NOTE: Dr. Atkinson is on leave at the University of Alaska.
[publications] [graduate students]I am focusing my research on the biology and ecology of mainly marine species. My main projects are involved with the reproductive and growth biology of marine mammals, with a special interest in the Hawaiian monk seal. The Hawaiian monk seal is an endemic seal that is critically endangered. Its birth rate fluctuates wildly and the cause for this is unknown. In addition, the juvenile seals at one location have had poor survival, the cause of which is thought to be starvation. This cause indicates that the ecosystem is in a major state of flux, with the top predator succumbing.
Other projects are more related to the ecology and physiology of individual animals. Identifying the body composition and nutritional status of animals that are of different ages and reproductive states is of great interest to me. The mechanism by which the nutritional status of the animal is conveyed to the reproductive system will continue to be an area of research focus. These studies are taking place in dolphins, whales and seals.
A field study that we are currently undertaking is the ecology of the rough-toothed dolphin in Moorea, French Polynesia. This normally pelagic species is poorly studied and the in-shore nature of a pod of these dolphins in Tahiti has created a unique opportunity for us to study these animals.
Goodman-Lowe GD, Carpenter JR, Atkinson S. Assimilation efficiency of prey in the Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinislandi. Can J Zool In press.
Theodorou J, Atkinson S. 1998. Monitoring of testosterone in the saliva of captive Hawaiian monk seals. Mar Mamm Sci 14: In Press.
Combelles C, Atkinson S, Nachtigall P, Pawlowski J, Breese M. 1998. Monitoring of progesterone in captive female false killer whales, Pseudorcacrassidens. Gen Comp Endo. In Press.
Mazzuca L, Atkinson S, Nitta E. 1998. Deaths and entaglements of humpback whales in the main Hawaiian Islands, 1973-1995. Pac Sci 52:1-13.
Silvers LE, Atkinson S, Iwasa M, Combelles C, Salden D. 1997. A large placenta encountered in the Hawaiian winter grounds of the humpback whale, Megapteranovaeangliae. Mar Mamm Sci 13:771-776.
Atkinson S. 1997. Reproductive biology of seals: reproductive processes and events of phocid and otariid seals. Rev Reprod 2:175-194.
The University of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.