scholarly journals Myoglobin Concentration and Oxygen Stores in Different Functional Muscle Groups from Three Small Cetacean Species

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
Marina Arregui ◽  
Emily M. Singleton ◽  
Pedro Saavedra ◽  
D. Ann Pabst ◽  
Michael J. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Muscle Sample ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Locomotor Muscles ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Total Muscle

Compared with terrestrial mammals, marine mammals possess increased muscle myoglobin concentrations (Mb concentration, g Mb · 100g−1 muscle), enhancing their onboard oxygen (O2) stores and their aerobic dive limit. Although myoglobin is not homogeneously distributed, cetacean muscle O2 stores have been often determined by measuring Mb concentration from a single muscle sample (longissimus dorsi) and multiplying that value by the animal’s locomotor muscle or total muscle mass. This study serves to determine the accuracy of previous cetacean muscle O2 stores calculations. For that, body muscles from three delphinid species: Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba, and Stenella frontalis, were dissected and weighed. Mb concentration was calculated from six muscles/muscle groups (epaxial, hypaxial and rectus abdominis; mastohumeralis; sternohyoideus; and dorsal scalenus), each representative of different functional groups (locomotion powering swimming, pectoral fin movement, feeding and respiration, respectively). Results demonstrated that the Mb concentration was heterogeneously distributed, being significantly higher in locomotor muscles. Locomotor muscles were the major contributors to total muscle O2 stores (mean 92.8%) due to their high Mb concentration and large muscle masses. Compared to this method, previous studies assuming homogenous Mb concentration distribution likely underestimated total muscle O2 stores by 10% when only considering locomotor muscles and overestimated them by 13% when total muscle mass was considered.

scholarly journals The Evolution of Appendicular Muscles During the Fin-to-Limb Transition: Possible Insights Through Studies of Soft Tissues, a Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rohan Mansuit ◽  
Anthony Herrel
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pectoral Fins ◽  
Pelvic Muscles ◽  
Locomotor Muscles ◽  
Forelimb Muscles ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Muscular Architecture

The evolution of the appendages during the fin-to-limb transition has been extensively studied, yet the majority of studies focused on the skeleton and the fossil record. Whereas the evolution of the anatomy of the appendicular musculature has been studied, the changes in the muscular architecture during the fin-to-limb transition remain largely unstudied, yet may provide important new insights. The fin-to-limb transition is associated with the appearance of a new mode of locomotion and the associated shift from pectoral to pelvic dominance. Here, we propose ways to investigate this question and review data on muscle mass and muscle architecture of the pectoral and pelvic muscles in extant vertebrates. We explore whether changes in appendage type are associated with changes in the muscular architecture and the relative investment in different muscle groups. These preliminary data show a general increase in the muscle mass of the appendages relative to the body mass during the fin-to-limb transition. The locomotor shift suggested to occur during the fin-to-limb transition appears supported by our preliminary data since in “fish” the pectoral fins are heavier than the pelvic fins, whereas in tetrapods, the forelimb muscles are less developed than the hind limb muscles. Finally, a shift in the investment in different muscle groups with an increase of the contribution of the superficial groups in tetrapods compared to “fish” appears to take place. Our study highlights the potential of investigating quantitative features of the locomotor muscles, yet also demonstrates the lack of quantitative data allowing to test these ideas.

Marine mammals are natural hosts of Oceanivirga salmonicida, a bacterial pathogen of Atlantic salmon

2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 161-174
Author(s):  
R Palmer ◽  
GTA Fleming ◽  
S Glaeser ◽  
T Semmler ◽  
A Flamm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Atlantic Salmon ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Striped Dolphin ◽  
Natural Hosts

