Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Thermal imbalance drives avian performance and responses to climate warming. |
| Authors: |
Porter CK; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010.; Biology Department, Hope College, Holland, MI 49423., Adams DR; Biology Department, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AK 72035., Levy O; School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel., Urinovsky N; School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel., Riddell EA; Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50010.; Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. |
| Source: |
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A] 2026 Oct 20; Vol. 123 (42), pp. e2630333123. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Oct 16. |
| Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
| Language: |
English |
| Journal Info: |
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 7505876 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1091-6490 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00278424 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): |
Original Publication: Washington, DC : National Academy of Sciences |
| MeSH Terms: |
Body Temperature Regulation*/physiology , Swallows*/physiology , Climate Change*, Reproduction/physiology ; Animals ; Temperature ; Global Warming ; Models, Biological |
| Abstract: |
Thermal performance curves are widely used to predict ectothermic responses to climate warming but are less effective for predicting endotherm performance across environmental conditions because thermoregulation often decouples body temperature from ambient temperature. We develop theory and provide empirical evidence for performance curves in endotherms structured by net sensible heat flux (Q), an integrative index of thermoregulatory imbalance. Using biophysical simulations in tree swallows, we show that performance varies predictably with Q (which we term "QPCs"), thereby explaining variation in nestling provisioning performance, reproductive fitness, and geographic limits, while also forecasting responses to climate change. We also demonstrate that thermal imbalance helps shape breeding ranges of birds across North America. Our findings introduce Q as a broadly relevant ecophysiological dimension that constrains performance in endotherms and provides a framework for predicting endotherm responses to climate warming. |
| Competing Interests: |
Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest. |
| Grant Information: |
2021223 U.S. - Israel Binational Science Foundation |
| Contributed Indexing: |
Keywords: biophysical eclogy; climate change; ecophysiology; thermoregulation; tree swallow |
| Entry Date(s): |
Date Created: 20261016 Date Completed: 20261016 Latest Revision: 20261016 |
| Update Code: |
20261017 |
| DOI: |
10.1073/pnas.2630333123 |
| PMID: |
42886714 |
| Database: |
MEDLINE |