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Groß J, Franco-Santos RM, Virtue P, Nichols PD, Totterdell J, Marcondes MCC, Garrigue C, Botero-Acosta N, Christiansen F, Castrillon J, Caballero SJ, Friedlaender AS, Kawaguchi S, Double MC, Bell EM, Makabe R, Moteki M, Hoem N, Fry B, Burford M, Bengtson Nash S. No distinct local cuisines among humpback whales: A population diet comparison in the Southern Hemisphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 931:172939. [PMID: 38701928 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172939] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Southern hemisphere humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, SHHW) breeding populations follow a high-fidelity Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) diet while feeding in distinct sectors of the Southern Ocean. Their capital breeding life history requires predictable ecosystem productivity to fuel migration and migration-related behaviours. It is therefore postulated that populations feeding in areas subject to the strongest climate change impacts are more likely to show the first signs of a departure from a high-fidelity krill diet. We tested this hypothesis by investigating blubber fatty acid profiles and skin stable isotopes obtained from five SHHW populations in 2019, and comparing them to Antarctic krill stable isotopes sampled in three SHHW feeding areas in the Southern Ocean in 2019. Fatty acid profiles and δ13C and δ15N varied significantly among all five populations, however, calculated trophic positions did not (2.7 to 3.1). Similarly, fatty acid ratios, 16:1ω7c/16:0 and 20:5ω3/22:6ω3 were above 1, showing that whales from all five populations are secondary heterotrophs following an omnivorous diet with a diatom-origin. Thus, evidence for a potential departure from a high-fidelity Antarctic krill diet was not seen in any population. δ13C of all populations were similar to δ13C of krill sampled in productive upwelling areas or the marginal sea-ice zone. Consistency in trophic position and diet origin but significant fatty acid and stable isotope differences demonstrate that the observed variability arises at lower trophic levels. Our results indicate that, at present, there is no evidence of a divergence from a high-fidelity krill diet. Nevertheless, the characteristic isotopic signal of whales feeding in productive upwelling areas, or in the marginal sea-ice zone, implies that future cryosphere reductions could impact their feeding ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Groß
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, QLD, Australia; Alfred-Wegener-Institute Helmholtz-Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), Ammerländer Heerstrasse 231, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.
| | - Rita M Franco-Santos
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 7004 Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Patti Virtue
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 7004 Hobart, TAS, Australia; CSIRO Environment, 7004 Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Peter D Nichols
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, 7004 Hobart, TAS, Australia; CSIRO Environment, 7004 Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | | | - Claire Garrigue
- UMR 250/9220 ENTROPIE, IRD, Université de La Réunion, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS, Ifremer, Laboratoired'Excellence-CORAIL, BPA5 Nouméa, New Caledonia; Opération Cétacés, Nouméa, New Caledonia
| | | | - Fredrik Christiansen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Juliana Castrillon
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Susana J Caballero
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos (LEMVA), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, 18A-10 Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - So Kawaguchi
- Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Elanor M Bell
- Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, TAS, Australia
| | - Ryosuke Makabe
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan; Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan; Department of Polar Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-851, Japan
| | - Masato Moteki
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan; Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Nils Hoem
- Aker BioMarine Antarctic AS, NO-1327 Lysaker, Norway
| | - Brian Fry
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Michele Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, QLD, Australia
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Griffith University, 4111 Nathan, QLD, Australia
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Stratification, sex and ontogenetic effects on the lipid and fatty acid profiles in the blubber of sperm whales from Tasmanian waters. J Comp Physiol B 2022; 192:789-804. [PMID: 35939091 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-022-01453-6] [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: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
We examined the differential deposition of lipids according to layer, sex and ontogeny in the blubber of 31 adult sperm whales (n = 22 females, 9 males) and two calves that stranded off the Tasmanian coast from 2002 to 2004. Total lipid (TL) content varied widely across the blubber layers of adults (27-77%). Overall, females had higher TL content than males possibly representing higher energy needs due to reproduction. Higher TL content in the middle layer of adults (69%) suggests this layer may act as an energy reserve. Wax esters (WE) dominated the blubber and were highest in the outer layer of adults and calves, likely providing insulative qualities for this deep-diving odontocete. Triacyclglycerols, an easily mobilized energy source, were highest in the inner layer of females (37.3 ± 13.5%) and calves (32.1 ± 1.8%) compared to males (17.1 ± 8.2%). Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) also dominated the blubber. An increasing gradient from the inner to outer layer reflected an increasing source of endogenously synthesized lipids, whereas an increasing gradient of saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) toward the inner layer reflected an increasing source of dietary lipids. Although body site did not affect lipid profiles, stratification between the outer and more metabolically active inner layers suggests that only using the outer layer may result in an incomplete lipid profile for sperm whales.
