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Fernández A, Suárez-Santana C, Alonso-Almorox P, Consoli FA, Suárez González Z, Molpeceres-Diego I, Iglesias González C, Hernández ML, Pérez AH, Martín-Barrasa JL, Llorente LI, Medina FM, Guzmán RG, Rueda DL, Arbelo M, Sierra E. Case Report: Ambergris coprolite and septicemia in a male sperm whale stranded in La Palma (Canary Islands). Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1388276. [PMID: 38650849 PMCID: PMC11034612 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1388276] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.5 kg coprolite was found obstructing the caudal colon-rectal lumen. Necro-hemorrhagic lesions were found in heart muscles and three different bacteria of intestinal origin were isolated and identified (Edwarsiella tarda, Hathewaya limosa and Clostridium perfringens). It is reported a lethal septicemia of intestinal origin associated with ambergris coprolite as cause of death in this sperm whale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Fernández
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Cristian Suárez-Santana
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Paula Alonso-Almorox
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Francesco Achille Consoli
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Zuleima Suárez González
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ignacio Molpeceres-Diego
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Claudia Iglesias González
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | | | - Amaranta Hugo Pérez
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - José Luis Martín-Barrasa
- Group of Fish Health and Infectious Diseases, University Institute of Animal Health, and Food Safety (IUSA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Country Animal Facility, Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Laura Iglesias Llorente
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Félix M. Medina
- Biodiversity Unit, Cabildo de la Isla de La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Raiden Grandía Guzmán
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Diego Llinás Rueda
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, Marine Mammals Health WOAH col Centre, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, Las Palmas, Spain
- Canary Islands Stranding Network, Canary Islands Government, Canary Islands, Spain
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2
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Fernandez A, Jepson PD, Diaz-Delgado J, de Quiros YB, Sierra E, Mompeo B, Vela AI, Di Guardo G, Suarez-Santana C, de Los Monteros AE, Herraez P, Andrada M, Caballero MJ, Rivero M, Consoli F, Castro-Alonso A, Quesada-Canales O, Arbelo M. Budd-Chiari-like pathology in dolphins. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12635. [PMID: 35879404 PMCID: PMC9314369 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16947-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly two decades ago, pathologic examination results suggested that acoustic factors, such as mid-frequency active naval military sonar (MFAS) could be the cause of acute decompression-like sickness in stranded beaked whales. Acute systemic gas embolism in these whales was reported together with enigmatic cystic liver lesions (CLL), characterized by intrahepatic encapsulated gas-filled cysts, tentatively interpreted as “gas-bubble” lesions in various other cetacean species. Here we provide a pathologic reinterpretation of CLL in odontocetes. Among 1,200 cetaceans necropsied, CLL were only observed in four striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), with a low prevalence (2%, N = 179). Together, our data strongly suggest that CLL are the result of the combination of a pre-existing or concomitant hepatic vascular disorder superimposed and exacerbated by gas bubbles, and clearly differ from acute systemic gas embolism in stranded beaked whales that is linked to MFAS. Budd-Chiari-like syndrome in dolphins is hypothesized based on the present pathologic findings. Nonetheless, further researched is warranted to determine precise etiopathogenesis(es) and contributing factors for CLL in cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Fernandez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain.
