Publications by authors named "Sarah L Foltz"
Article Synopsis
- Glucocorticoid stress hormones, particularly corticosterone (CORT), influence energy mobilization and immune regulation in vertebrates, prompting the study of their interaction with bacterial infections in house finches.
- The research found that infection with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) increased CORT levels significantly in female finches on day 5 post-infection, and those with more severe disease exhibited the highest CORT concentrations.
- While infected house finches displayed reduced activity levels, there was no direct correlation between CORT levels and sickness behaviors; further investigation is needed to confirm these sex-specific effects and the role of CORT in moderating inflammation during infection.
Animals inhabiting urban areas must simultaneously cope with the unique challenges presented by this novel habitat type while exploiting the distinctive opportunities it offers. The costs and benefits of urban living are often assumed to be consistent across time, but may in fact vary depending on the habitat features influencing them. Here we examine the glucocorticoid levels and body condition of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) resident at urban and rural sites over four consecutive years to determine whether these traits, which may be linked to the relative costs and benefits of these respective habitats, are consistent over time.
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