[All-postdocs] Bioseminar Michelle Shero

[Ana M Velez]

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Biology Department Seminar
Thursday, May 12, 2022 - 12:00 Noon

Michelle Shero
Assistant Scientist, WHOI, Biology Department

Eco-Physiology of Pinniped Life History: How to Balance Tradeoffs in a Changing World
Life history theory predicts that when faced with tradeoffs, animals should invest their resources in ways that maximize fitness. Thus, the underlying physiologic mechanisms governing resource allocation can shape life history strategies and influence population trends. Using a suite of tools ranging from molecular tracers to remote sensing technologies, I have identified novel costs of critical life history events in marine mammals. For example, lactation is the most energetically-costly aspect of reproduction and presents maternal-offspring conflict over resources. In addition to experiencing dramatic shifts in energy stores, diving mammals require high hemoprotein concentrations to prolong breath hold capacities. My work has shown that this necessitates exceptional female-to-pup iron transfer, and pinnipeds incorporate up to 100x more iron into their milk than terrestrial mammals. Such high rates of iron offload to offspring draw from the female's own heme stores, and ultimately results in lower breath hold capacities and dive durations. Diminished foraging ability following lactational iron transfer could potentially hinder energy allocation towards the female's future reproductive efforts. However, acquiring more energy and iron during lactation may have direct benefits for the pup as they first begin foraging independently. To broaden assessments of physiologic tradeoffs from a few individuals to whole colonies, I have developed methods using unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS; drones) for three-dimensional photogrammetry of multiple free-living animals simultaneously. Application of these non-invasive methods captured significant inter-annual variation in mass and energy dynamics concomitant with changes in sea ice extent. Understanding the linkages between energy dynamics, performance capacities and behaviors, and reproductive success is integral to anticipating how a changing world may alter how life history tradeoffs are balanced.

In person: Redfield Auditorium
Zoom: https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/j/91499756460 Meeting ID: 914 9975 6460
By dial: Find your local number: https://whoi-edu.zoom.us/u/aPRKcPTt5
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