| | - Paul D Jepson
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain.,Institute of Zoology, London, UK
| | - Josue Diaz-Delgado
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quiros
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Blanca Mompeo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain.,Human Medicine School, University Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
| | | | - Giovanni Di Guardo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain.,Veterinary School, Teramo University, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cristian Suarez-Santana
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Antonio Espinosa de Los Monteros
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Pedro Herraez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Marisa Andrada
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Caballero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Miguel Rivero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Francesco Consoli
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Ayoze Castro-Alonso
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain.,Canary Islands Oceanic Platform (Plocan), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Oscar Quesada-Canales
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Veterinary School, C/ Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416, Las Palmas, Spain
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Velázquez-Wallraf A, Fernández A, Caballero MJ, Arregui M, González Díaz Ó, Betancor MB, Bernaldo de Quirós Y. Establishment of a fish model to study gas-bubble lesions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6592. [PMID: 35449183 PMCID: PMC9023494 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10539-8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Decompression sickness (DCS) is a clinical syndrome caused by the formation of systemic intravascular and extravascular gas bubbles. The presence of these bubbles in blood vessels is known as gas embolism. DCS has been described in humans and animals such as sea turtles and cetaceans. To delve deeper into DCS, experimental models in terrestrial mammals subjected to compression/decompression in a hyperbaric chamber have been used. Fish can suffer from gas bubble disease (GBD), characterized by the formation of intravascular and extravascular systemic gas bubbles, similarly to that observed in DCS. Given these similarities and the fact that fish develop this disease naturally in supersaturated water, they could be used as an alternative experimental model for the study of the pathophysiological aspect of gas bubbles. The objective of this study was to obtain a reproducible model for GBD in fish by an engineering system and a complete pathological study, validating this model for the study of the physiopathology of gas related lesions in DCS. A massive and severe GBD was achieved by exposing the fish for 18 h to TDG values of 162-163%, characterized by the presence of severe hemorrhages and the visualization of massive quantities of macroscopic and microscopic gas bubbles, systemically distributed, circulating through different large vessels of experimental fish. These pathological findings were the same as those described in small mammals for the study of explosive DCS by hyperbaric chamber, validating the translational usefulness of this first fish model to study the gas-bubbles lesions associated to DCS from a pathological standpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Velázquez-Wallraf
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - María José Caballero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Marina Arregui
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Óscar González Díaz
- Physical and Chemical Instrumental Center for the Development of Applied Research Technology and Scientific Estate, Institute for Environmental Studies and Natural Resources (I-UNAT), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Mónica B Betancor
- Institute of Aquaculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Canary Islands, Spain
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Noren SR. Postnatal development of diving physiology: implications of anthropogenic disturbance for immature marine mammals. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 223:223/17/jeb227736. [PMID: 32917778 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.227736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals endure extended breath-holds while performing active behaviors, which has fascinated scientists for over a century. It is now known that these animals have large onboard oxygen stores and utilize oxygen-conserving mechanisms to prolong aerobically supported dives to great depths, while typically avoiding (or tolerating) hypoxia, hypercarbia, acidosis and decompression sickness (DCS). Over the last few decades, research has revealed that diving physiology is underdeveloped at birth. Here, I review the postnatal development of the body's oxygen stores, cardiorespiratory system and other attributes of diving physiology for pinnipeds and cetaceans to assess how physiological immaturity makes young marine mammals vulnerable to disturbance. Generally, the duration required for body oxygen stores to mature varies across species in accordance with the maternal dependency period, which can be over 2 years long in some species. However, some Arctic and deep-diving species achieve mature oxygen stores comparatively early in life (prior to weaning). Accelerated development in these species supports survival during prolonged hypoxic periods when calves accompany their mothers under sea ice and to the bathypelagic zone, respectively. Studies on oxygen utilization patterns and heart rates while diving are limited, but the data indicate that immature marine mammals have a limited capacity to regulate heart rate (and hence oxygen utilization) during breath-hold. Underdeveloped diving physiology, in combination with small body size, limits diving and swimming performance. This makes immature marine mammals particularly vulnerable to mortality during periods of food limitation, habitat alterations associated with global climate change, fishery interactions and other anthropogenic disturbances, such as exposure to sonar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn R Noren
