1
|
Genty G, Sandoval-Castillo J, Beheregaray LB, Möller LM. Into the Blue: Exploring genetic mechanisms behind the evolution of baleen whales. Gene 2024; 929:148822. [PMID: 39103058 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Marine ecosystems are ideal for studying evolutionary adaptations involved in lineage diversification due to few physical barriers and reduced opportunities for strict allopatry compared to terrestrial ecosystems. Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are a diverse group of mammals that successfully adapted to various habitats within the aquatic environment around 50 million years ago. While the overall adaptive transition from terrestrial to fully aquatic species is relatively well understood, the radiation of modern whales is still unclear. Here high-quality genomes derived from previously published data were used to identify genomic regions that potentially underpinned the diversification of baleen whales (Balaenopteridae). A robust molecular phylogeny was reconstructed based on 10,159 single copy and complete genes for eight mysticetes, seven odontocetes and two cetacean outgroups. Analysis of positive selection across 3,150 genes revealed that balaenopterids have undergone numerous idiosyncratic and convergent genomic variations that may explain their diversification. Genes associated with aging, survival and homeostasis were enriched in all species. Additionally, positive selection on genes involved in the immune system were disclosed for the two largest species, blue and fin whales. Such genes can potentially be ascribed to their morphological evolution, allowing them to attain greater length and increased cell number. Further evidence is presented about gene regions that might have contributed to the extensive anatomical changes shown by cetaceans, including adaptation to distinct environments and diets. This study contributes to our understanding of the genomic basis of diversification in baleen whales and the molecular changes linked to their adaptive radiation, thereby enhancing our understanding of cetacean evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Genty
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.
| | - Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo
- Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Luciano B Beheregaray
- Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Luciana M Möller
- Cetacean Ecology, Behaviour and Evolution Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Stiegler J, Gallagher CA, Hering R, Müller T, Tucker M, Apollonio M, Arnold J, Barker NA, Barthel L, Bassano B, Beest FMV, Belant JL, Berger A, Beyer DE, Bidner LR, Blake S, Börner K, Brivio F, Brogi R, Buuveibaatar B, Cagnacci F, Dekker J, Dentinger J, Duľa M, Duquette JF, Eccard JA, Evans MN, Ferguson AW, Fichtel C, Ford AT, Fowler NL, Gehr B, Getz WM, Goheen JR, Goossens B, Grignolio S, Haugaard L, Hauptfleisch M, Heim M, Heurich M, Hewison MAJ, Isbell LA, Janssen R, Jarnemo A, Jeltsch F, Miloš J, Kaczensky P, Kamiński T, Kappeler P, Kasper K, Kautz TM, Kimmig S, Kjellander P, Kowalczyk R, Kramer-Schadt S, Kröschel M, Krop-Benesch A, Linderoth P, Lobas C, Lokeny P, Lührs ML, Matsushima SS, McDonough MM, Melzheimer J, Morellet N, Ngatia DK, Obermair L, Olson KA, Patanant KC, Payne JC, Petroelje TR, Pina M, Piqué J, Premier J, Pufelski J, Pyritz L, Ramanzin M, Roeleke M, Rolandsen CM, Saïd S, Sandfort R, Schmidt K, Schmidt NM, Scholz C, Schubert N, Selva N, Sergiel A, Serieys LEK, Silovský V, Slotow R, Sönnichsen L, Solberg EJ, Stelvig M, Street GM, Sunde P, Svoboda NJ, Thaker M, Tomowski M, Ullmann W, Vanak AT, Wachter B, Webb SL, Wilmers CC, Zieba F, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Blaum N. Mammals show faster recovery from capture and tagging in human-disturbed landscapes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8079. [PMID: 39278967 PMCID: PMC11402999 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52381-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Wildlife tagging provides critical insights into animal movement ecology, physiology, and behavior amid global ecosystem changes. However, the stress induced by capture, handling, and tagging can impact post-release locomotion and activity and, consequently, the interpretation of study results. Here, we analyze post-tagging effects on 1585 individuals of 42 terrestrial mammal species using collar-collected GPS and accelerometer data. Species-specific displacements and overall dynamic body acceleration, as a proxy for activity, were assessed over 20 days post-release to quantify disturbance intensity, recovery duration, and speed. Differences were evaluated, considering species-specific traits and the human footprint of the study region. Over 70% of the analyzed species exhibited significant behavioral changes following collaring events. Herbivores traveled farther with variable activity reactions, while omnivores and carnivores were initially less active and mobile. Recovery duration proved brief, with alterations diminishing within 4-7 tracking days for most species. Herbivores, particularly males, showed quicker displacement recovery (4 days) but slower activity recovery (7 days). Individuals in high human footprint areas displayed faster recovery, indicating adaptation to human disturbance. Our findings emphasize the necessity of extending tracking periods beyond 1 week and particular caution in remote study areas or herbivore-focused research, specifically in smaller mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Stiegler
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
- Animal Ecology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Cara A Gallagher
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Robert Hering
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
- Ecology and Macroecology Laboratory, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Müller
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 60325, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, Goethe University, 60438, Frankfurt (Main), Germany
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA, USA
| | - Marlee Tucker
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500, GL Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marco Apollonio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Janosch Arnold
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Wuerttemberg (LAZBW), 88326, Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Nancy A Barker
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Leon Barthel
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Jerrold L Belant
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Anne Berger
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Dean E Beyer
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Laura R Bidner
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Mpala Research Centre, 555-10400, Nanyuki, Kenya
| | - Stephen Blake
- Department of Biology, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
- WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Konstantin Börner
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Brivio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Rudy Brogi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Cagnacci
- Research and Innovation Centre, Animal Ecology Unit, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Trento, Italy
- NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Centre, Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | | | - Jane Dentinger
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, and Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2138, USA
| | - Martin Duľa
- Department of Forest Ecology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jarred F Duquette
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jana A Eccard
- Animal Ecology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Meaghan N Evans
- Danau Girang Field Centre, Sabah Wildlife Department, 88100, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Adam W Ferguson
- Mpala Research Centre, 555-10400, Nanyuki, Kenya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60628, USA
| | - Claudia Fichtel
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Adam T Ford
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Nicholas L Fowler
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Benedikt Gehr
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Wayne M Getz
- Department of Environmental Science Policy & Management, 130 Mulford Hall, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3112, USA
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Jacob R Goheen
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA
| | - Benoit Goossens
- Danau Girang Field Centre, Sabah Wildlife Department, 88100, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Organisms and Environment Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Stefano Grignolio
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, I-44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Lars Haugaard
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Morgan Hauptfleisch
- Biodiversity Research Centre, Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Morten Heim
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Marco Heurich
- Department of National Park Monitoring and Animal Management, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
- Institute of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Science, NO-2480, Koppang, Norway
| | | | - Lynne A Isbell
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | | | - Anders Jarnemo
- School of Business, Innovation and Sustainability, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Florian Jeltsch
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jezek Miloš
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6-Suchdol, 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Kaczensky
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
- Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, A-1160, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomasz Kamiński
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Peter Kappeler
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Sociobiology/Anthropology, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Kasper
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Todd M Kautz
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sophia Kimmig
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Petter Kjellander
- Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 730 91, Riddarhyttan, Sweden
| | - Rafał Kowalczyk
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Chair of Planning-Related Animal Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Max Kröschel
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Peter Linderoth
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Wuerttemberg (LAZBW), 88326, Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Lobas
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Peter Lokeny
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60628, USA
| | - Mia-Lana Lührs
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- Büro Renala, Gülper Hauptstr. 4, 14715, Havelaue, Germany
| | - Stephanie S Matsushima
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Molly M McDonough
- Department of Biological Sciences, Chicago State University, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL, 60628, USA
| | - Jörg Melzheimer
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Leopold Obermair
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160, Vienna, Austria
- Hunting Association of Lower Austria, Wickenburggasse 3, 1080, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kirk A Olson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kidan C Patanant
- Technische Universität München, Arcisstraße 21, 80333, München, Germany
| | - John C Payne
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Mongolia Program, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Tyler R Petroelje
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Manuel Pina
- Tragsatec, C. de Julián Camarillo, 6B, San Blas-Canillejas, 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Piqué
- Tragsatec, C. de Julián Camarillo, 6B, San Blas-Canillejas, 28037, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph Premier
- Department of National Park Monitoring and Animal Management, Bavarian Forest National Park, Freyunger Str. 2, 94481, Grafenau, Germany
- Chair of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Pufelski
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lennart Pyritz
- German Primate Center, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maurizio Ramanzin
- Dipertimento di agronomia, animali, alimenti, risorse naturali e ambiente, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35020, Legnaro PD, Italy
| | - Manuel Roeleke
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christer M Rolandsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Sonia Saïd
- Office Français de la Biodiversité, Montfort, 01330, Birieux, France
| | - Robin Sandfort
- Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Krzysztof Schmidt
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Niels M Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carolin Scholz
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Schubert
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- Departamento de Ciencias Integradas, Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Física, Matemáticas y Computación, Universidad de Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Václav Silovský
- Department of Game Management and Wildlife Biology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Kamýcká 129, Prague 6-Suchdol, 165 00, Czech Republic
| | - Rob Slotow
- Amarula Elephant Research Programme, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4041, South Africa
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Leif Sönnichsen
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Erling J Solberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, P.O. Box 5685 Torgarden, NO-7485, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Garrett M Street
- Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
| | - Peter Sunde
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Nathan J Svoboda
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife Division, 11255 W. 8th Street, AK, USA
| | - Maria Thaker
- Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India
| | - Maxi Tomowski
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
- Evolutionary Biology / Systematic Zoology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Wiebke Ullmann
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Abi T Vanak
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore, India
- Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance, Clinical and Public Health Program, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bettina Wachter
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephen L Webb
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, and Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843-2138, USA
| | - Christopher C Wilmers
- Center for Integrated Spatial Research, Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | | | | | - Niels Blaum
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Plön S, Andra K, Auditore L, Gegout C, Hale PJ, Hampe O, Ramilo-Henry M, Burkhardt-Holm P, Jaigirdar AM, Klein L, Maewashe MK, Müssig J, Ramsarup N, Roussouw N, Sabin R, Shongwe TC, Tuddenham P. Marine mammals as indicators of Anthropocene Ocean Health. NPJ BIODIVERSITY 2024; 3:24. [PMID: 39256530 PMCID: PMC11387633 DOI: 10.1038/s44185-024-00055-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
The current state of marine mammal populations reflects increasing anthropogenic impacts on the global Ocean. Adopting a holistic approach towards marine mammal health, incorporating healthy individuals and healthy populations, these taxa present indicators of the health of the overall Ocean system. Their present deterioration at the animal, population and ecosystem level has implications for human health and the global system. In the Anthropocene, multiple planetary boundaries have already been exceeded, and quiet tipping points in the Ocean may present further uncertainties. Long and short-term monitoring of marine mammal health in the holistic sense is urgently required to assist in evaluating and reversing the impact on Ocean Health and aid in climate change mitigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Plön
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Stellenbosch, South Africa.
