Ringed Seal Diet and Body Condition in the Amundsen Gulf region, Eastern Beaufort Sea

Diet from stomach contents and body condition from morphometric measurements were obtained for 169 (108 stomachs analysed) ringed seals (Pusa hispida) for the Amundsen Gulf region in the western Canadian Arctic from 2015 to 2018. Sampling was from subsistence-harvested seals from the three communities of Paulatuk (spring, summer, and autumn), Sachs Harbour (summer), and Ulukhaktok (winter), Northwest Territories. Stomach contents were separated through sieves and by hand, and taxa identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible and weighed. Stomachs were fullest (by weight and prey count) in the autumn, which suggests that foraging was most intense and successful at that time. A total of 93 prey taxa, including 17 fish and 76 invertebrate species were identified. Several fish and invertebrate species were regularly found together, the most common being Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), capelin (Mallotus villosus), and hyperiid amphipods (Themisto spp.). Condition measurements inferred from blubber thickness, although showing considerable variation among sites and years, had a seasonal relationship with maximal depth during the autumn and winter. Overall, the diet of ringed seals in Amundsen Gulf was broadly similar to those reported from other areas while also indicating some degree of regional specificity. When compared to the diet of ringed seals in the same area in the 1980s, the results presented here were more diverse, with new or increased numbers of subarctic species (e.g., saffron cod, Eleginus gracilis) found in the samples. This finding is a likely consequence of climate warming, as increasing numbers of subarctic species move north with warming ocean temperatures in the Arctic.

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The winter diet of thick-billed murres, Uria lomvia, in western Greenland, 1988–1989

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z93-038 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 71 (2) ◽

pp. 264-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Knud Falk ◽

Jan Durinck

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Prey Species ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Uria Lomvia ◽

Winter Diet ◽

Southern Area ◽

Good Body Condition ◽

Capelin Mallotus Villosus ◽

Wet Weight ◽

Prey Remains

The diet of thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) wintering in coastal western Greenland was studied by analyzing the stomach contents of 202 birds supplied by local hunters in four regions, from October 1988 to March 1989. Fish and crustaceans were present in 68 and 71% (frequency of occurrence), respectively, of all stomachs containing prey remains (n = 195). Fish made up 81% wet weight, and crustaceans most of the remaining 19%, except for < 1% squid (Gonatus sp.) and polychaetes (Nereis sp.). Capelin (Mallotus villosus) was the dominant prey species (61% wet weight), followed by Thysanoessa spp. (17%), Parathemisto spp. (1%), and Meganyctiphanes norvegica (1%). Euphausiids were the most abundant crustaceans (95% wet weight of all crustaceans), except in October, when hyperid amphipods were dominant (89%). Crustaceans were important in the murres' diet only in the northern part of the survey area; birds in the southern part preyed almost exclusively upon capelin. Most birds were in good body condition (based on the amount of body fat), but murres from the southern area had a slightly higher mean fat index than those from the northern area (7.19 vs. 5.35). We suggest that differences in body condition may be related to the higher proportion of fish, which is of higher caloric value, in the diet of murres in the southern area.

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Biological Impact of Ocean Acidification in the Canadian Arctic: Widespread Severe Pteropod Shell Dissolution in Amundsen Gulf

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2021.600184 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Niemi ◽

Nina Bednaršek ◽

Christine Michel ◽

Richard A. Feely ◽

William Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ocean Acidification ◽

