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Fernandez-Betelu O, Graham IM, Malcher F, Webster E, Cheong SH, Wang L, Iorio-Merlo V, Robinson S, Thompson PM. Characterising underwater noise and changes in harbour porpoise behaviour during the decommissioning of an oil and gas platform. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 200:116083. [PMID: 38340374 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Many man-made marine structures (MMS) will have to be decommissioned in the coming decades. While studies on the impacts of construction of MMS on marine mammals exist, no research has been done on the effects of their decommissioning. The complete removal of an oil and gas platform in Scotland in 2021 provided an opportunity to investigate the response of harbour porpoises to decommissioning. Arrays of broadband noise recorders and echolocation detectors were used to describe noise characteristics produced by decommissioning activities and assess porpoise behaviour. During decommissioning, sound pressure spectral density levels in the frequency range 100 Hz to 48 kHz were 30-40 dB higher than baseline, with vessel presence being the main source of noise. The study detected small-scale (< 2 km) and short-term porpoise displacement during decommissioning, with porpoise occurrence increasing immediately after this. These findings can inform the consenting process for future decommissioning projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oihane Fernandez-Betelu
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen IV11 8YL, United Kingdom.
| | - Isla M Graham
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen IV11 8YL, United Kingdom
| | - Freya Malcher
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Webster
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
| | - Sei-Him Cheong
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
| | - Lian Wang
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
| | - Virginia Iorio-Merlo
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen IV11 8YL, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Robinson
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M Thompson
- Lighthouse Field Station, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen IV11 8YL, United Kingdom
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2
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Lusseau D, Kindt-Larsen L, van Beest FM. Emergent interactions in the management of multiple threats to the conservation of harbour porpoises. Sci Total Environ 2023; 855:158936. [PMID: 36152860 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Human activities at sea are intensifying and diversifying. This is leading to more complex interactions of anthropogenic impacts requiring adaptable management interventions to mitigate their cumulative effects on biodiversity conservation and restoration objectives. Bycatch remains the dominant conservation threat for coastal cetaceans. Additionally, the indirect impact of repeated exposure to disturbances, particularly acoustic disturbances, can affect cetacean population growth and therefore conservation objectives. Pingers are used to ensonify nets to provide an effective mitigation of bycatch risk. As those become more prevalent across fisheries at risk to catch for example harbour porpoises, pingers become contributors to the anthropogenic noise landscape which may affect the vital rates of this species as well. Currently, we do not know how to best balance pinger prevalence to minimise both bycatch rate and the population consequences of acoustic disturbance (PCoD). Here we use an agent-based model to determine how pinger prevalence in nets can be adjusted to minimise bycatch rate and noise disturbance propagating to affect population growth for harbour porpoises. We show that counter-intuitively bycatch rate can increase at lower pinger prevalence. When ecological conditions are such that PCOD can emerge, higher prevalence of pingers can lead to indirect effects on population growth. This would result from condition-mediated decreased reproductive potential. Displacing fishing effort, via time-area closure, can be an effective mitigation strategy in these circumstances. These findings have important implications for current management plans which, for practical consideration, may lead to lower overall pinger prevalence at sea. This study also shows that estimating the reproductive potential of the species should be incorporated in bycatch monitoring programmes. We now need to better understand how physiological condition affect reproductive decisions and behavioural responses to noise in cetaceans to better appraise and estimate the cumulative impacts of bycatch and its mitigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lusseau
- National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Lotte Kindt-Larsen
- National Institute for Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Floris M van Beest
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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3
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Gregor KM, Lakemeyer J, IJsseldijk LL, Siebert U, Wohlsein P. Spontaneous neoplasms in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena. Dis Aquat Organ 2022; 149:145-154. [PMID: 35735234 DOI: 10.3354/dao03670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Harbour porpoises are widely distributed in the North Atlantic and represent the most abundant cetacean species in the North and Baltic Seas. Spontaneous neoplasms are relatively rarely reported in cetaceans, and only little is known about neoplasia in harbour porpoises. Thus, archival material was reviewed for spontaneous neoplasms in harbour porpoises recorded during post-mortem examinations between 1999 and 2018. Neoplasms were identified in 7 adult porpoises: 6 animals originating from the North and Baltic Seas and investigated as part of German and Dutch systematic health monitoring programs, and 1 porpoise from Greenlandic waters. The tumours were of different histogenetic origins and further characterised by histology and immunohistochemistry. One individual had a neoplasia in the digestive tract (adenocarcinoma, n = 1); 4 animals, in the genital tract (Sertoli cell tumour, n = 1; genital leiomyoma/fibroleiomyoma, n = 3); and 2 porpoises, in endocrine organs (adrenal adenoma, n = 2). This is the first report of an adenocarcinoma in the liver, a testicular Sertoli cell tumour and adrenocortical adenomas in harbour porpoises. The cause of the tumorigenesis in examined cases remains undetermined. The involvement of endogenous factors, including mutation of cell cycle regulating genes, such as the tumour-suppressor gene p53, cannot be ruled out. The aetiopathogenetic significance of exogenous factors, such as infectious agents like liver flukes or anthropogenic factors, including persistent organic pollutants, should be the subject of future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Gregor
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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4
