Mitochondria and Metabolism as Drivers of Climate Adaptation in Wild Populations of Eastern Yellow Robin

The modulation of energy metabolism is a crucial mechanism to adapt to climate. This thesis highlights that genetic and climatic factors interact to shape metabolic responses. I used an integrative approach to study the metabolic activity of cells and the whole organism in wild populations of a native Australian songbird. I showed that metabolism was strongly affected by the presence of water in the environment and the genetic variation encoded in the mitochondrial genome. These drivers of climate adaptation have rarely been highlighted, but should be considered to conserve species more effectively under climate change.