Reproduction in the Eared Dove: An exception to the classic model of seasonal reproduction in birds?

MALDONADO, LUDMILA; TEMPESTI, TOMAS C.; SOMOZA, GUSTAVO M.; PELUC, SUSANA I.; VALDEZ, DIEGO J.

ZOOLOGY

ELSEVIER GMBH

Año: 2020 vol. 140

0944-2006

n avian species living at high altitudes and latitudes, reproductive events are largely controlled by photoperiod,with changes being perceived mainly through encephalic photoreceptors located in the hypothalamus. lt isknown that during long day periods (reproductive periods), the information transmitted by brain photoreceptorstriggers the production of thyroid hormones that regulate GnRH secretion, inducing secretion of pituitary gonadotropins.As a result, gonads develop and grow and the production of gonadal sex hormones, testosterone andestradiol increases (classic gonadal cycle). During short day periods (non-reproductive periods) on the otherhand, the gonads regress, and plasma gonadal steroid levels are low. By means of this mechanism, birds synchronizetheir physiology and reproductive behaviors with seasonal changes in the environment. However, itappears that not ali avian species comply with this general reproductive pattern. For example, the Eared Dove(Zenaida auriculata), a S