Extensions of species’ geographical distributions, or range extensions, are among the primary ecological responses to climate change in the oceans. Considerable variation across the rates at which species’ ranges change with temperature hinders our ability to forecast range extensions based on climate data alone. To better manage the consequences of ongoing and future range extensions for global marine

Catch-and-release angling is a hugely popular sport, but what happens to non-targeted species (i.e. bycatch) after they are released? Interestingly, American eels seem to be quite resilient following an angling interaction. In fact, it turns out that there is little difference in the outcome between cutting the line and removing the hook when releasing them. Like with all good research, however, more

For Pacific salmon captured and released by fisheries, post-release behaviour and survival may be influenced by their health and condition at time of capture. We sought to characterize the interactions between infectious agent burden, fish immune and stress physiology and fisheries stressors to investigate the potential for capture-mediated pathogen-induced mortality in adult coho salmon Oncorhynchus

Understanding the stress responses of sharks to recreational catch and release fishing has important management and conservation implications. The blacktip shark Carcharhinus limbatus is a popular recreational species targeted throughout the western, central and eastern Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) yet it is unclear what levels of physiological stress result from catch-release fishing practices with hook

Captive environments are maintained in hygienic ways that lack free-flowing microbes found in animals' natural environments. As a result, captive animals often have depauperate host-associated microbial communities compared to conspecifics in the wild and may have increased disease susceptibility and reduced immune function. Eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) have suffered

A previously published analytical method demonstrated the quantification of the hormone cortisol in cetacean skin. However, little is known about the transfer of hormones between blood and skin. Recognizing that such information is essential to effectively using skin samples within marine mammal stress research, the primary goals of this study were to (i) expand on the number of steroid hormones proved

Reproduction is key to species survival, and reproductive physiology represents a high priority investigative area for conservation biology, as it provides a basic understanding of critical life-history traits, information that is helpful for the establishment of management strategies. Here, we generated knowledge about the reproductive endocrinology of the hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), a small canid

Widespread declines in the body size of aquatic ectotherms have been attributed to the poorer ability of older, larger individuals to tolerate high temperature. Here, using the thermal death time curve framework, we investigate the relationship between temperature tolerance and size/age by measuring the change in heat tolerance of the keystone zooplankton species Daphnia magna across a range of temperature

The construction of the Three Gorges-Gezhouba Dam cascade hydropower station has changed the water level fluctuation pattern of the habitats for remnant rare and endangered Myricaria laxiflora populations downstream of the dam. The present study utilized biochemical markers of photosynthetic physiology to evaluate the spatiotemporal responses of remnant populations to human-regulated water level fluctuations

Non-native, invasive plants can impact birds by altering food sources, nesting substrates and other critical resources. Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is one of the most invasive, non-native woody plants in in the northeastern USA, and yet almost nothing is known about its effects on birds or other wildlife. To investigate individual-level impacts of Japanese barberry on a forest-breeding

The practice of mitigating cannibalism in aquaculture is an important focus for hatcheries seeking to maximize yield and has been maintained in hatcheries focusing on wild stock restoration. We hypothesize, however, that a cannibal feeding strategy may confer performance advantages over a non-cannibal feeding strategy and that perhaps cannibal size grading may not be optimal for hatcheries focusing

The frequency and intensity of ecological perturbations affecting wild animal populations is expected to increase in the future with animals facing numerous global threats. Seahorse Key is a continental island off mainland Florida that has historically been a major rookery for several species of waterbirds. As a result of an unknown disturbance, the entire rookery abandoned Seahorse Key in April 2015

Seed germination is a critical stage in the life cycle of most plants and is defined by specific tolerance thresholds beyond which rates and success of germination rapidly decline. Previous studies have demonstrated that widespread plant species commonly germinate over a broad range of temperatures and water stress levels, whereas range-restricted species often exhibit a narrower germination window

Most of us have heard of hibernation—the period where bears go dormant to escape harsh winter conditions. But, did you know that some frogs also undergo a form of hibernation? It is known as aestivation, and it is a period of dormancy associated with dry, summer conditions. Scientists think that aestivation evolved so animals could cope with challenges like limited food and water supplies. During aestivation

It is no secret that bees play an important role in human lives, pollinating wild plants as well as those that humans consume, like blueberries and tomatoes. Unfortunately, bees face a number of threats that have led to massive declines in their populations, putting us at risk of losing many of the important services that bees provide. One fundamental part of maintaining bee health is making sure bees