During 1992 and 1993, a bacterial disease occurred in a seawater Atlantic salmon Salmo salar farm, causing serious mortalities. The causative agent was subsequently named as Oceanivirga salmonicida, a member of the Leptotrichiaceae. Searches of 16S rRNA gene sequence databases have shown sequence similarities between O. salmonicida and uncultured bacterial clones from the digestive tracts of marine mammals. In the current study, oral samples were taken from stranded dolphins (common dolphin Delphinus delphis, striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba) and healthy harbour seals Phoca vitulina. A bacterium with growth characteristics consistent with O. salmonicida was isolated from a common dolphin. The isolate was confirmed as O. salmonicida, by comparisons to the type strain, using 16S rRNA gene, gyrB, groEL, and recA sequence analyses, average nucleotide identity analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Metagenomic analysis indicated that the genus Oceanivirga represented a significant component of the oral bacterial microbiomes of the dolphins and seals. However, sequences consistent with O. salmonicida were only found in the dolphin samples. Analyses of marine mammal microbiome studies in the NCBI databases showed sequences consistent with O. salmonicida from the common dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, and harbour seal. Sequences from marine environmental studies in the NCBI databases showed no sequences consistent with O. salmonicida. The findings suggest that several species of marine mammals are natural hosts of O. salmonicida.

Recommendations for Sustainable Cetacean-Based Tourism in French Territories: A Review on the Industry and Current Management Actions

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-235
Author(s):  
Josephine Chazot ◽  
Ludovic Hoarau ◽  
Pamela Carzon ◽  
Jeanne Wagner ◽  
Stéphanie Sorby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Whale Watching ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Overseas Territories ◽  
Socioeconomic Benefits

Whale-watching activities provide important socioeconomic benefits for local communities and constitute powerful platform incentives for marine mammals' protection or more broadly marine environments. However, these activities can cause adverse effects on targeted populations, with considerable downside associated risks of injuries and fatality for whale watchers during inwater interactions. France with its overseas territories has the second largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ), in which more than half of existing cetacean species are encountered. In these territories, recreational and commercial whale watching, including swim-with cetacean activities, have recently developed. Yet few studies focused on these activities and their associated impacts across French territories, leading to an unclear assessment of the situation. To address this issue, we reviewed cetaceans' occurrence within the French EEZ, whale-watching industry, targeted species, local management of marine mammal-based tourism activities, and regulations in France mainland and some overseas territories (Reunion Island, Mayotte, and French Polynesia). Fortyeight species are encountered in the French EEZ, and 15 are targeted by whale-watching activities. A total of 185 operators, including 34% offering swim-with-cetaceans tours, offered trips in France and overseas in 2019. While several more or less restrictive regulations exist locally, our results indicate that French's national legal framework for marine mammals' protection remains inadequate and insufficient to cope with the recent development of this activity. As conservation biologists, managers, and stakeholders from these French territories, we cooperated to provide general guidelines for a sustainable development of whale watching at a national scale. We urge (1) to legally acknowledge and regulate whale-watching commercial activities; (2) to create a national legal framework regarding whale watching and swim-with marine mammals practices, while accounting for local distinctiveness and disparities across regions; (3) to conduct more research to evaluate local short- and long-term impacts on targeted marine mammal populations as well as the socioeconomic benefits; and (4) to reinforce synergetic relations between the different stakeholders.

First record of Norwegian killer whales attacking and feeding on a harbour porpoise

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mel Cosentino
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
First Record ◽  
Harbour Porpoise ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Killer Whales ◽  
Strait Of Gibraltar ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Bottlenose Whales

Orcinus orcais a cosmopolitan species and the most widely distributed marine mammal. Its diet includes over 140 species of fish, cephalopods, sea birds and marine mammals. However, many populations are specialised on certain specific prey items. Three genetically distinct populations have been described in the North Atlantic. Population A (that includes the Icelandic and Norwegian sub-populations) is believed to be piscivorous, as is population C, which includes fish-eating killer whales from the Strait of Gibraltar. In contrast, population B feeds on both fish and marine mammals. Norwegian killer whales follow the Norwegian spring spawning herring stock. The only description in the literature of Norwegian killer whales feeding on another cetacean species is a predation event on northern bottlenose whales in 1968. Daily land-based surveys targeting sperm whales were conducted from the Andenes lighthouse using BigEyes®binoculars (25×, 80 mm). The location of animals at sea was approximated through the use of an internal reticule system and a graduated wheel. On 24 June 2012 at 3:12 am, an opportunistic sighting of 11 killer whales was made off Andenes harbour. The whales hunted and fed on a harbour porpoise. Despite these species having overlapping distributions in Norwegian waters, this is the first predatory event reported in the literature.

scholarly journals Determinants of lungworm specificity in five cetacean species in the western Mediterranean

