scholarly journals A note on concentrations of metals in cetaceans from southern Africa

1999 ◽  
pp. 177-194
Author(s):  
John Henry
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Right Whales ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Common Dolphins ◽  
Hourglass Dolphin ◽  
Pygmy Sperm Whale

Concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium, mercury and lead were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in samples of the brain, kidney , liver and muscle tissue from 178 individuals of 323 different cetacean species (4 right whales - Eubalaena australis, 2 pygmy right whales - Caperea marginara, 3 minke whales - Balaenoptera acutorostrata, 3 Bryde's whales - B. edeni, 1 humpback whale - Megaptera novaeangliae, 1 sperm whale - Physeter macrocephalus, 11 pygmy sperm whale - Kogia breviceps, 6 dwarf sperm whales - K. simus, 1 southern bottlenose whale - Hyperoodon planifrons, 1 Cuvier's beaked whale - Ziphius cavirostris, 9 Blainville's beaked whales - Mesoplodon densirostris, 5 strap-tooth whales - M. layardii, 2 True's beaked whales - M. mirus, 3 long-finned pilot whales - Globicephala me/as, 30 Risso's dolphins - Grampus griseus, 12 bottlenose dolphins - Tursiops truncatus, 5 striped dolphins - Stenella coeruleoalba, 1 pantropical spotted dolphin - S. attenuata, 1 hump-backed dolphin - Sousa chinensis, 21 dusky dolphins - Lagenorhynchus obscurus, 1 hourglass dolphin - L. cruciger, 12 Heaviside's dolphins - Cephalorhynchus heavisidii and 43 common dolphins - Delphinus delphis). All but the hourglass dolphin were strandings or animals taken incidental to fishing operations or under scientific permit in coastal waters of South Africa or Namibia. Highest concentrations of Zn, Cu and Hg were generally found in the liver and of Cd in the kidney. Comparisons of animals pre-and post puberty indicated accumulation of hepatic mercury in the pygmy sperm whale, Risso's dolphin, dusky dolphin and common dolphin. Loss of a metal (zinc) after puberty was only shown in the common dolphin. No individual analyses exceeded proposed (human) tolerance limits for hepatic mercury and hepatic or renal cadmium

The cetaceans of Aruba, southern Caribbean

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda A. Luksenburg
Keyword(s):  
Killer Whale ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Stenella Frontalis ◽  
Spotted Dolphin ◽  
Delphinus Capensis

Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. However, very little is known about its cetaceans. In 2010 and 2011, a total of 19721 km (1686 h) boat-based surveys over nearshore transects resulted in 117 positively-identified sightings comprising eight species. New records are also added for one of three previously-documented species. Five additional species were documented from strandings or reports by others. This brings the total number of cetacean species identified in Aruban waters to 16, of which nine are authenticated here for the first time. Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis (N = 59) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (N = 33) were the most frequently observed species, with sightings of both year-round, followed by spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Additional species recorded are pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), striped dolphin (S. coeruleoalba), common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), killer whale (Orcinus orca), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Bryde's/Eden's whale (Balaenoptera brydei/edeni), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and an unidentified beaked whale (Mesoplodon sp.). All cetaceans were sighted within 22 km of the coast in relatively shallow waters. Sighting rate was low (0.69 cetacean sightings per 100 km). Sightings of calves and neonates indicate that Aruba may be a nursing or breeding area for some species. The presence of several species of cetaceans in Aruba's coastal waters year-round indicates that status and threat assessments are needed to protect them.

scholarly journals Cetacean occurrence offshore of Washington from long-term passive acoustic monitoring

2021 ◽  
Vol 168 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ally Rice ◽  
Amanda J. Debich ◽  
Ana Širović ◽  
Erin M. Oleson ◽  
Jennifer S. Trickey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Acoustic Monitoring ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Passive Acoustic Monitoring ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Passive Acoustic

AbstractA variety of cetacean species inhabit the productive waters offshore of Washington State, USA. Although the general presence of many of these species has been documented in this region, our understanding of fine-scale habitat use is limited. Here, passive acoustic monitoring was used to investigate the spatial and temporal distributions of ten cetacean species at three locations offshore of Washington. Between 2004 and 2013, a total of 2845 days of recordings were collected from sites on the continental shelf and slope, and in a submarine canyon. Acoustic presence was higher for all species at sites farther offshore. Detections were highest during the fall and winter for blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), likely related to reproductive behavior, while minke whales (B. acutorostrata) were only detected on two days. Odontocetes showed temporal separation, with sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) detections highest in spring, Risso’s (Grampus griseus) and Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) highest in summer, and Stejneger’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon stejnegeri), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), and the BW37V signal type highest in winter or spring. There was interannual variation in detections for most mysticete species, which may be linked to oceanographic conditions: blue and fin whale detections increased during 2007 and 2008, and fin and humpback whale detections increased in 2011. These results inform our understanding of cetacean behavior and habitat use in this region and may aid in the development of conservation strategies suited to the dynamic conditions that drive cetacean distribution.

