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Laeta M, Oliveira JA, Siciliano S, Lambert O, Jensen FH, Galatius A. Cranial asymmetry in odontocetes: a facilitator of sonic exploration? ZOOLOGY 2023; 160:126108. [PMID: 37633185 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2023.126108] [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] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Directional cranial asymmetry is an intriguing condition that has evolved in all odontocetes which has mostly been associated with sound production for echolocation. In this study, we investigated how cranial asymmetry varies across odontocete species both in terms of quality (i.e., shape), and quantity (magnitude of deviation from symmetry). We investigated 72 species across all ten families of Odontoceti using two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. The average asymmetric shape was largely consistent across odontocetes - the rostral tip, maxillae, antorbital notches and braincase, as well as the suture crest between the frontal and interparietal bones were displaced to the right, whereas the nasal septum and premaxillae showed leftward shifts, in concert with an enlargement of the right premaxilla and maxilla. A clear phylogenetic signal related to asymmetric shape variation was identified across odontocetes using squared-change parsimony. The magnitude of asymmetry was widely variable across Odontoceti, with greatest asymmetry in Kogiidae, Monodontidae and Globicephalinae, followed by Physeteridae, Platanistidae and Lipotidae, while the asymmetry was lowest in Lissodelphininae, Phocoenidae, Iniidae and Pontoporiidae. Ziphiidae presented a wide spectrum of asymmetry. Generalized linear models explaining magnitude of asymmetry found associations with click source level while accounting for cranial size. Using phylogenetic generalized least squares, we reconfirm that source level and centroid size significantly predict the level of cranial asymmetry, with more asymmetric marine taxa generally consisting of bigger species emitting higher output sonar signal, i.e. louder sounds. Both characteristics theoretically support foraging at depth, the former by allowing extended diving and the latter being adaptive for prey detection at longer distances. Thus, cranial asymmetry seems to be an evolutionary pathway that allows odontocetes to devote more space for sound-generating structures associated with echolocation and thus increases biosonar search range and foraging efficiency beyond simple phylogenetic scaling predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Laeta
- Setor de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 20941-160 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - João A Oliveira
- Setor de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 20941-160 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Siciliano
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fiocruz, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos (GEMM-Lagos), Rua São José, 1.260, Praia Seca, 28970-000 Araruama, RJ, Brazil
| | - Olivier Lambert
- D.O. Terre et Histoire de la Vie, Institut royal des Sciences naturelles de Belgique, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frants H Jensen
- Section for Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, MA 02543, USA; Biology Department, Syracuse University, 107 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
| | - Anders Galatius
- Section for Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Shipley ON, Matich P, Hussey NE, Brooks AML, Chapman D, Frisk MG, Guttridge AE, Guttridge TL, Howey LA, Kattan S, Madigan DJ, O'Shea O, Polunin NV, Power M, Smukall MJ, Schneider EVC, Shea BD, Talwar BS, Winchester M, Brooks EJ, Gallagher AJ. Energetic connectivity of diverse elasmobranch populations - implications for ecological resilience. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230262. [PMID: 37040803 PMCID: PMC10089721 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors shaping patterns of ecological resilience is critical for mitigating the loss of global biodiversity. Throughout aquatic environments, highly mobile predators are thought to serve as important vectors of energy between ecosystems thereby promoting stability and resilience. However, the role these predators play in connecting food webs and promoting energy flow remains poorly understood in most contexts. Using carbon and nitrogen isotopes, we quantified the use of several prey resource pools (small oceanic forage, large oceanics, coral reef, and seagrass) by 17 species of elasmobranch fishes (n = 351 individuals) in The Bahamas to determine their functional diversity and roles as ecosystem links. We observed remarkable functional diversity across species and identified four major groups responsible for connecting discrete regions of the seascape. Elasmobranchs were responsible for promoting energetic connectivity between neritic, oceanic and deep-sea ecosystems. Our findings illustrate how mobile predators promote ecosystem connectivity, underscoring their functional significance and role in supporting ecological resilience. More broadly, strong predator conservation efforts in developing island nations, such as The Bahamas, are likely to yield ecological benefits that enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems to combat imminent threats such as habitat degradation and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nigel E. Hussey
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annabelle M. L. Brooks
- Cape Eleuthera Institute, Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark Consortium, Ellicott City, MD, USA
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Michael G. Frisk
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Lucy A. Howey
