Caitlin van der Merwe

Masters student

I am an NRF funded MSc student in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria. I graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Zoology in 2019 and with a B.Sc. Hons degree in 2020 at the University of Pretoria. My Hons thesis aimed to assess the determinants of area avoidance by southern elephant seals around the Prince Edward Islands. Oceanographic phenomena and bathymetry appeared to play a large role in the seals' at-sea behaviour.

My masters research will build on this previous work and investigate the at-sea behaviour of intermittent versus continuous breeding adult female southern elephant seals from Marion Island. Alternative female mating strategies have not been well studied and reproductive strategy-dependent at-sea foraging behaviour may be influential to individual demographic consequences for this species. Environmental conditions including sea surface temperature, frontal systems, net primary productivity, and bathymetry will be analysed to assess their potential influence on the behaviour of female seals at-sea.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing the guitar and exploring the outdoors whilst hiking, scuba diving, and long-distance swimming. I also have a passion for wildlife and landscape photography.

Email: u17027676@tuks.co.za