Food consumption of wintering harp seals, Phoca groenlandica, in the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1289-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Murie ◽  
D. M. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary

Diet composition and rates of food consumption were determined for 25 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) wintering in the St. Lawrence estuary, Canada, in January and February 1983. Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was the predominant food item in stomachs (100% frequency of occurrence, 86% numerical abundance, 77% mass, 86% gross energy). Juvenile harp seals (mean mass = 64 ± 12 kg, n = 8) consumed 2.0 ± 0.6% of their total mass or 4.2 ± 1.4% of their core mass in fish daily, from which they obtained 3065 ± 1096 kcal∙d−1. Mature harp seals (mean mass = 134 ± 28 kg, n = 17) consumed fish equivalent to 1.8 ± 1.0% of total body mass or 3.6 ± 2.1% of core body mass and acquired 5226 ± 2700 kcal∙d−1. Food consumption did not vary with sex or maturity status when adjusted for differences in body size (analysis of covariance, P > 0.30).

Seasonal Variation in the Diet of Harp Seals (Phoca groenlandica) from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Western Hudson Strait

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1363-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Gilpin Beck ◽  
Michael O. Hammill ◽  
Thomas G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Gadus Morhua ◽  
Atlantic Cod ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Magdalen Islands

Of 247 harp seal (Phoca groenlandica) stomachs collected between December 1988 and October 1990 from western Hudson Strait (autumn), the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence (December), the St. Lawrence estuary (winter and April), and the Magdalen Islands (March), 140 (57%) contained food. The Magdalen Islands sample contained significantly more empty stomachs (62%, n = 164) than those from all other locations. Both the unreconstructed mass of stomach contents and the proportion of fish and invertebrate prey within individual stomachs varied significantly with location and season. Harp seals obtained from the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence during their southward migration fed less intensively, and on a wider variety of both invertebrate and fish prey, notably Parathemisto libellula, Pandalus sp., sand lance (Ammodytes sp.), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Feeding was more intensive and specialized in Hudson Strait and the St. Lawrence estuary where capelin (Mallotus villosus) dominated in the diet. Capelin contributed 89 and 98% of gross energy in samples from Hudson Strait (1990) and the estuary (April). The number of capelin per stomach consumed by seals from the St. Lawrence estuary in April was high (169.4 ± 58.9, mean ± SD, n = 9). The mean estimated lengths of capelin and cod consumed were 132 and 140 mm.

scholarly journals Association of Breathing Reserve at Peak Exercise With Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults With Obesity

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 1973-1979
Author(s):  
Maria Theresa D Opina ◽  
Tina E Brinkley ◽  
Michelle Gordon ◽  
Mary F Lyles ◽  
Barbara J Nicklas
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Exercise Intolerance ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Ventilatory Limitation

Abstract Background Adiposity-related ventilatory constraints in older adults can potentially contribute to greater risk of exercise intolerance and mobility disability. This study investigated whether ventilatory limitation, measured by breathing reserve (BR) at peak exercise, is associated with body composition and physical function in older adults with obesity. Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based cohort (N = 177) of older men and women (65–79 years) with obesity (body mass index = 30–45 kg/m2). All participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition, and physical function assessments. We examined relationships between BR and body composition and physical function using multiple linear regression and compared a subset with (BR ≤ 30%; BR-low; n = 56) and without (BR ≥ 45%; BR-high, n = 48) ventilatory limitation using unpaired Student’s t test and analysis of covariance. Results BR was inversely related to total body mass, lean mass, fat mass, % body fat, and waist circumference (p < 0.05 for all). BR was positively related to 400 m walk time (p = .006) and inversely related to usual gait speed (p = .05) and VO2peak (p < .0001), indicative of worse physical function. BR-low had greater adiposity, but also greater lean mass, higher VO2peak, and faster 400 m walk time, compared to BR-high (p < .05, for all). Conclusions Older adults with obesity who also have ventilatory limitation have overall higher measures of adiposity, but do not have lower peak exercise capacity or physical function. Thus, ventilatory limitation does not appear to be a contributing factor to obesity-related decrements in exercise tolerance or mobility.