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark Consortium, Ellicott City, MD, USA
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Sami Kattan
- Beneath The Waves, PO Box 126, Herndon, VA, USA
| | - Daniel J. Madigan
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Owen O'Shea
- The Center for Ocean Research and Education (CORE), Gregory Town, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
| | - Nicholas V. Polunin
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michael Power
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Brendan D. Shea
- Beneath The Waves, PO Box 126, Herndon, VA, USA
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Brendan S. Talwar
- Cape Eleuthera Institute, Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark Consortium, Ellicott City, MD, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Edward J. Brooks
- Cape Eleuthera Institute, Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark Consortium, Ellicott City, MD, USA
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Gilmour M, Adams J, Block B, Caselle J, Friedlander A, Game E, Hazen E, Holmes N, Lafferty K, Maxwell S, McCauley D, Oleson E, Pollock K, Shaffer S, Wolff N, Wegmann A. Evaluation of MPA designs that protect highly mobile megafauna now and under climate change scenarios. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02070] [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] Open
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Ingle DN, Porter ME. Vertebral trabecular bone mechanical properties vary among functional groups of cetaceans. Integr Org Biol 2022; 4:obab036. [PMID: 35155991 PMCID: PMC8832228 DOI: 10.1093/iob/obab036] [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: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their appearance in the fossil record 34 million years ago, modern cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) have radiated into diverse habitats circumglobally, developing vast phenotypic variations among species. Traits such as skeletal morphology and ecologically linked behaviors denote swimming activity; trade-offs in flexibility and rigidity along the vertebral column determine patterns of caudal oscillation. Here, we categorized 10 species of cetaceans (families Delphinidae and Kogiidae; N = 21 animals) into functional groups based on vertebral centra morphology, swimming speeds, diving behavior, and inferred swimming patterns. We quantified trabecular bone mechanical properties (yield strength, apparent stiffness, and resilience) among functional groups and regions of the vertebral column (thoracic, lumbar, and caudal). We extracted 6 mm3 samples from vertebral bodies and tested them in compression in 3 orientations (rostrocaudal, dorsoventral, and mediolateral) at 2 mm min−1. Overall, bone from the pre-fluke/fluke boundary had the greatest yield strength and resilience, indicating that the greatest forces are translated to the tail during caudal oscillatory swimming. Group 1, composed of 5 shallow-diving delphinid species, had the greatest vertebral trabecular bone yield strength, apparent stiffness, and resilience of all functional groups. Conversely, Group 3, composed of 2 deep-diving kogiid species, had the least strong, stiff, and resilient bone, while Group 2 (3 deep-diving delphinid species) exhibited intermediate values. These data suggest that species that incorporate prolonged glides during deep descents in the water column actively swim less, and place relatively smaller loads on their vertebral columns, compared with species that execute shallower dives. We found that cetacean vertebral trabecular bone properties differed from the properties of terrestrial mammals; for every given bone strength, cetacean bone was less stiff by comparison. This relative lack of material rigidity within vertebral bone may be attributed to the non-weight-bearing locomotor modes of fully aquatic mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D N Ingle
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554
| | - M E Porter
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
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Braun CD, Arostegui MC, Thorrold SR, Papastamatiou YP, Gaube P, Fontes J, Afonso P. The Functional and Ecological Significance of Deep Diving by Large Marine Predators. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2022; 14:129-159. [PMID: 34416123 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-032521-103517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Many large marine predators make excursions from surface waters to the deep ocean below 200 m. Moreover, the ability to access meso- and bathypelagic habitats has evolved independently across marine mammals, reptiles, birds, teleost fishes, and elasmobranchs. Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a number of plausible functional hypotheses for deep-diving behavior. Developing ways to test among these hypotheses will, however, require new ways to quantify animal behavior and biophysical oceanographic processes at coherent spatiotemporal scales. Current knowledge gaps include quantifying ecological links between surface waters and mesopelagic habitats and the value of ecosystem services provided by biomass in the ocean twilight zone. Growing pressure for ocean twilight zone fisheries creates an urgent need to understand the importance of the deep pelagic ocean to large marine predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camrin D Braun
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA;
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Martin C Arostegui
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA;
- Air-Sea Interaction and Remote Sensing Department, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
| | - Simon R Thorrold
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA;
