Myoglobin in pelagic small cetaceans

1999 ◽  
Vol 202 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L. Dolar ◽  
P. Suarez ◽  
P.J. Ponganis ◽  
G.L. Kooyman
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Mass Composition ◽  
Sulu Sea ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Spinner Dolphins ◽  
Few Data

Although myoglobin (Mb) is considered to contribute significantly to the oxygen and diving capacity of marine mammals, few data are available for cetaceans. Cetacean by-catch in the tuna driftnet fisheries in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, afforded the opportunity to examine Mb content and distribution, and to determine muscle mass composition, in Fraser's (Lagenodelphis hosei) and spinner (Stenella longirostris) dolphins and a pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata). Age was estimated by body length determination. Stomach contents were analyzed for the presence or absence of milk and solid foods. It was hypothesized (a) that Mb concentration ([Mb]) would be higher in Fraser's and spinner dolphins than in other small cetaceans because of the known mesopelagic distribution of their prey, (b) that [Mb] would vary among different muscles according to function during diving, and (c) that [Mb] would increase with age during development. The results were as follows. (1) Myoglobin concentrations of the longissimus muscle in adult Fraser's (6.8-7.2 g 100 g-1 muscle) and spinner (5–6 g 100 g-1 muscle) dolphins and in an immature pygmy killer whale (5.7 g 100 g-1 muscle) were higher than those reported previously for small cetaceans. (2) [Mb] varied significantly among the different muscle types in adult dolphins but not in calves; in adults, swimming muscles had significantly higher [Mb] than did non-swimming muscles, contained 82–86 % of total Mb, and constituted 75–80 % of total muscle mass. (3) Myoglobin concentrations in Fraser's and spinner dolphins increased with size and age and were 3–4 times greater in adults than in calves. The high Mb concentrations measured in the primary locomotory muscles of these pelagic dolphins are consistent with the known mesopelagic foraging behaviour of Fraser's and spinner dolphins and suggest that the pygmy killer whale is also a deep-diving species. The high Mb concentrations in epaxial, hypaxial and abdominal muscle groups also support the primary locomotory functions suggested for these muscles in other anatomical studies. As in other species, the increase in [Mb] during development probably parallels the development of diving capacity.

scholarly journals Epimeletic behaviour in a Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)

2021 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 316-320
Author(s):  
Taylor Shedd ◽  
Allison Northey ◽  
Shawn Larson
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
Salish Sea ◽  
The People ◽  
Species At Risk Act ◽  
Prey Scarcity ◽  
Vessel Noise

Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW, Orcinus orca) may be found year round in the Salish Sea. These orcas comprise three matrilineal pods (J, K, and L) and were listed as Endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act in 2003 and under the United States Endangered Species Act in 2005 because of prey scarcity, vessel noise and disturbance, small population size, and exposure to toxins. Since 1993, the Whale Museum has been operating Soundwatch, a boater education program for vessels. Soundwatch personnel are on the water in the central Salish Sea throughout the summer educating boaters on how to maneuver near marine mammals legally and documenting vessel regulation violations and marine mammal presence and behaviour. Starting on 24 July 2018, Soundwatch documented an adult female SRKW of J pod (J35) carrying a dead neonate calf. J35 continued to carry her dead calf for 17 consecutive days covering ~1600 km. Her story riveted the attention of the people of the Salish Sea as well as people around the world, evoking empathy for J35 and her loss as well as the plight of the Endangered SRKW population. Here, we tell her story and evaluate whether the behaviour J35 displayed toward her dead calf was an example of epimeletic behaviour, animal grief.

The biology of Erythrops serrata and E. elegans [Crustacea, Mysidacea]

1968 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Mauchline
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Surface Layers ◽  
General Biology ◽  
Breeding Behaviour ◽  
Few Data

The general biology of Erythrops serrata (G. O. Sars) and E. elegans (G. O. Sars) is described. There are two main generations of E. serrata, a spring and a summer one, produced during the year although continuous breeding at lower intensities is present in the population between the most productive periods; females carry 14–18 young per brood in the spring and summer but these numbers decrease to 4–8 in winter broods. The marsupium of E. serrata is often lost after the brood emerges. The few data available for E. elegans suggest that its breeding behaviour is similar to that of E. serrata but fewer young per brood appear to be produced by this species. Both species feed on the surface layers of the bottom and the material in suspension, but E. serrata had, on occasion, remains of crustaceans among its stomach contents, indicating a carnivorous diet.

