1
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Gose MA, Humble E, Brownlow A, Wall D, Rogan E, Sigurðsson GM, Kiszka JJ, Thøstesen CB, IJsseldijk LL, Ten Doeschate M, Davison NJ, Øien N, Deaville R, Siebert U, Ogden R. Population genomics of the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris): Implications for conservation amid climate-driven range shifts. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:192-201. [PMID: 38302666 PMCID: PMC10997624 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-024-00672-7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is rapidly affecting species distributions across the globe, particularly in the North Atlantic. For highly mobile and elusive cetaceans, the genetic data needed to understand population dynamics are often scarce. Cold-water obligate species such as the white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) face pressures from habitat shifts due to rising sea surface temperatures in addition to other direct anthropogenic threats. Unravelling the genetic connectivity between white-beaked dolphins across their range is needed to understand the extent to which climate change and anthropogenic pressures may impact species-wide genetic diversity and identify ways to protect remaining habitat. We address this by performing a population genomic assessment of white-beaked dolphins using samples from much of their contemporary range. We show that the species displays significant population structure across the North Atlantic at multiple scales. Analysis of contemporary migration rates suggests a remarkably high connectivity between populations in the western North Atlantic, Iceland and the Barents Sea, while two regional populations in the North Sea and adjacent UK and Irish waters are highly differentiated from all other clades. Our results have important implications for the conservation of white-beaked dolphins by providing guidance for the delineation of more appropriate management units and highlighting the risk that local extirpation may have on species-wide genetic diversity. In a broader context, this study highlights the importance of understanding genetic structure of all species threatened with climate change-driven range shifts to assess the risk of loss of species-wide genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Alexander Gose
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Emily Humble
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dave Wall
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), Kilrush, Ireland
| | - Emer Rogan
- School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nils Øien
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Bergen, Norway
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rob Ogden
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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2
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von Hellfeld R, Gade C, Doeschate MT, Davison NJ, Brownlow A, Mbadugha L, Hastings A, Paton G. High resolution visualisation of tiemannite microparticles, essential in the detoxification process of mercury in marine mammals. Environ Pollut 2024; 342:123027. [PMID: 38016588 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123027] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The North Sea is an ecologically rich habitat for marine wildlife which has also been impacted by industrial developments and anthropogenic emissions of contaminants such as mercury. Marine mammals are particularly susceptible to mercury exposure, due to their trophic position, long lifespan, and dependence on (increasingly contaminated) aquatic prey species. To mitigate impact, marine mammals can detoxify methylmercury by binding it to selenium-containing biomolecules, creating insoluble mercury selenide granules. Here, liver, kidney, muscle, and brain samples from an adult male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with known elevated mercury concentrations were analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tiemannite (HgSe) deposits were identified in all organs, ranging from 400 nm to 5 μm in diameter, with particle size being organ-dependent. Although reported in other studies, this is the first time that the three-dimensional nature of tiemannite is captured in marine mammal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca von Hellfeld
- University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, 23 St Machar Drive, AB23 8UU, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre (NDC), Main Street, AB41 6AA, Newburgh, UK.
| | - Christoph Gade
- University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, 23 St Machar Drive, AB23 8UU, Aberdeen, UK; National Decommissioning Centre (NDC), Main Street, AB41 6AA, Newburgh, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, 464 Bearsden Road, G61 1QH, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicolas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, 464 Bearsden Road, G61 1QH, Glasgow, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), University of Glasgow, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, 464 Bearsden Road, G61 1QH, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lenka Mbadugha
- University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, 23 St Machar Drive, AB23 8UU, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Astley Hastings
- University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, 23 St Machar Drive, AB23 8UU, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Graeme Paton
- University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences, 23 St Machar Drive, AB23 8UU, Aberdeen, UK
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3
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Williams RS, Brownlow A, Baillie A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, ten Doeschate M, Murphy S, Penrose R, Perkins M, Spiro S, Williams R, Jepson PD, Curnick DJ, Jobling S. Spatiotemporal Trends Spanning Three Decades Show Toxic Levels of Chemical Contaminants in Marine Mammals. Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:20736-20749. [PMID: 38011905 PMCID: PMC10720377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01881] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite their ban and restriction under the 2001 Stockholm Convention, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still widespread and pervasive in the environment. Releases of these toxic and bioaccumulative chemicals are ongoing, and their contribution to population declines of marine mammals is of global concern. To safeguard their survival, it is of paramount importance to understand the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Using one of the world's largest marine mammals strandings data sets, we combine published and unpublished data to examine pollutant concentrations in 11 species that stranded along the coast of Great Britain to quantify spatiotemporal trends over three decades and identify species and regions where pollutants pose the greatest threat. We find that although levels of pollutants have decreased overall, there is significant spatial and taxonomic heterogeneity such that pollutants remain a threat to biodiversity in several species and regions. Of individuals sampled within the most recent five years (2014-2018), 48% of individuals exhibited a concentration known to exceed toxic thresholds. Notably, pollutant concentrations are highest in long-lived, apex odontocetes (e.g., killer whales (Orcinus orca), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)) and were significantly higher in animals that stranded on more industrialized coastlines. At the present concentrations, POPs are likely to be significantly impacting marine mammal health. We conclude that more effective international elimination and mitigation strategies are urgently needed to address this critical issue for the global ocean health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S. Williams
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
- Department
of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, 99-105 Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United
Kingdom
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Andrew Baillie
- The
Natural
History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan L. Barber
- Centre
for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - James Barnett
- Environment
and Sustainability Institute, University
of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Falmouth, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Davison
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Mariel ten Doeschate
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine
and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Science, School
of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute
of Technology, Galway H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine
Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 2PS, United
Kingdom
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Spiro
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Williams
- Cornwall
Wildlife Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D. Jepson
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Curnick
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department
of Life Sciences, Institute of Health, Medicine and Environments, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
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4
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Louis M, Korlević P, Nykänen M, Archer F, Berrow S, Brownlow A, Lorenzen ED, O'Brien J, Post K, Racimo F, Rogan E, Rosel PE, Sinding MHS, van der Es H, Wales N, Fontaine MC, Gaggiotti OE, Foote AD. Ancient dolphin genomes reveal rapid repeated adaptation to coastal waters. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4020. [PMID: 37463880 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parallel evolution provides strong evidence of adaptation by natural selection due to local environmental variation. Yet, the chronology, and mode of the process of parallel evolution remains debated. Here, we harness the temporal resolution of paleogenomics to address these long-standing questions, by comparing genomes originating from the mid-Holocene (8610-5626 years before present, BP) to contemporary pairs of coastal-pelagic ecotypes of bottlenose dolphin. We find that the affinity of ancient samples to coastal populations increases as the age of the samples decreases. We assess the youngest genome (5626 years BP) at sites previously inferred to be under parallel selection to coastal habitats and find it contained coastal-associated genotypes. Thus, coastal-associated variants rose to detectable frequencies close to the emergence of coastal habitat. Admixture graph analyses reveal a reticulate evolutionary history between pelagic and coastal populations, sharing standing genetic variation that facilitated rapid adaptation to newly emerged coastal habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Louis
- Centre for Biological Diversity, Sir Harold Mitchell Building and Dyers Brae, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, Scotland, UK.
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, Nuuk, 3900, Greenland.
| | - Petra Korlević
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Milaja Nykänen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, PO Box 111, FI-80101, Joensuu, Finland
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
| | - Frederick Archer
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Simon Berrow
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technological University, Dublin Road, H91 T8NW, Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Eline D Lorenzen
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Joanne O'Brien
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technological University, Dublin Road, H91 T8NW, Galway, Ireland
| | - Klaas Post
- Natural History Museum Rotterdam, Westzeedijk 345, 3015 AA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Fernando Racimo
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, 1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Emer Rogan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, North Mall, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patricia E Rosel
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA, 70506, USA
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henry van der Es
- Natural History Museum Rotterdam, Westzeedijk 345, 3015 AA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nathan Wales
- University of York, BioArCh, Environment Building, Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
- MIVEGEC (Université de Montpellier, CNRS 5290, IRD 229) Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), F-34394, Montpellier, France
| | - Oscar E Gaggiotti
- Centre for Biological Diversity, Sir Harold Mitchell Building and Dyers Brae, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TH, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew D Foote
- Department of Natural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
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5
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Williams RS, Brownlow A, Baillie A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Ten Doeschate M, Penrose R, Perkins M, Williams R, Jepson PD, Lyashevska O, Murphy S. Evaluation of a marine mammal status and trends contaminants indicator for European waters. Sci Total Environ 2023; 866:161301. [PMID: 36592909 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161301] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation, biomagnification and lactational transfer of specific types of pollutants, such as industrial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), due to their long-life spans, feeding at a high trophic level and unique fat stores that can serve as depots for these lipophilic contaminants. Currently, European countries are developing indicators for monitoring pollutants in the marine environment and assessing the state of biodiversity, requirements under both Regional Seas Conventions and European legislation. As sentinel species for marine ecosystem and human health, marine mammals can be employed to assess bioaccumulated contaminants otherwise below current analytical detection limits in water and lower trophic level marine biota. To aid the development of Regional Seas marine mammal contaminants indicators, as well as Member States obligations under descriptor 8 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the current study aims to further develop appropriate methodological standards using data collected by the established UK marine mammal pollutant monitoring programme (1990 to 2017) to assess the trends and status of PCBs in harbour porpoises. Within this case study, temporal trends of PCB blubber concentration in juvenile harbour porpoises were analysed using multiple linear regression models and toxicity thresholds for the onset of physiological (reproductive and immunological) endpoints were applied to all sex-maturity groups. Mean PCB blubber concentrations were observed to decline in all harbour porpoise Assessment Units and OSPAR Assessment Areas in UK waters. However, a high proportion of animals were exposed to concentrations deemed to be a toxicological threat, though the relative proportion declined in most Assessment Units/Areas over the last 10 years of the assessment. Recommendations were made for improving the quality of the assessment going forward, including detailing monitoring requirements for the successful implementation of such an indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S Williams
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew Baillie
- The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, London, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - James Barnett
- Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, Fishers Well, Higher Brill, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5QG, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan SA43 2PS, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Olga Lyashevska
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway city, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway city, Ireland.
