Species Health
Migration, Habitat, and Interactions
Using state-of-the-art biologging methods and devices, and integrating biomechanics, animal behavior, DNA, and stable isotope ecology, we explore species evolution, as well as species-human interactions and their impacts. Multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations show how environmental changes influence key species indicators and illuminate ways forward. Below is a rotating selection of our standout investigators in these areas.
○ Recent News and Highlights
○ Related Strength: Mariculture
Selected Publications
Ensminger, D., et al. (2018). Maternal stress alters the phenotype of the mother, her eggs and her offspring in a wild‐caught lizard. Journal of Animal Ecology, 87(6).
Larabee, F., Gronenberg, W., & Suarez, A. (2017). Performance, morphology and control of power-amplified mandibles in the trap-jaw ant Myrmoteras (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Experimental Biology, 220(17).
McDonald, B., Elmegaard, S., et al. (2021). High Heart Rates in Hunting Harbour Porpoises. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 288(1962).
Shaffer, S., et al. (2017). Population-level plasticity in foraging behavior of western gulls (Larus occidentalis). Movement Ecology, 5(27).
Award Highlights
McDonald, "CAREER: Foraging ecology and physiology of emperor penguins in the Ross Sea” — NSF, 2020
McDonald, "At-sea experimental disturbance to characterize physiological plasticity in diving northern elephant seals” — NSF, 2017
Shaffer, "Collaborative Research: Predator Facilitation Across a Variable Marine Environment" — NSF, 2021
Featured Faculty
David Ensminger
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Physiological and Behavioral Impacts of Individual and Transgenerational Stress in
Wildlife
ORCID: 0000-0001-5554-1638
Susan Lambrecht
Professor of Biological Sciences
Climate Change, Plant Physiological Ecology, Evolution, Drought
ORCID: 0000-0002-6669-5023
Fredrick Larabee
Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences
Entomology, Ants, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Functional Morphology of Trap-Jaw
Ants
ORCID: 0000-0001-8404-0146
Gitte McDonald
Associate Professor of Vertebrate Ecology
Physiological Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Marine Mammals, Penguins, Impacts of Disturbance,
Energetics, Diving Physiology, Foraging Ecology, Antarctica, Stress
ORCID: 0000-0001-5028-066X
Scott Shaffer
Professor of Biological Sciences
Albatross, Animal Ecology, Biologging, Conservation, Energetics, Flight, Habitat Use,
Metagenomics, Seabirds, Tracking
ORCID: 0000-0002-7751-5059
Potential collaborators and members of the media may contact us at officeofresearch@sjsu.edu.
