	22356622
an eco-evolutionary model for demographic and phenological responses in migratory birds.	many migratory birds have changed their timing of arrival at breeding grounds in response to recent climate change. understanding the adaptive value and the demographic consequences of these shifts are key challenges. to address these questions we extend previous models of phenological adaptation to climate change under territory competition to include feedback from population dynamics, winter survival and habitat productivity. we study effects of improved pre-breeding survival and of earlier fo ...	2012	24832512
decreased metal accumulation in passerines as a result of reduced emissions.	technological advances in industrial processes have resulted in reduced atmospheric emissions from metal industries all over the globe, but the response of the environment is not well known. the authors studied metal (as, cd, cu, ni, pb, and se) accumulation in passerine birds (pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca, and great tit, parus major) following almost 20 years of reduced metal emissions from the largest nonferrous smelter in finland. close to the industry, emission reductions resulted in ...	2012	22513991
you mob my owl, i'll mob yours: birds play tit-for-tat game.	reciprocity is fundamental to cooperative behaviour and has been verified in theoretical models. however, there is still limited experimental evidence for reciprocity in non-primate species. our results more decisively clarify that reciprocity with a tit-for-tat enforcement strategy can occur among breeding pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca separate from considerations of byproduct mutualism. breeding pairs living in close proximity (20-24 m) did exhibit byproduct mutualism and always assisted ...	2012	23150772
candidate genes for colour and vision exhibit signals of selection across the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) breeding range.	the role of natural selection in shaping adaptive trait differentiation in natural populations has long been recognized. determining its molecular basis, however, remains a challenge. here, we search for signals of selection in candidate genes for colour and its perception in a passerine bird. pied flycatcher plumage varies geographically in both its structural and pigment-based properties. both characteristics appear to be shaped by selection. a single-locus outlier test revealed 2 of 14 loci t ...	2012	22027894
[specific immunity and polymorphism of breeding plumage in pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) males (aves: passeriformes)].	the relationship between the type of melanin-based plumage coloration and the strength of experimentally induced immune response was studied using as an example a pied flycatcher population from the moscow region. the plumage of pied flycatcher males exhibits the full spectrum of transitions from contrasting black-and-white to cryptic brownish, the latter being very similar to the coloration of females. in spite of numerous studies, the nature of this polymorphism still remains vague. unlike man ...	2012	23136790
the proteomics of feather development in pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) with different plumage coloration.	the genetic theory of morphological evolution postulates that form evolves largely by changing the expression proteins that are functionally conserved. it follows that understanding the function of proteins during different phases of development as well as the mechanisms by which the functions are modified is a prerequisite for understanding evolutionary change. male pied flycatchers exhibit marked phenotypic variation in their breeding plumage. this variation has repeatedly been shown to have a ...	2012	23110392
nonrandom dispersal drives phenotypic divergence within a bird population.	gene flow through dispersal has traditionally been thought to function as a force opposing evolutionary differentiation. however, directional gene flow may actually reinforce divergence of populations in close proximity. this study documents the phenotypic differentiation over more than two decades in body size (tarsus length) at a very short spatial scale (1.1 km) within a population of pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca inhabiting deciduous and coniferous habitats. unlike females, males breed ...	2013	24363908
differentiation in neutral genes and a candidate gene in the pied flycatcher: using biological archives to track global climate change.	global climate change is one of the major driving forces for adaptive shifts in migration and breeding phenology and possibly impacts demographic changes if a species fails to adapt sufficiently. in western europe, pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) have insufficiently adapted their breeding phenology to the ongoing advance of food peaks within their breeding area and consequently suffered local population declines. we address the question whether this population decline led to a loss of gene ...	2013	24363905