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Méndez-Fernandez P, Spitz J, Dars C, Dabin W, Mahfouz C, André JM, Chouvelon T, Authier M, Caurant F. Two cetacean species reveal different long-term trends for toxic trace elements in European Atlantic French waters. Chemosphere 2022; 294:133676. [PMID: 35077732 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cetaceans have been naturally exposed to toxic trace elements (TEs) on an evolutionary time scale. Hence, they have developed mechanisms to control and/or mitigate their toxic effects. These long-lived species located at high trophic positions and bioaccumulating toxic elements are assumed to be good biomonitoring organisms. However, anthropogenic emissions have strongly increased environmental levels of toxic TEs in the last decades, questioning the efficiency of the detoxication mechanisms in cetaceans. In this context, temporal trends of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations were studied through the analysis of 264 individuals from two cetacean species the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and belonging to two different Management Units (MUs) for the latter. These individuals stranded along the French Atlantic coasts from 2000s to 2017. All the trends presented were age- and sex-corrected and stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) were measured as proxies of their feeding ecology. Results showed that Pb concentrations clearly decreased over time in both species and MUs. This decrease agrees with the lead petrol regulation after 2000s, supporting the use of these species as valuable bioindicators of changes for TE levels in the marine environment. A significant long-term increase of total Hg concentrations was only observed in common dolphins. Cadmium concentrations also revealed different trends over the period in both species. The different Hg and Cd trends observed in the two species, probably reflected a contrasted contamination of habitat and prey species than a global increase of the contamination in the environment. These results highlight the necessity and gain of using different species to monitor changes in marine environments, each of them informing on the contamination of its own ecological niche. Lastly, the Se:Hg molar ratios of species suggested a low risk for Hg toxicity over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Méndez-Fernandez
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé-La Rochelle, UMR 7372- Université de La Rochelle-CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Cécile Dars
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Willy Dabin
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Celine Mahfouz
- National Center for Marine Sciences, National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon (CNRS-L), Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Tiphaine Chouvelon
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Ifremer, Unité Biogéochimie et Écotoxicologie, Laboratoire de Biogéochimie des Contaminants Métalliques (BE/LBCM), Rue de L'île D'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311, Nantes Cedex 03, France
| | - Matthieu Authier
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Florence Caurant
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé-La Rochelle, UMR 7372- Université de La Rochelle-CNRS, 5 Allées de L'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
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5
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Androulakakis A, Alygizakis N, Gkotsis G, Nika MC, Nikolopoulou V, Bizani E, Chadwick E, Cincinelli A, Claßen D, Danielsson S, Dekker RWRJ, Duke G, Glowacka N, Jansman HAH, Krone O, Martellini T, Movalli P, Persson S, Roos A, O'Rourke E, Siebert U, Treu G, van den Brink NW, Walker LA, Deaville R, Slobodnik J, Thomaidis NS. Determination of 56 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in top predators and their prey from Northern Europe by LC-MS/MS. Chemosphere 2022; 287:131775. [PMID: 34509025 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of emerging substances that have proved to be persistent and highly bioaccumulative. They are broadly used in various applications and are known for their long-distance migration and toxicity. In this study, 65 recent specimens of a terrestrial apex predator (Common buzzard), freshwater and marine apex predators (Eurasian otter, harbour porpoise, grey seal, harbour seal) and their potential prey (bream, roach, herring, eelpout) from northern Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) were analyzed for the presence of legacy and emerging PFAS, employing a highly sensitive liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. 56 compounds from 14 classes were measured; 13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 7 perfluoroalkyl sulphonic acids (PFSAs), 3 perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), 4 perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids (PFAPAs), 3 perfluoroalkylphosphinic acids (PFPi's), 5 telomer alcohols (FTOHs), 2 mono-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (PAPs), 2 di-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (diPAPs), 6 saturated fluorotelomer acids (FTAS), 3 unsaturated fluorotelomer acids (FTUAs), 2 N-Alkyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), 3 fluorotelomer sulphonic acids (FTSAs), 2 perfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and 1 chlorinated perfluoroether sulphonic acid (Cl-PFESA). All samples were lyophilized before analysis, in order to enhance extraction efficiency, improve the precision and achieve lower detection limits. The analytes were extracted from the dry matrices through generic methods of extraction, using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), followed by clean-up through solid phase extraction (SPE). Method detection limits and method quantification limits ranged from 0.02 to 1.25 ng/g wet weight (ww) and from 0.05 to 3.79 ng/g (ww), respectively. Recovery ranged from 40 to 137%. Method precision ranged from 3 to 20 %RSD. The sum of PFAS concentration in apex predators livers ranged from 0.2 to 20.2 μg/g (ww), whereas in the fish species muscle tissues it ranged from 16 to 325 ng/g (ww). All analyzed specimens were primarily contaminated with PFOS, while the three PFPi's included in this study exhibited frequency of appearance (FoA) 100 %. C9 to C13 PFCAs were found at high concentrations in apex predator livers, while the overall PFAS levels in fish fillets also exceeded ecotoxicological thresholds. The findings of our study show a clear association between the PFAS concentrations in apex predators and the geographical origin of the specimens, with samples that were collected in urban and agricultural zones being highly contaminated compared to samples from pristine or semi-pristine areas. The high variety of PFAS and the different PFAS composition in the apex predators and their prey (AP&P) samples is alarming and strengthens the importance of PFAS monitoring across the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Androulakakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece; Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241, Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Georgios Gkotsis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Christina Nika
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Varvara Nikolopoulou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Erasmia Bizani
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth Chadwick
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Sara Danielsson
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Guy Duke
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, 3 South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Glowacka
- Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241, Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Hugh A H Jansman
- Wageningen Environmental Research, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Oliver Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Wildlife Diseases, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Martellini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paola Movalli
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 RA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Persson
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Roos
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emily O'Rourke
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761, Buesum, Germany
| | | | - Nico W van den Brink
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, 6700EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece.
