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Beltran RS, Lozano RR, Morris PA, Robinson PW, Holser RR, Keates TR, Favilla AB, Kilpatrick AM, Costa DP. Individual variation in life-history timing: synchronous presence, asynchronous events and phenological compensation in a wild mammal. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232335. [PMID: 38628129 PMCID: PMC11021928 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2335] [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: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Many animals and plants have species-typical annual cycles, but individuals vary in their timing of life-history events. Individual variation in fur replacement (moult) timing is poorly understood in mammals due to the challenge of repeated observations and longitudinal sampling. We examined factors that influence variation in moult duration and timing among elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). We quantified the onset and progression of fur loss in 1178 individuals. We found that an exceptionally rapid visible moult (7 days, the shortest of any mammals or birds), and a wide range of moult start dates (spanning 6-10× the event duration) facilitated high asynchrony across individuals (only 20% of individuals in the population moulting at the same time). Some of the variation was due to reproductive state, as reproductively mature females that skipped a breeding season moulted a week earlier than reproductive females. Moreover, individual variation in timing and duration within age-sex categories far outweighed (76-80%) variation among age-sex categories. Individuals arriving at the end of the moult season spent 50% less time on the beach, which allowed them to catch up in their annual cycles and reduce population-level variance during breeding. These findings underscore the importance of individual variation in annual cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne S. Beltran
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Raquel R. Lozano
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Patricia A. Morris
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Patrick W. Robinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Rachel R. Holser
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Theresa R. Keates
- Department of Ocean Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Arina B. Favilla
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - A. Marm Kilpatrick
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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2
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Chambault P, Teilmann J, Tervo O, Sinding MHS, Heide-Jørgensen MP. The nightscape of the Arctic winter shapes the diving behavior of a marine predator. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3908. [PMID: 38365829 PMCID: PMC10873309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53953-w] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions in marine ecosystems are dynamically influenced by light, as demonstrated by diel vertical migrations of low-trophic level organisms. At high latitudes, the long winter nights can provide foraging opportunities for marine predators targeting vertically migrating prey closer to the surface at night. However, there is limited documentation of such diel patterns in marine predators under extreme light regimes. To address this, we recorded the diving behavior of 17 harbour porpoises just south of the Arctic circle in West Greenland, from summer to winter. Unlike classical diel vertical migration, the porpoises dove 24-37% deeper at night and the frequency of deep dives (> 100 m) increased tenfold as they entered the darkest months. The daily mean depth was negatively correlated with daylength, suggesting an increased diving activity when approaching the polar night. Our findings suggest a light-mediated strategy in which harbour porpoises would either target (i) benthic prey, (ii) pelagic prey migrating seasonally towards the seafloor, or (iii) vertically migrating prey that may be otherwise inaccessible in deeper waters at night, therefore maximizing feeding activity during extended periods of darkness. Extreme light regimes observed at high latitudes are therefore critical in structuring pelagic communities and food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Chambault
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Strandgade 91, 2, 1401, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
| | - Jonas Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Outi Tervo
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Strandgade 91, 2, 1401, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Holger S Sinding
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
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3
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Ratnarajah L, Abu-Alhaija R, Atkinson A, Batten S, Bax NJ, Bernard KS, Canonico G, Cornils A, Everett JD, Grigoratou M, Ishak NHA, Johns D, Lombard F, Muxagata E, Ostle C, Pitois S, Richardson AJ, Schmidt K, Stemmann L, Swadling KM, Yang G, Yebra L. Monitoring and modelling marine zooplankton in a changing climate. Nat Commun 2023; 14:564. [PMID: 36732509 PMCID: PMC9895051 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Zooplankton are major consumers of phytoplankton primary production in marine ecosystems. As such, they represent a critical link for energy and matter transfer between phytoplankton and bacterioplankton to higher trophic levels and play an important role in global biogeochemical cycles. In this Review, we discuss key responses of zooplankton to ocean warming, including shifts in phenology, range, and body size, and assess the implications to the biological carbon pump and interactions with higher trophic levels. Our synthesis highlights key knowledge gaps and geographic gaps in monitoring coverage that need to be urgently addressed. We also discuss an integrated sampling approach that combines traditional and novel techniques to improve zooplankton observation for the benefit of monitoring zooplankton populations and modelling future scenarios under global changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavenia Ratnarajah
- Integrated Marine Observing System, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. .,Global Ocean Observing System, International Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO, Paris, France.
