Todd McWhorter

Research Interests

Animal Physiological Ecology Animal Physiology _ Systems Animal Physiology - Biophysics Conservation and Biodiversity Ecological Physiology Ecology

Dr Todd McWhorter

Senior Lecturer

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

College of Science

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

I am an ecological physiologist interested in how vertebrate animals function and how function evolves. As my research program has matured, I’ve become more interested in applied problems. In the past decade my research has focused on the emerging area of conservation physiology and medicine- applying the concepts and methodologies of these fields to pressing problems in conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in general, especially as related to human-induced landscape changes and global climate change. Most recently, my research program has expanded into animal welfare- particularly using physiological and behavioural indicators to study and optimise the welfare of captive wildlife and production animals. My post-graduate research training and the first 15 years of my academic research career focused primarily on the mechanisms of digestion and nutrient absorption, modelling digestive capacity, nutritional ecology, kidney function, and salt and water balance, research areas for which I am internationally most well-known. Much of this work focused on nectar-feeding birds, including New World hummingbirds, Old World sunbirds and Australian honeyeaters, but it also included marine finfish (aquaculture nutrition/gastrointestinal function).

Current research projects include: 1) thermoregulation, heat tolerance, metabolism and heat-related stress responses in wild native Australian birds, 2) the effects of land use changes and habitat fragmentation on bird populations, 3) control of invasive feral predators to protect native wildlife, 4) ecology and conservation of African carnivores, 5) anthropogenic effects on zoo animal welfare, and 6) honeyeater feeding behaviour/biomechanics and pollination biology.

I am always happy to talk to students about potential summer research, honours and PhD projects.

Date Position Institution name
2012 - ongoing Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Physiology University of Adelaide
2009 - 2011 Lecturer in Veterinary Physiology University of Adelaide
2006 - 2008 Postdoctoral Research Fellow Murdoch University
2003 - 2006 Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Wisconsin-Madison

Date Institution name Country Title
University of Arizona United States PhD
University of Wyoming United States MSc
University of California, Irvine United States BSc

