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Phipps JE, Silva-Krott I, Marchetti J, West KL. Variation in blubber thickness and histology metrics across the body topography of a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Front Physiol 2023; 14:1001734. [PMID: 37078024 PMCID: PMC10106720 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1001734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Blubber is a multifunctional tissue essential to the survival of cetaceans. Histological assessment of blubber may be useful in determining odontocete nutritional state but a greater understanding of specific variation across the body is needed. We report on morphological variation of the blubber according to girth axes and sampling planes in a sub-adult male, bycaught false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) using metrics of blubber thickness (BT), adipocyte area (AA), and adipocyte index (AI). 48 full depth blubber samples were taken along 6 girth axes at 5 equidistant sampling points on both sides of the body. At these sampling locations BT was recorded, and AA and AI were determined for three distinct blubber layers. Linear mixed effect models were used to assess variation of the blubber across layers and body topography. BT was somewhat non-uniform across the body but was generally thicker in the dorsal region and thinner laterally. AA was greater cranially and AI was greater caudally. The middle and inner layer blubber showed significant differences dorsoventrally with larger AA and smaller AI in the ventral region of the body. Variation of the blubber metrics across the body are indicative of variable functions of the blubber within an individual. Due to the variability observed, we expect that AI of the dynamic inner layer blubber is most informative of overall body condition and that biopsy samples of the outer and middle blubber may still be useful in determining the nutritional status of live false killer whales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana E. Phipps
- Health and Stranding Lab at Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, HI, United States
- Human Nutrition Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- *Correspondence: Jana E. Phipps,
| | - Ilse Silva-Krott
- Health and Stranding Lab at Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, HI, United States
| | - Jamie Marchetti
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Kristi L. West
- Health and Stranding Lab at Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Kāne‘ohe, HI, United States
- Human Nutrition Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
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Bartalini A, Muñoz-Arnanz J, García-Álvarez N, Fernández A, Jiménez B. Global PBDE contamination in cetaceans. A critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119670. [PMID: 35752394 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the most relevant information on PBDEs' occurrence and their impacts in cetaceans at global scale, with special attention on the species with the highest reported levels and therefore the most potentially impacted by the current and continuous release of these substances. This review also emphasizes the anthropogenic and environmental factors that could increase concentrations and associated risks for these species in the next future. High PBDE concentrations above the toxicity threshold and stationary trends have been related to continuous import of PBDE-containing products in cetaceans of Brazil and Australia, where PBDEs have never been produced. Non-decreasing levels documented in cetaceans from the Northwest Pacific Ocean might be linked to the increased e-waste import and ongoing production and use of deca-BDE that is still allowed in China. Moreover, high levels of PBDEs in some endangered species such as beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in St. Lawrence Estuary and Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus Orca) are influenced by the discharge of contaminated waters deriving from wastewater treatment plants. Climate change related processes such as enhanced long-range transport, re-emissions from secondary sources and shifts in migration habits could lead to greater exposure and accumulation of PBDEs in cetaceans, above all in those species living in the Arctic. In addition, increased rainfall could carry greater amount of contaminants to the marine environment, thereby, enhancing the exposure and accumulation especially for coastal species. Synergic effects of all these factors and ongoing emissions of PBDEs, expected to continue at least until 2050, could increase the degree of exposure and menace for cetacean populations. In this regard, it is necessary to improve current regulations on PBDEs and broader the knowledge about their toxicological effects, in order to assess health risks and support regulatory protection for cetacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bartalini
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain; Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Juan Muñoz-Arnanz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Natalia García-Álvarez
- Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Unit of Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas, 35413 Arucas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
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West KL, Silva-Krott I, Landrau-Giovannetti N, Rotstein D, Saliki J, Raverty S, Nielsen O, Popov VL, Davis N, Walker WA, Subramaniam K, Waltzek TB. Novel cetacean morbillivirus in a rare Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) stranding from Maui, Hawai'i. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15986. [PMID: 34373473 PMCID: PMC8352961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94460-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is a global threat to cetaceans. We report a novel morbillivirus from a Fraser’s dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) that stranded in Maui, Hawaii in 2018 that is dissimilar to the beaked whale morbillivirus previously identified from Hawaii and to other CeMV strains. Histopathological findings included intranuclear inclusions in bile duct epithelium, lymphoid depletion, rare syncytial cells and non-suppurative meningitis. Cerebellum and lung tissue homogenates were inoculated onto Vero.DogSLAMtag cells for virus isolation and cytopathic effects were observed, resulting in the formation of multinucleated giant cells (i.e., syncytia). Transmission electron microscopy of infected cell cultures also revealed syncytial cells with intracytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions of viral nucleocapsids, consistent with the ultrastructure of a morbillivirus. Samples of the cerebellum, lung, liver, spleen and lymph nodes were positive for morbillivirus using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The resulting 559 bp L gene sequence had the highest nucleotide identity (77.3%) to porpoise morbillivirus from Northern Ireland and the Netherlands. The resulting 248 bp P gene had the highest nucleotide identity to porpoise morbillivirus in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands and to a stranded Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) in Brazil (66.9%). As Fraser’s dolphins are a pelagic species that infrequently strand, a novel strain of CeMV may be circulating in the central Pacific that could have additional population impacts through transmission to other small island-associated cetacean species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L West
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, USA. .,Human Nutrition Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
| | - Ilse Silva-Krott
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, USA
| | - Nelmarie Landrau-Giovannetti
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Jeremiah Saliki
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Stephen Raverty
- Animal Health Center, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
| | - Ole Nielsen
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nicole Davis
- Pacific Islands Regional Office, National Marine Fisheries Service, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - William A Walker
