2016/08/18 by Mylène M. Mariette, Katherine L. Buchanan · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Neuroscience · #Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior #Marine animal studies overview #Avian ecology and behavior #Songbird #Offspring #Begging #Biology #Zebra finch #Nest (protein structural motif) #Adaptation (eye) #Paternal care #Developmental plasticity #Embryo #Maternal effect #Parent–offspring conflict #Zoology #Ecology #Pregnancy #Plasticity #Cell biology #Genetics #Neuroscience
paper · doi:10.1126/science.aaf7049
openalex publication_date 2016/08/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
In many species, embryos can perceive and learn external sounds. Yet, the possibility that parents may use these embryonic capacities to alter their offspring's developmental trajectories has not been considered. Here, we demonstrate that zebra finch parents acoustically signal high ambient temperatures (above 26°C) to their embryos. We show that exposure of embryos to these acoustic cues alone adaptively alters subsequent nestling begging and growth in response to nest temperature and influences individuals' reproductive success and thermal preferences as adults. These findings have implications for our understanding of maternal effects, phenotypic plasticity, developmental programming, and the adaptation of endothermic species to a warming world.