Predicting the energetic costs of climate warming for ectothermic animals. Climate warming increases the energy demands of animals, as rising temperatures accelerate their metabolic processes. This p

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Predicting the energetic costs of climate warming for ectothermic animals. Climate warming increases the energy demands of animals, as rising temperatures accelerate their metabolic processes. This project aims, using Drosophila as a model, to determine if that increase is inevitable, or if animals can evolve to mitigate the physiological effects of temperature. Such knowledge would improve our fundamental understanding of how temperature affects life. Expected outcomes include a generalisable framework for predicting individual- and population-level consequences of climate warming – with broad benefits through development of strategies to maximise animal production for food security in future climates, improved animal reproduction for stock replenishment, and conservation and reintroduction of threatened species.. Scheme: ARC Future Fellowships. Field: 3109 - Zoology. Lead: Dr Lesley Alton