fitness consequences of northward dispersal as possible adaptation to climate change, using experimental translocation of a migratory passerine.	climate change leads to rapid, differential changes in phenology across trophic levels, often resulting in temporal mismatches between predators and their prey. if a species cannot easily adjust its timing, it can adapt by choosing a new breeding location with a later phenology of its prey. in this study, we experimentally investigated whether long-distance dispersal to northern breeding grounds with a later phenology could be a feasible process to restore the match between timing of breeding an ...	2013	24349454
oxidative status in nestlings of three small passerine species exposed to metal pollution.	antioxidant defense has an important role in the protection of organisms against oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ros). many metals are capable of generating ros and inducing oxidative damage, and may therefore lead to changes in oxidative regulation. we studied species-specific variation in the oxidative status of great tit (parus major), blue tit (cyanistes caeruleus) and pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings in a vicinity of a non-ferrous smelter. non-enzymatic (gl ...	2013	23567166
optimizing the trade-off between offspring number and quality in unpredictable environments: testing the role of differential androgen transfer to collared flycatcher eggs.	according to the brood reduction hypothesis, parents adjust their brood size in response to current environmental conditions. when resources are abundant, parents can successfully raise all hatched offspring, but when resources are scarce, brood reduction, i.e., the sacrifice of some siblings to secure the quality of a subset of offspring, may maximize fitness. differential transfer of maternal androgens is one potential proximate mechanism through which female birds may facilitate brood reducti ...	2013	23602767
observed fitness may affect niche overlap in competing species via selective social information use.	social information transmission is important because it enables horizontal spread of behaviors, not only between conspecifics but also between individuals of different species. because interspecific social information use is expected to take place among species with similar resource needs, it may have major consequences for the emergence of local adaptations, resource sharing, and community organization. social information use is expected to be selective, but the conditions promoting it in an in ...	2013	24021400
malaria infections reinforce competitive asymmetry between two ficedula flycatchers in a recent contact zone.	parasites may influence the outcome of interspecific competition between closely related host species through lower parasite virulence in the host with which they share the longer evolutionary history. we tested this idea by comparing the prevalence of avian malaria (haemosporidia) lineages and their association with survival in pied and collared flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca and f. albicollis) breeding in a recent contact zone on the swedish island of öland. a nested pcr protocol amplifying h ...	2013	23980765
variation in prevalence and intensity of two avian ectoparasites in a polluted area.	we counted the numbers of pupae of two ectoparasitic flies (protocalliphora sp. and ornithomyia sp.) in the nests of a passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) to find out if their prevalence or intensity are affected by long-term environmental pollution by a copper smelter and whether such an interaction would have impacts on birds' breeding success. fecal metal concentrations of f. hypoleuca nestlings were used to explore direct association between metal levels and parasite pre ...	2013	23919991
diet composition as a cause of different contaminant exposure in two sympatric passerines in the middle urals, russia.	contaminant exposure can vary between species but primary causes of it are often unclear. in order to estimate heavy metal intake of two sympatric passerines - ficedula hypoleuca pall. and parus ater l. - we studied nestling diet and metal concentrations in prey invertebrates, near the middle ural copper smelter and in an unpolluted area. diet of p. ater contained more cu, cd and zn compared to f. hypoleuca and the same amount of pb. contribution of different prey taxa to bird metal intake was n ...	2013	23916013
the excuse principle can maintain cooperation through forgivable defection in the prisoner's dilemma game.	reciprocal altruism describes a situation in which an organism acts in a manner that temporarily reduces its fitness while increasing another organism's fitness, but there is an ultimate fitness benefit based on an expectation that the other organism will act in a similar manner at a later time. it creates the obvious dilemma in which there is always a short-term benefit to cheating, therefore cooperating individuals must avoid being exploited by non-cooperating cheaters. this is achieved by fol ...	2013	23864603