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6
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van den Heuvel-Greve MJ, van den Brink AM, Kotterman MJJ, Kwadijk CJAF, Geelhoed SCV, Murphy S, van den Broek J, Heesterbeek H, Gröne A, IJsseldijk LL. Polluted porpoises: Generational transfer of organic contaminants in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea. Sci Total Environ 2021; 796:148936. [PMID: 34328906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), bioaccumulate in marine ecosystems. Top predators contain high levels of POPs in their lipid-rich tissues, which may result in adverse effects on their reproductive, immune and endocrine functions. Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are among the smallest of cetaceans and live under high metabolic demand, making them particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures. Using samples from individuals of all maturity classes and sexes stranded along the southern North Sea (n = 121), we show the generational transfer of PCBs, PBDEs and HCB from adults to foetuses. Porpoise placentas contained 1.3-8.2 mg/kg lipid weight (lw) Sum-17PCB, <dl-0.08 mg/kg lw Sum-17PBDE and 0.14-0.16 mg/kg lw HCB, which were similar to concentrations in foetus blubber. Contaminant levels increased significantly after birth through suckling. Milk samples contained 0.20-33.8 mg/kg lw Sum-17PCB, 0.002-0.51 mg/kg lw Sum-17PBDE and 0.03-0.21 mg/kg lw HCB. Especially lower halogenated and more toxic contaminants were transferred to calves, exposing them to high levels of contaminants early in life. Of all animals included in this study, 38.5% had PCB concentrations exceeding a threshold level for negative health effects (>9 mg/kg lw). This was particularly true for adult males (92.3% >9 mg/kg lw), while adult females had relatively low PCB levels (10.5% >9 mg/kg lw) due to offloading. Nutritional stress led to higher offloading in the milk, causing a greater potential for toxicity in calves of nutritionally stressed females. No correlation between PCB concentration and parasite infestation was detected, although the probability of a porpoise dying due to infectious disease or debilitation increased with increasing PCB concentrations. Despite current regulations to reduce pollution, these results provide further evidence of potential health effects of POPs on harbour porpoises of the southern North Sea, which may consequently increase their susceptibility to other pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine J van den Heuvel-Greve
- Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 77, 4400 AB Yerseke, the Netherlands; Wageningen University, Marine Animal Ecology, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | - Steve C V Geelhoed
- Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 77, 4400 AB Yerseke, the Netherlands
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Jan van den Broek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
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7
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Reckendorf A, Everaarts E, Bunskoek P, Haulena M, Springer A, Lehnert K, Lakemeyer J, Siebert U, Strube C. Lungworm infections in harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) in the German Wadden Sea between 2006 and 2018, and serodiagnostic tests. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2021; 14:53-61. [PMID: 33489750 PMCID: PMC7809178 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pseudaliid lungworm (Metastrongyloidea) infections and associated secondary bacterial infections may severely affect the health status of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in German waters. The presented retrospective analysis including data from 259 harbour porpoises stranded between 2006 and 2018 on the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast showed that 118 (46%) of these stranded individuals harboured a lungworm infection. During this 13-year period, a significant difference in annual lungworm prevalence was only observed between the years 2006 and 2016. Lungworm coinfections of bronchi and pulmonary blood vessels were observed in 85.6% of positive cases. Mild infection levels were detected in 22.9% of infected animals and were most common in the age class of immature individuals (74.1%). Moderate and severe infections were present in 38.1% and 39.0% of the lungworm positive animals, respectively. Their distribution in immatures (51.1% and 54.3%) and adults (48.9% and 43.4%) did not show significant differences. In stranded animals, lungworm diagnosis can be easily obtained via necropsy, while reliable lungworm diagnosis in living porpoises requires invasive bronchoscopy or faecal examination, which is difficult to obtain in cetaceans. To overcome this issue, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot based on recombinant major sperm protein (MSP) of the cattle lungworm were evaluated as potential diagnostic tools in harbour porpoises. However, in contrast to hitherto other investigated host species, no reliable antibody response pattern was detectable in harbour porpoise serum/plasma or whole blood samples. Thus, MSP-based serological tests are considered unsuitable for lungworm diagnosis in harbour porpoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Reckendorf
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, D-25761, Buesum, Germany
| | - Eligius Everaarts
- SOS Dolfijn Foundation, Van Ewijckskade 1, 1761 JA, Anna Paulowna, the Netherlands
| | - Paulien Bunskoek
- Dolfinarium, Zuiderzeeboulevard 22, 3841 WB, Harderwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Haulena
- Vancouver Aquarium, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver, BC, V6G 3E2, Canada
