Conservation Physiology

This issue will feature advances in mechanistic #modelling across all taxa and ecosystems, aiming to strengthen the link between these emerging approaches and #conservation policy and practice 🐨🌻📈🪸

✳️ #SpecialIssue call for papers ✳️

We are accepting submissions for a NEW special issue: Applications of mechanistic #modelling in biodiversity conservation 🖥️🌎

Edited by Sean Tomlinson & Brian Helmuth

Full info and submission instructions ➡️ academic.oup.com/conphys/page...

@sebiology.bsky.social

Brian Helmuth is sure to deliver a stimulating and enjoyable talk - please join us for this free webinar, and share with others.

During efforts to eradicate invasive rodents on Floreana Island, Galapagos short-eared owls 🦉 were brought into human care. This new study provides baseline health data (#Haematology & #Biochemistry reference intervals) which will be useful for future monitoring of owls.

➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

We are excited for the next installment of our #CommunityConversations webinar series 🌍 💬

Dr Brian Helmuth @Aquanaut1967 will discuss how removing the "human lens" can help design more effective #Conservation strategies.

17/3 2-3pm GMT
Full info ➡️ shorturl.at/bOGfn

#DNAmethylation data provides an exciting avenue for studying wildlife health. This paper reviews methods used to study methylation, and discusses the potential applications in wildlife, using bottlenose dolphins 🐬 as a case study.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp... #Epigenetics #Conservation

The importance of early life stages⚠️ and why we need more research on them! See this new study by @patricepottier.bsky.social, @kruthsatz.bsky.social and colleagues

Early life stages have been hypothesised to be particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. This new study highlights a shortage of research into embryos in the #ConPhys field and calls for more research into early life stages 🪺 🐦‍⬛

➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

#Ontogony #DevelopmentalBio

Captive Asian elephants 🐘 in Thailand are increasingly exposed to fine particulate matter, yet little is known of the health impacts. This study found that particulates increased stress hormone concentrations and triggered complex #OxidativeStress patterns in elephants.

➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

New 2026 paper led by @patricepottier.bsky.social, @kruthsatz.bsky.social & I in @conphysjournal.bsky.social show studies on embryos make up <10% of conservation physiology studies, highlighting a major blind spot in predicting vulnerable life stages to climate change.

🔗 doi.org/10.1093/conp...

🧠 New in the #CommunityConversations webinar series:

Thinking like a non-human: a fresh perspective on designing better conservation strategies for coastal ecosystems.

Discover how moving beyond human-centered thinking can reshape environmental action.

Join here:
www.sebiology.org/events/ems-e...

A unique faunal community resides in the groundwater systems of the Yucatan Peninsula. This study of a cave isopod showed how its physiology enables it to survive in this harsh and changeable environment.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

Just a couple of weeks left to submit!

We are excited for our upcoming #CommunityConversations webinar with Brian Helmuth 🌍 💬

Brian will discuss his work on understanding human perceptions of nature, reflecting on his experiences as an Aquanaut 🤿 !

Sign up here ➡️ shorturl.at/bOGfn

#Conservation #MarineBio

✳️ For those who missed Steve's #CommunityConversations 🌎💬 webinar, the recording is now available to watch on demand ✳️

➡️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhAg...

@sebiology.bsky.social @sjcfishy.bsky.social

#Biomarkers are a useful tool for studying the health of threatened species. This study of rhinos 🦏 found the steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to be a potential indicator of pregnancy.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

Our #CommunityConversations 💬 webinars are ideal for #EarlyCareerResearchers looking to build their careers.

Sign up for our upcoming webinar with Brian Helmuth here ➡️ shorturl.at/bOGfn

@sebiology.bsky.social #ECR #SciComm #MarineBio #Conservation

How does fishing pressure 🎣 affect fish #Physiology and #Behaviour? Find out in this study comparing sand flathead 🐟️ populations in heavily and lightly fished regions.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...
#MarineBio #Conservation #Angling

Lasers are often used to deter birds from crops, airports & fisheries, but what are the potential implications for visually-mediated behaviours such as foraging? Learn more in this new study on house sparrows.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

#ClimateChange exposes wildlife to changes in temperature and resource availability. This new paper models the effects of food availability and water temperature on growth and reproduction in marine fish species 🐠 .

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

#Modelling #MarineBio

With more than 3000 readers, it's nice to see our suggestions for constructive #peerreview widely read!

If you are embarking on your first review or are simply looking for advice on how to provide constructive comments, check out our Editorial in @conphysjournal.bsky.social!

What is the relationship between #Cortisol levels and wolf predation in cattle? How could studying cortisol levels in cattle help understand prey selection and manage human-wolf conflict? 🐺🐄

Find out more in this new paper: ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

Hawksbill sea turtles 🐢 are #CriticallyEndangered, yet efforts to understand their biology are hindered by a lack of year-round sampling. To bridge the gap, this study reports on foraging physiology over a year, using β-hydroxybutyrate as a #Biomarker.

Read it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...

We are excited to announce the next installment of our #CommunityConversations webinar series! 🌍 💬

Dr Brian Helmuth will discuss how removing the "human lens" can help design more effective conservation strategies.

17/03 2-3pm GMT
Sign up here ➡️ shorturl.at/bOGfn

#Conservation #SciComm

Cartoon image of man and woman from shoulders up with arrows pointing between them and icons of written documents in between

"Peer review has been the cornerstone of scientific inquiry for centuries and is considered the backbone of scientific quality and rigour."

A new article from @conphysjournal.bsky.social takes you through some key tips on how to write a constructive peer review: oxford.ly/3NEZjhj

One month left to submit to our #BioLogging special issue!

Welcome to our newest Associate Editor Nicholas Wu @nicholaswu.bsky.social!

Nicholas aims to understand how species respond to environmental & anthropogenic change by studying their physiology, ecology & evolution.

Just a few days left to apply to our editorial internship scheme!

#EarlyCareerResearcher #ECR #PeerReview

ConPhys in Action ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...
Comments on McGeachy et al. 2025 ➡️ doi.org/10.1093/conp...
Image credit: David McGeachy

Polar bears 🐻‍❄️ do not eat when pregnant and nursing, making it essential to build up fat reserves prior to birthing. So how do polar bears fare under climate change when shrinking ice sheets limit their ability to hunt? Find out in this #ConPhysinAction piece by Ghizlane Banousse (link below) ⬇️ 🧵