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Kebke A, Samarra F, Derous D. Climate change and cetacean health: impacts and future directions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2022; 377:20210249. [PMID: 35574848 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0249] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change directly impacts the foraging opportunities of cetaceans (e.g. lower prey availability), leads to habitat loss, and forces cetaceans to move to other feeding grounds. The rise in ocean temperature, low prey availability and loss of habitat can have severe consequences for cetacean survival, particularly those species that are already threatened or those with a limited habitat range. In addition, it is predicted that the concentration of contaminants in aquatic environments will increase owing to Arctic meltwater and increased rainfall events leading to higher rates of land-based runoff in downstream coastal areas. These persistent and mobile contaminants can bioaccumulate in the ecosystem, and lead to ecotoxicity with potentially severe consequences on the reproductive organs, immune system and metabolism of marine mammals. There is a need to measure and assess the cumulative impact of multiple stressors, given that climate change, habitat alteration, low prey availability and contaminants do not act in isolation. Human-caused perturbations to cetacean foraging abilities are becoming a pervasive and prevalent threat to many cetacean species on top of climate change-associated stressors. We need to move to a greater understanding of how multiple stressors impact the metabolism of cetaceans and ultimately their population trajectory. This article is part of the theme issue 'Nurturing resilient marine ecosystems'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kebke
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Filipa Samarra
- University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
| | - Davina Derous
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Validation of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis for estimating the diet composition of free-ranging killer whales. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7938. [PMID: 35562583 PMCID: PMC9106655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11660-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate diet estimates are necessary to assess trophic interactions and food web dynamics in ecosystems, particularly for apex predators like cetaceans, which can regulate entire food webs. Quantitative fatty acid analysis (QFASA) has been used to estimate the diets of marine predators in the last decade but has yet to be implemented on free-ranging cetaceans, from which typically only biopsy samples containing outer blubber are available, due to a lack of empirically determined calibration coefficients (CCs) that account for fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Here, we develop and validate QFASA for killer whales using full blubber from managed-care and free-ranging individuals. First, we compute full, inner, and outer blubber CCs from the FA signatures across the blubber layers of managed-care killer whales and their long-term diet items. We then run cross-validating simulations on the managed-care individuals to evaluate the accuracy of diet estimates by comparing full-depth and depth-specific estimates to true diets. Finally, we apply these approaches to subsistence-harvested killer whales from Greenland to test the utility of the method for free-ranging killer whales, particularly for the outer blubber. Accurate diet estimates for the managed-care killer whales were only achieved using killer whale-specific and blubber-layer-specific CCs. Modeled diets for the Greenlandic killer whales largely consisted of seals (75.9 ± 4.7%) and/or fish (20.4 ± 2.4%), mainly mackerel, which was consistent with stomach content data and limited literature on this population. Given the remote habitats and below surface feeding of most cetaceans, this newly developed cetacean-specific QFASA method, which can be applied to outer-layer biopsies, offers promise to provide a significant new understanding of diet dynamics of free-ranging odontocetes and perhaps other cetacean species throughout the world's oceans.