Despite immense concern over amplified warming in the Arctic, physiological research to address related conservation issues for valuable cold-adapted fish, such as the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), is lacking. This crucial knowledge gap is largely attributable to the practical and logistical challenges of conducting sensitive physiological investigations in remote field settings. Here, we used

Quantifying how the heart rate of ectothermic organisms responds to environmental conditions (e.g. water temperature) is important information to quantify their sensitivity to environmental change. Heart rate studies have typically been conducted in lab environments where fish are confined. However, commercially available implantable heart rate biologgers provide the opportunity to study free-swimming

AbstractMoringa oleifera is a fast-growing hygrophilic tree native to a humid sub-tropical region of India, now widely planted in many regions of the Southern Hemisphere characterized by low soil water availability. The widespread cultivation of this plant worldwide may have led to populations with different physiological and biochemical traits. In this work, the impact of water stress on the physiology

Moringa oleifera is a fast-growing hygrophilic tree native to a humid sub-tropical region of India, now widely planted in many regions of the Southern Hemisphere characterized by low soil water availability. The widespread cultivation of this plant worldwide may have led to populations with different physiological and biochemical traits. In this work, the impact of water stress on the physiology and

Examination of the endocrine system through non-invasive fecal sampling may improve population management more than using demographic indicators alone. By addressing the physiological mechanisms that are influencing fitness, management actions can be proactively developed to alleviate stressors. Proactive determination of vulnerable populations is critical for species of concern, such as the Northern

Age at maturity is an important parameter in many demographic models and, for some species, can be difficult to obtain using traditional methods. Incremental growth structures act as biological archives, recording information throughout an organism's life and possibly allowing for the reconstruction of life history events. Concentrations of zinc (Zn) in animal tissues are known to be linked to life

Coastal organisms reside in highly dynamic habitats. Global climate change is expected to alter not only the mean of the physical conditions experienced but also the frequencies and/or the magnitude of fluctuations of environmental factors. Understanding responses in an ecologically relevant context is essential for formulating management strategies. In particular, there are increasing suggestions

Elevated glucocorticoid (GC) concentration and increased vigilance are two common responses to predation risk in mammals. Chronic high-level GC concentration and vigilance occur at the expense of other life maintenance and reproduction activities, reflecting a trade-off between individual survival and future fecundity. Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is a group-living ungulate endemic to

For polar marine mammals, the energetic cost of thermoregulation depends on ambient conditions in the highly variable surrounding environment. Heat conservation strategies used by pinnipeds to reduce total heat loss include small surface area to volume ratios, the ability to limit perfusion and thick subcutaneous blubber layers. There are limits to how cool the skin surface may remain without compromising

While acute stressors can be detrimental, environmental stress conditioning can improve performance. To test the hypothesis that physiological status is altered by stress conditioning, we subjected juvenile Pacific geoduck, Panopea generosa, to repeated exposures of elevated pCO2 in a commercial hatchery setting followed by a period in ambient common garden. Respiration rate and shell length were measured

The field of conservation physiology strives to achieve conservation goals by revealing physiological mechanisms that drive population declines in the face of human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) and has informed many successful conservation actions. However, many studies still struggle to explicitly link individual physiological measures to impacts across the biological hierarchy (to population

Analysis of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) is frequently applied to assess adrenocortical activity in animal conservation and welfare studies. Faecal sample collection is non-invasive and feasible under field conditions. FGM levels are also less prone to circadian rhythms, episodic fluctuations and short acute stressors than glucocorticoid (GC) levels obtained from other matrices, for example

Conservation biologists can use hormone measurements to assess animals’ welfare, reproductive state, susceptibility to stressors, as well as energy expenditure. Quantifying hormone concentrations from faecal samples is particularly advantageous as samples can be collected without disturbing animals’ behaviour. In order for an endocrine marker to be useful for wildlife managers, we need to understand

Sea urchin harvesting has rapidly expanded in the last decades. Since many sea urchin species play important ecological role, large-scale commercial sea urchin fisheries can have complex effects on benthic communities. In many temperate regions, overharvesting has compromised marine ecosystems to such an extent that reintroduction of sea urchins raised in captivity may be a valid solution for the enhancement

