School of Education

Dr Dominic Mccafferty

Dominic McCafferty
  • Senior Lecturer (Interdisciplinary Science Education Technologies and Learning)
  • Senior Lecturer, Honorary Senior Research Fellow (Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine)

telephone: 01413301803
email: Dominic.McCafferty@glasgow.ac.uk


Research

Biophysical ecology

I am a biophysical ecologist studying the physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals foraging in cold and aquatic environments. I examine how metabolic heat loss occurs in terrestrial and aquatic species, the biophysics of heat transfer in animal coats, animal microclimates, thermoregulation and behavioural responses to different environmental conditions. Techniques include thermal imaging, micrometeorology and heat transfer modelling.

Thermal imaging

IR images of animals 

Thermal images of barn owl, grey seals and rabbit

Rapid advances in thermal imaging provides the opportunity of non invasive measurement of surface temperature of free ranging animals. We have used infrared thermography to estimate meatbolic heat loss of birds in flight, thermal responses to biologging instrument attachment and monitoring rates of tag healing in seals.

Aquatic mammals

I have worked on a range of marine mammals including grey seals, harbour seals, Antarctic fur seals and Eurasian otters. Fieldwork has been undertaken on the Isle of May, Scotland, Bird Island, South Georgia and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland.

 

Research collaborations

Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine

Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Scottish Energy Centre, Napier Edinburgh University

Département Ecologie, Physiologie & Ethologie (IPHC UDS CNRS)
Strasbourg France

Jump to: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996
Number of items: 44.

2012

Gilbert, C., McCafferty, D.J. , Giroud, S., Ancel, A., and Blanc, S. (2012) Private heat for public warmth: how huddling shapes individual thermogenic responses of rabbit pups. PLoS ONE, 7 (3). e33553. ISSN 1932-6203 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033553)

Paterson, W., Sparling, C.E., Thompson, D., Pomeroy, P.P., Currie, J.I., and McCafferty, D.J. (2012) Seals like it hot: changes in surface temperature of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from late pregnancy to moult. Journal of Thermal Biology . ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2012.03.004) (In Press)

2011

McCafferty, D.J. (2011) Short note: marine mammal ecotypes: implications for otter conservation and management. Aquatic Mammals, 37 (2). pp. 205-207. ISSN 0167-5427 (doi:10.1578/AM.37.2.2011.205)

McCafferty, D.J., Gilbert, C., Paterson, W., Pomeroy, P.P., Thompson, D., Currie, J.I., and Ancel, A. (2011) Estimating metabolic heat loss in birds and mammals by combining infrared thermography with biophysical modelling. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 158 (3). pp. 337-345. ISSN 1095-6433 (doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2010.09.012)

McCafferty, D. (2011) How do we value Scotland's wildlife during an economic crisis? Glasgow Naturalist, 35 (3). pp. 1-2. ISSN 0373-241X

Paterson, W., Sparling, C.E., Moss, S., Pomeroy, P.P., Thompson, D., Currie, J.I., and McCafferty, D. (2011) Assessment of flipper tag site healing in gray seal pups using thermography. Marine Mammal Science, 27 (2). pp. 295-305. ISSN 0824-0469 (doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2010.00400.x)

Watts, A.J.R., McCafferty, D.J. , Newton, J. , and Bailey, D.M. (2011) Does seabird carrion contribute to the diet of the shore crab Carcinus maenas on the Isle of May, Scotland? An isotopic perspective. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 91 (7). pp. 1459-1464. ISSN 0025-3154 (doi:10.1017/S0025315410002286)

2010

Gilbert, C., McCafferty, D. , Le Maho, Y., Martrette, J.-M., Giroud, S., Blanc, S., and Ancel, A. (2010) One for all and all for one: the energetic benefits of huddling in endotherms. Biological Reviews, 85 (3). pp. 545-569. ISSN 1469-185X (doi:10.1111/j.1469-185X.2009.00115.x)

2009

McCafferty, D., ed. (2009) Machair Conservation: Successes and Challenges (Proceedings of the Conference at the University of Glasgow 8th December 2008). Series: The Glasgow Naturalist, 25 (Supp.). Andersonian Naturalists of Glasgow, Glasgow.