lifetime fitness and age-related female ornament signalling: evidence for survival and fecundity selection in the pied flycatcher.	ornaments displayed by females have often been denied evolutionary interest due to their frequently reduced expression relative to males, habitually attributed to a genetic correlation between the sexes. we estimated annual and lifetime reproductive success of female pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) and applied capture-mark-recapture models to analyse annual survival rates in relation to the patterns of expression (absence/presence) of an ornament displayed by all males and a fraction of fe ...	2013	23638705
low fertility of wild hybrid male flycatchers despite recent divergence.	postzygotic isolation may be important for maintaining species boundaries, particularly when premating barriers are incomplete. little is known about the course of events leading from minor environmental mismatches affecting hybrid fitness to severe genetic incompatibilities causing sterility or inviability. we investigated whether reduced reproductive success of hybrid males was caused by suboptimal sperm traits or by more severe genetic incompatibilities in a hybrid zone of pied (ficedula hypo ...	2013	23576780
fluctuating selection and immigration as determinants of the phenotypic composition of a population.	it is important to identify the factors that affect the evolutionary potential of populations to respond to environmental changes. such processes are for example the ones affecting the amount of heritable phenotypic variation in a population. we examined factors explaining the wide phenotypic variation in the genetically determined black-brown dorsal colouration of male pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) during a period of >50 years in a northern european breeding population. we demonstrate t ...	2013	23361152
possible roles for corticosterone and critical size in the fledging of nestling pied flycatchers.	our study was designed to see whether corticosterone (b) rises abruptly in the blood of nestling pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) at the time they fledge, as reported recently for kestrels, and if so, why. we measured the growth and blood levels of b and selected nutrients of nestlings in broods of five, seven, and nine chicks during 1998 and 1999. in half of the broods, we clipped selected wing and tail feathers of both parents with the intention of making it more difficult for them to pro ...	2013	11517450
[increasing selectivity of defense behavior during development of pied flycatcher nestlings].	the development of defense reaction was studied in the wildlife and experimentally in 7 broods of altricial pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings. field studies demonstrated that passive-defense response first appeared on the 4th day of the nest life. it developed from the cessation of begging in young relatively satiated nestlings to characteristic freezing response independent of the level of feeding motivation in older nestlings. older nestlings also acquire the defense reaction in r ...	2014	11253388
large-scale geographical variation in eggshell metal and calcium content in a passerine bird (ficedula hypoleuca).	birds have been used as bioindicators of pollution, such as toxic metals. levels of pollutants in eggs are especially interesting, as developing birds are more sensitive to detrimental effects of pollutants than adults. only very few studies have monitored intraspecific, large-scale variation in metal pollution across a species' breeding range. we studied large-scale geographic variation in metal levels in the eggs of a small passerine, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca), sampled from 15 p ...	2014	24234761
host specificity of a bird-specialised endophilic ectoparasite, the tree-hole tick ixodes arboricola.	host specialisation in parasites can be due to either limited exposure or limited adaptation to different host types. when the first barrier is lifted experimentally, the degree of adaptive specialisation can be studied. the tree-hole tick ixodes arboricola is an endophilic parasite with a narrow host range, found in nest boxes used mainly by great and blue tits (parus major, cyanistes caeruleus) and to a lesser extent by pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) and nuthatches (sitta europaea). in ...	2014	25231076
active hiding of social information from information-parasites.	coevolution between pairs of different kind of entities, such as providers and users of information, involves reciprocal selection pressures between them as a consequence of their ecological interaction. pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) have been shown to derive fitness benefits (larger clutches) when nesting in proximity to great tits (parus major), presumably because they this way discover and obtain information about nesting sites. tits suffer from the resulting association (smaller clut ...	2014	24580842
