DOI: 10.5061/dryad.x3ffbg7vj
title: Mitochondrial remodeling supports migration in White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

description: The migratory movements undertaken by birds are among the most
 energetically demanding behaviors observed in nature. Mitochondria are the
 source of aerobic energy production on which migration depends, but a key
 component of mitochondrial function, mitochondrial remodeling, has not
 been investigated in the context of bird migration. We measured markers of
 mitochondrial remodeling in the skeletal muscles of the Gambel’s
 (migratory) and Nuttall’s (non-migratory) White-crowned Sparrows within
 and outside migratory periods. Gambel’s were collected in 1) a
 non-migration period (baseline), 2) preparation to depart for spring
 migration (pre-migration), and 3) active autumn migration (mid-migration).
 Nuttall’s were collected at time points corresponding to baseline and
 mid-migration in Gambel’s. Across all sampling periods, we found that
 migratory birds had greater mitochondrial remodeling compared to
 non-migratory birds. Furthermore, birds from the migratory population also
 displayed flexibility, increasing several markers of mitochondrial
 remodeling (e.g., NRF1, OPA1, Drp1) pre- and during migration. Further,
 the greater levels of mitochondrial remodeling and its upregulation during
 migration were specific to the pectoralis muscle used in flapping flight.
 Our study is the first to show that mitochondrial remodeling supports
 migration in Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrows, indicating a highly specific
 and efficient phenotype supporting the increased energetic demands of
 migration.
description: # Mitochondrial remodeling supports migration in White-crowned Sparrows
 (*Zonotrichia leucophrys*)
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x3ffbg7vj](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x3ffbg7vj) ## Description of the data and file structure Birds were collected as described in the associated paper. Data files contain the ID assigned to each animal, group, time-point collected (baseline, pre-migration, or mid-migration), sex (m = male, f = female), and the content of each of the proteins determined through western blots. The information contained in each file should be self-explanatory but if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the corresponding author. We have submitted our raw data (**Mesquita_Data.xlsx**), R script (**Mesquita_Codes.R**), and supplementary material (**Mesquita_tables_data_ESM.xlsx**). ### Files and variables #### File: Mesquita\_Data.xlsx **Description:**  ##### **The first tab “Info” contains general information about the paper, including title, authors, journal, and DOI.** The second tab “WB_Pectoralis” contains the protein content of individual proteins in the pectoralis muscle of the birds analyzed through Western Blot, as well as animal ID, group, time-point, and sex. * **ID:** ID assigned to each of the birds collected. * **Group:** Birds were either from a non-migratory or migratory group. * **TP:** Time-point that each bird was collected: Baseline, Pre-Migration, or Mid-Migration. * **Sex:** Sex of each bird. m, male; f, female; na, not identified. * **Columns E-R:** represent each of the proteins analyzed via Western blot. The values are arbitrary units, obtained by measuring the raw target band densities and normalizing by Ponceau densitometry values. The third tab “WB_Quadriceps” contains the protein content of individual proteins in the quadriceps muscle of the birds analyzed through Western Blot, as well as animal ID, group, time-point, and sex, with the same organization as the second tab. #### File: Mesquita\_Codes.docx **Description:** R is required to run *Mesquita_Codes.R*; the script was created using RStudio Version 2022.12.0. The script contains libraries used and codes to load, organize, and analyze datasets. #### File: Mesquita\_tables\_data\_ESM.xlsx This file contains supplementary material to the paper. The first tab “Info” contains general information about the paper, including title, authors, journal, and DOI. The second tab “S1. Morphology” contains Sample ID, group (Non-migratory, Migratory); Subgroup (which refers to the timepoint animals were collected: Baseline, Pre-Migration, Mid-Migration); Season correspondent to the SubGroup/Timepoint (December, September, April); Date that each bird was collected; Sex (M, male; F, female); Fat Score in arbitrary units; Muscle Score in arbitrary units; Wing Chord (mm); Tarsus Length (mm); Mass of bird (g). Tab “S2.Morphology_Descriptives” contains the mean ± standard deviation (sample size) of muscle and fat scores for non-migratory and migratory birds during each of the time points collected (Baseline, Pre-Migration, Mid-Migration). Tab “S3.Pectoralis_WB_Descriptives” contains protein content in arbitrary units of each protein determined by Western Blot for pectoralis muscle (Mean ± standard deviation (sample size)), organized by group (Non-migratory, migratory) and timepoint (Baseline, Pre-Migration, Mid-Migration. Tab “S4.Quad_WB_Descriptives” contains protein content in arbitrary units of each protein determined by Western Blot for quadriceps muscle (Mean ± standard deviation (sample size)), organized by group (Non-migratory, migratory) and timepoint (Baseline, Pre-Migration, Mid-Migration. ## Code/software Microsoft Excel is needed to view the data and R/RStudio to reproduce the codes. Packages used are included in the codes.