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Academic Staff - Professor Frank Seebacher

Frank Seebacher Photo
Position: Professor
Phone: +61 2 9351 2770
Fax: +61 2 9351 4119
Mobile Phone: N/A
Email: frank.seebacher@sydney.edu.au
Location: Room 415
Address: A08 - Heydon-Laurence Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia 
Links: Evolutionary & Ecological Physiology Lab

Areas of Interest

  • Physiological Ecology
  • Evolutionary Physiology
  • Thermal Biology
  • Heat transfer
  • Ectothermy, Endothermy
  • Cardiac Function, Heart Rate
  • Reptiles
  • Crocodilians
  • Dinosaurs
  • Lizards

Please visit the Evolutionary and Ecological Physiology page for more details.

Research Output

Journal Articles

Pdf's available on request.

  • Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E. 2012. Determining environmental causes of biological effects: the need for a mechanistic physiological dimension in conservation biology. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, in press.
  • Glanville, E. J., Murray, S. A., Seebacher, F. 2011. Thermal adaptation in endotherms: climate and phylogeny interact to determine population-level responses in a wild rat. Functional Ecology, in press (accepted October 2011).
  • James, R. S., Walter, I., Seebacher, F. 2011. Variation in expression of calcium handling proteins is associated with inter-individual differences in mechanical performance of rat (Rattus norvegicus) skeletal muscle. Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 3542-3548.
  • James, R. S., Tallis, J., Seebacher, F., Storey, K. B. 2011. Daily torpor reduces mass and changes relative force and power output of soleus and EDL muscles in the Djungarian hamster, Phodopus sungorus. Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 2896-2902.
  • Boyles, J. G., Seebacher, F., Smit, B., McKechnie, A. E. 2011. Adaptive thermoregulation in endotherms may alter responses to climate change. Integrative and Comparative Biology (accepted 17/5/2011).
  • Niehaus, A., Wilson, R. S., Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E. 2011. Striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii) tadpoles do not acclimate metabolic performance to thermal variability. Journal of Experimental Biology (accepted 15/1/2011).
  • Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E. 2011. Physiology of invasion: cane toads are constrained by thermal effects on physiological mechanisms that support locomotor performance. Journal of Experimental Biology 214, 1437-1444.
  • Sinclair, E. L. E., Ward, A. J. W., Seebacher, F. 2011. Aggression-induced fin damage modulates trade-offs in burst and endurance swimming performance of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). Journal of Zoology 283, 243-248.
  • Guderley, H., Seebacher, F. 2011. Thermal acclimation, mitochondrial capacities and organ metabolic profiles in a reptile (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 181, 53-64.
  • Seebacher, F., Glanville, E. J. 2010. Low levels of physical activity increase metabolic responsiveness to cold in a rat (Rattus fuscipes). PLoS ONE 5, e13022.
  • Walter, I., Hegarty, B., Seebacher, F. 2010. AMP-activated protein kinase controls metabolism and heat production during embryonic development in birds. Journal of Experimental Biology 213, 3167-3176.
  • Glanville, E. J., and Seebacher, F. 2010. Lower body temperatures are advantageous for a small mammal (bush rat, Rattus fuscipes) experiencing chronic cold. Journal of Mammalogy 91, 1197-1204.
  • Lowe, K., FitzGibbon S., Seebacher, F., and Wilson, R. S. 2010. Physiological and behavioural responses to seasonal changes in environmental temperature in the Australian spiny crayfish Euastacus sulcatus. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 180, 653-660.
  • Glanville, E. J., and Seebacher, F. 2010. Plasticity in body temperature and metabolic capacity sustain winter activity in a small endotherm (Rattus fuscipes). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 155, 383-391.
  • Seebacher, F., Brand, M. D., Else, P. L., Guderley, H., Hulbert, A. J., Moyes, C. D. 2010. Plasticity of oxidative metabolism in variable climates: molecular mechanisms. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 83, 721-732.
