Category Archives: Research News

Katie (far left), Mexican interns, and Dr. Susan Wethington working the banding table and DLW experiment.

Don Powers along with research students Katie Langland and Luke Andrew traveled to various areas in southeastern Arizona to begin data collection on the lab’s NASA-funded project exploring how climate change might impact hummingbird populations and their distribution.  The primary goals for this summer’s work were to 1) complete some basic metabolic measurements for an upcoming paper on how broad-tailed hummingbirds (Selasphorus platycercus) were impacted by two extreme cold events over the past several years, 2) begin collection of infrared thermography data and make metabolic measurements that will help the lab understand how hummingbirds respond to changes in their thermal environment, and 3) develop protocols for measuring daily energy expenditure over a variety of thermal conditions using the doubly-labeled water technique.  During our time in Arizona we had the opportunity to work with four student interns from Mexico who are contributing to other aspects of the NASA project led by lab collaborator Dr. Susan Wethington.  These interns were bright, talented, and a joy to work with.  I am considering supporting a Mexican intern next summer that will focus on your physiological studies and work closely with the labs research students.

Katie collecting thermal imaging data.

Overall the field season was success.  Now the hard work of analysis begins.  Katie returns to Oregon today (July 8) and the entire lab will meet tomorrow to set analysis goals for the rest of the summer.  Needless to say we will all be very busy!  While the lab gets a respite from field work Don Powers will make multiple short trips back to Arizona in late August and September for more DLW work as there are a few more wrinkles that need to be ironed out before next year’s longer field season (April-September).  Let the fun begin!

The slide show below shows a few pictures from our time in Arizona.  Click here to see the complete photo album of our Arizona adventure.

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The Powers lab made what has become an annual trip to the University of Montana Flight Lab to conduct studies related to the metabolic costs and biomechanics of hovering and forward flight in calliope hummingbirds (Stellula calliope) with long-time  collaborator Dr. Bret Tobalske.  The team from the Powers lab included Dr. Don Powers and research student Luke Andrew.

IR image of flying hummingbird.

The primary focus of this year’s work was to complete metabolic, PIV, infrared thermography, and 3D-kinematic data sets on the calliopes and to work out infrared thermographic protocols with the Powers lab’s FLIR SC6700 infrared camera that will be used in field studies funded by NASA later this month (infrared thermography video). Below are a few images from our time at the Flight Lab.  To see the entire Flickr photo set click here.

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Katie collection snakes for our experiments!

The Powers lab has collaborated with Dr. Robert Mason and his Ph.D. student Chris Friesen (finishing in September) for the past five years on research that has shed light on the reproductive energetics of the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietals).  This year Don Powers and research student Katie Langland traveled to Manitoba, Canada to study the role body temperature plays in female attractiveness to males.  The primary method used this year was infrared thermograph which allowed recording of snake surface temperature.

Infrared thermography has been a tool in the Powers lab for the past couple years for studying heat dissipation in calliope hummingbirds.  Funding from NASA has allowed the lab to purchase their own IR camera providing flexibility to use the technique in a broader range of studies.  This study on red-sided garter snakes has allowed us to work out protocols that will be used later this summer in Arizona on projects related to the NASA research.  Watch our YouTube video!  Below are a few images from our trip to Manitoba.  If you would like to see the entire Flickr photo set click here.

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The lab is pleased to welcome three new research students who have joined the team for the coming year.

Luke working with the lab's FoxBox oxygen analyzer.

Luke Andrew is a sophomore biology major from Enumclaw, WA who will be working on various projects examining hummingbird response to climate change (funded by NASA).For the next year most of Luke’s work will be focused on developing protocols for measuring field energetics that can be used in the field.  Luke’s first task will be to develop a reliable technique for collecting urine samples from hummingbirds that can be used as a body-water source for doubly-labeled water analysis which is used to measure field metabolic rate.  Luke’s work this next will be funded by the Richter Scholar Program here at George Fox University.

Katie getting ready to do some high-speed video.

Katie Langland is a junior biology major from Redmond, OR who will split her time between two lab projects.  She will conduct a study on the role female body temperature plays in courtship decisions made by male red-sided garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietals) in Manitoba, Canada.  Katie will also take charge of developing protocols for measurement of nighttime body temperatures in hummingbird using the lab’s new FLIR SC6700 Infrared Camera.

Elliott taking care of our salamanders.

Finally, Elliott Davis, a junior biology major from Canby, Or, will continue work done in the lab the past several years on thedistribution  and regulation of aquaporin water channels in the ventral skin of rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa).  Elliott will continue to explore how localized distribution of aquaporins 1-4 change in newts acclimated to aquatic vs. terrestrial conditions.  Further, we have acquired some Plethodontid salamanders (Plethodon shermanii) that will allow Elliott to explore differences in aquaporin management in a primarily aquatic (Taricha) vs. exclusively terrestrial (Plethodon) species.  Elliott will also be funded by the Richter Scholar Program.

Paige presenting snake data.

Last week the lab travels to Charleston, SC for the 2012 SICB meeting.  Don Powers presented a paper titled “Courtship Metabolic Rate in Male vs. Female Red-Sided Gater Snakes” providing an overview of some of the work the lab had done in Manitoba the past several years.  Paige Copenhaver, who graduated this spring, presented a poster on the work she did this past summer on the metabolic cost of copulatory plug production in male red-sided garter snakes as well as a poster on thermal preferences and metabolic rate in rough-skinned newts.  Kyle Maki presented a poster on heat dissipation in calliope hummingbirds as measured by infrared thermography using data collected last summer at the University of Montana as part of the lab’s collaboration with Dr. Bret Tobalske.

Kyle presenting her hummingbird Poster

Both Paige and Kyle took full advantage of their opportunity to attend their first national meeting attending numerous papers and interacting with many established scientists while presenting their posters.  All three posters were well attended and both students did a wonderful job explaining the details of the project and addressing questions.  both student’s performance is a testament to the quality research experiences provided to undergraduates here at GFU.  Towards the end of the meeting the lab took a little time off to enjoy historic Charleston and do a little bird watching.

Below is a selection of photos taken during the trip.  To see all trip photos go to the Flickr photo gallery.

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