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Quicazan-Rubio EM, van Leeuwen JL, van Manen K, Fleuren M, Pollux BJA, Stamhuis EJ. Coasting in live-bearing fish: the drag penalty of being pregnant. J R Soc Interface 2019; 16:20180714. [PMID: 30958187 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Swimming performance of pregnant live-bearing fish is presumably constrained by the additional drag associated with the reproductive burden. Yet, it is still unclear how and to what extent the reproductive investment affects body drag of the females. We examined the effect of different levels of reproductive investment on body drag. The biggest measured increase in body volume due to pregnancy was about 43%, linked to a wetted area increase of about 16% and 69% for the frontal area. We printed three-dimensional models of live-bearing fish in a straight body posture representing different reproductive allocation (RA) levels. We measured the drag and visualized the flow around these models in a flow tunnel at different speeds. Drag grew in a power fashion with speed and exponentially with the increase of RA, thus drag penalty for becoming thicker was relatively low for low speeds compared to high ones. We show that the drag increase with increasing RA was most probably due to bigger regions of flow separation behind the enlarged belly. We suggest that the rising drag penalty with an increasing RA, possibly together with pregnancy-related negative effects on muscle- and abdominal bending performance, will reduce the maximum swimming speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa M Quicazan-Rubio
- 1 Experimental Zoology Chair Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research , De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Johan L van Leeuwen
- 1 Experimental Zoology Chair Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research , De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Klaas van Manen
- 2 Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, AG Groningen 9747 , The Netherlands
| | - Mike Fleuren
- 1 Experimental Zoology Chair Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research , De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Bart J A Pollux
- 1 Experimental Zoology Chair Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research , De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen , The Netherlands
| | - Eize J Stamhuis
- 2 Faculty of Science & Engineering, University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, AG Groningen 9747 , The Netherlands
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Aoki K, Sato K, Isojunno S, Narazaki T, Miller PJO. High diving metabolic rate indicated by high-speed transit to depth in negatively buoyant long-finned pilot whales. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 220:3802-3811. [PMID: 29046419 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.158287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
To maximize foraging duration at depth, diving mammals are expected to use the lowest cost optimal speed during descent and ascent transit and to minimize the cost of transport by achieving neutral buoyancy. Here, we outfitted 18 deep-diving long-finned pilot whales with multi-sensor data loggers and found indications that their diving strategy is associated with higher costs than those of other deep-diving toothed whales. Theoretical models predict that optimal speed is proportional to (basal metabolic rate/drag)1/3 and therefore to body mass0.05 The transit speed of tagged animals (2.7±0.3 m s-1) was substantially higher than the optimal speed predicted from body mass (1.4-1.7 m s-1). According to the theoretical models, this choice of high transit speed, given a similar drag coefficient (median, 0.0035) to that in other cetaceans, indicated greater basal metabolic costs during diving than for other cetaceans. This could explain the comparatively short duration (8.9±1.5 min) of their deep dives (maximum depth, 444±85 m). Hydrodynamic gliding models indicated negative buoyancy of tissue body density (1038.8±1.6 kg m-3, ±95% credible interval, CI) and similar diving gas volume (34.6±0.6 ml kg-1, ±95% CI) to those in other deep-diving toothed whales. High diving metabolic rate and costly negative buoyancy imply a 'spend more, gain more' strategy of long-finned pilot whales, differing from that in other deep-diving toothed whales, which limits the costs of locomotion during foraging. We also found that net buoyancy affected the optimal speed: high transit speeds gradually decreased during ascent as the whales approached neutral buoyancy owing to gas expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kagari Aoki
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK .,Department of Marine Bioscience, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Katsufumi Sato
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Saana Isojunno
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Tomoko Narazaki
- Department of Marine Bioscience, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan
| | - Patrick J O Miller
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK
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Rehberg M, Rea L, Eischens C. Overwintering Steller sea lion ( Eumetopias jubatus) pup growth and behavior prior to weaning. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We measured individual growth, looked for evidence of weaning, and examined the interaction of these changes with diving behavior in young-of-year Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) pups in Alaska, USA, during their first winter. Steller sea lions employ an income breeding strategy, in which females provision their young over an individually variable period of months to years. Thus, we set out to identify whether these young sea lions showed evidence of weaning during the challenging winter months, describe the nature of their growth during this time, and examine their behaviors in light of these changes. Between 2005 and 2008, we captured 71 pups during early winter and recaptured 33 of these pups in early spring. Mark–resight and stable nitrogen isotope ratios in vibrissae indicated most pups remained nutritionally dependent on adult females throughout the winter. All pups increased both mass and lipid mass, with half of growth contributed by lipid mass. Changes in behavior were not correlated with growth excepting a weak but significant effect on rate of vertical travel. This study demonstrated that capture–recapture of Steller sea lion pups is possible, provided seasonal timing, locations, and age classes are carefully considered for their likelihood of capture success.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.J. Rehberg
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
| | - L.D. Rea
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
| | - C.A. Eischens
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
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Fahlman A, Moore MJ, Trites AW, Rosen DAS, Haulena M, Waller N, Neale T, Yang M, Thom SR. Dive, food, and exercise effects on blood microparticles in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus): exploring a biomarker for decompression sickness. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310:R596-601. [PMID: 26843583 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00512.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies of stranded marine mammals indicate that exposure to underwater military sonar may induce pathophysiological responses consistent with decompression sickness (DCS). However, DCS has been difficult to diagnose in marine mammals. We investigated whether blood microparticles (MPs, measured as number/μl plasma), which increase in response to decompression stress in terrestrial mammals, are a suitable biomarker for DCS in marine mammals. We obtained blood samples from trained Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, 4 adult females) wearing time-depth recorders that dove to predetermined depths (either 5 or 50 meters). We hypothesized that MPs would be positively related to decompression stress (depth and duration underwater). We also tested the effect of feeding and exercise in isolation on MPs using the same blood sampling protocol. We found that feeding and exercise had no effect on blood MP levels, but that diving caused MPs to increase. However, blood MP levels did not correlate with diving depth, relative time underwater, and presumed decompression stress, possibly indicating acclimation following repeated exposure to depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Fahlman
- Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, Texas; Oceanografíc Research Department, C/ Eduardo Primo Yúfera 1B, Valencia, Spain
| | - Michael J Moore
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew W Trites
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - David A S Rosen
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Martin Haulena
- Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and
| | - Nigel Waller
- Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and
| | - Troy Neale
- Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland; and
| | - Stephen R Thom
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland; and
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Carter MID, Bennett KA, Embling CB, Hosegood PJ, Russell DJF. Navigating uncertain waters: a critical review of inferring foraging behaviour from location and dive data in pinnipeds. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2016; 4:25. [PMID: 27800161 PMCID: PMC5080796 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-016-0090-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
In the last thirty years, the emergence and progression of biologging technology has led to great advances in marine predator ecology. Large databases of location and dive observations from biologging devices have been compiled for an increasing number of diving predator species (such as pinnipeds, sea turtles, seabirds and cetaceans), enabling complex questions about animal activity budgets and habitat use to be addressed. Central to answering these questions is our ability to correctly identify and quantify the frequency of essential behaviours, such as foraging. Despite technological advances that have increased the quality and resolution of location and dive data, accurately interpreting behaviour from such data remains a challenge, and analytical methods are only beginning to unlock the full potential of existing datasets. This review evaluates both traditional and emerging methods and presents a starting platform of options for future studies of marine predator foraging ecology, particularly from location and two-dimensional (time-depth) dive data. We outline the different devices and data types available, discuss the limitations and advantages of commonly-used analytical techniques, and highlight key areas for future research. We focus our review on pinnipeds - one of the most studied taxa of marine predators - but offer insights that will be applicable to other air-breathing marine predator tracking studies. We highlight that traditionally-used methods for inferring foraging from location and dive data, such as first-passage time and dive shape analysis, have important caveats and limitations depending on the nature of the data and the research question. We suggest that more holistic statistical techniques, such as state-space models, which can synthesise multiple track, dive and environmental metrics whilst simultaneously accounting for measurement error, offer more robust alternatives. Finally, we identify a need for more research to elucidate the role of physical oceanography, device effects, study animal selection, and developmental stages in predator behaviour and data interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matt Ian Daniel Carter
- Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre, School of Marine Science & Engineering, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA Plymouth, UK
| | - Kimberley A. Bennett
- School of Science, Engineering & Technology, Abertay University, DD1 1HG Dundee, UK
| | - Clare B. Embling
- Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre, School of Marine Science & Engineering, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA Plymouth, UK
| | - Philip J. Hosegood
- Centre for Coast and Ocean Science & Engineering, School of Marine Science & Engineering, Plymouth University, PL4 8AA Plymouth, UK
| | - Debbie J. F. Russell
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, KY16 8LB St. Andrews, UK
- Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling, University of St. Andrews, KY16 9LZ St. Andrews, UK
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Ul-Haque A, Asrar W, Omar AA, Sulaeman E, Mohamed Ali JS. Cambered profile of a California sea lion's body. J Exp Biol 2015; 218:1270-1. [PMID: 25911735 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.117556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anwar Ul-Haque
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
| | - Waqar Asrar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
| | - Ashraf A Omar
- Department of Aeronautical Engineering, University of Tripoli, PO Box 81507, Tripoli, Libya
| | - Erwin Sulaeman
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
| | - J S Mohamed Ali
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur 50728, Malaysia
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Friedman C, Leftwich MC. The kinematics of the California sea lion foreflipper during forward swimming. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2014; 9:046010. [PMID: 25378293 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3182/9/4/046010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
To determine the two-dimensional kinematics of the California sea lion foreflipper during thrust generation, a digital, high-definition video is obtained using a non-research female sea lion at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. The observational videos are used to extract maneuvers of interest--forward acceleration from rest using the foreflippers and banked turns. Single camera videos are analyzed to digitize the flipper during the motions using 10 points spanning root to tip in each frame. Digitized shapes were then fitted with an empirical function that quantitatively allows for both comparison between different claps, and for extracting kinematic data. The resulting function shows a high degree of curvature (with a camber of up to 32%). Analysis of sea lion acceleration from rest shows thrust production in the range of 150-680 N and maximum flipper angular velocity (for rotation about the shoulder joint) as high as 20 rad s⁻¹. Analysis of turning maneuvers indicate extreme agility and precision of movement driven by the foreflipper surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Friedman
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, The George Washington University, 801 22nd St, NW Washington, DC 20052, USA
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van der Hoop JM, Fahlman A, Hurst T, Rocho-Levine J, Shorter KA, Petrov V, Moore MJ. Bottlenose dolphins modify behavior to reduce metabolic effect of tag attachment. J Exp Biol 2014; 217:4229-36. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.108225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Attaching bio-telemetry or -logging devices ('tags') to marine animals for research and monitoring adds drag to streamlined bodies, affecting posture, swimming gaits and energy balance. These costs have never been measured in free-swimming cetaceans. To examine the effect of drag from a tag on metabolic rate, cost of transport, and swimming behavior, four captive male dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were trained to swim a set course, either non-instrumented (n = 7) or instrumented with a tag (DTAG2; n = 12), and surface exclusively in a flow-through respirometer where oxygen consumption (V̇O2) and carbon dioxide production (V̇CO2; mL kg-1 min-1) rates were measured and respiratory exchange ratio (V̇O2/V̇CO2) was calculated. Tags did not significantly affect individual mass-specific oxygen consumption, Physical Activity Ratios (exercise V̇O2/resting V̇O2), total or net cost of transport (COT, J m-1 kg-1) or locomotor costs during swimming or two-minute recovery phases. However, individuals swam significantly slower when tagged (by ~11%; mean±s.d. 3.31±0.35 m s-1) compared to when non-instrumented (3.73±0.41 m s-1). A combined theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model estimating drag forces and power exertion during swimming suggests drag loading and energy consumption are reduced at lower swimming speeds. Bottlenose dolphins in the specific swimming task in this experiment slowed to the point where the tag yielded no increases in drag or power, while showing no difference in metabolic parameters when instrumented with a DTAG2. These results, and our observations, suggest that animals modify their behavior to maintain metabolic output and energy expenditure when faced with tag-induced drag.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Hurst
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, United States
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