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Mikkelsen L, Kovacs KM, Blanchet MA, Brodin G, Lydersen C. Interannual site fidelity by Svalbard walruses. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15822. [PMID: 38982120 PMCID: PMC11233647 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66370-w] [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: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The Arctic is experiencing rapid reductions in sea ice, affecting all ice-dependant species. In the present study we examine interannual seasonal movements and habitat use in relation to sea ice coverage for one of the Arctic endemic marine mammals. We tagged 40 male walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago with custom-designed tusk-mounted GPS loggers. Twelve of these animals provided tracks that lasted 1-6 years. Eleven of the walruses displayed clear seasonal migratory behaviour between summer foraging areas and winter breeding areas. Individuals showed high inter-individual variation, but clear site fidelity, using the same areas in consecutive years despite variable sea ice conditions. The walruses swam 5225-10,406 km per year and travelled remarkably similar distances between years on an individual basis. The phenology of migration was not impacted by sea ice concentrations or daylight length but was consistent at the individual level, suggesting endogenous drivers. Sea ice concentrations influenced movement behaviour with animals showing more tortuous paths when in areas with heavy sea ice, possibly searching for polynyas where females reside. Ongoing climate change is expected to drastically change walrus habitat, and it remains to be seen if walruses will be able to shift from their fixed seasonal migratory routines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonnie Mikkelsen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framsenteret, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framsenteret, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Marie-Anne Blanchet
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framsenteret, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gary Brodin
- Pathtrack Ltd, Unit 1, Chevin Mill, Leeds Road, Otley, LS21 1BT, UK
| | - Christian Lydersen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framsenteret, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
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Lippold A, Harju M, Aars J, Blévin P, Bytingsvik J, Gabrielsen GW, Kovacs KM, Lyche JL, Lydersen C, Rikardsen AH, Routti H. Occurrence of emerging brominated flame retardants and organophosphate esters in marine wildlife from the Norwegian Arctic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120395. [PMID: 36228858 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120395] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To understand the exposure and potential sources of emerging brominated flame retardants (EBFR) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) in marine wildlife from the Norwegian Arctic, we investigated concentrations of EBFRs in 157 tissue samples from nine species of marine vertebrates and OPEs in 34 samples from three whale species. The samples, collected from a wide range of species with contrasting areal use and diets, included blubber of blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, white whales, killer whales, walruses and ringed seals and adipose tissue and plasma from polar bears, as well as adipose tissue from glaucous gulls. Tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) and tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) ranged from <0.61 to 164 and < 0.8-41 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, in blue whales and fin whales. All other EBRFs and OPEs were below the detection limit or detected only at low concentration. In addition to the baseline information on the occurrence of EBFRs and OPEs in marine wildlife from the Arctic, we provide an in-depth discussion regarding potential sources of the detected compounds. This information is important for future monitoring and management of EBFRs and OPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lippold
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Mikael Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø 9296, Norway.
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Semenova V, Boltunov A, Nikiforov V. Key habitats and movement patterns of Pechora Sea walruses studied using satellite telemetry. Polar Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-018-02451-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Star B, Barrett JH, Gondek AT, Boessenkool S. Ancient DNA reveals the chronology of walrus ivory trade from Norse Greenland. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2018.0978. [PMID: 30089624 PMCID: PMC6111184 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the Atlantic walrus ivory trade for the colonization, peak, and collapse of the medieval Norse colonies on Greenland has been extensively debated. Nevertheless, no studies have directly traced medieval European ivory back to distinct Arctic populations of walrus. Analysing the entire mitogenomes of 37 archaeological specimens from Europe, Svalbard, and Greenland, we here discover that Atlantic walrus comprises two monophyletic mitochondrial (MT) clades, which diverged between 23 400 and 251 120 years ago. Our improved genomic resolution allows us to reinterpret the geographical distribution of partial MT data from 306 modern and nineteenth-century specimens, finding that one of these clades was exclusively accessible to Greenlanders. With this discovery, we ascertain the biological origin of 23 archaeological specimens from Europe (most dated between 900 and 1400 CE). These results reveal a significant shift in trade from an early, predominantly eastern source towards a near exclusive representation of Greenland ivory. Our study provides empirical evidence for how this remote Arctic resource was progressively integrated into a medieval pan-European trade network, contributing to both the resilience and vulnerability of Norse Greenland society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan Star