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6
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Kitchener AC, Herman JS, Doeschate MT, Davison NJ, Brownlow A, Schwarz T, Kinze CC, Hantke G. The prevalence of vestigial teeth in two beaked whale species from the North Atlantic. MAMMALIA 2023. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2022-0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Beaked whales, Family Ziphiidae, occur in deep offshore and oceanic seas, where they are very difficult to study, so that much of our knowledge about them is derived from stranded animals. Most beaked whales (e.g., genera Mesoplodon and Ziphius) have only one pair of mandibular teeth. A reduced dentition is widely regarded as an adaptation to suction feeding, primarily on squid. However, vestigial maxillary and mandibular teeth have been recorded in some species. Here, we describe new records of vestigial teeth in 12 Sowerby’s beaked whales, Mesoplodon bidens, and one Cuvier’s beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris, from a total 14 animals of these species, which stranded in 2019–2021 in Scotland. In nine M. bidens some tooth crowns were erupted and mild occlusal wear was visible, whereas pathological teeth were seen in ten individuals. The occurrence of vestigial teeth in Sowerby’s beaked whale appears to be significantly under-recorded, suggesting that vestigial teeth form as part of the normal development of the dentition. The reasons for the under-recording of the occurrence and the possible functionality of vestigial teeth in ziphiids are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Kitchener
- Department of Natural Sciences , National Museums Scotland, Chambers St , Edinburgh EH1 1JF , UK
- School of Geosciences , The Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh , The King’s Buildings James Hutton Road , Edinburgh EH9 3FE , UK
| | - Jeremy S. Herman
- Department of Natural Sciences , National Museums Scotland, Chambers St , Edinburgh EH1 1JF , UK
| | - Mariel ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity , One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
| | - Nicholas J. Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity , One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity , One Health and Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow , Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK
| | - Tobias Schwarz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh , Easter Bush Estate , Roslin EH25 9RG , UK
| | - Carl Chr. Kinze
- Cetacean Atlas of Denmark , Rosenørn Alle 55 2tv, DK 1970 Fredriksberg C , Denmark
| | - Georg Hantke
- Department of Natural Sciences , National Museums Scotland, Chambers St , Edinburgh EH1 1JF , UK
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7
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Onoufriou AB, Gaggiotti OE, Aguilar de Soto N, McCarthy ML, Morin PA, Rosso M, Dalebout M, Davison N, Baird RW, Baker CS, Berrow S, Brownlow A, Burns D, Caurant F, Claridge D, Constantine R, Demaret F, Dreyer S, Ðuras M, Durban JW, Frantzis A, Freitas L, Genty G, Galov A, Hansen SS, Kitchener AC, Martin V, Mignucci-Giannoni AA, Montano V, Moulins A, Olavarría C, Poole MM, Reyes Suárez C, Rogan E, Ryan C, Schiavi A, Tepsich P, Urban R. J, West K, Olsen MT, Carroll EL. Biogeography in the deep: Hierarchical population genomic structure of two beaked whale species. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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8
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Madgett AS, Yates K, Webster L, McKenzie C, Brownlow A, Moffat CF. The concentration and biomagnification of PCBs and PBDEs across four trophic levels in a marine food web. Environ Pollut 2022; 309:119752. [PMID: 35841989 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Maine Environment of the North-East Atlantic are required to undertake monitoring and assessment of both inorganic and organic contaminants. There is a requirement to assess contaminants across different trophic levels on an ecosystem-specific basis. However, this is currently constrained by the availability of relevant samples to cover the full range of trophic levels. This study investigates the variability (inter- and intra-species variation) of the concentrations and distributions of thirty-two polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and nine polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in twenty-six species covering four trophic levels from different geographic locations around Scotland. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated using a traditional method and a balanced method for both the ICES-7 PCBs and BDE47, to refine and improve the application of TMFs to assess and predict biomagnification risk to biota in the marine environment. There were clear differences in congener percentage distribution between sample categories and species, with differences influenced by physiological processes and eco-biological parameters. Trophic magnification was found to occur for the ICES-7 PCBs and BDE47 using the traditional method, with the highest degree of trophic magnification reported for CB52. An unbalanced dataset was found to influence the calculated TMF and in some cases, the overall conclusion of the trophic transfer of PCB and PBDE congeners. The balanced method is highly recommended for calculating TMFs to ensure that the TMF is a true indication of the biomagnification potential, particularly when conducting regional comparisons for which sampling requirements are difficult to achieve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alethea S Madgett
- University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK; School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK; Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
| | - Kyari Yates
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK
| | - Lynda Webster
- Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK
| | | | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Colin F Moffat
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK
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9
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Cipriani P, Palomba M, Giulietti L, Marcer F, Mazzariol S, Santoro M, Alburqueque RA, Covelo P, López A, Santos MB, Pierce GJ, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, McGovern B, Frantzis A, Alexiadou P, Højgaard DP, Mikkelsen B, Paoletti M, Nascetti G, Levsen A, Mattiucci S. Distribution and genetic diversity of Anisakis spp. in cetaceans from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13664. [PMID: 35953527 PMCID: PMC9372146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17710-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasite biodiversity in cetaceans represents a neglected component of the marine ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of anisakid nematodes of the genus Anisakis sampled in cetaceans from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 478 adults and pre-adults of Anisakis spp. was identified by a multilocus genetic approach (mtDNA cox2, EF1 α − 1 nDNA and nas 10 nDNA gene loci) from 11 cetacean species. A clear pattern of host preference was observed for Anisakis spp. at cetacean family level: A. simplex (s.s.) and A. pegreffii infected mainly delphinids; A. physeteris and A. brevispiculata were present only in physeterids, and A. ziphidarum occurred in ziphiids. The role of cetacean host populations from different waters in shaping the population genetic structure of A. simplex (s.s.), A. pegreffii and A. physeteris was investigated for the first time. Significant genetic sub-structuring was found in A. simplex (s.s.) populations of the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea compared to those of the Iberian Atlantic, as well as in A. pegreffii populations of the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian Seas compared to those of the Iberian Atlantic waters. Substantial genetic homogeneity was detected in the Mediterranean Sea population of A. physeteris. This study highlights a strong preference by some Anisakis spp. for certain cetacean species or families. Information about anisakid biodiversity in their cetacean definitive hosts, which are apex predators of marine ecosystems, acquires particular importance for conservation measures in the context of global climate change phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cipriani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Marialetizia Palomba
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Federica Marcer
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Padova University, Padova, Italy
| | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Padova University, Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Renato Aco Alburqueque
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pablo Covelo
- Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños CEMMA, Gondomar, Pontevedra, Spain
| | - Alfredo López
- Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamíferos Mariños CEMMA, Gondomar, Pontevedra, Spain.,Departamento de Biología & CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - M Begoña Santos
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | | | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Bjarni Mikkelsen
- Faroe Marine Research Institute (Havstovan), Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Michela Paoletti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nascetti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Arne Levsen
- Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
| | - Simonetta Mattiucci
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Section of Parasitology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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10
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Leaper R, MacLennan E, Brownlow A, Calderan SV, Dyke K, Evans PGH, Hartny-Mills L, Jarvis D, McWhinnie L, Philp A, Read FL, Robinson KP, Ryan C. Estimates of humpback and minke whale entanglements in the Scottish static pot (creel) fishery. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2022. [DOI: 10.3354/esr01214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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11
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Louis M, Galimberti M, Archer F, Berrow S, Brownlow A, Fallon R, Nykänen M, O'Brien J, Roberston KM, Rosel PE, Simon-Bouhet B, Wegmann D, Fontaine MC, Foote AD, Gaggiotti OE. Selection on ancestral genetic variation fuels repeated ecotype formation in bottlenose dolphins. Sci Adv 2021; 7:eabg1245. [PMID: 34705499 PMCID: PMC8550227 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg1245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Studying repeated adaptation can provide insights into the mechanisms allowing species to adapt to novel environments. Here, we investigate repeated evolution driven by habitat specialization in the common bottlenose dolphin. Parapatric pelagic and coastal ecotypes of common bottlenose dolphins have repeatedly formed across the oceans. Analyzing whole genomes of 57 individuals, we find that ecotype evolution involved a complex reticulated evolutionary history. We find parallel linked selection acted upon ancient alleles in geographically distant coastal populations, which were present as standing genetic variation in the pelagic populations. Candidate loci evolving under parallel linked selection were found in ancient tracts, suggesting recurrent bouts of selection through time. Therefore, despite the constraints of small effective population size and long generation time on the efficacy of selection, repeated adaptation in long-lived social species can be driven by a combination of ecological opportunities and selection acting on ancestral standing genetic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Louis
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chize, La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, Netherlands
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco Galimberti
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Frederick Archer
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Simon Berrow
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ramon Fallon
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TF, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Joanne O'Brien
