Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.323
R. Díaz-Gamboa, Pamela García-Aguilar, Alberto Pereira-Corona, C. Niño-Torres
{"title":"Determination of Metal and Metalloids in Bottlenose Dolphins’ (Tursiops truncatus) Skin from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico","authors":"R. Díaz-Gamboa, Pamela García-Aguilar, Alberto Pereira-Corona, C. Niño-Torres","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.323","url":null,"abstract":"Contamination by metals poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the health of marine organisms, including cetaceans. This study aimed to assess the concentrations of some metal and metalloids in the skin of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico using Flame Atomic Absorption (FAA) spectrometry. A total of 41 skin samples were collected, comprising 22 samples from Yucatán in the Gulf of Mexico and 19 samples from Chetumal Bay in the Caribbean. The results of our analysis revealed the presence of various elements in the skin of bottlenose dolphins from coastal waters in the Yucatan Peninsula. Among the detected metals, zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and arsenic (As) exhibited notable concentrations, with the order of abundance being Zn > Fe > As > Cu > Cr > Cd > Ni. The elevated concentrations of Zn and Fe suggest potential exposure and accumulation of these metals in the studied dolphin population. Interestingly, measurable concentrations of lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) were not detected in the skin samples, indicating either low levels or the absence of their accumulation in the studied dolphin populations. The absence of measurable Pb concentrations is particularly encouraging as Pb is known to have detrimental effects on marine organisms and is commonly associated with anthropogenic activities. This study provides valuable insights into the metal contamination status in bottlenose dolphins from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The notable concentrations of Zn, Fe, and As raise concerns about potential health risks to these charismatic marine mammals. Further research is warranted to investigate the sources and pathways of heavy metal exposure in this population and to understand the potential consequences of such exposure on the health and well-being of bottlenose dolphins in the Yucatan Peninsula.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141645681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.284
Dalia C. Barragán-Barrera, Casandra Gálvez, Christian Bermúdez-Rivas, M. P. Aguirre-Tapiero, Isabel C. Avila, Katerin Arévalo-González, Tatiana A. Acosta-Pachón
{"title":"Systematic Review of Pinniped Sightings and Strandings Along the Pacific Coast of Colombia: Implications for Pinniped Conservation","authors":"Dalia C. Barragán-Barrera, Casandra Gálvez, Christian Bermúdez-Rivas, M. P. Aguirre-Tapiero, Isabel C. Avila, Katerin Arévalo-González, Tatiana A. Acosta-Pachón","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.284","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.284","url":null,"abstract":"Sightings of pinnipeds in Colombian waters of the Pacific Ocean have sporadically been reported since 1970. Despite the Colombian Pacific region (CPR) not being within their typical distribution range, six pinniped species—the Galápagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis), the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis), the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia), the Juan Fernández fur seal (Arctocephalus philippii), and the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)—have been recorded in recent times. This study presents an overall systematic review of pinniped sightings and strandings from 1970 to 2023 along the Pacific coast of Colombia, with a total of 68 sightings of 80 individuals. Pinnipeds were recorded most often in 1998 (13 individuals), followed by 2014 (nine individuals); 1997 (eight individuals); 1983 (seven individuals); and 1993, 1996, 2015, and 2020 (with three individuals each year). Most pinniped observations correspond to vagrants—solitary, young individuals sighted on the southern coast of the Colombian Pacific, specifically in Tumaco. Some records of these species appear to be influenced by upwelling events and changes in climatic-oceanographic phenomena (ENSO episodes) in the region. Further monitoring is necessary to determine whether species presence and abundance in the CPR is a response to (1) vagrant behavior of the species, (2) altered habitat use associated with bioecological changes in the species populations, and/or (3) shifts in distribution ranges related to potential new habitat suitability.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141646140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.369
K. Dezio
{"title":"First-Ever West Coast AMMPA Annual Meeting Held May 7-9 in San Diego","authors":"K. Dezio","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.369","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.369","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141647422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.275
H. Bonifácio, V. M. F. da Silva, Anthony R. Martin, P. Viana, Eliana Feldberg
{"title":"The Karyotype of Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis; Cetartiodactyla, Delphinidae)","authors":"H. Bonifácio, V. M. F. da Silva, Anthony R. Martin, P. Viana, Eliana Feldberg","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.275","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.275","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141648945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.342
Hana A. Koilpillai, Charla J. Basran, S. Berrow, Fredrik Broms, V. Chosson, Shannon Gowans, Lindsey S. Jones, Reg Kempen, P. López-Suárez, Edda E. Magnúsdóttir, Nick Massett, Kris Prince, Marianne H. Rasmussen, J. Robbins, Richard Sears, P. Simard, Malene Simon, Pádraig Whooley, Frederick W. Wenzel