Year Citation
2025 Crowe, B. H., Harris, J. O., McWhorter, T. J., Bansemer, M. S., & Stone, D. A. J. (2025). Liver structure and function in yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, in response to alternative oils in feed. Aquaculture, 594, 741379.
DOI Scopus2 WoS3
2025 Fountain, J., Fernandez, E. J., McWhorter, T. J., & Hazel, S. J. (2025). The value of sniffing: A scoping review of scent activities for canines. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 282, 106485-1-106485-12.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Hewes, A. E., Rico-Guevara, A., & McWhorter, T. J. (2025). Nectar-Feeding Behavior in the Mallee Ringneck, Barnardius zonarius barnardi.. Ecology and Evolution, 15(1), e70674-1-e70674-6.
DOI
2025 Hewes, A. E., McWhorter, T. J., & Rico-Guevara, A. (2025). Plant-pollinator trait matching affects pollen transfer but not feeding efficiency of Australian honeyeaters (Aves, Meliphagidae).. Communications biology, 8(1), 339.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Chan, T. Y., Khong, H. Y. C., McWhorter, T. J., & Fernandez, E. J. (2025). Feline flourish: A scoping review of enrichment effects on zoo-housed felids. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 286, 13 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS3
2025 Martinez, C., James-Aldridge, V., McWhorter, T. J., & Fernandez, E. J. (2025). Understanding animal introductions and welfare in zoos: A scoping review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 291, 13 pages.
DOI
2025 Fountain, J., McWhorter, T. J., Hewings, R., & Hazel, S. J. (2025). “Scent work is incorporated in almost everything I do”: Investigating dog trainers’ perceptions of scent-based activities for companion dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 292, 106837-1-106837-10.
DOI
2025 Crowe, B. H., Harris, J. O., McWhorter, T. J., Bansemer, M. S., & Stone, D. A. J. (2025). Investigating Liver Structure and Function in Yellowtail Kingfish, <i>Seriola lalandi</i>, in Response to Diet Protein and Lipid Level Manipulation. AQUACULTURE, FISH AND FISHERIES, 5(5), 11 pages.
DOI
2025 Hryhorenko, L., Mcwhorter, T., Whittaker, A., & Fernandez, E. J. (2025). The use of technology as environmental enrichment in zoos: A scoping review. ANIMAL WELFARE, 34, 12 pages.
DOI
2024 Crowe, B. H., Harris, J. O., Mcwhorter, T. J., Bansemer, M. S., & Stone, D. A. J. (2024). Liver Structure and Function in Yellowtail Kingfish, <i>Seriola lalandi</i>, in Response to Reduced Fish Meal Diets. AQUACULTURE, FISH AND FISHERIES, 4(6), 15 pages.
DOI Scopus2 WoS3
2024 Forder, R. E. A., Willson, N. -L., Angove, J. A., McWhorter, T. J., McQueen, M. A., & Cadogan, D. J. (2024). Dietary inclusion of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolite improved reproductive performance but did not affect intestinal permeability in two chicken meat breeder lines. Poultry Science, 103(5), 103595-1-103595-9.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2024 Morris, D. R., McWhorter, T. J., Boardman, W. S. J., Simpson, G., Wentzel, J., Coetzee, J., & Moodley, Y. (2024). Unravelling the maternal evolutionary history of the African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus). PeerJ, 12(4), e17018-1-e17018-24.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2024 Ryan-Schofield, N. L., Moseby, K. E., McWhorter, T. J., Legge, S. M., & McGregor, H. W. (2024). The effect of collar weight and capture frequency on bodyweight in feral cats (Felis catus). Wildlife Research, 51(6), WR24024-1-WR24024-10.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2024 Ryan‐Schofield, N. L., Read, J. L., McGregor, H. W., McWhorter, T. J., & Moseby, K. E. (2024). Evasive invasives? Implications of neophobia for feral cat (Felis catus) control. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 48(3), e1536-1-e1536-17.
DOI WoS1
2023 Morris, D. R., McWhorter, T. J., Boardman, W. S. J., Simpson, G., Wentzel, J., Coetzee, J., . . . Moodley, Y. (2023). Gene flow connects key leopard (Panthera pardus) populations despite habitat fragmentation and persecution. Biodiversity and Conservation, 32(3), 945-963.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2023 Brewer, K., McWhorter, T. J., Moseby, K., Read, J. L., Peacock, D., & Blencowe, A. (2023). pH-Responsive Polymer Implants for the Protection of Native Mammals: Assessment of Material Properties and Poison Incorporation on Performance. Polymers, 15(4), 878-1-878-18.
DOI Scopus1
2023 Brewer, K., McWhorter, T. J., Moseby, K., Read, J. L., Peacock, D., & Blencowe, A. (2023). pH-responsive subcutaneous implants prepared via hot-melt extrusion and fluidised-bed spray coating for targeted invasive predator control. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 81(article no. 104277), 104277-1-104277-9.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2023 Tay, C., McWhorter, T. J., Xie, S., Mohd Nasir, T. S. B., Reh, B., & Fernandez, E. J. (2023). A comparison of staff presence and signage on zoo visitor behavior. Zoo Biology, 42(3), 339-462.
DOI Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC2