natal dispersal based on past and present environmental phenology in the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca).	natal dispersal allows individuals to reach suitable breeding sites. the effect of present plant phenology as a cue for dispersal into areas with favourable stages of development has been well established across avian and mammalian taxa. however, the effect of past experience is less understood. we studied the effect of past and present phenology of the environment on the direction and distance of natal dispersal in a passerine bird, the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca). we monitored spring ...	2014	24297099
[cardioelectrical field on the body surface of newborn nestlings of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) at the period of initial atrial activity].	by electrocardiotopographic method the dynamics of electrical field has been studied on the body surface of newborn nestlings of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) at the period of atrial depolarization. on the body surface there have been revealed two shifts of zones of positive and negative cardiopotentials of the heart electrical field, which are due to peculiarities of sequence of atrial depolarization, anatomical immaturity of atrial structures. and the oresence of closed foramen oval ...	2014	25508939
[cardioelectrical field on the body surface of newborn nestlings of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) at the period of initial atrial activity].	by electrocardiotopographic method the dynamics of electrical field has been studied on the body surface of newborn nestlings of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) at the period of atrial depolarization. on the body surface there have been revealed two shifts of zones of positive and negative cardiopotentials of the heart electrical field, which are due to peculiarities of sequence of atrial depolarization, anatomical immaturity of atrial structures. and the oresence of closed foramen oval ...	2014	25486808
snail consumption and breeding performance of pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca) along a pollution gradient in the middle urals, russia.	during the years 1989-91, 1997-2003, and 2005-07, we studied how emissions from the middle urals copper smelter affect snail availability and reproduction of free-living pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca). we counted snail shells dropped in nests and analysed food samples of nestlings. pied flycatchers brought to nestlings fewer shells in heavily polluted sites compared to background sites, resulting in reduced ca intake. species diversity of snails collected by birds decreased with decreasin ...	2014	24846405
heterospecific female mimicry in ficedula flycatchers.	mimicry is a widespread phenomenon. vertebrate visual mimicry often operates in an intraspecific sexual context, with some males resembling conspecific females. pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) dorsal plumage varies from the ancestral black to female-like brown. experimental studies have shown that conspecific and heterospecific (collared flycatcher, f. albicollis) individuals of both sexes respond, at least initially, to brown individuals as if they were female. we quantified the perceptual ...	2014	24494669
manipulation of parental effort affects plumage bacterial load in a wild passerine.	it has been suggested that plumage microorganisms play an important role in shaping the life histories of wild birds. some bacteria may act as pathogens or cause damage to feathers, and thereby reduce individual fitness. intense parental care in birds can result in a reduction of self-maintenance and preening behavior in parents and therefore might affect the dynamics of microbiota living on their feathers. however, experimental evidence of this relationship is virtually absent. we manipulated t ...	2015	25663331
a review on exposure and effects of arsenic in passerine birds.	arsenic (as) is a metalloid of high concern because of its toxic effects for plants and animals. however, it is hard to find information on this metalloid in passerines. this review presents a comprehensive overview of as exposure and effects in birds, and more particularly in passerines, as a result of an extensive search of the literature available. internal tissues are the most frequently analyzed matrices for as determination in passerines (37.5% of the reviewed studies used internal tissues ...	2015	25644847
long-term recovery of clutch size and egg shell quality of the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) in a metal polluted area.	we explored if breeding parameters and egg shell quality of an insectivorous passerine, pied flycatcher ficedula hypoleuca, have fully recovered after c.a. 99% decrease in dust emissions from a non-ferrous smelter in the course of the 23 year study period. some potentially important population characteristics (density, phenology, age) and environmental variables (habitat, inter-specific competition) were taken into account in the analysis. we found marked increase in reproductive parameters (egg ...	2015	25756228