Hutchison, J.D., and McCafferty, D. (2009) Otter (Lutra lutra) mortality and road bridge design in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The Glasgow Naturalist, 25 (2). pp. 31-42. ISSN 0373-241X

McCafferty, D. (2009) Editorial: Darwin in Scotland. The Glasgow Naturalist, 25 (2). pp. 1-3. ISSN 0373-241X

2008

McCafferty, D. (2008) Editorial: Lifelong natural History. The Glasgow Naturalist, 25 (1). ISSN 0373-241X

Ward, J., McCafferty, D. , Houston, D. , and Ruxton, G.D. (2008) Why do vultures have bald heads? The role of postural adjustment and bare skin areas in thermoregulation. Journal of Thermal Biology, 33 (3). pp. 168-173. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/j.jtherbio.2008.01.002)

2007

McCafferty, D., Currie, J., and Sparling, C. (2007) The effect of instrument attachment on the surface temperature of juvenile grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) as measured by infrared thermography. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 54 (3-4). pp. 424-436. ISSN 0967-0645 (doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2006.11.019)

McCafferty, D.J. (2007) Importance of ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) in the diet of otters (Lutra lutra) in Loch Lomond, Scotland. In: Conroy, J.W.H. (ed.) Proceedings of the European Otter Conference "Return of the otter in Europe--where and how?". International Otter Survival Fund. ISBN 978095171223

McCafferty, D.J. (2007) The value of infrared thermography for research on mammals: previous applications and future directions. Mammal Review, 37 (3). pp. 207-223. ISSN 0305-1838 (doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2007.00111.x)

Ward, J.M., McCafferty, D.C. , Ruxton, G.D. , and Houston, D.C. (2007) The thermal consequences of turning white in winter: a comparative study of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus and Scandinavian willow grouse L. l. lagopus. Wildlife Biology, 13 (2). pp. 120-129. ISSN 0909-6396 (doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[120:TCOTWI]2.0.CO;2)

Ward, J.M., Ruxton, G.D. , Houston, D.C. , and McCafferty, D.J. (2007) Thermal consequences of turning white in winter: a comparative study of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus and Scandinavian willow grouse L. l. lagopus. Wildlife Biology, 13 (2). pp. 120-129. ISSN 0909-6396 (doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[120:TCOTWI]2.0.CO;2)

2006

Anderson , Heather, McCafferty, D. , Saccheri, Llik, and McCluskie, Alan (2006) Non-invasive genetic sampling of the the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) using hairs. Hystrix, 17 (1). pp. 65-77. ISSN 1825-5272 (doi:10.4404/hystrix-17.1-4365)

McMahon, J., and McCafferty, D.J. (2006) Distribution and diet of otters (Lutra lutra) in marine areas of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Scotland, UK. Lutra, 49 (1). pp. 29-36. ISSN 0024-7634

2005

McCafferty, D. (2005) Distribution and population status of the otter (Lutra lutra) in the Loch Lomond area. The Glasgow Naturalist, 24 (2). pp. 89-91. ISSN 0373-241X

McCafferty, D. (2005) Ecology and conservation of otters (Lutra lutra) in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The Glasgow Naturalist, 24 (3). pp. 29-35. ISSN 0373-241X

McCafferty, D.J. (2005) The dietary response of otters (Lutra lutra) to introduced ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Journal of Zoology, 266 (3). pp. 255-260. ISSN 0952-8369 (doi:10.1017/S0952836905006862)

McCafferty, D.J., Moss, S., Bennett, K., and Pomeroy, P.P. (2005) Factors influencing the radiative surface temperature of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups during early and late lactation. Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, 175 (6). pp. 423-431. ISSN 0174-1578 (doi:10.1007/s00360-005-0004-4)

2004

McCafferty, D.J., Walker, T.R., and Boyd, I.L. (2004) Using time-depth-light recorders to measure light levels experienced by a diving marine mammal. Marine Biology, 146 (1). pp. 191-199. ISSN 0025-3162 (doi:10.1007/s00227-004-1428-1)

2003

McCafferty, D.J., Moncrieff, J.B., and Taylor, I.R. (2003) Winter microclimate of field voles (Microtus agrestis) in SW Scotland. Journal of Thermal Biology, 28 (5). pp. 397-401. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/S0306-4565(03)00024-X)

2002

McCafferty, D.J., and Lurcock, S. (2002) Occurrence and diet of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in the sub-Antarctic. Ibis, 144 (3). p. 529. ISSN 0019-1019 (doi:10.1046/j.1474-919X.2002.00073.x)