2023 Fernandez, E. J., & McWhorter, T. J. (2023). Who reviews what you do at the zoo? Considerations for research ethics with captive exotic animals. Research Ethics, 19(4), 419-432.
DOI Scopus5 WoS3
2023 Verdegaal, E. -L. J. M. M., Howarth, G. S., McWhorter, T. J., & Delesalle, C. J. G. (2023). Thermoregulation during Field Exercise in Horses Using Skin Temperature Monitoring. Animals, 14(1), 136-1-136-17.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC6
2022 Morris, D. R., Boardman, W. S. J., Swanepoel, L. H., Simpson, G., Coetzee, J., Camacho, G. J., & McWhorter, T. J. (2022). Population density estimate of leopards (Panthera pardus) in north-western Mpumalanga, South Africa, determined using spatially explicit capture–recapture methods. Mammalian Biology, 102(4), 1173-1183.
DOI Scopus11 WoS12
2022 Verdegaal, E. -L. J. M. M., Howarth, G. S., McWhorter, T. J., & Delesalle, C. J. G. (2022). Is Continuous Monitoring of Skin Surface Temperature a Reliable Proxy to Assess the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses During Field Exercise?. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, 894146-1-894146-16.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5 Europe PMC4
2022 Brewer, K., Mcwhorter, T. J., Sloper, C., Moseby, K., Read, J. L., Peacock, D., & Blencowe, A. (2022). Toward Targeted Invasive Predator Control: Developing pH-Responsive Subcutaneous Implants for Native Mammals. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 4(9), 6687-6699.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2021 Xie, S., & McWhorter, T. J. (2021). Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentration as a Tool for Assessing Impacts of Interventions in Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Birds, 2(1), 106-113.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2021 McWhorter, T. J., Rader, J. A., Schondube, J. E., Nicolson, S. W., Pinshow, B., Fleming, P. A., . . . Martínez del Rio, C. (2021). Sucrose digestion capacity in birds shows convergent coevolution with nectar composition across continents. iScience, 24(7), 1-14.
DOI Scopus11 WoS10 Europe PMC7
2021 Verdegaal, E. L. J. M. M., Howarth, G. S., McWhorter, T. J., Boshuizen, B., Franklin, S. H., Vidal Moreno de Vega, C., . . . Delesalle, C. J. G. (2021). Continuous Monitoring of the Thermoregulatory Response in Endurance Horses and Trotter Horses During Field Exercise: Baselining for Future Hot Weather Studies. Frontiers in Physiology, 12, 708737-1-708737-19.
DOI Scopus12 WoS10 Europe PMC8
2020 Xie, S., Woolford, L., & McWhorter, T. J. (2020). Organ Histopathology and Hematological Changes Associated With Heat Exposure in Australian Desert Birds.. Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, 34(1), 41-51.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC2
2019 Gerson, A. R., McKechnie, A. E., Smit, B., Whitfield, M. C., Smith, E. K., Talbot, W. A., . . . Wolf, B. O. (2019). The functional significance of facultative hyperthermia varies with body size and phylogeny in birds. Functional Ecology, 33(4), 597-607.
DOI Scopus73 WoS73
2019 Xie, S., Nicholson, A., Woolford, L., & McWhorter, T. (2019). Physiological, biochemical and histopathological changes associated with heatstroke in the galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) and rock dove (Columba livia). Avian Pathology, 48(1), 57-72.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC4
2018 Xie, S., Tearle, R., & McWhorter, T. (2018). Heat shock protein expression is upregulated after acute heat exposure in three species of Australian desert birds. Avian Biology Research, 11(4), 263-273.
DOI Scopus17 WoS16
2018 Cosgrove, A., Mcwhorter, T., & Maron, M. (2018). Consequences of impediments to animal movements at different scales: A conceptual framework and review. Diversity and Distributions, 24(4), 448-459.
DOI Scopus40 WoS39
2018 McWhorter, T., Gerson, A., Talbot, W., Smith, E., McKechnie, A., & Wolf, B. (2018). Avian thermoregulation in the heat: evaporative cooling capacity and thermal tolerance in two Australian parrots. Journal of Experimental Biology, 221(6), jeb168930.
DOI Scopus31 WoS30 Europe PMC18
2017 Cosgrove, A., McWhorter, T., & Maron, M. (2017). Using individual-condition measures to predict the long-term importance of habitat extent for population persistence. Conservation Biology, 31(5), 1141-1151.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7 Europe PMC2
2017 Xie, S., Romero, L. M., Htut, Z., & McWhorter, T. J. (2017). Stress responses to heat exposure in three species of Australian desert birds. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 90(3), 348-358.
DOI Scopus35 WoS34 Europe PMC21
2017 Xie, S., Turrell, E., & McWhorter, T. (2017). Behavioural responses to heat in captive native Australian birds. Emu: Austral Ornithology, 117(1), 51-67.
DOI Scopus12 WoS9
2017 McKechnie, A., Gerson, A., McWhorter, T., Smith, E., Talbot, W., & Wolf, B. (2017). Avian thermoregulation in the heat: Evaporative cooling in five Australian passerines reveals within-order biogeographic variation in heat tolerance. Journal of Experimental Biology, 220(13), 2436-2444.