[visual input affects the expression of the early genes c-fos and zenk in auditory telencephalic centers of pied flycatcher nestlings during the acoustically-guided freezing].	the present study analyzed expression of transcriptional factors c-fos and zenk in 9-day-old pied flycatcher nestlings' (ficedula hypoleuca) telencephalic auditory centers (field l, caudomedial nidopallium and caudomedial mesopallium) involved in the acoustically-guided defense behavior. species-typical alarm call was presented to the young in three groups: 1--intact group (sighted control), 2--nestlings visually deprived just before the experiment for a short time (unsighted control) 3--nestlin ...	2015	25723019
temporal trends in metal pollution: using bird excrement as indicator.	past mining and smelting activities have resulted in metal polluted environments all over the world, but long-term monitoring data is often scarce, especially in higher trophic levels. in this study we used bird (parus major and ficedula hypoleuca) excrement to monitor metal pollution in the terrestrial environment following 16 years of continuously reduced emissions from a copper/nickel smelter in finland. in the early 1990s, lead and cadmium concentrations dropped significantly in excrement, b ...	2015	25680108
polymorphism at the clock gene predicts phenology of long-distance migration in birds.	dissecting phenotypic variance in life history traits into its genetic and environmental components is at the focus of evolutionary studies and of pivotal importance to identify the mechanisms and predict the consequences of human-driven environmental change. the timing of recurrent life history events (phenology) is under strong selection, but the study of the genes that control potential environmental canalization in phenological traits is at its infancy. candidate genes for circadian behaviou ...	2015	25780812
isospora serinuse n. sp. (apicomplexa: eimeriidae) from a domestic canary (serinus canaria forma domestica) (passeriformes: fringillidae) in western australia.	a new species, isospora serinuse n. sp., (apicomplexa:eimeriidae) is described from a single domestic canary (serinus canaria forma domestica) (subspecies s. c. domestica) in western australia. sporulated oocysts of isospora serinuse n. sp. are spherical or subspherical, 25.5 (24.4-27.0) × 23.5 (22.0-24.8) μm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.09; and a smooth bilayered oocyst wall, 1.2 μm thick (outer layer 0.9 μm, inner 0.3 μm). a polar granule is present, but a micropyle and oocyst resid ...	2015	26325434
species and abundance of ectoparasitic flies (diptera) in pied flycatcher nests in fennoscandia.	birds host several ectoparasitic fly species with negative effects on nestling health and reproductive output, and with the capability of transmitting avian blood parasites. information on the abundance and distribution of the ectoparasitic fly genera ornithomya (hippoboscidae) and protocalliphora (calliphoridae) in northern europe is still generally poor, and we thus explored their geographic range and occurrence of these flies in the nests of a common avian model species, the pied flycatcher f ...	2015	26691851
nest-dwelling ectoparasites reduce antioxidant defences in females and nestlings of a passerine: a field experiment.	ectoparasites may imply a cost in terms of oxidative stress provoked by inflammatory responses in hosts. ectoparasites may also result in costs for nestlings and brooding females because of the direct loss of nutrients and reduced metabolic capacity resulting from parasite feeding activities. these responses may involve the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that may induce oxidative damage in host tissues. our goal was to examine the effect of ectoparasites in terms of oxidative ...	2015	25920904
natural selection for earlier male arrival to breeding grounds through direct and indirect effects in a migratory songbird.	for migratory birds, the earlier arrival of males to breeding grounds is often expected to have fitness benefits. however, the selection differential on male arrival time has rarely been decomposed into the direct effect of male arrival and potential indirect effects through female traits. we measured the directional selection differential on male arrival time in the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) using data from 6 years and annual number of fledglings as the fitness proxy. using structura ...	2015	25859326
effects of spring temperatures on the strength of selection on timing of reproduction in a long-distance migratory bird.	climate change has differentially affected the timing of seasonal events for interacting trophic levels, and this has often led to increased selection on seasonal timing. yet, the environmental variables driving this selection have rarely been identified, limiting our ability to predict future ecological impacts of climate change. using a dataset spanning 31 years from a natural population of pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca), we show that directional selection on timing of reproduction inte ...	2015	25848856
effects of nocturnal illumination on life-history decisions and fitness in two wild songbird species.	the effects of artificial night lighting on animal behaviour and fitness are largely unknown. most studies report short-term consequences in locations that are also exposed to other anthropogenic disturbance. we know little about how the effects of nocturnal illumination vary with different light colour compositions. this is increasingly relevant as the use of led lights becomes more common, and led light colour composition can be easily adjusted. we experimentally illuminated previously dark na ...	2015	25780240
