Integrative physiology of animal performance during environmental stress

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Environmental hypoxia (low oxygen), whether it is naturally occurring or induced by human activities, can impact the survival and performance of animals in the wild. All vertebrates have some capacity for responding to hypoxia, but there are clearly some species that are more capable of thriving in hypoxic environments than others. Although we know a great deal about the mechanisms of hypoxia tolerance in some exceptionally tolerant vertebrates, it is unclear if the knowledge gained from studying these animals can be generalized to different species with different tolerances. My research program addresses this gap in our knowledge by studying the natural variation in hypoxia tolerance within and across vertebrate groups. I will use integrative physiological methodologies to explain - from molecular to organismal levels - how fish, mammals, and birds are able to live and perform in hypoxic environments. A comparative evolutionary approach will be used to identify, ascribe adaptive significance to, and provide environmental relevance for the respiratory and metabolic mechanisms of hypoxia tolerance. This will be combined with a model species approach that can provide developmental and genomic insights that are impractical to explore in non-model organisms. Global change is making hypoxia a new reality for many animals, from aquatic species living in eutrophic environments to terrestrial species seeking cooler temperatures at high altitude. The proposed research is important because it will explain how different species, with different hypoxia tolerances, are likely to be affected by global change, and will thus identify the species that are most at risk. The grant will allow me to complete the training of 1 Ph.D., 3 M.Sc., and 10 B.Sc. students with advanced skills and techniques that are invaluable for many scientific careers, and to begin training two additional graduate students. My work will make significant impacts by helping understand and protect our natural environment for the health, quality of life, and economic benefit of Canadians.