scholarly journals Stability of Domoic Acid in 50% Methanol Extracts and Raw Fecal Material from Bowhead Whales (Balaena mysticetus)

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Emily K. Bowers ◽  
Raphaela Stimmelmayr ◽  
Kathi A. Lefebvre
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Domoic Acid ◽  
Harmful Algal Bloom ◽  
Multiple Time ◽  
Fecal Material ◽  
Shellfish Poisoning ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Methanol Extracts

Domoic acid (DA), the toxin causing amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), is produced globally by some diatoms in the genus Pseudo-nitzschia. DA has been detected in several marine mammal species in the Alaskan Arctic, raising health concerns for marine mammals and subsistence communities dependent upon them. Gastrointestinal matrices are routinely used to detect Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) toxin presence in marine mammals, yet DA stability has only been studied extensively in shellfish-related matrices. To address this knowledge gap, we quantified DA in bowhead whale fecal samples at multiple time points for two groups: (1) 50% methanol extracts from feces, and (2) raw feces stored in several conditions. DA concentrations decreased to 70 ± 7.1% of time zero (T0) in the 50% methanol extracts after 2 weeks, but remained steady until the final time point at 5 weeks (66 ± 5.7% T0). In contrast, DA concentrations were stable or increased in raw fecal material after 8 weeks of freezer storage (−20 °C), at room temperature (RT) in the dark, or refrigerated at 1 °C. DA concentrations in raw feces stored in an incubator (37 °C) or at RT in the light decreased to 77 ± 2.8% and 90 ± 15.0% T0 at 8 weeks, respectively. Evaporation during storage of raw fecal material is a likely cause of the increased DA concentrations observed over time with the highest increase to 126 ± 7.6% T0 after 3.2 years of frozen storage. These results provide valuable information for developing appropriate sample storage procedures for marine mammal fecal samples.

scholarly journals Feasibility of melting fingerprint obtained from ISSR-HRM curves for marine mammal species identification

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11689
Author(s):  
Wannapimol Kriangwanich ◽  
Kittisak Buddhachat ◽  
Anocha Poommouang ◽  
Siriwadee Chomdej ◽  
Chatchote Thitaram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Species Identification ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Issr Markers ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Hrm Analysis ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
High Degree

Currently, species identification of stranded marine mammals mostly relies on morphological features, which has inherent challenges. The use of genetic information for marine mammal species identification remains limited, therefore, new approaches that can contribute to a better monitoring of stranded species are needed. In that context, the ISSR-HRM method we have proposed offers a new approach for marine mammal species identification. Consequently, new approaches need to be developed to identify individuals at the species level. Eight primers of the ISSR markers were chosen for HRM analysis resulting in ranges of accuracy of 56.78–75.50% and 52.14–75.93% in terms of precision, while a degree of sensitivity of more than 80% was recorded when each single primer was used. The ISSR-HRM primer combinations revealed a success rate of 100% in terms of discrimination for all marine mammals included in this study. Furthermore, ISSR-HRM analysis was successfully employed in determining marine mammal discrimination among varying marine mammal species. Thus, ISSR-HRM analysis could serve as an effective alternative tool in the species identification process. This option would offer researchers a heightened level of convenience in terms of its performance and success rate. It would also offer field practice to veterinarians, biologists and other field-related people a greater degree of ease with which they could interpret results when effectively classifying stranded marine mammals. However, further studies with more samples and with a broader geographical scope will be required involving distinct populations to account for the high degree of intraspecific variability in cetaceans and to demonstrate the range of applications of this approach.

scholarly journals Circumpolar biodiversity monitoring program’s state of the Arctic marine biodiversity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kit M. Kovacs ◽  
Rosa Meehan ◽  
Stas Belikov ◽  
Genevieve Desportes ◽  
Steve Ferguson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Biodiversity Monitoring ◽  
Cultural Significance ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Status And Trends

Marine mammals are top predators in Arctic marine ecosystems and are key to ecosystem functioning. Many Arctic marine mammal species are important resources and hold special cultural significance in Arctic communities. The CBMP (Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme) Marine Mammal Expert Network aggregated and reviewed data on the population status and trends of all 11 ice-associated marine mammal Focal Ecosystem Components (FECs) across eight Arctic Marine Areas as well as the state of current monitoring (and research) efforts for these species. Changes taking place in the physical environment in the Arctic due to global warming are affecting marine mammal behaviour, abundance, growth rates, body condition and reproduction, and impacting the resilience of marine mammal populations with concomitant effects on the people who rely on them for subsistence, economic and cultural purposes. Effective marine mammal population monitoring will need improved techniques and application at appropriate geographic scales to measure trends that can be evaluated relative to changes in climate (e.g., sea-ice cover) and human activities (e.g., hunting, shipping, mineral exploration). This presentation will summarize current marine mammal monitoring across the Arctic, the status and trends of FECs, drivers of observed trends, and knowledge and monitoring gaps.