- Forschungsinstitut für Philosophie Hannover (FIPH), Hannover, Germany.
- Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg (HWK), Delmenhorst, Germany.
| | - K Andra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L Auditore
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Gegout
- School of Politics and International Relations, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - P J Hale
- Department for the History of Science, Technology & Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
- Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg, Institute for Advanced Study, Delmenhorst, Germany
| | - O Hampe
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätsforschung, Berlin, Germany, Invalidenstraße 43
- Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Fachrichtung Paläontologie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Malteserstr. 74-100
| | - M Ramilo-Henry
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - P Burkhardt-Holm
- Department of Environmental Sciences, MGU, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A M Jaigirdar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L Klein
- European School of Governance (EUSG), Berlin, Germany
- International Federation for Systems Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - M K Maewashe
- Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - J Müssig
- The Biological Materials Group, Department of Biomimetics, HSB - City University of Applied Sciences, Bremen, Germany
| | - N Ramsarup
- Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N Roussouw
- Bayworld Centre for Research and Education (BCRE), Gqeberha, South Africa
| | - R Sabin
- Natural History Museum (NHM), London, UK
| | - T C Shongwe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Crossman CA, Hamilton PK, Brown MW, Conger LA, George RC, Jackson KA, Radvan SN, Frasier TR. Effects of inbreeding on reproductive success in endangered North Atlantic right whales. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240490. [PMID: 39086821 PMCID: PMC11289666 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Only approximately 356 North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) remain. With extremely low levels of genetic diversity, limited options for mates, and variation in reproductive success across females, there is concern regarding the potential for genetic limitations of population growth from inbreeding depression. In this study, we quantified reproductive success of female North Atlantic right whales with a modified de-lifing approach using reproductive history information collected over decades of field observations. We used double-digest restriction site-associated sequencing to sequence approximately 2% of the genome of 105 female North Atlantic right whales and combined genomic inbreeding estimates with individual fecundity values to assess evidence of inbreeding depression. Inbreeding depression could not explain the variance in reproductive success of females, however we present evidence that inbreeding depression may be affecting the viability of inbred fetuses-potentially lowering the reproductive success of the species as a whole. Combined, these results allay some concerns that genetic factors are impacting species survival as genetic diversity is being retained through selection against inbred fetuses. While still far fewer calves are being born each year than expected, the small role of genetics underlying variance in female fecundity suggests that variance may be explained by external factors that can potentially be mitigated through protection measures designed to reduce serious injury and mortality from human activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla A. Crossman
- Biology Department, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3C3
| | - Philip K. Hamilton
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Moira W. Brown
- Canadian Whale Institute, Welshpool, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Lisa A. Conger
- NOAA Fisheries, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - R. Clay George
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Conservation Section, Brunswick, GA, USA
| | - Katharine A. Jackson
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Saint Petersburg, FL, USA
| | - Sonya N. Radvan
- Biology Department, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3C3
| | - Timothy R. Frasier
- Biology Department, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3C3
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lonc G, Hrabia A, Krakowska I, Korzekwa AJ, Zarzycka M, Wolak D, Wajdzik M, Kotula-Balak M. Is membrane androgen and estrogen receptor signaling imperative in the governing function of the adrenal cortex in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.)? JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:587-596. [PMID: 38497306 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
There is a need to fully know the physiology of Eurasian beaver due to its essential role in environmental homeostasis. However, a "human factor" impacts this, including stress conditions and environmental pollution. Adrenal glands protect these all. The regulation of endocrine processes by nonclassical androgen and estrogen signaling, the first and fastest control, is still a matter of research. The specific analyses performed here in mature female and male beaver adrenals contained: anatomical and histological examinations, expression and localization of membrane androgen receptor (zinc transporter, Zinc- and Iron-like protein 9; ZIP9) and membrane estrogen receptor coupled with G protein (GPER), and measurement of zinc (Zn2+) and copper (Ca2+) ion levels and corticosterone levels. We revealed normal anatomical localization, size, and tissue histology in female and male beavers, respectively. Equally, ZIP9 and GPER were localized in the membrane of all adrenal cortex cells. The protein expression of these receptors was higher (p < 0.001) in male than female adrenal cortex cells. Similarly, Zn2+ and Ca2+ ion levels were higher (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) in male than female adrenal cortex. The increased corticosterone levels (p < 0.001) were detected in the adrenal cortex of females when compared to males. The present study is the first to report the presence of nonclassical androgen and estrogen signaling and its possible regulatory function in the adrenal cortex of Eurasian beavers. We assume that this first-activated and fast-transmitted regulation can be important in the context of the effect of environmental physical and chemical stressors especially on adrenal cortex cells. The beaver adrenals may constitute an additional supplementary model for searching for universal mechanisms of adrenal cortex physiology and diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Lonc
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - A Hrabia
- Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - I Krakowska
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - A J Korzekwa
- Department of Biodiversity Protection, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - M Zarzycka
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - D Wolak
- Department of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Wajdzik
- Department of Forest Biodiversity, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture, Krakow, Poland
| | - M Kotula-Balak
- Department of Animal Anatomy and Preclinical Sciences, University Centre of Veterinary Medicine JU-UA, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rojano-Doñate L, Teilmann J, Wisniewska DM, Jensen FH, Siebert U, McDonald BI, Elmegaard SL, Sveegaard S, Dietz R, Johnson M, Madsen PT. Low hunting costs in an expensive marine mammal predator. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj7132. [PMID: 38748803 PMCID: PMC11318689 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj7132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Many large terrestrial mammalian predators use energy-intensive, high-risk, high-gain strategies to pursue large, high-quality prey. However, similar-sized marine mammal predators with even higher field metabolic rates (FMRs) consistently target prey three to six orders of magnitude smaller than themselves. Here, we address the question of how these active and expensive marine mammal predators can gain sufficient energy from consistently targeting small prey during breath-hold dives. Using harbor porpoises as model organisms, we show that hunting small aquatic prey is energetically cheap (<20% increase in FMR) for these marine predators, but it requires them to spend a large proportion (>60%) of time foraging. We conclude that this grazing foraging strategy on small prey is viable for marine mammal predators despite their high FMR because they can hunt near continuously at low marginal expense. Consequently, cessation of foraging due to human disturbance comes at a high cost, as porpoises must maintain their high thermoregulation costs with a reduced energy intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laia Rojano-Doñate
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jonas Teilmann
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Frants H. Jensen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
- Biology Department, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Siri L. Elmegaard
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Signe Sveegaard
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Mark Johnson
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chan SCY, Karczmarski L. Broad-scale impacts of coastal mega-infrastructure project on obligatory inshore delphinids: A cautionary tale from Hong Kong. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:169753. [PMID: 38181953 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Inshore marine habitats experience considerable anthropogenic pressure, as this is where many adverse effects of human activities concentrate. In the rapidly-changing seascape of the Anthropocene, Hong Kong waters at the heart of world's fastest developing coastal region can serve as a preview-window into coastal seas of the future, with ever-growing anthropogenic footprint. Here, we quantify how large-scale coastal infrastructure projects can affect obligatory inshore cetaceans, bringing about population-level consequences that may compromise their long-term demographic viability. As a case in point, we look at the construction of world's longest sea crossing system and broad-scale demographic, social and spatial responses it has caused in a shallow-water delphinid, the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis). Soon after the infrastructure project began, dolphins markedly altered their home range near construction sites such that these waters no longer functioned as dolphin core areas despite the apparent presence of prey, indicating that anthropogenic impacts outweighed foraging benefits. The contraction of key habitats has in turn led individuals to interact over spatially more constricted area, reshaping their group dynamics and social network. Although there was no apparent decline in dolphin numbers that could be detected with mark-recapture estimates, adult survival rates decreased drastically from 0.960 to 0.904, the lowest estimate for these animals anywhere across the region to date, notably below the previously estimated demographic threshold of their long-term persistence (0.955). It is apparent that during an advanced stage of this coastal infrastructure project, dolphins were under a major anthropogenic pressure that, if sustained, could be detrimental to their long-term persistence as a viable demographic unit. As effective conservation of species and habitats depends on informed management decisions, this study offers a valuable lesson in environmental risk assessment, underscoring the implications of human-induced rapid environmental change on obligatory inshore delphinids-sentinels of coastal habitats that are increasingly degraded in fast-changing coastal seas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C Y Chan
- Division of Cetacean Ecology, Cetacea Research Institute, Lantau, Hong Kong.