- Institute of Marine Science, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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Falcone EA, Schorr GS, Watwood SL, DeRuiter SL, Zerbini AN, Andrews RD, Morrissey RP, Moretti DJ. Diving behaviour of Cuvier's beaked whales exposed to two types of military sonar. R Soc Open Sci 2017; 4:170629. [PMID: 28879004 PMCID: PMC5579120 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) have stranded in association with mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) use, and though the causative mechanism linking these events remains unclear, it is believed to be behaviourally mediated. To determine whether MFAS use was associated with behavioural changes in this species, satellite tags were used to record the diving and movements of 16 Cuvier's beaked whales for up to 88 days in a region of frequent MFAS training off the coast of Southern California. Tag data were combined with summarized records of concurrent bouts of high-power, surface-ship and mid-power, helicopter-deployed MFAS use, along with other potential covariates, in generalized additive mixed-effects models. Deep dives, shallow dives and surface intervals tended to become longer during MFAS use, with some variation associated with the total amount of overlapping MFAS during the behaviour. These changes in dives and surface intervals contributed to a longer interval between deep dives, a proxy for foraging disruption in this species. Most responses intensified with proximity and were more pronounced during mid-power than high-power MFAS use at comparable distances within approximately 50 km, despite the significantly lower source level of mid-power MFAS. However, distance-mediated responses to high-power MFAS, and increased deep dive intervals during mid-power MFAS, were evident up to approximately 100 km away.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A. Falcone
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
- Author for correspondence: Erin A. Falcone e-mail:
| | - Gregory S. Schorr
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
| | | | - Stacy L. DeRuiter
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Calvin College, 1740 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | - Alexandre N. Zerbini
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS-NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 ½ W 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - Russel D. Andrews
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | | | - David J. Moretti
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Code 74, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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Falcone EA, Schorr GS, Watwood SL, DeRuiter SL, Zerbini AN, Andrews RD, Morrissey RP, Moretti DJ. Diving behaviour of Cuvier's beaked whales exposed to two types of military sonar. R Soc Open Sci 2017. [PMID: 28879004 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.125g5] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) have stranded in association with mid-frequency active sonar (MFAS) use, and though the causative mechanism linking these events remains unclear, it is believed to be behaviourally mediated. To determine whether MFAS use was associated with behavioural changes in this species, satellite tags were used to record the diving and movements of 16 Cuvier's beaked whales for up to 88 days in a region of frequent MFAS training off the coast of Southern California. Tag data were combined with summarized records of concurrent bouts of high-power, surface-ship and mid-power, helicopter-deployed MFAS use, along with other potential covariates, in generalized additive mixed-effects models. Deep dives, shallow dives and surface intervals tended to become longer during MFAS use, with some variation associated with the total amount of overlapping MFAS during the behaviour. These changes in dives and surface intervals contributed to a longer interval between deep dives, a proxy for foraging disruption in this species. Most responses intensified with proximity and were more pronounced during mid-power than high-power MFAS use at comparable distances within approximately 50 km, despite the significantly lower source level of mid-power MFAS. However, distance-mediated responses to high-power MFAS, and increased deep dive intervals during mid-power MFAS, were evident up to approximately 100 km away.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin A Falcone
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
| | - Gregory S Schorr
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
| | | | - Stacy L DeRuiter
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Calvin College, 1740 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA
| | - Alexandre N Zerbini
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NMFS-NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Cascadia Research Collective, 218 ½ W 4th Avenue, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
| | - Russel D Andrews
- Marine Ecology and Telemetry Research, 2420 Nellita Rd NW, Seabeck, WA 98380, USA
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | | | - David J Moretti
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Code 74, Newport, RI 02840, USA
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Abstract
Despite being a small part of the world's oceans, the Mediterranean Sea hosts a diverse marine mammal fauna, with a total of 28 different species known to occur, or to have occurred, in the region. Species currently recognised as regular in the Mediterranean-the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and 11 cetaceans (fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus; sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus; Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris; short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis; long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas; Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus; killer whale, Orcinus orca; striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba; rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis; common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus; harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena relicta) have adapted well to the region's environmental conditions, but their coexistence with humans is problematic. All the regular species are represented in the Mediterranean by populations genetically distinct from their North Atlantic relatives. Seventeen other species (three pinnipeds and 14 cetaceans) occur or have occurred in the Mediterranean as vagrants from adjacent regions. Impacts on the conservation status of marine mammals in the region deriving from a variety of threats include: (a) mortality caused by deliberate killing (to a large extent resulting from fisheries interactions), naval sonar, ship strikes, epizootics, fisheries bycatch, chemical pollution and ingestion of solid debris; (b) short-term redistribution caused by naval sonar, seismic surveys, vessel disturbance and vessel noise; and (c) long-term redistribution caused by fishery-induced food depletion, coastal development and possibly climate change. Accordingly, seven of the 12 marine mammals regular in the Mediterranean region are listed as Threatened on IUCN's Red List; regrettably, three are Data Deficient and two remain unassessed.