DOI Scopus64 WoS62 Europe PMC42
2017 Verdegaal, E., Delesalle, C., Caraguel, C., Folwell, L., McWhorter, T., Howarth, G., & Franklin, S. (2017). Evaluation of a telemetric gastrointestinal pill for continuous monitoring of gastrointestinal temperature in horses at rest and during exercise. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 78(7), 778-784.
DOI Scopus10 WoS7 Europe PMC6
2017 Talbot, W., McWhorter, T., Gerson, A., McKechnie, A., & Wolf, B. (2017). Avian thermoregulation in the heat: evaporative cooling capacity of arid-zone Caprimulgiformes from two continents. Journal of Experimental Biology, 220(19), 3488-3498.
DOI Scopus32 WoS30 Europe PMC18
2016 McKechnie, A., Whitfield, M., Smit, B., Gerson, A., Smith, E., Talbot, W., . . . Wolf, B. (2016). Avian thermoregulation in the heat: efficient evaporative cooling allows for extreme heat tolerance in four southern hemisphere columbids. Journal of Experimental Biology, 219(14), 2145-2155.
DOI Scopus73 WoS62 Europe PMC50
2015 Tracy, C., McWhorter, T., Gienger, C., Starck, J., Medley, P., Manolis, S., . . . Christian, K. (2015). Alligators and crocodiles have high paracellular absorption of nutrients, but differ in digestive morphology and physiology. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 55(6), 986-1004.
DOI Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC3
2014 Napier, K., Fleming, P., & McWhorter, T. (2014). Mistletoebirds and xylose: Australian frugivores differ in their handling of dietary sugars. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 87(3), 445-455.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2014 Hynd, P., Czerwinski, V., & McWhorter, T. (2014). Is propensity to obesity associated with the diurnal pattern of core body temperature?. International Journal of Obesity, 38(2), 231-235.
DOI Scopus8 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2014 Napier, K., Mather, S., McWhorter, T., & Fleming, P. (2014). Do bird species richness and community structure vary with mistletoe flowering and fruiting in Western Australia?. Emu, 114(1), 13-22.
DOI Scopus11 WoS10
2013 Napier, K., McWhorter, T., Nicolson, S., & Fleming, P. (2013). Sugar preferences of avian nectarivores are correlated with intestinal sucrase activity. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 86(5), 499-514.
DOI Scopus23 WoS19 Europe PMC12
2013 Purchase, C., Napier, K., Nicolson, S., McWhorter, T., & Fleming, P. (2013). Gastrointestinal and renal responses to variable water intake in whitebellied sunbirds and New Holland honeyeaters. Journal of Experimental Biology, 216(9), 1537-1545.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2013 McWhorter, T., Pinshow, B., Karasov, W., & Tracy, C. (2013). Paracellular absorption is relatively low in the herbivorous Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx aegyptia. PLoS One, 8(4), 1-9.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3 Europe PMC3
2012 Napier, K., McWhorter, T., & Fleming, P. (2012). A comparison of pharmacokinetic methods for in vivo studies of nonmediated glucose absorption. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 85(2), 200-208.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC4
2012 Ellis, R., McWhorter, T., & Maron, M. (2012). Integrating landscape ecology and conservation physiology. Landscape Ecology, 27(1), 1-12.
DOI Scopus133 WoS133
2011 Kohler, A., Verburgt, L., Fleming, P., McWhorter, T., & Nicolson, S. (2011). Interruptions in nectar availability: responses of White-bellied Sunbirds (Cinnyris talatala) and Brown Honeyeaters (Lichmera indistincta). Emu, 111(3), 252-258.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2010 Barboza, P., Bennet, A., Lignot, J., MacKie, R., McWhorter, T., Secor, S., . . . Wang, T. (2010). Digestive challenges for vertebrate animals: Microbial diversity, cardiorespiratory coupling, and dietary specialization. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 83(5), 764-774.
DOI Scopus32 WoS29 Europe PMC23
2010 Kohler, A., Verburgt, L., McWhorter, T., & Nicolson, S. (2010). Energy management on a nectar diet: can sunbirds meet the challenges of low temperature and dilute food?. Functional Ecology, 24(6), 1241-1251.
DOI Scopus20 WoS18 Europe PMC9
2010 Powers, D., Van Hook, J., Sandlin, E., & McWhorter, T. (2010). Arthropod foraging by a Southeastern Arizona hummingbird guild. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 122(3), 494-502.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8
2010 Tracy, C., McWhorter, T., Wojciechowski, M., Pinshow, B., & Karasov, W. (2010). Carbohydrate absorption by blackcap warblers (Sylvia atricapilla) changes during migratory refuelling stopovers. Journal of Experimental Biology, 213(3), 380-385.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC7
2010 McWhorter, T., Green, A., & Karasov, W. (2010). Assessment of radiolabeled d-glucose and the nonmetabolizable analog 3-O-methyl-d-glucose as tools for in vivo absorption studies. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 83(2), 376-384.
