Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance is a relevant and widespread facilitator of environmental change and there is clear evidence that it impacts natural populations. While population-level responses to major anthropogenic changes have been well studied, individual physiological responses to mild disturbance can be equally critical to the long-term survival of a species, yet they remain largely unexamined. The current study investigated the impact of seemingly low-level anthropogenic disturbance (ecotourism) on stress responsiveness and specific fitness-related immune measures in different breeding stages of the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). Specifically, we found stress-induced elevations in plasma corticosterone among tourist-exposed populations relative to undisturbed populations. We also found changes in multiple immunological responses associated with stress-related effects of human disturbance, including bacterial killing ability, cutaneous wound healing, and hemolytic complement activity, and the responses varied according to reproductive state. By identifying health-related consequences of human disturbance, this study provides critical insight into the conservation of a well-known species that has a very distinct ecology. The study also broadens the foundation of knowledge needed to understand the global significance of various levels of human disturbance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 792-799 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Hormones and Behavior |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2010 |
Keywords
- Corticosterone
- Immunity
- Reproduction
- Tourism
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Endocrinology
- Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
- Behavioral Neuroscience