Organochlorine residues in harp seals, Phoca groenlandica, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Hudson Strait: an evaluation of contaminant concentrations and burdens

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Gilpin Beck ◽  
Thomas G. Smith ◽  
Richard F. Addison
Keyword(s):  
Age Distribution ◽  
Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
Marine Biota ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Organochlorine Contaminant ◽  
Beluga Whale Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Collection Date ◽  
Polluted Waters

We evaluated organochlorine contaminant concentrations and burdens in blubber samples from 50 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) obtained from the estuary and northern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Hudson Strait, Canada, between December 1988 and December 1989. The concentration and burden of PCBs increased significantly during the winter months for males occupying the St. Lawrence estuary. The potential for rapid accumulation of contaminants in the estuary was also observed among females: nine postpartum females (1 month after weaning) had higher organochlorine levels than prepartum females from the same location. The lowest observed contaminant concentrations and burdens were in seals from Hudson Strait in autumn. In winter specimens, males had DDT and PCB concentrations about 4 and 2 times as great, respectively, as females of similar age distribution and collection date. Congeners with IUPAC Nos. 138 and 153 accounted for more than 50% of total identifiable PCBs, which is consistent with their prevalence in other marine biota. The concentration of PCBs has declined and the percent p,p′-DDE of total DDT has increased between 1982 and the present study. Unlike the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), harp seals occupy the more polluted waters of the estuary only seasonally, and this may account for their lower residue concentrations.

Implantation date, growth rate, and allometric relationships in foetal Northwest Atlantic harp seals (Phoca groenlandica)

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 501-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Chabot ◽  
Garry B Stenson
Keyword(s):  
Standard Length ◽  
Reliable Estimate ◽  
Allometric Relationship ◽  
Core Mass ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Total Body ◽  
The Relationship

Using a sample of 150 female and 141 male foetal Northwest Atlantic harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) collected between October and February of 1980-1995, we determined that the allometric relationship between total body mass and standard length did not differ between sexes and did not differ from the relationship calculated for foetal harp seals from the study of Stewart and co-workers (R.E.A. Stewart, B.E. Stewart, D.M. Lavigne, and G.W. Miller. 1989. Can. J. Zool. 67: 2147-2157). Combining the data for foetuses from both studies, the exponent of the mass-length relationship was 2.75, significantly different from 3. Except for very small foetuses (<20 cm) standard length and mass1/2.75 increased linearly as gestation progressed. Equations are provided to estimate standard length and total mass of foetuses in the period August-February and to estimate sculp mass, core mass, and axillary girth from length for the period October-February. The most reliable estimate of implantation date (day 223, 11 August) was obtained by regressing sampling date1/2 on mass1/2.75.

scholarly journals Morphometrics and processing yield of Cucumaria frondosa (Holothuroidea) from the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245238
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Couillard ◽  
Domynick Maltais ◽  
Rénald Belley
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Sea Cucumber ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Sea Cucumbers ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Cucumaria Frondosa

Sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa have highly variable whole body mass and length, and are usually sold to Asian markets as dried gutted body wall. Understanding the relation between size and yield of dry product is essential for resource conservation and for economic purposes. In this study, stock-specific mass and length recovery rates were estimated for C. frondosa captured by dredging or diving at various depths and seasons on the South shore of the St. Lawrence Estuary, along Gaspé Peninsula, and processed in a commercial plant. The processing yield in dry product mass per sea cucumber was more than 1.5 times larger for sea cucumbers collected at 26–47 m depth compared to those collected at 9–16 m depth. Within each strata, there was little variation in the processed body mass, seasonally or spatially. Recovery rates based on gutted mass for this stock (13.4─14.5%) varied little among depths and seasons, despite observed seasonal and bathymetric variation in reproductive status. In contrast, recovery rates based on whole body mass and length were highly variable both seasonally and spatially. Stress related to dredging or post-capture handling induced important variable body contraction and water content, leading to variation in body length, mass and shape of sea cucumbers having the same processed body mass. Gutted mass was the best metric to predict processed body mass and to estimate size whereas whole body length was the least reliable. New stock-specific information on variability of body mass, length, and recovery rates induced by capture, and on seasonal and bathymetric variation in reproductive status and processing yields will be used for the design of future stock assessment surveys, and for stock conservation.

Neonatal growth and organ allometry of Northwest Atlantic harp seals (Phoca groenlandica)

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2793-2799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kit M. Kovacs ◽  
D. M. Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Mass Gain ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Total Body Mass ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Phoca Groenlandica ◽  
Energy Stores ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Spleen Mass

Growth and organ allometry of neonatal harp seals (Phoca groenlandica) were monitored during the first 6 weeks of life from 1982 to 1984. At birth, pup mass was 9.9 ± 1.7 (1 SD) kg. After their 1st day of relatively slow growth, pups gained mass rapidly, increasing 2 kg/day throughout the remainder of the ~12-day nursing period. Two-thirds of this mass gain was accumulated as a layer of subcutaneous blubber. Pups lost mass at a rate of ~0.5 kg/day during the postweaning fast, utilizing energy stores from the viscera, muscles, and limited amounts of blubber. In neonates, liver mass fluctuated in conjunction with total body mass gain and loss. The liver of adult harp seals was large relative to terrestrial mammals of similar size, but relatively small compared with other pinnipeds. The heart of harp seals grew slowly in pups and did not lose mass during fasting, and in adults it was of similar size relative to other mammals. The spleen of neonates was large and grew quickly during nursing. Spleen mass was quite variable among postweaning animals. As would be expected for a large-sized, precocially born, relatively advanced mammalian neonate, pups are born with large brains that grow very slowly. Adult brain mass, in relation to body mass, was similar to that of other mammals.

