[ECOLOG-L] Confluence - Episode 4
It is with great pleasure we launch Episode 4 of the Conf Dear Ecolog, It is with great pleasure we launch Episode 4 of the Confluence Interview series. Confluence: Where life and science meet (http://qbic.fiu.edu), is an interview series where scientists from around the country discuss the intersection of their technical work and their life experiences that led to their professional choices. The interview is filmed in front of a student-only audience, and is part of the QBIC (Quantifying Biology In the Classroom; http://qbic.fiu.edu) Program's approach to addressing student misconceptions with respect to identity, career choice, and scientific research in general. The interview series can be used in science classrooms as a prime for student reflection pieces etc. Bryan Dewsbury PhD candidate Florida International University Miami, Fl 305 348 1556
Re: [ECOLOG-L] interested in field experience in Madagascar?
Volunteer opportunity to study carnivores and lemurs in Madagascar! Gain great experience now. We are seeking 2-3 motivated volunteer field assistants on our carnivore and lemur study in Makira, Madagascar. This study focuses on fossa, fanaloka, and other Malagasy carnivores as well as various species of lemurs such as indri and white-fronted brown lemurs. Volunteers will gain extensive field experience working on a multi-faceted wildlife conservation project in a beautiful, unique country, one of the hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world. Primary duties include setting up large remote camera grids across rainforests and walking lemur transects. The study is examining the long-term demographics of carnivore and lemur populations across Makira, Madagascar. Living conditions vary whether we are in town or out in the field. In town, we will share a small house and live with the locals. There will be no running water, plumbing or electricity. In the field, we will be in tents. The living conditions are rustic but pleasant, with biting insects and terrestrial leeches common in the forest. Duties often include extensive day/night hiking to reach remote camera stations or to observe lemurs and vegetation data collection surrounding camera stations. Field workers will sometimes need to carry heavy equipment, hike long distances through rough terrain, and bushwhack through thick vegetation. Work will also include shared data entry and camp maintenance/running errands. Please email as...@vt.edu for more information! Qualifications: Current student or recent graduate in wildlife biology or a related field (biology, forestry, natural resources). No experience necessaryyou will be trained to be proficient in camera trapping, habitat sampling, and other useful skills. The applicant must have a positive and flexible attitude, be enthusiastic and ready to learn, and be able to deal with strenuous hiking in very rugged terrain. Have a strong work ethic and good ability to get along with other in tight living condition. Backpacking skills and French-speaking skills preferred, but not required. This is a complete volunteer position, meaning that technician will need to pay for their plane ticket to the capital (Antananarivo) and a project fee of $1150 per month or $287.50 a week for a minimum of 5 weeks. Project fees pays for food, accommodations and all in-country transport while in Madagascar. This experience is a resume builder for carnivore and international work, and is much less expensive than typical study abroad experiences. Positions available from late August 2013 to late January 2014. Starting and ending dates are flexible. There is a potential to build a thesis project, for long-term, interested undergraduate volunteers. Please e-mail a resume/cv, letter of interest, and list of three references. Application Deadline: Rolling ASAP, positions will be filled continuously. Again, please email as...@vt.edu for more information!
[ECOLOG-L] Opportunity for graduate study in microbial ecology at Baylor (Spring 2013)
Opportunity for graduate study in microbial ecology at Baylor (Spring 2013) Sanghoon Kang, Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX USA I am actively recruiting motivated Ph.D. students for my new laboratory in the Department of Biology at Baylor University. Research in my lab focuses on the diversity and dynamics of microbial communities along with environmental gradients such as biogeochemical parameters and spatial distribution. Research in my lab will involve field work (sampling and survey), lab work (genomic, transcriptomic and geochemical analyses) and computational work (multivariate statistics, geostatistics and statistical modeling). The student will have flexibility to explore questions that fall within the broad framework. The student is expected to have strong interests in ecology, microbiology, biogeochemistry and statistics. Applicants should be able to work independently, but also cooperatively with other members of the lab. An MS degree in biology, ecology, microbiology, or related field is preferred, though applicants without an MS degree, but with relevant research experience, will be considered. We offer a competitive stipend with health insurance coverage and a full tuition waiver. My lab is a part of an active interdisciplinary research effort, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research (CRASR, www.baylor.edu/crasr), which will provide active collaboration opportunities with other biologists, geologists, chemists and environmental scientists. Joining students will be fully supported by either teaching assistantship or research assistantship. If interested, please contact me with your research interests and CV at sanghoon_k...@baylor.edu.