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Sun J, Zhang L, Zhou F, Shaw S, Roos A, Berger M, Bäcklin BM, Huang Y, Zheng X, Wang X, Chen D. Hepatic Fatty Acid Profiles Associated with Exposure to Emerging and Legacy Halogenated Contaminants in Two Harbor Seal Populations across the North Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1830-1840. [PMID: 35068154 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acids (FAs) have been extensively used as indicators of foraging ecology in marine mammals, yet their association with exposure to contaminants has rarely been investigated. The present study provided the first characterization of the relationship between hepatic FA profiles and exposure to a suite of contaminants in a sentinel species─the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)─from the Gulf of Maine and the south coast of Sweden. FA profiles differed in the two seal populations, and the levels of legacy and alternative brominated flame retardants and polyhalogenated carbazoles were significantly elevated in Maine seals. Correlations between individual FAs and multiple flame retardants (FRs) and poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were found in seals from both populations. Moreover, several FR and PFAS chemicals were significantly associated with the estimated desaturating enzyme activity inferred from the FA profiles. The ratios of poly to monounsaturated FAs (∑PUFAs/∑MUFAs) and those of unsaturated to saturated FAs (∑UFAs/∑SFAs) were significantly associated with HBBZ, PFHxS, or BDE 47 in seals from Maine and Sweden, whereas ∑n - 6/∑n - 3 PUFAs was significantly associated with BDE 154 and 36-CCZ in Swedish and Maine seals, respectively. Our results suggest the lipid metabolism-disrupting potential of these contaminants in marine mammals and warrant continuous biomonitoring and risk assessment, considering the critical role of PUFAs in vital biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Long Zhang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fengli Zhou
- Research Center of Harmful Algae and Marine Biology, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Susan Shaw
- Shaw Institute, Blue Hill Research Center, Blue Hill, Maine 04614, United States
| | - Anna Roos
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 5007, Stockholm SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Michelle Berger
- Shaw Institute, Blue Hill Research Center, Blue Hill, Maine 04614, United States
| | - Britt-Marie Bäcklin
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 5007, Stockholm SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, CN-230032 Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoshi Zheng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Research Center of Harmful Algae and Marine Biology, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Bengtson Nash SM, Casa MV, Kawaguchi S, Staniland I, Bjerregaard P. Mercury levels in humpback whales, and other Southern Ocean marine megafauna. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112774. [PMID: 34364143 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a known potent neurotoxin. The biogeochemical cycle of mercury in the remote Antarctic region is still poorly understood, with Polar climate change contributing added complexity. Longitudinal biomonitoring of mercury accumulation in Antarctic marine megafauna can contribute top-down insight into the bio-physical drivers of wildlife exposure. The bioaccumulative nature of organic mercury renders high trophic predators at the greatest risk of elevated exposure. Humpback whales represent secondary consumers of the Antarctic sea-ice ecosystem and an ideal biomonitoring species for persistent and bioaccumulative compounds due to their extended life-spans. This study provides the first results of mercury accumulation in humpback whales, and places findings within the context of mercury accumulation in both prey, as well as six other species of Antarctic marine megafauna. Combined, these findings contribute new baseline information regarding mercury exposure to Antarctic wildlife, and highlights methodological prerequisites for routine mercury biomonitoring in wildlife via non-lethally biopsied superficial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Bengtson Nash
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia.
| | - Maria Valeria Casa
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - So Kawaguchi
- Australian Antarctic Division, Kingston, TAS 7050, Australia
| | - Iain Staniland
- British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge CB3 0ET, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Poul Bjerregaard
- Department of Biology, The University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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Groß J, Fry B, Burford MA, Bengtson Nash S. Assessing the effects of lipid extraction and lipid correction on stable isotope values (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) of blubber and skin from southern hemisphere humpback whales. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2021; 35:e9140. [PMID: 34097783 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The coupled analysis of δ13 C and δ15 N stable isotope values of blubber and skin biopsy samples is widely used to study the diet of free-ranging cetaceans. Differences in the lipid content of these tissues can affect isotopic variability because lipids are depleted in 13 C, reducing the bulk tissue 13 C/12 C. This variability in carbon isotope values can be accounted for either by chemically extracting lipids from the tissue or by using mathematical lipid normalisation models. METHODS This study examines (a) the effects of chemical lipid extraction on δ13 C and δ15 N values in blubber and skin of southern hemisphere humpback whales, (b) whether chemical lipid extraction is more favourable than mathematical lipid correction and (c) which of the two tissues is more appropriate for dietary studies. Strategic comparisons were made between chemical lipid extraction and mathematical lipid correction and between blubber and skin tissue δ13 C and δ15 N values, as well as C:N ratios. Six existing mathematical normalisation models were tested for their efficacy in estimating lipid-free δ13 C for skin. RESULTS Both δ13 C and δ15 N values of lipid-extracted skin (δ13 C: -25.57‰, δ15 N: 6.83‰) were significantly higher than those of bulk skin (δ13 C: -26.97‰, δ15 N: 6.15‰). Five of the six tested lipid normalisation models had small error terms for predicting lipid-free δ13 C values. The average C:N ratio of lipid-extracted skin was within the lipid-free range reported in other studies, whereas the average C:N ratio of blubber was higher than previously reported. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the need to account for lipids when analysing δ13 C and δ15 N values from the same sample. For optimised dietary assessments using parallel isotope analysis from a single sample, we recommend the use of unextracted skin tissue. δ15 N values should be obtained from unextracted skin, whereas δ13 C values may be adequately lipid corrected by a mathematical correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Groß
