Research interests

My research focuses on the integrative and evolutionary design of digestive physiology and metabolism. Studies in my laboratory explore the correlated evolution of digestive physiology, energetics, feeding ecology, and morphology, and the underlying mechanisms of digestive and metabolic responses in both amphibians and reptiles. My main focal animal of research is the Burmese python (Python molurus). Pythons exhibit much greater magnitudes of physiological responses to feeding than other animals, thereby facilitating the study of the underlying mechanisms and signals involved in digestive and metabolic responses.

Over the past few years, my students, colleagues, and I have undertaken the following projects: (1) exploring the adaptive interplay between feeding habits and the regulation of digestive performance in amphibians and reptiles; (2) studying the underlying mechanisms of digestive and metabolic responses using the python model; (3) evaluating the determinants of the metabolic response to feeding in amphibians and reptiles; (4) profiling circulating levels of lipids, regulatory peptides, micronutrients, and electrolytes during digestion in Burmese pythons; (5) investigating the allometry and correlates of metabolism and organ masses in diamondback watersnakes (Nerodia rhombifer); (6) measuring pulmonary and cardiovascular responses to digestion and exercise in Burmese pythons; and, (7) assessing the use of DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) to non-invasively determine body fat content in snakes.

Current projects include: (1) determining the underlying mechanism involved in regulating intestinal brush border morphology and function; (2) modeling the cost of digestion for amphibians; (3) measuring regional blood flow during rest, exercise, and digestion for the python; (4) investigating the storage, mobilization, and use of body lipids to fuel metabolism; (5) comparing the digestive responses within the genus Python; and, (6) studying the postprandial responses of liver and renal function. I welcome graduate and undergraduate students and post-docs to join my lab and become involved in these studies, or to develop new projects in digestive physiology and energetics.

Selected publications

Secor, S.M., J.A. Wooten, and C.L. Cox. 2007. Effects of meal size, meal type, and body temperature on the specific dynamic action of anuran. J. Comp. Physiol. B 177:165-182.

Ott, B.D., and S.M. Secor. 2007. Adaptive regulation of digestive performance in the genus Python. J Exp. Biol. 210:340-356

Secor, S.M., and M.C. Boehm. 2006. Specific dynamic action of ambystomatid salamanders and the impact of meal size, meal type, and body temperature. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 79:720-735.

Secor, S.M. 2005. Physiological responses to feeding, fasting, and estivation for anurans. J. Exp. Biol. 208:2595-2608.

Secor, S.M. 2005. Evolutionary and cellular mechanisms regulating intestinal performance of amphibians and reptiles. Integr. Comp. Biol. 45:66-78.

Secor, S.M. 2003. Gastric function and its contribution to the postprandial metabolic response of the Burmese python, Python molurus. J. Exp. Biol. 206:1621-1630

Secor, S.M., J.S. Lane, E.E. Whang, S. W. Ashley, and J. Diamond. 2002. Luminal nutrient signals for intestinal in pythons. Amer. J. Physiol. 283:G1298- G1309.

Secor, S. M., D. Fehlsenfeld, J. Diamond, and T. E. Adrian. 2002. Responses of python gastrointestinal regulatory peptides to feeding. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:13637-13542.

Secor, S. M. and J. Diamond. 2000. Evolution of regulatory responses to feeding in snakes. Physiol. Biochem. Zool. 73:123-141.

Secor, S. M., J. W. Hicks, and A. F. Bennett. 2000. Ventilatory and cardiovascular responses of a python (Python molurus) to exercise and digestion. J. Exp. Biol. 203:2447?2454.

Secor, S. M. and J. Diamond. 1998. A vertebrate model of extreme physiological regulation. Nature 395:659-662.

Secor, S. M. and J. Diamond. 1997. Effects of meal size on post-prandial responses for juvenile Burmese pythons (Python molurus). Am. J. Physiol. 272:R902-R912.