[ECOLOG-L] Post-doc position in spatial ecology and modeling of coastal terrestrial plant biodiversity
A post-doc position is available in the Mediterranean Institute for Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE) a joint CNRS and University institute with 220 permanent researchers in the field of terrestrial and marine ecology. The position will last two years and is based in IMBE, directed by Thierry Tatoni and Wolfgang Cramer, this program is directed by Agathe Leriche, Cécile Albert and Arne Saatkamp, in Marseille, France - a region noted for its access to outdoor activities. We target to start this post-doc in October 2013. The post-doc will be part of a larger European neighborhood partnership project with research groups from Rome and Cagliari (Italy), Alexandria (Egypt), Beirut (Lebanon) and Sfax (Tunisia) on vulnerability of coastal ecosystems. This post-doc will be sustained by a technician in SIG and database dedicated to the project and will interact with researchers in our lab working on a broad range of projects in climate/global change impacts, macroecological patterns, phylogeography, functional ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology. The project aims to model the impacts of fragmentation (spatial organization), habitat degradation (pollution, land use change) on plant biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. In this project we aim to develop plant distribution models accounting for spatial explicit migration, biogeography principles and community assembly rules to simulate local to regional scale impacts of changed spatial configuration of habitats and of habitat quality. This project will profit from a large data base of plant distributions and co-occurrences as well as environmental and phylogenetic data gathered in previous projects and will be in contact with other regional to large scale model project in our institute. We look for a person with a Ph.D. in landscape ecology, plant ecology, biogeography, global change ecology/geography and with strong mathematical/modeling skills willing to work with spatial explicit biodiversity data. We look for a candidate with excellent English language and especially writing skills (publication record), willingness to work in a team and strong experience in modeling techniques in one of the above fields, knowledge of using R. Ideally, the candidate possesses knowledge and interest in ecology, botany, biogeography, and landscape ecology; excellent organization skills; strong quantitative skills and critical thinking; ability to work independently and supervise others, and to handle responsibilities and deadlines. Knowledge of French language or willing to learn basics is a plus, but not required. Salary will be dependent on experience but correspond to French post-doc researcher positions which include social assurance coverage. For more information regarding the position contact Dr. Arne Saatkamp (arne.saatk...@imbe.fr). For application, please supply a single PDF document: a) a one page statement of interest and prospectives concerning the project, b) a 2 page curriculum vitae including publication record and c) two reference contacts that are willing to give information on your previous work (mail phone). Position Location: IMBE, (www.imbe.fr), University Aix-Marseille, France
[ECOLOG-L] Research Technician/Engineer GIS programming, data bases for coastal terrestrial plant biodiversity
The IMBE seeks a research assistant to support projects in modeling the impacts of global change on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Applicants should possess a MS degree in Computer Science, Ecology, Statistics, Geography or a related field, with experience in programming spatial data bases, their management, and spatial analysis using GIS, hence programming skills (Python/ArcGIS, R, C, SQL) are desired. Ideally, the candidate also possesses knowledge and interest in ecology, botany, biogeography, and landscape ecology; excellent organization skills; quantitative skills and critical thinking; ability to work independently and supervise others, handling responsibilities and deadlines. Primary duties include supporting research projects by developing and handling large ecological databases related to GIS for this and forthcoming projects. In this project, he/she will be also in charge of creating graphics, maps, and website content as well as contributing to reports. English and French language skills are required for this position. Position is based in IMBE, directed by Thierry Tatoni and Wolfgang Cramer, this program is directed by Agathe Leriche, Cécile Albert and Arne Saatkamp, in Marseille, France - a region noted for its access to outdoor activities. The position is available in Oktober 2013. Salary will be dependent on experience but correspond to French technical assistant or research engineer positions which include social assurance coverage. To apply, please e-mail a single PDF document that includes: a) letter describing motivation and experience for the research field and technical skills, b) curriculum vitae and c) contact information for two reference persons (mail phone) to Arne Saatkamp (arne.saatk...@imbe.fr). Position Location: IMBE, (www.imbe.fr), University Aix-Marseille, France
[ECOLOG-L] Half-Time AmeriCorps Instructional Specialist (Austin Area)
