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Hessing S, Risser N, Pichot L, Oudejans MG, Guilpin M, Barcelos LMD, Curé C, Visser F. Context-driven communication during deep-sea foraging in a social toothed whale. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240558. [PMID: 39086824 PMCID: PMC11288665 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Social deep-diving odontocetes face the challenge of balancing near-surface proximity to oxygen and group members with foraging in the deep sea. Individuals rely on conspecifics for critical life functions, such as predator defence, but disperse during foraging to feed individually. To understand the role of social acoustic mediation during foraging in deep-diving toothed whales, we investigated the context of social burst-pulse call production in Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) using biologgers. Dolphins produced context-specific burst pulses predominantly during daytime foraging, preceding or following foraging dives and in the early descent of daytime deep dives. Individuals applied differential short and long burst-pulse calls intended for either near-surface receivers (horizontal transmission) or deep-foraging receivers (vertical transmission). Our results show that deep-diving toothed whales are reliant on acoustic communication during certain foraging contexts, to relay information including foraging conditions or an individual's location. Moreover, they accentuate the importance of maintaining acoustic contact with conspecifics, specifically when dispersed during deeper foraging. It also signifies that our oceanic top predators may be specifically vulnerable to the current strong increase in anthropogenic noise. Potential masking of the signals from group members communicating at a distance could undermine their social cohesion, and hence their capacity to maintain vital life functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nolwenn Risser
- Kelp Marine Research, Hoorn1624 CJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, Den Burg1790 AB, The Netherlands
- Cerema-University Gustave Eiffel, UMRAE, Acoustics Group of the Laboratory of Strasbourg, StrasbourgF-67210, France
| | - Loanne Pichot
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, Den Burg1790 AB, The Netherlands
- Cerema-University Gustave Eiffel, UMRAE, Acoustics Group of the Laboratory of Strasbourg, StrasbourgF-67210, France
- Département de Biologie, ENS École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon Cedex 0769342, France
| | | | - Marie Guilpin
- Kelp Marine Research, Hoorn1624 CJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, Den Burg1790 AB, The Netherlands
| | - Luís M. D. Barcelos
- Azorean Biodiversity Group & Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, University of the Azores, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
| | - Charlotte Curé
- Cerema-University Gustave Eiffel, UMRAE, Acoustics Group of the Laboratory of Strasbourg, StrasbourgF-67210, France
| | - Fleur Visser
- Kelp Marine Research, Hoorn1624 CJ, The Netherlands
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, Den Burg1790 AB, The Netherlands
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Snyder ER, Solsona-Berga A, Baumann-Pickering S, Frasier KE, Wiggins SM, Hildebrand JA. Where's Whaledo: A software toolkit for array localization of animal vocalizations. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1011456. [PMID: 38768239 PMCID: PMC11142720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1011456] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Where's Whaledo is a software toolkit that uses a combination of automated processes and user interfaces to greatly accelerate the process of reconstructing animal tracks from arrays of passive acoustic recording devices. Passive acoustic localization is a non-invasive yet powerful way to contribute to species conservation. By tracking animals through their acoustic signals, important information on diving patterns, movement behavior, habitat use, and feeding dynamics can be obtained. This method is useful for helping to understand habitat use, observe behavioral responses to noise, and develop potential mitigation strategies. Animal tracking using passive acoustic localization requires an acoustic array to detect signals of interest, associate detections on various receivers, and estimate the most likely source location by using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of sounds on multiple receivers. Where's Whaledo combines data from two small-aperture volumetric arrays and a variable number of individual receivers. In a case study conducted in the Tanner Basin off Southern California, we demonstrate the effectiveness of Where's Whaledo in localizing groups of Ziphius cavirostris. We reconstruct the tracks of six individual animals vocalizing concurrently and identify Ziphius cavirostris tracks despite being obscured by a large pod of vocalizing dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric R. Snyder
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alba Solsona-Berga
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Simone Baumann-Pickering
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kait E. Frasier
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Sean M. Wiggins
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John A. Hildebrand
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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3
