Physiological/Behavioral Biotelemetry
The Physiological/Behavioral Ecology and Biotelemetry group is led by Drs. Thomas Wolcott and Donna Wolcott (Emerita). Its focus is on the fundamental biology of marine species—how they work in nature, especially how they interact with their physical microenvironments. The goal is to better understand the roles of these animals in the functioning of ecosystems, both natural and economically exploited.
Obtaining a realistic picture often requires collection of new kinds of information from free-ranging individuals where the presence of an observer would be impossible, or would drastically alter the behaviors of interest. A major emphasis of the group is the development of novel technologies (telemetry systems, dataloggers, robots) to collect data from undisturbed free-ranging animals. This interdisciplinary work has been conducted in collaboration with scientists from the Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, Duke Unversity Marine Lab, and NCSU colleagues in several disciplines.
Some specific examples in NC include:
- Determining when, where and how adult female blue crabs (the spawning stock) migrate to spawning areas.
- Observing (using ultrasonic pinger transmitters) how the adult females use NC’s spawning sanctuaries, and what degree of protection the sanctuaries afford the spawning stock
- Assessing the probability that the supply of larval blue crabs is being reduced by harvest of large males and an inadequate supply of sperm to fertilize all the females’ potential eggs (collaborators: Duke University Marine Lab)
- Development of biotelemetry systems to reveal how free-ranging blue crabs respond to anoxic events in the Neuse River
- Development of a “robot larva” to reveal how larval behaviors interact with near-shore and estuarine current regimes to determine where larval crabs, fish, oysters etc. are transported and whether they will be delivered successfully to nursery areas
- Development of optimized systems for underwater data telemetry (collaborators: Electrical and Computer Engineering, NCSU)
- Development of “nanobot” dataloggers to assess exposure of microbes to ultraviolet light as they pass through water-sterilizing reactors (collaborators: NCSU Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Some specific examples outside NC include:
- Development of a “Red Tide Mimic” robot to reveal how interaction of algal swimming behavior and coastal-scale oceanography lead to onshore transport of seed populations, formation of actual blooms, their movement, and their eventual dissipation (collaborators: Mote Marine Lab, Duke Hyperbaric Facility)
- Development and use of miniature electronic dataloggers to reveal timing, routes and mechanisms of migration by adult female blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay, from brackish mating areas throughout the Bay to the spawning sanctuary near its mouth (collaboration with Smithsonian Environmental Research Center)
Extension and Outreach Overview
The Behavioral/physiological Ecology and Biotelemetry group, under the leadership of Drs. Thomas Wolcott and Donna Wolcott (Emerita), has provided novel insights into reproductive and behavioral ecology of blue crabs that will contribute to development of rational fisheries and habitat management plans. It also serves as a resource for both biologists and engineers desiring to use telemetry technology to answer otherwise intractable questions.
Some specific examples in NC include:
- Data on blue crab migrations, effectiveness of spawning sanctuaries, and reproductive success, to help develop the fishery management plan in NC
- Consulting on biotelemetry and instrumentation issues for a broad spectrum of users
Some specific examples outside NC include:
- Providing field data in support of piping plover management, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
- Consulting nationally and internationally on biotelemetry and field instrumentation
- Contribution to a German handbook on presentation of effective talks and posters