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Keenan M, Misarti N, Horstmann L, Crawford SG, O'Hara T, Rea LD, Avery JP. Total mercury concentrations in Steller sea lion bone: Variability among locations and elements. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116471. [PMID: 38754323 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116471] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Mercury is a global contaminant that bioaccumulates in a tissue-specific manner in long-lived predators such as Steller sea lions (SSL). Bone is a well-preserved material amenable for studying millennial scale trends; however, little is known about the distribution and variability of total mercury concentrations ([THg]) within individual bones and among bone elements in SSL. We assessed SSL bone [THg] variability with respect to physiologic age, bone type, longitudinally within a bone, and among bone elements. Pup bones (mean ± SD; 31.4 ± 13.58 ppb) had greater [THg] than adults (7.9 ± 1.91 ppb). There were greater and more variable [THg] within individual long bones near epiphyses compared to mid-diaphysis. Pup spongy bone in ribs (62.7 ± 44.79 ppb) had greater [THg] than long bones (23.5 ± 8.83 ppb) and phalanges (19.6 ± 10.78 ppb). These differences are likely due to variability in bone composition, growth, and turnover rate. This study informs standardized sampling procedures for [THg] in bone to improve interpretations of mercury variability over time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Keenan
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska, 1764 Tanana Loop, PO Box 75 5910, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, PO Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
| | - Nicole Misarti
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska, 1764 Tanana Loop, PO Box 75 5910, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Lara Horstmann
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska, 2150 Koyukuk Drive, PO Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Stephanie G Crawford
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska, 1764 Tanana Loop, PO Box 75 5910, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Todd O'Hara
- Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 402 Raymond Stotzer Pkwy, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Lorrie D Rea
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska, 1764 Tanana Loop, PO Box 75 5910, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Julie P Avery
- Water and Environmental Research Center, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska, 1764 Tanana Loop, PO Box 75 5910, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
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Fish FE, Nicastro AJ, Cardenas KL, Segre PS, Gough WT, Kahane-Rapport SR, St. Leger J, Goldbogen JA. Spin-leap performance by cetaceans is influenced by moment of inertia. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246433. [PMID: 38149677 PMCID: PMC10914021 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246433] [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: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Cetaceans are capable of extraordinary locomotor behaviors in both water and air. Whales and dolphins can execute aerial leaps by swimming rapidly to the water surface to achieve an escape velocity. Previous research on spinner dolphins demonstrated the capability of leaping and completing multiple spins around their longitudinal axis with high angular velocities. This prior research suggested the slender body morphology of spinner dolphins together with the shapes and positions of their appendages allowed for rapid spins in the air. To test whether greater moments of inertia reduced spinning performance, videos and biologging data of cetaceans above and below the water surface were obtained. The principal factors affecting the number of aerial spins a cetacean can execute were moment of inertia and use of control surfaces for subsurface corkscrewing. For spinner dolphin, Pacific striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, minke whale and humpback whale, each with swim speeds of 6-7 m s-1, our model predicted that the number of aerial spins executable was 7, 2, 2, 0.76 and 1, respectively, which was consistent with observations. These data implied that the rate of subsurface corkscrewing was limited to 14.0, 6.8, 6.2, 2.2 and 0.75 rad s-1 for spinner dolphins, striped dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, minke whales and humpback whales, respectively. In our study, the moment of inertia of the cetaceans spanned a 21,000-fold range. The greater moments of inertia for the last four species produced large torques on control surfaces that limited subsurface corkscrewing motion and aerial maneuvers compared with spinner dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank E. Fish
- Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | - Anthony J. Nicastro
- Department of Physics and Engineering, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | | | - Paolo S. Segre
- Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - William T. Gough
- Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
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Formoso KK, Habib MB, Vélez-Juarbe J. The Role of Locomotory Ancestry on Secondarily Aquatic Transitions. Integr Comp Biol 2023; 63:1140-1153. [PMID: 37591628 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icad112] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Land-to-sea evolutionary transitions are great transformations where terrestrial amniote clades returned to aquatic environments. These secondarily aquatic amniote clades include charismatic marine mammal and marine reptile groups, as well as countless semi-aquatic forms that modified their terrestrial locomotor anatomy to varying degrees to be suited for swimming via axial and/or appendicular propulsion. The terrestrial ancestors of secondarily aquatic groups would have started off swimming strikingly differently from one another given their evolutionary histories, as inferred by the way modern terrestrial amniotes swim. With such stark locomotor functional differences between reptiles and mammals, we ask if this impacted these transitions. Axial propulsion appears favored by aquatic descendants of terrestrially sprawling quadrupedal reptiles, with exceptions. Appendicular propulsion is more prevalent across the aquatic descendants of ancestrally parasagittal-postured mammals, particularly early transitioning forms. Ancestral terrestrial anatomical differences that precede secondarily aquatic invasions between mammals and reptiles, as well as the distribution of axial and appendicular swimming in secondarily aquatic clades, may indicate that ancestral terrestrial locomotor anatomy played a role, potentially in both constraint and facilitation, in certain aquatic locomotion styles. This perspective of the land-to-sea transition can lead to new avenues of functional, biomechanical, and developmental study of secondarily aquatic transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiersten K Formoso
