Danielle L. Levesque
Assistant Professor of Mammalogy and Mammalian Health, University of Maine (USA)
BSc (Agr. & Env. Sci.) McGill University, Montreal, Canada
MSc (Biol. Sci.) Brock University, St-Catharines, Canada
PhD (Zool.) University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
I am an evolutionary and ecological physiologist primarily interested in the comparative energetics and the evolution of mammalian temperature regulation. My research lies at the intersections of comparative physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology, and the synergies between these disciplines. Through field and laboratory based experiments, I seek to understand how rigidity or flexibility in metabolism and body temperature regulation affects the energetics of a species, and how their evolutionary history has shaped these patterns.
The data obtained through studying thermoregulation and energetics can have multiple applications. By understanding the dynamics of the relationship between an animal and its thermal environment, we can better predict energy budgets and responses to changes in climate and resource availability. As such, physiological data are vital for the development of realistic, predictive, climate-change models; a large part of the newly emerging field of conservation physiology. The study of these patterns over a wide range of species, especially those retaining pleisiomorphic (ancestral) characteristics, can allow for the formulation and testing of hypotheses on the evolution of thermoregulatory patterns, such as the evolution of endothermy.
I am currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to do complimentary research on Neartic mammals in Maine, USA. Contact me at danielle.l.levesque[a]maine.edu if interested.
You can read more about our current projects here.
The data obtained through studying thermoregulation and energetics can have multiple applications. By understanding the dynamics of the relationship between an animal and its thermal environment, we can better predict energy budgets and responses to changes in climate and resource availability. As such, physiological data are vital for the development of realistic, predictive, climate-change models; a large part of the newly emerging field of conservation physiology. The study of these patterns over a wide range of species, especially those retaining pleisiomorphic (ancestral) characteristics, can allow for the formulation and testing of hypotheses on the evolution of thermoregulatory patterns, such as the evolution of endothermy.
I am currently recruiting undergraduate and graduate students to do complimentary research on Neartic mammals in Maine, USA. Contact me at danielle.l.levesque[a]maine.edu if interested.
You can read more about our current projects here.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
15. Boyles, J. G., Levesque, D. L., Nowack, J., Wojciechowski, M. S., Stawski, C., Fuller, A., Smit, B. and Tattersall, G. J. 2019. An oversimplification of physiological principles leads to flawed macroecological analyses. Ecology and Evolution 9:12020-12025 DOI : 10.1002/ece3.5721
14. Levesque, D.L., A.A. Tuen, B.G. Lovegrove. 2018. Staying hot to fight the heat- high body temperatures accompany a diurnal endothermic lifestyle in the tropics. Journal of Comparative Physiology B DOI : 10.1007/s00360-018-1160-7
13. Levesque, D.L., A. Menzies, G. Larocque, M. Landry-Cuerrier, M.M. Humphries. 2017. Embracing heterothermic diversity: non-stationary waveform analysis of temperature variation in endotherms. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 187:749-757 DOI:10.1007/s00360-017-1074-9
12. Levesque, D.L., J. Nowack and C. Stawski. 2016. Modelling mammalian energetics: the heterothermy problem. Climate Change Responses. 3:7 DOI: 10.1186/s40665-016-0022-3
11. Sinclair, B, K. Marshall, M. Sewell, D.L. Levesque, C.Willett, S. Slotsbo, Y. Dong, C. Harley, D. Marshall, B. Helmuth, R. Huey. 2016. Can we predict ectotherm responses to climate change using thermal performance curves and body temperatures? Ecology Letters 19:1372-1385. DOI:10.1111/ele.12686
10. Lovegrove, B.G., K.D. Lobban and D.L. Levesque. 2014. Mammal survival at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary: metabolic homeostasis in prolonged tropical hibernation in tenrecs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 281 (1796): 20141304. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1304
9. Levesque, D.L., K.D. Lobban and B.G. Lovegrove. 2014. Effects of reproductive status and high ambient temperatures on the body temperature of a free-ranging basoendotherm. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 184: 1041-1053. DOI: 10.1007/s00360-014-0858-4