hormonally-mediated maternal effects in birds: lessons from the flycatcher model system.	maternal effects are a crucial mechanism in many taxa in generating phenotypic variation, affecting offspring development and fitness and thereby potentially adapting them to their expected environments. androgen hormones in bird eggs have attracted considerable interest in past years, and it is frequently assumed that their concentrations in eggs are shaped by darwinian selection. currently, however, the data is scattered over species with very different life-history strategies, environments an ...	2015	26393309
sympatric divergence and clinal variation in multiple coloration traits of ficedula flycatchers.	geographic variation in phenotypes plays a key role in fundamental evolutionary processes such as local adaptation, population differentiation and speciation, but the selective forces behind it are rarely known. we found support for the hypothesis that geographic variation in plumage traits of the pied flycatcher ficedula hypoleuca is explained by character displacement with the collared flycatcher ficedula albicollis in the contact zone. the plumage traits of the pied flycatcher differed strong ...	2015	25683091
climate adaptation and speciation: particular focus on reproductive barriers in ficedula flycatchers.	climate adaptation is surprisingly rarely reported as a cause for the build-up of reproductive isolation between diverging populations. in this review, we summarize evidence for effects of climate adaptation on pre- and postzygotic isolation between emerging species with a particular focus on pied (ficedula hypoleuca) and collared (ficedula albicollis) flycatchers as a model for research on speciation. effects of climate adaptation on prezygotic isolation or extrinsic selection against hybrids h ...	2016	27087843
alternate non-stop migration strategies of pied flycatchers to cross the sahara desert.	each year more than two billion songbirds cross the sahara, but how they perform this formidable task is largely unknown. using geolocation tracks from 27 pied flycatchers, a nocturnally migrating passerine, we show that most birds made diurnal flights in both autumn and spring. these diurnal flights were estimated to be part of non-stop flights of mostly 40-60 h. in spring, birds flew across the sahara, while autumn migration probably circumpassed part of the desert, through a long oversea flig ...	2016	27072404
climate change relaxes the time constraints for late-born offspring in a long-distance migrant.	animals in seasonal environments need to fit their annual-cycle stages, such as moult and migration, in a tight schedule. climate change affects the phenology of organisms and causes advancements in timing of these annual-cycle stages but not necessarily at the same rates. for migratory birds, this can lead to more severe or more relaxed time constraints in the time from fledging to migration, depending on the relative shifts of the different stages. we tested how a shift in hatch date, which ha ...	2016	27655765
predator encounters have spatially extensive impacts on parental behaviour in a breeding bird community.	predation risk has negative indirect effects on prey fitness, partly mediated through changes in behaviour. evidence that individuals gather social information from other members of the population suggests that events in a community may impact the behaviour of distant individuals. however, spatially wide-ranging impacts on individual behaviour caused by a predator encounter elsewhere in a community have not been documented before. we investigated the effect of a predator encounter (hawk model pr ...	2016	27030411
natal habitat imprinting counteracts the diversifying effects of phenotype-dependent dispersal in a spatially structured population.	habitat selection may have profound evolutionary consequences, but they strongly depend on the underlying preference mechanism, including genetically-determined, natal habitat and phenotype-dependent preferences. it is known that different mechanisms may operate at the same time, yet their relative contribution to population differentiation remains largely unexplored empirically mainly because of the difficulty of finding suitable study systems. here, we investigate the role of early experience ...	2016	27503506
effects of experimental calcium availability and anthropogenic metal pollution on eggshell characteristics and yolk carotenoid and vitamin levels in two passerine birds.	the maternal investment into egg quality depends on the condition of the female, the quality of the mate, and the quality of the environment. in that sense, availability of nutrients and exposure to pollutants are essential parameters to consider. the main aim of this study is to assess the effects of calcium (ca) availability and anthropogenic metal pollution on early-stage reproduction in two passerine species, great tits (parus major) and pied flycatchers (ficedula hypoleuca), inhabiting a ca ...	2016	26943740