| | - Rana Abu-Alhaija
- Cyprus Subsea Consulting and Services C.S.C.S. ltd, Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Angus Atkinson
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, PL1 3DH, Plymouth, UK
| | - Sonia Batten
- North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES), 9860 West Saanich Road, V8L 4B2, Sidney, BC, Canada
| | | | - Kim S Bernard
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 CEOAS Admin Bldg., Corvallis, OR, 97330, USA
| | - Gabrielle Canonico
- US Integrated Ocean Observing System (US IOOS), NOAA, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Astrid Cornils
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Section Polar Biological Oceanography, Am Handelshafen 12, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jason D Everett
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, 4067, Australia.,Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Grigoratou
- Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, USA.,Mercator Ocean International, 2 Av. de l'Aérodrome de Montaudran, 31400, Toulouse, France
| | - Nurul Huda Ahmad Ishak
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.,Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - David Johns
- The Marine Biological Association (MBA), The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Fabien Lombard
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.,Research Federation for the Study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans GOSEE, 75016, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France, 75231, Paris, France
| | - Erik Muxagata
- Universidade Federal de Rio Grande - FURG - Laboratório de Zooplâncton - Instituto de Oceanografia, Av. Itália, Km 8 - Campus Carreiros, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Clare Ostle
- The Marine Biological Association (MBA), The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Sophie Pitois
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR330HT, UK
| | - Anthony J Richardson
- School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia.,CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Queensland Biosciences Precinct, St Lucia, 4067, Australia
| | - Katrin Schmidt
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Lars Stemmann
- Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (LOV), Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
| | - Kerrie M Swadling
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies & Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Guang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao, 266071, PR China
| | - Lidia Yebra
- Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga (IEO, CSIC), Puerto Pesquero s/n, 29640, Fuengirola, Spain
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Goetz KT, Dinniman MS, Hückstädt LA, Robinson PW, Shero MR, Burns JM, Hofmann EE, Stammerjohn SE, Hazen EL, Ainley DG, Costa DP. Seasonal habitat preference and foraging behaviour of post-moult Weddell seals in the western Ross Sea. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220500. [PMID: 36704255 PMCID: PMC9874274 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220500] [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: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) are important predators in the Southern Ocean and are among the best-studied pinnipeds on Earth, yet much still needs to be learned about their year-round movements and foraging behaviour. Using biologgers, we tagged 62 post-moult Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound and vicinity between 2010 and 2012. Generalized additive mixed models were used to (i) explain and predict the probability of seal presence and foraging behaviour from eight environmental variables, and (ii) examine foraging behaviour in relation to dive metrics. Foraging probability was highest in winter and lowest in summer, and foraging occurred mostly in the water column or just above the bottom; across all seasons, seals preferentially exploited the shallow banks and deeper troughs of the Ross Sea, the latter providing a pathway for Circumpolar Deep Water to flow onto the shelf. In addition, the probability of Weddell seal occurrence and foraging increased with increasing bathymetric slope and where water depth was typically less than 600 m. Although the probability of occurrence was higher closer to the shelf break, foraging was higher in areas closer to shore and over banks. This study highlights the importance of overwinter foraging for recouping body mass lost during the previous summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly T. Goetz
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Michael S. Dinniman
- Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, 4111 Monarch Way, 3 floor, Norfolk, VA 23508 USA
| | - Luis A. Hückstädt
- Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Patrick W. Robinson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Michelle R. Shero
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
| | - Jennifer M. Burns
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Box 43131, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Eileen E. Hofmann
- Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, 4111 Monarch Way, 3 floor, Norfolk, VA 23508 USA
| | - Sharon E. Stammerjohn
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Campus Box 450, Boulder, CO 80309-0450, USA
| | - Elliott L. Hazen
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
- Environmental Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, 99 Pacific Street, Suite 255A, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - David G. Ainley
- H.T. Harvey and Associates Ecological Consultants, 983 University Avenue, Building D, Los Gatos, CA 95032, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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5
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Iron mobilization during lactation reduces oxygen stores in a diving mammal. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4322. [PMID: 35918323 PMCID: PMC9345918 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31863-7] [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: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The profound impacts that maternal provisioning of finite energy resources has on offspring survival have been extensively studied across mammals. This study shows that in addition to calories, high hemoprotein concentrations in diving mammals necessitates exceptional female-to-pup iron transfer. Numerous indices of iron mobilization (ferritin, serum iron, total-iron-binding-capacity, transferrin saturation) were significantly elevated during lactation in adult female Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), but not in skip-breeders. Iron was mobilized from endogenous stores for incorporation into the Weddell seal’s milk at concentrations up to 100× higher than terrestrial mammals. Such high rates of iron offload to offspring drew from the female’s own heme stores and led to compromised physiologic dive capacities (hemoglobin, myoglobin, and total body oxygen stores) after weaning their pups, which was further reflected in shorter dive durations. We demonstrate that lactational iron transfer shapes physiologic dive thresholds, identifying a cost of reproduction to a marine mammal. Here, the authors show that Weddell seal mothers mobilize endogenous iron stores during lactation to provide to pups, resulting in iron concentrations in milk 100x higher than terrestrial mammals. This was associated with reduced dive durations in the mother, a cost of reproduction.
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