Research Fellow

Current Members | Former Members | Photos


Caroline Isaksson

Dr. Caroline Isaksson

Details

Name: Dr. Caroline Isaksson
Position: Research Fellow
Email: caroline.isaksson@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Autobiography

I graduated in Animal Ecology at Göteborg University/Sweden, where I also continued with my Ph-D. After defending my thesis in March 2007 I received a one-year Rubicon fellowship from the NWO in the Netherlands. I was then awarded two fellowships; one from the Swedish research council and one from the Wenner-Gren Foundations, which will support my research at the EGI over the two following years 2008-2010.

Research Activities

My interest lies in the interface between evolutionary ecology and physiology - "ecophysiology". With my research I aim to better understand the underlying proximate mechanisms that generate variation in phenotypes in natural populations. In particular, I am interested in how external factors (such as environmental or population structure) affects the physiology of individuals, thereby influencing the expression of phenotypic traits within and among populations.

As model systems I use different species of European and Australian birds and lizards.

My current research interest can be summarized in five categories:

  • Effects of urbanization and environmental heterogeneity on oxidative physiology
  • Senescence, oxidative stress and life-history
  • Maternal and environmental effects on phenotypic traits
  • Hormonal control of trait expression
  • Ecology and physiology of carotenoid coloration
great tit The effects of urbanization on feather coloration in the great tit (Parus major). Ph-D work supervised by Prof. Staffan Andersson (Gothenburg University)
painted dragon Causes and consequences of oxidative stress in painted dragons (Ctenophorus pictus). Collaboration with Prof. Mats Olsson (University of Wollongong).
brown songlark Hormones and development in the Australian SSD species, brown songlark (Cinclorhamphus cruralis). Collaboration with Prof. Jan Komdeur, Prof. Ton Groothuis (both at University of Groningen), and Dr. Michael Magrath (University of Melbourne).
snow skink Physiological underpinnings of life history variation in snow skinks (Niveoscincus ocellatus). Collaboration with Dr. Erik Wapstra (University of Tasmania)

Other Information

I was awarded the Royal Environmental Grant (Carl XVI Gustavs 50-års fond) in 2008.

Selected Recent Papers

Isaksson, C., Sturve, J., Almrot, BC., Andersson, S. (2009) The impact of urban environment on oxidative damage (TBARS) and enzymatic and non-enzymatic defence system in lungs and liver of great tits, Parus major. Environ. Research. 109: 46-50.

Isaksson, C., Andersson, S. (2008) Oxidative stress does not influence carotenoid mobilization and plumage pigmentation. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 275: 309-314.

Isaksson, C., Örnborg, J., Prager, M., Andersson, S. (2008) Sexual dimorphism in the great tit, Parus major; how to interpret spectral reflectance data in a combined carotenoid and melanin based plumage. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 95: 758-765.

Isaksson, C., Johansson, A., Andersson, S. (2008) Egg yolk carotenoids in relation to habitat and reproductive investment in the great tit, Parus major. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 81:112-118.

Isaksson, C., Andersson S. (2007) Carotenoid diet and nestling provisioning in urban and rural great tits, Parus major. J. Avian Biol. 38: 564-572.

Isaksson, C. McLaughin, P., Monaghan, P., Andersson, S. (2007) Carotenoid pigmentation does not reflect total non-enzymatic antioxidant activity in plasma of adult and nestling great tits, Parus major. Funct. Ecol. 21: 1123-1129.

Isaksson, C., von Post, M., Andersson, S. (2007) Plasma carotenoid levels in relation to season, environment, gender and year in the great tit, Parus major. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 92: 521-527.

Isaksson, C., Uller, T., Andersson, S. (2006) Parental effects on carotenoid-based plumage coloration in nestling great tits, Parus major. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 60: 556-562.

Download complete list of publications in PDF format