4-H CAPITAL is hiring half time AmeriCorps Positions for the 2013-2014 school year. Position Description: Half Time AmeriCorps Members lead and assist with hands-on science activities in after school programs Monday -- Thursday. We serve both elementary and middle schools students, with the majority of the youth enrolled in our program in elementary school. The youth we serve are primarily at-risk students, and Members will have access to vulnerable populations during their year of service. 4-H CAPITAL will be focusing on 5 curriculum areas for the 2013-2014 school year, those focuses are: Animal Science, Junior Master Gardener, Engineering, Natural Resources, and Myth Busters. Additionally all 4-H CAPITAL instructors teach the six pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Curriculum developed for after school programs is a combination of pre-determined lessons and lessons you create. Half Time instructors lead teach approximately two days a week and assist another instructor approximately two days a week. Lead instructors are paired with an assistant instructor when possible. The lead instructor is the instructor responsible for the lesson plan design and implementation on that day. Instructors may be asked to teach at multiple school sites during the week. On Fridays there is typically no after school programming, and time is used for staff meetings, planning and trainings. Requirements: - Commit to a term of service August 14 - May 30 - Serve a total of 900 hours, which breaks down to about 25 hours a week - Typical hours are Monday - Friday from 1pm - 6pm - Have a car and driver's license - Consent to 4 part criminal background check Benefits: - Earn a stipend of $6,406, breaks down to $335.92 twice a month - Earn an education award of $2,775 after successful completion your term - Basic health insurance How to Apply: 4-H CAPITAL requires that you complete the AmeriCorps application to apply, please follow these steps: - Go to my.americorps.gov - Click on Search Listings on the bottom - Type in 4-H CAPITAL in the Program Name field and click Search - Select either 4-H CAPITAL AmeriCorps Project Full Time or 4-H CAPITAL AmeriCorps Project Half Time - Click Apply Now at the bottom - Create a profile and apply directly to 4-H CAPITAL positions Amanda Miller Project Coordinator| 4-H CAPITAL Travis County Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service 1600 Smith Road | Austin, TX 78721 p: (512) 854-3191 | f: (512) 854-9611 amanda.mil...@co.travis.tx.usmailto:amanda.mil...@co.travis.tx.us www.4-HCAPITAL.orghttp://www.4-hcapital.org/ www.facebook.com/4-HCAPITALhttp://www.facebook.com/4HCapital
[ECOLOG-L] Please post job opportunity on the listserv
*/UC Santa Barbara/**- Postdoctoral Researcher** Integrating Natural Defenses into Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction * * SNAP: /Science for Nature and People/*is a new collaborative venture of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and UCSB's National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) to create a fundamentally different way to identify and tackle large-scale ecological challenges that threaten the integrity of nature and human well-being. These efforts will be undertaken through interdisciplinary, collaborative Working Groups that will be hosted at NCEAS.A *SNAP* Working Group led by TNC and WCS will focus on the integration of natural defenses into coastal disaster risk reduction. We seek a researcher who will be based at NCEAS in Santa Barbara, CA and will be centrally involved in: 1) a rigorous assessment of the effectiveness of natural defenses compared to other approaches in coastal areas globally; 2) the identification of best practices in coastal engineering that will generate guidance to inform Green Infrastructure initiatives; and, 3) participation in the SNAP Working Group. This full time position offers competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. The initial appointment is for 1 year with the possibility of an additional year. */Required Qualifications: /* .PhD in coastal geology, coastal engineering, or related field .Strong analytical skills .Ability to review and synthesize large amounts of literature and complex information .Strong communication and interpersonal skills .Outstanding organizational skills .Ability to take initiative and work independently and as part of a team .Knowledge in policy, economics, and/or other social science relevant to the coastal zone */Desired Qualifications /* .Knowledge of coastal hazards and disaster risk reduction strategies .Numerical hydrodynamic and morphologic modeling (wave run-up, flood and storm-surge inundation, coastal erosion and sediment dynamics) .Extreme sea level and wave analysis .Ability to create metrics that simplify complex information across different disciplines .Experience developing and/or familiarity with using complex databases *TERM OF APPOINTMENT: *One year with the possibility of a second year. *SALARY RANGE: *$47,000/year - $57,000/year, commensurate with qualifications and experience. *POSITION AVAILABLE: *Start date September 2013. *TO APPLY: *Electronic submissions are preferred. Applicants should send: 1) Curriculum Vitae, 2) a one-page statement of research interests, and 3) contact information for three references to snap_coas...@nceas.ucsb.edu. You will receive an email that your electronic submission has been received; please inquire if you do not receive verification. Please always refer to the position SNAP Coastal PD. Alternatively, mail submissions may be sent to: National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, Attn: SNAP735 State St., Suite 300, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 *All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law (http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm). ** *CLOSING DATE: August 15, 2013. *Position is open until filled. /The department is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching and service. //_An Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer_/
[ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
I wrote a feature for Environmental Health Perspectives about obesogens, and in it I cite at least one study that talks about the increasing weights of lab and other animals (urban, I believe). It also talks about the science behind it, and what is known so far (mostly focusing on humans, but if there's a similar effect on animals I am sure it works in the same ways) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/ Or the PDF: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/pdf/ehp.120-a62.pdf Here's the link to the study that talks about animals Klimentidis YC, et al. Canaries in the coal mine: a cross-species analysis of the plurality of obesity epidemics. Proc R Soc Biol Sci. 2011;278(1712):16261632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.1890. That doesn't answer the question directly but perhaps that scientist or one of the co-authors works on this more regularly or would know the answer Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write for magazines get paid! Live your dreams! Online Classes start July 27 Sep 7, 2013 On 7/15/13 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don¹t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don¹t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals¹ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can¹t just be that they¹re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
The research shows despite no substantial changes in lab protocols over the past decades, there has been an increase in body weight for lab animals. Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:03 PM, Hilit Finkler hilit.fink...@gmail.com wrote: Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel
[ECOLOG-L] AGU2013 Session B014Carbon cycling in coastal wetlands: from micro to macroscale
Dear fellow wetland enthusiasts, We are excited to announce our Session B014 Carbon cycling in coastal wetlands: from micro to macroscale at this years American Geophysical Union annual Fall meeting in San Francisco (December 9th-13th). The abstract deadline is August 6, 2013 at 23:59 EDT. We look forward to seeing you in December! Sincerely, Susanna Theroux, DOE Joint Genome Institute, sther...@lbl.gov Susannah Tringe, DOE Joint Genome Institute, sgtri...@lbl.gov Wyatt Hartman, DOE Joint Genome Institute, whhart...@lbl.gov Lisamarie Windham-Myers, U.S. Geological Survey, lwind...@usgs.gov B014 Description: The biotic and abiotic dynamics of carbon cycling in coastal wetlands are vastly understudied compared to terrestrial and marine ecosystems, resulting in large uncertainties in wetland carbon storage capacity. Climate change and land use conversion introduce additional uncertainties in quantifying the response of these fragile ecosystems to rising sea levels, higher salinities and altered nutrient profiles. This session will serve as a forum to unite researchers examining microbially-mediated carbon cycling in coastal wetlands in an effort to define predictors of belowground storage vs. atmospheric release. Presentations on wetland response to climate change and restoration, at various temporal and spatial scales, are encouraged. http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2013/scientific-program/session-search/sessions/b014-carbon- cycling-in-coastal-wetlands-from-micro-to-macroscale-2/ Section/Focus Group: Biogeosciences (B) Co-Sponsors: Global Environmental Change (GC) Ocean Sciences (OS) Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology (PP
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
Maybe its just Cope's rule in action. Mammals get bigger over evolutionary time... (I don't really believe this, I suspect its just that we select the stronger animals to keep and weed out the weaker ones, weaker ones tend to be smaller, so there would be a general selection [unintentionally] for larger animals due to their more rapid growth allowing them to complete better at an earlier age forcing the less competitive to be even less competitive. Even in captivity this will happen!) On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 9:22 PM, Wendee Nicole holtc...@embarqmail.com wrote: The research shows despite no substantial changes in lab protocols over the past decades, there has been an increase in body weight for lab animals. Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:03 PM, Hilit Finkler hilit.fink...@gmail.com wrote: Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don’t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don’t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals’ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can’t just be that they’re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel -- Malcolm L. McCallum Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences University of Missouri at Kansas City Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Re: [ECOLOG-L] Obesity study of animals?