DOI Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC14
2009 McWhorter, T., Caviedes-Vidal, E., & Karasov, W. (2009). The integration of digestion and osmoregulation in the avian gut. Biological Reviews, 84(4), 533-565.
DOI Scopus98 WoS88 Europe PMC62
2009 Iglesias, S., Tracy, C., Bedford, G., McWhorter, T., & Christian, K. (2009). Seasonal effects on intestinal enzyme activity in the Australian agamid lizard, Lophognathus temporalis. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 153(1), 89-94.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13 Europe PMC7
2008 Fleming, P., Xie, S., Napier, K., McWhorter, T., & Nicolson, S. (2008). Nectar concentration affects sugar preferences in two Australian honeyeaters and a lorikeet. Functional Ecology, 22(4), 599-605.
DOI Scopus44 WoS39 Europe PMC13
2008 Napier, K., Purchase, C., McWhorter, T., Nicolson, S., & Fleming, P. (2008). The sweet life: diet sugar concentration influences paracellular glucose absorption. Biology Letters, 4(5), 530-533.
DOI Scopus26 WoS24 Europe PMC18
2008 Napier, K., McWhorter, T., & Fleming, P. (2008). Mechanism and rate of glucose absorption differ between an Australian honeyeater (Meliphagidae) and a lorikeet (Loridae). Journal of Experimental Biology, 211(22), 3544-3553.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC11
2007 Tracy, C., McWhorter, T., Korine, C., Wojciechowski, M., Pinshow, B., & Karasov, W. (2007). Absorption of sugars in the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus): a paradox explained. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210(10), 1726-1734.
DOI Scopus43 WoS39 Europe PMC41
2007 McWhorter, T., & Karasov, W. (2007). Paracellular nutrient absorption in a gum-feeding new world primate, the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus. American Journal of Primatology, 69(12), 1399-1411.
DOI Scopus11 WoS14 Europe PMC12
2007 Caviedes-Vidal, E., McWhorter, T., Lavin, S., Chediack, J., Tracy, C., & Karasov, W. (2007). The digestive adaptation of flying vertebrates: high intestinal paracellular absorption compensates for smaller guts. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(48), 19132-19137.
DOI Scopus170 WoS156 Europe PMC110
2007 Lavin, S., McWhorter, T., & Karasov, W. (2007). Mechanistic bases for differences in passive absorption. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210(15), 2754-2764.
DOI Scopus37 WoS37 Europe PMC32
2006 McWhorter, T., Hartman Bakken, B., Karasov, W., & Martinez del Rio, C. (2006). Hummingbirds rely on both paracellular and carrier-mediated intestinal glucose absorption to fuel high metabolism. Biology Letters, 2(1), 131-134.
DOI Scopus48 WoS48 Europe PMC37
2004 McWhorter, T., Martinez del Rio, C., Pinshow, B., & Roxburgh, L. (2004). Renal function in Palestine sunbirds: elimination of excess water does not constrain energy intake. Journal of Experimental Biology, 207(19), 3391-3398.
DOI Scopus37 WoS34 Europe PMC25
2004 Hartman Bakken, B., McWhorter, T., Tsahar, E., & Martinez del Rio, C. (2004). Hummingbirds arrest their kidneys at night: diel variation in glomerular filtration rate in Selasphorus platycercus. Journal of Experimental Biology, 207(25), 4383-4391.
DOI Scopus30 WoS27 Europe PMC24
2003 McWhorter, T., Martinez del Rio, C., & Pinshow, B. (2003). Modulation of ingested water absorption by Palestine sunbirds: evidence for adaptive regulation. Journal of Experimental Biology, 206(4), 659-666.
DOI Scopus34 WoS33 Europe PMC24
2003 McWhorter, T., Powers, D., & Martinez del Rio, C. (2003). Are hummingbirds facultatively ammonotelic? Nitrogen excretion and requirements as a function of body size. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 76(5), 731-743.
DOI Scopus30 WoS23 Europe PMC14
2001 Martinez del Rio, C., Schondube, J., McWhorter, T., & Herrera, L. (2001). Intake responses in nectar feeding birds: digestive and metabolic causes, osmoregulatory consequences, and coevolutionary effects. American Zoologist, 41(4), 902-915.
DOI Scopus109 WoS100
2000 McWhorter, T., & Martinez del Rio, C. (2000). Does gut function limit hummingbird food intake?. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 73(3), 313-324.
DOI Scopus88 WoS84 Europe PMC47
2000 McWhorter, T., & Lopez-Calleja, M. (2000). The integration of diet, physiology, and ecology of nectar-feeding birds. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 73(3), 451-460.
DOI WoS26
1999 McWhorter, T., & Martinez del Rio, C. (1999). Food ingestion and water turnover in hummingbirds: how much dietary water is absorbed?. Journal of Experimental Biology, 202(20), 2851-2858.
DOI Scopus64 WoS62 Europe PMC38
- McWhorter, T. J., Rader, J. A., Schondube, J. E., Nicolson, S. W., Pinshow, B., Fleming, P. A., & Martinez del Rio, C. (n.d.). Convergent Coevolution Across Continents: Nectar Composition and Sucrose Digestion Capacity in Birds.
- Tay, C., Fernandez, E. J., Xie, S., Leong, K. L., & McWhorter, T. J. (2025). The influence of noise, temperature, and humidity on hornbill behaviour in a zoo. Discover Animals, 2(1).
DOI

