scholarly journals Spring distribution of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in Eclipse Sound and Milne Inlet, Nunavut: implications for potential ice-breaking activities

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Yurkowski ◽  
Brent G. Young ◽  
J. Blair Dunn ◽  
Steven H. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Iron Ore ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Resource Development ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Sea Ice Extent ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Aerial Surveys ◽  
Pusa Hispida

Resource development in Arctic waters is proceeding rapidly leading to increased interactions with Arctic wildlife. As sea ice extent decreases, the demand for shipping and ice-breaking operations will expand into winter and spring with greater impact on ice-dependent pinnipeds. However, knowledge of the distribution of these species, such as ringed seals (Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)), during spring within areas of resource development is lacking. Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation’s Mary River iron ore port in southern Milne Inlet, Nunavut opened in 2015 with proposed ice-breaking activities in spring — an important period in ringed seal seasonal life-history. We conducted infrared and photographic aerial surveys in June 2016 and 2017 to overlay the proposed ice-breaking route with ringed seal hotspots (i.e., areas of higher density). We identified four areas of overlap where proposed ice-breaking would traverse through ringed seal hotspots: eastern and western Eclipse Sound (a ringed seal pupping ground identified by local knowledge), the middle of Milne Inlet, and southern Milne Inlet. We identified potential negative implications of spring ice-breaking operations on ringed seals such as displacement, separation of mothers and pups, destruction of resting and birth lairs, and vessel–seal collisions. Results are relevant to policy decision-makers who can develop mitigation strategies in the rapidly melting and developing Arctic.

Pathological changes of stomach in ringed seal (Pusa hispida) from Arviat (North Canada) caused by anisakid nematodes

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-67
Author(s):  
Z. Sołtysiak ◽  
M. Simard ◽  
J. Rokicki
Keyword(s):  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Gastric Wall ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Gastric Lesions ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Pseudoterranova Decipiens ◽  
Mucosal Layer ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
Contracaecum Osculatum ◽  
Anisakid Nematodes

Abstract This is a report of lesions associated with the nematodes (Anisakidae) from the stomach of ringed seals (Pusa hispida). On thirty one examined ringed seals from Arviat, thirteen were infected by 1 to 24 anisakids. Identification of nematodes from their stomachs showed two species; Contracaecum osculatum (sensu lato) (79 specimens) and Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu lato) (11 specimens). In the gastric sections with parasites, larvae and adults of nematodes were present mainly in the fundic portion of the stomach. The anterior parts of the nematodes were embedded in mucosa and submucosa. Anisakids were associated with ulcerous gastric lesions and raised inflammatory areas in the stomachs. The histological examination of a sample taken from the tissue surrounding anisakids revealed the presence of more or less confluent focal necrotic areas. Most small petechial hemorrhages were located in the mucosal layer of the gastric wall and were surrounded by inflammatory mononuclear cells such as lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils and fibroblasts. The Anisakidae larvae in the stomach caused atrophy of glands, hemorrhaging and eosinophilic infiltrations that consequently healed, creating fibrotic scars.

Comparison between spring and autumn infection by Corynosoma (Acanthocephala) in the ringed seal Pusa hispida in the Bothnian Bay of the Baltic Sea

Parasitology ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eero Helle ◽  
E. Tellervo Valtonen
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Baltic Sea ◽  
Rate Of Development ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Bothnian Bay

SUMMARYCorynosoma spp. (Acanthocephala) infection in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) is compared in spring and in autumn in the Bothnian Bay, northern Baltic Sea. The material consists of more than 13400 specimens: 7590 from the intestines of 13 seals captured in April and May 1978 and 5850 from 29 seals captured in October and November.Corynosoma strumosum infection had approximately the same intensity in spring and autumn (mean 76 and 66 individuals/infected seal, maxmum 313 and 324 individuals, respectively). C. semerme specimens, on the other hand, were 37 times more numerous in spring than in autumn (504 compared with 136/infected seal, maximum 1700 and 1230 individuals, respectively). The ratio of C. strumosum to C. semerme was 1:6·3 in spring and 1:2·0 in autumn, as calculated from the total material. Corynosoma infection was more recent on average in spring than in autumn, as judged both from the proportion of males and immature females and from the distribution of C. semerme in the intestine. The feeding habits of the ringed seals and the rate of development of Corynosoma infection are discussed.