8. Levesque, D.L., D. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2014. Increased homeothermy during reproduction in a basal placental mammal. Journal of Experimental Biology 217, 1535-1542 DOI: JEXBIO/2013/098848
7. Lovegrove B.G., C.I. Canale, D.L. Levesque, G. Fluch, M. Řeháková-Petrů and T. Ruf. 2014. Are tropical mammals physiologically vulnerable to Arrhenius effects and climate change? Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 87 (1): 30-45 DOI: 10.1086/673313 pdf
6. Levesque, D. L., O. M. A. Lovasoa, S. N. Rakotoharimalala & B. G. Lovegrove. 2013. High mortality and annual fecundity in a free-ranging basal placental mammal, Setifer setosus (Tenrecidae: Afrosoricida). Journal of Zoology 291 (3):205-212. DOI:10.1111/jzo.12063 pdf
5. Canale, C.I., D.L Levesque (joint first author), and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Tropical heterothermy - does the exception prove the rule or force a re-definition? In: Ruf T, Bieber C, Arnold W, Millesi E(eds) Living in A Seasonal World: Thermoregulatory and Metabolic Adaptations. Springer, Heidelberg. pp 29-40. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-28678-0_3 pdf
4. Levesque, D.L., D. Rakotondravony, D. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Home range and shelter site selection in the greater hedgehog tenrec in the dry deciduous forest of Western Madagascar. Journal of Zoology 287(3): 161-168. DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2012.00899.x
pdf
3. Mares, R., A.J. Young, D.L. Levesque, N. Harrison and T.H. Clutton-Brock. 2011. Responses to intruder scents in the cooperatively breeding meerkat: sex and social status differences and temporal variation. Behavioral Ecology 22(3):594-600 DOI:10.1093/beheco/arr021
2. Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2010. Seasonal torpor and normothermic energy metabolism in the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 180:279-292. DOI 10.1007/s00360-009-0405-x pdf
1. Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2009. Seasonal changes in thermoregulatory responses to hypoxia in normothermic Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 212:1801-1810. DOI:10.1242/jeb.027094 pdf
14. Levesque, D.L., A.A. Tuen, B.G. Lovegrove. 2018. Staying hot to fight the heat- high body temperatures accompany a diurnal endothermic lifestyle in the tropics. Journal of Comparative Physiology B DOI : 10.1007/s00360-018-1160-7
13. Levesque, D.L., A. Menzies, G. Larocque, M. Landry-Cuerrier, M.M. Humphries. 2017. Embracing heterothermic diversity: non-stationary waveform analysis of temperature variation in endotherms. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 187:749-757 DOI:10.1007/s00360-017-1074-9
12. Levesque, D.L., J. Nowack and C. Stawski. 2016. Modelling mammalian energetics: the heterothermy problem. Climate Change Responses. 3:7 DOI: 10.1186/s40665-016-0022-3
11. Sinclair, B, K. Marshall, M. Sewell, D.L. Levesque, C.Willett, S. Slotsbo, Y. Dong, C. Harley, D. Marshall, B. Helmuth, R. Huey. 2016. Can we predict ectotherm responses to climate change using thermal performance curves and body temperatures? Ecology Letters 19:1372-1385. DOI:10.1111/ele.12686
10. Lovegrove, B.G., K.D. Lobban and D.L. Levesque. 2014. Mammal survival at the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary: metabolic homeostasis in prolonged tropical hibernation in tenrecs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 281 (1796): 20141304. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1304
9. Levesque, D.L., K.D. Lobban and B.G. Lovegrove. 2014. Effects of reproductive status and high ambient temperatures on the body temperature of a free-ranging basoendotherm. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. 184: 1041-1053. DOI: 10.1007/s00360-014-0858-4
8. Levesque, D.L., D. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2014. Increased homeothermy during reproduction in a basal placental mammal. Journal of Experimental Biology 217, 1535-1542 DOI: JEXBIO/2013/098848
7. Lovegrove B.G., C.I. Canale, D.L. Levesque, G. Fluch, M. Řeháková-Petrů and T. Ruf. 2014. Are tropical mammals physiologically vulnerable to Arrhenius effects and climate change? Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 87 (1): 30-45 DOI: 10.1086/673313 pdf
6. Levesque, D. L., O. M. A. Lovasoa, S. N. Rakotoharimalala & B. G. Lovegrove. 2013. High mortality and annual fecundity in a free-ranging basal placental mammal, Setifer setosus (Tenrecidae: Afrosoricida). Journal of Zoology 291 (3):205-212. DOI:10.1111/jzo.12063 pdf
5. Canale, C.I., D.L Levesque (joint first author), and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Tropical heterothermy - does the exception prove the rule or force a re-definition? In: Ruf T, Bieber C, Arnold W, Millesi E(eds) Living in A Seasonal World: Thermoregulatory and Metabolic Adaptations. Springer, Heidelberg. pp 29-40. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-28678-0_3 pdf