scholarly journals Benthic fluxes of dissolved organic nitrogen in the lower St. Lawrence estuary and implications for selective organic matter degradation

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 7609-7622 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Alkhatib ◽  
P. A. del Giorgio ◽  
Y. Gelinas ◽  
M. F. Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dissolved Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Organic Nitrogen ◽  
Bottom Water ◽  
Estuarine Sediments ◽  
Internal Source ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Element Partitioning ◽  
Sediment Porewaters ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary

Abstract. The distribution of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and carbon (DOC) in sediment porewaters was determined at nine locations along the St. Lawrence estuary and in the gulf of St. Lawrence. In a previous manuscript (Alkhatib et al., 2012a), we have shown that this study area is characterized by gradients in the sedimentary particulate organic matter (POM) reactivity, bottom water oxygen concentrations, and benthic respiration rates. Based on the porewater profiles, we estimated the benthic diffusive fluxes of DON and DOC in the same area. Our results show that DON fluxed out of the sediments at significant rates (110 to 430 μmol m−2 d−1). DON fluxes were positively correlated with sedimentary POM reactivity and varied inversely with sediment oxygen exposure time (OET), suggesting direct links between POM quality, aerobic remineralization and the release of DON to the water column. DON fluxes were on the order of 30 to 64% of the total benthic inorganic fixed N loss due to denitrification, and often exceeded the diffusive nitrate fluxes into the sediments. Hence they represented a large fraction of the total benthic N exchange, a result that is particularly important in light of the fact that DON fluxes are usually not accounted for in estuarine and coastal zone nutrient budgets. In contrast to DON, DOC fluxes out of the sediments did not show any significant spatial variation along the Laurentian Channel (LC) between the estuary and the gulf (2100 ± 100 μmol m−2 d−1). The molar C / N ratio of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in porewater and the overlying bottom water varied significantly along the transect, with lowest C / N in the lower estuary (5–6) and highest C / N (> 10) in the gulf. Large differences between the C / N ratios of porewater DOM and POM are mainly attributed to a combination of selective POM hydrolysis and elemental fractionation during subsequent DOM mineralization, but selective adsorption of DOM to mineral phases could not be excluded as a potential C / N fractionating process. The extent of this C- versus N- element partitioning seems to be linked to POM reactivity and redox conditions in the sediment porewaters. Our results thus highlight the variable effects selective organic matter (OM) preservation can have on bulk sedimentary C / N ratios, decoupling the primary source C / N signatures from those in sedimentary paleoenvironmental archives. Our study further underscores that the role of estuarine sediments as efficient sinks of bioavailable nitrogen is strongly influenced by the release of DON during early diagenetic reactions, and that DON fluxes from continental margin sediments represent an important internal source of N to the ocean.

scholarly journals Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 233
Author(s):  
María Pineros-Leano ◽  
Jaclyn A. Saltzman ◽  
Janet M. Liechty ◽  
Salma Musaad ◽  
Liliana Aguayo
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass Index ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Developmental Problems ◽  
Child Weight ◽  
Child Body Mass Index ◽  
Weight Outcomes

Children of mothers with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk for psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental problems. However, the effects of maternal depression on children’s physical growth are not well understood. To address the gaps in the literature, this study examined the association between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Data from 204 mother–child dyads who participated in the STRONG Kids 1 Study were used. Mothers and children were assessed twice when the children were 3 and 4 years old. Height and weight measurements of children and mothers were collected by trained researchers during both assessments. Multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance tests were used to examine the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, and age and sex-adjusted child body mass index percentile. Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms when the child was 3 and 4 years old were not associated with child body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) at age 4. Mothers who breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower depressive symptoms when their children were 3 years of age, but the differences did not persist at age 4. In this community sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P, regardless of breastfeeding duration.

Pre-exposure to Cu2+ and CuO NPs leads to infection of caged blue mussels, Mytilus edulis L., by pathogenic microalga: Pilot study in the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary (Québec, Canada)

2021 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 112180
Author(s):  
Michael Zuykov ◽  
Galina Kolyuchkina ◽  
Graeme Spiers ◽  
Michel Gosselin ◽  
Philippe Archambault ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mytilus Edulis ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Blue Mussels ◽  
Cuo Nps ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary
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