Assessment of claw growth-layer groups from ringed seals (Pusa hispida) as biomonitors of inter- and intra-annual Hg, δ15N, and δ13C variation

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 774-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth O. Ferreira ◽  
Lisa L. Loseto ◽  
Steven H. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
The Body ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Growth Layer ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
Layer Groups

The ringed seal ( Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)) is a sentinel species of arctic marine mammals; therefore, methods to monitor its life-history changes are crucial to establish effective conservation strategies. We evaluate the potential use of claws of ringed seals as a proxy for counts of tooth growth-layer groups (age) and a biomonitor of total mercury burden (THg) and diet (stable isotope ratios expressed as δ15N and δ13C). The count of claw growth-layer groups was indicative of age up to 8 years and we infer differentiation of dark and light annuli as being associated with the spring moult. No differences of THg, δ15N, or δ13C were observed among flipper digits. The proximal claw annulus representing the most recent growth had δ13C values that were correlated to both muscle and liver δ13C, supporting the use of claws to monitor visceral δ13C. Claw log10THg from the proximate annulus was significantly correlated to liver and whisker log10THg, while significant interannual THg accumulation was observed in 18 of 32 seals ≥4 years, suggesting the claws receive and disperse Hg from active tissues of the body. Results support the use of claw tissue from ringed seal to provide a chronological record of inter- and intra-annual variations representing seal diet, contaminant load, and life history.

scholarly journals Growth and population parameters of ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard, Norway, 2002–2004

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1136-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn A. Krafft ◽  
Kit M. Kovacs ◽  
Anne Kirstine Frie ◽  
Tore Haug ◽  
Christian Lydersen
Keyword(s):  
Ringed Seal ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Asymptotic Values ◽  
Seal Population ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
Sexually Mature

AbstractSamples were collected in Svalbard, Norway, during April and May 2002–2004 from 272 ringed seals (Pusa hispida; 62.5% males, 37.5% females) to study growth and population parameters. The age of the animals ranged from 1 to 32 years. Asymptotic values for standard length and body mass were 127.7 ± 1.6 (s.e.) cm and 69.0 ± 2.7 kg for males (maxima: 144 cm and 92 kg) and 127.6 ± 2.3 cm and 68.9 ± 2.5 kg for females (maxima: 141 cm and 91 kg). All animals were sexually mature at an age ≥6 years and the ovulation rate was 0.86. Mean Age at Maturity (MAM) was 4.2 ± 0.2 years for males and 3.5 ± 0.3 years for females, values significantly lower than calculated for ringed seals from the same area 20 years ago. This change in MAM suggests that either the prey base for ringed seals in the area has increased or alternatively that the density of ringed seals has declined, such that more resources are available per capita. If the climate of the Arctic changes in the manner predicted by a host of climate-change scenarios, it is likely to have a strong impact on ringed seal populations in future, although there are no data to suggest that dramatic changes have taken place yet in fish and invertebrate populations in the Svalbard area. Although cause-and-effect cannot be firmly established, there is a possibility that the substantial increase in the number of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) over the past 20 years, since hunting the species in Svalbard ceased in 1973, may have played a role in the observed change in the ringed seal population.

scholarly journals Ringed seal (Pusa hispida) breeding habitat on the landfast ice in northwest Alaska during spring 1983 and 1984

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260644
Author(s):  
Donna D. W. Hauser ◽  
Kathryn J. Frost ◽  
John J. Burns
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Chukchi Sea ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Pusa Hispida ◽  
Kotzebue Sound

There has been significant sea ice loss associated with climate change in the Pacific Arctic, with unquantified impacts to the habitat of ice-obligate marine mammals such as ringed seals (Pusa hispida). Ringed seals maintain breathing holes and excavate subnivean lairs on sea ice to provide protection from weather and predators during birthing, nursing, and resting. However, there is limited baseline information on the snow and ice habitat, distribution, density, and configuration of ringed seal structures (breathing holes, simple haul-out lairs, and pup lairs) in Alaska. Here, we describe historic field records from two regions of the eastern Chukchi Sea (Kotzebue Sound and Ledyard Bay) collected during spring 1983 and 1984 to quantify baseline ringed seal breeding habitat and map the distribution of ringed seal structures using modern geospatial tools. Of 490 structures located on pre-established study grids by trained dogs, 29% were pup lairs (25% in Kotzebue Sound and 33% in Ledyard Bay). Grids in Ledyard Bay had greater overall density of seal structures than those in Kotzebue Sound (8.6 structures/km2 and 7.1 structures/km2), but structures were larger in Kotzebue Sound. Pup lairs were located in closer proximity to other structures and characterized by deeper snow and greater ice deformation than haul-out lairs or simple breathing holes. At pup lairs, snow depths averaged 74.9 cm (range 37–132 cm), with ice relief nearby averaging 76 cm (range 31–183 cm), and ice deformation 29.9% (range 5–80%). We compare our results to similar studies conducted in other geographic regions and discuss our findings in the context of recent declines in extent and duration of seasonal cover of landfast sea ice and snow deposition on sea ice. Ultimately, additional research is needed to understand the effects of recent environmental changes on ringed seals, but our study establishes a baseline upon which future research can measure pup habitat in northwest Alaska.