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, D-25761, Buesum, Germany
| | - Jan Lakemeyer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, D-25761, Buesum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, D-25761, Buesum, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany
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8
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Siebert U, Pawliczka I, Benke H, von Vietinghoff V, Wolf P, Pilāts V, Kesselring T, Lehnert K, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Galatius A, Anker Kyhn L, Teilmann J, Hansen MS, Sonne C, Wohlsein P. Health assessment of harbour porpoises (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) from Baltic area of Denmark, Germany, Poland and Latvia. Environ Int 2020; 143:105904. [PMID: 32615352 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), the only resident cetacean species of the Baltic Sea is formed of two subpopulations populations, occurring in the western Baltic, Belt Seas and Kattegat and the Baltic Proper, respectively. Harbour porpoises throughout these areas are exposed to a large number of human activities causing direct and indirect effects on individuals, that might also harm this species on a population level. From Latvia, Poland, Germany and Denmark 385 out of 1769 collected dead harbour porpoises were suitable for extensive necropsy. The animals were collected between 1990 and 2015 and were either by-caught or found dead on the coastline. Following necropsies, histopathological, microbiological, virological and parasitological investigations were conducted. Females and males were equally distributed among the 385 animals. Most animals from the different countries were juveniles between 3 months and 3 years old (varying between 46.5 and 100% of 385 animals per country). The respiratory tract had the highest number of morphological lesions, including lungworms in 25 to 58% and pneumonia in 21 to 58% of the investigated animals. Of those with pneumonia 8 to 33% were moderate or severe. The alimentary, hearing, and haematopoietic systems had inflammatory lesions and parasitic infections with limited health impact. 45.5 to 100% of the animals from the different countries were known by-caught individuals, of which 20 to 100% varying between countries had netmarks. Inflammatory lesions, especially in the respiratory tract were found in higher numbers when compared to control populations in areas with less human activities such as arctic waters. The high number of morphological changes in the respiratory tract and of bycatches especially among immature animals before reaching sexual maturity is of serious concern, as well as the low number of adult animals among the material. Data on health status and the causes of death are valuable for management. A next step in this regard will combine data from health and genetic investigations in order to detect differences between the two populations of the Baltic.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany; Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - I Pawliczka
- Prof. Krzysztof Skóra Hel Marine Station, Department of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdansk, Morska 2, 84-150 Hel, Poland
| | - H Benke
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14/20, 18347 Stralsund, Germany
| | - V von Vietinghoff
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14/20, 18347 Stralsund, Germany
| | - P Wolf
- Landesveterinär- und Lebensmitteluntersuchungsamt Rostock, Thierfelder Str. 18, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - V Pilāts
- Nature Conservation Agency, Baznīcas iela 7, Sigulda LV-2150, Latvia
| | - T Kesselring
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - K Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - E Prenger-Berninghoff
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 85-87, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - A Galatius
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - L Anker Kyhn
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - J Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - M S Hansen
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - C Sonne
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - P Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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9
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Martins MCI, Park T, Racicot R, Cooper N. Intraspecific variation in the cochleae of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and its implications for comparative studies across odontocetes. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8916. [PMID: 32322439 PMCID: PMC7161573 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In morphological traits, variation within species is generally considered to be lower than variation among species, although this assumption is rarely tested. This is particularly important in fields like palaeontology, where it is common to use a single individual as representative of a species due to the rarity of fossils. Here, we investigated intraspecific variation in the cochleae of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Interspecific variation of cochlear morphology is well characterised among odontocetes (toothed whales) because of the importance of the structure in echolocation, but generally these studies use only a single cochlea to represent each species. In this study we compare variation within the cochleae of 18 specimens of P. phocoena with variations in cochlear morphology across 51 other odontocete species. Using both 3D landmark and linear measurement data, we performed Generalised