Effects of ontogeny and oiling on the thermal function of southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) fur.

IF 2.6 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q2 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Conservation Physiology Pub Date : 2023-12-14 eCollection Date: 2023-01-01 DOI:10.1093/conphys/coad095
Kate Riordan, Nicole M Thometz, Francesca I Batac, Teri E Nicholson, Heather E M Liwanag
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

During the evolution of most marine mammals, fur as an insulator has been replaced with more buoyant, energy storing and streamlining blubber. By contrast, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) relies on insulation from its dense, air-trapping pelage, which differs morphologically between natal and adult stages. In this study, we investigated the ontogenetic changes in thermal function of southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) pelts in air, in water, and when saturated with crude oil. Pelt thermal conductivity, thickness, and thermal resistance were measured for six age classes: neonate (<1 month), small pup (1-2 months), large pup (3-5 months), juvenile (6 months-1 year), subadult (1-3 years), and adult (4-9 years). Thermal conductivity was significantly higher for pelts in air than in water, with oiled pelts exhibiting the highest values (P < 0.001). Oiled pelts had the lowest thermal resistance, which suggests that regardless of age, all sea otters are vulnerable to the effects of oiling (P < 0.001). To scale up our laboratory findings, we used a volume-specific geometric model of conductive heat transfer for a simplified sea otter body, representing all tested age classes and treatments. Neonates, small pups, and large pups are more vulnerable to the effects of oiling compared with older age classes (P < 0.0001) due to a higher surface area-to-volume ratio. These results are consistent with the known thermal conductance values for adult sea otter pelts, yet this is the first time such thermal differences have been demonstrated in young otters. Overall, body size and age play a more important role in the thermal abilities of sea otters than previously thought.

个体发育和油污对南方海獭(Enhydra lutris nereis)皮毛热功能的影响。
在大多数海洋哺乳动物的进化过程中,作为绝缘体的毛皮已被更具浮力、储能和流线型的脂肪所取代。相比之下,海獭(Enhydra lutris)则依靠其致密的、捕获空气的皮毛来隔热,而这种皮毛在出生阶段和成年阶段的形态上是不同的。在这项研究中,我们调查了南方海獭(Enhydra lutris nereis)毛皮在空气中、水中以及在原油饱和状态下的热功能的发育变化。我们测量了新生海獭(P P P P
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来源期刊
Conservation Physiology
Conservation Physiology Environmental Science-Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
CiteScore
5.10
自引率
3.70%
发文量
71
审稿时长
11 weeks
期刊介绍: Conservation Physiology is an online only, fully open access journal published on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. Biodiversity across the globe faces a growing number of threats associated with human activities. Conservation Physiology will publish research on all taxa (microbes, plants and animals) focused on understanding and predicting how organisms, populations, ecosystems and natural resources respond to environmental change and stressors. Physiology is considered in the broadest possible terms to include functional and mechanistic responses at all scales. We also welcome research towards developing and refining strategies to rebuild populations, restore ecosystems, inform conservation policy, and manage living resources. We define conservation physiology broadly and encourage potential authors to contact the editorial team if they have any questions regarding the remit of the journal.
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