| | - Yannis P Papastamatiou
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33181, USA
| | - Peter Gaube
- Air-Sea Interaction and Remote Sensing Department, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA
| | - Jorge Fontes
- Okeanos and Institute of Marine Research, University of the Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
| | - Pedro Afonso
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, USA;
- Okeanos and Institute of Marine Research, University of the Azores, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
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6
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Comparative genomics provides insights into the aquatic adaptations of mammals. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2106080118. [PMID: 34503999 PMCID: PMC8449357 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106080118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Divergent lineages can respond to common environmental factors through convergent processes involving shared genomic components or pathways, but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we provide genomic resources and insights into the evolution of mammalian lineages adapting to aquatic life. Our data suggest convergent evolution, for example, in association with thermoregulation through genes associated with a surface heat barrier (NFIA) and internal heat exchange (SEMA3E). Combined with the support of previous reports showing that the UCP1 locus has been lost in many marine mammals independently, our results suggest that the thermostatic strategy of marine mammals shifted from enhancing heat production to limiting heat loss. The ancestors of marine mammals once roamed the land and independently committed to an aquatic lifestyle. These macroevolutionary transitions have intrigued scientists for centuries. Here, we generated high-quality genome assemblies of 17 marine mammals (11 cetaceans and six pinnipeds), including eight assemblies at the chromosome level. Incorporating previously published data, we reconstructed the marine mammal phylogeny and population histories and identified numerous idiosyncratic and convergent genomic variations that possibly contributed to the transition from land to water in marine mammal lineages. Genes associated with the formation of blubber (NFIA), vascular development (SEMA3E), and heat production by brown adipose tissue (UCP1) had unique changes that may contribute to marine mammal thermoregulation. We also observed many lineage-specific changes in the marine mammals, including genes associated with deep diving and navigation. Our study advances understanding of the timing, pattern, and molecular changes associated with the evolution of mammalian lineages adapting to aquatic life.
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7
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Ingle DN, Porter ME. Microarchitecture of cetacean vertebral trabecular bone among swimming modes and diving behaviors. J Anat 2021; 238:643-652. [PMID: 33058161 PMCID: PMC7855079 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cetaceans (dolphins, whales, and porpoises) are fully aquatic mammals that are supported by water's buoyancy and swim through axial body bending. Swimming is partially mediated by variations in vertebral morphology that creates trade-offs in body flexibility and rigidity between axial regions that either enhance or reduce displacement between adjacent vertebrae. Swimming behavior is linked to foraging ecology, where deep-diving cetaceans glide a greater proportion of the time compared to their shallow-diving counterparts. In this study, we categorized 10 species of cetaceans (Families Delphinidae and Kogiidae) into functional groups determined by swimming patterns (rigid vs. flexible torso) and diving behavior (shallow vs. deep). Here, we quantify vertebral trabecular microarchitecture (a) among functional groups (rigid-torso shallow diver (RS), rigid-torso deep diver (RD), and flexible-torso deep diver (FD)), and (b) among vertebral column regions (posterior thoracic, lumbar, caudal peduncle, and fluke insertion). We microCT scanned vertebral bodies, from which 1-5 volumes of interest were selected to quantify bone volume fraction (BV/TV), specific bone surface (BS/BV), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular number (TbN), trabecular separation (TbSp), and degree of anisotropy (DA). We found that BV/TV was greatest in the rigid-torso shallow-diving functional group, smallest in flexible-torso deep-diving species, and intermediate in the rigid-torso deep-diving group. DA was significantly greater in rigid-torso caudal oscillators than in their flexible-torso counterparts. We found no variation among vertebral regions for any microarchitectural variables. Despite having osteoporotic skeletons, cetacean vertebrae had greater BV/TV, TbTh, and DA than previously documented in terrestrial mammalian bone. Cetacean species are an ideal model to investigate the long-term adaptations, over an animal's lifetime and over evolutionary time, of trabecular bone in non-weight-bearing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle N. Ingle
- Department of Biological SciencesFlorida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonFLUSA
| | - Marianne E. Porter
- Department of Biological SciencesFlorida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonFLUSA
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8
