Physio-logging, the measurement of physiological parameters using electronic sensor devices, can play a vital role in advancing our understanding of animal eco-physiology. More wide-spread use of physio-logging devices has been impeded by numerous obstacles including limited availability, excessively large sensor sizes, and the necessity of surgical expertise and profound understanding of animal anatomy for successful implantation. However, significant advancements have been made that have begun to offset the limitations in physio-logging which offer exciting opportunities to explore animal physiology.
By measuring parameters such as heart rate, respiration, body temperature, and stress hormone levels, etc., researchers can gain valuable insights into an animal's responses to various environmental factors. By correlating physiological data with specific behavioral patterns, researchers can unravel the underlying mechanisms that drive, and/or are associated with certain actions.
Furthermore, physio-logging drives at facilitating the study of animals in natural environments, reducing the need for invasive techniques or captivity. This non-invasive approach aims to allow researchers to monitor a wide range of species, from small insects to large mammals, with minimum disturbance to their natural behaviors. This enhances the ethical considerations of scientific research and ensures that the data collected is as representative of true physiological responses as possible in wild in free-ranging animals.
The primary objective of this Frontiers research topic is to enhance our comprehension of the latest techniques in physio-logging applied to marine (aquatic) animals. Moreover, we have a strong interest in studies that explore the potential for further progress in this promising area of research to better understand the physiology of aquatic animals.
The main subtopics which are of interest to this collection are:
- Monitoring the health and welfare of marine animals
- Biologging data applied to marine management and conservation policy
- New findings on physiological response (or behavioral responses via physiological response) of marine animals to environmental changes or anthropic activities
- Exploring extrasensory senses other than the five senses such as geomagnetism
- Development of new physiological sensors and measurement methods, and new analysis technology for obtained biologging big data
We welcome the submission of different
article types to this collection, especially reviews, mini-reviews, and original research papers.
Even though abstract submission is not mandatory, we encourage all interested researchers to submit an abstract before submitting their manuscript. Abstracts do not have to coincide with the final abstract of the manuscripts. Given that the current collection is centered around physiology, we kindly request that all interested authors prioritize the physiological aspects in their papers.