Procrustes and principal component analyses to quantify shape variation. We then quantified intraspecific variation in our sample of P. phocoena by estimating disparity and the coefficient of variation for our 3D and linear data respectively. Finally, to determine whether intraspecific variation may confound the results of studies of interspecific variation, we used multivariate and univariate analyses of variance to test whether variation within the specimens of P. phocoena was significantly lower than that across odontocetes. We found low levels of intraspecific variation in the cochleae of P. phocoena, and that cochlear shape within P. phocoena was significantly less variable than across odontocetes. Although future studies should attempt to use multiple cochleae for every species, our results suggest that using just one cochlea for each species should not strongly influence the conclusions of comparative studies if our results are consistent across Cetacea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Clara Iruzun Martins
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, University of London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Travis Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Racicot
- Forschungsinstitut und Naturkundemuseum, Senckenberg der SNG, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,The Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.,Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America.,Department of Zoology, Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Natalie Cooper
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Sonne C, Lakemeyer J, Desforges JP, Eulaers I, Persson S, Stokholm I, Galatius A, Gross S, Gonnsen K, Lehnert K, Andersen-Ranberg EU, Tange Olsen M, Dietz R, Siebert U. A review of pathogens in selected Baltic Sea indicator species. Environ Int 2020; 137:105565. [PMID: 32070804 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Here we review the state-of-the-art of pathogens in select marine and terrestrial key species of the Baltic Sea, i.e. ringed seal (Pusa hispida), harbour seal (Phoca vitulina), grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), common eider (Somateria mollissima), pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) and white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). This review is the first to merge and present available information and baseline data for the FP7 BONUS BaltHealth project: Baltic Sea multilevel health impacts on key species of anthropogenic hazardous substances. Understanding the spread, prevalence and effects of wildlife pathogens is important for the understanding of animal and ecosystem health, ecosystem function and services, as well as human exposure to zoonotic diseases. This review summarises the occurrence of parasites, viruses and bacteria over the past six decades, including severe outbreaks of Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV), the seroprevalence of Influenza A and the recent increase in seal parasites. We show that Baltic high trophic key species are exposed to multiple bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. Parasites, such as C. semerme and P. truncatum present in the colon and liver Baltic grey seals, respectively, and anisakid nematodes require particular monitoring due to their effects on animal health. In addition, distribution of existing viral and bacterial pathogens, along with the emergence and spread of new pathogens, need to be monitored in order to assess the health status of key Baltic species. Relevant bacteria are Streptococcus spp., Brucella spp., Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Mycoplasma spp. and Leptospira interrogans; relevant viruses are influenza virus, distemper virus, pox virus and herpes virus. This is of special importance as some of the occurring pathogens are zoonotic and thus also pose a potential risk for human health. Marine mammal handlers, as well as civilians that by chance encounter marine mammals, need to be aware of this risk. It is therefore important to continue the monitoring of diseases affecting key Baltic species in order to assess their relationship to population dynamics and their potential threat to humans. These infectious agents are valuable indicators of host ecology and can act as bioindicators of distribution, migration, diet and behaviour of marine mammals and birds, as well as of climate change and changes in food web dynamics. In addition, infectious diseases are linked to pollutant exposure, overexploitation, immune suppression and subsequent inflammatory disease. Ultimately, these diseases affect the health of the entire ecosystem and, consequently, ecosystem function and services. As global warming is continuously increasing, the impact of global change on infectious disease patterns is important to monitor in Baltic key species in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Jan Lakemeyer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany.
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Sara Persson
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Iben Stokholm
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany; Evolutionary Genomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Anders Galatius
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Stephanie Gross
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany.
| | - Katharina Gonnsen
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany.
| | - Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany.
| | - Emilie U Andersen-Ranberg
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Morten Tange Olsen
- Evolutionary Genomics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany.
