Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2002/00271
Maternal fitness effects on survival, health and disease resistance in Weddell seals.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor AJ Hall, University of St Andrews, Sea Mammal Research Unit
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr VJ Smith, University of St Andrews, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of St Andrews, Sea Mammal Research Unit
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Physiology
- Population Ecology
- Abstract:
- Phocid seals show changes in reproductive performance which reflect variations in food availability. Maternal size is highly correlated with reproductive success but is not entirely explained by it. If a pup is to survive it must also be able to defend itself against a wide variety of pathogens. Studies on Weddell seals breeding at McMurdo Sound have shown that two lactational strategies are present, mothers that feed during lactation and those that fast. It may be expected that feeding females are less energetically constrained. This might give the feeders an added advantage and be manifest as an improvement in the health and immune fitness of the pups. In this study we will add to a project investigating the energetic consequences of these two strategies by determining the ontogeny of disease resistance in the pups. Effects on the female's fitness will also be determined.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2002/00271
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £31,329
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £10,471 | £3,039 | £13,002 | £4,817 |
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