Research topics: The endocrine basis of bird ecology and behavior; reproductive biology, bird migration and conservation
Research program: My work integrates behavior, physiology and ecology using birds as a model system in which to understand how external and internal factors affect individual survivorship and reproduction throughout the annual cycle. My current work focuses on how birds meet challenges to their energy demand, with particular emphasis on the behavioral and physiological aspects of gonadal and adrenal steroid hormones and their associated pathways. While much of my work focuses on the interaction between environmental factors (e.g., weather, food availability and habitat quality) and physiological constraints during the migratory period, I am interested in learning how success during each stage of the annual cycle can be influenced by activities during the other stages. Much of my work is applicable to conservation concerns by attempting to discover the ecological and physiological constraints experienced by many animal populations today.
Selected Publications
Cash, W. B. and Holberton, R.L. 2004. An Endocrine and Behavioral Response to a Decline in Habitat Quality: The Effects of Pond Drying on the Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta. Journal of Experimental Zoology, in press
Long, J. A. and Holberton, R. L. 2004 Corticosterone Secretion, Energetic Condition, and A Test of the Migration Modulation Hypothesis in the Hermit Thrush. The Auk: in press
Wilson, C. Morgan and Holberton, R.L. 2004. Personal Risk Versus Immediate Reproductive Success: Latitudinal Differences in the Adrenocortical Response to Stress in Yellow Warblers, Dendroica petechia. The Auk: in press
Holberton, R.L. and Dufty, Jr., A.M. 2004. Hormone Patterns and Variation in Life History Strategies of Migratory and Non-migratory Birds in Birds of Two Worlds: The Ecology and Evolution of Migratory Birds (Marra, P. and Goldberg, R., Eds.), Johns Hopkins Press.
Holberton, R.L. and Wingfield, J.C. 2003. Modulating the corticosterone stress response:a mechanisms for balancing individual risk and reproductive success in Arctic-breeding sparrows? The Auk 120:1140-1150
Lõhmus, M., Sandberg, R., Holberton, R. L. and Moore, Frank R. 2003. Corticosterone levels in relation to migratory readiness in Red-eyed vireos (Vireo olivaceus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 54:233-239.
Wilson, C. M. and Holberton, R. L. 2001. An alternative method for delivering adrenocorticotropin hormone in birds. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 122:349-353.
Mizrahi, D., Holberton, R. L. and Gauthreaux, S. A., Jr. 2001. Plasma corticosterone and adrenocortical stress response in Semi-palmate Sandpipers, Calidris pusilla, at a major stopover site during spring migration. Auk 118:79-91.
Holberton, R. L. and Able, K. P. 2000. Latitudinal differences in the corticosterone stress response in winter: endocrine constraints on wintering capabilities and implications for differential migration in the Dark-eyed Junco. Proc. Royal Soc. Lond. B: 267:1889-1896.
Sims, C. G. and Holberton, R. L. 2000. Development of the corticosterone stress response in young mockingbirds, Mimus polyglottos. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 119:193-201
Holberton, R. L. 1999. Changes in patterns of corticosterone secretion concurrent with migratory fattening in a Neotropical migratory bird. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 116:49-58.
Holberton, R. L., Marra, P. P. and Moore, F. R. 1999. Endocrine aspects of physiological condition, weather and habitat quality in landbird migrants during the non-breeding period. In: Adams, N. and Slotow, R. (Eds), Proc. 22nd International Ornithological Congress, Durban, University of Natal.pp. 847-866
Marra, P. P. and Holberton, R. L. 1998. Corticosterone levels as indicators of habitat quality: effects of habitat segregation in a migratory bird during the non-breeding season. Oecologia: 116:284-292.
Holberton, R. L., Parrish, J. D. and Wingfield, J.C., 1996. Modulation of the adrenocortical stress response in Neotropical migrants during autumn migration. Auk 113:558-564.
Holberton, R.L. 1993. An endogenous basis for differential migration in the dark-eyed junco. Condor 95:580-587.
Holberton, R.L. and Able, K.P. 1992. Persistence of circannual cycles in a migratory bird held in constant dim light. J. Comp. Physiol. A. 171: 477-481.
Holberton, R.L., Hanano, R. and Able, K.P. 1990. Age-related dominance in male dark-eyed juncos: effects of plumage and prior residence. Anim. Behav. 40:573-579.
Holberton, R.L., Able, K.P. and Wingfield, J.C. 1989. Status signalling in dark-eyed juncos, Junco hyemalis: plumage manipulations and hormonal correlates of dominance. Anim. Behav. 37:681-689.
Other publications from this laboratory