Nico Lübcker

Research Associate

As a physiological ecologist with specialization in stable isotopes, my research combines multidisciplinary approaches to study various aspects of organismal ecophysiology by combining biochemical, endocrinological, and ecological principles. My involvement with the prestigious Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme commenced after I completed a year-long research expedition on Marion Island during 2012-2013. As part of my Ph.D. research, I developed intrinsic biomarkers of dietary niche use and nutritional status of individual southern elephant seals (SES; Mirounga leonina) on Marion Island. Using stable isotopes and steroid concentrations in keratinous whiskers and hair, I advanced the use of minimally invasive approaches to assess the physiological mechanisms that individuals use to cope with prolonged periods of fasting and to assess the amino acid transfer between mothers and their fetuses during gestation. The ultimate aim of my research is to identify how different foraging strategies, i.e. niche breadth, habitat use, and trophic level occupied relate to an alternative, intermittent reproductive pattern identified in the Marion Island female SES over three decades of research.

Email: nlubcker@gmail.com

Profile links: Google scholar: https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=mXn-ZrMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nico_Luebcker Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7141-6669 ResearcherID: https://publons.com/researcher/1375900/nico-lubcker/