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Castellote M, Llorens C. Review of the Effects of Offshore Seismic Surveys in Cetaceans: Are Mass Strandings a Possibility? In: Popper AN, Hawkins A, editors. The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life II. New York: Springer; 2016. pp. 133-43. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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Costidis AM, Rommel SA. The extracranial arterial system in the heads of beaked whales, with implications on diving physiology and pathogenesis. J Morphol 2015; 277:5-33. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20478] [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: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Costidis
- Biology and Marine Biology; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington North Carolina 28403
| | - Sentiel A. Rommel
- Biology and Marine Biology; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington North Carolina 28403
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10
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Costidis AM, Rommel SA. The extracranial venous system in the heads of beaked whales, with implications on diving physiology and pathogenesis. J Morphol 2015; 277:34-64. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. Costidis
- Biology and Marine Biology; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington North Carolina
| | - Sentiel A. Rommel
- Biology and Marine Biology; University of North Carolina Wilmington; Wilmington North Carolina
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11
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Tal D, Shachar-Bener H, Hershkovitz D, Arieli Y, Shupak A. Evidence for the initiation of decompression sickness by exposure to intense underwater sound. J Neurophysiol 2015; 114:1521-9. [PMID: 26133802 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00466.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mass stranding of cetaceans (whales and dolphins), in close association with the activity of naval sonar systems, has been reported on numerous occasions. Necropsy showed bubble-associated lesions similar to those described in human decompression sickness (DCS). We examined the hypothesis that exposure to underwater sound may potentiate DCS. Rats were subjected to immersion and simulated dives with and without simultaneous acoustic transmissions at pressure levels and frequencies of 204 dB/8 kHz and 183.3 dB/15 kHz. DCS severity was assessed using the rotating wheel method. Recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) was employed under general anesthesia as an electrophysiological measure of neurologic insult. A significantly higher rate of decompression sickness was found among animals exposed to the 204-dB/8-kHz sound field. Significantly higher pathological SSEPs scores were noted for both underwater sound protocols. Pathological SSEPs scores in animals immersed during the acoustic transmissions, but without changes in ambient pressure, were comparable to those observed in animals exposed to the dive profile. The results demonstrate induction of neurological damage by intense underwater sound during immersion, with a further deleterious effect when this was combined with decompression stress. The study outcome has potential implications for human diving safety and may provide an explanation for the mass stranding of cetaceans purportedly associated with sonar activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dror Tal
- Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hofit Shachar-Bener
- Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dov Hershkovitz
- Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel; Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yehuda Arieli
- Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel
| | - Avi Shupak
- Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Unit of Otoneurology, Lin Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; and Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, Israel
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Dolman SJ, Parsons ECM, Wright AJ. Cetaceans and military sonar: a need for better management. Mar Pollut Bull 2011; 63:1-4. [PMID: 21616511 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2011] [Revised: 04/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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Zirbel K, Balint P, Parsons ECM. Navy sonar, cetaceans and the US Supreme Court: a review of cetacean mitigation and litigation in the US. Mar Pollut Bull 2011; 63:40-48. [PMID: 21507427 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2010] [Revised: 03/13/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
One source of anthropogenic noise in the oceans which has attracted much concern is naval sonar. As a result of possible impacts of such sonar, several environmental NGOs have pursued legal cases in the United States criticizing environmental assessments conducted prior to exercises and proposed mitigation measures. Cases have been brought using the US National Environmental Protection Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone Management Act and other statutes. This paper reviews the chronology and results of these various cases. During the G.W. Bush presidential administration, the legal battle went to the US Supreme Court in the case Winter vs. Natural Resources Defense Council. This case however, did not address the potential impacts of sonar on cetaceans or the effectiveness of mitigation measures. During the Obama administration, mitigation measures for naval exercises have been revised, and working groups planned, in an attempt to resolve conflict between parties.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Zirbel
