GEMM Lab - OSU
banner
gemmlabosu.bsky.social
GEMM Lab - OSU
@gemmlabosu.bsky.social
Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab in the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University. We focus on the ecology, behavior, health, and conservation of marine megafauna.

Lead by Dr. Leigh Torres.

🚨New publication!🚨 Check out our workflow for drone-based photogrammetry where we connect our published open-source tools and introduce a new one!
Our goal is for this workflow to be accessible to projects across a range of budgets and to facilitate collaborations and data comparisons.
beav.es/xqa
A workflow of open-source tools for drone-based photogrammetry of marine megafauna
Drones have revolutionized researchers’ ability to obtain morphological data on megafauna, particularly cetaceans. The last decade has seen a surge in studies using drones to distinguish morphological...
beav.es
August 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
In this month's blog, @clarabird.bsky.social reflects on her experience with the scientific method in practice, from the slow and messy bits to the cool conclusions. Check it out here: blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2025...
The slow, but ever turning, cycles of science: a look under the hood of the scientific method
Dr. Clara Bird, Postdoctoral Scholar, OSU Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, GEMM Lab & LABIRINTO Cycles can be found everywhere in nature and our lives. From tides a…
blogs.oregonstate.edu
May 30, 2025 at 2:04 AM
🚨New publication!🚨 In a recent interdisciplinary study, we found that humpback whale presence in the Northern California Current region is tied to krill swarm quality and quantity, particularly species composition, energetic density, and biomass. beav.es/GCf

#humpbackwhales #krill @oregonstate.edu
Krill swarm biomass, energetic density, and species composition drive humpback whale distribution in the Northern California Current
Abstract. Prey abundance and quality are dynamic in time and space, impacting predator ecology. We examine variation in species-specific krill quantity and
beav.es
February 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
🚨New publication! 🚨We used 8 years of fecal samples to study how testosterone levels in male gray whales changed across the foraging season.

In mature males, testosterone levels increased! Suggesting preparation for reproduction before the migration.

beav.es/Ga7

#graywhales #oregon #physiology
Variation in faecal testosterone levels in male gray whales on a foraging ground relative to maturity and timing
Abstract. Understanding wildlife reproductive seasonality is crucial for effective management and long-term monitoring of species. This study investigates
academic.oup.com
January 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🚨New publication! 🚨We used kelp health, upwelling, and other environmental variables to assess impacts on zooplankton abundance and PCFG gray whale foraging at both fine and broad temporal scales.

#graywhale #foraging #upwelling #kelp #zooplankon #mysids #oregon

www.int-res.com/abstracts/me...
Intermittent upwelling impacts zooplankton and their gray whale predators at multiple scales
www.int-res.com
January 21, 2025 at 9:47 PM
🚨New publication!🚨 We used high-resolution accelerometry biologging tags to quantify #graywhale behavior off the #Oregon coast at multiple scales (broad & fine).

Check it out in Marine Mammal Science: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

#biologging #tagging #marinemammals
Using accelerometry tags to quantify gray whale foraging behavior
High-resolution tri-axial accelerometry biologging tags have quantitatively described behaviors in baleen whale species that forage using lunges and continuous ram filtration. However, detailed quant...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
December 9, 2024 at 7:15 PM
🚨New publication!🚨We combined 7-years of behavior and morphology data from drones, added some habitat data, and found that individual size and habitat both drive gray whale foraging tactic use!
Check it out in Animal Behaviour: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

#GrayWhales #drones #behavior
Growing into it: evidence of an ontogenetic shift in grey whale use of foraging tactics
Individual specialization may occur relative to diet, behaviour or spatial distribution, potentially leading to differential resource and space use wi…
www.sciencedirect.com
July 5, 2024 at 11:49 PM
🚨New publication alert🚨 Our paper "Exploring indirect effects of a classic trophic cascade between urchins and kelp on zooplankton and whales" is out now in Scientific Reports! Open access here: rdcu.be/dF8cl
#kelp #urchins #zooplankton #GrayWhales #TrophicCascade
Exploring indirect effects of a classic trophic cascade between urchins and kelp on zooplankton and whales
Scientific Reports - Exploring indirect effects of a classic trophic cascade between urchins and kelp on zooplankton and whales
rdcu.be
April 29, 2024 at 3:44 PM
When quantifying whale breaths from a distance to estimate energetics, it's important to consider breath-by-breath variability.

Learn more about @clarabird.bsky.social 's work here: blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2024...
March 25, 2024 at 4:42 PM
GEMM lab PI Dr Leigh Torres gave evidence to the EPA on the blue whales in the NZ South Taranaki Bight and how they might be affected by #seabedmining. Her testimony was eye-opening.

Learn more here: threadreaderapp.com/thread/17684...
Thread by @KASM_NZ on Thread Reader App
@KASM_NZ: Yesterday Dr Leigh Torres gave evidence to the EPA on the blue whales in the South Taranaki Bight and how they might be affected by #seabedmining. Her testimony was eye-opening. We absolutel...
threadreaderapp.com
March 18, 2024 at 6:28 PM
Krill are getting hot! Read about how and why are studying krill response to rising ocean temperatures in New Zealand waters:

blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2024...
February 8, 2024 at 3:29 AM
Whomever said science lacks emotion was wrong.

Check out how the many phases of the scientific journey can bring about a variety of feelings:

blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2024...
February 1, 2024 at 10:43 PM
When do male whales get randy? Learn about our work exploring seasonal testosterone patterns in PCFG gray whales in this week's blog

blogs.oregonstate.edu/gemmlab/2024...
When do male whales get randy? Exploring the seasonal testosterone patters in the PCFG gray whale
Dr. Alejandro A. Fernández Ajó, Postdoctoral Scholar, Marine Mammal Institute – OSU Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna (GEMM) Lab…
blogs.oregonstate.edu
January 17, 2024 at 7:49 PM
Hi Bluesky! We're the Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab at Oregon State. To learn more about who we are and what we do checkout our website: mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab

We're excited to have joined this community!

#marinescience #marinemammals #conservation
Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory | Marine Mammal Institute | Oregon State Un...
mmi.oregonstate.edu
January 17, 2024 at 5:27 PM