scholarly journals Marine Mammals Occurring in the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Philippines

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-142
Author(s):  
Manuel Eduardo de la Paz ◽  
Jacob Nathaniel Luther ◽  
Stiffy Marie Espinosa ◽  
Bea Chiara Festin ◽  
Rubena Marie Santillan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
The North ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Wetlands Conservation

The Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area (NOCWCA) is the Philippines’ 7th Ramsar Site of Wetlands of International Importance. It spans 89,607 ha comprising the municipal waters of 10 adjacent towns and municipalities. Its waters are part of the Guimaras Strait in the north and the Panay Gulf in the south. This research aimed to assess marine mammal diversity in these coastal wetlands. Marine mammal species here were documented through strandings, interview surveys, and boat surveys. Ten species of marine mammals, including the dugong (Dugong dugon), have stranded in the NOCWCA for the past ten years. Three species were encountered in the boat surveys: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), Long-snouted spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris longirostris), and Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). All species were encountered in close proximity to fishing boats, indicating possible interactions. The presence of these marine mammals here highlights the importance of these areas as essential habitats.

scholarly journals Pandemic danger to the deep: the risk of marine mammals contracting SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabateeshan Mathavarajah ◽  
Amina K. Stoddart ◽  
Graham A. Gagnon ◽  
Graham Dellaire
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Natural Water ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Additional Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Untreated Wastewater

AbstractWe are in unprecedented times with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has impacted public health, the economy and our society on a global scale. In addition, the impacts of COVID-19 permeate into our environment and wildlife as well. Here, we discuss the essential role of wastewater treatment and management during these times. A consequence of poor wastewater management is the discharge of untreated wastewater carrying infectious SARS-CoV-2 into natural water systems that are home to marine mammals. Here, we predict the susceptibility of marine mammal species using a modelling approach. We identified that many species of whale, dolphin and seal, as well as otters, are predicted to be highly susceptible to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In addition, geo-mapping highlights how current wastewater management in Alaska may lead to susceptible marine mammal populations being exposed to the virus. Localities such as Cold Bay, Naknek, Dillingham and Palmer may require additional treatment of their wastewater to prevent virus spillover through sewage. Since over half of these susceptibility species are already at risk worldwide, the release of the virus via untreated wastewater could have devastating consequences for their already declining populations. For these reasons, we discuss approaches that can be taken by the public, policymakers and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce the risk of virus spillover in our natural water systems. Thus, we indicate the potential for reverse zoonotic transmission of COVID-19 and its impact on marine wildlife; impacts that can be mitigated with appropriate action to prevent further damage to these vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Marine mammal sightings around oil and gas installations in the central North Sea

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 993-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthieu Delefosse ◽  
Malene Louise Rahbek ◽  
Lars Roesen ◽  
Karin Tubbert Clausen
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Minke Whale ◽  
Harbour Porpoise ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Central North Sea

Relatively little is known about the distribution and diversity of marine mammals around offshore anthropogenic structures. We present results obtained from incidental sightings of marine mammals around oil and gas installations located 200 km off the Danish coast. A total of 131 sightings corresponding to about 288 animals were reported between May 2013 and May 2016. A total of seven marine mammal species were identified, five cetaceans: harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), killer whale (Orcinus orca), pilot whales (Globicephala spp.) and two species of pinnipeds: harbour (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The most sighted species were harbour porpoise (41%) and minke whale (31%). Relative counts and biodiversity of marine mammals observed around installations corresponded well with the expected distribution in the central North Sea. Several taxon-specific correlations were identified between number of sightings and environmental parameters (depth and latitude) or installation characteristics (installation aerial footprint). Furthermore, 85% of sightings were made during spring and summer and it is unclear whether the pattern observed reflected a natural seasonal occurrence of marine mammals in the area or an effect of reduced effort during autumn and winter. Despite the potential caveats, results obtained during this programme provide an insight into the relationship between marine mammals and oil and gas offshore installations in the North Sea.