carry-over effects of conditions at the wintering grounds on breeding plumage signals in a migratory bird: roles of phenotypic plasticity and selection.	to understand the consequences of ever-changing environment on the dynamics of phenotypic traits, distinguishing between selection processes and individual plasticity is crucial. we examined individual consistency/plasticity in several male secondary sexual traits expressed during the breeding season (white wing and forehead patch size, uv reflectance of white wing patch and dorsal melanin coloration) in a migratory pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) population over an 11-year period. furtherm ...	2016	27159261
phenological mismatch and ontogenetic diet shifts interactively affect offspring condition in a passerine.	climate change may cause phenological asynchrony between trophic levels, which can lead to mismatched reproduction in animals. although indirect effects of mismatch on fitness are well described, direct effects on parental prey choice are not. moreover, direct effects of prey variation on offspring condition throughout their early development are understudied. here, we used camera trap data collected over 2 years to study the effects of trophic mismatch and nestling age on prey choice in pied fl ...	2016	27263989
[wulst activation in pied flycatcher nestlings in feeding behavior induced by patterned visual stimulus].	immunohistochemical detection of c-fos was used to study the transcriptional activation in two higher visual centers (wulst area and entopallium) of 12-day-old pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) during the realization of feeding behavior guided by patterned visual stimulus, simulating the species-specific one. activation was compared in 4 groups of nestlings. control group was not subjected to any experimental influence. in binocular, right-field (deprivation of the left eye) and left-filed (d ...	2016	27263277
interspecific variation in the relationship between clutch size, laying date and intensity of urbanization in four species of hole-nesting birds.	the increase in size of human populations in urban and agricultural areas has resulted in considerable habitat conversion globally. such anthropogenic areas have specific environmental characteristics, which influence the physiology, life history, and population dynamics of plants and animals. for example, the date of bud burst is advanced in urban compared to nearby natural areas. in some birds, breeding success is determined by synchrony between timing of breeding and peak food abundance. pert ...	2016	27547364
effects of calcium supplementation on growth and biochemistry in two passerine species breeding in a ca-poor and metal-polluted area.	several studies provide evidence of calcium (ca)-limited reproduction in birds. a ca-supplementation experiment was carried out in 2014 in a ca-poor area associated with metal pollution in sw finland. we aimed to evaluate the relationship between ca availability and heavy metal exposure in free-living passerines, and to compare ca levels in plasma and feces and the effects of ca supplementation and metals on breeding, nestling growth, and plasma biochemistry in great tits and pied flycatchers. a ...	2016	26856860
nosy neighbours: large broods attract more visitors. a field experiment in the pied flycatcher, ficedula hypoleuca.	life is uncertain. to reduce uncertainty and make adaptive decisions, individuals need to collect information. individuals often visit the breeding sites of their conspecifics (i.e., "prospect"), likely to assess conspecifics' reproductive success and to use such information to identify high-quality spots for future breeding. we investigated whether visitation rate by prospectors and success of visited sites are causally linked. we manipulated the reproductive success (enlarged, reduced, and con ...	2017	28331976
african departure rather than migration speed determines variation in spring arrival in pied flycatchers.	properly timed spring migration enhances reproduction and survival. climate change requires organisms to respond to changes such as advanced spring phenology. pied flycatchers ficedula hypoleuca have become a model species to study such phenological adaptations of long-distance migratory songbirds to climate change, but data on individuals' time schedules outside the breeding season are still lacking. using light-level geolocators, we studied variation in migration schedules across the year in a ...	2017	27726147
telomere damage and redox status alterations in free-living passerines exposed to metals.	telomere length may reflect the expected life span and possibly individual quality. environmental stressors are known to increase oxidative stress and accelerate telomere attrition: however the interactions between redox status and telomere dynamics are not fully understood. we investigated whether exposure to heavy metal pollution is associated with oxidative stress and telomere damage in two insectivorous passerines, the great tit (parus major) and the pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca). we ...	2017	27693158
