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Tyler Sanders
Missouri State University, Department of Biology
Advisor: Dr. Day Ligon
Abstract
Global warming is expected to increase stochasticity and geographical distributions of climate patterns. The extent to which a particular species will be affected by climate change is, in part, dependent upon individuals' ability to physiologically or behaviorally compensate for environmental change. Species that hibernate during the winter months may be particularly susceptible to range contractions due to the fact that they do not migrate to warmer areas, which would allow for greater behavioral flexibility to cope with changes in climate. For hibernating species that rely on low temperatures to regulate a low metabolic rate during winter, climate change can have dramatic detrimental effects. Therefore, physiological plasticity in such species could become vitally important to their survival during winter months. I assessed the degree to which hibernating yellow mud turtles (Kinosternon flavescens) are affected by warming winter temperatures. To assess physiological capacity to tolerate variable winter conditions I compared energy consumption rates and blood chemistry profiles among treatments and populations throughout a six-month simulated hibernation. The results will be used to determine the relative ability of this species to adapt to and survive the challenges posed by predicted rising temperatures.
Tyler Sanders son of Clint and Karen Sanders, was born 90 miles north of Springfield in Clinton, Missouri on 15 June 1986. Currently pursuing a master's degree in biology from Missouri State University, he completed his undergraduate work at MSU as well, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's of science degree in wildlife biology in 2009. Tyler plans to pursue a career in conservation biology upon graduation.
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