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, Co Clare, Ireland
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, School of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, H91 T8NW Galway, Ireland
| | - Kelly M Roberston
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Patricia E Rosel
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, 646 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, LA 70506, USA
| | - Benoit Simon-Bouhet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chize, La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Daniel Wegmann
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Fribourg 1700, Switzerland
| | - Michael C Fontaine
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, Netherlands
- MIVEGEC, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Centre de Recherche en Écologie et Évolution de la Santé (CREES), Montpellier, France
| | - Andrew D Foote
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Bangor, Environment Centre Wales, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK
- Department of Natural History, University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Erling Skakkes gate 47A, Trondheim 7012, Norway
| | - Oscar E Gaggiotti
- Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, St Andrews KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK
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12
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Subirana MA, Paton L, Hall J, Brownlow A, Krupp EM, Feldmann J, Schaumlöffel D. Development of Mercury Analysis by NanoSIMS for the Localization of Mercury-Selenium Particles in Whale Liver. Anal Chem 2021; 93:12733-12739. [PMID: 34499489 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) is a dynamic SIMS technique, which offers high spatial resolution allowing the mapping of chemical elements at the nanometer scale combined with high sensitivity. However, SIMS for mercury analysis is a challenging issue due to the low secondary ion yield and has never been done on NanoSIMS. The introduction of an rf plasma oxygen primary ion source on NanoSIMS enabled higher lateral resolution and higher sensitivity for electropositive elements such as most metals. In this paper, for the first time, mercury analysis by NanoSIMS was developed applying the new rf plasma O- ion source. All mercury isotopes could be detected as Hg+ secondary ions and the isotopic pattern corresponded to their natural isotopic abundances. Furthermore, Hg+ detection in HgSe nanocrystals has been investigated where polyatomic interferences from selenium clusters were identified and separated by high mass resolution (ΔM/M ≥ 3200). However, in the presence of selenium a strong matrix effect was observed, decreasing the Hg+ secondary ion yield. In addition, a detection of Se+ ions was possible, too. The newly developed method was successfully applied to nanoscale localization by chemical imaging of HgSe particles accumulated in the liver tissue of sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). This demonstrated the applicability of NanoSIMS not only for mercury detection in surface analysis but also for mercury mapping in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angels Subirana
- CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France
| | - Lhiam Paton
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - James Hall
- TESLA-Chemistry, School of Computing and Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, U.K
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K
| | - Eva M Krupp
- TESLA-Chemistry, School of Computing and Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, U.K
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- TESLA-Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Dirk Schaumlöffel
- CNRS, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254, 64000 Pau, France
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13
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Foote AD, Hooper R, Alexander A, Baird RW, Baker CS, Ballance L, Barlow J, Brownlow A, Collins T, Constantine R, Dalla Rosa L, Davison NJ, Durban JW, Esteban R, Excoffier L, Martin SLF, Forney KA, Gerrodette T, Gilbert MTP, Guinet C, Hanson MB, Li S, Martin MD, Robertson KM, Samarra FIP, de Stephanis R, Tavares SB, Tixier P, Totterdell JA, Wade P, Wolf JBW, Fan G, Zhang Y, Morin PA. Runs of homozygosity in killer whale genomes provide a global record of demographic histories. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:6162-6177. [PMID: 34416064 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Runs of homozygosity (ROH) occur when offspring inherit haplotypes that are identical by descent from each parent. Length distributions of ROH are informative about population history; specifically, the probability of inbreeding mediated by mating system and/or population demography. Here, we investigated whether variation in killer whale (Orcinus orca) demographic history is reflected in genome-wide heterozygosity and ROH length distributions, using a global data set of 26 genomes representative of geographic and ecotypic variation in this species, and two F1 admixed individuals with Pacific-Atlantic parentage. We first reconstructed demographic history for each population as changes in effective population size through time using the pairwise sequential Markovian coalescent (PSMC) method. We found a subset of populations declined in effective population size during the Late Pleistocene, while others had more stable demography. Genomes inferred to have undergone ancestral declines in effective population size, were autozygous at hundreds of short ROH (<1 Mb), reflecting high background relatedness due to coalescence of haplotypes deep within the pedigree. In contrast, longer and therefore younger ROH (>1.5 Mb) were found in low latitude populations, and populations of known conservation concern. These include a Scottish killer whale, for which 37.8% of the autosomes were comprised of ROH >1.5 Mb in length. The fate of this population, in which only two adult males have been sighted in the past five years, and zero fecundity over the last two decades, may be inextricably linked to its demographic history and consequential inbreeding depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Foote
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.,Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK.,CMPG, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Hooper
- University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Alana Alexander
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Charles Scott Baker
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lisa Ballance
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA.,Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jay Barlow
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tim Collins
- Ocean Giants Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, New York City, New York
| | | | - Luciano Dalla Rosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - John W Durban
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon, USA.,Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ruth Esteban
- CIRCE, Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans, Algeciras, Spain
| | - Laurent Excoffier
- CMPG, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sarah L Fordyce Martin
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Karin A Forney
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Moss Landing, California, USA.,Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, San Jose State University, Moss Landing, California, USA
| | - Tim Gerrodette
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.,Section for Evolutionary Genomics, The GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe Guinet
- UMR 7372 La Rochelle Université - CNRS, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - M Bradley Hanson
- National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Songhai Li
- Marine Mammal and Marine Bioacoustics Laboratory, Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Sanya, China
| | - Michael D Martin
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kelly M Robertson
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Filipa I P Samarra
- University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
| | - Renaud de Stephanis
- CIRCE, Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans, Algeciras, Spain
| | - Sara B Tavares
- Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK.,Cetacean Research Program, Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, Canada
| | - Paul Tixier
- UMR 7372 La Rochelle Université - CNRS, Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), Villiers-en-Bois, France.,MARBEC Université de Montpellier-CNRS-IFREMER-IRD, Sète, France
| | | | - Paul Wade
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jochen B W Wolf
- Section of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Biology II, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Guangyi Fan
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China.,BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaolei Zhang
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China.,Translational Immunology group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Phillip A Morin
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California, USA
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14
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Davison NJ, Dagleish MP, Ten Doeschate M, Muchowski J, Perrett LL, Rocchi M, Whatmore AM, Brownlow A. Meningoencephalitis in a common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata associated with Brucella pinnipedialis and gamma-herpesvirus infection. Dis Aquat Organ 2021; 144:231-235. [PMID: 34042070 DOI: 10.3354/dao03590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fatal marine Brucella infections with histologic lesions specific to the central nervous system (CNS), known as neurobrucellosis, have been described in 5 species of odontocete cetaceans in the UK: striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, Atlantic white-sided dolphins Lagenorhynchus acutus, short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis, long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas and Sowerby's beaked whale Mesoplodon bidens. To date, these CNS lesions have only been associated with Brucella ceti ST26 and not with B. pinnipedialis, which is rarely isolated from cetaceans and, although commonly found in various seal species, has never been associated with any pathology. This paper describes the first report of neurobrucellosis in a common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata which was associated with the isolation of Brucella pinnipedialis ST24 and co-infection with Balaenoptera acutorostrata gamma-herpesvirus 2. This is the first report of neurobrucellosis in any species of mysticete and the first report of Brucella pinnipedialis in association with any pathology in any species of marine mammal, which may be due to co-infection with a herpesvirus, as these are known to be associated with immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Northern Faculty, An Lòchran, Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA, UK
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15
