Shaun Killen
@shaunkillen.bsky.social
Prof of Ecophysiology at Uni of Glasgow. Metabolic physiology, pred/prey interactions, social behaviour, fisheries-induced evolution. 🇨🇦 in 🏴
Pinned
Thread: In our new paper in Biological Reviews, we argue that one of physiology’s most basic assumptions is wrong. There is no single, static “baseline” metabolic rate. Instead, sleep-wake cycles quietly subvert how BMR and SMR are usually interpreted. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... (1/9)
We're building ShoalBase: a global database of fish social systems. Undergrad or other students wanting research experience in behavioural ecology, data synthesis or evolution - please DM! www.shoalbase.org
Want research experience? We're recruiting volunteer student interns to help build ShoalBase, a global database of fish social behaviour. Gain experience in literature synthesis, database building & comparative ecology. Strong contributors: acknowledgment, references, project pathways. DM for more!
February 11, 2026 at 3:34 PM
We're building ShoalBase: a global database of fish social systems. Undergrad or other students wanting research experience in behavioural ecology, data synthesis or evolution - please DM! www.shoalbase.org
Reposted by Shaun Killen
New paper out!
Social context should be integrated into comparative and environmental physiology
Social context should be integrated into comparative and environmental physiology
We face two potential missteps in ecophysiology: 1) measuring animals under socially unrealistic conditions & 2) extrapolating results to nature, where social dynamics alter trait expression, plasticity, & evolutionary outcomes. Our new commentary in @jexpbiol.bsky.social : doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
February 11, 2026 at 2:38 AM
New paper out!
Social context should be integrated into comparative and environmental physiology
Social context should be integrated into comparative and environmental physiology
Reposted by Shaun Killen
🔍 I am looking for a 5-mo research technician to join my lab at CEAB-CSIC!
The position will work on the DRYFISH project and combines fieldwork in drying Mediterranean streams with laboratory experiments with fish
📄 Details here: tinyurl.com/4ckf357j
📅 Deadline: 17 Feb 26
The position will work on the DRYFISH project and combines fieldwork in drying Mediterranean streams with laboratory experiments with fish
📄 Details here: tinyurl.com/4ckf357j
📅 Deadline: 17 Feb 26
February 10, 2026 at 10:34 AM
🔍 I am looking for a 5-mo research technician to join my lab at CEAB-CSIC!
The position will work on the DRYFISH project and combines fieldwork in drying Mediterranean streams with laboratory experiments with fish
📄 Details here: tinyurl.com/4ckf357j
📅 Deadline: 17 Feb 26
The position will work on the DRYFISH project and combines fieldwork in drying Mediterranean streams with laboratory experiments with fish
📄 Details here: tinyurl.com/4ckf357j
📅 Deadline: 17 Feb 26
Reposted by Shaun Killen
Excited to see this out, our detailed commentary on the importance of social context for comparative physiology. Led by @shaunkillen.bsky.social out now in @jexpbiol.bsky.social here journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
We face two potential missteps in ecophysiology: 1) measuring animals under socially unrealistic conditions & 2) extrapolating results to nature, where social dynamics alter trait expression, plasticity, & evolutionary outcomes. Our new commentary in @jexpbiol.bsky.social : doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
February 10, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Excited to see this out, our detailed commentary on the importance of social context for comparative physiology. Led by @shaunkillen.bsky.social out now in @jexpbiol.bsky.social here journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/...
Reposted by Shaun Killen
When studying animal physiology we carefully control temperature, oxygen…but often ignore who animals live with.
Social context such as parents (1), social environment (2), litter mates (3) can shape physiology and later plasticity (4). We discuss it in this commentary 👉 doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
Social context such as parents (1), social environment (2), litter mates (3) can shape physiology and later plasticity (4). We discuss it in this commentary 👉 doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
February 9, 2026 at 1:49 PM
When studying animal physiology we carefully control temperature, oxygen…but often ignore who animals live with.