Year Citation
2024 Hewes, A., McWhorter, T., & Rico-Guevara, A. (2024). What determines feeding and pollination efficiency in avian pollination interactions?. In INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY Vol. 64 (pp. S228). WA, Seattle: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2009 von Dietze, E., Napier, K. R., McWhorter, T. J., & Fleming, P. A. (2009). A welfare approach for captive wild birds. In Australian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research & Teaching (ANZCCART) (2009), 28 - 30 July, Port Douglas, Queensland (pp. 33-38). Port Douglas, Queensland.

Year Citation
2020 McWhorter, T. J. (2020). The Karasov effect: functional studies of nutrient absorption in endotherms at the extreme. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Austin, TX: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2020 Tracy, C. R., & Mcwhorter, T. J. (2020). Paracellular absorption in the slow(er) lane: a brief review of reptilian paracellular nutrient absorption. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Austin, TX: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2016 Tracy, C. R., Mcwhorter, T. J., Christian, K. A., Gienger, C. M., Webb, G. J. W., & Manolis, S. C. (2016). Old guts leak less: ontogeny of paracellular absorption of carbohydrates by saltwater crocodiles. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Portland, OR: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2016 Wolf, B. O., Mckechnie, A. E., Mcwhorter, T. J., Gerson, A. R., Smith, E. K., Talbot, W. A., . . . O'Neil, J. J. (2016). Heat stress, climate change, and the thermoregulatory performance of desert birds. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Portland, OR: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2016 McWhorter, T. J. (2016). The Integration of Gastrointestinal and Renal Function in Nectar-Feeding Birds. Poster session presented at the meeting of FASEB JOURNAL. San Diego, CA: FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL.
2015 Wolf, B., McKechnie, A., Gerson, A., Whitfield, M., Smit, B., Talbot, W., . . . McWhorter, T. J. (2015). Avian thermoregulation in the heat: tolerance to heat stress varies greatly among species.. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Physiologist. Bethesda, Maryland: The American Physiological Society.
2015 Gerson, A., Talbot, W., Smith, E., McWhorter, T. J., & Wolf, B. (2015). Heat tolerance of Australian birds: the importance of body size, phylogeny and evaporative pathway. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Physiologist. Bethesda, Maryland: The American Physiological Society.
2015 Hynd, P., Czerwinski, V. H., & Mcwhorter, T. J. (2015). Is propensity to obesity associated with the diurnal pattern of core body temperature?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), as published in Integrative and Comparative Biology. West Palm Beach, FL: Oxford University Press (OUP).
DOI
2015 Tracy, C. R., Mcwhorter, T. J., Gienger, C. M., Starck, J. M., Medley, P., Manolis, S. C., . . . Christian, K. A. (2015). Alligators and crocodiles have high paracellular nutrient absorption, but differ in digestive morphology and physiology. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology. West Palm Beach, FL: Oxford University Press (OUP).
DOI
2015 Napier, K. R., Mcwhorter, T. J., Martinez, D. R. C., & Fleming, P. A. (2015). Mistletoebirds vary their dietary intake of arthropods depending on time of year. Poster session presented at the meeting of Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), as published in Integrative and Comparative Biology. West Palm Beach, FL: Oxford University Press (OUP).
DOI
2013 Mcwhorter, T., Schondube, J., Nicolson, S., Pinshow, B., Fleming, P., & Martinez Del Rio, C. (2013). Convergence in digestive capacity in nectar-feeding birds. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology. San Francisco, CA: Oxford University Press (OUP).
2012 Napier, K., Mcwhorter, T., Del Rio, M., & Fleming, P. (2012). A comparison of pharmacokinetic methods for in vivo studies of non-mediated glucose absorption. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Charleston, SC: Oxford University Press (OUP).
2012 Napier, K. R., Xie, S., Mcwhorter, T. J., Nicolson, S. W., Martinez Del Rio, C., & Fleming, P. A. (2012). Can sugar preferences in Australian birds be explained by behaviour or physiology?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Charleston, SC: Oxford University Press (OUP).
2007 Tracy, C. R., McWhorter, T. J., Manolis, C. S., Webb, G. J., & Christian, K. A. (2007). Digestive physiological differences between alligators and crocodiles: Are crocodilians just meat eaters?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Oxford University Press (OUP).
DOI
2006 Wojciechowski, M. S., Tracy, C. R., McWhorter, T. J., Yosef, R., Karasov, W. H., & Pinshow, B. (2006). Blackcaps at migratory stopovers compensate for reduced gut with increased paracellular nutrient uptake. Poster session presented at the meeting of JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY. SPRINGER HEIDELBERG.
2006 McWhorter, T. J., & Karasov, W. H. (2006). Paracellular solute absorption varies with body size in primates. Poster session presented at the meeting of FASEB JOURNAL. San Francisco, CA: FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL.