oxidative stress in early life: associations with sex, rearing conditions, and parental physiological traits in nestling pied flycatchers.	conditions experienced during juvenile development can affect the fitness of an organism. during early life, oxidative stress levels can be particularly high as a result of the increased metabolism and the relatively immature antioxidant system of the individual, and this may have medium- and long-term fitness consequences. here we explore variation in levels of oxidative stress measured during early life in relation to sex, rearing conditions (hatching date and brood size), and parental conditi ...	2017	27082719
competitor phenology as a social cue in breeding site selection.	predicting habitat quality is a major challenge for animals selecting a breeding patch, because it affects reproductive success. breeding site selection may be based on previous experience, or on social information from the density and success of competitors with an earlier phenology. variation in animal breeding phenology is often correlated with variation in habitat quality. generally, animals breed earlier in high-quality habitats that allow them to reach a nutritional threshold required for ...	2017	28118482
vitamin profiles in two free-living passerine birds under a metal pollution gradient - a calcium supplementation experiment.	vitamin and carotenoid deficiency may impair development in free-living vertebrates, because of the importance of these micronutrients to growth, antioxidant defense and calcium regulation. micronutrient and calcium insufficiency can be intensified by metal pollution which can interfere with nutrient homeostasis or indirectly reduce food availability. furthermore, absorption of dietary heavy metals is dependent on food calcium and vitamin levels. we investigated the effect of calcium on plasma v ...	2017	28068581
the widespread biting midge culicoides impunctatus (ceratopogonidae) is susceptible to infection with numerous haemoproteus (haemoproteidae) species.	haemoproteus parasites are widespread, and some species cause disease in wild and domestic birds. however, the insect vectors remain unknown for the majority of species and genetic lineages of avian haemoproteus. this information is crucial for better understanding the biology of haemoproteids, the epidemiology of haemoproteosis, and the development of morphological characters of sporogonic stages in wildlife haemosporidian parasites. it remains unclear whether the specificity of haemoproteus pa ...	2017	28841905
advancement of spring arrival in a long-term study of a passerine bird: sex, age and environmental effects.	in migratory birds, mistimed arrival might have negative consequences for individual fitness, causing population declines. this may happen if arrival time is not synchronized with breeding time, especially when earlier springs favour earlier reproduction. we studied spring arrival time to the breeding areas in a pied flycatcher ficedula hypoleuca population in southern norway during a 30-year period (1985-2014). we investigated trends in arrival both for the entire population and for different p ...	2017	28756488
oxidative status in relation to metal pollution and calcium availability in pied flycatcher nestlings - a calcium manipulation experiment.	metal exposure can produce oxidative stress by disrupting the prooxidant/antioxidant balance. it has been suggested that calcium (ca) may provide protection against metal toxicity in the organism. the objective of this study is to explore the effects of ca availability and metal pollution on oxidative stress biomarkers in pied flycatcher (ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings. for this purpose, we performed a ca-supplementation experiment with birds inhabiting a ca-poor and metal-polluted area in sw fin ...	2017	28623803
reproductive character displacement of female, but not male song discrimination in an avian hybrid zone.	divergence of male sexual signals and female preferences for those signals often maintains reproductive boundaries between closely related, co-occurring species. however, contrasting sources of selection, such as interspecific competition, can lead to weak divergence or even convergence of sexual signals in sympatry. when signals converge, assortative mating can be maintained if the mating preferences of females diverge in sympatry (reproductive character displacement; rcd), but there are few ex ...	2017	28493350
nest site preference depends on the relative density of conspecifics and heterospecifics in wild birds.	social learning allows animals to eavesdrop on ecologically relevant knowledge of competitors in their environment. this is especially important when selecting a habitat if individuals have relatively little personal information on habitat quality. it is known that birds can use both conspecific and heterospecific information for social learning, but little is known about the relative importance of each information type. if provided with the choice between them, we expected that animals should c ...	2017	29270207