Food Availability ◽

Cold Water ◽

Biological Indicator ◽

The Arctic ◽

Gulf Region ◽

Ecosystem Effects ◽

Amundsen Gulf ◽

Freshwater Inputs ◽

Physiological Benefits

Increasing atmospheric CO2, cold water temperatures, respiration, and freshwater inputs all contribute to enhanced acidification in Arctic waters. However, ecosystem effects of ocean acidification (derived from anthropogenic and/or natural sources) in the Arctic Ocean are highly uncertain. Zooplankton samples and oceanographic data were collected in August 2012–2014 and again in August 2017 to investigate the pelagic sea snail, Limacina helicina, a biological indicator of the presence and potential impact of acidified waters in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Between 2012 and 2014 L. helicina abundance ranged from <1 to 1942 Ind. m–2, with highest abundances occurring at stations on the Canadian Beaufort Shelf in 2012. The majority of individuals (66%) were located between 25 and 100 m depth, corresponding to upper halocline water of Pacific origin. In both 2014 and 2017, >85% of L. helicina assessed (n = 134) from the Amundsen Gulf region displayed shell dissolution and advanced levels of dissolution occurred at all stations. The severity of dissolution was not significantly different between 2014 and 2017 despite the presence of larger individuals that are less prone to dissolution, and higher food availability that can provide some physiological benefits in 2014. Corrosive water conditions were not widespread in the Amundsen Gulf at the time of sampling in 2017, and aragonite undersaturation (Ωar < 1) occurred primarily at depths >150 m. The majority of dissolution was observed on the first whorl of the shells strongly indicating that damage was initiated during the larval stage of growth in May or early June when sea ice is still present. Evidence of shell modification was present in 2014, likely supported by abundant food availability in 2014 relative to 2017. The proportion of damaged L. helicina collected from coastal embayments and offshore stations is higher than in other Arctic and temperate locations indicating that exposure to corrosive waters is spatially widespread in the Amundsen Gulf region, and periods of exposure are extreme enough to impact the majority of the population.

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Circumpolar Trends of PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides in the Arctic Marine Environment Inferred from Levels in Ringed Seals

Environmental Science & Technology ◽

10.1021/es991245i ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 34 (12) ◽

pp. 2431-2438 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Derek Muir ◽

Frank Riget ◽

Marianne Cleemann ◽

Janneche Skaare ◽

Lars Kleivane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organochlorine Pesticides ◽

Marine Environment ◽

The Arctic ◽

Ringed Seals

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Ecological Observations on Hybrid Populations of European Plethodontid Salamanders, Genus Speleomantes

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13070285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 285

Author(s):

Enrico Lunghi ◽

Fabio Cianferoni ◽

Stefano Merilli ◽

Yahui Zhao ◽

Raoul Manenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Parental Species ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Trophic Niche ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Ecological Information ◽

Total Length ◽

Plethodontid Salamanders ◽

The Future ◽

First Time

Speleomantes are the only plethodontid salamanders present in Europe. Multiple studies have been performed to investigate the trophic niche of the eight Speleomantes species, but none of these studies included hybrid populations. For the first time, we studied the trophic niche of five Speleomantes hybrid populations. Each population was surveyed twice in 2020, and stomach flushing was performed on each captured salamander; stomach flushing is a harmless technique that allows stomach contents to be inspected. We also assessed the potential divergence in size and body condition between natural and introduced hybrids, and their parental species. Previously collected data on Speleomantes were included to increase the robustness of these analyses. In only 33 out of 134 sampled hybrid Speleomantes we recognized 81 items belonging to 11 prey categories. The frequency of empty stomachs was higher in females and individuals from natural hybrid populations, whereas the largest number of prey was consumed by males. We compared the total length and body condition of 685 adult salamanders belonging to three types of hybrids and three parental (sub)species. Three group of salamanders (one hybrid and two parental species) showed significantly larger size, whereas no difference in body condition was observed. This study provided novel ecological information on Speleomantes hybrid populations. We also provided insights into the potential divergence between hybrids and parental species in terms of size and body condition. We discuss our findings, and formulate several hypotheses that should be tested in the future.

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Trace Metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn) in Arctic cod, Boreogadus saida, and Selected Zooplankton from Strathcona Sound, Northern Baffin Island

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada ◽

10.1139/f76-340 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 33 (12) ◽

pp. 2836-2840 ◽

Cited By ~ 61

Author(s):

Arne Bohn ◽

R. O. McElroy

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Trace Metals ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Bottom Trawl ◽

The Arctic ◽

Baffin Island ◽

Boreogadus Saida ◽

Arctic Cod ◽

Planktonic Copepods ◽

The Difference

Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) were captured by bottom trawl at depths of 120–300 m. Zooplankton were obtained by bottom to surface tows from the Arctic cod habitat. Average concentrations of arsenic (As) and zinc (Zn) were higher in Arctic cod fillets than in livers from the same fish; cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe) concentrations were higher in livers. The difference between copper (Cu) concentrations in muscle and liver was not significant. As and Zn in whole fish, and As in fillets from seven specimens, were positively correlated to body weight. Cu and Fe in whole fish were negatively correlated to body weight, whereas Cd was not related to body weight. Examination of Arctic cod stomach contents indicated that planktonic copepods were important in the diet. Cd levels were 5–8 times higher in the unsorted copepods than in the Arctic cod, whereas As, Cu, Fe, and Zn were higher in the fish than in the copepods.