Well that's fine, but at least read the info about obesogens and their mechanism of action (it is legit and there's substantial data about the hypothesis, in humans at least) before discounting that possibility (that endocrine disrupting chemicals are altering the epigenome, creating a generational impact on metabolism, among other mechanisms of action) Wendee Wendee Nicole, M.S. Wildlife Ecology ~ Freelance Writer * Photographer * Bohemian Web: [ http://www.wendeenicole.com ] Blog: [ http://bohemianadventures.blogspot.com ] Twitter: twitter.com/bohemianone Email: wendeenic...@nasw.org Write for magazines get paid! Live your dreams! Online Classes start July 27 Sep 7, 2013 On 7/15/13 10:19 PM, malcolm McCallum malcolm.mccal...@herpconbio.org wrote: Maybe its just Cope's rule in action. Mammals get bigger over evolutionary time... (I don't really believe this, I suspect its just that we select the stronger animals to keep and weed out the weaker ones, weaker ones tend to be smaller, so there would be a general selection [unintentionally] for larger animals due to their more rapid growth allowing them to complete better at an earlier age forcing the less competitive to be even less competitive. Even in captivity this will happen!) On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 9:22 PM, Wendee Nicole holtc...@embarqmail.com wrote: The research shows despite no substantial changes in lab protocols over the past decades, there has been an increase in body weight for lab animals. Wendee Sent from my iPhone www.wendeenicole.com On Jul 15, 2013, at 8:03 PM, Hilit Finkler hilit.fink...@gmail.com wrote: Obesity in lab animals? Is he serious? They don't exercise live in cage 100-1000 time smaller than their natural habitats, are under terrible stress - need i go on? On Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 7:23 PM, Skylar Bayer skyla...@gmail.com wrote: Hello Ecolog-L, I recently read this article about the trends of obesity world-wide. One of the points the author makes, But such results don¹t explain why the weight gain is also occurring in species that human beings don¹t pamper, such as animals in labs, whose diets are strictly controlled. In fact, lab animals¹ lives are so precisely watched and measured that the researchers can rule out accidental human influence: records show those creatures gained weight over decades without any significant change in their diet or activities. Obviously, if animals are getting heavier along with us, it can¹t just be that they¹re eating more Snickers bars and driving to work most days. On the contrary, the trend suggests some widely shared cause, beyond the control of individuals, which is contributing to obesity across many species. He refers to lab animals in this statement, but he mentions industrial chemicals and BPAs that get into the environment (more than just urban areas, I presume) and other viruses and bacteria that may relate to weight gain/loss. My question is, has anyone here on this listserv, or know of anyone doing long term ecological studies on mammals or other vertebrates where weights are recorded? I am curious if these kinds of compounds, which must be leaked into certain systems, at the very least, have the same kind of obesogen effect on ecosystems outside an urban center. I'd love to hear what any of you think about the matter. The article: http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/david-berreby-obesity-era/ Thanks! Skylar -- Skylar Bayer University of Maine School of Marine Sciences Graduate Student of Marine Biology Darling Marine Center 193 Clark's Cove Road Walpole, ME 04573 skylar.ba...@maine.edu -- Hilit Finkler PhD Zoology and urban ecology Tel Aviv University Israel -- Malcolm L. McCallum Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry School of Biological Sciences University of Missouri at Kansas City Managing Editor, Herpetological Conservation and Biology Peer pressure is designed to contain anyone with a sense of drive - Allan Nation 1880's: There's lots of good fish in the sea W.S. Gilbert 1990's: Many fish stocks depleted due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. 2000: Marine reserves, ecosystem restoration, and pollution reduction MAY help restore populations. 2022: Soylent Green is People! The Seven Blunders of the World (Mohandas Gandhi) Wealth w/o work Pleasure w/o conscience Knowledge w/o character Commerce w/o morality Science w/o humanity Worship w/o sacrifice Politics w/o principle Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