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kuttichantran Subramaniam
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Patterns of depredation in the Hawai‘i deep‐set longline fishery informed by fishery and false killer whale behavior. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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McCullough JLK, Simonis AE, Sakai T, Oleson EM. Acoustic classification of false killer whales in the Hawaiian islands based on comprehensive vocal repertoire. JASA EXPRESS LETTERS 2021; 1:071201. [PMID: 36154647 DOI: 10.1121/10.0005512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Use of underwater passive acoustic datasets for species-specific inference requires robust classification systems to identify encounters to species from characteristics of detected sounds. A suite of routines designed to efficiently detect cetacean sounds, extract features, and classify the detection to species is described using ship-based, visually verified detections of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). The best-performing model included features from clicks, whistles, and burst pulses, which correctly classified 99.6% of events. This case study illustrates use of these tools to build classifiers for any group of cetacean species and assess classification confidence when visual confirmation is not available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L K McCullough
- Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96822, USA
| | - Anne E Simonis
- Ocean Associates for Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Arlington, Virginia 22207, USA
| | - Taiki Sakai
- Environmental Assessment Services, LLC for Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Richland, Washington 99354, USA
| | - Erin M Oleson
- Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96818, , , ,
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Van Cise AM, Baird RW, Harnish AE, Currie JJ, Stack SH, Cullins T, Gorgone AM. Mark-recapture estimates suggest declines in abundance of common bottlenose dolphin stocks in the main Hawaiian Islands. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2021. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Species conservation relies on understanding population demographics, yet this information is lacking for many species and populations. Four stocks of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus inhabiting the waters surrounding the main Hawaiian Islands (USA) are exposed to anthropogenic disturbances including fisheries interactions, tourism, naval activities, ocean noise, and contaminants. Although these stocks are managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, a demographic assessment has not been undertaken since 2006, and there is currently no information on population trends. We combined regular survey effort with citizen science contributions to estimate apparent survival and annual abundance within each stock using photographs collected between 2000 and 2018. Over this time period, we collected 2818 high-quality identifications of 765 distinctive individuals across all 4 stocks. Analyses of inter-annual movements indicated that individuals exhibit restricted habitat use within stocks, which contributed to non-random sampling. Annual abundance estimates ranged from the 10s to the low 100s. Apparent survival ranged from 0.84 to 0.9, with lower-than-expected estimates in all stocks. Annual abundance estimates declined in 3 of the 4 stocks; however, this decline was not significant for the Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau and O‘ahu stocks, and may be an artifact of sampling design in all stocks. Given the small population size for these stocks, it is important to closely monitor trends in abundance as a first step in mitigating negative effects of anthropogenic activities. Future efforts should focus on consistent geographic coverage in all stocks to decrease model uncertainty and improve trend assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- AM Van Cise
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 1/2 W 4th Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - RW Baird
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 1/2 W 4th Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - AE Harnish
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 1/2 W 4th Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - JJ Currie
- Pacific Whale Foundation, Wailuku, 300 Ma‘alaea Road, Suite 211, HI 96793, USA
| | - SH Stack
- Pacific Whale Foundation, Wailuku, 300 Ma‘alaea Road, Suite 211, HI 96793, USA
| | - T Cullins
- Wild Dolphin Foundation, Wai‘anae, 87-1002C Hakimo Pl, HI 96792, USA
| | - AM Gorgone
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 1/2 W 4th Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, USA
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Kratofil MA, Ylitalo GM, Mahaffy SD, West KL, Baird RW. Life history and social structure as drivers of persistent organic pollutant levels and stable isotopes in Hawaiian false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 733:138880. [PMID: 32446048 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
False killer whales are long-lived, slow to mature, apex predators, and therefore susceptible to bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Hawaiian waters are home to three distinct populations: pelagic; Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) insular; and main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) insular. Following a precipitous decline over recent decades, the MHI population was listed as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act in 2012. This study assesses the risk of POP exposure to these populations by examining pollutant concentrations and ratios from blubber samples (n = 56) related to life history characteristics and MHI social clusters. Samples were analyzed for PCBs, DDTs, PBDEs, and some organochlorine pesticides. Skin samples (n = 52) were analyzed for stable isotopes δ13C and δ15N to gain insight into MHI false killer whale foraging ecology. Pollutant levels were similar among populations, although MHI whales had a significantly higher mean ratio of DDTs/PCBs than NWHI whales. The ∑PCB concentrations of 28 MHI individuals (68%) sampled were equal to or greater than suggested thresholds for deleterious health effects in marine mammals. The highest POP values among our samples were found in four stranded MHI animals. Eight of 24 MHI adult females have not been documented to have given birth; whether they have yet to reproduce, are reproductive senescent, or are experiencing reproductive dysfunction related to high POP exposure is unknown. Juvenile/sub-adults had significantly higher concentrations of certain contaminants than those measured in adults, and may be at greater risk of negative health effects during development. Multivariate analyses, POP ratios, and stable isotope ratios indicate varying risk of POP exposure, foraging locations and potentially prey items among MHI social clusters. Our findings provide invaluable insight into the ongoing risk POPs pose to the MHI population's viability, as well as consideration of risk for the NWHI and pelagic stocks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA.
| | - Sabre D Mahaffy
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218½ W. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, USA.
| | - Kristi L West
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, PO Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA; Human Nutrition Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, 1955 East West Road, Ag Sci 216, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Robin W Baird
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218½ W. 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, USA; Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, PO Box 1346, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA.
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Martien KK, Taylor BL, Chivers SJ, Mahaffy SD, Gorgone AM, Baird RW. Fidelity to natal social groups and mating within and between social groups in an endangered false killer whale population. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2019. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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