Host specificity ofOschmarinella rochebruniandBrachycladium atlanticum(Digenea: Brachycladiidae) in five cetacean species from western Mediterranean waters

2010 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mateu ◽  
J.A. Raga ◽  
F.J. Aznar
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Its2 Region ◽  
Single Individual ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Pilot Whales ◽  
Common Dolphins

AbstractWe investigated patterns of specificity of liver flukes (fam. Brachycladiidae) in a community of cetaceans from the western Mediterranean. The liver and pancreas of 103 striped dolphins,Stenella coeruleoalba, 18 Risso's dolphins,Grampus griseus, 14 bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus, 8 common dolphins,Delphinus delphis, and 5 long-finned pilot whales,Globicephala melas, were analysed for brachycladiid species. Two species were found:Oschmarinella rochebruniin striped dolphins (prevalence (P): 61.2%; mean intensity (MI) (95% CI): 34.2 (25.7–45.6)), andBrachycladium atlanticumin striped dolphins (P: 39.8%; MI: 7.1 (4.8–13.1)) and a single individual of common dolphin (P: 12.5%; intensity: 19), which represents a new host record. A molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the rDNA gene confirmed that specimens ofB. atlanticumwere conspecific regardless of host species. Available dietary data suggest that Risso's dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and long-finned pilot whales would contact rarely, if at all, the infective stages ofO. rochebruniandB. atlanticum. Neither the prevalence nor the mean abundance ofB. atlanticumdiffered significantly between striped and common dolphins, but a principal component analysis using seven morphometric variables indicated that specimens collected from the common dolphin were stunted. These worms also had fewer eggs compared with specimens typically found in striped dolphins, although the size of the eggs was similar in both host species. Dwarfism and low fecundity have typically been found in helminths infecting unusual host species, and might reflect the lower compatibility ofB. atlanticumfor common dolphins. In summary, bothO. rochebruniandB. atlanticumappear to exhibit a narrow specificity for striped dolphins in the western Mediterranean.

scholarly journals Cetacean strandings along the German North Sea coastline 1604–2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Carl Christian Kinze ◽  
Richard Czeck ◽  
Helena Herr ◽  
Ursula Siebert
Keyword(s):  
North Sea ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Beluga Whale ◽  
Delphinapterus Leucas ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Fin Whale

Abstract The occurrence of 19 cetacean species along the German North Sea coastline as well as the lower reaches of the major rivers discharging into the German Bight is reviewed for the period 1604–2017 based on records of dead animals, either stranded dead or put to death. The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is considered the most abundant and only native species in German coastal and riverine waters. Based on written sources its presence can be traced back to at least 1651, although with statistical data only available from 1990. Finds of further 18 species have been documented: white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), killer whale (Orcinus orca), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), narwhal (Monodon monoceros), Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). This review corrects several false species assignments earlier introduced in literature based on incorrect scientific or ambiguous German vernacular names and recovers lost records of beluga whale, northern bottlenose whale, sperm whale and fin whale.

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.

Seasonal variation of striped dolphins, fin- and sperm whales' abundance in the Ligurian Sea (Mediterranean Sea)

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Laran ◽  
Violaine Drouot-Dulau
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Ligurian Sea ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
Abundance Indices ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Acoustic Sampling

In order to investigate seasonal changes in cetacean relative abundance, a series of surveys were conducted between the French mainland and Corsica. From February 2001 to February 2004, thirty similar transects were conducted monthly, using the same dedicated boat and a consistent sampling protocol, including visual observation and passive acoustic sampling. A total effort of 5759 km was sampled, conducted at the same speed and in good sighting conditions. Relative abundances of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) were determined using standard line-transect methodology. The relative abundance of striped dolphins peaked in May and September (>1.3×10-2 ind.km-1), while a consistent minimum value (<0.6×10-2 ind.km-1) was obtained from December to April. A maximum relative abundance of fin whales occurred in August with 5.6×10-2 ind.km-1 and decreased to almost zero from November to January. For sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), a long diver species, frequency and abundance indices were determined using acoustic sampling. The highest acoustic relative abundance was observed from August to October, with more than 2×10-2 ind.km-1. Environmental parameters (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll) were computed for the sampling area from remote sensing imagery and pooled on a monthly basis, to correlate with relative abundance indices of the three species.