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Factors influencing individual predicted total dry matter intake of dairy cattle on farms

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200005652 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 2001 ◽

pp. 183-183

Author(s):

H.C.F. Wicks ◽

J.D. Leaver

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Commercial Farms ◽

Autumn And Winter ◽

Body Condition Scores

The aim was to estimate the influence of genetic merit (£PIN95) and level of concentrate feeding (Cgrp) on predicted total dry matter intake (tDMI) of individual cows, using records collected from commercial farms. The method described by Wicks & Leaver (2000) was used to estimate individual daily dry matter intakes from seven farms, totalling 4282 monthly records over a two-year period. The method was based on milk production records supplemented by body condition scores and height at withers, which were used to calculated the ME requirements of individual animals. All the records were collected, from autumn and winter (July to March) calving cows during the housed period (August to March).

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Comparing temporal patterns in body condition of ringed seals living within their core geographic range with those living at the edge

Ecography ◽

10.1111/ecog.04988 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (10) ◽

pp. 1521-1535

Author(s):

Steven H. Ferguson ◽

David J. Yurkowski ◽

Brent G. Young ◽

Aaron T. Fisk ◽

Derek C. G. Muir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Temporal Patterns ◽

Geographic Range ◽

Ringed Seals

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Feeding ecology of the crab Munida subrugosa (Decapoda: Anomura: Galatheidae) in the Beagle Channel, Argentina

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315404009282h ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 359-365 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

M. Carolina Romero ◽

Gustavo A. Lovrich ◽

Federico Tapella ◽

Sven Thatje

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Superficial Layer ◽

Tierra Del Fuego ◽

Crab Species ◽

Monthly Basis ◽

Beagle Channel ◽

Food Items ◽

Autumn And Winter

Munida subrugosa is the most abundant galatheid crab species in the Beagle Channel (55°S 68°W) off Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Samples of crabs and the epibenthic community were taken on a monthly basis at two different depth strata (<40 m and >70 m), by means of epibenthic trawling from 1998 to 1999. Stomach contents from 1582 crabs were analysed, out of which only 2% had empty stomachs. The quantity of food in the stomach contents was clearly seasonal and similar at both depths. The organic matter varied throughout the year and between both depths, being significantly higher in summer/spring than in autumn/winter. Munida subrugosa shows two different and simultaneous feeding habits: (1) as a predator M. subrugosa feeds on crustaceans, algae, and polychaetes; and (2) as a deposit feeder M. subrugosa consumes particulate organic matter and organisms associated with the superficial layer of the sediment. The composition of the diet of Munida subrugosa was similar for both years, and independent of depth, sex or season. Munida subrugosa selected crustaceans only in autumn and winter, whereas most food items were found according to their availability in the habitat.

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Recent air-temperature changes in the Arctic

Annals of Glaciology ◽

10.3189/172756407782871666 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 46 ◽

pp. 316-324 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Rajmund Przybylak

Keyword(s):

Air Temperature ◽

Surface Air Temperature ◽

The Arctic ◽

Marked Rise ◽

Temperature Changes ◽

The Pacific ◽

Complete Series ◽

Linear Effects ◽

Autumn And Winter ◽

Abrupt Rise

AbstractA detailed analysis of the spatial and temporal changes in mean seasonal and annual surface air temperature (SAT) in the Arctic is presented mainly for the period 1951–2005. Mean seasonal and annual homogenized and complete series of SAT from up to 35 Arctic stations were used in the analysis. The focus in this paper is on the 11 years 1995–2005, a period which saw dramatic warming in the Arctic (>1˚C for annual values in relation to the 1951–90 mean). An abrupt rise in SAT occurred in the mid-1990s and was most pronounced in autumn and winter (>2˚C). The greatest warming in the period 1995–2005 occurred in the Pacific and Canadian regions (>1˚C), while the lowest was in the Siberian region (0.82˚C). This period has been the warmest since at least the 17th century. In particular, 2005 was an exceptionally warm year (>2˚C in relation to the 1951–90 mean) and was warmer than 1938, the warmest year in the 20th century. The seasonal and annual trends of the areally averaged Arctic SAT for the periods 1936–2005, 1951–2005 and 1976–2005 are positive, with the exception of winter and autumn for the first period. The majority of trends calculated for the last two periods are statistically significant. While there are varying opinions about the forces driving the present warming, it seems likely that the marked rise in SAT in the mid-1990s (mainly from 1994 to 1995) was caused by (i) a set of natural factors, (ii) non-linear effects of greenhouse-gas loading, or (iii) the combined effect of these two groups of factors.

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