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - James H Barrett
- McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3ER, UK
| | - Agata T Gondek
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sanne Boessenkool
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066, Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway
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Andersen LW, Jacobsen MW, Lydersen C, Semenova V, Boltunov A, Born EW, Wiig Ø, Kovacs KM. Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Pechora Sea in the context of contemporary population structure of Northeast Atlantic walruses. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blx093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Drew J, López EH, Gill L, McKeon M, Miller N, Steinberg M, Shen C, McClenachan L. Collateral damage to marine and terrestrial ecosystems from Yankee whaling in the 19th century. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:8181-8192. [PMID: 27878087 PMCID: PMC5108269 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Yankee whalers of the 19th century had major impacts on populations of large whales, but these leviathans were not the only taxa targeted. Here, we describe the “collateral damage,” the opportunistic or targeted taking of nongreat whale species by the American whaling industry. Using data from 5,064 records from 79 whaling logs occurring between 1840 and 1901, we show that Yankee whalers captured 5,255 animals across three large ocean basins from 32 different taxonomic categories, including a wide range of marine and terrestrial species. The taxa with the greatest number of individuals captured were walruses (Odobenus rosmarus), ducks (family Anatidae), and cod (Gadus sp.). By biomass, the most captured species were walruses, grampus (a poorly defined group within Odontoceti), and seals (family Otariidae). The whalers captured over 2.4 million kg of nongreat whale meat equaling approximately 34 kg of meat per ship per day at sea. The species and areas targeted shifted over time in response to overexploitation of whale populations, with likely intensive local impacts on terrestrial species associated with multiyear whaling camps. Our results show that the ecosystem impacts of whaling reverberated on both marine and coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Drew
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA; Department of Vertebrate Zoology American Museum of Natural History New York NY USA
| | - Elora H López
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA; Present address: Hopkins Marine Station Department of Biology Stanford University Pacific Grove CA USA
| | - Lucy Gill
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA
| | - Mallory McKeon
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA
| | - Nathan Miller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA; Present address: Nichols School of the Environment Duke University Durham NC USA
| | - Madeline Steinberg
- Department of Environmental Science Barnard College Columbia University New York NY USA
| | - Christa Shen
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA
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Jaouen K, Szpak P, Richards MP. Zinc Isotope Ratios as Indicators of Diet and Trophic Level in Arctic Marine Mammals. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152299. [PMID: 27010907 PMCID: PMC4806842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of bone collagen are an established method for dietary reconstruction, but this method is limited by the protein preservation. Zinc (Zn) is found in bioapatite and the isotopic compositions of this element constitute a very promising dietary indicator. The extent of fractionation of Zn isotopes in marine environments, however, remains unknown. We report here on the measurement of zinc, carbon and nitrogen isotopes in 47 marine mammals from the archaeological site of Arvik in the Canadian Arctic. We undertook this study to test and demonstrate the utility of Zn isotopes in recent mammal bone minerals as a dietary indicator by comparing them to other isotopic dietary tracers. We found a correlation between δ66Zn values and trophic level for most species, with the exception of walruses, which may be caused by their large seasonal movements. δ6Zn values can therefore be used as a dietary indicator in marine ecosystems for both modern and recent mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klervia Jaouen
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Human Evolution, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Paul Szpak
- University of British Columbia, Department of Anthropology, Vancouver Campus, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z1
| | - Michael P. Richards
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Human Evolution, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- University of British Columbia, Department of Anthropology, Vancouver Campus, 6303 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z1
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Abstract
Migration is well developed among mammals, but there has been little attempt to date to review common ecological constraints that may guide the evolution of migration among mammals, nor to consider its prevalence across different taxa. Here we review several alternate hypotheses for the evolution of migration in mammals based on improvements in energetic gain and mate-finding contrasted with reduction in energetic costs or the risk of predation and parasitism. While there are well-documented examples of each across the order Mammalia, the available evidence to date most strongly supports the energy gain and predation risk hypotheses in the terrestrial realm, whereas a combined strategy of reducing energetic costs in one season but improving energetic gain in another season seems to characterize aquatic mammal species, as well as bats. We further discuss behavioral and physiological specialization and provide a taxonomic cross section of mammalian migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. Avgar