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Williams RS, Curnick DJ, Brownlow A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Ten Doeschate M, Perkins M, Jepson PD, Jobling S. Polychlorinated biphenyls are associated with reduced testes weights in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Environ Int 2021; 150:106303. [PMID: 33454091 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106303] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic and persistent aquatic pollutants that are known to bioaccumulate in a variety of marine mammals. They have been associated with reduced recruitment rates and population declines in multiple species. Evidence to date documents effects of PCB exposures on female reproduction, but few studies have investigated whether PCB exposure impacts male fertility. Using blubber tissue samples of 99 adult and 168 juvenile UK-stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) collected between 1991 and 2017, here we show that PCBs exposures are associated with reduced testes weights in adults with good body condition. In animals with poor body condition, however, the impact of PCBs on testes weights was reduced, conceivably due to testes weights being limited by nutritional stress. This is the first study to investigate the relationship between PCB contaminant burden and testes weights in cetaceans and represents a substantial advance in our understanding of the relationship between PCB exposures and male reproductive biology in cetaceans. As testes weight is a strong indicator of male fertility in seasonally breeding mammals, we suggest the inclusion of such effects in population level impact assessments involving PCB exposures. Given the re-emergent PCB threat our findings are globally significant, with potentially serious implications for long-lived mammals. We show that more effective PCB controls could have a substantial impact on the reproductive health of coastal cetacean species and that management actions may need to be escalated to ensure adequate protection of the most vulnerable cetacean populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S Williams
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK; Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - David J Curnick
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - James Barnett
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Falmouth, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UK
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16
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Nykänen M, Kaschner K, Dabin W, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Garilao C, Kesner-Reyes K, Gilbert MTP, Penrose R, Islas-Villanueva V, Wales N, Ingram SN, Rogan E, Louis M, Foote AD. Postglacial Colonization of Northern Coastal Habitat by Bottlenose Dolphins: A Marine Leading-Edge Expansion? J Hered 2020; 110:662-674. [PMID: 31211393 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz039] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oscillations in the Earth's temperature and the subsequent retreating and advancing of ice-sheets around the polar regions are thought to have played an important role in shaping the distribution and genetic structuring of contemporary high-latitude populations. After the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), retreating of the ice-sheets would have enabled early colonizers to rapidly occupy suitable niches to the exclusion of other conspecifics, thereby reducing genetic diversity at the leading-edge. Bottlenose dolphins (genus Tursiops) form distinct coastal and pelagic ecotypes, with finer-scale genetic structuring observed within each ecotype. We reconstruct the postglacial colonization of the Northeast Atlantic (NEA) by bottlenose dolphins using habitat modeling and phylogenetics. The AquaMaps model hindcasted suitable habitat for the LGM in the Atlantic lower latitude waters and parts of the Mediterranean Sea. The time-calibrated phylogeny, constructed with 86 complete mitochondrial genomes including 30 generated for this study and created using a multispecies coalescent model, suggests that the expansion to the available coastal habitat in the NEA happened via founder events starting ~15 000 years ago (95% highest posterior density interval: 4 900-26 400). The founders of the 2 distinct coastal NEA populations comprised as few as 2 maternal lineages that originated from the pelagic population. The low effective population size and genetic diversity estimated for the shared ancestral coastal population subsequent to divergence from the pelagic source population are consistent with leading-edge expansion. These findings highlight the legacy of the Late Pleistocene glacial cycles on the genetic structuring and diversity of contemporary populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milaja Nykänen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kristin Kaschner
- Department of Biometry and Environmental System Analysis, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Willy Dabin
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé. UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France.,Observatoire PELAGIS, UMS 3462 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 5 allées de l'Océan, La Rochelle, France
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, The Wellcome Building, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, UK
| | | | | | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales, UK
| | | | - Nathan Wales
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simon N Ingram
- Marine Vertebrate Research Group, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, UK
| | - Emer Rogan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, Cork, Ireland
| | - Marie Louis
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé. UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, Villiers-en-Bois, France.,Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, St Andrews, UK
| | - Andrew D Foote
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, Cork, Ireland.,Section for Evolutionary Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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17
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Williams RS, Curnick DJ, Barber JL, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Perkins M, Jobling S, Jepson PD. Juvenile harbor porpoises in the UK are exposed to a more neurotoxic mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls than adults. Sci Total Environ 2020; 708:134835. [PMID: 31806345 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of 209 persistent and bio-accumulative toxic pollutants present as complex mixtures in human and animal tissues. Harbor porpoises accumulate some of the highest levels of PCBs because they are long-lived mammals that feed at a high trophic level. Studies typically use the sum of a suite of individual chlorobiphenyl congeners (CBs) to investigate PCBs in wildlife. However, toxic effects and thresholds of CB congeners differ, therefore population health risks of exposure may be under or over-estimated dependent on the congener profiles present. In this study, we found congener profiles varied with age, sex and location, particularly between adult females and juveniles. We found that adult females had the highest proportions of octa-chlorinated congeners whilst juveniles had the highest proportions of tri- and tetra-chlorinated congeners. This is likely to be a consequence of pollutant offloading between mothers and calves during lactation. Analysis of the individual congener toxicities found that juveniles were exposed to a more neurotoxic CB mixture at a time when they were most vulnerable to its effects. These findings are an important contribution towards our understanding of variation in congener profiles and the potential effects and threats of PCB exposure in cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S Williams
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
| | - David J Curnick
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies, Brunel University, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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18
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Williams R, Doeschate MT, Curnick DJ, Brownlow A, Barber JL, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Perkins M, Jepson PD, Jobling S. Levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Are Still Associated with Toxic Effects in Harbor Porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) Despite Having Fallen below Proposed Toxicity Thresholds. Environ Sci Technol 2020; 54:2277-2286. [PMID: 32009388 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b05453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent, and lipophilic chemical compounds that accumulate to high levels in harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and other cetaceans. It is important to monitor PCBs in wildlife, particularly in highly exposed populations to understand if concentrations are declining and how levels relate to toxicological thresholds and indices of health like infectious disease mortality. Here we show, using generalized additive models and tissue samples of 814 U.K.-stranded harbor porpoises collected between 1990 and 2017, that mean blubber PCB concentrations have fallen below the proposed thresholds for toxic effects. However, we found they are still associated with increased rates of infectious disease mortality such that an increase in PCB blubber concentrations of 1 mg kg-1 lipid corresponds with a 5% increase in risk of infectious disease mortality. Moreover, rates of decline and levels varied geographically, and the overall rate of decline is slow in comparison to other pollutants. We believe this is evidence of long-term preservation in the population and continued environmental contamination from diffuse sources. Our findings have serious implications for the management of PCB contamination in the U.K. and reinforce the need to prevent PCBs entering the marine environment to ensure that levels continue to decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Williams
- Institute of Zoology , Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park , London NW1 4RY , United Kingdom
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies , Brunel University , Uxbridge UB8 3PH , United Kingdom
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme , SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill , Inverness IV2 4JZ , Scotland United Kingdom
| | - David J Curnick
- Institute of Zoology , Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park , London NW1 4RY , United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme , SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill , Inverness IV2 4JZ , Scotland United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment , Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) , Pakefield Road , Lowestoft NR33 0HT , United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme , SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill , Inverness IV2 4JZ , Scotland United Kingdom
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology , Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park , London NW1 4RY , United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology , Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park , London NW1 4RY , United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology , Zoological Society of London , Regent's Park , London NW1 4RY , United Kingdom
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department of Life Sciences, Institute of Environment, Health and Societies , Brunel University , Uxbridge UB8 3PH , United Kingdom
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19
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Foote AD, Martin MD, Louis M, Pacheco G, Robertson KM, Sinding MHS, Amaral AR, Baird RW, Baker CS, Ballance L, Barlow J, Brownlow A, Collins T, Constantine R, Dabin W, Dalla Rosa L, Davison NJ, Durban JW, Esteban R, Ferguson SH, Gerrodette T, Guinet C, Hanson MB, Hoggard W, Matthews CJD, Samarra FIP, de Stephanis R, Tavares SB, Tixier P, Totterdell JA, Wade P, Excoffier L, Gilbert MTP, Wolf JBW, Morin PA. Killer whale genomes reveal a complex history of recurrent admixture and vicariance. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:3427-3444. [PMID: 31131963 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reconstruction of the demographic and evolutionary history of populations assuming a consensus tree-like relationship can mask more complex scenarios, which are prevalent in nature. An emerging genomic toolset, which has been most comprehensively harnessed in the reconstruction of human evolutionary history, enables molecular ecologists to elucidate complex population histories. Killer whales have limited extrinsic barriers to dispersal and have radiated globally, and are therefore a good candidate model for the application of such tools. Here, we analyse a global data set of killer whale genomes in a rare attempt to elucidate global population structure in a nonhuman species. We identify a pattern of genetic homogenisation at lower latitudes and the greatest differentiation at high latitudes, even between currently sympatric lineages. The processes underlying the major axis of structure include high drift at the edge of species' range, likely associated with founder effects and allelic surfing during postglacial range expansion. Divergence between Antarctic and non-Antarctic lineages is further driven by ancestry segments with up to four-fold older coalescence time than the genome-wide average; relicts of a previous vicariance during an earlier glacial cycle. Our study further underpins that episodic gene flow is ubiquitous in natural populations, and can occur across great distances and after substantial periods of isolation between populations. Thus, understanding the evolutionary history of a species requires comprehensive geographic sampling and genome-wide data to sample the variation in ancestry within individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Foote