EURRECA’s Approach for Estimating Micronutrient Requirements

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Matthys ◽  
Pieter van ‘t Veer ◽  
Lisette de Groot ◽  
Lee Hooper ◽  
Adriënne E.J.M. Cavelaars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Values ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Factorial Approach ◽  
Dietary Reference Values ◽  
Health Policy Decision ◽  
Quantitative Integration

In Europe, micronutrient dietary reference values have been established by (inter)national committees of experts and are used by public health policy decision-makers to monitor and assess the adequacy of diets within population groups. The approaches used to derive dietary reference values (including average requirements) vary considerably across countries, and so far no evidence-based reason has been identified for this variation. Nutrient requirements are traditionally based on the minimum amount of a nutrient needed by an individual to avoid deficiency, and is defined by the body’s physiological needs. Alternatively the requirement can be defined as the intake at which health is optimal, including the prevention of chronic diet-related diseases. Both approaches are confronted with many challenges (e. g., bioavailability, inter and intra-individual variability). EURRECA has derived a transparent approach for the quantitative integration of evidence on Intake-Status-Health associations and/or Factorial approach (including bioavailability) estimates. To facilitate the derivation of dietary reference values, EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) is developing a process flow chart to guide nutrient requirement-setting bodies through the process of setting dietary reference values, which aims to facilitate the scientific alignment of deriving these values.

Population parameters of ringed seals (Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775) in the Svalbard area

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
Ian Gjertz
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sexually Mature

Samples were taken from 284 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in the Svalbard area during April–July 1981 and March–April 1982. The age of 283 seals was determined by reading annuli in the cementum of the canine teeth. The mean age of the males was 11.3 years, and of the females, 14.9 years. Females were found to be significantly older than males. The mean length of sexually mature ringed seals was 128.9 cm for both sexes. The mean weight of adult males and females was 53.5 and 61.4 kg, respectively. Females were found to be significantly heavier than males. The sex ratio was 47.8% males and 52.2% females. Studies of microscopic sections of testis and epididymis from ringed seal males showed that 63, 75, and 80% of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The weights of testis and epididymis, diameters of tubuli, and the size of testis all showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. Macroscopic sections of ovaries from ringed seal females showed that 20, 60, and 80% of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The size of the ovaries showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. The ovulation rate of ringed seals from Svalbard was calculated to be 0.91.

94 Short-term use of therapeutic opioids for children and future opioid use disorders: A systematic review and qualitative study of decision-maker information needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e68-e68
Author(s):  
Malema Ahrari ◽  
Samina Ali ◽  
Michele Dyson ◽  
Lisa Hartling
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Evidence Summary

Abstract Primary Subject area Emergency Medicine - Paediatric Background Healthcare visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to opioid-related harms continue to rise for children, despite an overall decline in opioid prescriptions. Decision-makers (including patients and families, clinicians, and policy-makers) require high quality syntheses to inform decisions regarding opioid use. Previous research has found that how systematic review (SR) results are presented may influence uptake by decision-makers. Evidence summaries are appealing to decision-makers as they provide key messages in a succinct manner. Objectives 1) To conduct an SR examining the association between short-term therapeutic exposure to opioids in children and development of opioid use disorder, and 2) To gain perspectives from policy decision-makers on the usability and presentation of results through the form of an evidence summary. Design/Methods We conducted an SR following methods recommended by Cochrane. A medical librarian conducted a comprehensive search and two authors were involved in study selection, data extraction and quality assessment. Studies were eligible if they reported primary research in English or French, and study participants had therapeutic exposure to opioids before age 18 years. Results were described narratively. Decision makers were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling methods, and they participated in interviews to discuss an evidence summary based on the SR. Interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed using content analysis. Ethics approval was obtained for the qualitative study. Results Nineteen American studies involving 47,191,990 participants were included. One study demonstrated that short-term therapeutic exposure may be associated with opioid abuse. Four others showed an association without specifying duration of exposure. Fourteen studies provided information on prevalence or incidence of opioid misuse following therapeutic exposure, median 27.8% [interquartile range 21.4% – 30.7%]; notably, 12 of them did not specify duration of therapeutic exposure. Identified risk factors were contradictory and remain unclear. Decision makers had mixed preferences for the presentation of evidence, depending on their degree of involvement in research versus practice. A majority preferred having methods and key characteristics of studies included in the first page of the evidence summary. They noted that the summary should not be text-heavy and details should be appended. Conclusion A number of studies suggest there is an association between lifetime therapeutic opioid use (unknown duration) and future nonmedical opioid use; however, there is limited evidence to determine whether short-term exposure is specifically associated with these outcomes. Policy and decision-makers prefer a succinct evidence summary for this SR, with study-specific details provided as an appendix. PROSPERO Registration: 122681.

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