Past research - Meta M. Landys

I completed my Ph.D. thesis in spring of 2003 in the laboratory of Profs. John C. Wingfield and Marilyn Ramenofsky at the University of Washington, Seattle, U.S.A. My research focused on the hormonal correlates of avian migration. Specifically, I explored the pattern of plasma corticosterone secretion in relation to migratory flight and refueling in a free-living shorebird – the bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica). I found elevated plasma corticosterone specifically in association with migratory flight and, thus, predicted that corticosterone might participate in the support of processes characterizing this stage. I explored my predictions through experimental studies on a captive passerine migrant – the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), and found that corticosterone plays a role in the mobilization of lipid stores during periods of energetic demand, such as migratory flight. During the course of my graduate studies, I also investigated the effects of long-distance migration on body composition, blood parameters and water balance.

Metabolic profile of long-distance migratory flight and stopover in a shorebird Landys, M.M., Piersma, T., Guglielmo, C.G., Jukema, J., Ramenofsky, M. & Wingfield, J.C. (2005) Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B, 272: 295-302
Plasma corticosterone increases during migratory restlessness in the captive white-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelli Landys, M.M., Wingfield, J.C. & Ramenofsky, M. (2004) Hormones and Behaviour, 46: 574-581
Role of the low-affinity glucocorticoid receptor in the regulation of behavior and energy metabolism in the migratory red knot Calidris canutus islandica Landys, M.M., Piersma, T., Ramenofsky, M. & Wingfield, J.C. (2004) Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 77: 658-668
The low-affinity glucocorticoid receptor regulates feeding and lipid breakdown in the migratory Gambel’s white-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii Landys, M.M., Ramenofsky, M., Guglielmo, C.G. & Wingfield, J.C. (2004) The Journal of Experimental Biology, 207: 143-154
Strategic size changes of internal organs and muscle tissue in the bar-tailed godwit during fat storage on a spring stopover site Landys-Ciannelli, M.M., Piersma, T. & Jukema, J. (2003) Functional Ecology, 17: 151-159
Baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone during long-distance migration in the bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica Landys-Ciannelli, M.M., Ramenofsky, M., Piersma, T., Jukema, J., Group, C.R. & Wingfield, J.C. (2002) Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 75: 101-110
Blood parameter changes during stopover in a long-distance migratory shorebird, the bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica taymyrensis Landys-Ciannelli, M.M., Jukema, J. & Piersma, T. (2002) Journal of Avian Biology, 33: 451-455
Water balance during real and simulated longdistance migratory flight in the bar-tailed godwit Landys, M.M., Piersma, T., Visser, G.H., Jukema, J. & Wijker, A. (2000) The Condor, 102: 645-652
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