- CMPG, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Marie Louis
- Department of Biology, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - George Pacheco
- Department of Biology, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kelly M Robertson
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Department of Biology, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Ana R Amaral
- American Museum of Natural History, New York City, New York.,Faculdade de Ciências Universidade de Lisboa, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Charles Scott Baker
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lisa Ballance
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Jay Barlow
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Inverness, UK
| | - Tim Collins
- Ocean Giants Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, New York City, New York
| | | | - Willy Dabin
- Observatoire Pelagis, Université de La Rochelle-CNRS, La Rochelle, France
| | - Luciano Dalla Rosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Inverness, UK
| | - John W Durban
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Ruth Esteban
- CIRCE, Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans, Algeciras, Spain
| | | | - Tim Gerrodette
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
| | - Christophe Guinet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), CNRS-ULR, UMR, Chizé, France
| | - M Bradley Hanson
- National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Wayne Hoggard
- National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Pascagoula, Mississippi
| | | | | | - Renaud de Stephanis
- CIRCE, Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans, Algeciras, Spain
| | - Sara B Tavares
- Scottish Oceans Institute, East Sands, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Paul Tixier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), CNRS-ULR, UMR, Chizé, France.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences (Burwood Campus), Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - John A Totterdell
- Marine Information and Research Group-Australia (MIRG), Quinns Rocks, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Paul Wade
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Laurent Excoffier
- CMPG, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- NTNU University Museum, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Biology, Section for Evolutionary Genomics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jochen B W Wolf
- Division of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Science of Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Phillip A Morin
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California
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20
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Onoufriou J, Brownlow A, Moss S, Hastie G, Thompson D. Empirical determination of severe trauma in seals from collisions with tidal turbine blades. J Appl Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joe Onoufriou
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animals Strandings SchemeSAC Veterinary Services Drummondhill Inverness UK
| | - Simon Moss
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Gordon Hastie
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St Andrews St Andrews UK
| | - Dave Thompson
- Sea Mammal Research UnitScottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St Andrews St Andrews UK
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21
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Desforges JP, Hall A, McConnell B, Rosing-Asvid A, Barber JL, Brownlow A, De Guise S, Eulaers I, Jepson PD, Letcher RJ, Levin M, Ross PS, Samarra F, Víkingson G, Sonne C, Dietz R. Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution. Science 2018; 361:1373-1376. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aat1953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are among the most highly polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)–contaminated mammals in the world, raising concern about the health consequences of current PCB exposures. Using an individual-based model framework and globally available data on PCB concentrations in killer whale tissues, we show that PCB-mediated effects on reproduction and immune function threaten the long-term viability of >50% of the world’s killer whale populations. PCB-mediated effects over the coming 100 years predicted that killer whale populations near industrialized regions, and those feeding at high trophic levels regardless of location, are at high risk of population collapse. Despite a near-global ban of PCBs more than 30 years ago, the world’s killer whales illustrate the troubling persistence of this chemical class.
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22
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Schnitzler JG, Pinzone M, Autenrieth M, van Neer A, IJsseldijk LL, Barber JL, Deaville R, Jepson P, Brownlow A, Schaffeld T, Thomé JP, Tiedemann R, Das K, Siebert U. Inter-individual differences in contamination profiles as tracer of social group association in stranded sperm whales. Sci Rep 2018; 8:10958. [PMID: 30026609 PMCID: PMC6053436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29186-z] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological and physiological factors lead to different contamination patterns in individual marine mammals. The objective of the present study was to assess whether variations in contamination profiles are indicative of social structures of young male sperm whales as they might reflect a variation in feeding preferences and/or in utilized feeding grounds. We used a total of 61 variables associated with organic compounds and trace element concentrations measured in muscle, liver, kidney and blubber gained from 24 sperm whales that stranded in the North Sea in January and February 2016. Combining contaminant and genetic data, there is evidence for at least two cohorts with different origin among these stranded sperm whales; one from the Canary Island region and one from the northern part of the Atlantic. While genetic data unravel relatedness and kinship, contamination data integrate over areas, where animals occured during their lifetime. Especially in long-lived animals with a large migratory potential, as sperm whales, contamination data may carry highly relevant information about aggregation through time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Schnitzler
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
| | - Marianna Pinzone
- Freshwater and Oceanic sciences Unit of reSearch - Oceanology, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B6C, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Marijke Autenrieth
- Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Abbo van Neer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584CL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- CSIP, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Paul Jepson
- CSIP, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Tobias Schaffeld
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Thomé
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (CART-LEAE) B6c, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ralph Tiedemann
- Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic sciences Unit of reSearch - Oceanology, University of Liège, Allée du 6 Août, B6C, 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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23
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Kershaw JL, Botting CH, Brownlow A, Hall AJ. Not just fat: investigating the proteome of cetacean blubber tissue. Conserv Physiol 2018; 6:coy003. [PMID: 29479430 PMCID: PMC5814904 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian adipose tissue is increasingly being recognized as an endocrine organ involved in the regulation of a number of metabolic processes and pathways. It responds to signals from different hormone systems and the central nervous system, and expresses a variety of protein factors with important paracrine and endocrine functions. This study presents a first step towards the systematic analysis of the protein content of cetacean adipose tissue, the blubber, in order to investigate the kinds of proteins present and their relative abundance. Full depth blubber subsamples were collected from dead-stranded harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) (n = 21). Three total protein extraction methods were trialled, and the highest total protein yields with the lowest extraction variability were achieved using a RIPA cell lysis and extraction buffer based protocol. Extracted proteins were separated using 1D Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and identified using nanoflow Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization in tandem with Mass Spectrometry (nLC-ESI-MS/MS). A range of proteins were identified (n = 295) and classed into eight functional groups, the most abundant of which were involved in cell function and metabolism (45%), immune response and inflammation (15%) and lipid metabolism (11%). These proteins likely originate both from the various cell types within the blubber tissue itself, and from the circulation. They therefore have the potential to capture information on the cellular and physiological stresses experienced by individuals at the time of sampling. The importance of this proteomic approach is two-fold: Firstly, it could help to assign novel functions to marine mammal blubber in keeping with current understanding of the multi-functional role of adipose tissue in other mammals. Secondly, it could lead to the development of a suite of biomarkers to better monitor the physiological state and health of live individuals though remote blubber biopsy sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Kershaw
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Catherine H Botting
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Chemistry, Biomolecular Sciences Building Annexe, North Haugh, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animals Strandings Scheme, SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, Inverness IV2 5NA, UK
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews KY16 8LB, UK
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24
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Tierney KM, Muir GKP, Cook GT, Heymans JJ, MacKinnon G, Howe JA, Xu S, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, Ten Doeschate M, Deaville R. Nuclear reprocessing-related radiocarbon ( 14C) uptake into UK marine mammals. Mar Pollut Bull 2017; 124:43-50. [PMID: 28693808 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.07.002] [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: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the transfer of Sellafield-derived radiocarbon (14C) to top predators in the UK marine environment, 14C activities were examined in stranded marine mammals. All samples of harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) obtained from the Irish Sea showed 14C enrichment above background. Mammal samples obtained from the West of Scotland, including harbour porpoise, grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) showed 14C enrichment but to a lesser extent. This study demonstrates, for the first time, enriched 14C is transferred through the marine food web to apex predators as a consequence of ongoing nuclear reprocessing activities at Sellafield. Total Sellafield 14C discharge activity 24months prior to stranding and, in particular, distance of animal stranding site from Sellafield are significant variables affecting individual 14C activity. 14C activities of West of Scotland harbour porpoises suggest they did not forage in the Irish Sea prior to stranding, indicating a high foraging fidelity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran M Tierney