{"title":"Geographic Distribution of North Atlantic Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with Fluke Scars Caused by Killer Whales (Orcinus orca)","authors":"Hana A. Koilpillai, Charla J. Basran, S. Berrow, Fredrik Broms, V. Chosson, Shannon Gowans, Lindsey S. Jones, Reg Kempen, P. López-Suárez, Edda E. Magnúsdóttir, Nick Massett, Kris Prince, Marianne H. Rasmussen, J. Robbins, Richard Sears, P. Simard, Malene Simon, Pádraig Whooley, Frederick W. Wenzel","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.342","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.342","url":null,"abstract":"Although killer whale (Orcinus orca) predation on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) is rarely witnessed, resultant scars on humpback flukes provide evidence of non-lethal interactions. Humpback whale photo-identification catalogs from the North Atlantic were used to evaluate humpback flukes (n = 10,957) for the presence and severity of killer whale scarification (e.g., rake marks, teeth indentations, missing tissue). Flukes were coded as none, light, moderate, or severe based on the extent of scarring. Even with increased sample sizes, especially for Norway and Iceland, the distribution of high-latitude humpbacks with killer whale scarring was consistent with prior studies: Atlantic Canada (21.7%), West Greenland (15.5%), Gulf of Maine (13.5%), Iceland (combined with East Greenland, 9.3%), and Norway (7.9%). For the first time, scarring rates are presented based on data from Ireland, Scotland, and England (11.0%) as well. Scarring frequencies generally differed between the eastern and western North Atlantic despite the co-occurrence of all migrating humpbacks in low-latitude breeding grounds, suggesting the occurrence of killer whale interactions in the distinct feeding grounds or along northward migration routes. While it was not possible to determine exactly where these interactions took place, the likelihood of a killer whale encounter and subsequent scar acquisition was greatest for humpbacks that feed in Atlantic Canada.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141649418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.332
Elke Schüttler, Melisa Gañan, Omar Barroso, T. Contador, Diego Illanes, Gabriel Muñoz-Araya, María-José Palma, M. Pérez‐Álvarez, Maritza Sepúlveda, J. Rendoll-Cárcamo
{"title":"Observations of Attacks on Sei and Fin Whales by Killer Whales in Magellanic Sub-Antarctic Waters, Chile","authors":"Elke Schüttler, Melisa Gañan, Omar Barroso, T. Contador, Diego Illanes, Gabriel Muñoz-Araya, María-José Palma, M. Pérez‐Álvarez, Maritza Sepúlveda, J. Rendoll-Cárcamo","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.332","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.332","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141646701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-07-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.4.2024.302
Lemnuel V. Aragones, Alessandra Nicole L. Morado, M. C. Obusan, Honey Leen M. Laggui, Jonah L. Bondoc, Leo Jonathan A. Suarez, Ewen Kye Lawler
{"title":"Spatiotemporal Variation of Stranded Marine Mammals in the Philippines from 2005 to 2022: Latest Stranding Hotspots and Species Stranding Status","authors":"Lemnuel V. Aragones, Alessandra Nicole L. Morado, M. C. Obusan, Honey Leen M. Laggui, Jonah L. Bondoc, Leo Jonathan A. Suarez, Ewen Kye Lawler","doi":"10.1578/am.50.4.2024.302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.4.2024.302","url":null,"abstract":"This follow-up study to the first assessment of Philippine marine mammal strandings (1998 to 2009) assesses the spatiotemporal variation of strandings and the top five most frequently stranded species from a 2005-2022 dataset. It identifies stranding hotspot areas, estimates species stranding rates/status, and examines species composition and other stranding information. The 18-year database contained 1,368 stranding events with an annual average of 76 events. The total annual stranding frequency increased over the initial study period but fluctuated in the last seven years. Of the 30 species of marine mammals known in the Philippines, 27 species (26 cetaceans and one sirenian) were recorded in stranding records, and the top five most frequently stranded were (1) spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), (2) dugongs (Dugong dugon), (3) Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus), (4) Fraser’s dolphins (Lagenodelphis hosei), and (5) melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra). Strandings consisted mostly of single animals (95%), and 55% of animals stranded alive. For each of the top five species, the frequency of stranding events increased annually. There was a peak in stranding frequency during the pre-southwest inter-monsoon season (March-April-May) for spinner and Risso’s dolphins as well as melon-headed whales, with no seasonal trend for the Fraser’s dolphins and dugongs. We identified stranding hotspots within 15 × 15 km grids along the coastline of the major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Thirty-five percent (497 of 1,422 grids) of the Philippine coastline had stranding records, with the majority in Luzon (n = 238), followed by Mindanao (n = 130) and Visayas (n = 128). Thirty-five stranding hotspots were identified: 24 in Luzon, 10 in Mindanao, and one in Visayas. Species stranding status categories were generated from log transformed stranding rates per species into standardized classification by quartiles. The stranding status of the top five most frequently stranded species was “very frequent” for spinner dolphins, and “frequent” for Fraser’s and Risso’s dolphins, dugongs, and melon-headed whales. The spatiotemporal variation of stranded marine mammals reflects the dynamic nature of the Philippine archipelago driven by monsoons and inter-monsoons and is exacerbated by fishing pressure and illegal activities. This study showed the importance of robust long-term marine mammal stranding databases for monitoring strandings and generating relevant information essential for their conservation.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141644482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.3.2024.237