Social context such as parents (1), social environment (2), litter mates (3) can shape physiology and later plasticity (4). We discuss it in this commentary 👉 doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
Social context such as parents (1), social environment (2), litter mates (3) can shape physiology and later plasticity (4). We discuss it in this commentary 👉 doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
Reposted by Shaun Killen
🚨New paper out now! Excited to see this commentary, led by @shaunkillen.bsky.social, showing that social context is key in comparative physiology and must be integrated! Read more here: doi.org/10.1242/jeb.... #ComparativePhysiology #Behaviour #Ecophysiology @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk @jexpbiol.bsky.social
Further integrating social context into comparative and environmental physiology
Summary: Social environments affect all aspects of animal physiology. We highlight how overlooking social effects might lead to inaccurate physiology-based predictions of species’ responses to environ...
doi.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
🚨New paper out now! Excited to see this commentary, led by @shaunkillen.bsky.social, showing that social context is key in comparative physiology and must be integrated! Read more here: doi.org/10.1242/jeb.... #ComparativePhysiology #Behaviour #Ecophysiology @sbohvm.gla.ac.uk @jexpbiol.bsky.social
Reposted by Shaun Killen
kind of funny that an olympian said they are here to represent "compassion, respect, and love for others" and some people automatically knew that was a statement against them
February 7, 2026 at 10:25 PM
kind of funny that an olympian said they are here to represent "compassion, respect, and love for others" and some people automatically knew that was a statement against them
We face two potential missteps in ecophysiology: 1) measuring animals under socially unrealistic conditions & 2) extrapolating results to nature, where social dynamics alter trait expression, plasticity, & evolutionary outcomes. Our new commentary in @jexpbiol.bsky.social : doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
February 9, 2026 at 1:24 PM
We face two potential missteps in ecophysiology: 1) measuring animals under socially unrealistic conditions & 2) extrapolating results to nature, where social dynamics alter trait expression, plasticity, & evolutionary outcomes. Our new commentary in @jexpbiol.bsky.social : doi.org/10.1242/jeb....
Sorry, here is the working link!: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Simulated catch and release angling of Atlantic salmon before spawning alters activity, exploratory behaviour and aggression of offspring
C&R of wild Atlantic salmon can lead to offspring that are less active and exploratory in novel environments, but more aggressive. These intergenerational effects were strongest when air exposure was....
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Sorry, here is the working link!: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Thank you! Not sure why I'm having so much trouble with links lately!
February 9, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Thank you! Not sure why I'm having so much trouble with links lately!
Catch-and-release stress in Atlantic salmon shortly before spawning can affect next generation. Offspring show ↓ activity & exploration, & ↑ aggression, all traits that matter during early life. Read here: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... Great work from Magadalene Papatheodoulou!
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Catch-and-release stress in Atlantic salmon shortly before spawning can affect next generation. Offspring show ↓ activity & exploration, & ↑ aggression, all traits that matter during early life. Read here: besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... Great work from Magadalene Papatheodoulou!
Reposted by Shaun Killen
The principles of experimental design in ecology and evolution has 20k downloads, but unfortunately I still have to reject ~20% of papers without review because they lack replication at the right level. More discussion among mentors and mentees please.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Principles of experimental design for ecology and evolution
Here I argue that we do not discuss experimental design, often until it is too late. This editorial seeks to begin a conversation about how and where to replicate appropriately.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:57 AM
The principles of experimental design in ecology and evolution has 20k downloads, but unfortunately I still have to reject ~20% of papers without review because they lack replication at the right level. More discussion among mentors and mentees please.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Can't wait to start this cross disciplinary project with a fantastic team, including @kochhanndaiani.bsky.social, @katjaenberg.bsky.social, Nick Hanley, Kath Sloman, and many others. Linking fish welfare, rural livelihoods, and rainforest conservation. Postdoc (x2) and tech positions forthcoming. 🙂
@shaunkillen.bsky.social has received £980,000 UKRI funding to lead a new project which aims to improve fish welfare in the global ornamental fish trade, while strengthening incomes for traditional fishing communities in the Brazilian Amazon.
www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
www.gla.ac.uk/news/headlin...
February 4, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Can't wait to start this cross disciplinary project with a fantastic team, including @kochhanndaiani.bsky.social, @katjaenberg.bsky.social, Nick Hanley, Kath Sloman, and many others. Linking fish welfare, rural livelihoods, and rainforest conservation. Postdoc (x2) and tech positions forthcoming. 🙂
Reposted by Shaun Killen
Nation could really use Catherine O'Hara to deal with passing of Catherine O'Hara
Nation could really use Catherine O'Hara to deal with passing of Catherine O'Hara
OTTAWA - Following the passing of screen and comedy legend Catherine O'Hara, nationwide reports indicate that the only thing Canadians could use to cheer them up from their grief is Catherine O'Hara.
www.thebeaverton.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Nation could really use Catherine O'Hara to deal with passing of Catherine O'Hara
Apologies, the link above doesn't work. Use this one for the paper! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Fatal Attraction: Light Pollution Creates an Ecological Trap for Wild Fish
This graphical abstract provides a snapshot of the ecological trap created by artificial light. At night, larval fish are attracted to illuminated habitats and settle there, but subsequently experien...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Apologies, the link above doesn't work. Use this one for the paper! onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Shaun Killen
I have two #PhD scholarships available on either the ecophysiology or movement ecology of the Pilbara leaf-nosed #bat at @murdoch.edu.au 🦇
Apply now: www.murdoch.edu.au/study/schola...