Abstract P228: Abdominal Lean Muscle Mass is Associated with the Density, but Not the Volume, of Coronary Arterial Calcium and Abdominal Aortic Calcium

Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A Crawford ◽  
Matthew A Allison ◽  
Michael H Criqui ◽  
Britta A Larsen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cvd Risk Factors ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Lean Muscle Mass ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Liver And Kidney

Introduction: Higher volume of coronary arterial calcium (CAC) and abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) are predictive of incident CVD, while higher density of CAC and AAC are associated with lower risk. The purpose of the present study was to determine the associations of abdominal lean muscle mass (ALMM) with CAC volume, CAC density, AAC volume, and AAC density. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that abdominal muscle mass would be negatively associated with CAC and AAC volume but positively associated with CAC and AAC density. Methods: The current study analyzed data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) in those participants who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) to assess for AAC, which was also analyzed for volumes of fat (visceral and subcutaneous) and ALMM (psoas, rectus abdominis, obliques, and paraspinus). CAC and AAC were scored separately, for density and for volume. Results: Analyses were restricted to participants who had non-zero CAC or AAC volumes. The sample sizes for the CAC analyses and AAC analyses were 963 and 1283 subjects, respectively. For the CAC analyses, 39.4% (379 of 963) were female and the mean age was 66.4 years. Mean ± SD CAC volume was 218.52 ± 344.19 (range 2.34- 3244.77 mm 3 ) ; Mean ± SD CAC density was 2.70 ± .72 (range 0.83- 4.0 Hu category units). Mean ± SD AAC volume was 1402.33 ± 1888 (range 4.68- 15822.2 mm 3 ); mean ± SD AAC density was 3.02 ± .63 (range 0.83- 4.0 Hu category units). In multivariable linear regression models that controlled for age, race, gender, CVD risk factors, visceral fat, and liver and kidney markers, both CAC and AAC density were found to be significantly associated with abdominal lean muscle mass. For every 100 cm 2 increase of ALMM, CAC density decreased by .35 Hu category units (p < .05). For every 100 cm 2 increase of ALMM, AAC density decreased by .26 Hu category units (p < .05). Conversely, CAC and AAC volume were not significantly associated with abdominal lean muscle mass in final models. Conclusion: Higher levels of ALMM were associated with lower CAC and AAC density, but not volume. Contrary to expectation, we found an inverse association of ALMM with CAC and AAC density, independent of relevant CVD risk factors.

VISUAL PIGMENT SENSITIVITY IN THREE DEEP DIVING MARINE MAMMALS

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Southall ◽  
G. W. Oliver ◽  
J. W. Lewis ◽  
B. J. Boeuf ◽  
D. H. Levenson
Keyword(s):  
Visual Pigment ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Deep Diving

Spectral-tuning mechanisms of marine mammal rhodopsins and correlations with foraging depth

2000 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEFFRY I. FASICK ◽  
PHYLLIS R. ROBINSON
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Visual Pigments ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Spectral Tuning ◽  
Long Wavelength ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Deep Diving

It has been observed that deep-foraging marine mammals have visual pigments that are blue shifted in terms of their wavelength of maximal absorbance (λmax) when compared to analogous pigments from terrestrial mammals. The mechanisms underlying the spectral tuning of two of these blue-shifted pigments have recently been elucidated and depend on three amino acid substitutions (83Asn, 292Ser, and 299Ser) in dolphin rhodopsin, but only one amino acid substitution (308Ser) in the dolphin long-wavelength-sensitive pigment. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular basis for changes in the spectral sensitivity of rod visual pigments from seven distantly related marine mammals. The results show a relationship between blue-shifted rhodopsins (λmax ≤ 490 nm), deep-diving foraging behavior, and the substitutions 83Asn and 292Ser. Species that forage primarily near the surface in coastal habitats have a rhodopsin with a λmax similar to that of terrestrial mammals (500 nm) and possess the substitutions 83Asp and 292Ala, identical to rhodopsins from terrestrial mammals.

scholarly journals Dietary composition of birds species at an inland airport in South Africa

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-18
Author(s):  
A. C. Kok ◽  
O. B. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Mass Composition ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Lesser Kestrel ◽  
Main Food Source

Stomach contents of 51 bird species that posed a potential threat to aviation were collected at the Bloemfontein airport over a period of 11 years (1985-1995). Numerically the crowned plover (Vanellus coronatus), and the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), blacksmith plover (V. armatus), whitewinged korhaan (Eupodotis afraoides), doublebanded courser (Smutsornis africanus), spotted dikkop (Burhinus capensis), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), Swainson’s francolin (Francolinus swainsonii) and Orange River francolin (F. levaillantoides) in sequence of importance, constituted 91,0% of the total sample (3 544). In general insects can be considered the main food source of the birds concerned. Based on dry mass composition the Isoptera, followed by the Coleoptera and Orthoptera, constituted the most important component in the diet. The Isoptera, more specifically the harvester termite (Hodotermes mossambicus), is, moreover, the only important prey taxon showing a conspicuous utilisation peak during the relative food shortage of the dry season. Evidently, temporary superabundant food sources that periodically come about in grassland habitats are opportunistically utilised by the birds.

scholarly journals Killer whale (Orcinus orca) interactions with blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) longline fisheries