Intraspecific trait variation has large effects on the ecosystem and is greatly affected by human activities. To date, most studies focused on single-trait analyses, while considering multiple traits is expected to better predict how an individual interacts with its environment. Here, we used a mesocosm experiment with fish Oryzias latipes to test whether individual growth, boldness and functional

Information on bioenergetics can provide valuable insight into the ecology, life history and population dynamics of organisms. For ectothermic animals, thermal sensitivity of digestion is an important determinant of net assimilated energy budgets. A recent study in the Ozark Mountains indicated that eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) restricted to encroached glades (characterized by woody

Knowledge of seed dormancy and optimal propagation techniques is crucial for successful ex situ restoration and reintroduction projects, and determining the seed storage behaviour of a species is critical for the long-term conservation of seeds, further supporting future ex situ efforts. Eryngium sparganophyllum (Apiaceae) is a globally critically endangered plant species endemic to ciénega wetlands

Applying physiological tools, knowledge and concepts to understand conservation problems (i.e. conservation physiology) has become commonplace and confers an ability to understand mechanistic processes, develop predictive models and identify cause-and-effect relationships. Conservation physiology is making contributions to conservation solutions; the number of ‘success stories’ is growing, but there

Anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rely on long ocean migrations to build energy stores for maturation and spawning. In seawater, wild Atlantic salmon are threatened by high salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestation levels resulting from intensive salmonid sea-cage aquaculture. Salmon lice infection can cause a stress response and an osmotic imbalance in the host. The lice infection intensity

The ecologically important thecosome pteropods in the Limacina spp. complex have recently been the focus of studies examining the impacts global change factors – e.g., ocean acidification (OA) and ocean warming (OW) – on their performance and physiology. This focus is driven by conservation concerns where the health of pteropod populations is threatened by the high susceptibility of their shells to

The gut microbiota diversity of eight panda cubs was assessed during a dietary switch.

Wild animals are faced with a broad range of environmental stressors and research is needed to better understand their effect on populations. Hormone analysis based on enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) can provide valuable information on adrenocortical activity (stress), and assessment of cortisol in hair may allow the quantification of cortisol production. To validate hair hormone analysis, we compared two

Recognizing how climate change will impact populations can aid in making decisions about approaches for conservation of endangered species. The blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) is a federally endangered species that, despite protection, remains in extremely arid, hot areas and may be at risk of extirpation due to climate change. We collected data on the field-active body temperatures, preferred

Stranded sea turtles are frequently rescued, rehabilitated and readied for release, but these animals must overcome one final hurdle before returning to the wild. Turtles must endure long journeys, typically in cars or vans, to reach coastal release sites. These trips are no walk in the park—or swim in the ocean—for turtles, however. Journeys can exceed 12 hours and can include cramped conditions,

Increasingly, cold-water pollution (CWP) is being recognised as a significant threat to aquatic communities downstream of large, bottom-release dams. Cold water releases typically occur during summer when storage dams release unseasonably cold and anoxic hypolimnetic waters, which can decrease the temperature of downstream waters by up to 16°C. Depending on the release duration, these hypothermic conditions

Spatial and temporal variation in stoichiometric and stable isotope ratios of animals contains ecological information that we are just beginning to understand. In both field and lab studies, stoichiometric or isotopic ratios are related to physiological mechanisms underlying nutrition or stress. Conservation and ecosystem ecology may be informed by isotopic data that can be rapidly and non-lethally

Multiple environmental changes are thought to be contributing to the widespread decline of amphibians in montane regions, but interactions between drivers of decline are not well understood. It has been proposed previously that elevated ultraviolet-B radiation (UBVR) and low temperatures may interact in their negative effects on health, immune function and disease susceptibility in exposed amphibians

Cage diving to view great white sharks and other iconic marine mega-fauna is a huge part of the marine wildlife tourism industry. But cage diving is considered a double-edged sword. On one hand, it fosters positive conservation ethics in tourists and raises awareness. However, on the other hand, there are concerns about animal welfare, costs to shark fitness and disruption of the natural ecology of

Conserv Physiol 7(1): coz095; doi: 10.1093/conphys/coz095

After nearly being hunted to extinction during the fur trade of the late 20th Century, sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations have recovered to varying degrees of their historical range. While overall population numbers and range have increased, there are regions in which expansion has occurred at a slower rate and/or animal numbers have decreased, which may be a result of chronic stress from a variety