DNA sequence from the SRY gene of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) for use in molecular sexing

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenny R. Richard ◽  
Steven W. McCarrey ◽  
Jonathan M. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Restriction Analysis ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Universal Primers ◽  
Molecular Sexing ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Sry Gene ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Human Dna

We sequenced a 152 base pair fragment of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) SRY gene in order to obtain species-specific primers for determination of sex by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence identity between the sperm whale SRY fragment and the homologous motif in a variety of other mammals was high, though generally higher with ungulates (~88%) than with the human (85%), rabbit (80%), mouse (75%), or marsupial mouse (66%). When primers based on the sperm whale sequence were employed for PCR, a single product was amplified from male sperm whale DNA, whereas no product was amplified from female DNA. This SRY fragment was also amplified from other cetacean male DNA, but not from human DNA. Thus, under appropriate PCR conditions, the use of the cetacean-specific primers in an assay to determine sex eliminates the possibility of false results owing to contamination by human DNA. To confirm the results of the SRY analysis we sexed the same individual sperm whales by restriction analysis of PCR-amplified fragments from the ZFY and ZFX genes, using universal primers and methods previously reported to work for other cetacean species.

scholarly journals Convergent evolution in toothed whale cochleae

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Park ◽  
Bastien Mennecart ◽  
Loïc Costeur ◽  
Camille Grohé ◽  
Natalie Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Evolution ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Deep Ocean ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Sperm Whales ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Beaked Whales ◽  
Cochlear Morphology

Abstract Background Odontocetes (toothed whales) are the most species-rich marine mammal lineage. The catalyst for their evolutionary success is echolocation - a form of biological sonar that uses high-frequency sound, produced in the forehead and ultimately detected by the cochlea. The ubiquity of echolocation in odontocetes across a wide range of physical and acoustic environments suggests that convergent evolution of cochlear shape is likely to have occurred. To test this, we used SURFACE; a method that fits Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) models with stepwise AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) to identify convergent regimes on the odontocete phylogeny, and then tested whether convergence in these regimes was significantly greater than expected by chance. Results We identified three convergent regimes: (1) True’s (Mesoplodon mirus) and Cuvier’s (Ziphius cavirostris) beaked whales; (2) sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) and all other beaked whales sampled; and (3) pygmy (Kogia breviceps) and dwarf (Kogia sima) sperm whales and Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli). Interestingly the ‘river dolphins’, a group notorious for their convergent morphologies and riverine ecologies, do not have convergent cochlear shapes. The first two regimes were significantly convergent, with habitat type and dive type significantly correlated with membership of the sperm whale + beaked whale regime. Conclusions The extreme acoustic environment of the deep ocean likely constrains cochlear shape, causing the cochlear morphology of sperm and beaked whales to converge. This study adds support for cochlear morphology being used to predict the ecology of extinct cetaceans.

Summer distribution and relative abundance of cetacean populations off north-west Scotland

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 1187-1192 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Macleod ◽  
M.P. Simmonds ◽  
E. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Sperm Whale ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Migration Route ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Pilot Whale ◽  
North West ◽  
Line Transect Survey

A line transect survey was conducted in July/August 1998 to investigate the distribution and abundance of cetaceans off north-west Scotland. Over 2156.5 km of survey effort, 304 sightings were recorded of which 184 were identified to species. Nine species were identified: Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus, fin whale Balaenoptera physalus, sei whale Balaenoptera borealis, long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas, sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus, common dolphin Delphinus delphis, harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, white beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris and Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus. The Atlantic white-sided dolphin was the most relatively abundant species. The relative abundance of large whales and dolphins was greatest in the Faroe–Shetland Channel. The continental slopes of this area are undergoing development by oil industries and concerns have been raised about the potential impacts of these activities on cetaceans. These waters are used year-round by cetaceans and provide feeding and breeding grounds and are a migration route for large whales.

scholarly journals Summer Distribution, Relative Abundance and Encounter Rates of Cetaceans in the Mediterranean Waters off Southern Italy (Western Ionian Sea and Southern Tyrrhenian Sea)

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 613 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. SANTORO ◽  
E. SPERONE ◽  
M. L. TRINGALI ◽  
G. PELLEGRINO ◽  
G. GIGLIO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Physeter Macrocephalus ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Steno Bredanensis

In summer 2010 and summer 2011, weekly cetacean surveys were undertaken in “passing mode”, using ferries as platform of opportunity, along the “fixed line transect” between Catania and Civitavecchia (Southern Italy). Of the 20 species of cetaceans confirmed for the Mediterranean sea, 8 were sighted within the survey period: 7 species represented by Mediterranean subpopulations (Balaenoptera physalus, Physeter macrocephalus, Stenella coeruleoalba, Delphinus delphis, Grampus griseus, Tursiops truncatus and Ziphius cavirostris) and one considered visitor (Steno bredanensis). We had a total of 220 sightings during the 2010 and a total of 240 sightings in the 2011. The most frequent species was S. coeruleoalba. By the comparison of the data from the two sampling seasons, a significant increase of D. delphis sightings and a decrease of sightings of B. physalus and P. macrocephalus was observed from 2010 to 2011. While all the other species were observed in both sampling seasons, Z. cavirostris and Steno bredanensis were observed only during 2011. The presence of mixed groups of odontocetes was documented too: we sighted groups composed by S. coeruleoalba and D. delphis, by S. coeruleoalba and T. truncatus, and by S. coeruleoalba and G. griseus. The results of this research add useful information on cetacean species in a very poorly known area and highlight the need to standardize large scale and long term monitoring programs in order to detect variation in presence, abundance and distribution of cetaceans populations and understand the effect of anthropogenic factors.

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