Andrew McKechnie

My research programme investigates the ecological and evolutionary physiology of birds and mammals, and seeks to understand the ways in which physical environments drive the evolution of animal physiology. Current focus areas include the: i) sources and significance of avian metabolic diversity, ii) heat tolerance and evaporative cooling capacity in arid-zone birds, iii) ecology and evolution of heterothermic responses such as torpor, and iv) use of stable isotopes to trace nutrient and water fluxes between animals and their environments. Much of this work is taking place in the context of developing physiologically-informed, mechanistic models of the responses by arid-zone birds to climate change. Along with Dr. Susie Cunningham (UCT), I am co-lead the Hot Birds Research Project, a multidisciplinary research group involving ornithologists at the University of Pretoria, the University of Cape Town and a network of local and overseas partners.