| | - Leszek Karczmarski
- Division of Cetacean Ecology, Cetacea Research Institute, Lantau, Hong Kong.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu F, Xie Q, Sun X, Xie Y, Xie Z, Wu J, Wu Y, Zhang X. Organohalogen contaminants threaten the survival of indo-pacific humpback dolphin calves in their largest habitat. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133720. [PMID: 38335606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
As long-lived apex predators, marine mammal adults often accumulate alarmingly levels of environmental contaminants. Nevertheless, the accumulation and risks of these contaminants in the critical calf stage of marine mammals remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the exposure status and health risks of 74 organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin calves (Sousa chinensis) collected from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China, during 2005-2019. Our findings revealed moderate levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), medium-high levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) compared to those reported for cetaceans elsewhere. Traditional OHCs like DDTs, PCBs, and PBDEs did not exhibit significant decreasing trends in the dolphin calves despite global restrictions on these compounds, and AHFRs as emerging OHCs showed an increasing trend over the study period. Risk quotients of DDTs, HCHs, PBDEs, and PCBs in most of the dolphin samples were > 1, indicating that humpback dolphin calves may have suffered long-term threats from OHC exposure. The significant correlation observed between the traditional OHC levels and the stranding death number of the dolphin calves suggests these OHCs may impact the survival of this endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xian Sun
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yanqing Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Zhenhui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Feyrer LJ, Stanistreet JE, Moors-Murphy HB. Navigating the unknown: assessing anthropogenic threats to beaked whales, family Ziphiidae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240058. [PMID: 38633351 PMCID: PMC11021932 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Feyrer
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova ScotiaB3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Joy E. Stanistreet
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Hilary B. Moors-Murphy
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
John JS, Christen DR, Flammer KL, Kendall TL, Nazario EC, Richter BP, Gill V, Williams TM. Conservation energetics of beluga whales: using resting and swimming metabolism to understand threats to an endangered population. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246899. [PMID: 38483264 PMCID: PMC11070638 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The balance between energetic costs and acquisition in free-ranging species is essential for survival, and provides important insights regarding the physiological impact of anthropogenic disturbances on wild animals. For marine mammals such as beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), the first step in modeling this bioenergetic balance requires an examination of resting and active metabolic demands. Here, we used open-flow respirometry to measure oxygen consumption during surface rest and submerged swimming by trained beluga whales, and compared these measurements with those of a commonly studied odontocete, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Both resting metabolic rate (3012±126.0 kJ h-1) and total cost of transport (1.4±0.1 J kg-1 m-1) of beluga whales were consistent with predicted values for moderately sized marine mammals in temperate to cold-water environments, including dolphins measured in the present study. By coupling the rate of oxygen consumption during submerged swimming with locomotor metrics from animal-borne accelerometer tags, we developed predictive relationships for assessing energetic costs from swim speed, stroke rate and partial dynamic acceleration. Combining these energetic data with calculated aerobic dive limits for beluga whales (8.8 min), we found that high-speed responses to disturbance markedly reduce the whale's capacity for prolonged submergence, pushing the cetaceans to costly anaerobic performances that require prolonged recovery periods. Together, these species-specific energetic measurements for beluga whales provide two important metrics, gait-related locomotor costs and aerobic capacity limits, for identifying relative levels of physiological vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances that have become increasingly pervasive in their Arctic habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason S. John
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | | | | | - Traci L. Kendall
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Emily C. Nazario
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Beau P. Richter
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Verena Gill
- NOAA Fisheries, 222 W. 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
| | - Terrie M. Williams
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Silva MP, Oliveira C, Prieto R, Silva MA, New L, Pérez‐Jorge S. Bioenergetic modelling of a marine top predator's responses to changes in prey structure. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11135. [PMID: 38529024 PMCID: PMC10961477 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Determining how animals allocate energy, and how external factors influence this allocation, is crucial to understand species' life history requirements and response to disturbance. This response is driven in part by individuals' energy balance, prey characteristics, foraging behaviour and energy required for essential functions. We developed a bioenergetic model to estimate minimum foraging success rate (FSR), that is, the lowest possible prey capture rate for individuals to obtain the minimum energy intake needed to meet daily metabolic requirements, for female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The model was based on whales' theoretical energetic requirements using foraging and prey characteristics from animal-borne tags and stomach contents, respectively. We used this model to simulate two prey structure change scenarios: (1) decrease in mean prey size, thus lower prey energy content and (2) decrease in prey size variability, reducing the variability in prey energy content. We estimate the whales need minimum of ~14% FSR to meet their energetic requirements, and energy intake is more sensitive to energy content changes than a decrease in energy variability. To estimate vulnerability to prey structure changes, we evaluated the compensation level required to meet bioenergetic demands. Considering a minimum 14% FSR, whales would need to increase energy intake by 21% (5-35%) and 49% (27-67%) to compensate for a 15% and 30% decrease in energy content, respectively. For a 30% and 50% decrease in energy variability, whales would need to increase energy intake by 13% (0-23%) and 24% (10-35%) to meet energetic demands, respectively. Our model demonstrates how foraging and prey characteristics can be used to estimate impact of changing prey structure in top predator energetics, which can help inform bottom-up effects on marine ecosystems. We showed the importance of considering different FSR in bioenergetics models, as it can have decisive implications on estimates of energy acquired and affect the conclusions about top predator's vulnerability to possible environmental fluctuations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana P. Silva
- Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOSUniversity of the AzoresHortaPortugal
- Institute of Marine Research – IMARHortaPortugal
| | - Cláudia Oliveira
- Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOSUniversity of the AzoresHortaPortugal
- Institute of Marine Research – IMARHortaPortugal
| | - Rui Prieto
- Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOSUniversity of the AzoresHortaPortugal
- Institute of Marine Research – IMARHortaPortugal
| | - Mónica A. Silva
- Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOSUniversity of the AzoresHortaPortugal
- Institute of Marine Research – IMARHortaPortugal
| | - Leslie New
- Department of Mathematics and Computer ScienceUrsinus CollegeCollegevillePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sergi Pérez‐Jorge
- Institute of Marine Sciences – OKEANOSUniversity of the AzoresHortaPortugal
- Institute of Marine Research – IMARHortaPortugal
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schwacke LH, Thomas L, Wells RS, Rowles TK, Bossart GD, Townsend F, Mazzoil M, Allen JB, Balmer BC, Barleycorn AA, Barratclough A, Burt L, De Guise S, Fauquier D, Gomez FM, Kellar NM, Schwacke JH, Speakman TR, Stolen ED, Quigley BM, Zolman ES, Smith CR. An expert-based system to predict population survival rate from health data. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14073. [PMID: 36751981 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Timely detection and understanding of causes for population decline are essential for effective wildlife management and conservation. Assessing trends in population size has been the standard approach, but we propose that monitoring population health could prove more effective. We collated data from 7 bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations in the southeastern United States to develop a method for estimating survival probability based on a suite of health measures identified by experts as indices for inflammatory, metabolic, pulmonary, and neuroendocrine systems. We used logistic regression to implement the veterinary expert system for outcome prediction (VESOP) within a Bayesian analysis framework. We fitted parameters with records from 5 of the sites that had a robust network of responders to marine mammal strandings and frequent photographic identification surveys that documented definitive survival outcomes. We also conducted capture-mark-recapture (CMR) analyses of photographic identification data to obtain separate estimates of population survival rates for comparison with VESOP survival estimates. The VESOP analyses showed that multiple measures of health, particularly markers of inflammation, were predictive of 1- and 2-year individual survival. The highest mortality risk 1 year following health assessment related to low alkaline phosphatase (odds ratio [OR] = 10.2 [95% CI: 3.41-26.8]), whereas 2-year mortality was most influenced by elevated globulin (OR = 9.60 [95% CI: 3.88-22.4]); both are markers of inflammation. The VESOP model predicted population-level survival rates that correlated with estimated survival rates from CMR analyses for the same populations (1-year Pearson's r = 0.99, p = 1.52 × 10-5 ; 2-year r = 0.94, p = 0.001). Although our proposed approach will not detect acute mortality threats that are largely independent of animal health, such as harmful algal blooms, it can be used to detect chronic health conditions that increase mortality risk. Random sampling of the population is important and advancement in remote sampling methods could facilitate more random selection of subjects, obtainment of larger sample sizes, and extension of the approach to other wildlife species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lori H Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, The Observatory, St Andrews, UK
| | - Randall S Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - Teresa K Rowles
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Forrest Townsend
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA
| | - Marilyn Mazzoil
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Vero Beach, Florida, USA
| | - Jason B Allen
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | - Brian C Balmer
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Aaron A Barleycorn
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA
| | | | - Louise Burt
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, The Observatory, St Andrews, UK
| | - Sylvain De Guise
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Deborah Fauquier
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Forrest M Gomez
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Nicholas M Kellar
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - John H Schwacke
- Scientific Research Corporation, North Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Todd R Speakman
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Eric D Stolen
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Brian M Quigley
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Eric S Zolman
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Cynthia R Smith
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Buscaino G, Arculeo M, Cambera I, Citarrella A, D'Emanuele D, Pelagatti M, Sannino G, Carillo A, Papale E. Soundscape of a Mediterranean seashore during loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) spawning season. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115679. [PMID: 37890314 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The soundscape is an intrinsic property of an ecosystem and influences the species that live in it. Here, we examined for the first time the soundscape of a beach, one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth, where every year the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta lays eggs. The aim of this work was to analyze the acoustic components (biophony, anthropophony and geophony) to which turtles embryos were exposed throughout the development and the post-hatching period. The acoustic monitoring was carried out on the volcanic island of Linosa (central Mediterranean Sea, Strait of Sicily), during the months of July and August 2022, close to two turtle nests. Results revealed that all the acoustic levels (octave bands from 4 Hz to 16 kHz, and total 1-24,000 Hz band) showed lower values in July, and during the night. Furthermore, above 1 kHz the levels decreased and had very little variability. Anthropogenic noise was the main component of the soundscape and consisted of marine and land traffic, that affected sound levels directly or via seismic tremors. When the beach was exposed to the breaking waves, the latters were the first contributor to the noise up to 1 kHz. The only recognized biophony was represented by the shearwater choruses in July (at the frequency band 700-1500 Hz), but they had a negligible weight on the soundscape. Finally, human speech contributed to the soundscape at higher frequencies (1-8 kHz). These outcomes show that the embryos and the post-hatching turtles are exposed to a high anthropogenic noise level, which the effects of are still unknown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Buscaino
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IAS), Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del Mare 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, TP, Italy.