scholarly journals Impacts of human disturbance in marine mammals: Do behavioral changes translate to disease consequences?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Ann Collier ◽  
Sania Ali ◽  
Janet Mann ◽  
Shweta Bansal
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Human Disturbances

Humans have been altering wildlife habitats and wildlife behavior worldwide at an accelerated pace in recent decades. While it is well-understood how human-induced behavioral changes affect infectious disease risk in terrestrial wildlife, less is known in marine life. Here we examine this link in marine mammal populations by (1) conducting a systematic literature review to determine how human disturbances change marine mammal behavior in ways that can impact disease spread, and (2) examining how these behavioral changes might influence potential epidemics using a mathematical modeling framework. We find that human disturbances can influence marine mammal behavior in a way that increases their exposure and susceptibility to pathogens, as well as their infectivity, or ability to effectively shed pathogens and infect conspecifics. When these changes to exposure, susceptibility, and infectivity are applied in four different marine mammal case studies, epidemics are predicted to be larger and more likely to occur. Considering the rate at which human disturbance is increasing in the marine environment, and the large number of marine mammal species that are endangered oron the verge of extinction, we advocate for the careful consideration of the direct and indirect impact of human disturbance on marine mammal health.

scholarly journals Validation of a Surrogate Model for Marine Mammal Lung Dynamics Under Underwater Explosive Impulse

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily L. Guzas ◽  
Stephen E. Turner ◽  
Matthew Babina ◽  
Brandon Casper ◽  
Thomas N. Fetherston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Shock Loading ◽  
Fluid Structure Interaction ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Fluid Structure ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Underwater Environment ◽  
Lung Response

Abstract Primary blast injury (PBI), which relates gross blast-related trauma or traces of injury in air-filled tissues or those tissues adjacent to air-filled regions (rupture/lesions, contusions, hemorrhaging), has been documented in a number of marine mammal species after blast exposure [1, 2, 3]. However, very little is known about marine mammal susceptibility to PBI except in rare cases of opportunistic studies. As a result, traditional techniques rely on analyses using small-scale terrestrial mammals as surrogates for large-scale marine mammals. For an In-house Laboratory Independent Research (ILIR) project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), researchers at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport (NUWCDIVNPT), have undertaken a broad 3-year effort to integrate computational fluid-structure interaction techniques with marine mammal anatomical structure. The intent is to numerically simulate the dynamic response of a marine mammal thoracic cavity and air-filled lungs to shock loading, to enhance understanding of marine mammal lungs to shock loading in the underwater environment. In the absence of appropriate test data from live marine mammals, a crucial part of this work involves code validation to test data for a suitable surrogate test problem. This research employs a surrogate of an air-filled spherical membrane structure subjected to shock loading as a first order approximation to understanding marine mammal lung response to underwater explosions (UNDEX). This approach incrementally improves upon the currently used one-dimensional spherical air bubble approximation to marine mammal lung response by providing an encapsulating boundary for the air. The encapsulating structure is membranous, with minimal simplified representation not accounting for marine mammal species-specific and individual animal differences in tissue composition, rib mechanics, and mechanical properties of interior lung tissue. NUWCDIVNPT partnered with the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL) to design and execute a set of experiments to investigate the shock response of an air-filled rubber dodgeball in a shallow underwater environment. These tests took place in the 2.13 m (7-ft) diameter pressure tank at the University of Rhode Island, with test measurements including pressure data and digital image correlation (DIC) data captured with high-speed cameras in a stereo setup. The authors developed 3-dimensional computational models of the dodgeball experiments using Dynamic System Mechanics Advanced Simulation (DYSMAS), a Navy fluid-structure interaction code. DYSMAS models of a variety of different problems involving submerged pressure vessel structures responding to hydrostatic and/or UNDEX loading have been validated against test data [4]. Proper validation of fluid structure interaction simulations is quite challenging, requiring measurements in both the fluid and structure domains. This paper details the development of metrics for comparison between test measurements and simulation results, with a discussion of potential sources of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of the Gut Microbiota Among Four Different Marine Mammals in an Aquarium

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Bai ◽  
Peijun Zhang ◽  
Changhao Zhang ◽  
Jiang Du ◽  
Xinyi Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Fur Seals ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Bacterial Lineages