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Pool ◽  
Clara Romero-Rubira ◽  
Juan Antonio Raga ◽  
Mercedes Fernández ◽  
Francisco Javier Aznar
Keyword(s):  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Host Size ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Species Similarity ◽  
Pilot Whales ◽  
Common Dolphins ◽  
Prey Overlap

Abstract Background Current data about Pseudaliidae show contrasting patterns of host specificity between congeneric species. We investigated how both contact and compatibility between hosts and parasites contributed to the patterns of lungworm infection observed in a community of five species of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean. Methods The lungs of 119 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 18 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 7 Risso’s dolphins Grampus griseus, 7 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas, and 6 common dolphins Delphinus delphis were analysed for lungworms. Parasites were identified by morphology and analysis of ITS2 sequences using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Body length was used as a proxy for lungworm species fitness in different hosts and compared with Kruskal-Wallis tests. Infection parameters were compared between cetacean species using Fisher’s exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Phylogenetic specificity was explored by collating the overall lungworm species prevalence values in hosts from previous surveys in various localities. To explore the relative importance of vertical and horizontal transmission, Spearman’s rank correlation was used to look for an association between host size and lungworm burden. A Mantel test was used to explore the association between lungworm species similarity and prey overlap using dietary data. Results Halocercus delphini had higher infection levels in striped dolphins and common dolphins; Stenurus ovatus had higher infection levels in bottlenose dolphins; and Stenurus globicephalae had higher infection levels in long-finned pilot whales. These results are congruent with findings on a global scale. Morphometric comparison showed that the larger nematodes were found in the same host species that had the highest parasite burden. Lungworms were found in neonatal striped dolphins and a Risso’s dolphin, and there was a weak but significant correlation between host size and parasite burden in striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. There was also a weak but significant association between prey overlap and lungworm species similarity. Conclusions Data indicate that phylogenetic specificity has an important role in governing host–parasite associations, as indicated by the higher infection levels and larger nematode size in certain hosts. However, diet can also influence infection patterns in these preferred hosts and contribute to less severe infections in other hosts.

Cone visual pigments of aquatic mammals

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 873-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCY A. NEWMAN ◽  
PHYLLIS R. ROBINSON
Keyword(s):  
Color Vision ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Splice Site Mutation ◽  
Harbor Seal ◽  
Site Mutation ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Cone Opsin ◽  
Aquatic Mammals

It has long been hypothesized that the visual systems of animals are evolutionarily adapted to their visual environment. The entrance many millions of years ago of mammals into the sea gave these new aquatic mammals completely novel visual surroundings with respect to light availability and predominant wavelengths. This study examines the cone opsins of marine mammals, hypothesizing, based on previous studies [Fasick et al. (1998) and Levenson & Dizon (2003)], that the deep-dwelling marine mammals would not have color vision because the pressure to maintain color vision in the dark monochromatic ocean environment has been relaxed. Short-wavelength-sensitive (SWS) and long-wavelength-sensitive (LWS) cone opsin genes from two orders (Cetacea and Sirenia) and an additional suborder (Pinnipedia) of aquatic mammals were amplified from genomic DNA (for SWS) and cDNA (for LWS) by PCR, cloned, and sequenced. All animals studied from the order Cetacea have SWS pseudogenes, whereas a representative from the order Sirenia has an intact SWS gene, for which the corresponding mRNA was found in the retina. One of the pinnipeds studied (harp seal) has an SWS pseudogene, while another species (harbor seal) appeared to have an intact SWS gene. However, no SWS cone opsin mRNA was found in the harbor seal retina, suggesting a promoter or splice site mutation preventing transcription of the gene. The LWS opsins from the different species were expressed in mammalian cells and reconstituted with the 11-cis-retinal chromophore in order to determine maximal absorption wavelengths (λmax) for each. The deeper dwelling Cetacean species had blue shifted λmax values compared to shallower-dwelling aquatic species. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that in the monochromatic oceanic habitat, the pressure to maintain color vision has been relaxed and mutations are retained in the SWS genes, resulting in pseudogenes. Additionally, LWS opsins are retained in the retina and, in deeper-dwelling animals, are blue shifted in λmax.

