Implantation of Subcutaneous Radio Transmitters in the Harbor Seal (\u3ci\u3ePhoca vitulina\u3c/i\u3e)

Radio telemetry has become a standard tool for studying the behavior, physiology, life history traits, and population dynamics of marine mammals. Radio transmitters typically are attached to the hind flippers of pinnipeds or glued to the fur using marine epoxy or other cyanocrylare adhesives (Fedak et al. 1983, Bengtson 1993, Jeffries et al. 1993). Longterm data acquisition is difficult, however, because radio-flipper transmitters commonly tear from the webbing of the flipper and instruments that are glued to the fur are shed during the seasonal molt

Intraperitoneal implantation of life-long telemetry transmitters in otariids

Background: Pinnipeds, including many endangered and declining species, are inaccessible and difficult to monitor for extended periods using externally attached telemetry devices that are shed during the annual molt. Archival satellite transmitters were implanted intraperitoneally into four rehabilitated California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and 15 wild juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) to determine the viability of this surgical technique for the deployment of long-term telemetry devices in otariids. The life history transmitters record information throughout the life of the host and transmit data to orbiting satellites after extrusion following death of the host. Results: Surgeries were performed under isoflurane anesthesia and single (n = 4) or dual (n = 15) transmitters were inserted into the ventrocaudal abdominal cavity via an 8.5 to 12 cm incision along the ventral midline between the umbilicus and pubic symphysis or preputial opening. Surgeries lasted 90 minutes (SD = 8) for the 19 sea lions. All animals recovered well and were released into the wild after extended monitoring periods from 27 to 69 days at two captive animal facilities. Minimum post-implant survival was determined via post-release tracking using externally attached satellite transmitters or via opportunistic re-sighting for mean durations of 73.7 days (SE = 9.0, Z. californianus) and 223.6 days (SE = 71.5, E. jubatus). Conclusion: The low morbidity and zero mortality encountered during captive observation and post-release tracking periods confirm the viability of this surgical technique for the implantation of long-term telemetry devices in otariids

Dive, food and exercise effects on blood microparticles in Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) : exploring a biomarker for decompression sickness

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2016. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of American Physiological Society for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 310 (2016): R596-R601, doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00512.2015.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 m). 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 presumably decompression stress―possibly indicating acclimation following repeated exposure to depth.Funding for this project was provided by the Office of Naval Research to MM (ONR Award # N00014-12-10388) and SRT (ONR Award # N00014-13-10614). Additional support was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the North Pacific Marine Science Foundation and the North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium.2017-02-0

Ultrastructure of the organ of Corti in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

Ultrastructural descriptions of the inner ear of highly sound-dependent mammalian species are lacking and needed to gain a better understanding of the hearing sense. Here, we present the first morphometric descriptions of the sensory cells of the inner ear in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), a mammal with broadly sensitive amphibious hearing. Scanning electron micrographs of the apical surface of the outer hair cells (OHCs) and inner hair cells (IHCs) within the organ of Corti were obtained from five individuals and analyzed by linear and geometric morphometrics. Measurements were taken at regular locations along the cochlea. The spiral shape of the seal cochlea contained two and a half turns. The organ of Corti had an average length of 27.7 mm with 12,628 OHCs (12,400-12,900). Six linear morphometric parameters showed significant patterns of change associated with their location within the cochlear spiral. Likewise, these trends were similarly expressed in cell configuration (cell blocks with 57 landmarks in 12 representative cells) revealed by geometric morphometry. Cell configuration varied predictably with position in the cochlea according to clustering analyses and Procrustes ANOVA (F= 25.936, p<0001). Changes associated with OHCs were primarily responsible for observed changes in cell configuration. An integration trend in cell shape change was also observed in which IHCs and OHCs share features in their morphological variation by the two-block partial least squares analysis (CR=0.987, p<0.001) and the modularity hypothesis (CV=0.99, p=0.05). These descriptive and quantitative findings provide a baseline for the morphology and morphometry of the sensory cells of the organ of Corti in harbor seals, allowing for comparisons between normal and pathological features. This initial morphological description should enable the correlation between position, morphometric features, and frequency coding along the spiral of the inner ear in this species, whose hearing ability is well studied