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Pérez-Jorge S, Oliveira C, Rivas EI, Prieto R, Cascão I, Wensveen PJ, Miller PJO, Silva MA. Predictive model of sperm whale prey capture attempts from time-depth data. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2023; 11:33. [PMID: 37291674 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-023-00393-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-resolution sound and movement recording tags offer unprecedented insights into the fine-scale foraging behaviour of cetaceans, especially echolocating odontocetes, enabling the estimation of a series of foraging metrics. However, these tags are expensive, making them inaccessible to most researchers. Time-Depth Recorders (TDRs), which have been widely used to study diving and foraging behaviour of marine mammals, offer a more affordable alternative. Unfortunately, data collected by TDRs are bi-dimensional (time and depth only), so quantifying foraging effort from those data is challenging. METHODS A predictive model of the foraging effort of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) was developed to identify prey capture attempts (PCAs) from time-depth data. Data from high-resolution acoustic and movement recording tags deployed on 12 sperm whales were downsampled to 1 Hz to match the typical TDR sampling resolution and used to predict the number of buzzes (i.e., rapid series of echolocation clicks indicative of PCAs). Generalized linear mixed models were built for dive segments of different durations (30, 60, 180 and 300 s) using multiple dive metrics as potential predictors of PCAs. RESULTS Average depth, variance of depth and variance of vertical velocity were the best predictors of the number of buzzes. Sensitivity analysis showed that models with segments of 180 s had the best overall predictive performance, with a good area under the curve value (0.78 ± 0.05), high sensitivity (0.93 ± 0.06) and high specificity (0.64 ± 0.14). Models using 180 s segments had a small difference between observed and predicted number of buzzes per dive, with a median of 4 buzzes, representing a difference in predicted buzzes of 30%. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain a fine-scale, accurate index of sperm whale PCAs from time-depth data alone. This work helps leveraging the potential of time-depth data for studying the foraging ecology of sperm whales and the possibility of applying this approach to a wide range of echolocating cetaceans. The development of accurate foraging indices from low-cost, easily accessible TDR data would contribute to democratize this type of research, promote long-term studies of various species in several locations, and enable analyses of historical datasets to investigate changes in cetacean foraging activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Pérez-Jorge
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS & Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Cláudia Oliveira
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS & Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Rui Prieto
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS & Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Irma Cascão
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS & Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Paul J Wensveen
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland
| | - Mónica A Silva
- Institute of Marine Sciences - OKEANOS & Institute of Marine Research - IMAR, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
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4
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Lillie MA, Vogl AW, Gerard SG, Raverty S, Shadwick RE. Retia mirabilia: Protecting the cetacean brain from locomotion-generated blood pressure pulses. Science 2022; 377:1452-1456. [PMID: 36137023 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn3315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Cetaceans have massive vascular plexuses (retia mirabilia) whose function is unknown. All cerebral blood flow passes through these retia, and we hypothesize that they protect cetacean brains from locomotion-generated pulsatile blood pressures. We propose that cetaceans have evolved a pulse-transfer mechanism that minimizes pulsatility in cerebral arterial-to-venous pressure differentials without dampening the pressure pulses themselves. We tested this hypothesis using a computational model based on morphology from 11 species and found that the large arterial capacitance in the retia, coupled with the small extravascular capacitance in the cranium and vertebral canal, could protect the cerebral vasculature from 97% of systemic pulsatility. Evolution of the retial complex in cetaceans-likely linked to the development of dorsoventral fluking-offers a distinctive solution to adverse locomotion-generated vascular pulsatility.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Lillie
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - A W Vogl
- Life Sciences Institute and Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - S G Gerard
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - S Raverty
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Animal Health Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
| | - R E Shadwick
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Torreblanca E, Báez JC, Real R, Macías D, García-Barcelona S, Ferri-Yañez F, Camiñas JA. Factors associated with the differential distribution of cetaceans linked with deep habitats in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12918. [PMID: 35902622 PMCID: PMC9334643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14369-6] [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: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep-habitat cetaceans are generally difficult to study, leading to a limited knowledge of their population. This paper assesses the differential distribution patterns of three deep-habitat cetaceans (Sperm whale—Physeter macrocephalus, Risso’s dolphin—Grampus griseus & Cuvier’s beaked whale—Ziphius cavirostris). We used data of 842 opportunistic sightings of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean sea. We inferred environmental and spatio-temporal factors that affect their distribution. Binary logistic regression models were generated to compare the presence of deep-habitat cetaceans with the presence of other cetacean species in the dataset. Then, the favourability function was applied, allowing for comparison between all the models. Sperm whale and Risso’s dolphin presence was differentially favoured by the distance to towns in the eastern part of the western Mediterranean sea. The differential distribution of sperm whale was also influenced by the stability of SST, and that of the Risso’s dolphin by lower mean salinity and higher mean Chlorophyll A concentration. When modelling the three deep-habitat cetaceans (including Cuvier’s beaked whale), the variable distance to towns had a negative influence on the presence of any of them more than it did to other cetaceans, being more favourable far from towns, so this issue should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Torreblanca
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biogeography, Diversity, and Conservation Research Team, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Malaga, Spain.