2001

McCafferty, D.J. (2001) How much energy do barn owls (Tyto alba) save by roosting? Journal of Thermal Biology, 26 (3). pp. 193-203. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/S0306-4565(00)00042-5)

Ward, J.M., Houston, D.C. , Ruxton, G.D. , McCafferty, D.J. , and Cook, P. (2001) Thermal resistance of chicken (Gallus domesticus) plumage: a comparison between broiler and free range birds. British Poultry Science, 42 (5). pp. 558-563. ISSN 0007-1668 (doi:10.1080/00071660120088335)

Ward, J.M., Houston, D.C. , Ruxton, G.D. , McCafferty, D.J. , and Cook, P. (2001) Thermal resistance of chicken (Gallus domesticus) plumage: a comparison between broiler and free-range birds. British Poultry Science, 42 . pp. 558-563. (doi:10.1080/00071660120088335)

2000

Broman, T., Bergstrom, S., On, S.L.W., Palmgren, H., McCafferty, D.J. , Sellin, M., and Olsen, B. (2000) Isolation and characterization of Campylobacter jejuni subsp. jejuni strains from Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in the Antarctic region. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66 . pp. 449-452. ISSN 0099-2240

Palmgren, H., McCafferty, D.J. , Aspán, A., Broman, T., Sellin, M., Wollin, R., Bergström, S., and Olsen, B. (2000) Salmonella in sub-Antarctica: low heterogeneity in Salmonella serotypes in South Georgian seals and birds. Epidemiology and Infection, 125 (2). pp. 257-262. ISSN 0950-2688

1999

McCafferty, D.J. (1999) Premature pupping in Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus Gazella). Marine Mammal Science, 15 (3). pp. 882-885. ISSN 0824-0469 (doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.1999.tb00853.x)

McCafferty, D.J., Boyd, I.L., Walker, T.R., and Taylor, R.I. (1999) Can marine mammals be used to monitor oceanographic conditions? Marine Biology, 134 (2). pp. 387-395. ISSN 0025-3162 (doi:10.1007/s002270050555)

Wanless, S., Finney, S.K., Harris, M.P., and McCafferty, D.J. (1999) Effect of the diel light cycle on the diving behaviour of two bottom feeding marine birds:the blue-eyed shag Phalacrocorax atricepsand the European shag P. aristotelis. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 188 . pp. 219-224. ISSN 0171-8630 (doi:10.3354/meps188219)

1998

Boyd, I.L., McCafferty, D.J. , Reid, K., Taylor, R., and Walker, T.R. (1998) Dispersal of male and female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 55 (4). p. 845. ISSN 0706-652X (doi:10.1139/cjfas-55-4-845)

McCafferty, D. (1998) The use of IR thermography to measure the radiative temperature and heat loss of a barn owl (Tyto alba). Journal of Thermal Biology, 23 (5). pp. 311-318. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/S0306-4565(98)00022-9)

McCafferty, D.J., Boyd, I.L., and Taylor, R.I. (1998) Diving behaviour of Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) pups. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 76 (3). pp. 513-520. ISSN 0008-4301 (doi:10.1139/cjz-76-3-513)

McCafferty, D.J., Boyd, I.L., Walker, T.R., and Taylor, R.I. (1998) Foraging responses of Antarctic fur seals to changes in the marine environment. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 166 . pp. 285-299. ISSN 0171-8630 (doi:10.3354/meps166285)

Walker, T.R., Boyd, I.L., McCafferty, D.J. , Huin, N., Taylor, R.I., and Reid, K. (1998) Seasonal occurrence and diet of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) at Bird Island, South Georgia. Antarctic Science, 10 (01). pp. 75-81. ISSN 0954-1020 (doi:10.1017/S0954102098000108)

1997

Boyd, I.L., McCafferty, D.J. , and Walker, T.R. (1997) Variation in foraging effort by lactating Antarctic fur seals: response to simulated increased foraging costs. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 40 (3). pp. 135-144. ISSN 0340-5443 (doi:10.1007/s002650050326)

McCafferty, D. (1997) The effect of wind speed and wetting on thermal resistance of the barn owl (Tyto alba). I: Total heat loss, boundary layer and total resistance. Journal of Thermal Biology, 22 (4-5). pp. 253-264. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00020-X)