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tixier ◽  
Mary-Anne Lea ◽  
Mark A. Hindell ◽  
Christophe Guinet ◽  
Nicolas Gasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Killer Whale ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Orcinus Orca ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Operational Variables ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Longline Fisheries ◽  
Fishing Area ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Over the past five decades, marine mammal interactions with fisheries have become a major human-wildlife conflict globally. The emergence of longline fishing is concomitant with the development of depredation-type interactions i.e., marine mammals feeding on fish caught on hooks. The killer whale (Orcinus orca) is one of the species most involved in depredation on longline fisheries. The issue was first reported in high latitudes but, with increasing expansion of this fishing method, other fisheries have begun to experience interactions. The present study investigated killer whale interactions with two geographically isolated blue-eye trevalla (Hyperoglyphe antarctica) fisheries operating in temperate waters off Amsterdam/St. Paul Islands (Indian Ocean) and south-eastern Australia. These two fisheries differ in the fishing technique used (vertical vs. demersal longlines), effort, catch, fleet size and fishing area size. Using 7-year (2010–16) long fishing and observation datasets, this study estimated the levels of killer whale interactions and examined the influence of spatio-temporal and operational variables on the probability of vessels to experience interactions. Killer whales interactions occurred during 58.4% and 21.2% of all fishing days, and over 94% and 47.4% of the fishing area for both fisheries, respectively. In south-eastern Australia, the probability of occurrence of killer whale interactions during fishing days varied seasonally with a decrease in spring, increased with the daily fishing effort and decreased with the distance travelled by the vessel between fishing days. In Amsterdam/St. Paul, this probability was only influenced by latitude, with an increase in the southern part of the area. Together, these findings document two previously unreported cases of high killer whale depredation, and provide insights on ways to avoid the issue. The study also emphasizes the need to further examine the local characteristics of fisheries and the ecology of local depredating killer whale populations in as important drivers of depredation.

scholarly journals Comparative genomics provides insights into the aquatic adaptations of mammals

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (37) ◽  
pp. e2106080118
Author(s):  
Yuan Yuan ◽  
Yaolei Zhang ◽  
Peijun Zhang ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Jiahao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Genomic Variations ◽  
Deep Diving ◽  
Brown Adipose ◽  
Timing Pattern ◽  
Genome Assemblies ◽  
High Quality Genome

The ancestors of marine mammals once roamed the land and independently committed to an aquatic lifestyle. These macroevolutionary transitions have intrigued scientists for centuries. Here, we generated high-quality genome assemblies of 17 marine mammals (11 cetaceans and six pinnipeds), including eight assemblies at the chromosome level. Incorporating previously published data, we reconstructed the marine mammal phylogeny and population histories and identified numerous idiosyncratic and convergent genomic variations that possibly contributed to the transition from land to water in marine mammal lineages. Genes associated with the formation of blubber (NFIA), vascular development (SEMA3E), and heat production by brown adipose tissue (UCP1) had unique changes that may contribute to marine mammal thermoregulation. We also observed many lineage-specific changes in the marine mammals, including genes associated with deep diving and navigation. Our study advances understanding of the timing, pattern, and molecular changes associated with the evolution of mammalian lineages adapting to aquatic life.

scholarly journals Impacts of body composition parameters and liver cirrhosis on the severity of alcoholic acute pancreatitis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260309
Author(s):  
Dong Kee Jang ◽  
Dong-Won Ahn ◽  
Kook Lae Lee ◽  
Byeong Gwan Kim ◽  
Ji Won Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Pancreatitis ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Liver Cirrhosis ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
The Body ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Aim Liver cirrhosis and features of muscle or adipose tissues may affect the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). We aimed to evaluate the impact of body composition parameters and liver cirrhosis on the severity of AP in patients with alcohol-induced AP (AAP). Methods Patients with presumed AAP who underwent CT within one week after admission were retrospectively enrolled. L3 sectional areas of abdominal fat and muscle, and mean muscle attenuations (MMAs) were quantified. The presence of liver cirrhosis was determined using clinical and CT findings. Factors potentially associated with moderately severe or severe AP were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 242 patients (47.0 ± 12.6 years, 215 males) with presumed AAP were included. The mild and moderately severe/severe (MSS) groups included 137 (56.6%) and 105 patients (43.4%), respectively. Patients in the MSS group had higher rates of liver cirrhosis, organ failure, and local complications. Among body composition parameters, mean MMA (33.4 vs 36.8 HU, P<0.0001) and abdominal muscle mass (126.5 vs 135.1 cm2, P = 0.029) were significantly lower in the MSS group. The presence of liver cirrhosis (OR, 4.192; 95% CI, 1.620–10.848) was found to be a significant risk factor for moderately severe or severe AP by multivariable analysis. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that liver cirrhosis has a significant impact on the severity of AAP. Of the body composition parameters examined, MMA and abdominal muscle mass showed potential as promising predictors.

scholarly journals Circulating 20S Proteasome Is Independently Associated with Abdominal Muscle Mass in Hemodialysis Patients

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e0121352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirotaka Fukasawa ◽  
Mai Kaneko ◽  
Hiroki Niwa ◽  
Takashi Matsuyama ◽  
Hideo Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Abdominal Muscle ◽  
20S Proteasome
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