Embedded Files
The Williams Lab conducts comparative studies around the world on cetaceans (dolphins, narwhals), pinnipeds (Weddell seals, Hawaiian monk seals), and sea otters. Our goal is to examine the physiological and behavioral responses to anthropogenic disturbance.
During my time at UCSC, I conducted research on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) exercise physiology that will tie together skin temperature profiles, surface heat flow, and heart rate in order to assess the dive response vs. the exercise response during an escape from anthropogenic noise. In the near future, a comparative study will combine the same data from beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) located in Georgia and Iceland.
Infrared thermograph of the fluke of a bottlenose dolphin, where warm areas (denoted by white and red) correspond to large blood vessels that traverse the width of the underside of the fluke. The color bar at the bottom denotes 0.1 °C differences in surface temperature per gradation. (From Williams et al., 1999)
One of Long Marine Lab's research partners, Primo, outfitted in his custom O’Neill heart rate monitor surf suit. (Photo by J. Kendall-Bar, NMFS 19590)
Measurement sites for heat flow and skin temperature. The dots designate the three sites (dorsal fin, flank, and the underside of the fluke blade) where the hand-held transducers were placed on the animals. (Illustration from Noren et al., 1999)
Relevant Publications (from the Williams Lab):
Davis, R.W. and Williams, T.M. (2012) The marine mammal dive response is exercise modulated to maximize aerobic dive duration. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 198:583-591. (pdf)
Noren, D.P., Holt, M.M., Dunkin, R.C., and Williams, T.M. (2013). The metabolic cost of communicative sound production in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 216:1624-1629. (pdf)
Noren, S.R., Kendall, T., Cuccurullo, V., and Williams, T.M. (2012) The dive response redefined: underwater behavior influences cardiac variability in freely diving dolphins. Journal of Experimental Biology 215:2735-2741. (pdf)
Noren, S.R., Cuccurullo, V., and Williams, T.M. (2004) The development of diving bradycardia in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 174:139-147. (pdf)
Noren, D.P., Williams, T.M., Berry, P., and Butler, E. (1999) Thermoregulation during swimming and diving in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 169:93-99. (pdf)
Williams, T.M., Kendall, T.L., Richter, B.P., Ribeiro-French, C.R., John, J.S., Odell, K.L., Losch, B.A., Feuerbach, D.A., Stamper, M.A. (2017). Swimming and diving energetics in dolphins: a stroke-by-stroke analysis for predicting the cost of flight responses in wild odontocetes. Journal of Experimental Biology 220:1135-1145. (pdf)
Williams, T.M., Haun, J.E., and Friedl, W.A. (1999) The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), I. Balancing the demands of exercise for energy conservation at depth. Journal of Experimental Biology 202:2739-2748. (pdf)
Williams, T.M., Noren, D., Berry, P., Estes, J.A., Allison, C., and Kirtland, J. (1999) The diving physiology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), III. Thermoregulation at depth. Journal of Experimental Biology 202:2763-2769. (pdf)
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse