Hubbard to Present Barn Swallow Research at Faculty Forum

Joey Hubbard, assistant professor of biology, will be the presenter at the final Faculty Forum of the 2020-21 school year. Hubbard’s talk, “Understanding the causes & consequences of plumage color variation in North American barn swallows,” will take place at 7 p.m. April 21 on Zoom. All are welcome to attend.

Presentation abstract:

In North American barn swallows, Hirundo rusticate erythrogaster, ventral coloration is the target of sexual selection such that males with darker plumage experience higher reproductive success. Cross-fostering experiments demonstrate that plumage color, while heritable, is also impacted by environmental conditions during early development (i.e, while nestlings are still in the nest). Given its role as a sexually selected trait, we are investigating information that might be conveyed by this coloration. Specifically, my students and I are examining the role of nest temperature during both the incubation and brooding period on color development as well as hatching success and nestling survival.

The Truman Faculty Forum was created in 2003 to give faculty the opportunity to present their research and creative work to the Truman community, and to enhance the importance of scholarship and creativity in the culture of our institution. In the spirit of the liberal arts and sciences, the Forum is a showcase of Truman faculty’s many creative and intellectual pursuits. The Forum offers a variety of formats – public lectures, classroom-style symposia, performances, and gallery exhibitions – to best suit different fields of study as well as different individuals.