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK; The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Graham K P Muir
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK; The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Gordon T Cook
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
| | - Johanna J Heymans
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Gillian MacKinnon
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
| | - John A Howe
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK
| | - Sheng Xu
- Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, Rankine Avenue, Scottish Enterprise Technology Park, East Kilbride G75 0QF, Scotland, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, England, UK
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25
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Kershaw JL, Stubberfield EJ, Foster G, Brownlow A, Hall AJ, Perrett LL. Exposure of harbour seals Phoca vitulina to Brucella in declining populations across Scotland. Dis Aquat Organ 2017; 126:13-23. [PMID: 28930081 DOI: 10.3354/dao03163] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since 2000 there has been a major decline in the abundance of Scottish harbour seals Phoca vitulina. The causes of the decline remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to establish the extent to which the seals in the regions of greatest decline have been exposed to Brucella, a bacterial pathogen that causes reproductive failure in terrestrial mammalian hosts. Tissues from dead seals collected between 1992 and 2013 were cultured for Brucella (n = 150). Serum samples collected from live capture-released seals (n = 343) between 1997 and 2012 were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBT) and a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). In total, 16% of seals cultured had Brucella isolated from one or more tissues, but there were no pathological signs of infection. The cELISA results were more sensitive than the RBT results, showing that overall 25.4% of seals were seropositive, with the highest seroprevalence in juveniles. As there was no evidence of either a higher seroprevalence or higher circulating antibody levels in seropositive animals in the areas with the greatest declines, it was concluded that Brucella infection is likely not a major contributing factor to recent declines. However, the consistently high proportion of seals exposed to Brucella indicates possible endemicity in these populations, likely due to B. pinnipedialis, which has demonstrated a preference for pinniped hosts. Importantly, given the close proximity between seals, humans and livestock in many areas, there is the potential for cross-species infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Kershaw
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, UK
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26
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Kershaw JL, Sherrill M, Davison NJ, Brownlow A, Hall AJ. Evaluating morphometric and metabolic markers of body condition in a small cetacean, the harbor porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena). Ecol Evol 2017; 7:3494-3506. [PMID: 28515885 PMCID: PMC5433969 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian body condition is an important individual fitness metric as it affects both survival and reproductive success. The ability to accurately measure condition has key implications for predicting individual and population health, and therefore monitoring the population‐level effects of changing environments. No consensus currently exists on the best measure to quantitatively estimate body condition in many species, including cetaceans. Here, two measures of body condition were investigated in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). First, the most informative morphometric body condition index was identified. The mass/length2 ratio was the most appropriate morphometric index of 10 indices tested, explaining 50% of the variation in condition in stranded, male porpoises with different causes of death and across age classes (n = 291). Mass/length2 was then used to evaluate a second measure, blubber cortisol concentration, as a metabolic condition marker. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid hormone involved in the regulation of lipolysis and overall energy balance in mammals, and concentrations could provide information on physiological state. Blubber cortisol concentrations did not significantly vary around the girth (n = 20), but there was significant vertical stratification through the blubber depth with highest concentrations in the innermost layer. Concentrations in the dorsal, outermost layer were representative of concentrations through the full blubber depth, showed variation by sex and age class, and were negatively correlated with mass/length2. Using this species as a model for live cetaceans from which standard morphometric measurements cannot be taken, but from which blubber biopsy samples are routinely collected, cortisol concentrations in the dorsal, outermost blubber layer could potentially be used as a biomarker of condition in free‐ranging animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Kershaw
- Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife UK
| | - Meredith Sherrill
- Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme SAC Veterinary Services Drummondhill Inverness UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme SAC Veterinary Services Drummondhill Inverness UK
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit Scottish Oceans Institute University of St Andrews St Andrews Fife UK
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27
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Fontaine MC, Thatcher O, Ray N, Piry S, Brownlow A, Davison NJ, Jepson P, Deaville R, Goodman SJ. Mixing of porpoise ecotypes in southwestern UK waters revealed by genetic profiling. R Soc Open Sci 2017; 4:160992. [PMID: 28405389 PMCID: PMC5383846 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Contact zones between ecotypes are windows for understanding how species may react to climate changes. Here, we analysed the fine-scale genetic and morphological variation in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) around the UK by genotyping 591 stranded animals at nine microsatellite loci. The data were integrated with a prior study to map at high resolution the contact zone between two previously identified ecotypes meeting in the northern Bay of Biscay. Clustering and spatial analyses revealed that UK porpoises are derived from two genetic pools with porpoises from the southwestern UK being genetically differentiated, and having larger body sizes compared to those of other UK areas. Southwestern UK porpoises showed admixed ancestry between southern and northern ecotypes with a contact zone extending from the northern Bay of Biscay to the Celtic Sea and Channel. Around the UK, ancestry blends from one genetic group to the other along a southwest--northeast axis, correlating with body size variation, consistent with previously reported morphological differences between the two ecotypes. We also detected isolation by distance among juveniles but not in adults, suggesting that stranded juveniles display reduced intergenerational dispersal. The fine-scale structure of this admixture zone raises the question of how it will respond to future climate change and provides a reference point for further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaël C. Fontaine
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, PO Box 11103 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Oliver Thatcher
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Nicolas Ray
- EnviroSPACE Laboratory, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Geneva, Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Piry
- INRA, UMR CBGP, 34988 Montferrier-sur-Lez Cedex, France
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK
| | - Nicholas J. Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Polwhele, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9AD, UK
| | - Paul Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Simon J. Goodman
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London NW1 4RY, UK
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28
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Morell M, Brownlow A, McGovern B, Raverty SA, Shadwick RE, André M. Implementation of a method to visualize noise-induced hearing loss in mass stranded cetaceans. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41848. [PMID: 28165504 PMCID: PMC5292969 DOI: 10.1038/srep41848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessment of the impact of noise over-exposure in stranded cetaceans is challenging, as the lesions that lead to hearing loss occur at the cellular level and inner ear cells are very sensitive to autolysis. Distinguishing ante-mortem pathology from post-mortem change has been a major constraint in diagnosing potential impact. Here, we outline a methodology applicable to the detection of noise-induced hearing loss in stranded cetaceans. Inner ears from two mass strandings of long-finned pilot whales in Scotland were processed for scanning electron microscopy observation. In one case, a juvenile animal, whose ears were fixed within 4 hours of death, revealed that many sensory cells at the apex of the cochlear spiral were missing. In this case, the absence of outer hair cells would be compatible with overexposure to underwater noise, affecting the region which transduces the lowest frequencies of the pilot whales hearing spectrum. Perfusion of cochlea with fixative greatly improved preservation and enabled diagnostic imaging of the organ of Corti, even 30 hours after death. This finding supports adopting a routine protocol to detect the pathological legacy of noise overexposure in mass stranded cetaceans as a key to understanding the complex processes and implications that lie behind such stranding events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Morell
- Zoology Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Laboratori d'Aplicacions Bioacústiques, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Barry McGovern
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Consulting Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom.,Namibian Dolphin Project, Walvis Bay, Erongo, Namibia
| | - Stephen A Raverty
- Animal Health Center, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, Canada
| | - Robert E Shadwick
- Zoology Department, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Michel André
- Laboratori d'Aplicacions Bioacústiques, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
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van de Velde N, Devleesschauwer B, Leopold M, Begeman L, IJsseldijk L, Hiemstra S, IJzer J, Brownlow A, Davison N, Haelters J, Jauniaux T, Siebert U, Dorny P, De Craeye S. Toxoplasma gondii in stranded marine mammals from the North Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Findings and diagnostic difficulties. Vet Parasitol 2016; 230:25-32. [PMID: 27884438 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/22/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of the zoonotic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in marine mammals remains a poorly understood phenomenon. In this study, samples from 589 marine mammal species and 34 European otters (Lutra lutra), stranded on the coasts of Scotland, Belgium, France, The Netherlands and Germany, were tested for the presence of T. gondii. Brain samples were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of parasite DNA. Blood and muscle fluid samples were tested for specific antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT), a commercial multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Out of 193 animals tested by PCR, only two harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) cerebrum samples, obtained from animals stranded on the Dutch coast, tested positive. The serological results showed a wide variation depending on the test used. Using a cut-off value of 1/40 dilution in MAT, 141 out of 292 animals (41%) were positive. Using IFA, 30 out of 244 tested samples (12%) were positive at a 1/50 dilution. The commercial ELISA yielded 7% positives with a cut-off of the sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio≥50; and 12% when the cut-off was set at S/P ratio≥20. The high number of positives in MAT may be an overestimation due to the high degree of haemolysis of the samples and/or the presence of lipids. The ELISA results could be an underestimation due to the use of a multispecies conjugate. Our results confirm the presence of T. gondii in marine mammals in The Netherlands and show exposure to the parasite in both the North Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. We also highlight the limitations of the tests used to diagnose T. gondii in stranded marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert van de Velde