| | - M Arculeo
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - I Cambera
- Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area, Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa, Agrigento, Italy
| | - A Citarrella
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D D'Emanuele
- Pelagie Islands Marine Protected Area, Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa, Agrigento, Italy
| | - M Pelagatti
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IAS), Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del Mare 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, TP, Italy; University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTEM), Via Archirafi 22, Palermo (PA) 90123, Italy
| | - G Sannino
- ENEA Division "Models and Technologies for Disaster Risks Reduction", Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, Italy
| | - A Carillo
- ENEA Division "Models and Technologies for Disaster Risks Reduction", Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, Italy
| | - E Papale
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IAS), Unit of Capo Granitola, Via del Mare 3, 91021 Torretta Granitola, TP, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and System Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Turin, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pirotta E, Fernandez Ajó A, Bierlich KC, Bird CN, Buck CL, Haver SM, Haxel JH, Hildebrand L, Hunt KE, Lemos LS, New L, Torres LG. Assessing variation in faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in gray whales exposed to anthropogenic stressors. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad082. [PMID: 38026800 PMCID: PMC10660368 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how individual animals respond to stressors behaviourally and physiologically is a critical step towards quantifying long-term population consequences and informing management efforts. Glucocorticoid (GC) metabolite accumulation in various matrices provides an integrated measure of adrenal activation in baleen whales and could thus be used to investigate physiological changes following exposure to stressors. In this study, we measured GC concentrations in faecal samples of Pacific Coast Feeding Group (PCFG) gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) collected over seven consecutive years to assess the association between GC content and metrics of exposure to sound levels and vessel traffic at different temporal scales, while controlling for contextual variables such as sex, reproductive status, age, body condition, year, time of year and location. We develop a Bayesian Generalized Additive Modelling approach that accommodates the many complexities of these data, including non-linear variation in hormone concentrations, missing covariate values, repeated samples, sampling variability and some hormone concentrations below the limit of detection. Estimated relationships showed large variability, but emerging patterns indicate a strong context-dependency of physiological variation, depending on sex, body condition and proximity to a port. Our results highlight the need to control for baseline hormone variation related to context, which otherwise can obscure the functional relationship between faecal GCs and stressor exposure. Therefore, extensive data collection to determine sources of baseline variation in well-studied populations, such as PCFG gray whales, could shed light on cetacean stress physiology and be used to extend applicability to less-well-studied taxa. GC analyses may offer greatest utility when employed as part of a suite of markers that, in aggregate, provide a multivariate measure of physiological status, better informing estimates of individuals' health and ultimately the consequences of anthropogenic stressors on populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Alejandro Fernandez Ajó
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - KC Bierlich
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Clara N Bird
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - C Loren Buck
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 617 S. Beaver St., Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA
| | - Samara M Haver
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystem and Resources Studies, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Joseph H Haxel
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Coastal Sciences Division, 1529 W. Sequim Bay Rd., Sequim, WA 98362, USA
| | - Lisa Hildebrand
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation & Department of Biology, George Mason University, 1500 Remount Rd, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Leila S Lemos
- Institute of Environment, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Leslie New
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics, Ursinus College, 601 E Main St, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Leigh G Torres
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Costa DP, Favilla AB. Field physiology in the aquatic realm: ecological energetics and diving behavior provide context for elucidating patterns and deviations. J Exp Biol 2023; 226:jeb245832. [PMID: 37843467 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.245832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Comparative physiology has developed a rich understanding of the physiological adaptations of organisms, from microbes to megafauna. Despite extreme differences in size and a diversity of habitats, general patterns are observed in their physiological adaptations. Yet, many organisms deviate from the general patterns, providing an opportunity to understand the importance of ecology in determining the evolution of unusual adaptations. Aquatic air-breathing vertebrates provide unique study systems in which the interplay between ecology, physiology and behavior is most evident. They must perform breath-hold dives to obtain food underwater, which imposes a physiological constraint on their foraging time as they must resurface to breathe. This separation of two critical resources has led researchers to investigate these organisms' physiological adaptations and trade-offs. Addressing such questions on large marine animals is best done in the field, given the difficulty of replicating the environment of these animals in the lab. This Review examines the long history of research on diving physiology and behavior. We show how innovative technology and the careful selection of research animals have provided a holistic understanding of diving mammals' physiology, behavior and ecology. We explore the role of the aerobic diving limit, body size, oxygen stores, prey distribution and metabolism. We then identify gaps in our knowledge and suggest areas for future research, pointing out how this research will help conserve these unique animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Arina B Favilla
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Macdonald KJ, Driscoll DA, Macdonald KJ, Hradsky B, Doherty TS. Meta-analysis reveals impacts of disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:4949-4965. [PMID: 37401520 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Ecosystem disturbance is increasing in extent, severity and frequency across the globe. To date, research has largely focussed on the impacts of disturbance on animal population size, extinction risk and species richness. However, individual responses, such as changes in body condition, can act as more sensitive metrics and may provide early warning signs of reduced fitness and population declines. We conducted the first global systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impacts of ecosystem disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition. We collated 384 effect sizes representing 137 species from 133 studies. We tested how disturbance type, species traits, biome and taxon moderate the impacts of disturbance on body condition. We found an overall negative effect of disturbance on herpetofauna body condition (Hedges' g = -0.37, 95% CI: -0.57, -0.18). Disturbance type was an influential predictor of body condition response and all disturbance types had a negative mean effect. Drought, invasive species and agriculture had the largest effects. The impact of disturbance varied in strength and direction across biomes, with the largest negative effects found within Mediterranean and temperate biomes. In contrast, taxon, body size, habitat specialisation and conservation status were not influential predictors of disturbance effects. Our findings reveal the widespread effects of disturbance on herpetofauna body condition and highlight the potential role of individual-level response metrics in enhancing wildlife monitoring. The use of individual response metrics alongside population and community metrics would deepen our understanding of disturbance impacts by revealing both early impacts and chronic effects within affected populations. This could enable early and more informed conservation management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina J Macdonald
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Don A Driscoll
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kimberley J Macdonald
- Biodiversity Protection and Information Branch, Biodiversity Division, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Hradsky
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim S Doherty
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hin V, de Roos AM, Benoit-Bird KJ, Claridge DE, DiMarzio N, Durban JW, Falcone EA, Jacobson EK, Jones-Todd CM, Pirotta E, Schorr GS, Thomas L, Watwood S, Harwood J. Using individual-based bioenergetic models to predict the aggregate effects of disturbance on populations: A case study with beaked whales and Navy sonar. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290819. [PMID: 37651444 PMCID: PMC10470956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities can lead to changes in animal behavior. Predicting population consequences of these behavioral changes requires integrating short-term individual responses into models that forecast population dynamics across multiple generations. This is especially challenging for long-lived animals, because of the different time scales involved. Beaked whales are a group of deep-diving odontocete whales that respond behaviorally when exposed to military mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS), but the effect of these nonlethal responses on beaked whale populations is unknown. Population consequences of aggregate exposure to MFAS was assessed for two beaked whale populations that are regularly present on U.S. Navy training ranges where MFAS is frequently used. Our approach integrates a wide range of data sources, including telemetry data, information on spatial variation in habitat quality, passive acoustic data on the temporal pattern of sonar use and its relationship to beaked whale foraging activity, into an individual-based model with a dynamic bioenergetic module that governs individual life history. The predicted effect of disturbance from MFAS on population abundance ranged between population extinction to a slight increase in population abundance. These effects were driven by the interaction between the temporal pattern of MFAS use, baseline movement patterns, the spatial distribution of prey, the nature of beaked whale behavioral response to MFAS and the top-down impact of whale foraging on prey abundance. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for monitoring of marine mammal populations and highlight key uncertainties to help guide future directions for assessing population impacts of nonlethal disturbance for these and other long-lived animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Hin
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Wageningen Marine Research, IJmuiden, The Netherlands
| | - André M. de Roos
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Kelly J. Benoit-Bird
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, California, United States of America
| | | | - Nancy DiMarzio
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | | | - Erin A. Falcone
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, Seabeck, Washington, United States of America
| | - Eiren K. Jacobson
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | | | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory S. Schorr
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, Seabeck, Washington, United States of America
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Stephanie Watwood
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Northey AD, Holser RR, Shipway GT, Costa DP, Crocker DE. Adrenal response to ACTH challenge alters thyroid and immune function and varies with body reserves in molting adult female northern elephant seals. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2023; 325:R1-R12. [PMID: 37125769 PMCID: PMC10259847 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00277.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Intrinsic stressors associated with life-history stages may alter the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and responses to extrinsic stressors. We administered adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to 24 free-ranging adult female northern elephant seals (NESs) at two life-history stages: early and late in their molting period and measured a suite of endocrine, immune, and metabolite responses. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of extended, high-energy fasting on adrenal responsiveness. Animals were blood sampled every 30 min for 120 min post-ACTH injection, then blood was sampled 24 h later. In response to ACTH injection, cortisol levels increased 8- to 10-fold and remained highly elevated compared with baseline at 24 h. Aldosterone levels increased 6- to 9-fold before returning to baseline at 24 h. The magnitude of cortisol and aldosterone release were strongly associated, and both were greater after extended fasting. We observed an inverse relationship between fat mass and the magnitude of cortisol and aldosterone responses, suggesting that body reserves influenced adrenal responsiveness. Sustained elevation in cortisol was associated with alterations in thyroid hormones; both tT3 and tT4 concentrations were suppressed at 24 h, while rT3 increased. Immune cytokine IL-1β was also suppressed after 24 h of cortisol elevation, and numerous acute and sustained impacts on substrate metabolism were evident. Our data suggest that female NESs are more sensitive to stress after the molt fast and that acute stress events can have important impacts on metabolism and immune function. These findings highlight the importance of considering life-history context when assessing the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on wildlife.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allison D Northey
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, United States
| | - Rachel R Holser
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States
| | - Garrett T Shipway
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, United States
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, United States
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Adamczak SK, McHuron EA, Christiansen F, Dunkin R, McMahon CR, Noren S, Pirotta E, Rosen D, Sumich J, Costa DP. Growth in marine mammals: a review of growth patterns, composition and energy investment. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad035. [PMID: 37492466 PMCID: PMC10364341 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Growth of structural mass and energy reserves influences individual survival, reproductive success, population and species life history. Metrics of structural growth and energy storage of individuals are often used to assess population health and reproductive potential, which can inform conservation. However, the energetic costs of tissue deposition for structural growth and energy stores and their prioritization within bioenergetic budgets are poorly documented. This is particularly true across marine mammal species as resources are accumulated at sea, limiting the ability to measure energy allocation and prioritization. We reviewed the literature on marine mammal growth to summarize growth patterns, explore their tissue compositions, assess the energetic costs of depositing these tissues and explore the tradeoffs associated with growth. Generally, marine mammals exhibit logarithmic growth. This means that the energetic costs related to growth and tissue deposition are high for early postnatal animals, but small compared to the total energy budget as animals get older. Growth patterns can also change in response to resource availability, habitat and other energy demands, such that they can serve as an indicator of individual and population health. Composition of tissues remained consistent with respect to protein and water content across species; however, there was a high degree of variability in the lipid content of both muscle (0.1-74.3%) and blubber (0.4-97.9%) due to the use of lipids as energy storage. We found that relatively few well-studied species dominate the literature, leaving data gaps for entire taxa, such as beaked whales. The purpose of this review was to identify such gaps, to inform future research priorities and to improve our understanding of how marine mammals grow and the associated energetic costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Adamczak
- Corresponding author: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, 3737 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Fredrik Christiansen
- Department of Ecoscience – Marine Mammal Research, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Robin Dunkin
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, 130 McAlister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Clive R McMahon
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 9 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | - Shawn Noren
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA, USA
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecology and Environmental Modelling, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - David Rosen
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2022 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - James Sumich
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Science Department, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Driver, Newport, Oregon 97365, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, 130 McAlister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Holser RR, Crocker DE, Favilla AR, Adachi T, Keates TR, Naito Y, Costa DP. Effects of disease on foraging behaviour and success in an individual free-ranging northern elephant seal. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad034. [PMID: 37250476 PMCID: PMC10214463 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Evaluating consequences of stressors on vital rates in marine mammals is of considerable interest to scientific and regulatory bodies. Many of these species face numerous anthropogenic and environmental disturbances. Despite its importance as a critical form of mortality, little is known about disease progression in air-breathing marine megafauna at sea. We examined the movement, diving, foraging behaviour and physiological state of an adult female northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) who suffered from an infection while at sea. Comparing her to healthy individuals, we identified abnormal behavioural patterns from high-resolution biologging instruments that are likely indicators of diseased and deteriorating condition. We observed continuous extended (3-30 minutes) surface intervals coinciding with almost no foraging attempts (jaw motion) during 2 weeks of acute illness early in her post-breeding foraging trip. Elephant seals typically spend ~ 2 minutes at the surface. There were less frequent but highly extended (30-200 minutes) surface periods across the remainder of the trip. Dive duration declined throughout the trip rather than increasing. This seal returned in the poorest body condition recorded for an adult female elephant seal (18.3% adipose tissue; post-breeding trip average is 30.4%). She was immunocompromised at the end of her foraging trip and has not been seen since that moulting season. The timing and severity of the illness, which began during the end of the energy-intensive lactation fast, forced this animal over a tipping point from which she could not recover. Additional physiological constraints to foraging, including thermoregulation and oxygen consumption, likely exacerbated her already poor condition. These findings improve our understanding of illness in free-ranging air-breathing marine megafauna, demonstrate the vulnerability of individuals at critical points in their life history, highlight the importance of considering individual health when interpreting biologging data and could help differentiate between malnutrition and other causes of at-sea mortality from transmitted data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Holser
- Corresponding author: Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA. Tel.: +1 253-514-0110.