WoS1
2006 Karasov, W. H., McWhorter, T. J., & Caviedes-Vidal, E. (2006). Phylogenetic and body size patterns in intestinal paracellular solute absorption. Poster session presented at the meeting of FASEB JOURNAL. San Francisco, CA: FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL.
WoS1
2006 McWhorter, T. J. (2006). The new physiological ecology of nectar-feeding birds. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Physiologist.
2005 Tracy, C. R., McWhorter, T. J., Korine, C., Pinshow, B., & Karasov, W. H. (2005). A mystery solved: How the egyptian fruit bat absorbs sugar. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Orlando, FL: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2005 McWhorter, T. J., Hartman Bakken, B., Karasov, W. H., & Martinez Del Rio, C. (2005). Hummingbirds fuel high metabolism with both paracellular and carrier-mediated intestinal glucose absorption. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Orlando, FL: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2005 Tracy, C. R., McWhorter, T. J., Wojciechowski, M. S., Korine, C., Karasov, W. H., & Pinshow, B. (2005). Relatively low paracellular absorption in a reptile, the Egyptian mastigure, <i>Uromastyx aegyptius</i>. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Orlando, FL: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2005 Tracy, C. R., Wojciechowski, M. S., McWhorter, T. J., Yosef, R., Karasov, W. H., & Pinshow, B. (2005). Carbohydrate absorption in migrating blackcaps, upon arrival and after refeeding, at a stopover in southern Israel. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Orlando, FL: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2005 McWhorter, T. J., Karasov, W. H., & Green, A. K. (2005). How the American robin absorbs glucose. Poster session presented at the meeting of FASEB JOURNAL. San Diego, CA: FEDERATION AMER SOC EXP BIOL.
WoS2
2005 Lavin, S. R., McWhorter, T. J., & Karasov, W. H. (2005). Differences in paracellular absorption: A function of solvent drag or pore size?. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. Orlando, FL: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2004 Lavin, S. R., McWhorter, T. J., & Karasov, W. H. (2004). Do birds exhibit greater paracellular absorption than mammals?. Poster session presented at the meeting of Integrative and Comparative Biology.
2004 Mcwhorter, T. J., Karasov, W. H., & Green, A. K. (2004). How the American robin absorbs glucose. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. San Diego, CA: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
WoS2
2003 Rummel, T. D., Kimberly, D. J., Powers, D. R., & McWhorter, T. J. (2003). Functional and morphological comparison of Hummingbird and Sunbird digestive tracts. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. New Orleans, LA: SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
WoS1
2003 McWhorter, T. J., Bakken, B. H., Tsahar, E., & Del Rio, C. M. (2003). Renal function in nectar-feeding birds: Hummingbirds turn off the faucet at night. Poster session presented at the meeting of INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY. New Orleans, LA: SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
2002 McWhorter, T. J., Martinez del Rio, C., & Pinshow, B. (2002). Osmoregulation in avian nectarivores- an integrative approach. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Physiologist.
2002 van Tets, I. G., Green, A. K., McWhorter, T. J., & Pinshow, B. (2002). Sugar preferences and enzyme activities in a frugivorous bird, the yellow-vented bulbul. Poster session presented at the meeting of The Physiologist.
2001 Powers, D. R., McWhorter, T. J., Kimberly, D. J., Baker, T. L., & Thornburg, K. L. (2001). Characterization and distribution of aquaporin water channels in the hummingbird gastrointestinal tract.. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN ZOOLOGIST. SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
2001 McWhorter, T. J., Del Rio, C. M., & Pinshow, B. (2001). Osmoregulation in avian nectarivores - an integrative approach.. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN ZOOLOGIST. SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
WoS2
1999 Del Rio, C. M., Herrera, L. G., McWhorter, T. J., & Schondube, J. E. (1999). Intake responses in nectarivores: Digestive and metabolic causes and osmoregulatory consquences.. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN ZOOLOGIST. SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
1999 McWhorter, T. J., Powers, D. R., & Miller, N. (1999). Ammonotely and nitrogen excretion in three sympatric hummingbird species.. Poster session presented at the meeting of AMERICAN ZOOLOGIST. SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.
1998 Martínez del Rio, C., & McWhorter, T. J. (1998). Hummingbirds and chemical reactors: test of a gut function model. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Zoologist.
1998 McWhorter, T. J. (1998). How much dietary water do hummingbirds absorb?. Poster session presented at the meeting of American Zoologist.
1997 McWhorter, T. J., & Martínez del Rio, C. (1997). Effects of diet and ambient temperature: nutrient assimilation in hummingbirds. Poster session presented at the meeting of Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America.

