PhD Dissertation: “Noninvasive assessments of reproductive strategy and function” by Katie Fowler (Brown Lab)
February 27, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
SELE 4289
Calendar
Download iCal FilePlease join us on Feb. 27, 2024 for "Noninvasive assessments of reproductive strategy and function" by Katie Fowler (Brown Lab)
Abstract: The connection between people and wildlife is like a two-way street. As human-wildlife interactions increase, we must find solutions when the relationship becomes negative in one direction. I studied five species that have unique ecological and evolutionary ties to people: the yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus), African lion (Panthera leo), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). I used noninvasive techniques to evaluate reproduction, physiology, and behavior in these species to better understand how people can influence and explain wildlife ecology and evolution. For this seminar, I will focus on two of my dissertation chapters regarding human-lion conflict and sea turtle reproductive success. Chapter one evaluates how human-lion interactions influence lion physiology and foraging behaviors in the protected, multiuse Ngorongoro Conservation Area of northern Tanzania. In this area, lions often attack livestock, which causes human-lion conflict. I found that the glucocorticoid hormone concentrations in lion hair can be used as a biomarker for long-term stress (e.g., poor body condition). I also found that lions in areas of higher conflict had lower glucocorticoid concentrations, suggesting they might supplement their diet with livestock to maintain good body condition. I did not find any influence on human-lion conflict on reproductive success in these lions. These results indicate that non-lethal human-lion habitat overlap may be either neutral or beneficial for the lions. For chapter two, I studied two species of sea turtles that nest in south Florida. Sea turtles are sensitive to temperature at every life-stage class, which poses a problem as human-induced climate change increases global temperatures. I evaluated how sea turtle nest timing and site selection influence the environmental factors that the nest will experience during incubation and how these maternal decisions dictate hatching and emergence success. By placing data loggers in incubating sea turtle nests, I found that the day of the year that the nest is laid is the main factor that influences incubation temperatures, the main predictor of nest success. As climate change increases temperatures, and if sea turtle nesting phenology is plastic or adaptable, reproduction can possibly remain successful. The results from these two chapters highlight the importance of using multiple tools to thoroughly evaluate the relationships between people, wildlife, and the environment to support human-wildlife coexistence.
Date posted
Feb 15, 2024
Date updated
Feb 15, 2024