Thermal physiological responses of animals: challenges to obtain these measures in field

• Grant number: 18/12218-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date until: November 01, 2018
• End date until: October 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Alex Sandro Campos Maia
• Grantee: Vinícius de França Carvalho Fonsêca
• Supervisor: Andrea-Jane Kamerman
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), South Africa
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/12278-1 - Evaluation of different methods for the measurement of heat loss by cutaneous evaporation in animals, BP.PD

Abstract

The research team in the Wildlife Conservation Physiology section of the Brain Function Research Group at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa, has developed many methods to evaluate physiological and behavioral responses of wild free-ranging species. Undoubtedly, the challenges of assessment of physiological responses in free-ranging wild species is much greater when compared with the less complex livestock environment, such as large grazing pastures or open confinement areas. Under the wild context, animals are less predictable, evaluations are performed in much larger territorial lands, and animal restraint appears as a substantial challenge. Thus, learning how to record physiological and behavioral responses of free-ranging animals using remote sensing techniques, as developed by Professor Andrea Fuller and her research group, will bring effective gains for the beneficiary and its research team at Brazil (Innovation Group of Animal Biometeorology, Ambience, Behavior and Animal Welfare). Therefore, the main goal of this project is to measure physiological and behavioral responses of animals in field conditions using remote monitoring methods, by spending time abroad with Professor Andrea Fuller and her research team at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Specific aims will include use the biotelemetry techniques to record behavioral and physiological reactions of free-ranging animals; techniques to use ingestible temperature sensors and attach at the skin, hair coat surface, subcutaneous tissue, as well as surgical procedures to implant sensors; to find a way to accurately record the skin temperature to use as indirect estimative of cutaneous surface evaporation of animals in the field condition. The beneficiary will spend one year (November, 01 - 2018 to November 01 - 2019) at the University of Witwatersrand, with the period being used to perform theoretical and experimental activities in the field during this time. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARVALHO FONSECA, VINICIUS DE FRANCA; DA SILVA, ROBERTO GOMES; MOURA, GUSTAVO A. B.; SNELLING, EDWARD P.; FULLER, ANDREA; MITCHELL, DUNCAN; DE MELO COSTA, CINTIA C.; MILAN, HUGO M.; MAIA, ALEX S. C.. Reliability of methods to determine cutaneous evaporative water loss rate in furred and fleeced mammals. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART A-ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, DEC 2021. (16/12278-1, 18/12218-4)