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Public Health and Surveillance, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Mardik Leopold
- Wageningen IMARES - Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Lineke Begeman
- Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke IJsseldijk
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Pathobiology, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoukje Hiemstra
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Pathobiology, The Netherlands
| | - Jooske IJzer
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. Pathobiology, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Consulting. Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, IV2 4JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Nicholas Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Consulting. Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, IV2 4JZ Scotland, UK
| | - Jan Haelters
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Ostend, Belgium
| | - Thierry Jauniaux
- Department of Morphology and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | - Pierre Dorny
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stéphane De Craeye
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Department of Communicable and Infectious Diseases, Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Brussels, Belgium
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30
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Brownlow A, Onoufriou J, Bishop A, Davison N, Thompson D. Corkscrew Seals: Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) Infanticide and Cannibalism May Indicate the Cause of Spiral Lacerations in Seals. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156464. [PMID: 27254025 PMCID: PMC4890781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large numbers of dead seals with characteristic spiral lesions have been washing ashore around the North Atlantic over the past two decades. Interactions with ship propellers and shark predation have been suggested as the likely causal mechanisms. However, new evidence points towards a more likely candidate: grey seal predation. An adult male grey seal was observed and recorded catching, killing and eating five weaned grey seal pups over a period of one week on the Isle of May, Scotland. A further 9 carcasses found in the same area exhibited similar injuries. Post mortem analysis of lesions indicated the wound characteristics were similar to each other and in 12 of the 14 carcasses analysed, were indistinguishable from carcasses previously attributed to propeller interaction. We therefore propose that most of the seal carcasses displaying spiral lacerations in the UK are caused by grey seal predation. Cases in other locations should be re-evaluated using the scoring system presented here to identify whether grey seal predation is a major cause of mortality in phocid seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness, IV2 4JZ, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Onoufriou
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Amanda Bishop
- Durham University, School of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness, IV2 4JZ, United Kingdom
| | - Dave Thompson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, United Kingdom
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31
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Gajdosechova Z, Brownlow A, Cottin NT, Fernandes M, Read FL, Urgast DS, Raab A, Feldmann J, Krupp EM. Possible link between Hg and Cd accumulation in the brain of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). Sci Total Environ 2016; 545-546:407-413. [PMID: 26748005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of metals was investigated by analysis of liver, kidney, muscle and brain tissue of a pod of 21 long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) of all ages stranded in Scotland, UK. The results are the first to report cadmium (Cd) passage through the blood-brain barrier of pilot whales and provide a comprehensive study of the long-term (up to 35 years) mammalian exposure to the environmental pollutants. Additionally, linear accumulation of mercury (Hg) was observed in all studied tissues, whereas for Cd this was only observed in the liver. Total Hg concentration above the upper neurochemical threshold was found in the sub-adult and adult brains and methylmercury (MeHg) of 2.2mg/kg was found in the brain of one individual. Inter-elemental analysis showed significant positive correlations of Hg with selenium (Se) and Cd with Se in all studied tissues. Furthermore, differences in the elemental concentrations in the liver and brain tissues were found between juvenile, sub-adult and adult groups. The highest concentrations of manganese, iron, zinc, Se, Hg and MeHg were noted in the livers, whereas Cd predominantly accumulated in the kidneys. High concentrations of Hg and Cd in the tissues of pilot whales presented in this study reflect ever increasing toxic stress on marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Gajdosechova
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | | | - Nicolas T Cottin
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Mariana Fernandes
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Fiona L Read
- Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Main Street, Newburgh AB41 6AA, UK
| | - Dagmar S Urgast
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Andrea Raab
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Jörg Feldmann
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Eva M Krupp
- Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Meston Walk, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
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32
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Davison NJ, Brownlow A, McGovern B, Dagleish MP, Perrett LL, Dale EJ, Koylass M, Foster G. First report of Brucella ceti-associated meningoencephalitis in a long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas. Dis Aquat Organ 2015; 116:237-241. [PMID: 26503778 DOI: 10.3354/dao02926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Fatal Brucella ceti infection with histological lesions specific to the central nervous system has been described in only 3 species of cetaceans: striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, Atlantic white-sided dolphins Lagenorhynchus acutus and short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis. This paper describes the first report of a B. ceti-associated meningoencephalitis in a long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas, showing the increasing range of species susceptibility. Brucella was recovered in larger numbers from cerebrospinal fluid than from brain tissue and is the sample of choice for isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SAC Consulting, Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Inverness, Scotland, IV2 4JZ, UK
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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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Murphy S, Barber JL, Learmonth JA, Read FL, Deaville R, Perkins MW, Brownlow A, Davison N, Penrose R, Pierce GJ, Law RJ, Jepson PD. Reproductive Failure in UK Harbour Porpoises Phocoena phocoena: Legacy of Pollutant Exposure? PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26200456 PMCID: PMC4511585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproductive failure in mammals due to exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can occur either through endocrine disrupting effects or via immunosuppression and increased disease risk. To investigate further, full necropsies and determination of summed 25 polychlorinated biphenyls congeners (∑PCBs lipid weight) in blubber were undertaken on 329 UK-stranded female harbour porpoises (1990-2012). In sexually mature females, 25/127 (19.7%) showed direct evidence of reproductive failure (foetal death, aborting, dystocia or stillbirth). A further 21/127 (16.5%) had infections of the reproductive tract or tumours of reproductive tract tissues that could contribute to reproductive failure. Resting mature females (non-lactating or non-pregnant) had significantly higher mean ∑PCBs (18.5 mg/kg) than both lactating (7.5 mg/kg) and pregnant females (6 mg/kg), though not significantly different to sexually immature females (14.0 mg/kg). Using multinomial logistic regression models ΣPCBs was found to be a significant predictor of mature female reproductive status, adjusting for the effects of confounding variables. Resting females were more likely to have a higher PCB burden. Health status (proxied by "trauma" or "infectious disease" causes of death) was also a significant predictor, with lactating females (i.e. who successfully reproduced) more likely to be in good health status compared to other individuals. Based on contaminant profiles (>11 mg/kg lipid), at least 29/60 (48%) of resting females had not offloaded their pollutant burden via gestation and primarily lactation. Where data were available, these non-offloading females were previously gravid, which suggests foetal or newborn mortality. Furthermore, a lower pregnancy rate of 50% was estimated for "healthy" females that died of traumatic causes of death, compared to other populations. Whether or not PCBs are part of an underlying mechanism, we used individual PCB burdens to show further evidence of reproductive failure in the North-east Atlantic harbour porpoise population, results that should inform conservation management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Murphy
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, United Kingdom
| | | | - Fiona L Read
- Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew W Perkins
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, SRUC Veterinary Services Drummondhill, Inverness, United Kingdom
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan, Ceredigion, United Kingdom
| | - Graham J Pierce
- Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J Law
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom
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Fernández R, Schubert M, Vargas-Velázquez AM, Brownlow A, Víkingsson GA, Siebert U, Jensen LF, Øien N, Wall D, Rogan E, Mikkelsen B, Dabin W, Alfarhan AH, Alquraishi SA, Al-Rasheid KAS, Guillot G, Orlando L. A genomewide catalogue of single nucleotide polymorphisms in white-beaked and Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Mol Ecol Resour 2015; 16:266-76. [DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2015] [Revised: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Fernández
- Centre for GeoGenetics; University of Copenhagen; Øster Volgade 5-7 1350K Copenhagen Denmark
| | - M. Schubert
- Centre for GeoGenetics; University of Copenhagen; Øster Volgade 5-7 1350K Copenhagen Denmark
| | - A. M. Vargas-Velázquez
- Centre for GeoGenetics; University of Copenhagen; Øster Volgade 5-7 1350K Copenhagen Denmark
| | - A. Brownlow
- Wildlife Unit; SAC Veterinary Services; Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road Inverness UK
| | | | - U. Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research; University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation; Werftstraße 6 Büsum Germany
| | - L. F. Jensen
- Fisheries and Maritime Museum; Tarphagevej 2 Esbjerg Denmark
| | - N. Øien
- Institute for Marine Research; 5817 Bergen Norway
| | - D. Wall
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co.; Clare Ireland
| | - E. Rogan