Cortisol concentrations in hair are used increasingly as a biomarker of long-term stress in free-ranging wildlife. Cortisol is believed to be integrated into hair primarily during its active growth phase, typically occurring over weeks to months or longer periods, depending on latitude. Cortisol concentrations in hair thus reflect the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis over this time

Relatively mesic environments within arid regions may be important conservation targets as 'climate change refugia' for species persistence in the face of worsening drought conditions. Semi-arid southern California and the relatively mesic environments of California's Channel Islands provide a model system for examining drought responses of plants in potential climate change refugia. Most methods for

Rates of human-induced environmental change continue increasing with human population size, potentially altering animal physiology and negatively affecting wildlife. Researchers often use glucocorticoid concentrations (hormones that can be associated with stressors) to gauge the impact of anthropogenic factors (e.g. urbanization, noise and light pollution). Yet, no general relationships between human-induced

Human disturbance has become a widespread threat to wildlife viability. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), an endangered and disturbance-prone species, is under severe threat from habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict and poaching. Establishing connections between human disturbance, stress responses and reproduction is crucial for assessing the long-term survivability of a species

Climate change is predicted to impact freshwater aquatic environments through changes to water temperature (T water), river flow and eutrophication. Riverine habitats contain many economically and ecologically important fishes. One such group is the migratory salmonids, which are sensitive to warm T water and low O2 (hypoxia). While several studies have investigated the independent effects of T water

Human activities present aquatic species with numerous of environmental challenges, including excessive nutrient pollution (nitrate) and altered pH regimes (freshwater acidification). In isolation, elevated nitrate and acidic pH can lower the blood oxygen-carrying capacity of aquatic species and cause corresponding declines in key functional performance traits such as growth and locomotor capacity

In East Africa, climate change is predicted to reduce vegetation quality, and pervasive human disturbance has already resulted in significant declines in biodiversity. We studied the combined effects of reduced forage quality and human disturbance on faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. We predicted that decreasing nutritional quality and increasing human disturbance would have an

The frequency of extreme weather events, including heat waves, is increasing with climate change. The thermoregulatory demands resulting from hotter weather can have catastrophic impacts on animals, leading to mass mortalities. Although less dramatic, animals also experience physiological costs below, but approaching, critical temperature thresholds. These costs may be particularly constraining during

The endangered and range-restricted Maugean skate (Zearaja maugeana) is subjected to large environmental variability coupled with anthropogenic stressors in its endemic habitat, Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania. However, little is known about the basic biology/physiology of this skate, or how it may respond to future environmental challenges predicted from climate change and/or increases in human activities

Increasing conservation and animal-welfare concerns have driven the development of non-lethal sampling of fish populations, with the use of muscle tissue biopsies now being routinely applied as a sampling method in the wild. Crucial to the success of non-lethal sampling, however, is an evaluation of the short- and long-term consequences of the treatment and ultimately the determination of how these

Anthropogenic climate change induces unprecedented variability in a broad range of environmental parameters. These changes will impact material properties and animal biomechanics, thereby affecting animal performance and persistence of populations. Climate change implies warming at the global level, and it may be accompanied by altered wind speeds, wave action, ocean circulation, acidification as well

Non-invasive stress and nutritional hormone analysis in relation to ecological and other biological indices have tremendous potential to address environmental disturbance impacts on wildlife health. To this end, we examined the relation between glucocorticoid (GC) and thyroid (T3) hormone indices of disturbance and nutritional stress in response to ACTH and TSH challenges in captive tigers, as well

Many amphibian species reinitiate the processes of preparing for reproduction (e.g. oogenesis) soon after breeding indicating hormone-induced ovulation could potentially be achieved out-of-season, which would lead to higher annual fecundity compared to mono-seasonal breeding. Such strategies would be beneficial to captive breeding programs for threatened species that are short-lived, have aging populations

Native sagebrush-steppe bunchgrass populations are threatened by the spread and dominance of exotic invasive annual grasses, in part due to low, episodic seed production. In contrast, the widespread exotic bunchgrass, crested wheatgrass, readily produces viable seed cohorts. The mechanisms underlying these differences are unclear. To address this, we measured seed head specific mass (g m-2) and net

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz042.].