Contact Information
Alaska SeaLife CenterP.O. Box 1329
301 Railway Avenue
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-6324
Fax: (907) 224-6320
joann_mellish@alaskasealife.org
Jo-Ann Mellish Research Associate Professor
Affiliations
- Steller Sea Lion Scientist, Alaska SeaLife Center
- Affiliate Scientist, Pinniped Ecology Applied Research Laboratory, Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Oregon State University
Specialties
- marine mammals
- energetics
Courses
Spring 2008
- SEM: Elocution of Science (MSL F692X)
Research Overview
My interests focus on how animals physiologically deal with energetic requirements during high-demand periods, such as growth and lactation. Pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) are particularly interesting because they have additional challenges from the utilization of not one, but two environments, both terrestrial and marine.
I lead the Transient Juvenile Steller sea lion Program at the Alaska SeaLife Center. With this program we study free-ranging juveniles in a setting of temporary captivity. This allows us to learn more than typically is capable with fieldwork. A number of collaborative projects highlight this program, including the development of new technologies for monitoring sea lion health. We have validated the use of ultrasound for non-invasive assessments of blubber depth, and are currently developing thermal imaging as a condition index. We also work closely with the LHX project, which uses long-term archival implanted satellite tags to help us determine juvenile survival in the wild.
Current Research Projects
- Aging in Weddell seals (National Science Foundation)
- Thermal imaging for health in pinnipeds (National Science Foundation)
Links
- Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska SeaLife Center is a non-profit marine science facility dedicated to understanding and maintaining the integrity of the marine ecosystem of Alaska through research, rehabilitation and public education. The Center's research and rehabilitation facilities and naturalistic exhibits immerse visitors in the dynamic marine ecosystems of Alaska. - Society for Marine Mammalogy
Evaluating and promoting the educational, scientific and managerial advancement of marine mammal science. - National Marine Mammal Laboratory-Alaska Fisheries Science Center
The mission of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center is to generate the scientific information necessary for the conservation, management, and utilization of the region's living marine resources.
Selected Publications
Mellish J, Hennen D, Thomton J, Petrauskas, L, Atkinson S, Calkins D (2007) Physiological response to hot-branding in juvenile Steller sea lions. Wildlife Research 34: 43-47.
Waite J, Schrader W, Mellish J, Horning M (2007) Three-dimensional photogrammetry as a tool for assessing morphometrics and estimating body mass of Steller sea lions. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 64: 296-303.
Thomton J, Mellish J (2007) Haptoglobin concentrations in free-range and temporarily captive juvenile Steller sea lions. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 43: 258-261.
Mellish J, Horning M, York A (2007) Seasonal and spatial blubber depth changes in captive harbor seals Phoca vitulina and Steller’s sea lions Eumetopias jubatus. Journal of Mammalogy 88: 408-411.
Mellish J, Calkins D, Christen D, Horning M, Rea L, Atkinson S (2006) Temporary captivity as a research tool: Comprehensive study of wild pinnipeds under controlled conditions. Aquatic Mammals 32: 58-65.
Mellish J, Iverson S (2005) Postpartum dynamics of reproductive hormones in grey and hooded seals. Marine Mammal Science 21: 162-168.
Mellish JE and SJ Iverson (in press) Postpartum dynamics of reproductive hormones in grey and hooded seals. Marine Mammal Science.
Mellish JE, Tuomi PA and M Horning (2004) Assesment of ultrasound imaging as a non-invasive measure of blubber thickness in pinnipeds. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 35: 116-118.
Mellish JE and TR Loughlin (2003) Lipoprotein lipase in lactating and neonatal northern fur seals: exploring physiological management of energetic conflicts. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A 134: 147-156.
Mellish JE and SJ Iverson (2001) Blood metabolites as indicators of nutrients utilization in fasting, lactating phocid seals: does depletion of nutrient reserves terminate lactation? Canadian Journal of Zoology 79: 303-311.
Mellish JE, Iverson SJ and WD Bowen (2000) Metabolic compensation during high energy output in fasting, lactating grey seals (Halichoerus grypus): metabolic ceilings revisited. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Biological Sciences 267: 1245-1251.
Mellish JE, Iverson SJ, and WD Bowen (1999a) Variation in milk production and lactation performance in grey seals and consequences for pup growth and weaning characteristics. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 72:677-690. [pdf; 236 K]
Mellish JE, Iverson SJ, Bowen WD and MO Hammill (1999b) Fat transfer and energetics during lactation in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata: the roles of tissue lipoprotein lipase in milk fat secretion and pup blubber deposition. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 169: 377-390. [pdf; 216 K]
Steller sea lions at the Adugak rookery