4. Levesque, D.L., D. Rakotondravony, D. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Home range and shelter site selection in the greater hedgehog tenrec in the dry deciduous forest of Western Madagascar. Journal of Zoology 287(3): 161-168. DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2012.00899.x
3. Mares, R., A.J. Young, D.L. Levesque, N. Harrison and T.H. Clutton-Brock. 2011. Responses to intruder scents in the cooperatively breeding meerkat: sex and social status differences and temporal variation. Behavioral Ecology 22(3):594-600 DOI:10.1093/beheco/arr021
2. Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2010. Seasonal torpor and normothermic energy metabolism in the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology 180:279-292. DOI 10.1007/s00360-009-0405-x pdf
1. Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2009. Seasonal changes in thermoregulatory responses to hypoxia in normothermic Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). Journal of Experimental Biology 212:1801-1810. DOI:10.1242/jeb.027094 pdf
Other Publications
Levesque, D.L. 2015 Some hibernating bats like it hot. Journal of Experimental Biology 218. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112508
Levesque, D.L. 2015 Taking the long way saves energy for high flying birds. Journal of Experimental Biology 218:1279. DOI: doi:10.1242/jeb.112193
Levesque, D.L. 2015 Lizard colour changes to a daily rhythm. Journal of Experimental Biology 218(3):331-332. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112060
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Energy availability drives timing of moult in a songbird. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(21):3772. doi:10.1242/jeb.095117
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Hidden capacity for water preservation in mammals. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(15):2026. doi: 10.1242/jeb.094995
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Low energy use fuels a slow existence. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(9) doi:10.1242/jeb.094847
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Getting fatter to stay warm. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(3):iv doi:10.1242/jeb.094722
Levesque, D.L. 2015 Taking the long way saves energy for high flying birds. Journal of Experimental Biology 218:1279. DOI: doi:10.1242/jeb.112193
Levesque, D.L. 2015 Lizard colour changes to a daily rhythm. Journal of Experimental Biology 218(3):331-332. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.112060
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Energy availability drives timing of moult in a songbird. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(21):3772. doi:10.1242/jeb.095117
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Hidden capacity for water preservation in mammals. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(15):2026. doi: 10.1242/jeb.094995
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Low energy use fuels a slow existence. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(9) doi:10.1242/jeb.094847
Levesque, D.L. 2014 Getting fatter to stay warm. Journal of Experimental Biology 217(3):iv doi:10.1242/jeb.094722
Presentations
Conference Presentations
Levesque, D.L., A.A. Tuen and B.G. Lovegrove. 2016. Staying hot to fight the heat- High body temperatures in a tropical small mammal. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., B.G. Lovegrove. and A.A. Tuen 2015. Basoendothermy: Schrëwdinger’s legacy. 9th International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Kraków, Poland (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., M.O. Mowoe, and B.G. Lovegrove. 2015. Hyperthermic torpor? A test using two arid-zone Afrotropical rodents. Society for Experimental Biology Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2013. Reproduction and the evolution of endothermy — Increased homeothermy in reproductively active female greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting, San Francisco, California, USA (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., C.I. Canale, C.I. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Tropical heterothermy — Does the exception prove the rule or force a re-definition? 14th International Hibernation Symposium, Semmering, Austria (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2011. Increased homeothermy during gestation in a heterothermic mammal, the greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus. Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. Seasonal differences in thermoregulation and response to hypoxia in a food storing hibernator. The 13th International Hibernation Symposium, Swakopmund, Namibia (Poster).