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, 94928, USA
| | - Arina R Favilla
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064 USA
| | - Taiki Adachi
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064 USA
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Theresa R Keates
- Department of Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064, USA
| | - Yasuhiko Naito
- National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, 115 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95064 USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Jang J, Meyer F, Snyder ER, Wiggins SM, Baumann-Pickering S, Hildebrand JA. Bayesian detection and tracking of odontocetes in 3-D from their echolocation clicks. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 153:2690. [PMID: 37129673 DOI: 10.1121/10.0017888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Localization and tracking of marine animals can reveal key insights into their behaviors underwater that would otherwise remain unexplored. A promising nonintrusive approach to obtaining location information of marine animals is to process their bioacoustic signals, which are passively recorded using multiple hydrophones. In this paper, a data processing chain that automatically detects and tracks multiple odontocetes (toothed whales) in three dimensions (3-D) from their echolocation clicks recorded with volumetric hydrophone arrays is proposed. First, the time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) measurements are extracted with a generalized cross-correlation that whitens the received acoustic signals based on the instrument noise statistics. Subsequently, odontocetes are tracked in the TDOA domain using a graph-based multi-target tracking (MTT) method to reject false TDOA measurements and close gaps of missed detections. The resulting TDOA estimates are then used by another graph-based MTT stage that estimates odontocete tracks in 3-D. The tracking capability of the proposed data processing chain is demonstrated on real acoustic data provided by two volumetric hydrophone arrays that recorded echolocation clicks from Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Simulation results show that the presented MTT method using 3-D can outperform an existing approach that relies on manual annotation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junsu Jang
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Florian Meyer
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Eric R Snyder
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Sean M Wiggins
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Simone Baumann-Pickering
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - John A Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Nachtsheim DA, Johnson M, Schaffeld T, van Neer A, Madsen PT, Findlay CR, Rojano-Doñate L, Teilmann J, Mikkelsen L, Baltzer J, Ruser A, Siebert U, Schnitzler JG. Vessel noise exposures of harbour seals from the Wadden Sea. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6187. [PMID: 37061560 PMCID: PMC10105764 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33283-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The North Sea faces intense ship traffic owing to increasing human activities at sea. As harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are abundant top predators in the North Sea, it is hypothesised that they experience repeated, high-amplitude vessel exposures. Here, we test this hypothesis by quantifying vessel noise exposures from deployments of long-term sound and movement tags (DTAGs) on nine harbour seals from the Wadden Sea. An automated tool was developed to detect intervals of elevated noise in the sound recordings. An assessment by multiple raters was performed to classify the source as either vessels or other sounds. A total of 133 vessel passes were identified with received levels > 97 dB re 1µPa RMS in the 2 kHz decidecade band and with ambient noise > 6 dB below this detection threshold. Tagged seals spent most of their time within Marine Protected Areas (89 ± 13%, mean ± SD) and were exposed to high-amplitude vessel passes 4.3 ± 1.6 times per day. Only 32% of vessel passes were plausibly associated with an AIS-registered vessel. We conclude that seals in industrialized waters are exposed repeatedly to vessel noise, even in areas designated as protected, and that exposures are poorly predicted by AIS data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik André Nachtsheim
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany.
| | - Mark Johnson
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tobias Schaffeld
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Abbo van Neer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Peter T Madsen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte R Findlay
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laia Rojano-Doñate
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jonas Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lonnie Mikkelsen
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsö, Norway
| | - Johannes Baltzer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Andreas Ruser
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Joseph G Schnitzler
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Adachi T, Lovell P, Turnbull J, Fedak MA, Picard B, Guinet C, Biuw M, Keates TR, Holser RR, Costa DP, Crocker DE, Miller PJO. Body condition changes at sea: Onboard calculation and telemetry of body density in diving animals. Methods Ecol Evol 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.14089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Adachi
- Sea Mammal Research Unit University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - Philip Lovell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - James Turnbull
- Sea Mammal Research Unit University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Mike A. Fedak
- Sea Mammal Research Unit University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Baptiste Picard
- CNRS Centre of Biology Studies of Chizé Villiers‐en‐Bois France
| | | | | | - Theresa R. Keates
- Department of Ocean Sciences University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - Rachel R. Holser
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz California USA
| | - Daniel E. Crocker
- Department of Biology Sonoma State University Rohnert Park California USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Murphy KJ, Roberts DR, Jensen WF, Nielsen SE, Johnson SK, Hosek BM, Stillings B, Kolar J, Boyce MS, Ciuti S. Mule deer fawn recruitment dynamics in an energy disturbed landscape. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9976. [PMID: 37091564 PMCID: PMC10116077 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Wildlife population dynamics are modulated by abiotic and biotic factors, typically climate, resource availability, density-dependent effects, and predator-prey interactions. Understanding whether and how human-caused disturbances shape these ecological processes is helpful for the conservation and management of wildlife and their habitats within increasingly human-dominated landscapes. However, many jurisdictions lack either long-term longitudinal data on wildlife populations or measures of the interplay between human-mediated disturbance, climate, and predator density. Here, we use a 50-year time series (1962-2012) on mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) demographics, seasonal weather, predator density, and oil and gas development patterns from the North Dakota Badlands, USA, to investigate long-term effects of landscape-level disturbance on mule deer fawn fall recruitment, which has declined precipitously over the last number of decades. Mule deer fawn fall recruitment in this study represents the number of fawns per female (fawn:female ratio) that survive through the summer to October. We used this fawn recruitment index to evaluate the composite effects of interannual extreme weather conditions, energy development, and predator density. We found that density-dependent effects and harsh seasonal weather were the main drivers of fawn fall recruitment in the North Dakota Badlands. These effects were further shaped by the interaction between harsh seasonal weather and predator density (i.e., lower fawn fall recruitment when harsh weather was combined with higher predator density). Additionally, we found that fawn fall recruitment was modulated by interactions between seasonal weather and energy development (i.e., lower fawn fall recruitment when harsh weather was combined with higher density of active oil and gas wells). Interestingly, we found that the combined effect of predator density and energy development was not interactive but rather additive. Our analysis demonstrates how energy development may modulate fluctuations in mule deer fawn fall recruitment concurrent with biotic (density-dependency, habitat, predation, woody vegetation encroachment) and abiotic (harsh seasonal weather) drivers. Density-dependent patterns emerge, presumably due to limited quality habitat, being the primary factor influencing fall fawn recruitment in mule deer. Secondarily, stochastic weather events periodically cause dramatic declines in recruitment. And finally, the additive effects of human disturbance and predation can induce fluctuations in fawn fall recruitment. Here we make the case for using long-term datasets for setting long-term wildlife management goals that decision makers and the public can understand and support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kilian J. Murphy
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - David R. Roberts
- Ministry of Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta3535 Research Road NWCalgaryAlbertaT2L 2K8Canada
- InnoTech Alberta3608 33 Street NWCalgaryAlbertaT2 L 2A6Canada
| | | | - Scott E. Nielsen
- Department of Renewable ResourcesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | | | - Brian M. Hosek
- North Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentBismarckNorth Dakota58501USA
| | - Bruce Stillings
- North Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentDickinsonNorth Dakota58601USA
| | - Jesse Kolar
- North Dakota Game and Fish DepartmentDickinsonNorth Dakota58601USA
| | - Mark S. Boyce
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Simone Ciuti
- Laboratory of Wildlife Ecology and Behaviour, School of Biology and Environmental ScienceUniversity College DublinDublinIreland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Anthropogenic noise impairs cooperation in bottlenose dolphins. Curr Biol 2023; 33:749-754.e4. [PMID: 36638798 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the impact of human disturbance on wildlife populations is of societal importance,1 with anthropogenic noise known to impact a range of taxa, including mammals,2 birds,3 fish,4 and invertebrates.5 While animals are known to use acoustic and other behavioral mechanisms to compensate for increasing noise at the individual level, our understanding of how noise impacts social animals working together remains limited. Here, we investigated the effect of noise on coordination between two bottlenose dolphins performing a cooperative task. We previously demonstrated that the dolphin dyad can use whistles to coordinate their behavior, working together with extreme precision.6 By equipping each dolphin with a sound-and-movement recording tag (DTAG-37) and exposing them to increasing levels of anthropogenic noise, we show that both dolphins nearly doubled their whistle durations and increased whistle amplitude in response to increasing noise. While these acoustic compensatory mechanisms are the same as those frequently used by wild cetaceans,8,9,10,11,12,13 they were insufficient to overcome the effect of noise on behavioral coordination. Indeed, cooperative task success decreased in the presence of noise, dropping from 85% during ambient noise control trials to 62.5% during the highest noise exposure. This is the first study to demonstrate in any non-human species that noise impairs communication between conspecifics performing a cooperative task. Cooperation facilitates vital functions across many taxa and our findings highlight the need to account for the impact of disturbance on functionally important group tasks in wild animal populations.