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, 3651 Trousedale Pkwy, Zumberge Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
- Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057, USA
| | - Michael B Habib
- Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057, USA
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Division of Cardiology, 100 Medical Plaza, Suite 660, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jorge Vélez-Juarbe
- Department of Mammalogy, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angelss, CA 90007-4057, USA
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Hansen MJ, Kurvers RHJM, Licht M, Häge J, Pacher K, Dhellemmes F, Trillmich F, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR, Krause J. California sea lions interfere with striped marlin hunting behaviour in multi-species predator aggregations. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220103. [PMID: 37066648 PMCID: PMC10107233 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0103] [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: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The open ocean offers a suite of ecological conditions promoting the occurrence of multi-species predator aggregations. These mixed predator aggregations typically hunt large groups of relatively small and highly cohesive prey. However, the mechanisms and functions of these mixed predator aggregations are largely unknown. Even basic knowledge of whether the predator species' interactions are mutualistic, commensal or parasitic is typically missing. Moreover, recordings of attack and capture rates of marine multi-species predator aggregations, which are critical in understanding how and why these interactions have evolved, are almost completely non-existent owing to logistical challenges. Using underwater video, we quantified the attack and capture rates of two high-trophic level marine predators, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and striped marlin (Kajikia audax) attacking schools of fishes in the Southern California Current System, offshore the Baja California Peninsula. Recording over 5000 individual attacks across 13 fish schools, which varied in species, size and predator composition, we found that sea lions kleptoparasitized striped marlin hunts and reduced the frequency of marlin attacks and captures via interference competition. We discuss our results in the context of the phenotypic differences between the predator species and implications for a better understanding of multi-species predator aggregations. This article is part of the theme issue 'Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes'.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. J. Hansen
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - R. H. J. M. Kurvers
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - M. Licht
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Häge
- Faculty of Life Science, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - K. Pacher
- Faculty of Life Science, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - F. Dhellemmes
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
| | - F. Trillmich
- Faculty of Biology, Animal Behaviour, University of Bielefeld, Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - F. R. Elorriaga-Verplancken
- Departamento de Pesquerías y Biología Marina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), La Paz, Baja CA Sur, 23096, Mexico
| | - J. Krause
- Department of Fish Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Science, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 42, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Harada N, Tanaka H. Kinematic and hydrodynamic analyses of turning manoeuvres in penguins: body banking and wing upstroke generate centripetal force. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:286158. [PMID: 36408785 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244124] [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: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Penguins perform lift-based swimming by flapping their wings. Previous kinematic and hydrodynamic studies have revealed the basics of wing motion and force generation in penguins. Although these studies have focused on steady forward swimming, the mechanism of turning manoeuvres is not well understood. In this study, we examined the horizontal turning of penguins via 3D motion analysis and quasi-steady hydrodynamic analysis. Free swimming of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) at an aquarium was recorded, and body and wing kinematics were analysed. In addition, quasi-steady calculations of the forces generated by the wings were performed. Among the selected horizontal swimming manoeuvres, turning was distinguished from straight swimming by the body trajectory for each wingbeat. During the turns, the penguins maintained outward banking through a wingbeat cycle and utilized a ventral force during the upstroke as a centripetal force to turn. Within a single wingbeat during the turns, changes in the body heading and bearing also mainly occurred during the upstroke, while the subsequent downstroke accelerated the body forward. We also found contralateral differences in the wing motion, i.e. the inside wing of the turn became more elevated and pronated. Quasi-steady calculations of the wing force confirmed that the asymmetry of the wing motion contributes to the generation of the centripetal force during the upstroke and the forward force during the downstroke. The results of this study demonstrate that the hydrodynamic force of flapping wings, in conjunction with body banking, is actively involved in the mechanism of turning manoeuvres in penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuki Harada
