A checklist of published records of coronuloid barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Coronuloidea) attached to marine vertebrates is presented, with 44 species (including 15 fossil species) belonging to 14 genera (including 3 fossil genera) and 3 families recorded. Also included is information on their geographical distribution and the hosts with which they occur.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0025315412000847

A checklist of turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Coronuloidea)

For countless generations, civilization had a relative insignificant impact on the marine environment, particularly on marine mammal species. However, with the dawning of the industrial revolution, a dramatic increase in the utilization of marine species (including whales) as a food source and other industrial purposes resulted in a radical reduction in the numbers of some species during the subsequent years, leading to a notable decrease in marine biodiversity during the 20th century. Fortunately, this exploitation was accompanied by increased awareness and campaigns by environmental and ethical lobby groups, resulting in more controlled and managed whaling activities, which in turn lead to markedly improved whale numbers [1]. However, the tide shifted once again with the dawning of the new millennium, characterized by ever growing industrial development and rapid human population growth. As a result, natural resources came under increased pressure and in particular, development and growth led to the creation of massive amounts of waste and pollutants. Consequently, high levels of marine pollution, especially near urban regions, became a serious threat to the health and well-being of marine mammals, including cetaceans.

/pdf/cutaneous-lesions-in-cetaceans-an-indicator-of-ecosystem-2i0nvem793.pdf

Cutaneous Lesions in Cetaceans: An Indicator of Ecosystem status?

This study provides the first in depth assessment of Sea Otter haul-out patterns in Elkhorn Slough, California and their relationship to environmental variables. Seasonal and daily water and air temperature fluctuations are a good predictor of Sea Otter haul-out patterns but are affected by the availability of haul-out sites at different tide levels. The cost effectiveness of this choice may be maximal at night because of lack of human disturbance. Southern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) were observed during 50 bimonthly 24-h periods between August 2007 and July 2009 (n 5 1187 h) from a shore-based observation site located above a non-territorial male resting area on the north side of Moss Landing Harbor. We counted the number of Sea Otters in the area (both in the water and on land) at 30-min intervals. We also recorded tide height, and air and water temperature. Thirty-minute counts averaged 42 Sea Otters using the area (land and water) during the day and 66 at night. The average number of Sea Otters hauled out in the study area during the same haul-out event was 22, and the maximum number was 93. Sea Otters were observed hauled out on 70% of the days surveyed, and the proportion of Sea Otters hauled out was significantly higher at night. Higher numbers of Sea Otters on land was significantly correlated with lower air and water temperature, and with mid-range tide-heights. We speculate that haul- out behavior could play an important role in energy conservation; however, human-related traffic patterns in the area may negatively affect this energy conservation strategy.

/pdf/patterns-of-sea-otter-haul-out-behavior-in-a-california-2asxen8n4z.pdf

Patterns of Sea Otter Haul-Out Behavior in a California Tidal Estuary in Relation to Environmental Variables

We document the macroscopic phenotypic characteristics (relative size, location, pattern, colour, extension), prevalence and evolution of five types of skin disorders of unknown aetiology, including ‘green-brown plaques’ (GBP), ‘orange patches’ (OPA), ‘cutaneous nodules’ (NOD), ‘pale dermatitis’ (PAD) and ‘expansive annular lesions’ (EAL) in five odontocete species (n = 559 individuals) from the Southeast Pacific (n = 230) and Southwest Atlantic (n = 329) oceans. GBP affected two likely-adult Sotalia guianensis traveling side-by-side in a freshwater area of the Cananeia Estuary in August 2009. Low salinity is suggested as predisposing factor. OPA were distinguished in three of 209 (1.4%) free-ranging S. guianensis in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil, during winter months of 2005-2008. Epibiont diatoms are suspected aetiological agents. NOD were chronically present in one male adult Orcinus orca observed off the coast of southern Brazil in 2007-2010. PAD was seen in free-ranging individuals and carcasses of Tursiops truncatus , S. guianensis and Pseudorca crassidens from both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in 1992 and in 2004-2009. Prevalence was 1% in 103 S. guianensis from Paranagua Estuary (Brazil), 2.3% in 222 S. guianensis from Sepetiba Bay and 6.9% in 87 inshore T. truncatus from Paracas Bay, Peru. Although in some cases the lesions covered up to 35-40% of the visible body surface and ulcers may occur there was no evidence of mortality and, in time-series of six individuals, PAD eventually healed. In six T. truncatus and five S. guianensis acutely affected, PAD was associated with minor cutaneous injuries and scars, including tooth rakes, suggesting infection routes for opportunistic pathogens. EAL were noted in a Cephalorhynchus eutropia calf from Palena province, Chile, in 2003 and in a P. crassidens calf washed ashore dead in southern Brazil in 2009. The C. eutropia calf disappeared, and probably died, two weeks after first observation. Prevalence of EAL was 6.7% in 15 C. eutropia in 2002-2004. These data suggest that EAL are potentially lethal in calves. PAD and EAL were primarily seen in cetaceans inhabiting biologically or chemically contaminated nearshore waters. In view of their emergence and occasional severity these disorders should be the subject of systematic monitoring.

