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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Emperor penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri, at Cape Crozier, Ross Island, Antarctica. J. U. Meir and P. J. Ponganis (pp. 3330−3338) revealed that emperor penguin haemoglobin has enhanced oxygen (O2) affinity, similar to high-altitude birds, which contributes to the exceptional diving capability of this species. Application of the O2−haemoglobin dissociation curve to partial pressure of O2 (PO2) profiles of emperor penguins demonstrated the maintenance of arterial blood O2 saturation near 100% throughout much of the dive, and optimisation of the venous blood O2 store. In contrast to other diving animals, these results demonstrate that respiratory gas exchange is maintained during these dives. Photo by J. U. Meir. - PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of contents
Sensory perception in a changing world – join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and the SEB satellite meeting. Find out more and register to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK. Register by 28 February 2025.
Extraordinary creatures: mantis shrimp
In our new Conversation series focusing on extraordinary creatures, Tom Cronin and Sheila Patek tell us about the incredible biology of mantis shrimp, from their complex vision to their powerful striking abilities.
Behaviour as a physiological process
In this Commentary, Shamil Debaere & colleagues argue the case for integration of behaviour into animal physiology, and advocate for behaviour to be considered as a physiological process.
Tiny ring-necked snakes keep warm heads despite their size
Some ectotherms are able to raise the temperature of certain body parts above the temperature of other regions & now Christian Cox and Albert Chung, with undergraduates from the University of Virginia, reveal that the heads of tiny ring-necked snakes can be 2.1C warmer than their tails, even though they are only 20cm long.