| | - José-Carlos Báez
- Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Fuengirola, Spain.,Instituto Iberoamericano de Desarrollo Sostenible (IIDS), Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Av. Alemania 1090. Temuco 4810101, Región de la Araucanía, Chile
| | - Raimundo Real
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biogeography, Diversity, and Conservation Research Team, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - David Macías
- Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Fuengirola, Spain
| | | | | | - Juan-Antonio Camiñas
- Academia Malagueña de Ciencias, Malaga, Spain.,Asociación Herpetológica Española, Madrid, Spain
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6
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Lozano-Bilbao E, Alcázar-Treviño J, Alduán M, Lozano G, Hardisson A, Rubio C, González-Weller D, Paz S, Carrillo M, Gutiérrez ÁJ. Metal content in stranded pelagic vs deep-diving cetaceans in the Canary Islands. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131441. [PMID: 34246100 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Canary Islands are home to many cetacean species, many of which are resident species. The present work aims to analyze, for the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge, the macronutrients, micronutrients and trace elements and toxic heavy metals in muscle and liver tissue of six species of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands. The study species were: Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, Delphinus delphis, Grampus griseus, Globicephala macrorynchus and Physeter macrocephalus. Statistical analysis studied the significant differences between the concentrations in muscle and liver tissues, with the differences in element content depending on the type of diving and length of the species. The results indicate that there are differences between muscle and liver for Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn. Deep-diving animals differ in their concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, and Zn with respect to shallow-diving animals in muscle and in liver in Al, B, Cr, K, Mn and Mo. As for the differences between sex, the males present differences in their concentrations of B, Cd, K and Mg in muscle tissue with respect to the females, while differences in the liver were only detected in the Fe content. The study of the correlations shows that as the size of the animal increases, the concentration of Cd increases while the concentrations of Al, Cu and Zn decrease. The specimens foraging in shallower waters had the highest concentration of the macronutrient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Lozano-Bilbao
- Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología, Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jesús Alcázar-Treviño
- Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología, Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; BIOECOMAC, Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avenida Astrofísico F. Sánchez S/n. 38, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna Tenerife, Spain
| | - Manuel Alduán
- Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología, Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Lozano
- Departamento de Biología Animal y Edafología y Geología, Unidad Departamental de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Arturo Hardisson
- Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carmen Rubio
- Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Dailos González-Weller
- Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Servicio Público Canario de Salud, Laboratorio Central, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Soraya Paz
- Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Ángel J Gutiérrez
- Grupo interuniversitario de Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, 38071, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
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7
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Visser F, Keller OA, Oudejans MG, Nowacek DP, Kok ACM, Huisman J, Sterck EHM. Risso's dolphins perform spin dives to target deep-dwelling prey. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:202320. [PMID: 34966548 PMCID: PMC8633802 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.202320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Foraging decisions of deep-diving cetaceans can provide fundamental insight into food web dynamics of the deep pelagic ocean. Cetacean optimal foraging entails a tight balance between oxygen-conserving dive strategies and access to deep-dwelling prey of sufficient energetic reward. Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) displayed a thus far unknown dive strategy, which we termed the spin dive. Dives started with intense stroking and right-sided lateral rotation. This remarkable behaviour resulted in a rapid descent. By tracking the fine-scale foraging behaviour of seven tagged individuals, matched with prey layer recordings, we tested the hypothesis that spin dives are foraging dives targeting deep-dwelling prey. Hunting depth traced the diel movement of the deep scattering layer, a dense aggregation of prey, that resides deep during the day and near-surface at night. Individuals shifted their foraging strategy from deep spin dives to shallow non-spin dives around dusk. Spin dives were significantly faster, steeper and deeper than non-spin dives, effectively minimizing transit time to bountiful mesopelagic prey, and were focused on periods when the migratory prey might be easier to catch. Hence, whereas Risso's dolphins were mostly shallow, nocturnal foragers, their spin dives enabled extended and rewarding diurnal foraging on deep-dwelling prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fleur Visser
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Kelp Marine Research, 1624 CJ, Hoorn, The Netherlands
| | - Onno A. Keller
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, PO Box 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
- Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Douglas P. Nowacek
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Annebelle C. M. Kok
- Kelp Marine Research, 1624 CJ, Hoorn, The Netherlands
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, PO Box 9509, 2300 RA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, La Jolla 92093–0205, USA
| | - Jef Huisman
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 94240, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth H. M. Sterck
- Department of Biology, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, 2288 GJ, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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8
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Lauderdale LK, Shorter KA, Zhang D, Gabaldon J, Mellen JD, Walsh MT, Granger DA, Miller LJ. Bottlenose dolphin habitat and management factors related to activity and distance traveled in zoos and aquariums. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250687. [PMID: 34460858 PMCID: PMC8405030 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