- School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroto Tanaka
- School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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Wu X, Chen J, Wang X, Shang Y, Wei Q, Zhang H. Evolutionary Impacts of Pattern Recognition Receptor Genes on Carnivora Complex Habitat Stress Adaptation. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12233331. [PMID: 36496853 PMCID: PMC9739989 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Many mammals develop specific immune responses owing to the changes in their ecological niche and diet that are essential for animal survival. However, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) serve as the first line of defense in innate immunity and generate immune responses in the host. However, the evolutionary impacts on PRR genes in Carnivora are not well studied. Herein, we explored the evolution of 946 PRR gene sequences in 43 Carnivora species to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of carnivore adaptation to complex habitats. We found that the PRRs were relatively conserved, and different gene families showed different evolutionary patterns. PRRs were highly purified based on their overall roles in Carnivora species but interspersed with positive-selection patterns during evolution. Different niche types may have jointly driven the evolution of PRR genes. In particular, the selection pressure of toll-like receptor (TLR) 10 was relaxed in seven species with pseudogenes, which may have emerged during recent evolutionary events. We speculated that a "functional compensation" mechanism may exist for genes with overlapping functions in the TLR gene family. Additionally, TLR2, TLR4, NLRC5, and DECTIN1 were subject to positive selection in semi-aquatic species, and the adaptive evolution of these genes may have been related to the adaptation to semi-aquatic environments. In summary, our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular and functional evolution of PRR genes, which are important for immune adaptations in Carnivora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Wu
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266005, China
| | - Xibao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Yongquan Shang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Qinguo Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165, China
- Correspondence:
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Coral W, Rossi C. Soft dorsal/anal fins pairs for roll and yaw motion in robotic fish. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2022; 18:016008. [PMID: 36347041 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aca132] [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: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fish has primarily served as a model for many bio-inspired underwater robots. However, most of the work on fish-inspired robots is focused on propulsion and turning in the horizontal plane. In this paper, we present our work on the 3D motion of bio-inspired underwater robots. A pair of actuated soft fins, mimicking the soft dorsal and anal fins of a live fish, have been designed and tested to generate lateral thrusts that aim to produce both roll and yaw motions. Furthermore, they can be used to provide vertical stabilization of the forward motion in the robot. These fins comprise shape memory alloy wires embedded in silicone. We demonstrate that these fins can provide a means for 3D maneuvering. In this work, we focus on roll and yaw motions. A key feature of the proposed design is that it is lightweight, compact, and waterproof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willam Coral
- Centre for Automation and Robotics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudio Rossi
- Centre for Automation and Robotics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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Bartol IK, Ganley AM, Tumminelli AN, Krueger PS, Thompson JT. Vectored jets power arms-first and tail-first turns differently in brief squid with assistance from fins and keeled arms. J Exp Biol 2022; 225:275902. [PMID: 35786780 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244151] [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: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Squids maneuver to capture prey, elude predators, navigate complex habitats, and deny rivals access to mates. Despite the ecological importance of this essential locomotive function, limited quantitative data on turning performance and wake dynamics of squids are available. To better understand the contribution of the jet, fins, and arms to turns, the role of orientation (i.e., arms-first vs tail-first) in maneuvering, and relationship between jet flow and turning performance, kinematic and 3D velocimetry data were collected in tandem from brief squid Lolliguncula brevis. The pulsed jet, which can be vectored to direct flows, was the primary driver of most turning behaviors, producing flows with the highest impulse magnitude and angular impulse about the main axis of the turn (yaw) and secondary axes (roll and pitch). The fins and keeled arms played subordinate but important roles in turning performance, contributing to angular impulse, stabilizing the maneuver along multiple axes, and/or reducing rotational resistance. Orientation affected turning performance and dynamics, with tail-first turns being associated with greater impulse and angular impulse, longer jet structures, higher jet velocities, and greater angular turning velocities than arms-first turns. Conversely, arms-first turns involved shorter, slower jets with less impulse, but these directed short pulses resulted in lower minimum length-specific turning radii. Although the length-to-diameter ratio (L/D) of ejected jet flow was a useful metric for characterizing vortical flow features, it, by itself, was not a reliable predictor of angular velocity or turning radii, which reflects the complexity of the squid multi-propulsor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian K Bartol
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Alissa M Ganley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Amanda N Tumminelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Paul S Krueger
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275, USA
| | - Joseph T Thompson
- Department of Biology, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604, USA
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