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Cork; Distillery Fields, North Mall Cork Ireland
| | - B. Mikkelsen
- Natural History Museum; V. U. Hammersheimsgøta 13 100 Tórshavn Faroe Islands
| | - W. Dabin
- Centre de Recherche sur les mammiféres marins; Université La Rochelle; 5 allée de l'Océan La Rochelle France
| | - A. H. Alfarhan
- Zoology Department; College of Science; King Saud University; Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - S. A. Alquraishi
- Zoology Department; College of Science; King Saud University; Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - K. A. S. Al-Rasheid
- Zoology Department; College of Science; King Saud University; Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia
| | - G. Guillot
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science; Technical University of Denmark; Richard Petersens Plads Lyngvy Denmark
| | - L. Orlando
- Centre for GeoGenetics; University of Copenhagen; Øster Volgade 5-7 1350K Copenhagen Denmark
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Jensen SK, Lacaze JP, Hermann G, Kershaw J, Brownlow A, Turner A, Hall A. Detection and effects of harmful algal toxins in Scottish harbour seals and potential links to population decline. Toxicon 2015; 97:1-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2015.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Revised: 02/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Brombach CC, Gajdosechova Z, Chen B, Brownlow A, Corns WT, Feldmann J, Krupp EM. Direct online HPLC-CV-AFS method for traces of methylmercury without derivatisation: a matrix-independent method for urine, sediment and biological tissue samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 2014; 407:973-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-014-8254-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2014] [Revised: 09/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Fraga-Manteiga E, Shaw DJ, Dennison S, Brownlow A, Schwarz T. AN OPTIMIZED COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY PROTOCOL FOR METALLIC GUNSHOT HEAD TRAUMA IN A SEAL MODEL. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2014; 55:393-8. [DOI: 10.1111/vru.12146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Fraga-Manteiga
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute; University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG United Kingdom
| | - Darren J. Shaw
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute; University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG United Kingdom
| | | | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Agricultural College Wildlife Unit; Inverness United Kingdom
| | - Tobias Schwarz
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute; University of Edinburgh; Roslin Midlothian EH25 9RG United Kingdom
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Louis M, Viricel A, Lucas T, Peltier H, Alfonsi E, Berrow S, Brownlow A, Covelo P, Dabin W, Deaville R, de Stephanis R, Gally F, Gauffier P, Penrose R, Silva MA, Guinet C, Simon-Bouhet B. Habitat-driven population structure of bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus, in the North-East Atlantic. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:857-74. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 11/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Louis
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé; UPR 1934; 79360 Villiers-en-Bois France
- Littoral; Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs); UMR 7266, CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; 2 rue Olympe de Gouges 17000 La Rochelle France
- GECC (Groupe d'Etude des Cétacés du Cotentin); Place des Justes 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville France
| | - Amélia Viricel
- Littoral; Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs); UMR 7266, CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; 2 rue Olympe de Gouges 17000 La Rochelle France
| | - Tamara Lucas
- Littoral; Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs); UMR 7266, CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; 2 rue Olympe de Gouges 17000 La Rochelle France
| | - Hélène Peltier
- Observatoire PELAGIS; UMS 3462 CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; Ple Analytique; 5 allée de l'Océan 17000 La Rochelle France
| | - Eric Alfonsi
- Laboratoire d'Etude des Mammiféres Marins; Océanopolis; port de plaisance; BP 91039 29210 Brest Cedex 1 France
- Laboratoire BioGeMME (Biologie et Génétique des Mammiféres Marins dans leur Environnement); Université Européenne de Bretagne & Université de Bretagne Occidentale; Université de Brest; UFR Sciences et Techniques; 6 Av. Victor Le Gorgeu CS93837 29238 Brest Cedex 3 France
| | - Simon Berrow
- Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; Merchants Quay; Kilrush Co Clare Ireland
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre; Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology; Dublin Road Galway Ireland
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme; SAC Disease Surveillance Centre; Drummond Hill Inverness IV2 4JZ UK
| | - Pablo Covelo
- CEMMA (Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamiferos Mariños); Aptdo. 15 36380 Gondomar (Pontevedra) Spain
| | - Willy Dabin
- Observatoire PELAGIS; UMS 3462 CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; Ple Analytique; 5 allée de l'Océan 17000 La Rochelle France
| | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London; Regent's Park London NWI 4RY UK
| | - Renaud de Stephanis
- Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC; Americo Vespuccio S/N; Isla de la Cartuja Sevilla 41092 Spain
| | - François Gally
- GECC (Groupe d'Etude des Cétacés du Cotentin); Place des Justes 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville France
| | - Pauline Gauffier
- CIRCE (Conservation, Information and Research on Cetaceans); Cabeza de Manzaneda 3; Pelayo Algeciras 11390 Cadix Spain
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring; Penwalk; Llechryd; Cardigan West Wales SA43 2PS UK
| | - Monica A. Silva
- Center of the Institute of Marine Research & Department of Oceanography and Fisheries; University of the Azores; 9901-862 Horta Portugal
- Laboratory of Robotics and Systems in Engineering and Science; 9901-862 Horta Portugal
- Biology Department; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Woods Hole MA 02543 USA
| | - Christophe Guinet
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé; UPR 1934; 79360 Villiers-en-Bois France
| | - Benoit Simon-Bouhet
- Littoral; Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs); UMR 7266, CNRS/Université de La Rochelle; 2 rue Olympe de Gouges 17000 La Rochelle 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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Jepson PD, Deaville R, Acevedo-Whitehouse K, Barnett J, Brownlow A, Brownell RL, Clare FC, Davison N, Law RJ, Loveridge J, Macgregor SK, Morris S, Murphy S, Penrose R, Perkins MW, Pinn E, Seibel H, Siebert U, Sierra E, Simpson V, Tasker ML, Tregenza N, Cunningham AA, Fernández A. What caused the UK's largest common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) mass stranding event? PLoS One 2013; 8:e60953. [PMID: 23646103 PMCID: PMC3640001 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0060953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
On 9 June 2008, the UK's largest mass stranding event (MSE) of short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) occurred in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall. At least 26 dolphins died, and a similar number was refloated/herded back to sea. On necropsy, all dolphins were in good nutritive status with empty stomachs and no evidence of known infectious disease or acute physical injury. Auditory tissues were grossly normal (26/26) but had microscopic haemorrhages (5/5) and mild otitis media (1/5) in the freshest cases. Five lactating adult dolphins, one immature male, and one immature female tested were free of harmful algal toxins and had low chemical pollutant levels. Pathological evidence of mud/seawater inhalation (11/26), local tide cycle, and the relative lack of renal myoglobinuria (26/26) suggested MSE onset on a rising tide between 06:30 and 08∶21 hrs (9 June). Potential causes excluded or considered highly unlikely included infectious disease, gas/fat embolism, boat strike, by-catch, predator attack, foraging unusually close to shore, chemical or algal toxin exposure, abnormal weather/climatic conditions, and high-intensity acoustic inputs from seismic airgun arrays or natural sources (e.g., earthquakes). International naval exercises did occur in close proximity to the MSE with the most intense part of the exercises (including mid-frequency sonars) occurring four days before the MSE and resuming with helicopter exercises on the morning of the MSE. The MSE may therefore have been a "two-stage process" where a group of normally pelagic dolphins entered Falmouth Bay and, after 3-4 days in/around the Bay, a second acoustic/disturbance event occurred causing them to strand en masse. This spatial and temporal association with the MSE, previous associations between naval activities and cetacean MSEs, and an absence of other identifiable factors known to cause cetacean MSEs, indicates naval activity to be the most probable cause of the Falmouth Bay MSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, United Kingdom.
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Law RJ, Barry J, Barber JL, Bersuder P, Deaville R, Reid RJ, Brownlow A, Penrose R, Barnett J, Loveridge J, Smith B, Jepson PD. Contaminants in cetaceans from UK waters: status as assessed within the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme from 1990 to 2008. Mar Pollut Bull 2012; 64:1485-1494. [PMID: 22698668 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Since 1990, tissue samples from UK-stranded and -bycaught cetaceans have been available for study of contaminant burdens. These have been used to study spatial and temporal trends in concentrations in UK waters, and to investigate potential associations between contaminants and health status. We describe the current status of cetaceans (primarily harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena) in UK waters in relation to pollution. Concentrations of BDEs, HBCD, and the organochlorine pesticides are declining. In contrast, concentrations of CBs have plateaued following earlier reductions due to regulation of use, and further reductions are likely to take decades. Blubber PCB concentrations are still at toxicologically significant levels in many harbour porpoises and regularly occur at even higher levels in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales due to their higher trophic level in marine food chains. Further reductions in PCB inputs into the marine environment are needed to mitigate risk from PCB exposure in these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Law
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
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Dagleish MP, Stevenson K, Foster G, McLuckie J, Sellar M, Harley J, Evans J, Brownlow A. Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis Infection in a captive-bred kiang (Equus kiang). J Comp Pathol 2011; 146:372-7. [PMID: 21906752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2011.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Equids are considered highly resistant to mycobacterial infections and clinical cases have been described in domestic horses only. Mycobacterium bovis is the most common species reported, although a single report exists of disease due to definitively diagnosed infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis in two domestic horses. This is the first report of a mycobacterial infection in a kiang (Equus kiang), or indeed any wild equid. The animal had chronic loss of condition and serum biochemical changes suggestive of liver disease and chronic infection. Further investigation showed a chronic granulomatous enteritis, lymphadenitis and hepatitis with focal granulomatous pneumonia due to systemic infection with M. avium subsp. hominissuis. The distribution and severity of the lesions suggested that the route of infection was alimentary.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Dagleish
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Near Edinburgh EH26 OPZ, Scotland, UK.
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