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Research Interests

Physiological consequences of animal life history tradeoffs.

Animal longevity from an evolutionary physiology perspective

Immune/endocrine/nutritional interactions with aerobic performance

Thermal physiology of animals

Representative Publications

Buttemer, W.A., H. Battam & A.J. Hulbert. 2008. Fowl play and the price of petrel: long-living Procellariiformes have peroxidation-resistant membranes compare with short-living Galliformes. Biology Letters 4:351-354.

Buttemer, W.A., S. Warne, C. Bech, and L.B. Astheimer. 2008. Testosterone effects on avian aerobic performance: facts and artefacts. Comp. Biochem. Physiol A 150:204-210.

Hulbert, A. J., R. Pamplona, S. Buffenstein, & W. A. Buttemer. 2007. Life and death: metabolic rate, membrane composition, and life span of animals. Physiological Review 87:1173-1213.

Pryke, S., L. B. Astheimer, W.A. Buttemer & S. C. Griffith. 2007. Frequency-dependent tradeoffs between competing colour morphs. Biology Letters 3: 494-497

Buttemer, W.A. & W.R. Dawson. 1993. Temporal pattern of foraging and microhabitat use by Galapagos marine iguanas, Amblyrhynchus cristatus. Oecologica 96:56-64.

Searchable publications list

Current Students

PhD Students

Harry Battam, Project title: Energetic and nutritional relations of non-breeding albatrosses.

Megan Kelly, Project title: Stress and immune function interactions in amphibians.

Malsha Kitulagodage, Project title: Effects of fipronil on avian development and health.

Magdalene Trzcionka, Project title: Physiological and morphological correlates of differential longevity in birds.

Msc. Students

Paul Story, Project title: Behavioural and physiological consequences of sublethal pesticide exposure in dunnarts.

Suggested Topics for Future Students

Immune/nutrition/testosterone tradeoffs in vertebrates.

Physiological bases of fecundity/longevity tradeoffs

Physiological bases of variable life spans.

Diet effects on aerobic performance of small endotherms.

Thermal acclimation potential of native and introduced species.

See also the Honours Topic Page

Abbreviated CV

Academic Degrees

A.B. Zoology, San Diego State University, 1971

Ph.D. Biology, University of Michigan, 1981.

Academic and Research Appointments

1993-present: Lecturer to Professor, University of Wollongong.

1991-1993: Lecturer in Physiology, University of Tasmania.

1988-1991: Research Associate, Dept. Zoology, University of Washington.

1986-1988: Lecturer in Physiology, University of Tasmania.

1985-1986: Postdoctoral Fellow: Dept. of Zoology, UNSW.

1983-1985: Visiting Assistant Professor, Rutgers University.

1981-1983: Postdoctoral Researcher, Dept. of Avian Sciences, Univ. of California, Davis.