  • Reid, A., Seebacher, F., and Ward A. J. W. 2010. Learning to hunt: the role of experience in predator success. Behaviour 147, 223-233.
    Seebacher, F. 2009. Responses to temperature variation: integration of thermoregulation and metabolism in vertebrates. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2885-2891.
  • Seebacher, F., Murray, S. A., Else, P. L. 2009. Thermal acclimation and regulation of metabolism in a reptile (Crocodylus porosus): the importance of transcriptional mechanisms and membrane composition. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 82, 766-775.
  • Walter, I., and Seebacher, F. 2009. Endothermy in birds: underlying molecular mechanisms. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 2328-2336.
  • Wilson, R. S., James, R. S., Bywater, C., and Seebacher, F. 2009. Costs and benefits of increased weapon size differ between sexes of the slender crayfish, Cherax dispar. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 853-858.
  • Franklin, C. E., and Seebacher, F. 2009. Adapting to climate change. Science 323, 876.
  • Seebacher, F., and James, R. S. 2008. Plasticity of muscle function in a thermoregulating ectotherm (Crocodylus porosus): biomechanics and metabolism. American Journal of Physiology Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 294, 1024-1032.
  • Schwartz, T. S., Murray, S. A., and Seebacher, F. 2008. Novel reptilian uncoupling proteins: molecular evolution and gene expression during cold acclimation. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B 275, 979-985.
  • Schnell, A. K., and Seebacher F. 2008. Can phenotypic plasticity facilitate the geographic expansion of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus? Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (accepted 13/12/2007).
  • Walter, I., and Seebacher, F. 2007. Molecular mechanisms underlying the development of endothermy in birds (Gallus gallus): a new role of PGC-1α? American Journal of Physiology Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 293, 2315-2322.
  • Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E. 2007. Redistribution of blood within the body is important for thermoregulation in an ectothermic vertebrate (Crocodylus porosus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 177, 841-848.
  • Seebacher, F., Wilson, R. S. 2007. Individual recognition in crayfish (Cherax dispar): the roles of strength and experience in deciding aggressive encounters. Biology Letters 3, 471-474.
  • Rogers, K. D., Thompson, M. B., Seebacher, F. 2007. Beneficial acclimation: sex specific thermal acclimation of metabolic capacity in the striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii). Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 2932-2938.
  • Franklin, C. E., Davison, W., Seebacher, F. 2007. Antarctic fish can compensate for rising temperatures: thermal acclimation of cardiac performance in Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Journal of Experimental Biology 210, 3068-3074.
  • Seebacher, F., and Murray, S. A. 2007. Transient receptor potential ion channels control thermoregulatory behaviour in reptiles. PLoS One 2, e281.
  • Wilson, R. S., Angilletta, M. J., James, R. S., Navas C., Seebacher, F. 2007. Dishonest signals of strength in male slender crayfish (Cherax dispar) during agonistic encounters. American Naturalist 170, 284-292.
  • Glanville, E. J., and Seebacher, F. 2006. Compensation for environmental change by complementary shifts of thermal sensitivity and thermoregulatory behaviour in an ectotherm. Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 4869-4877.
  • Seebacher, F., and Wilson, R. S. 2006. Fighting fit: thermal plasticity of metabolic function and fighting success in the crayfish Cherax destructor. Functional Ecology 20, 1045-1053.
  • Sinclair, E. L. E., Thompson, M. B., Seebacher, F. 2006. Phenotypic flexibility in the metabolic response of the limpet Cellana tramoserica to thermally different microhabitats. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 335, 131-141.
  • Robert, K.A, Thompson, M.B., and Seebacher, F. 2006. Thermal biology of a viviparous lizard with temperature-dependent sex determination. Journal of Thermal Biology 31, 292-301.