External direct research funding: ~$3.04 M AUD career total (~$1.44 M AUD in the last 5 years)

Major recent external direct grants:

2025-2028  ARC Discovery (DP250103176). Collaboration with K. Moseby (UNSW, admin org), T. Fleming (Murdoch), S. Trewick (Massey), C. Eason (Lincoln University). $892,451 AUD.

2024-2025  AlzChem Trostberg GmbH (6019519). Collaboration with AlzChem Corporation (V. Inhuber), R. Forder, W. van Wettere. $73,590 AUD.

2022-2025  MINISTERIO DE CIENCIA E INNOVACIÓN- Spain (PID2021-128494NA-I00). Collaboration with M. Mariette & A.E. McKechnie. 269,358 Euros (~$471,376 AUD). Administered externally in Spain (not listed on IAP).

Leveraged funding: Includes external projects where I am not a named investigator- e.g. Kingfish for Profit aquaculture grant to South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), which funded co-supervised PhD student Crowe or where operating or research funds of external organisations cover expenses (NGOs and zoos). Career total: estimated ~$2.64M AUD.

Internal direct research funding: ~$123,500 AUD career total ($49,500 last 5 years) including PhD student operating funds, internal SAVS seed & collaboration grants and consulting funds. The largest recent internal direct grant was:

2021-2022     Digi+FAME grant scheme- Which cat is that? Application of Machine Learning algorithms to identification of individual feral cats from camera trap data (collaboration with Prof. Ian Reid of AIML $20,000 AUD)

Teaching Interests

Veterinary physiology, comparative physiology, vertebrate physiological ecology, environmental physiology, nutrition, conservation physiology.

I am currently the course coordinator for Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology III (VET SC 3520 A/BRW) taken by our 3rd year Veterinary Bioscience undergraduates.  Any queries or administrative matters regarding this course should be directed to me.

I also teach into Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology II, Physiology for Veterinary Technologists I and Comparative Animal Anatomy & Physiology IIA/B.

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Principal Supervisor Application of a wildlife population health framework to a native marsupial in regional Tasmania Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alexandria Frances Bullen
2025 Principal Supervisor Application of a wildlife population health framework to a native marsupial in regional Tasmania Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Alexandria Frances Bullen
2024 Co-Supervisor How can veterinary intervention and stakeholder collaboration improve cat management in resource-constrained rural communities? Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Dr Megan Heather Ann Pickering
2024 Principal Supervisor Examining Animal Introductions and Other Social Factors on Captive Gorilla Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Claudia Martinez
2024 Co-Supervisor Efficacy of training and enrichment to improve welfare: How can animal training be applied across settings to help animals live a good life? Examining the physiological and behavioural effects of scent work for domestic dogs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Jade Fountain
2024 Co-Supervisor Exploring Interactive and Technological Enrichment in Zoos Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lesia Marie Hryhorenko
2024 Principal Supervisor Stimulating natural foraging through food-based enrichment in captive animals Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aamer Sohel Khan
2024 Principal Supervisor The effects of choice, control, and cognitive challenge on the welfare of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kelli Marie Rust
2024 Principal Supervisor Stimulating natural foraging through food-based enrichment in captive animals Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aamer Sohel Khan
2024 Principal Supervisor Examining Animal Introductions and Other Social Factors on Captive Gorilla Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Claudia Martinez
2024 Co-Supervisor Exploring Interactive and Technological Enrichment in Zoos Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Lesia Marie Hryhorenko
2024 Co-Supervisor Efficacy of training and enrichment to improve welfare: How can animal training be applied across settings to help animals live a good life? Examining the physiological and behavioural effects of scent work for domestic dogs Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Jade Fountain
2024 Co-Supervisor How can veterinary intervention and stakeholder collaboration improve cat management in resource-constrained rural communities? Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Dr Megan Heather Ann Pickering
2024 Principal Supervisor The effects of choice, control, and cognitive challenge on the welfare of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Kelli Marie Rust
2021 Principal Supervisor Anthropogenic Effects on Zoo Animal Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Claudia Pei Pei Tay
2021 Principal Supervisor Anthropogenic Effects on Zoo Animal Welfare Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Claudia Pei Pei Tay

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2020 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Challenges in Developing and Testing Novel Control Techniques for Feral Cats Felis catus. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Ned Levi Ryan-Schofield
2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Understanding lipid utilisation in large (>2 kg) Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Samantha Naomi Chown
2015 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Thermoregulation in exercising horses: Aspects of temperature monitoring during field exercise Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Part Time Dr Lidwien Verdegaal
2015 - 2024 Principal Supervisor The ecology and conservation significance of African leopards (Panthera pardus pardus) on Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Declan Robert Morris
2013 - 2018 Principal Supervisor The Physiology and Pathology of Heat Stress in Australian Desert Birds Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Shangzhe Xie

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