Insights through response to live-strandings of harbour porpoise by the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre: the secretive life of a very common cetacean

Since 2006, 6 live-stranded harbour porpoises have been recovered and presented to the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre for rehabilitation. Estimated age at stranding ranged from 6 weeks to 7 years, with younger animals stranding more frequently in the summer and early fall. Animals ranged in weight from 12.1 to 52 kg at admit. Each animal received 24-hour care by trained veterinary staff and rescue volunteers. Length of stay ranged from 2 to 168 days for animals that died during rehabilitation or that were released. Animals that strand as dependent calves are considered non-releasable and two perinatal animals that were successfully rehabilitated are permanently housed in a habitat at the Vancouver Aquarium. The causes of death in three animals include: severe metabolic compromise, hydrocephalus, and encephalomyelitis associated with Cryptococcus sp. An adult porpoise was successfully released after 168 days of care. Post-release monitoring via satellite-linked transmitter for 72 days showed wide-ranging use of the Salish Sea habitat with dives up to 254 m in depth and up to 5 min and 50 second duration. Medical challenges with stranded porpoises include diagnosis of the underlying cause of stranding, very high metabolic rate and nutritional demands particularly with neonates, and the effect of stranding on muscles and pulmonary function resulting in a requirement for intensive and prolonged supportive care. However, investigation into the causes of morbidity and mortality of live-stranded cetaceans provides detailed insight into the spread of pathogens (including diseases of zoonotic potential) and marine ecosystem health. In addition to evaluating the success of individual animals, tagging and tracking of stranded animals is an invaluable tool to investigate habitat use in animals that are normally very difficult to mark. Animals that live in public display aquaria are not only important for education but are also valuable resources for researchers for establishing physiologic normal values

Intraperitoneal implantation of life-long telemetry transmitters in three rehabilitated harbor seal pups

Abstract Background Pinnipeds, including many phocid species of concern, are inaccessible and difficult to monitor for extended periods using conventional, externally attached telemetry devices that are shed during the annual molt. Archival satellite transmitters were implanted intraperitoneally into three stranded Pacific harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardii) that completed rehabilitation, to evaluate the viability of this surgical technique for the deployment of life long telemetry devices in phocids. The life history transmitters record information throughout the life of the host and transmit data to orbiting satellites after extrusion following death. Results Surgeries were performed under general anesthesia and a single transmitter was inserted into the ventrocaudal abdominal cavity via a 7–8 cm incision along the ventral midline between the umbilicus and pubic symphysis or preputial opening in each animal. Surgeries lasted from 45 to 51 min, and anesthesic times ranged from 55 to 79 min. All animals recovered well, were released into dry holding pens overnight, and were given access to water the following day. All three animals exhibited an expected inflammatory response, with acute phase responses lasting approximately three to four weeks. All three animals were tracked via externally attached satellite transmitters after release at 58 to 78 days following surgery, and minimum post-release survival was confirmed through continued movement data received over 278 to 289 days. Conclusion The initial findings of low morbidity and zero mortality encountered during captive observation and post-release tracking periods support the viability of this surgical technique for the implantation of long-term telemetry devices in phocids

Captive and free-ranging sea star disease findings from the Seattle, Washington, waterfront during the 2013 sea star ‘wasting disease’ unusual mortality event

Sea star mortality in several genera including Pycnopodia and Pisaster was unusually high along the west coast of the United States, September-current (December) 2013. Captive and free-ranging animals were analyzed for signs of disease using a variety of diagnostics including cytology, microbiology, histopathology, and transmission electron microscopy. Mortality in regions of the Seattle waterfront and in the captive collection of Pycnopodia maintained at the Seattle Aquarium (n=48) was 100%. Disease was initially observed only in Pycnopodia species (specifically the Sunflower sea star) and over the period of ~ 1 month included a variety of other sea stars including Pisaster and Evasterias. Mortality rates in affected regions of the Salish sea continues to be high (December, 2013). Multiple organizations and collaborators (Cornell University, Wildlife Conservation Society, SeaDoc Society, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Vancouver Aquarium, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, and NW ZooPath) are participating in the ongoing efforts to determine the cause of this unusual mortality event in sea stars. The results to-date of the disease investigation by the Seattle Aquarium and others will be presented