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - G. Street
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J.M. Fryxell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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Franks B, Lyn H, Klein L, Reiss D. The influence of feeding, enrichment, and seasonal context on the behavior of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens). Zoo Biol 2009; 29:397-404. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Laidre KL, Stirling I, Lowry LF, Wiig O, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Ferguson SH. Quantifying the sensitivity of Arctic marine mammals to climate-induced habitat change. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2008; 18:S97-125. [PMID: 18494365 DOI: 10.1890/06-0546.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We review seven Arctic and four subarctic marine mammal species, their habitat requirements, and evidence for biological and demographic responses to climate change. We then describe a pan-Arctic quantitative index of species sensitivity to climate change based on population size, geographic range, habitat specificity, diet diversity, migration, site fidelity, sensitivity to changes in sea ice, sensitivity to changes in the trophic web, and maximum population growth potential (R(max)). The index suggests three types of sensitivity based on: (1) narrowness of distribution and specialization in feeding, (2) seasonal dependence on ice, and (3) reliance on sea ice as a structure for access to prey and predator avoidance. Based on the index, the hooded seal, the polar bear, and the narwhal appear to be the three most sensitive Arctic marine mammal species, primarily due to reliance on sea ice and specialized feeding. The least sensitive species were the ringed seal and bearded seal, primarily due to large circumpolar distributions, large population sizes, and flexible habitat requirements. The index provides an objective framework for ranking species and focusing future research on the effects of climate change on Arctic marine mammals. Finally, we distinguish between highly sensitive species and good indicator species and discuss regional variation and species-specific ecology that confounds Arctic-wide generalization regarding the effects of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin L Laidre
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland.
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Wiig Ø, Born EW, Gjertz I, Lydersen C, Stewart REA. Historical sex-specific distribution of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in Svalbard assessed by mandible measurements. Polar Biol 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-007-0334-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Andersen LW, Born EW, Gjertz I, Wiig O, Holm LE, Bendixen C. Population structure and gene flow of the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the eastern Atlantic Arctic based on mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite variation. Mol Ecol 1998; 7:1323-36. [PMID: 9787444 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1998.00455.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The population structure of the Atlantic walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus, was studied using 11 polymorphic microsatellites and restriction fragment length polymorphism detected in the NADH-dehydrogenase ND1, ND2 and ND3/4 segments in mtDNA. A total of 105 walrus samples were analysed from northwest (NW) Greenland, east (E) Greenland, Svalbard and Franz Joseph Land. Two of the 10 haplotypes detected in the four samples were diagnostic for the NW Greenland sample, which implied that the group of walruses in this area is evolutionary distinct from walruses in the other three areas. One individual sampled in E Greenland exhibited a Pacific haplotype, which proved a connection between the Pacific walrus and walruses in eastern Greenland. The Franz Joseph Land, Svalbard and E Greenland samples shared the most common haplotype, indicating very little differentiation at the mtDNA level. Gene flow (Nm) estimates among the four areas indicated a very restricted exchange of female genes between NW Greenland and the more eastern Atlantic Arctic samples, and a closer relationship between the three samples composing the eastern Atlantic Arctic. The genetic variation at 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci grouped individuals into three populations, NW Greenland, E Greenland and a common Franz Joseph Land-Svalbard population, which were connected by moderate gene flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- L W Andersen
- Department of Breeding and Genetics, Danish Institute of Animal Science, Foulum, Denmark.
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Gjertz I, Wiig Ø, Are Øritsland N. Backcalculation of original population size for walruses Odobenus rosmarus in Franz Josef Land. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 1998. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.1998.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Gjertz
- Ian Gjertz & Nils Are Øritsland, Norwegian Polar Institute, P.O.B. 5072 Majorstuen, N-0301 Oslo, Norway -
| | - Øystein Wiig
- Øystein Wiig, Zoological Museum, University of Oslo, Sarsgate 1, N-0562 Oslo, Norway
| | - Nils Are Øritsland
- Ian Gjertz & Nils Are Øritsland, Norwegian Polar Institute, P.O.B. 5072 Majorstuen, N-0301 Oslo, Norway -
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