An insight into the status of the striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 1321-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caterina Maria Fortuna ◽  
Simonepietro Canese ◽  
Michela Giusti ◽  
Eletta Revelli ◽  
Pierpaolo Consoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Line Transect ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Striped Dolphin ◽  
The Status ◽  
Southern Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
By Catch ◽  
Aeolian Archipelago ◽  
Insight Into

Drift-nets are known to result in high incidental catches of some cetacean species. Despite a UN moratorium on their use in the high seas and a ban in the Mediterranean by all European Union countries, including Italy (EC Reg. 1239/98), some fisheries continue to operate illegally. In 2002 and 2003 three line-transect surveys were conducted in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea around the Aeolian archipelago. These transects were designed to assess the presence, distribution and population size of cetacean species likely to be affected by accidental captures in this area. Data were only sufficient to estimate abundance for the striped dolphin. The best estimate (and first such estimate for this area) was 4030 individuals (CV=0.30, 95% CI=2239–7253) for May 2003. A rough estimate of striped dolphin by-catch, based on floating carcases, was calculated as 36 by-caught animals over a period of 12 days (CV=0.58, 95% CI=11–113). These results, although approximate, are a cause for concern. Conservation and management implications of the results are discussed.

scholarly journals Examining predator–prey body size, trophic level and body mass across marine and terrestrial mammals

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1797) ◽  
pp. 20142103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlee A. Tucker ◽  
Tracey L. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Trophic Level ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals

Predator–prey relationships and trophic levels are indicators of community structure, and are important for monitoring ecosystem changes. Mammals colonized the marine environment on seven separate occasions, which resulted in differences in species' physiology, morphology and behaviour. It is likely that these changes have had a major effect upon predator–prey relationships and trophic position; however, the effect of environment is yet to be clarified. We compiled a dataset, based on the literature, to explore the relationship between body mass, trophic level and predator–prey ratio across terrestrial ( n = 51) and marine ( n = 56) mammals. We did not find the expected positive relationship between trophic level and body mass, but we did find that marine carnivores sit 1.3 trophic levels higher than terrestrial carnivores. Also, marine mammals are largely carnivorous and have significantly larger predator–prey ratios compared with their terrestrial counterparts. We propose that primary productivity, and its availability, is important for mammalian trophic structure and body size. Also, energy flow and community structure in the marine environment are influenced by differences in energy efficiency and increased food web stability. Enhancing our knowledge of feeding ecology in mammals has the potential to provide insights into the structure and functioning of marine and terrestrial communities.

Increased cardiovascular response to static contraction of larger muscle groups

1983 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 434-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Seals ◽  
R. A. Washburn ◽  
P. G. Hanson ◽  
P. L. Painter ◽  
F. J. Nagle
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Maximal Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Cardiovascular Response ◽  
Isometric Exercise ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Active Muscle ◽  
Leg Extension ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Static Contraction ◽  
Muscle Groups

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the size of the active muscle mass on the cardiovascular response to static contraction. Twelve male subjects performed one-arm handgrip (HG), two-leg extension (LE), and a “dead-lift” maneuver (DL) in a randomly assigned order for 3 min at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction. O2 uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), and mean intra-arterial blood pressure (MABP) were measured at rest and, in addition to absolute tension exerted, throughout contraction. There was a direct relationship between the size of the active muscle mass and the magnitude of the increases in VO2, HR, and MABP, even though all contractions were performed at the same relative intensity. Tension, VO2, HR, and MABP increased progressively from HG to LE to DL. It was concluded that at the same percentage of maximal voluntary contraction, the magnitude of the cardiovascular response to isometric exercise is directly influenced by the size of the contracting muscle mass.

Sodium and potassium in pig muscle

1963 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Lawrie ◽  
R. W. Pomeroy
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Rectus Femoris ◽  
Potassium Content ◽  
Longissimus Dorsi ◽  
Pig Muscle ◽  
Psoas Major ◽  
Extensor Carpi Radialis ◽  
Sodium And Potassium ◽  
Total Muscle ◽  
Lateral Head

1. The sodium and potassium content of longissimus dorsi (lumbar), psoas major, rectus femoris, triceps (lateral head) and extensor carpi radialis from 6 pigs each at pork, bacon and manufacturing weights were determined: these varied significantly and systematically between muscles and between groups.2. Since the concentration of potassium may differ by at least 30% between muscles, it is concluded that assessment of total muscle mass may be inaccurate if based on the integration ofγ-ray emission from 40K.

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