Claudia Saldaña DeCamillis will defend their thesis proposal on November 17 at 12PM in Stodder Hall 57.
Title: Thermophysiological responses and behavior of tropical murid rodents
Abstract: Understanding the energetics, water loss rates and thermoregulatory behavior of tropical mammals may help us understand their responses to heat and help predict vulnerability to changing climates. The Muridae are a cosmopolitan family of rodents that inhabit most biomes and many niches. Microclimate selection can influence animal energetics and nest sites can serve as thermal refuges and buffer the effects of the surrounding climate. For my thesis I will be studying the thermal characteristics of different nest sites of three different genera of tropical Murids (Sundamys spp, Niviventer spp, and Maxomys spp) along with their and behavior (using radio telemetry and biologgers) and experimentally testing their physiological responses to temperature (by flow through respirometry). This data will allow me to model it as a consideration once more data is collected and will be used to assess quality of predictions and analyze possible energetic responses to rarer species. Comparing these can help identify survivability and resilience via energetics, behavior and microclimactic advantages.