  • Seebacher, F., Schwartz, T. S., and Thompson, M. B. 2006. Transition from ectothermy to endothermy: the development of metabolic capacity in a bird (Gallus gallus). Proceedings of the Royal Society London B 273, 565-570.
  • Angilletta, M. J. jr., Bennett, A. F., Guderley, H., Navas, C. A., Seebacher, F., and Wilson, R. S. (alphabetical listing) 2006. Coadaptation: A Unifying Principle in Evolutionary Thermal Biology. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 79, 282-294.
  • Seebacher, F. 2005. A review of thermoregulation and physiological performance in reptiles: what is the role of phenotypic flexibility? Journal of Comparative Physiology B 175, 453-461.
  • Seebacher, F., and Franklin, C. E. 2005. Physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation in reptiles: A review. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 175, 533-541.
  • Seebacher, F., Davison, W., Lowe, C. J., and Franklin, C. E. 2005. A falsification of the thermal specialization paradigm: compensation for elevated temperatures in Antarctic fish. Biology Letters 1, 151-154.
  • Seebacher, F., Franklin, C. E., and Read, M. 2005. Diving behaviour of a reptile (Crocodylus johnstoni) in the wild: interactions with heart rate and body temperature. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78, 1-8.
  • Lowe, C. J., Seebacher, F., and Davison, W. 2005. Thermal sensitivity of heart rate and insensitivity of blood pressure in the Antarctic notothenioid fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 175, 97-105.
  • Seebacher, F., and Franklin, C. E. 2004. Cardiovascular mechanisms during thermoregulation in reptiles. International Congress Series 1275, 242-249.
  • Seebacher, F., and Franklin, C. E. 2004. Integration of autonomic and local mechanisms in regulating cardiovascular responses to heating and cooling in a reptile (Crocodylus porosus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 174, 205-210.
  • Goudkamp, J.E., Seebacher, F., Ahern, M., and Franklin, C. E. 2004. Physiological thermoregulation in a crustacean? Heart rate hysteresis in the freshwater crayfish Cherax destructor. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 138, 399-403.
  • Seebacher, F., and Shine, R. 2004. Evaluating thermoregulation in reptiles: the fallacy of the inappropriately applied method. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 77, 688-695.
  • Seebacher, F., Sparrow, J., and Thompson, M. B. 2004. Turtles (Chelodina longicollis) regulate muscle metabolic enzyme activity in response to seasonal variation in body temperature. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 174, 205-210.
  • Rogers, K., Seebacher, F., and Thompson, M. B. 2004. Biochemical acclimation of metabolic enzymes in response to lowered temperatures in tadpoles of Limnodynastes peronii? Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 137, 731-738.
  • Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. 2003. Prostaglandins are important in thermoregulation of a lizard (Pogona vitticeps). Proceedings of the Royal Society London B (Suppl.) 270, S50-S53.
  • Seebacher, F., Elsey, R. M. and Trosclair, P. L. III. 2003. Body temperature null-distributions in large reptiles: seasonal thermoregulation in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 76, 348-359.
  • Seebacher, F., Elsworth, P. G. and Franklin, C. E. 2003. Ontogenetic changes of swimming kinetics in a semi-aquatic reptile (Crocodylus porosus). Australian Journal of Zoology 51, 15-24.
  • Iglesias, S., Thompson, M. B. and Seebacher, F. 2003. Energetic cost of a meal in a frequently feeding lizard. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology A 135, 377-382.
  • Seebacher, F., Guderley, H., Elsey, R. M. and Trosclair, P. L. III. 2003. Seasonal acclimatisation of muscle metabolic enzymes in a reptile (Alligator mississippiensis). Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 1193-1200.
  • Franklin, C. E. and Seebacher, F. 2003. The effect of heat transfer mode on heart rate responses and hysteresis during heating and cooling in the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 1143-1151.