McCafferty, D.J. (1997) The effect of wind speed and wetting on thermal resistance of the barn owl (Tyto alba). II: Coat resistance. Journal of Thermal Biology, 22 (4-5). pp. 265-273. ISSN 0306-4565 (doi:10.1016/S0306-4565(97)00021-1)

1996

Olsen, B., Bergstrom, S., McCafferty, D. , Sellin, M., and Wistrom, J. (1996) Salmonella enteritidisin Antarctica: zoonosis in man or humanosis in penguins? Lancet, 348 (9037). pp. 1319-1320. ISSN 0140-6736 (doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)65807-2)

This list was generated on Sat May 26 04:23:55 2012 BST.

Huddling energetics of moulting elephant seals. French Polar Institute http://www.institut-polaire.fr/ 2011 (Logistic support for field season)

Assessment of invasive research procedures on marine mammals: a new approach. The Leverhulme Trust 2007

On-line learning resources in biology for widening access students.  Chancellor’s Fund, University of Glasgow 2005

Genetic variation in otters. Glasgow Natural History Society 2005

Effect of instrument attachment on the surface temperature and heat exchange in grey seals. Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland 2005

Thermal Biology of grey seals Glasgow Natural History Society 2003

Thermal biology of grey seals. Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow 2003

Otter diets in Loch Lomond. Glasgow Natural History Society 2000

Conferences

McCafferty, D.J. & Currie. 2011. Thermal imaging and wildlife biology. Thermography in R&D, Industry and Automation. Hannover, Germany. 07.04.11 http://infraredforum.eu/

D.J. McCafferty, C. Gilbert, Y. Le Maho, J.C. Currie, & A. Ancel. Infrared thermography and heat transfer analysis in birds: estimating energy costs in emperor penguins. Invited Talk. The challenge of measuring energy expenditure: current field and laboratory methods. SEB Annual Main Meeting 2010 Prague, Czech Republic. 30th June - 3rd July 2010. Invited Speaker.

 

 

 

 

 

Philbey A.W., McCafferty D.J, Maclachlan R., Yoxon G.M, Tyler G.A, Conroy J.W.H. Pathological findings in 66 wild European otters (Lutra lutra) in Scotland: 2007-2008. Proceedings of the 63rd Annual Meeting of the Association of Veterinary Teaching and Research Work, Scarborough, England, 6-8 April 2009, p 34 (Oral presentation, Abstract 56) http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/Library/Papers/Otters-AVTRW-2009-03.pdf

 

 

 

Anderson, H.M., McCafferty, D.J., Saccheri , I.J.& McCluskie, A.E.  Poster: Non-invasive genetic sampling of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) using hairs. European Otter Workshop. Research Advances and Otter Conservation in Europe Padula (Salerno, Italy) 20-23 October 2005

 

 

 

McCafferty,  D.J. Currie, J.  & Sparling, C.E.  Using infrared thermography to examine surface effects of instrument attachment on grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). 2nd International Bio-logging Science Symposium held in St Andrews, Scotland -13-16 June 2005. Oral Presentation.

 

 

 

McCafferty D.J.  Importance of ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) in the diet of otters in Loch Lomond, Scotland. European Otter Conference: The return of the otter in Europe- Where and how? 30 June - 5 July 2003, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Oral Presentation.

 

 

 

McCafferty D.J.  Otters and aliens: a study of Loch Lomond. Mammal Society Easter Conference 28 - 30 March 2003, University of Edinburgh. Oral Presentation.

 

 

McCafferty D.J. and Boyd I.L. Foraging responses of fur seals to changes in the marine environment. The World Marine Mammal Conference Monaco, 20 - 24 January 1998. Oral Presentation.

 

 

McCafferty D.J. and Boyd I.L. Fur seal foraging behaviour: the influence of pup rearing and environmental variation. British Ecological Society December 1997. University of Warwick. Oral Presentation.

 

 

Reviews

US National Science Foundation Grants: Polar Programs

Journals: Biology Letters, Marine Ecology Progress Series, Methods in Ecology & Evolution, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Marine Biology, Journal of Zoology, Journal of Thermal Biology, Marine Mammal Science

Editor

The Glasgow Naturalist

 

Membership

The Glasgow Natural History Society (Council member)

British Ecological Society (member)

Mammal Society (member)