Collapse
|
26
|
Hariohay KM, Hunninck L, Ranke PS, Fyumagwa RD, Palme R, Røskaft E. Between hunter and climate: the effects of hunting and environmental change on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in two sympatric ungulate species in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem, Tanzania. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad002. [PMID: 38026801 PMCID: PMC10660377 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of animal population decline is a key focus of conservation biologists. Anthropogenic activities such as hunting have long been established as potentially detrimental to a population's persistence. However, environmental perturbations such as increased temperature variability, exacerbated by climate change, can also have important effects on animal populations. Animals can respond to these challenges by adjusting both their behavior and physiology. We measured fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) of common impala (Aepyceros melampus) and greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), both currently in stable populations, to examine effects of hunting, forage availability, daily variability in temperature and group size on their physiological stress response. The study was conducted across two adjacent protected areas, (i) one non-hunted area (Ruaha National Park; RNP) and (ii) one area used for trophy hunting (Rungwa Game Reserve; RGR). Both impala and kudu had significantly higher FGM levels in the area that allows hunting, while FGM levels decreased with increasing forage availability and increasing daily temperature. Moreover, impala (but not kudu) had lower FGM levels with larger group sizes. Our results indicate that the management regime can significantly alter the physiological state of wild ungulate populations. We also highlight the importance of considering the combined effects of anthropogenic, environmental and social contexts when studying the stress response of wild populations. Our results emphasize the value of protected areas and continued monitoring of hunting quota in order to maintain ungulate populations that are less vulnerable to population declines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kwaslema Malle Hariohay
- Department of Wildlife Management, College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, P. O. Box 3031, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Louis Hunninck
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Peter S Ranke
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
- Center for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD), Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Robert D Fyumagwa
- Department of Wildlife Management, Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (TAWIRI), P.O. Box 661, Arusha
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna
| | - Eivin Røskaft
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Realfagbygget, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Pirotta E, Schick RS, Hamilton PK, Harris CM, Hewitt J, Knowlton AR, Kraus SD, Meyer‐Gutbrod E, Moore MJ, Pettis HM, Photopoulou T, Rolland RM, Tyack PL, Thomas L. Estimating the effects of stressors on the health, survival and reproduction of a critically endangered, long‐lived species. OIKOS 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.09801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Univ. of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Robert S. Schick
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke Univ. Durham NC USA
| | - Philip K. Hamilton
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium Boston MA USA
| | - Catriona M. Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Univ. of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Joshua Hewitt
- Dept of Statistical Science, Duke Univ. Durham NC USA
| | - Amy R. Knowlton
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium Boston MA USA
| | - Scott D. Kraus
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium Boston MA USA
| | - Erin Meyer‐Gutbrod
- School of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Univ. of South Carolina Columbia SC USA
| | | | - Heather M. Pettis
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium Boston MA USA
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Univ. of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | | | - Peter L. Tyack
- School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Inst., Univ. of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, Univ. of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Booth CG, Guilpin M, Darias-O’Hara AK, Ransijn JM, Ryder M, Rosen D, Pirotta E, Smout S, McHuron EA, Nabe-Nielsen J, Costa DP. Estimating energetic intake for marine mammal bioenergetic models. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac083. [PMID: 36756464 PMCID: PMC9900471 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergetics is the study of how animals achieve energetic balance. Energetic balance results from the energetic expenditure of an individual and the energy they extract from their environment. Ingested energy depends on several extrinsic (e.g prey species, nutritional value and composition, prey density and availability) and intrinsic factors (e.g. foraging effort, success at catching prey, digestive processes and associated energy losses, and digestive capacity). While the focus in bioenergetic modelling is often on the energetic costs an animal incurs, the robust estimation of an individual's energy intake is equally critical for producing meaningful predictions. Here, we review the components and processes that affect energy intake from ingested gross energy to biologically useful net energy (NE). The current state of knowledge of each parameter is reviewed, shedding light on research gaps to advance this field. The review highlighted that the foraging behaviour of many marine mammals is relatively well studied via biologging tags, with estimates of success rate typically assumed for most species. However, actual prey capture success rates are often only assumed, although we note studies that provide approaches for its estimation using current techniques. A comprehensive collation of the nutritional content of marine mammal prey species revealed a robust foundation from which prey quality (comprising prey species, size and energy density) can be assessed, though data remain unavailable for many prey species. Empirical information on various energy losses following ingestion of prey was unbalanced among marine mammal species, with considerably more literature available for pinnipeds. An increased understanding and accurate estimate of each of the components that comprise a species NE intake are an integral part of bioenergetics. Such models provide a key tool to investigate the effects of disturbance on marine mammals at an individual and population level and to support effective conservation and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cormac G Booth
- Corresponding author: SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK.
| | | | - Aimee-Kate Darias-O’Hara
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Janneke M Ransijn
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Megan Ryder
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Dave Rosen
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall,
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling,
The Observatory, Buchanan
Gardens, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews,
KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Sophie Smout
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, 3737 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Jacob Nabe-Nielsen
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, DK-4000
Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, 130
McAlister Way, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Chan SCY, Karczmarski L, Lin W, Zheng R, Ho YW, Guo L, Mo Y, Lee ATL, Or CKM, Wu Y. An unknown component of a well-known population: socio-demographic parameters of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) at the western reaches of the Pearl River Delta region. Mamm Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00335-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
|
30
|
Lusseau D, Kindt-Larsen L, van Beest FM. Emergent interactions in the management of multiple threats to the conservation of harbour porpoises. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158936. [PMID: 36152860 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human activities at sea are intensifying and diversifying. This is leading to more complex interactions of anthropogenic impacts requiring adaptable management interventions to mitigate their cumulative effects on biodiversity conservation and restoration objectives. Bycatch remains the dominant conservation threat for coastal cetaceans. Additionally, the indirect impact of repeated exposure to disturbances, particularly acoustic disturbances, can affect cetacean population growth and therefore conservation objectives. Pingers are used to ensonify nets to provide an effective mitigation of bycatch risk. As those become more prevalent across fisheries at risk to catch for example harbour porpoises, pingers become contributors to the anthropogenic noise landscape which may affect the vital rates of this species as well. Currently, we do not know how to best balance pinger prevalence to minimise both bycatch rate and the population consequences of acoustic disturbance (PCoD). Here we use an agent-based model to determine how pinger prevalence in nets can be adjusted to minimise bycatch rate and noise disturbance propagating to affect population growth for harbour porpoises. We show that counter-intuitively bycatch rate can increase at lower pinger prevalence. When ecological conditions are such that PCOD can emerge, higher prevalence of pingers can lead to indirect effects on population growth. This would result from condition-mediated decreased reproductive potential. Displacing fishing effort, via time-area closure, can be an effective mitigation strategy in these circumstances. These findings have important implications for current management plans which, for practical consideration, may lead to lower overall pinger prevalence at sea. This study also shows that estimating the reproductive potential of the species should be incorporated in bycatch monitoring programmes. We now need to better understand how physiological condition affect reproductive decisions and behavioural responses to noise in cetaceans to better appraise and estimate the cumulative impacts of bycatch and its mitigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Lusseau
- National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Lotte Kindt-Larsen
- National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Floris M van Beest
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Burslem A, Isojunno S, Pirotta E, Miller PJO. Modelling the impact of condition-dependent responses and lipid-store availability on the consequences of disturbance in a cetacean. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac069. [PMID: 36415287 PMCID: PMC9672687 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Lipid-store body condition is fundamental to how animals cope with environmental fluctuations, including anthropogenic change. As it provides an energetic buffer, body condition is expected to influence risk-taking strategies, with both positive and negative relationships between body condition and risk-taking posited in the literature. Individuals in good condition may take more risks due to state-dependent safety ('ability-based' explanation), or alternatively fewer risks due to asset protection and reduced need to undertake risky foraging ('needs-based' explanation). Such state-dependent responses could drive non-linear impacts of anthropogenic activities through feedback between body condition and behavioural disturbance. Here, we present a simple bioenergetic model that explicitly incorporates hypothetical body condition-dependent response strategies for a cetacean, the sperm whale. The model considered the consequences of state-dependent foraging cessation and availability of wax ester (WE) lipids for calf provisioning and female survival. We found strikingly different consequences of disturbance depending on strategy and WE availability scenarios. Compared with the null strategy, where responses to disturbance were independent of body condition, the needs-based strategy mitigated predicted reductions in provisioning by 10%-13%, while the ability-based strategy exaggerated reductions by 63%-113%. Lower WE availability resulted in more extreme outcomes because energy stores were smaller relative to the daily energy balance. In the 0% availability scenario, while the needs-based strategy reduced deaths by 100%, the ability-based strategy increased them by 335% relative to null and by 56% relative to the same strategy under the 5%-6.7% WE availability scenario. These results highlight that state-dependent disturbance responses and energy store availability could substantially impact the population consequences of disturbance. Our ability to set appropriate precautionary disturbance thresholds therefore requires empirical tests of ability- vs needs-based response modification as a function of body condition and a clearer understanding of energy store availability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alec Burslem
- Corresponding author: Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 7984318003.
| | - Saana Isojunno
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, School of Mathematics, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, School of Mathematics, The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Decadal migration phenology of a long-lived Arctic icon keeps pace with climate change. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2121092119. [PMID: 36279424 PMCID: PMC9659343 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2121092119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals migrate in response to seasonal environments, to reproduce, to benefit from resource pulses, or to avoid fluctuating hazards. Although climate change is predicted to modify migration, only a few studies to date have demonstrated phenological shifts in marine mammals. In the Arctic, marine mammals are considered among the most sensitive to ongoing climate change due to their narrow habitat preferences and long life spans. Longevity may prove an obstacle for species to evolutionarily respond. For species that exhibit high site fidelity and strong associations with migration routes, adjusting the timing of migration is one of the few recourses available to respond to a changing climate. Here, we demonstrate evidence of significant delays in the timing of narwhal autumn migrations with satellite tracking data spanning 21 y from the Canadian Arctic. Measures of migration phenology varied annually and were explained by sex and climate drivers associated with ice conditions, suggesting that narwhals are adopting strategic migration tactics. Male narwhals were found to lead the migration out of the summering areas, while females, potentially with dependent young, departed later. Narwhals are remaining longer in their summer areas at a rate of 10 d per decade, a similar rate to that observed for climate-driven sea ice loss across the region. The consequences of altered space use and timing have yet to be evaluated but will expose individuals to increasing natural changes and anthropogenic activities on the summering areas.
Collapse
|
33
|
Gailey G, Zykov M, Sychenko O, Rutenko A, Blanchard AL, Aerts L, Melton RH. Gray whale density during seismic surveys near their Sakhalin feeding ground. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:739. [PMID: 36255495 PMCID: PMC9579086 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Oil and gas development off northeastern Sakhalin Island, Russia, has exposed the western gray whale population on their summer-fall foraging grounds to a range of anthropogenic activities, such as pile driving, dredging, pipeline installation, and seismic surveys. In 2015, the number of seismic surveys within a feeding season surpassed the level of the number and duration of previous seismic survey activities known to have occurred close to the gray whales' feeding ground, with the potential to cause disturbance to their feeding activity. To examine the extent that gray whales were potentially avoiding areas when exposed to seismic and vessel sounds, shore-based teams monitored the abundance and distribution of gray whales from 13 stations that encompassed the known nearshore feeding area. Gray whale density was examined in relation to natural (spatial, temporal, and prey energy) and anthropogenic (cumulative sound exposure from vessel and seismic sounds) explanatory variables using Generalized Additive Models (GAM). Distance from shore, water depth, date, and northing explained a significant amount of variation in gray whale densities. Prey energy from crustaceans, specifically amphipods, isopods, and cumaceans also significantly influenced gray whale densities in the nearshore feeding area. Increasing cumulative exposure to vessel and seismic sounds resulted in both a short- and longer-term decline in gray whale density in an area. This study provides further insights about western gray whale responses to anthropogenic activity in proximity to and within the nearshore feeding area. As the frequency of seismic surveys and other non-oil and gas anthropogenic activity are expected to increase off Sakhalin Island, it is critical to continue to monitor and assess potential impacts on this endangered population of gray whales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Gailey
- Cetacean EcoSystem Research, Olympia, WA, 98512, USA.