High-resolution non-invasive cetacean tagging systems can be used to investigate the influence of habitat characteristics and management factors on behavior by quantifying activity levels and distance traveled by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and Tursiops aduncus) in accredited zoos and aquariums. Movement Tags (MTags), a bio-logging device, were used to record a suite of kinematic and environmental information outside of formal training sessions as part of a larger study titled "Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in zoos and aquariums" (colloquially called the Cetacean Welfare Study). The purpose of the present study was to explore if and how habitat characteristics, environmental enrichment programs, and training programs were related to the distance traveled and energy expenditure of dolphins in accredited zoos and aquariums. Bottlenose dolphins in accredited zoos and aquariums wore MTags one day per week for two five-week data collection periods. Overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), a proxy for energy expenditure, and average distance traveled per hour (ADT) of 60 dolphins in 31 habitats were examined in relation to demographic, habitat, and management factors. Participating facilities were accredited by the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and/or Aquariums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Two factors were found to be related to ADT while six factors were associated with ODBA. The results showed that enrichment programs were strongly related to both ODBA and ADT. Scheduling predictable training session times was also positively associated with ADT. The findings suggested that habitat characteristics had a relatively weak association with ODBA and were not related to ADT. In combination, the results suggested that management practices were more strongly related to activity levels than habitat characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K. Lauderdale
- Conservation Science and Animal Welfare Research, Chicago Zoological Society – Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America
| | - K. Alex Shorter
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ding Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Joaquin Gabaldon
- Robotics Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jill D. Mellen
- Biology Department, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Michael T. Walsh
- Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Douglas A. Granger
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Lance J. Miller
- Conservation Science and Animal Welfare Research, Chicago Zoological Society – Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois, United States of America
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9
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Yoerger DR, Govindarajan AF, Howland JC, Llopiz JK, Wiebe PH, Curran M, Fujii J, Gomez-Ibanez D, Katija K, Robison BH, Hobson BW, Risi M, Rock SM. A hybrid underwater robot for multidisciplinary investigation of the ocean twilight zone. Sci Robot 2021; 6:6/55/eabe1901. [PMID: 34135116 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abe1901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mesobot, an autonomous underwater vehicle, addresses specific unmet needs for observing and sampling a variety of phenomena in the ocean's midwaters. The midwater hosts a vast biomass, has a role in regulating climate, and may soon be exploited commercially, yet our scientific understanding of it is incomplete. Mesobot has the ability to survey and track slow-moving animals and to correlate the animals' movements with critical environmental measurements. Mesobot will complement existing oceanographic assets such as towed, remotely operated, and autonomous vehicles; shipboard acoustic sensors; and net tows. Its potential to perform behavioral studies unobtrusively over long periods with substantial autonomy provides a capability that is not presently available to midwater researchers. The 250-kilogram marine robot can be teleoperated through a lightweight fiber optic tether and can also operate untethered with full autonomy while minimizing environmental disturbance. We present recent results illustrating the vehicle's ability to automatically track free-swimming hydromedusae (Solmissus sp.) and larvaceans (Bathochordaeus stygius) at depths of 200 meters in Monterey Bay, USA. In addition to these tracking missions, the vehicle can execute preprogrammed missions collecting image and sensor data while also carrying substantial auxiliary payloads such as cameras, sonars, and samplers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana R Yoerger
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
| | | | | | - Joel K Llopiz
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Peter H Wiebe
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Molly Curran
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Justin Fujii
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | | | - Kakani Katija
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Bruce H Robison
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Brett W Hobson
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Michael Risi
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Stephen M Rock
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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10
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Volitional Swimming Kinematics of Blacktip Sharks, Carcharhinus limbatus, in the Wild. DRONES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/drones4040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent work showed that two species of hammerhead sharks operated as a double oscillating system, where frequency and amplitude differed in the anterior and posterior parts of the body. We hypothesized that a double oscillating system would be present in a large, volitionally swimming, conventionally shaped carcharhinid shark. Swimming kinematics analyses provide quantification to mechanistically examine swimming within and among species. Here, we quantify blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) volitional swimming kinematics under natural conditions to assess variation between anterior and posterior body regions and demonstrate the presence of a double oscillating system. We captured footage of 80 individual blacktips swimming in the wild using a DJI Phantom 4 Pro aerial drone. The widespread accessibility of aerial drone technology has allowed for greater observation of wild marine megafauna. We used Loggerpro motion tracking software to track five anatomical landmarks frame by frame to calculate tailbeat frequency, tailbeat amplitude, speed, and anterior/posterior variables: amplitude and frequency of the head and tail, and the body curvature measured as anterior and posterior flexion. We found significant increases in tailbeat frequency and amplitude with increasing swimming speed. Tailbeat frequency decreased and tailbeat amplitude increased as posterior flexion amplitude increased. We found significant differences between anterior and posterior amplitudes and frequencies, suggesting a double oscillating modality of wave propagation. These data support previous work that hypothesized the importance of a double oscillating system for increased sensory perception. These methods demonstrate the utility of quantifying swimming kinematics of wild animals through direct observation, with the potential to apply a biomechanical perspective to movement ecology paradigms.
