Sick sea lions

Scientists may now have the answer

Since January 2013, over 1000 California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups became ill in southern California. When a large number of pups began washing ashore injured, dehydrated and malnourished, scientists looked at algae blooms, wind pattern changes and more. However, scientists have concluded the reason may be the lack of sardines.

“The cold water conditions in the Pacific Ocean have caused a crash in the number of sardines, according to scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration” (Lopez, 2014). Sea lions depend on the oily fish to add extra pounds before giving birth. Without this food source to depend on, sea lions are forced to eat less nutritious food. In turn, this means less milk production for babies to feed on; leaving them susceptible to malnutrition. 

According to NBC news, scientists report that since April, 2013, the epidemic appears to be slowing down.

Reference:

Lopez, A. , 2014. Scientists May Have Solved Sea Lion Sickness Mystery. NBC news. Online. Available at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Scientists-May-Have-Solved-Sickness-of-Sea-Lion-Sickness-239174191.html

 

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sea_lion_head.jpg

Zoonotic disease and human interaction with marine mammals

Risks and information

Marine mammals can be infected and are carriers of bacterial, fungal and viral organisms that are known to be zoonotic pathogens (have the ability to transfer to a human). 

The risk of contracting one of these diseases differs depending on the interaction (e.g. fishing, harvesting, research, rescue staff, marine park workers). There have been reports of food-borne illness when harvesting an animal; however the risk of disease by scientists, rescue and trainers is not as well understood.

According to University of California (Davis School of Veterinarian Medicine); the following list are diseases that have been transferred to humans from contact with marine mammals:

·         Calicivirus (San Miguel Seal Lion virus) from northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).

·         Blastomyces dermatitidis from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). 

·         Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae from a beached pilot whale (Globicephala melaena).

·         Influenza A virus from harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

·         Leptospira spp. from California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) carcasses.

·         Mycobacterium bovis from a New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri).

·         Mycobacterium marinum from a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

·         Sealpox virus from gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). 

Additionally, this is a list of potential zoonotic pathogens from marine mammals:

Bacterial	Viral	Fungal
Aeromonas Burkholderia (formerly Pseudomonas) Clostridium Edwardsiella Staphylococcus Streptococcus Vibrio	Influenza B Rabies	Aspergillus Candida Coccidioides Histoplasma

To find out more about each of these diseases you can click here    and  here   and here .

You may also go to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) by clicking here and searching each disease. 

References:

UC Dvis Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whc/MMZ/defaultnew.cfm

 

image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rescuemmc.jpg

.

Palm Beach Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Interested in Marine Mammals?

Attend the first meeting of the Palm Beach Marine Mammal Stranding Network
(Level A data collection certification)

When: Wednesday, January 29nd, 2014
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Jupiter FAU library








• Gain hands on field experience with marine mammals
(Whales & Dolphins)
• Learn how to respond and assist the stranding team in the
event of a marine mammal stranding on our local beaches
• Sessions run by Stranding Director Dr. Barbara Brunnick,
Ph.D., Cetacean Biologist with the Palm Beach Wild Dolphin
Project and Taras Oceanographic Foundation.
• Attend informational meetings and get to know other
volunteers
• Become a valuable member of our volunteer team

For more information stop by the library or email
darrieta@fau.edu
5353 Parkside Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458
561.799.8530

Cetacean Strandings in Florida

An overview of the 15 most common cetaceans to strand in Florida

In light of the recent whale stranding events so far this year in Florida, here is a brief summary of the most common whales and dolphins that strand along our Florida beaches [taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2011 Florida Cetacean Data Collection and Sampling Guide]

Baleen whales:

1.      North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis)

2.      Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Toothed whales:

3.      Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)

4.      Pygmy (Kogia breviceps)

5.      Dwarf Sperm whale (Kogia sima)

Beaked whales:         

6.      Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus)

Dolphins:

7.      Melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra)

8.      Pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhnchus)

9.      Rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis)

10.  Fraser’s dolphin (lagenodelphis hosei)

11.  Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)

12.  Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncates)

13.  Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata)

14.  Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis)

15.  Spinner dolphin (Stennella longirostris)

Additionally, there are a few species that have occasionally stranded in Florida (fewer than 5 between 2000-2010.

Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

Brydes whale (Balaenoptera edeni)

True’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon mirus)

Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)

Harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Pygmy Killer whale (Feresa attenuate)

False killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens)

Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)

Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene)

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mother_and_baby_sperm_whale.jpg

Ocean Plastic

Hawaiian Monk Seals

An analysis of body size

The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is one of the most endangered marine mammal species. It is also highly studied. There are approximately only 1200 remaining. Although this species is well studied; basic growth patterns of the Hawaiian Monk Seals have not been well documented.

 Earlier research has focused on pup growth through weening. New research conducted by Baker and Johanos (2014) look for evidence of sexual dimorphism (the difference between make and females) in the species and variable growth rates through species range. According to the researchers, they took seal measurements from 1984 – 2011 of seven subpopulations. They excluded any compromised animals (emaciated or wounded) as well as pregnant females. To avoid additional stress, measurements were not taken close to molting season.

You can read the very specifics of methods and results by referring to the full article reference below; “however researchers did not find evidence that length growth patterns differed among male and female monk seals. There were striking differences in growth curves among the various monk seal subpopulations” (Baker & Johanos, 2014, p.264). This is most likely due to variance in environmental conditions determining growth.

Reference:

Baker, J. & Johanos, T., 2014. Body Growth in Hawaiian Monk Seals. Marine Mammal Science. 30(1). 259-271. Online. Available here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.12035/pdf

 

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monachus_schauinslandi.jpg