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11
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Emelianchik A, Rodrigues TCS, Subramaniam K, Nielsen O, Burek-Huntington KA, Rotstein D, Popov VL, Stone D, Waltzek TB. Characterization of a novel rhabdovirus isolated from a stranded harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Virus Res 2019; 273:197742. [PMID: 31499088 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An adult male harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) stranded off the coast of Alaska displaying poor body condition, scattered mild ulcerative dermatitis, and necrotizing balanoposthitis. Necropsy findings included severe verminous panniculitis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and enteritis. Histopathological examination of skin lesions revealed a pustular epidermitis and dermatitis, with ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes and occasional amphophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. A swab sample collected from the ulcerative penile lesions was processed for virus isolation resulting in cytopathic effects observed in primary beluga whale kidney (BWK) cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed bullet-shaped virions budding from the cell surface of infected BWK cells consistent with a rhabdovirus. A cDNA library was prepared using RNA extracted from infected cell culture supernatant and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq sequencer. The near-complete genome of a novel rhabdovirus was recovered. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on the complete L gene supported the harbour porpoise rhabdovirus (HPRV) as a new species. HPRV clustered phylogenetically with dolphin rhabdovirus (DRV) and this cetacean rhabdovirus clade was found to be the sister group to members of the genus Perhabdovirus that infect fish. A specific nested RT-PCR assay detected HPRV RNA in the epaxial musculature of the harbour porpoise. Our results are consistent with a previous hypothesis that cetacean rhabdoviruses may have arisen following a host jump from fish and suggest that DRV and HPRV represent separate species belonging in a new genus within the family Rhabdoviridae. Further research is needed to determine the health impact of HPRV in harbour porpoise populations, its prevalence, and route of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ole Nielsen
- Department of Fisheries & Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - David Rotstein
- Marine Mammal Pathology Services, 19117 Bloomfield Road, 20832, Olney, Maryland, USA
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, 77555-0609, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - David Stone
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Weymouth, DT4 8UB, UK
| | - Thomas B Waltzek
- University of Florida, 2187 Mowry Road, 32611, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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12
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van Franeker JA, Bravo Rebolledo EL, Hesse E, IJsseldijk LL, Kühn S, Leopold M, Mielke L. Plastic ingestion by harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena in the Netherlands: Establishing a standardised method. Ambio 2018; 47:387-397. [PMID: 29305788 PMCID: PMC5884759 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-1002-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Stomach contents of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) collected in the Netherlands between 2003 and 2013 were inspected for the presence of plastic and other man-made litter. In 654 stomach samples the frequency of occurrence of plastic litter was 7% with less than 0.5% additional presence of non-synthetic man-made litter. However, we show that when a dedicated standard protocol for the detection of litter is followed, a considerably higher percentage (15% of 81 harbour porpoise stomachs from the period 2010-2013) contained plastic litter. Results thus strongly depended on methods used and time period considered. Occurrence of litter in the stomach was correlated to the presence of other non-food remains like stones, shells, bog-wood, etc., suggesting that litter was often ingested accidentally when the animals foraged close to the bottom. Most items were small and were not considered to have had a major health impact. No evident differences in ingestion were found between sexes or age groups, with the exception that neonates contained no litter. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common plastic types encountered. Compared to earlier literature on the harbour porpoise and related species, our results suggest higher levels of ingestion of litter. This is largely due to the lack of dedicated protocols to investigate marine litter ingestion in previous studies. Still, the low frequency of ingestion, and minor number and mass of litter items found in harbour porpoises in the relatively polluted southern North Sea indicates that the species is not a strong candidate for annual monitoring of marine litter trends under the EU marine strategy framework directive. However, for longer-term comparisons and regional differences, with proper dedicated protocols applied, the harbour porpoise has specific use in quantifying litter presence in the, for that specific objective, poorly studied benthic marine habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. van Franeker
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa L. Bravo Rebolledo
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
- Elisa Bravo - Ecological and Biological Research, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- 4101 CK Culemborg, The Netherlands
| | - Eileen Hesse
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
- 58640 Iserlohn, Germany
| | - Lonneke L. IJsseldijk
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne Kühn
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Mardik Leopold
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Lara Mielke
- WUR, Wageningen Marine Research, Ankerpark 27, 1781 AG Den Helder, The Netherlands
- 24329 Goernitz, Germany
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13
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Nuuttila HK, Bertelli CM, Mendzil A, Dearle N. Seasonal and diel patterns in cetacean use and foraging at a potential marine renewable energy site. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 129:633-644. [PMID: 29108737 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Marine renewable energy (MRE) developments often coincide with sites frequented by small cetaceans. To understand habitat use and assess potential impact from development, echolocation clicks were recorded with acoustic click loggers (C-PODs) in Swansea Bay, Wales (UK). General Additive Models (GAMs) were applied to assess the effects of covariates including month, hour, tidal range and temperature. Analysis of inter-click intervals allowed the identification of potential foraging events as well as patterns of presence and absence. Data revealed year-round presence of porpoise, with distinct seasonal and diel patterns. Occasional acoustic encounters of dolphins were also recorded. This study provides further evidence of the need for assessing temporal trends in cetacean presence and habitat use in areas considered for development. These findings could assist MRE companies to monitor and mitigate against disturbance from construction, operation and decommissioning activities by avoiding times when porpoise presence and foraging activity is highest in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna K Nuuttila