Chiaki Yamato, K. Ichikawa, K. Kittiwattanawong, Nobuaki Arai
{"title":"Local Variation in Feeding Ground Utilization of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) Across Two Intertidal Seagrass Beds in Talibong Island, Thailand","authors":"Chiaki Yamato, K. Ichikawa, K. Kittiwattanawong, Nobuaki Arai","doi":"10.1578/am.50.3.2024.237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.3.2024.237","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we describe the population characteristics and residency patterns of dugongs (Dugong dugon) across two intertidal seagrass beds in Talibong Island, Thailand: Site A, covering an area of 2.0 × 105 m2, and Site B, covering an area of 2.8 × 105 m2. Transect and individual identification surveys were conducted under clear water conditions using drones: 16 separate days over 11 months at Site A and 10 separate days over 3 months at Site B. Sixty-four individuals were identified from 180 videography sessions. The results confirmed at least two distinct patterns of seagrass habitat utilization among sites located approximately 5 km apart. Site A was characterized by a lower population density, higher year-round site fidelity, occupancy by relatively large individuals, and an absence of feeding aggregations. In contrast, Site B was characterized by a higher population density, lower site fidelity, occupancy by individuals with a wider range of body lengths, and the presence of feeding aggregations. The average population density at Site B was three to five times higher than that at Site A. Site A had a median nearest neighbor distance of 320 m with no significant bias in its distribution, whereas Site B had a median of 20 m with a significant bias. The mean site fidelity index for Site A (0.62 ± 0.08; n = 16) was significantly higher than that for Site B (0.39 ± 0.14; n = 10). Dugongs at Site A might have monopolized this site to some extent, while those at Site B might have benefited from increased opportunities for social interaction provided by aggregations. These findings highlight the importance of fine-scale monitoring of feeding ground utilization by dugongs, taking into consideration individual-specific details such as body lengths and resighting rates for a better understanding of their spatial distribution.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140975848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.3.2024.181
Mariah L. Tengler, Jennifer Dearolf, Anna L. Bryan, Colleen Reichmuth, N. Thometz
{"title":"Comparative Muscle Physiology of Ringed (Pusa hispida), Bearded (Erignathus barbatus), and Spotted (Phoca largha) Seals from the Bering and Chukchi Seas","authors":"Mariah L. Tengler, Jennifer Dearolf, Anna L. Bryan, Colleen Reichmuth, N. Thometz","doi":"10.1578/am.50.3.2024.181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.3.2024.181","url":null,"abstract":"The physiological properties of marine mammal skeletal muscle are foundational in defining diving and foraging capacities. Further, these parameters can be useful when assessing the behavioral flexibility of species faced with environmental change or disturbance. Herein, we define species- and age-specific muscle physiology for three ice-associated seal species experiencing Arctic warming. Specifically, we evaluated myoglobin content ([Mb]), nonbicarbonate buffering capacity (β), and fiber type profiles of a major locomotor muscle, the longissimus dorsi. Muscle samples were obtained from subsistence harvested ringed (Pusa hispida; n = 11), bearded (Erignathus barbatus; n = 41), and spotted (Phoca largha; n = 12) seals of all ages in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Adult ringed seals had the highest [Mb] (6.67 ± 0.20 g 100 g wet tissue-1), followed by spotted (5.38 ± 0.29 g 100 g wet tissue-1) and bearded (4.55 ± 0.07 g 100 g wet tissue-1) seals. [Mb] increased with age for all species, but rates of increase differed by species. In contrast, β was similar for all species and age classes. We documented higher proportions of fast-twitch relative to slow-twitch fibers in these species, and fiber type proportions did not differ significantly with age. Adult bearded seals exhibited the greatest proportion of fast-twitch fibers (68.7 ± 1.5%), followed by ringed (59.0 ± 4.8%) and spotted (55.1 ± 2.1%) seals. Overall, our data suggest a strong link between muscle physiology, diving behavior, and life history strategies, and provide insight into the physiological capacities of these potentially vulnerable species.","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140977510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aquatic MammalsPub Date : 2024-05-15DOI: 10.1578/am.50.3.2024.223
Julia Zaias, Sarah H. Johnson, Analeigh Laine, Nikki Maribona, Allison Mooney, Lauryn Nobles, Ana Noel, Alannah S. Orengo, Ryan Pittsinger, Brienna Wagler, Shannon Wallace, Kristen Weber
{"title":"Holistic Pinniped Welfare Index (HPWI): A Tool to Assess Welfare in Pinnipeds","authors":"Julia Zaias, Sarah H. Johnson, Analeigh Laine, Nikki Maribona, Allison Mooney, Lauryn Nobles, Ana Noel, Alannah S. Orengo, Ryan Pittsinger, Brienna Wagler, Shannon Wallace, Kristen Weber","doi":"10.1578/am.50.3.2024.223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1578/am.50.3.2024.223","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8219,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Mammals","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140977134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}