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11
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Goldbogen JA, Cade DE, Wisniewska DM, Potvin J, Segre PS, Savoca MS, Hazen EL, Czapanskiy MF, Kahane-Rapport SR, DeRuiter SL, Gero S, Tønnesen P, Gough WT, Hanson MB, Holt MM, Jensen FH, Simon M, Stimpert AK, Arranz P, Johnston DW, Nowacek DP, Parks SE, Visser F, Friedlaender AS, Tyack PL, Madsen PT, Pyenson ND. Why whales are big but not bigger: Physiological drivers and ecological limits in the age of ocean giants. Science 2020; 366:1367-1372. [PMID: 31831666 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax9044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The largest animals are marine filter feeders, but the underlying mechanism of their large size remains unexplained. We measured feeding performance and prey quality to demonstrate how whale gigantism is driven by the interplay of prey abundance and harvesting mechanisms that increase prey capture rates and energy intake. The foraging efficiency of toothed whales that feed on single prey is constrained by the abundance of large prey, whereas filter-feeding baleen whales seasonally exploit vast swarms of small prey at high efficiencies. Given temporally and spatially aggregated prey, filter feeding provides an evolutionary pathway to extremes in body size that are not available to lineages that must feed on one prey at a time. Maximum size in filter feeders is likely constrained by prey availability across space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Goldbogen
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.
| | - D E Cade
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - D M Wisniewska
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - J Potvin
- Department of Physics, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - P S Segre
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - M S Savoca
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - E L Hazen
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.,Environmental Research Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA, USA.,Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - M F Czapanskiy
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - S R Kahane-Rapport
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - S L DeRuiter
- Mathematics and Statistics Department, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - S Gero
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - P Tønnesen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - W T Gough
- Hopkins Marine Station, Department of Biology, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
| | - M B Hanson
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - M M Holt
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - F H Jensen
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - M Simon
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - A K Stimpert
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA, USA
| | - P Arranz
- Biodiversity, Marine Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Animal Biology, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - D W Johnston
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC, USA
| | - D P Nowacek
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - S E Parks
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - F Visser
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ and Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Kelp Marine Research, Hoorn, Netherlands
| | - A S Friedlaender
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - P L Tyack
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, School of Biology, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | - P T Madsen
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - N D Pyenson
- Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Paleontology and Geology, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle, WA, USA
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12
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Tennessen JB, Holt MM, Ward EJ, Hanson MB, Emmons CK, Giles DA, Hogan JT. Hidden Markov models reveal temporal patterns and sex differences in killer whale behavior. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14951. [PMID: 31628371 PMCID: PMC6802385 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50942-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral data can be important for effective management of endangered marine predators, but can be challenging to obtain. We utilized suction cup-attached biologging tags equipped with stereo hydrophones, triaxial accelerometers, triaxial magnetometers, pressure and temperature sensors, to characterize the subsurface behavior of an endangered population of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Tags recorded depth, acoustic and movement behavior on fish-eating killer whales in the Salish Sea between 2010-2014. We tested the hypotheses that (a) distinct behavioral states can be characterized by integrating movement and acoustic variables, (b) subsurface foraging occurs in bouts, with distinct periods of searching and capture temporally separated from travel, and (c) the probabilities of transitioning between behavioral states differ by sex. Using Hidden Markov modeling of two acoustic and four movement variables, we identified five temporally distinct behavioral states. Persistence in the same state on a subsequent dive had the greatest likelihood, with the exception of deep prey pursuit, indicating that behavior was clustered in time. Additionally, females spent more time at the surface than males, and engaged in less foraging behavior. These results reveal significant complexity and sex differences in subsurface foraging behavior, and underscore the importance of incorporating behavior into the design of conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B Tennessen
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA. .,Lynker Technologies, Leesburg, VA, USA.
| | - Marla M Holt
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eric J Ward
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - M Bradley Hanson
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Candice K Emmons
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deborah A Giles
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.,University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories, Friday Harbor, WA, USA
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