Diving physiology

Diving physiology vs behaviour


How does the physiology of marine mammals affect their diving abilities and foraging strategies?

Marine mammals catch their prey at depth, under challenging physical conditions. While they excel at diving, they are ultimately limited by their physiology. We explore the physiology and energetics of diving mammals, and test how their behaviour and foraging costs are affected by changing prey fields.

Recent studies:

Gerlinsky C.D., M. Haulena, A.W. Trites and D.A.S. Rosen. 2018. Reference ranges and age-related and diving exercise effects on hematology and serum chemistry of female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 49:18-29

Rosen D.A.S., A.G. Hindle, C. Gerlinsky, E. Goundie, G.D. Hastie, B.L. Volpov and A.W. Trites. 2017. Physiological constraints and energetic costs of diving behaviour in marine mammals: a review of studies using trained Steller sea lions diving in the open ocean. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 187:29-50