Lab website: www.nicholaswulab.com
Apply now: www.murdoch.edu.au/study/schola...
Lab website: www.nicholaswulab.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:06 AM
I have two #PhD scholarships available on either the ecophysiology or movement ecology of the Pilbara leaf-nosed #bat at @murdoch.edu.au 🦇
Apply now: www.murdoch.edu.au/study/schola...
Lab website: www.nicholaswulab.com
Apply now: www.murdoch.edu.au/study/schola...
Lab website: www.nicholaswulab.com
Our new paper in @globalchangebio.bsky.social: artificial light at night creates an ecological trap for wild reef fish. Settlement ↑ under artificial light (up to 8× higher), but survival ~50% lower due to predation, disrupted settlement timing, and altered metabolic rhythms: doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
January 26, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Our new paper in @globalchangebio.bsky.social: artificial light at night creates an ecological trap for wild reef fish. Settlement ↑ under artificial light (up to 8× higher), but survival ~50% lower due to predation, disrupted settlement timing, and altered metabolic rhythms: doi.org/10.1111/gcb....
Finally moving beyond the fiction of a constant metabolic baseline will give us a more realistic foundation for bioenergetics, ecology, and evolution! (9/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Finally moving beyond the fiction of a constant metabolic baseline will give us a more realistic foundation for bioenergetics, ecology, and evolution! (9/9)
We are not saying SMR is useless. We are saying it should be treated as state-dependent, or explicitly time-integrated across the sleep–wake cycle, depending on the biological question. (8/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
We are not saying SMR is useless. We are saying it should be treated as state-dependent, or explicitly time-integrated across the sleep–wake cycle, depending on the biological question. (8/9)
These effects may have implications for repeatability, heritability, metabolic scaling, behaviour–metabolism links, thermal performance curves, and even “calming effects” of conspecifics. Sleep architecture is a hidden axis in ALL of these. (7/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
These effects may have implications for repeatability, heritability, metabolic scaling, behaviour–metabolism links, thermal performance curves, and even “calming effects” of conspecifics. Sleep architecture is a hidden axis in ALL of these. (7/9)
Derived traits are affected too. Because aerobic scope = MMR − SMR, state-biased SMR estimates can inflate or shrink apparent performance capacity, even if maximum performance is unchanged. (6/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Derived traits are affected too. Because aerobic scope = MMR − SMR, state-biased SMR estimates can inflate or shrink apparent performance capacity, even if maximum performance is unchanged. (6/9)
Environmental or treatment effects can also be missed entirely. If a factor affects a sleep-dominant process and SMR is measured during wake (or vice versa), any metabolic change may never be detected. (5/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Environmental or treatment effects can also be missed entirely. If a factor affects a sleep-dominant process and SMR is measured during wake (or vice versa), any metabolic change may never be detected. (5/9)
This creates systematic measurement bias. SMR measured only during sleep underestimates daily maintenance costs; SMR measured only during wake overestimates them. The size and direction of the bias depend on sleep duration and sleep architecture. (4/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
This creates systematic measurement bias. SMR measured only during sleep underestimates daily maintenance costs; SMR measured only during wake overestimates them. The size and direction of the bias depend on sleep duration and sleep architecture. (4/9)
Wake, NREM sleep, and REM sleep each prioritise different physiological processes, with distinct energetic demands. How maintenance is defined and what constitutes SMR depends entirely on WHEN you measure it. (3/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Wake, NREM sleep, and REM sleep each prioritise different physiological processes, with distinct energetic demands. How maintenance is defined and what constitutes SMR depends entirely on WHEN you measure it. (3/9)
Basal and standard metabolic rate are treated as fixed traits: the minimum cost of staying alive. But many core maintenance processes are not continuously active. Instead, they are temporally partitioned across wakefulness and different sleep states. (2/9)
January 23, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Basal and standard metabolic rate are treated as fixed traits: the minimum cost of staying alive. But many core maintenance processes are not continuously active. Instead, they are temporally partitioned across wakefulness and different sleep states. (2/9)