| | - Mikhail Zykov
- JASCO Applied Sciences Ltd, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 1Z1, Canada
| | - Olga Sychenko
- Cetacean EcoSystem Research, Olympia, WA, 98512, USA
| | - Alexander Rutenko
- Far East Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, V.I. Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Booth CG, Brannan N, Dunlop R, Friedlander A, Isojunno S, Miller P, Quick N, Southall B, Pirotta E. A sampling, exposure and receptor framework for identifying factors that modulate behavioural responses to disturbance in cetaceans. J Anim Ecol 2022; 91:1948-1960. [PMID: 35895847 PMCID: PMC9804311 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The assessment of behavioural disturbance in cetacean species (e.g. resulting from exposure to anthropogenic sources such as military sonar, seismic surveys, or pile driving) is important for effective conservation and management. Disturbance effects can be informed by Behavioural Response Studies (BRSs), involving either controlled exposure experiments (CEEs) where noise exposure conditions are presented deliberately to meet experimental objectives or in opportunistic contexts where ongoing activities are monitored in a strategic manner. In either context, animal-borne sensors or in situ observations can provide information on individual exposure and disturbance responses. The past 15 years of research have greatly expanded our understanding of behavioural responses to noise, including hundreds of experiments in nearly a dozen cetacean species. Many papers note limited sample sizes, required knowledge of baseline behaviour prior to exposure and the importance of contextual factors modulating behavioural responses, all of which in combination can lead to sampling biases, even for well-designed research programs. It is critical to understand these biases to robustly identify responses. This ensures outcomes of BRSs help inform predictions of how anthropogenic disturbance impacts individuals and populations. Our approach leverages concepts from the animal behaviour literature focused on helping to avoid sampling bias by considering what shapes an animal's response. These factors include social, experience, genetic and natural changes in responsiveness. We developed and applied a modified version of this framework to synthesise current knowledge on cetacean response in the context of effects observed across marine and terrestrial taxa. This new 'Sampling, Exposure, Receptor' framework (SERF) identifies 43 modulating factors, highlights potential biases, and assesses how these vary across selected focal species. In contrast to studies that identified variation in 'Exposure' factors as a key concern, our analysis indicated that factors relating to 'Sampling' (e.g. deploying tags on less evasive individuals, which biases selection of subjects), and 'Receptor' (e.g. health status or coping style) have the greatest potential for weakening the desired broad representativeness of BRSs. Our assessment also highlights how potential biases could be addressed with existing datasets or future developments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cormac G. Booth
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Naomi Brannan
- Southeast Asia Marine Mammal ResearchHong KongHong Kong
| | - Rebecca Dunlop
- Cetacean Ecology and Acoustics LaboratoryMoreton Bay Research Station and School of Biological SciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Ari Friedlander
- Southall Environmental Associates, Inc.AptosCaliforniaUSA,University of California, Institute of Marine ScienceSanta CruzCaliforniaUSA
| | - Saana Isojunno
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Patrick Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| | - Nicola Quick
- School of Biological and Marine SciencesUniversity of PlymouthPlymouthUK,Nicholas School of the EnvironmentDuke UniversityBeaufortNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Brandon Southall
- Southall Environmental Associates, Inc.AptosCaliforniaUSA,University of California, Institute of Marine ScienceSanta CruzCaliforniaUSA
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental ModellingUniversity of St AndrewsSt AndrewsUK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Dynamics of short-finned pilot whales long-term social structure in Madeira. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00280-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
36
|
Merchant ND, Putland RL, André M, Baudin E, Felli M, Slabbekoorn H, Dekeling R. A decade of underwater noise research in support of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 228:None. [PMID: 36133796 PMCID: PMC9472084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Underwater noise from human activities is now widely recognised as a threat to marine life. Nevertheless, legislation which directly addresses this source of pollution is lacking. The first (and currently only) example globally is Descriptor 11 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), adopted by the European Union in 2008, which requires that levels of underwater noise pollution do not adversely affect marine ecosystems. The MSFD has stimulated a concerted research effort across Europe to develop noise monitoring programmes and to conduct research towards specifying threshold values which would define 'Good Environmental Status' (GES) for underwater noise. Here, we chart the progress made during the first decade of Descriptor 11's implementation: 2010-2020. Several international joint monitoring programmes have been established for impulsive and continuous noise, enabling ecosystem-scale assessment for the first time. Research into the impact of noise on individual animals has grown exponentially, demonstrating a range of adverse effects at various trophic levels. However, threshold values for GES must be defined for 'populations of marine animals.' Population-level consequences of noise exposure can be modelled, but data to parameterise such models are currently unavailable for most species, suggesting that alternative approaches to defining GES thresholds will be necessary. To date, the application of measures to reduce noise levels (quieting/noise abatement) has been limited. To address this, the EU in 2021 identified an explicit need to reduce underwater noise pollution in its waters. Delivering on this ambition will require further research focused on the development and implementation of quieting measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D. Merchant
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft, UK
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Rosalyn L. Putland
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft, UK
| | - Michel André
- Laboratory of Applied Bioacoustics, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mario Felli
- Institute of Marine Engineering (INM), National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Hans Slabbekoorn
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
McHuron EA, Adamczak S, Arnould JPY, Ashe E, Booth C, Bowen WD, Christiansen F, Chudzinska M, Costa DP, Fahlman A, Farmer NA, Fortune SME, Gallagher CA, Keen KA, Madsen PT, McMahon CR, Nabe-Nielsen J, Noren DP, Noren SR, Pirotta E, Rosen DAS, Speakman CN, Villegas-Amtmann S, Williams R. Key questions in marine mammal bioenergetics. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac055. [PMID: 35949259 PMCID: PMC9358695 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergetic approaches are increasingly used to understand how marine mammal populations could be affected by a changing and disturbed aquatic environment. There remain considerable gaps in our knowledge of marine mammal bioenergetics, which hinder the application of bioenergetic studies to inform policy decisions. We conducted a priority-setting exercise to identify high-priority unanswered questions in marine mammal bioenergetics, with an emphasis on questions relevant to conservation and management. Electronic communication and a virtual workshop were used to solicit and collate potential research questions from the marine mammal bioenergetic community. From a final list of 39 questions, 11 were identified as 'key' questions because they received votes from at least 50% of survey participants. Key questions included those related to energy intake (prey landscapes, exposure to human activities) and expenditure (field metabolic rate, exposure to human activities, lactation, time-activity budgets), energy allocation priorities, metrics of body condition and relationships with survival and reproductive success and extrapolation of data from one species to another. Existing tools to address key questions include labelled water, animal-borne sensors, mark-resight data from long-term research programs, environmental DNA and unmanned vehicles. Further validation of existing approaches and development of new methodologies are needed to comprehensively address some key questions, particularly for cetaceans. The identification of these key questions can provide a guiding framework to set research priorities, which ultimately may yield more accurate information to inform policies and better conserve marine mammal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A McHuron
- Corresponding author: Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies, University of Washington, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Stephanie Adamczak
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - John P Y Arnould
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Erin Ashe
- Oceans Initiative, Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Cormac Booth
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
| | - W Don Bowen
- Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
- Population Ecology Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Fredrik Christiansen
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch, Murdoch University, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Magda Chudzinska
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9XL, UK
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Fahlman
- Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, 46005 Valencia, Spain
- Kolmården Wildlife Park, 618 92 Kolmården, Sweden
| | - Nicholas A Farmer
- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Regional Office, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA
| | - Sarah M E Fortune
- Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Cara A Gallagher
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kelly A Keen
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | - Peter T Madsen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Clive R McMahon
- IMOS Animal Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
| | | | - Dawn P Noren
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA
| | - Shawn R Noren
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9LZ, UK
| | - David A S Rosen
- Institute for Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1ZA, Canada
| | - Cassie N Speakman
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Stella Villegas-Amtmann
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Distribution and habitat partitioning of cetaceans (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla) in the Bohol Sea, Philippines. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
|
39
|
Barlow DR, Estrada Jorge M, Klinck H, Torres LG. Shaken, not stirred: blue whales show no acoustic response to earthquake events. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220242. [PMID: 35845856 PMCID: PMC9277279 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying how animals respond to disturbance events bears relevance for understanding consequences to population health. We investigate whether blue whales respond acoustically to naturally occurring episodic noise by examining calling before and after earthquakes (27 040 calls, 32 earthquakes; 27 January-29 June 2016). Two vocalization types were evaluated: New Zealand blue whale song and downswept vocalizations ('D calls'). Blue whales did not alter the number of D calls, D call received level or song intensity following earthquakes (paired t-tests, p > 0.7 for all). Linear models accounting for earthquake strength and proximity revealed significant relationships between change in calling activity surrounding earthquakes and prior calling activity (D calls: R 2 = 0.277, p < 0.0001; song: R 2 = 0.080, p = 0.028); however, these same relationships were true for 'null' periods without earthquakes (D calls: R 2 = 0.262, p < 0.0001; song: R 2 = 0.149, p = 0.0002), indicating that the pattern is driven by blue whale calling context regardless of earthquake presence. Our findings that blue whales do not respond to episodic natural noise provide context for interpreting documented acoustic responses to anthropogenic noise sources, including shipping traffic and petroleum development, indicating that they potentially evolved tolerance for natural noise sources but not novel noise from anthropogenic origins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dawn R. Barlow
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Mateo Estrada Jorge
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Department of Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Holger Klinck
- K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- Marine Mammal Institute, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| | - Leigh G. Torres
- Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Lab, Marine Mammal Institute, and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Novčić I. Behavioural responses of grey herons Ardea cinerea and great egrets Ardea alba to human-caused disturbance. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.22026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Novčić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; e-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Pirotta E, Thomas L, Costa DP, Hall AJ, Harris CM, Harwood J, Kraus SD, Miller PJO, Moore MJ, Photopoulou T, Rolland RM, Schwacke L, Simmons SE, Southall BL, Tyack PL. Understanding the combined effects of multiple stressors: A new perspective on a longstanding challenge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153322. [PMID: 35074373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife populations and their habitats are exposed to an expanding diversity and intensity of stressors caused by human activities, within the broader context of natural processes and increasing pressure from climate change. Estimating how these multiple stressors affect individuals, populations, and ecosystems is thus of growing importance. However, their combined effects often cannot be predicted reliably from the individual effects of each stressor, and we lack the mechanistic understanding and analytical tools to predict their joint outcomes. We review the science of multiple stressors and present a conceptual framework that captures and reconciles the variety of existing approaches for assessing combined effects. Specifically, we show that all approaches lie along a spectrum, reflecting increasing assumptions about the mechanisms that regulate the action of single stressors and their combined effects. An emphasis on mechanisms improves analytical precision and predictive power but could introduce bias if the underlying assumptions are incorrect. A purely empirical approach has less risk of bias but requires adequate data on the effects of the full range of anticipated combinations of stressor types and magnitudes. We illustrate how this spectrum can be formalised into specific analytical methods, using an example of North Atlantic right whales feeding on limited prey resources while simultaneously being affected by entanglement in fishing gear. In practice, case-specific management needs and data availability will guide the exploration of the stressor combinations of interest and the selection of a suitable trade-off between precision and bias. We argue that the primary goal for adaptive management should be to identify the most practical and effective ways to remove or reduce specific combinations of stressors, bringing the risk of adverse impacts on populations and ecosystems below acceptable thresholds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Len Thomas
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Catriona M Harris
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - John Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Scott D Kraus
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Michael J Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Theoni Photopoulou
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| | - Rosalind M Rolland
- Anderson-Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lori Schwacke
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, Johns Island, SC, USA.
| | | | - Brandon L Southall
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Southall Environmental Associates, Inc., Aptos, CA, USA.