/pdf/epidemiological-characteristics-of-skin-disorders-in-4i4elhr6kk.pdf

Epidemiological characteristics of skin disorders in cetaceans from South American waters

Globally, exploitation of marine mammals has shifted from hunting to viewing over the last few decades. While refraining from actively killing animals may have a positive effect on marine mammal populations, whale and dolphin watching can induce changes such as displacement from preferred habitat and disruption of foraging that may also have severe fitness costs. Under some circumstances, this non-lethal disturbance may affect populations in a manner similar to directed mortality. Here, we focus on inshore dolphin populations that are known to show short-term behavioural responses to boat approaches. Long-term fitness effects have only been clearly identified in a small number of these populations, and all share certain characteristics, i.e. closed, small and food limited. This raises the question of importance of context when considering the long-term effects of disturbance, since many dolphin populations may be open, large, and/or free from resource restriction. We explored the effect of disturbance based on the characteristics of populations using the population consequences of disturbance (PCoD) framework. PCoD was developed to link short-term changes in individual behaviour and physiology to presumed long-term effects on population dynamics. To ensure our scenarios were biologically plausible, they reflected the ecological context of four well-studied populations of dolphins, Doubtful Sound NZ, Sarasota Bay USA, Durban Bay SA and Jervis Bay AUS, in terms of their size, closure and food resources. We found that the characteristics of the populations being disturbed are important with regards to the level of disturbance that could be tolerated. Closed populations were most sensitive, while large, open populations with no food limitation appeared to be able to withstand a higher probability of disturbance. This implies that population characteristics should be accounted for when determining the suitability of whale and dolphin watching operations in a given area.

/pdf/dolphins-and-boats-when-is-a-disturbance-disturbing-3xf55f670m.pdf

Dolphins and Boats: When Is a Disturbance, Disturbing?

The prevalence of epidermal conditions in a small population of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay was evaluated between 2006 and 2008. Five different skin condition categories were considered, including Pox-Like Lesions, Discoloration, Orange Film, Polygon Lesions, and Miscellaneous Markings. Of 147 adults and 42 calves photographically examined, at least 90 and 71%, respectively, were affected by at least one or multiple conditions. Pox-Like Lesions were the most prevalent, affecting 80% of the population, including adults and calves. This condition warrants the most urgent investigation being possibly indicative of the widespread presence of poxvirus or a similar pathogen in the population. In view of the high number of individuals affected, standard monitoring of the health status of Monterey Bay bottlenose dolphins is considered imperative. Discoloration was strongly associated with Pox-Like lesions. Orange Films were likely an epifaunal infestation caused by diatoms, which have been documented in other cetacean species. Polygon Lesions, a newly described category, could be the result of infestation by barnacles of the genus Cryptolepas. Miscellaneous Markings were variable in appearance and may not have the same causative factor. Although none of the proposed etiologies can be confirmed without appropriate clinical tests, recognizing common visible characteristics of the conditions could aid in preliminary comparisons across populations and individuals.