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Zirbel K, Balint P, Parsons ECM. Public awareness and attitudes towards naval sonar mitigation for cetacean conservation: a preliminary case study in Fairfax County, Virginia. (the DC Metro area). Mar Pollut Bull 2011; 63:49-55. [PMID: 21453936 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2010] [Revised: 03/01/2011] [Accepted: 03/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The potential impacts of naval sonar on cetaceans has led to a series of court cases and statements of concern by international organizations. However, there has been no research conducted on attitudes of the general public with respect to this issue. To investigate this, a preliminary public survey was conducted in Fairfax, Virginia (the Washington, DC Metro region). The majority of the public sampled believed that naval sonar impacted marine mammals (51.3%), that the US Navy should not be exempt from environmental regulations in time of peace (75.2%), and that sonar use should be moderated if it impacts cetaceans (75.8%). Individuals who were conservative, Republican, and have served in the military were more likely to believe the Navy should be exempt from marine mammal protection regulations. In addition, expert interviews were conducted to gain opinions on the potential ramifications of the recent US Supreme Court case on naval sonar mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Zirbel
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
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Wright AJ, Deak T, Parsons ECM. Size matters: management of stress responses and chronic stress in beaked whales and other marine mammals may require larger exclusion zones. Mar Pollut Bull 2010; 63:5-9. [PMID: 20045527 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2009] [Revised: 11/26/2009] [Accepted: 11/29/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammal management traditionally focuses on lethal takes, but non-lethal (or not immediately lethal) impacts of human disturbance, such as prolonged or repeated activation of the stress response, can also have serious conservation implications. The physiological stress response is a life-saving combination of systems and events that maximises the ability of an animal to kill or avoid being killed. However, "chronic stress" is linked to numerous conditions in humans, including coronary disease and infertility. Through examples, including beaked whales and sonar exposure, we discuss increasing human disturbance, mal-adaptive stress responses and chronic stress. Deep-diving and coastal species, and those targeted by whalewatching, may be particularly vulnerable. The various conditions linked with chronic stress in humans would have troubling implications for conservation efforts in endangered species, demands management attention, and may partly explain why some species have not recovered after protective measures (e.g., smaller protected areas) have been put into place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Wright
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department for Arctic Environment, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej, Postboks, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Parsons ECM, Dolman SJ, Jasny M, Rose NA, Simmonds MP, Wright AJ. A critique of the UK's JNCC seismic survey guidelines for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals: best practise? Mar Pollut Bull 2009; 58:643-51. [PMID: 19342066 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2008] [Revised: 02/26/2009] [Accepted: 02/26/2009] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The United Kingdom's statutory conservation agency, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), developed guidelines in 1995 to minimise acoustic disturbance of marine mammals by oil and gas industry seismic surveys. These were the first national guidelines to be developed and have subsequently become the standard, or basis, of international mitigation measures for noise pollution during seismic surveys. However, relatively few aspects of these measures have a firm scientific basis or proven efficacy. Existing guidelines do not offer adequate protection to marine mammals, given the complex propagation of airgun pulses; the difficulty of monitoring in particular the smaller, cryptic, and/or deep-diving species, such as beaked whales and porpoises; limitations in monitoring requirements; lack of baseline data; and other biological and acoustical complications or unknowns. Current guidelines offer a 'common sense' approach to noise mitigation, but in light of recent research and ongoing concerns, they should be updated, with broader measures needed to ensure adequate species protection and to address data gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C M Parsons
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, USA.