  • Wroe, S., Myers, T., Seebacher, F., Kear, B., Gillespie, A., Crowther, M. and Salisbury, S. 2003. An alternative method for predicting body-mass: The case of the Pleistocene marsupial lion. Paleobiology 29, 403-411.
  • Elsworth, P. G., Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. 2003. Aerobic swimming performance in crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): effects of body size and temperature. Journal of Herpetology, 37, 363-368.
  • Seebacher, F. 2003. Dinosaur body temperatures: the occurrence of endothermy and ectothermy. Paleobiology 29, 105-122.
  • Robert, K. A., Thompson, M. B., and Seebacher, F. 2003. Facultative sex allocation in the viviparous lizard Eulamprus tympanum, a species with temperature dependent sex determination. Australian Journal of Zoology 51, 367-370.
  • Seebacher, F. and Alford, R. A. 2002. Shelter site microhabitats determine body temperatures and dehydration rates of a terrestrial amphibian (Bufo marinus). Journal of Herpetology 36, 69-75.
  • Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. 2001. Control of heart rate during thermoregulation in the heliothermic lizard, Pogona barbata: importance of cholinergic and adrenergic mechanisms. Journal of Experimental Biology 204, 4361-4366.
  • Seebacher, F. 2001. A new method to calculate allometric length-mass relationships of dinosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 21, 51-60.
  • Seebacher, F. and Grigg, G. C. 2001. Changes in heart rate are important for thermoregulation in the varanid lizard, Varanus varius. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 171, 395-400.
  • Seebacher, F. 2000. Heat transfer in a microvascular network: the effect of heart rate on heating and cooling in reptiles (Pogona barbata and Varanus varius). Journal of theoretical Biology 203, 97-109.
  • Franklin, C. E., Seebacher, F., Grigg, G. C. and Axelsson, M. 2000. At the heart of the crocodilian matter. Science 289, 1687.
  • Seebacher, F. 1999. Behavioural postures and the rate of body temperature change in wild freshwater crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 72, 57-63.
  • Seebacher, F., Grigg, G. C. and Beard, L. A. 1999. Crocodiles as dinosaurs: behavioural thermoregulation in very large ectotherms leads to high and stable body temperatures. Journal of Experimental Biology 202, 77-86.
  • Seebacher, F. and Alford, R. A. 1999. Movement and habitat use of a terrestrial amphibian (Bufo marinus) on a tropical island: seasonal variation and environmental correlates. Journal of Herpetology 33, 208-214.
  • Grigg, G. C. and Seebacher, F. 1999. Field test of a paradigm: hysteresis of heart rate in thermoregulation by a free-ranging lizard (Pogona barbata). Proceedings of the Royal Society London B 266, 1291-1297.
  • Grigg, G. C., Seebacher, F., Beard, L. A. and Morris, D. 1998. Thermal relations of very large crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus, free-ranging in a naturalistic situation. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B 265, 1793-1799.
  • Seebacher, F. & Grigg, G. C. 1997. Patterns of body temperature in wild freshwater crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni: thermoregulation versus thermoconformity, seasonal acclimatisation, and the effect of social interactions. Copeia 1997, 549-557.

Book Chapters

  • Seebacher, F. 2005. Radio telemetry in the study of wildlife. In Waves of the Future, pp. 8-19, Stewart, C, and Hewitt, R. (eds.). The Science Foundation for Physics, Sydney.
  • Grigg, G. C. and Seebacher, F. 2001. Crocodilian thermal relations. In Crocodile Biology and Evolution, pp. 297-309, Grigg, G. C., Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. (eds.). Surrey Beatty, Sydney.
  • Seebacher, F. and Grigg, G. C. 2001. Social interactions compromise thermoregulation in crocodiles, Crocodylus johnstoni and Crocodylus porosus. In Crocodile Biology and Evolution, pp. 310-316, Grigg, G. C., Seebacher, F. and Franklin, C. E. (eds.). Surrey Beatty, Sydney.

Other

  • Seebacher, F., Smith, J., and Franklin, C. E. 2005. Cardiovascular responses to alfaxalone anaesthesia in the crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 24(1), 14-15 (IUCN Species Survival Commission).
  • Seebacher, F. 2000. Crocodiles as dinosaurs. Nature Australia 24, 60-69.