/pdf/prevalence-of-epidermal-conditions-in-california-coastal-5ev6tvaw87.pdf

Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

Entanglement in fishing gear is a significant anthropogenic source of large whale injury and mortality. Although entanglements have been reported in the eastern North Atlantic, their frequency has not been previously estimated. This study used systematic scar analysis to estimate the frequency of non-lethal entanglements among individual humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae off coastal Iceland, from 2005 through 2017. Images of the caudal peduncle and fluke insertions of 379 individuals were analyzed for wrapping injuries and notches known to be indicative of entanglement. The results indicated that at least 24.8% (n = 94, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 20.5−29.1%) of individuals had a history of prior entanglement when first encountered. Depending on the metric used, the whales subsequently acquired new entanglement-related injuries at an average rate of 1.9% (95% CI: 0.6−3.2%) or 16.3% (95% CI: 3.0−29.3%) per year, with no statistically significant change over time. Furthermore, evidence suggests that at least some entanglements occurred locally. Observations of whales with gear still entangling the body confirmed the patterns of injury studied here. These results are lower than scar-based estimates from other parts of the world, but the cause of this difference requires further study. Scar-based methods underestimate the frequency of prior entanglement because some injuries heal beyond recognition, do not involve the caudal peduncle, and may occur on whales that die before they are studied. Long-term monitoring of humpback whale entanglement in Icelandic coastal waters is important for evaluating the local effects of fisheries, as well as the viability of the endangered Cape Verde breeding population.

/pdf/first-estimates-of-entanglement-rate-of-humpback-whales-3q18sk6aa9.pdf

First estimates of entanglement rate of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae observed in coastal Icelandic waters

Between August 2006 and February 2009, we investigated southern sea otter foraging in Elkhorn Slough, the third largest estuary in California and an important soft-sediment community for sea otters. Our study is the first peer-reviewed comprehensive account of sea otter diet in Elkhorn Slough since the 1990s and the first to look at sea otter scats in addition to visual observations. Diet and other foraging parameters were determined during 199 daytime focal observations and by collecting 115 scat samples. Foraging success was 69%, males being more successful than females. Diet included more than 21 prey items. Nineteen are found within the study area, making this the widest variety of prey items reported taken by sea otters in a soft-sediment community. Daytime prey included 78.2% Mollusca (clams and mussels), 11.2% Echiurida (inkeeper worms), 2.8% Arthropoda (crabs) and 7.8% undetermined prey. Scat samples contained a wider variety of prey than focal samples. Four species of crabs found in scat samples but seen during focal observations, suggest otters may also be feeding outside of the study area or feeding within the study area at night. Both prey pursuit and handling time increased with prey size but depended on prey type. Sea otters exhibited a high degree of prey specialization, most individuals being highly specialized on clams (91%). Most prey items obtained were ≤5 cm long, suggesting otters rely on greater availability or on ease of capture of this size class. [JMATE. 2010;3(1):27-36] Keywords: California, foraging, ecology, feeding, Elkhorn Slough

Southern sea otter diet in a soft sediment community

Short-term measures of behavioural responses of cetaceans to tourism operations have been used in many studies to interpret and understand potential long-term impacts of biological importance The short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the species most frequently observed in the Azores and constitutes an important component of the marine mammal tourism industry in this region This study investigated the potential effects of tour boats on the behaviour of common dolphins off Sao Miguel, Azores, with particular focus on the changes in activity budget and the time required to resume activities after a tour boat interaction Behavioural data were collected from land using a group focal-follow methodology Markov chains were applied to analyse control and interaction sequences and to assess behavioural transition probabilities in both scenarios In the presence of tour boats, dolphins significantly reduced the time spent foraging and increased the time engaged in other high energy activities Dolphins also took significantly longer to resume feeding after an interaction occurred The average bout length varied significantly between control and interaction scenarios, with foraging bouts being shorter during tour boats interactions The results presented have management implications since feeding is a biologically critical activity Disruption of foraging behaviour could lead to a decrease in energy intake for this population With cetacean tourism likely to increase in the future, a precautionary approach to issuing new licences is advisable and any expansion would warrant an appropriate monitoring programme

/pdf/short-term-effects-of-tourism-on-the-behaviour-of-common-30fn44apkk.pdf

Short-term effects of tourism on the behaviour of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Azores

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Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

First estimates of entanglement rate of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae observed in coastal Icelandic waters

Southern sea otter diet in a soft sediment community

Short-term effects of tourism on the behaviour of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Azores