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Dolman SJ, Weir CR, Jasny M. Comparative review of marine mammal guidance implemented during naval exercises. Mar Pollut Bull 2009; 58:465-477. [PMID: 19070874 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 11/06/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews the types and effectiveness of marine mammal mitigation measures used during some naval activities worldwide. The three main standard methods used to mitigate the potential impacts of naval sonar sound on marine mammals are (1) time/area planning (of exercises/active sonar use) to avoid marine mammals; (2) implementation of operational procedures (e.g. 'soft start' - where sound levels are gradually increased over time); and (3) monitoring of animals for the purpose of maintaining an 'exclusion zone' around the sound source. Suggestions towards a minimum worldwide mitigation standard are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Dolman
- Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Brookfield House, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ, UK.
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Parsons ECM, Dolman SJ, Wright AJ, Rose NA, Burns WCG. Navy sonar and cetaceans: just how much does the gun need to smoke before we act? Mar Pollut Bull 2008; 56:1248-1257. [PMID: 18534632 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2008] [Revised: 04/10/2008] [Accepted: 04/17/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Cetacean mass stranding events associated with naval mid-frequency sonar use have raised considerable conservation concerns. These strandings have mostly involved beaked whales, with common pathologies, including "bubble lesions" similar to decompression sickness symptoms and acoustic traumas. However, other cetacean species have also stranded coincident with naval exercises. Possible mechanisms for the strandings include a behavioral response that causes deep divers to alter their diving behavior, which then results in decompression sickness-like impacts. Current mitigation measures during military exercises are focused on preventing auditory damage (hearing loss), but there are significant flaws with this approach. Behavioral responses, which occur at lower sound levels than those that cause hearing loss, may be more critical. Thus, mitigation measures should be revised. A growing number of international bodies recognize this issue and have urged increasing scrutiny of sound-producing activities, but many national jurisdictions have resisted calls for increased protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C M Parsons
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
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ARBELO MANUEL, DE QUIROS YARABERNALDO, SIERRA EVA, MÉNDEZ MARIÑA, GODINHO ANA, RAMÍREZ GUSTAVO, CABALLERO MARIAJOSE, FERNÁNDEZ ANTONIO. ATYPICAL BEAKED WHALE MASS STRANDING IN ALMERIA'S COASTS: PATHOLOGICAL STUDY. BIOACOUSTICS 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/09524622.2008.9753853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Cook MLH, Varela RA, Goldstein JD, McCulloch SD, Bossart GD, Finneran JJ, Houser D, Mann DA. Beaked whale auditory evoked potential hearing measurements. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2006; 192:489-95. [PMID: 16453118 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-005-0086-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2005] [Revised: 12/05/2005] [Accepted: 12/08/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Several mass strandings of beaked whales have recently been correlated with military exercises involving mid-frequency sonar highlighting unknowns regarding hearing sensitivity in these species. We report the hearing abilities of a stranded juvenile beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) measured with auditory evoked potentials. The beaked whale's modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) measured with a 40-kHz carrier showed responses up to an 1,800 Hz amplitude modulation (AM) rate. The MRTF was strongest at the 1,000 and 1,200 Hz AM rates. The envelope following response (EFR) input-output functions were non-linear. The beaked whale was most sensitive to high frequency signals between 40 and 80 kHz, but produced smaller evoked potentials to 5 kHz, the lowest frequency tested. The beaked whale hearing range and sensitivity are similar to other odontocetes that have been measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy L H Cook
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5016, USA.
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