- SEACAMS, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
| | - Chiara M Bertelli
- SEACAMS, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Anouska Mendzil
- SEACAMS, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Nessa Dearle
- SEACAMS, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK
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14
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Ten Doeschate MTI, IJsseldijk LL, Hiemstra S, de Jong EA, Strijkstra A, Gröne A, Begeman L. Quantifying parasite presence in relation to biological parameters of harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena stranded on the Dutch coast. Dis Aquat Organ 2017; 127:49-56. [PMID: 29256427 DOI: 10.3354/dao03182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Harbour porpoises are often found to be infected by endoparasites in several organs including the lungs and stomach as well as the heart, liver and ears. Nevertheless there is still little knowledge about the impact, ecology, transmission, and virulence of these parasitic infections. Here, we profile the presence of parasites in 4 frequently infected organs (lungs, stomach, liver and ears) in relation to biological parameters of harbour porpoises stranded along the Dutch coastline between December 2008 and December 2013. We found that parasites were common, with prevalence of 68% in lungs, 74.4% in ears, 26% in stomach and 23.5% in liver. We used generalised linear models to further quantify parasite presence in relation to biological data gathered during necropsy (sex, body length and nutritive condition). Body length (used as a proxy for age) was significant in explaining parasite presence for all organs with increasing probability of having the parasite with increasing body length. For the parasitic infections in the ears and stomach the nutritive condition was an additional significant factor, with a higher probability of parasite presence in porpoises in a poorer nutritive condition. The results of this study can be used as a baseline for assessing parasite presence in harbour porpoises and are a first step towards linking parasite infections to basic biological data gathered during necropsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariëlle T I Ten Doeschate
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, Netherlands
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15
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Morell M, Lehnert K, IJsseldijk LL, Raverty SA, Wohlsein P, Gröne A, André M, Siebert U, Shadwick RE. Parasites in the inner ear of harbour porpoise: cases from the North and Baltic Seas. Dis Aquat Organ 2017; 127:57-63. [PMID: 29256428 DOI: 10.3354/dao03178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Peribullar sinuses of harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena are parasitized with high prevalence by the nematode Stenurus minor. The effect of S. minor on the hearing ability of this species is still undetermined. Here, we review the occurrence of S. minor in the inner ear of harbour porpoises recovered from strandings in the North and Baltic Seas. In particular, we present the results from ears collected in German and Danish waters from 2002 to 2016 and from Dutch waters from 2010 to 2016. While the prevalence of S. minor in pterygoid and peribullar sinuses and tympanic cavity was high in harbour porpoises (66.67% in our cases), its prevalence in the cochlea was rare. Only 1 case out of 129 analysed by either histology, electron microscopy or immunofluorescence showed the presence of a nematode parasite morphologically consistent with S. minor at the most basal portion of the right cochlea. This individual also had severe haemorrhage along the right cochlear spiral, which was likely caused by ectopic S. minor migration. Although this animal might have had impaired hearing in the right ear, it was otherwise in good body condition with evidence of recent feeding. These findings highlight the need to study the effect of parasites on hearing, and other pathological changes that might impair appropriate processing of acoustic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Morell
- Zoology Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T1Z4, Canada
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16
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Unger B, Herr H, Benke H, Böhmert M, Burkhardt-Holm P, Dähne M, Hillmann M, Wolff-Schmidt K, Wohlsein P, Siebert U. Marine debris in harbour porpoises and seals from German waters. Mar Environ Res 2017; 130:77-84. [PMID: 28735731 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Records of marine debris in and attached to stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) were studied comprising information on 6587 carcasses collected along the German coast between 1990 and 2014, the decomposition state allowed for necropsy in 1622 cases. Marine debris items were recorded in 31 carcasses including 14 entanglements (5 harbour porpoises, 6 harbour seals, 3 grey seals) and 17 cases of ingestion (4 harbour porpoises, 10 harbour seals, 3 grey seals). Objects comprised general debris (35.1%) and fishing related debris (64.9%). Injuries associated with marine debris included lesions, suppurative ulcerative dermatitis, perforation of the digestive tract, abscessation, suppurative peritonitis and septicaemia. This study is the first investigation of marine debris findings in all three marine mammal species from German waters. It demonstrates the health impacts marine debris can have, including severe suffering and death. The results provide needed information on debris burdens in the North and Baltic Seas for implementing management directives, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
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Affiliation(s)
- B Unger
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
| | - H Herr
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - H Benke
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14-20, 18439 Stralsund, Germany
| | - M Böhmert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - P Burkhardt-Holm
- University of Basel, Programme Man-Society-Environment, Department of Environmental Sciences, Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland
| | - M Dähne
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14-20, 18439 Stralsund, Germany
| | - M Hillmann
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - K Wolff-Schmidt