| | - Peter L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Coomber FG, Falcone EA, Keene EL, Cárdenas-Hinojosa G, Huerta-Patiño R, Rosso M. Multi-regional comparison of scarring and pigmentation patterns in Cuvier’s beaked whales. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00226-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
43
|
Pirotta E, Booth CG, Calambokidis J, Costa DP, Fahlbusch JA, Friedlaender AS, Goldbogen JA, Harwood J, Hazen EL, New L, Santora JA, Watwood SL, Wertman C, Southall BL. From individual responses to population effects: Integrating a decade of multidisciplinary research on blue whales and sonar. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University College Cork Cork Ireland
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics Washington State University Vancouver WA USA
| | - C. G. Booth
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | | | - D. P. Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
| | - J. A. Fahlbusch
- Cascadia Research Collective Olympia WA USA
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
| | - A. S. Friedlaender
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
- Southall Environmental Associates, Inc. Aptos CA USA
| | - J. A. Goldbogen
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
| | - J. Harwood
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
- SMRU Consulting, Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - E. L. Hazen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
- Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center Environmental Research Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Monterey CA USA
| | - L. New
- Ursinus College Collegeville PA USA
| | - J. A. Santora
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Ecology Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Santa Cruz CA USA
- Department of Applied Math University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA USA
| | - S. L. Watwood
- Ranges, Engineering and Analysis Department Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport RI USA
| | - C. Wertman
- Ranges, Engineering and Analysis Department Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport RI USA
| | - B. L. Southall
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California Santa Cruz CA USA
- Southall Environmental Associates, Inc. Aptos CA USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Maxwell SM, Kershaw F, Locke CC, Conners MG, Dawson C, Aylesworth S, Loomis R, Johnson AF. Potential impacts of floating wind turbine technology for marine species and habitats. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 307:114577. [PMID: 35091240 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Offshore wind energy is expanding globally and new floating wind turbine technology now allows wind energy developments in areas previously too deep for fixed-platform turbines. Floating offshore wind has the potential to greatly expand our renewable energy portfolio, but with rapid expansion planned globally, concerns exist regarding impacts to marine species and habitats. Floating turbines currently exist in three countries but large-scale and rapid expansion is planned in over a dozen. This technology comes with unique potential ecological impacts. Here, we outline the various floating wind turbine configurations, and consider the potential impacts on marine mammals, seabirds, fishes and benthic ecosystems. We focus on the unique risks floating turbines may pose with respect to: primary and secondary entanglement of marine life in debris ensnared on mooring lines used to stabilize floating turbines or dynamic inter-array cables; behavioral modification and displacement, such as seabird attraction to perching opportunities; turbine and vessel collision; and benthic habitat degradation from turbine infrastructure, for example from scour from anchors and inter-array cables. We highlight mitigation techniques that can be applied by managers or mandated through policy, such as entanglement deterrents or the use of cable and mooring line monitoring technologies to monitor for and reduce entanglement potential, or smart siting to reduce impacts to critical habitats. We recommend turbine configurations that are likely to have the lower ecological impacts, particularly taut or semi-taut mooring configurations, and we recommend studies and technologies still needed that will allow for floating turbines to be applied with limited ecological impacts, for example entanglement monitoring and deterrent technologies. Our review underscores additional research and mitigation techniques are required for floating technology, beyond those needed for pile-driven offshore or inshore turbines, and that understanding and mitigating the unique impacts from this technology is critical to sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Maxwell
- School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Bothell, Bothell, WA, USA.
| | - Francine Kershaw
- Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cameron C Locke
- School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, Bothell, Bothell, WA, USA
| | - Melinda G Conners
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Cyndi Dawson
- Castalia Environmental, Hanover St, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Sandy Aylesworth
- Natural Resources Defense Council, 111 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Loomis
- Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew F Johnson
- MarFishEco Fisheries Consultants, 67/6 Brunswick Street, Edinburgh, EH7 5HT, Scotland, UK; Marine Sustainability, Policy & Conservation Evidence (Marine SPACE) Group, The Lyell Centre, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Christiansen F, Uhart MM, Bejder L, Clapham P, Ivashchenko Y, Tormosov D, Lewin N, Sironi M. Foetal growth, birth size and energetic cost of gestation in southern right whales. J Physiol 2022; 600:2245-2266. [PMID: 35261040 PMCID: PMC9322553 DOI: 10.1113/jp282351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The cost of reproduction greatly affects a species’ life history strategy. Baleen whales exhibit some of the fastest offspring growth rates in the animal kingdom. We quantified the energetic cost of gestation for southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) by combining whaling catch records of pregnant females with photogrammetry data on southern right whale mothers and calves from two breeding grounds in Argentina and Australia. The relationship between calf birth size and maternal length was determined from repeated measurements of individual females before and after giving birth. Fetal growth was determined from generalized linear models fitted to fetal length data from whaling operations between 1961 and 1967. Fetal length was converted to volume and mass, using the volume‐to‐length relationship of newborn southern right whales calves, and published tissue composition and energy content estimates. Fetal maintenance costs (heat of gestation) and the energy content of the placenta were predicted from published relationships and added to the fetal growth cost to calculate the total cost of gestation. Our findings showed that fetal growth rates and birth size increased linearly with maternal length, with calves being born at ∼35% maternal length. Fetal length increased curvilinearly through gestation, which resulted in an exponential increase in fetal volume and mass. Consequently, the cost of gestation was very low during the first (0.1% of total cost) and second trimester (4.9%), but increased rapidly during the last trimester (95.0%). The heat of gestation incurred the highest cost for pregnant females (73.8%), followed by fetal growth (21.2%) and the placental energy content (5.0%). Key points Baleen whales exhibit some of the fastest fetal growth rates in the animal kingdom. Despite this, the energetic cost of gestation is largely unknown, as well as the influence of maternal body size on fetal growth rates and calf birth sizes. We combined historical whaling records and drone photogrammetry data to determine fetal growth rates and birth sizes in southern right whales (Eubalaena australis), from which we estimated the cost of gestation. Calf birth size, and consequent fetal growth rates, increased positively with maternal body size. The cost of gestation was negligible for southern right whale females during the first two trimesters, but increased rapidly during the last trimester. These results show that late gestation incurs a significant cost for baleen whale females, and needs to be accounted for in bioenergetic models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Christiansen
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark.,Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
| | - Marcela M Uhart
- Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, 9120, Argentina.,Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, 95616, USA
| | - Lars Bejder
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark.,Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | | | | | - Dmitry Tormosov
- Seastar Scientific Russia, Kaliningrad, Karl Marx St 76, 236022, Russia
| | - Nicolás Lewin
- Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariano Sironi
- Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, 9120, Argentina.,Instituto de Conservación de Ballenas, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Diversidad Animal II, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, 5000, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
A fine-scale marine mammal movement model for assessing long-term aggregate noise exposure. Ecol Modell 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
47
|
A Review of Modeling Approaches for Understanding and Monitoring the Environmental Effects of Marine Renewable Energy. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the environmental effects of marine energy (ME) devices is fundamental for their sustainable development and efficient regulation. However, measuring effects is difficult given the limited number of operational devices currently deployed. Numerical modeling is a powerful tool for estimating environmental effects and quantifying risks. It is most effective when informed by empirical data and coordinated with the development and implementation of monitoring protocols. We reviewed modeling techniques and information needs for six environmental stressor–receptor interactions related to ME: changes in oceanographic systems, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), changes in habitat, collision risk, and displacement of marine animals. This review considers the effects of tidal, wave, and ocean current energy converters. We summarized the availability and maturity of models for each stressor–receptor interaction and provide examples involving ME devices when available and analogous examples otherwise. Models for oceanographic systems and underwater noise were widely available and sometimes applied to ME, but need validation in real-world settings. Many methods are available for modeling habitat change and displacement of marine animals, but few examples related to ME exist. Models of collision risk and species response to EMFs are still in stages of theory development and need more observational data, particularly about species behavior near devices, to be effective. We conclude by synthesizing model status, commonalities between models, and overlapping monitoring needs that can be exploited to develop a coordinated and efficient set of protocols for predicting and monitoring the environmental effects of ME.
Collapse
|
48
|
Allen AS, Read AJ, Shorter KA, Gabaldon J, Blawas AM, Rocho-Levine J, Fahlman A. Dynamic body acceleration as a proxy to predict the cost of locomotion in bottlenose dolphins. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:274390. [PMID: 35014667 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.243121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Estimates of the energetic costs of locomotion (COL) at different activity levels are necessary to answer fundamental eco-physiological questions and to understand the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance to marine mammals. We combined estimates of energetic costs derived from breath-by-breath respirometry with measurements of overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA) from biologging tags to validate ODBA as a proxy for COL in trained common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). We measured resting metabolic rate (RMR); mean individual RMR was 0.71-1.42 times that of a similarly sized terrestrial mammal and agreed with past measurements which used breath-by-breath and flow-through respirometry. We also measured energy expenditure during submerged swim trials, at primarily moderate exercise levels. We subtracted RMR to obtain COL, and normalized COL by body size to incorporate individual swimming efficiencies. We found both mass-specific energy expenditure and mass-specific COL were linearly related with ODBA. Measurements of activity level and cost of transport (the energy required to move a given distance) improve understanding of the costs of locomotion in marine mammals. The strength of the correlation between ODBA and COL varied among individuals, but the overall relationship can be used at a broad scale to estimate the energetic costs of disturbance, daily locomotion costs to build energy budgets, and investigate the costs of diving in free-ranging animals where bio-logging data are available. We propose that a similar approach could be applied to other cetacean species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - K Alex Shorter
- Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Andreas Fahlman
- Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, Research Department, Valencia, Spain.,Global Diving Research S.L., Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Lonati GL, Zitterbart DP, Miller CA, Corkeron P, Murphy CT, Moore MJ. Investigating the thermal physiology of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales Eubalaena glacialis via aerial infrared thermography. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
50
|
Pirotta E. A review of bioenergetic modelling for marine mammal populations. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac036. [PMID: 35754757 PMCID: PMC9215292 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergetic models describe the processes through which animals acquire energy from resources in the environment and allocate it to different life history functions. They capture some of the fundamental mechanisms regulating individuals, populations and ecosystems and have thus been used in a wide variety of theoretical and applied contexts. Here, I review the development of bioenergetic models for marine mammals and their application to management and conservation. For these long-lived, wide-ranging species, bioenergetic approaches were initially used to assess the energy requirements and prey consumption of individuals and populations. Increasingly, models are developed to describe the dynamics of energy intake and allocation and predict how resulting body reserves, vital rates and population dynamics might change as external conditions vary. The building blocks required to develop such models include estimates of intake rate, maintenance costs, growth patterns, energy storage and the dynamics of gestation and lactation, as well as rules for prioritizing allocation. I describe how these components have been parameterized for marine mammals and highlight critical research gaps. Large variation exists among available analytical approaches, reflecting the large range of life histories, management needs and data availability across studies. Flexibility in modelling strategy has supported tailored applications to specific case studies but has resulted in limited generality. Despite the many empirical and theoretical uncertainties that remain, bioenergetic models can be used to predict individual and population responses to environmental change and other anthropogenic impacts, thus providing powerful tools to inform effective management and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Pirotta
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9LZ, UK. Tel: (+44) (0)1334 461 842.
| |
Collapse
|