Levesque, D.L., V. Cadena and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. A thermographic characterisation of arousal from torpor in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). The 13th International Hibernation Symposium, Swakopmund, Namibia (Poster).
Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. Thermoregulatory and behavioural responses to hypoxia in the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Cadena, V. (presenter), D.L. Levesque and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. A thermographic characterization of arousal from torpor in the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., P. Brice and G.C.Grigg. 2007. Thermoregulatory responses of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) to a range of constant temperatures: A re-evaluation of the thermal neutral zone. Northeast Biological Graduate Student Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Invited Talks
Levesque, D.L. 2015. The Galapagos — a physiologist's adventures in a zoogeographical paradise. Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia.
Danner, R. (presenter), J. Cháves, K.D. Schuppe, D.L. Levesque and G.J. Tattersall. 2014. Biologia Térmica y el papel del pico en la pérdida de calar y conservación de agua en los Pinzones de Darwin. Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Levesque, D.L. 2009. Lifestyles of the not so cold and fuzzy. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Levesque, D.L. 2009. Life in the field and Introduction to temperature regulation and hibernation. Hillcrest High School, Ottawa, Canada
Levesque, D.L., A.A. Tuen and B.G. Lovegrove. 2016. Staying hot to fight the heat- High body temperatures in a tropical small mammal. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., B.G. Lovegrove. and A.A. Tuen 2015. Basoendothermy: Schrëwdinger’s legacy. 9th International Congress of Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry, Kraków, Poland (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., M.O. Mowoe, and B.G. Lovegrove. 2015. Hyperthermic torpor? A test using two arid-zone Afrotropical rodents. Society for Experimental Biology Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2013. Reproduction and the evolution of endothermy — Increased homeothermy in reproductively active female greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus). Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Meeting, San Francisco, California, USA (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., C.I. Canale, C.I. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2012. Tropical heterothermy — Does the exception prove the rule or force a re-definition? 14th International Hibernation Symposium, Semmering, Austria (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and B.G. Lovegrove. 2011. Increased homeothermy during gestation in a heterothermic mammal, the greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus. Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. Seasonal differences in thermoregulation and response to hypoxia in a food storing hibernator. The 13th International Hibernation Symposium, Swakopmund, Namibia (Poster).
Levesque, D.L., V. Cadena and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. A thermographic characterisation of arousal from torpor in the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). The 13th International Hibernation Symposium, Swakopmund, Namibia (Poster).
Levesque, D.L. and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. Thermoregulatory and behavioural responses to hypoxia in the Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Cadena, V. (presenter), D.L. Levesque and G.J. Tattersall. 2008. A thermographic characterization of arousal from torpor in the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Canadian Society of Zoologist Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Levesque, D.L., P. Brice and G.C.Grigg. 2007. Thermoregulatory responses of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) to a range of constant temperatures: A re-evaluation of the thermal neutral zone. Northeast Biological Graduate Student Conference, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Oral presentation).
Invited Talks
Levesque, D.L. 2015. The Galapagos — a physiologist's adventures in a zoogeographical paradise. Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Malaysia.