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - P Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - U Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstraße 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
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17
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Papachlimitzou A, Barber JL, Losada S, Bersuder P, Deaville R, Brownlow A, Penrose R, Jepson PD, Law RJ. Organophosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) and plasticisers in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2012. Mar Pollut Bull 2015; 98:328-334. [PMID: 26099790 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A suite of twenty organophosphorus flame retardant compounds have been determined in blubber and liver tissue of twenty harbour porpoises stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2012 in order to establish current levels of contamination. Fourteen of the twenty compounds were below the limits of quantification in all samples. Six could be quantified at maximum concentrations (in blubber) between 6.7 and 246μgkg(-1) wet weight. These levels do not suggest a high level of concern regarding potential impacts and do not indicate that routine monitoring in UK porpoises is warranted at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Papachlimitzou
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
| | - Sara Losada
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Philippe Bersuder
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 2PS, UK
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Robin J Law
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK; Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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Mahfouz C, Henry F, Courcot L, Pezeril S, Bouveroux T, Dabin W, Jauniaux T, Khalaf G, Amara R. Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the southern North Sea: an assessment through metallic contamination. Environ Res 2014; 133:266-273. [PMID: 24981825 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the last few years, the southern North Sea has witnessed an increase in the number of stranded marine mammals, particularly the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). This species is subject to several potential threats such as exposure to contaminants, changes in food supply, marine traffic and fishery by-catch. The aims of this study were to investigate potential associations between contaminants and health status and to analyze spatial and temporal trends of metal concentrations in harbour porpoises. Selected trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Se, V and Zn) were measured in kidneys and livers of 105 harbour porpoises stranded along the southern North Sea (French and Belgian coasts from 2006 to 2013) and 27 stranded along the Bay of Biscay (French coast from 2009 to 2012). Porpoises that died from infectious disease displayed significant higher hepatic concentrations of Cd, Hg, Se and Zn compared to healthy porpoises that died from physical trauma. Adult porpoises displayed significant higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, Hg, Se and V in livers compared to juveniles. No spatial or temporal trends in metal concentrations were detected in our study. The results of the present study suggested that chemical contamination may represent one of many threats encountered by harbour porpoises, but it cannot explain alone the increase in the number of stranded individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Mahfouz
- University of Lille Nord de France, France; Université du Littoral, Laboratoire d׳Océanologie et de Géosciences, 32 Avenue Foch, BP 80, F-62930 Wimereux, France; CNRS, UMR 8187, F-62930 Wimereux, France; CNRS, National Centre for Marine Sciences, P.O. Box 534, Batroun, Lebanon.
| | - Françoise Henry
- University of Lille Nord de France, France; Université du Littoral, Laboratoire d׳Océanologie et de Géosciences, 32 Avenue Foch, BP 80, F-62930 Wimereux, France; CNRS, UMR 8187, F-62930 Wimereux, France
| | - Lucie Courcot
- University of Lille Nord de France, France; Université du Littoral, Laboratoire d׳Océanologie et de Géosciences, 32 Avenue Foch, BP 80, F-62930 Wimereux, France; CNRS, UMR 8187, F-62930 Wimereux, France
| | - Sylvain Pezeril
- Observatoire pour la Conservation et l׳Etude des Animaux et Milieux Marins- OCEAMM, F-59123 Zuydcoote, France
| | - Thibaut Bouveroux
- Observatoire pour la Conservation et l׳Etude des Animaux et Milieux Marins- OCEAMM, F-59123 Zuydcoote, France
| | - Willy Dabin
- Centre de Recherche sur les Mammiferes Marin, Institut du Littoral et de l׳Environnement, Port des minimes, Av. du Lazaret, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Thierry Jauniaux
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, B43 Liège University, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Gaby Khalaf
- CNRS, National Centre for Marine Sciences, P.O. Box 534, Batroun, Lebanon
| | - Rachid Amara
- University of Lille Nord de France, France; Université du Littoral, Laboratoire d׳Océanologie et de Géosciences, 32 Avenue Foch, BP 80, F-62930 Wimereux, France; CNRS, UMR 8187, F-62930 Wimereux, France
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Law RJ, Losada S, Barber JL, Bersuder P, Deaville R, Brownlow A, Penrose R, Jepson PD. Alternative flame retardants, Dechlorane Plus and BDEs in the blubber of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded or bycaught in the UK during 2008. Environ Int 2013; 60:81-88. [PMID: 24021719 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Thirty alternative flame retardant compounds and a suite of 17 brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) congeners were determined in the blubber of 21 harbour porpoises stranded or bycaught around UK coasts during 2008 using GC-MS/MS. Of the 30 compounds, 19 were not detected. Of the remaining 11 compounds, some fell below the lowest calibration level and so were recorded as less than values, but were certainly present in the blubber samples (examples include tetrabromo-p-xylene (TBX), tetrabromo-o-chlorotoluene (TBCT) and 2,3-dibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (TBP-DBPE). Concentrations were low, the highest concentration being only 35μgkg(-1) wet weight. This contrasted with those of the BDEs, summed concentrations which ranged from 54.6 to 913μgkg(-1) wet weight, although levels in porpoise blubber have been declining since 1998. Both Dechlorane Plus (DDC-CO) isomers were detected in some samples, suggesting either that this product has been used in the UK or that its presence may result from atmospheric transport from source regions. BDE183, a marker for the octa-mix PBDE product, was found at low concentrations (0.63 to 1.7μgkg(-1) wet weight) and the four nona- and deca-BDE congeners were not detected in any sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Law
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
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