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Brian Fry
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michele A Burford
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
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Bories P, Rikardsen AH, Leonards P, Fisk AT, Tartu S, Vogel EF, Bytingsvik J, Blévin P. A deep dive into fat: Investigating blubber lipidomic fingerprint of killer whales and humpback whales in northern Norway. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6716-6729. [PMID: 34141252 PMCID: PMC8207449 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In cetaceans, blubber is the primary and largest lipid body reservoir. Our current understanding about lipid stores and uses in cetaceans is still limited, and most studies only focused on a single narrow snapshot of the lipidome. We documented an extended lipidomic fingerprint in two cetacean species present in northern Norway during wintertime. We were able to detect 817 molecular lipid species in blubber of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The profiles were largely dominated by triradylglycerols in both species and, to a lesser extent, by other constituents including glycerophosphocholines, phosphosphingolipids, glycerophosphoethanolamines, and diradylglycerols. Through a unique combination of traditional statistical approaches, together with a novel bioinformatic tool (LION/web), we showed contrasting fingerprint composition between species. The higher content of triradylglycerols in humpback whales is necessary to fuel their upcoming half a year fasting and energy-demanding migration between feeding and breeding grounds. In adipocytes, we assume that the intense feeding rate of humpback whales prior to migration translates into an important accumulation of triacylglycerol content in lipid droplets. Upstream, the endoplasmic reticulum is operating at full capacity to supply acute lipid storage, consistent with the reported enrichment of glycerophosphocholines in humpback whales, major components of the endoplasmic reticulum. There was also an enrichment of membrane components, which translates into higher sphingolipid content in the lipidome of killer whales, potentially as a structural adaptation for their higher hydrodynamic performance. Finally, the presence of both lipid-enriched and lipid-depleted individuals within the killer whale population in Norway suggests dietary specialization, consistent with significant differences in δ15N and δ13C isotopic ratios in skin between the two groups, with higher values and a wider niche for the lipid-enriched individuals. Results suggest the lipid-depleted killer whales were herring specialists, while the lipid-enriched individuals might feed on both herrings and seals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Audun H. Rikardsen
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT ‐ The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Pim Leonards
- Department of Environment and HealthVrije UniversiteitAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Aaron T. Fisk
- School of the EnvironmentUniversity of WindsorWindsorONCanada
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de ChizéVilliers en BoisFrance
| | - Emma F. Vogel
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT ‐ The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
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Senevirathna JDM, Asakawa S. Multi-Omics Approaches and Radiation on Lipid Metabolism in Toothed Whales. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:364. [PMID: 33923876 PMCID: PMC8074237 DOI: 10.3390/life11040364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid synthesis pathways of toothed whales have evolved since their movement from the terrestrial to marine environment. The synthesis and function of these endogenous lipids and affecting factors are still little understood. In this review, we focused on different omics approaches and techniques to investigate lipid metabolism and radiation impacts on lipids in toothed whales. The selected literature was screened, and capacities, possibilities, and future approaches for identifying unusual lipid synthesis pathways by omics were evaluated. Omics approaches were categorized into the four major disciplines: lipidomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomics. Genomics and transcriptomics can together identify genes related to unique lipid synthesis. As lipids interact with proteins in the animal body, lipidomics, and proteomics can correlate by creating lipid-binding proteome maps to elucidate metabolism pathways. In lipidomics studies, recent mass spectroscopic methods can address lipid profiles; however, the determination of structures of lipids are challenging. As an environmental stress, the acoustic radiation has a significant effect on the alteration of lipid profiles. Radiation studies in different omics approaches revealed the necessity of multi-omics applications. This review concluded that a combination of many of the omics areas may elucidate the metabolism of lipids and possible hazards on lipids in toothed whales by radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayan D. M. Senevirathna
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka
| | - Shuichi Asakawa
- Laboratory of Aquatic Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan;
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