Despite an increasing appreciation in the importance of host–microbe interactions in ecological and evolutionary processes, information on the gut microbial communities of some marine mammals is still lacking. Moreover, whether diet, environment, or host phylogeny has the greatest impact on microbial community structure is still unknown. To fill part of this knowledge gap, we exploited a natural experiment provided by an aquarium with belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) affiliated with family Monodontidae, Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) and common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) affiliated with family Delphinidae, and Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) affiliated with family Otariidae. Results show significant differences in microbial community composition of whales, dolphins, and fur seals and indicate that host phylogeny (family level) plays the most important role in shaping the microbial communities, rather than food and environment. In general, the gut microbial communities of dolphins had significantly lower diversity compared to that of whales and fur seals. Overall, the gut microbial communities were mainly composed of Firmicutes and Gammaproteobacteria, together with some from Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Epsilonbacteraeota. However, specific bacterial lineages were differentially distributed among the marine mammal groups. For instance, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae were the dominant bacterial lineages in the gut of belugas, while for Cape fur seals, Moraxellaceae and Bacteroidaceae were the main bacterial lineages. Moreover, gut microbial communities in both Pacific white-sided dolphins and common bottlenose dolphins were dominated by a number of pathogenic bacteria, including Clostridium perfringens, Vibrio fluvialis, and Morganella morganii, reflecting the poor health condition of these animals. Although there is a growing recognition of the role microorganisms play in the gut of marine mammals, current knowledge about these microbial communities is still severely lacking. Large-scale research studies should be undertaken to reveal the roles played by the gut microbiota of different marine mammal species.

scholarly journals Potential Audibility of Three Acoustic Harassment Devices (AHDs) to Marine Mammals in Scotland, UK

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 792-800
Author(s):  
Victoria L.G. Todd ◽  
Jian Jiang ◽  
Maximilian Ruffert
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Transmission Loss ◽  
Sound Field ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Industrial Operations ◽  
Aquaculture Facilities

The modelled acoustic characteristics of three Acoustic Harassment Devices (AHDs) deployed from a fully operational salmonid fish farm, located in the Sound of Mull, Scotland (UK) are presented, using empirical seabed and water column measurements at the same location. In the Beaufort Sea state 0, the depth range of 10--50 m is the maximum range at which AHDs are potentially audible to five marine mammal species. The species present within this survey region are: the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena (99.1 km), the killer whale, Orcinus orca (110 km), the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus (89.6 km), the common seal, Phoca vitulina (88 km), and the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (69 km). Consequently, within the Sound of Mull, all three AHDs could be heard throughout the water column by all species. For two models of AHDs, a behavioural disturbance level of between 140 dB-180 dB is observed at 1.3 km. Habitat displacement is a cause for concern, particularly if several fish farms within a small area all deploy AHDs simultaneously. This can create a confusing sound field of varying intensity, which has potential to deter harbour porpoises from sections of their habitat. If positioned effectively, AHDs have the potential to deter all five marine mammal species from industrial operations such as aquaculture facilities. Source levels, propagation and transmission loss measurements were highly variable and should be considered as site specific, meaning new estimates should be made for each situation.

scholarly journals Patterns of Research Effort and Extinction Risk of Marine Mammals in the Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelico Jose C. Tiongson ◽  
Jean Asuncion Utzurrum ◽  
Manuel Eduardo L. de la Paz
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Research Attention

Global marine mammal research is disproportionately lacking compared to terrestrial mammal research and is strongly biased toward populations in Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia. With high extinction risks facing marine mammals in the tropics, we sought to identify potential drivers of research effort and extinction risk evaluations for marine mammals in the Philippines as a model for tropical island nations with limited resources and research capacity. Using a bibliographic approach, we compiled all materials on marine mammal research in the Philippines from 1991 to 2020, which we categorized into eight thematic areas of research focus. We reviewed all materials based on their research focus to assess the current scientific knowledge of local marine mammal populations. Using a simple metric to calculate research effort allocation, we found that all marine mammal species in the Philippines receive inadequate research attention. Using generalized linear models, we analyzed the relationship of potential factors that drive research effort. The model with the lowest Akaike Information Criterion value suggests that frequency of marine mammal stranding incidents may influence an increase in research effort on marine mammals by providing access to biological specimens that would normally be difficult to obtain. Strandings are unfortunate events with often unclear causes, but they provide an opportunity to collect data from behaviorally cryptic animals in areas where financial constraints often hamper scientific progress. We also determined that a national Red List evaluation was predicted by increased research effort. Maximizing local research using all materials from strandings and building research capacity may be an alternative to expensive field-based methods to increase knowledge on local marine mammal populations.

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