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Laeta M, Ruenes GF, Siciliano S, Oliveira JA, Galatius A. Variation in cranial asymmetry among the Delphinoidea. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The remarkable directional cranial asymmetry of odontocete skulls has been proposed to be related to sound production. We investigated the variation in quality and quantity of cranial asymmetry in the superfamily Delphinoidea using geometric morphometrics and then investigated the relationship between asymmetry and aspects of sound production. In the average asymmetric shape, the dorsal aspect of the skull outline and interparietal suture crest were displaced to the right, while the nasal septum, nasal bones and right premaxilla were displaced to the left. The nasal bone, premaxilla and maxilla were all larger on the right side. Three delphinoid families presented similar expressions of asymmetry; however, the magnitude of the asymmetry varied. The Monodontidae showed the greatest magnitude of asymmetry, whereas the Phocoenidae were much less asymmetric. The most speciose family, the Delphinidae, presented a wide spectrum of asymmetry, with globicephalines and lissodelphinines among the most and least asymmetric species, respectively. Generalized linear models explaining the magnitude of asymmetry with characteristics of echolocation clicks, habitat use and size revealed associations with source level, dive depth and centroid size. This supports a relationship between asymmetry and sound production, with more asymmetric species emitting louder sounds. For example, louder clicks would be beneficial for prey detection at longer ranges in deeper waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Laeta
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Setor de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ, Brazil
| | - Greicy F Ruenes
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense “Darcy Ribeiro”, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia de Mamíferos, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Siciliano
- Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ, Brazil
| | - João A Oliveira
- Setor de Mastozoologia, Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Anders Galatius
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Otero-Sabio C, Centelleghe C, Corain L, Graïc JM, Cozzi B, Rivero M, Consoli F, Peruffo A. Microscopic anatomical, immunohistochemical, and morphometric characterization of the terminal airways of the lung in cetaceans. J Morphol 2020; 282:291-308. [PMID: 33338275 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The lungs of cetaceans undergo anatomical and physiological adaptations that facilitate extended breath-holding during dives. Here, we present new insights on the ontogeny of the microscopic anatomy of the terminal portion of the airways of the lungs in five cetacean species: the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus); the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), the Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris); the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus); and the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). We (a) studied the histology of the terminal portion of the airways; (b) used immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize the muscle fibers with antibodies against smooth muscle (sm-) actin, sm-myosin, and desmin; (c) the innervation of myoelastic sphincters (MESs) with an antibody against neurofilament protein; and (d) defined the diameter of the terminal bronchioles, the diameter and length of the alveoli, the thickness of the septa, the major and minor axis, perimeter and section area of the cartilaginous rings by quantitative morphometric analyses in partially inflated lung tissue. As already reported in the literature, in bottlenose and striped dolphins, a system of MESs was observed in the terminal bronchioles. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of smooth muscle in the terminal bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveolar septa in all the examined species. Some neurofilaments were observed close to the MESs in both bottlenose and striped dolphins. In fin, sperm, and Cuvier's beaked whales, we noted a layer of longitudinal smooth muscle going from the terminal bronchioles to the alveolar sacs. The morphometric analysis allowed to quantify the structural differences among cetacean species by ranking them into groups according to the adjusted mean values of the morphometric parameters measured. Our results contribute to the current understanding of the anatomy of the terminal airways of the cetacean lung and the role of the smooth muscle in the alveolar collapse reflex, crucial for prolonged breath-holding diving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Otero-Sabio
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Cinzia Centelleghe
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Livio Corain
- Department of Management and Engineering, University of Padova, Vicenza, Padova, Italy
| | - Jean-Marie Graïc
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Bruno Cozzi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Miguel Rivero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Francesco Consoli
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Antonella Peruffo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Legnaro, Padova, Italy
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Li K, Sidorovskaia NA, Tiemann CO. Model-based unsupervised clustering for distinguishing Cuvier's and Gervais' beaked whales in acoustic data. ECOL INFORM 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2020.101094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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11