Danner, R. (presenter), J. Cháves, K.D. Schuppe, D.L. Levesque and G.J. Tattersall. 2014. Biologia Térmica y el papel del pico en la pérdida de calar y conservación de agua en los Pinzones de Darwin. Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador.
Levesque, D.L. 2009. Lifestyles of the not so cold and fuzzy. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Levesque, D.L. 2009. Life in the field and Introduction to temperature regulation and hibernation. Hillcrest High School, Ottawa, Canada
AWARDS AND HONOURS
Fellowships and Awards
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Tropical Energetics- Thermoregulation in free-ranging Scandentians (Tupaia sp.) (2014-2015, $48,000)
NSERC Canada Postgraduate Scholarship (Doctoral- 3 year). The influence of deforestation on patterns of heterothermy and life history characteristics in the greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus (2010-2013, $63,000)
Distinguished Graduate Student Award (Brock University) for top MSc in Biological Sciences (2008)
Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (2006-2007, $11,250) NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2006, $5600)
Grants
Journal of Experimental Biology Travelling Fellowship. Thermal biology and the role of the beak in heat loss and water conservation in Darwin’s Finches (2014, $3,730)
Canadian Society of Zoologists CPB Section Travel Grant. Thermal biology and the role of the beak in heat loss and water conservation in Darwin’s Finches (2014, $500)
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Thermal physiology of tarsiers and treeshrews in Sarawak, Borneo. Co-PIs: Professor Andrew Alec Tuen, Professor Barry Lovegrove (2013-2015, $27,000)
Charlotte Mangum Student Support Program, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Conference (2013, ~$200)
Journal of Experimental Biology Travelling Fellowship. Tropical Energetics- Thermoregulation in free-ranging Scandentians (Tupaia sp.) (2012, $3,800)
International Hibernation Symposium Travel Grant (2012, $1120)
College Conference Travel Grant, University of KwaZulu-Natal (2012, $1300)
Doctoral Research Grant, University of KwaZulu-Natal (2011, $1400)
EPCOR Water Ltd. Student Travel Award (2011, $500)
Northern Scientific Training Program Research Award. Respirometry and energetics of breeding and lactating female red squirrels (2006, $1000)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Tropical Energetics- Thermoregulation in free-ranging Scandentians (Tupaia sp.) (2014-2015, $48,000)
NSERC Canada Postgraduate Scholarship (Doctoral- 3 year). The influence of deforestation on patterns of heterothermy and life history characteristics in the greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus (2010-2013, $63,000)
Distinguished Graduate Student Award (Brock University) for top MSc in Biological Sciences (2008)
Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (2006-2007, $11,250) NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2006, $5600)
Grants
Journal of Experimental Biology Travelling Fellowship. Thermal biology and the role of the beak in heat loss and water conservation in Darwin’s Finches (2014, $3,730)
Canadian Society of Zoologists CPB Section Travel Grant. Thermal biology and the role of the beak in heat loss and water conservation in Darwin’s Finches (2014, $500)
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. Thermal physiology of tarsiers and treeshrews in Sarawak, Borneo. Co-PIs: Professor Andrew Alec Tuen, Professor Barry Lovegrove (2013-2015, $27,000)
Charlotte Mangum Student Support Program, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Conference (2013, ~$200)
Journal of Experimental Biology Travelling Fellowship. Tropical Energetics- Thermoregulation in free-ranging Scandentians (Tupaia sp.) (2012, $3,800)
International Hibernation Symposium Travel Grant (2012, $1120)
College Conference Travel Grant, University of KwaZulu-Natal (2012, $1300)
Doctoral Research Grant, University of KwaZulu-Natal (2011, $1400)
EPCOR Water Ltd. Student Travel Award (2011, $500)
Northern Scientific Training Program Research Award. Respirometry and energetics of breeding and lactating female red squirrels (2006, $1000)