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Purser A, Herr H, Dreutter S, Dorschel B, Glud RN, Hehemann L, Hoge U, Jamieson AJ, Linley TD, Stewart HA, Wenzhöfer F. Depression chains in seafloor of contrasting morphology, Atacama Trench margin: a comment on Marsh et al. (2018). ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:182053. [PMID: 31032050 PMCID: PMC6458411 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.182053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This comment presents acoustic and visual data showing deep seafloor depression chains similar to those reported in Marsh et al. (R. Soc. open sci. 5: 180286), though from a different deep-sea setting. Marsh et al. present data collected during cruise JC120 from polymetallic nodule rich sites within the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ), at water depths of between 3999 and 4258 m. Within this comment, we present data collected with equivalent acoustic and imaging devices on-board the RV Sonne (SO261-March/April 2018) from the Atacama Trench, approximately 4000 m depth, which shows comparable depression chains in the seafloor. In contrast with the CCFZ observations, our study area was wholly free of polymetallic nodules, an observation therefore weakening the 'ballast collection' by deep-sea diving mammals formation hypothesis discussed in their paper. We support their alternate hypothesis that if these features are indeed generated by deep-diving megafauna, then they are more likely the resultant traces of infauna feeding or marks made during opportunistic capture of benthic fish/cephalopods. We observed these potential prey fauna with lander and towed camera systems during the cruise, with example images of these presented here. Both the SO261 and JC120 cruises employed high-resolution sidescan systems at deployment altitudes seldom used routinely until the last few years during scientific deep-sea surveys. Given that both cruises found these depression chains in contrasting physical regions of the East Pacific, they may have a more ubiquitous distribution than at just these sites. Thus, the impacts of cetacean foraging behaviour on deep seafloor communities, and the potential relevance of these prey sources to deep-diving species, should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autun Purser
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Helena Herr
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Center of Natural History, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon Dreutter
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Boris Dorschel
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ronnie N. Glud
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Ocean and Environmental Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Laura Hehemann
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ulrich Hoge
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Alan J. Jamieson
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Thomas D. Linley
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Frank Wenzhöfer
- Alfred Wegener Helmholz Institute of Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
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Shearer JM, Quick NJ, Cioffi WR, Baird RW, Webster DL, Foley HJ, Swaim ZT, Waples DM, Bell JT, Read AJ. Diving behaviour of Cuvier's beaked whales ( Ziphius cavirostris) off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 6:181728. [PMID: 30891284 PMCID: PMC6408375 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cuvier's beaked whales exhibit exceptionally long and deep foraging dives. The species is little studied due to their deep-water, offshore distribution and limited time spent at the surface. We used LIMPET satellite tags to study the diving behaviour of Cuvier's beaked whales off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina from 2014 to 2016. We deployed 11 tags, recording 3242 h of behaviour data, encompassing 5926 dives. Dive types were highly bimodal; deep dives (greater than 800 m, n = 1408) had a median depth of 1456 m and median duration of 58.9 min; shallow dives (50-800 m, n = 4518) were to median depths of 280 m with a median duration of 18.7 min. Most surface intervals were very short (median 2.2 min), but all animals occasionally performed extended surface intervals. We found no diel differences in dive depth or the percentage of time spent deep diving, but whales spent significantly more time near the surface at night. Other populations of this species exhibit similar dive patterns, but with regional differences in depth, duration and inter-dive intervals. Satellite-linked tags allow for the collection of long periods of dive records, including the occurrence of anomalous behaviours, bringing new insights into the lives of these deep divers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne M. Shearer
- Duke Marine Lab, University Program in Ecology, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Nicola J. Quick
- Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - William R. Cioffi
- Duke Marine Lab, University Program in Ecology, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Robin W. Baird
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 ½ W 4th Ave, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - Daniel L. Webster
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 ½ W 4th Ave, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - Heather J. Foley
- Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Zachary T. Swaim
- Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Danielle M. Waples
- Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Joel T. Bell
- Environmental Conservation – Marine Resources Section (EV53), Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
| | - Andrew J. Read
- Duke University Marine Lab, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
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Whitlow KR, Santini F, Oufiero CE. Convergent evolution of locomotor morphology but not performance in gymnotiform swimmers. J Evol Biol 2018; 32:76-88. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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