Population Structure in Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) of British Columbia and Widespread Hybridization in Cetaceans

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Population Structure in Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) of British Columbia and Widespread Hybridization in Cetaceans Population structure in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) of British Columbia and widespread hybridization in cetaceans by Carla Anne Crossman BSc, Queen’s University, 2010 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FUFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in The Faculty of Graduate Studies (Zoology) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Vancouver) December 2012 © Carla Anne Crossman, 2012 i Abstract Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are one of the most abundant small cetaceans in the world and, while they are extensively studied across most of their range, little is known about their biology in British Columbia, Canada. Recent management plans have identified a need to better understand the population structure of harbour porpoises in this region. I investigated the genetic population structure of harbour porpoises in British Columbia using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and eight microsatellite loci. My findings are consistent with a single population of harbour porpoises inhabiting the coastline between Haida G’waii and the southern Juan de Fuca Strait. I also confirmed that hybridization between harbour porpoises and Dall’s porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) has occurred over a larger geographic region than previously known and I present evidence that the resultant hybrids are reproductively viable and have the potential to successfully backcross with both parental species. Building on these findings, I examined patterns of hybridization across the order Cetacea. I found that species pairs that share a greater number of ecological, morphological, and behavioural traits have a higher propensity to hybridize than species pairs that do not. This trend is largely driven by behavioural and morphological traits such as vocalization frequency and body size. My study aids in understanding harbour porpoise population structure in British Columbia, and highlights the occurrence of widespread cetacean hybridization. ii Preface This work did not require ethics review as the tissue samples were donated by the Animal Heath Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and the Whale Museum. The tissue samples were not collected for my explicit use in research and were collected from animals that died naturally. iii Table of Contents Abstract.......................................................................................................................................... ii Preface ........................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................ iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. vii List of Equations ........................................................................................................................ viii Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Conservation genetics ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Cetacean conservation .................................................................................................. 3 1.3 The harbour porpoise ................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Hybridization ............................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Opportunistic data ...................................................................................................... 10 1.6 Research objectives ...................................................................................................... 11 2 Population Structure and Intergeneric Hybridization .................................................. 13 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 13 2.1.1 The use of molecular markers for studies of population structure .............. 13 2.1.2 Harbour porpoise population structure ........................................................... 14 2.1.3 Porpoise hybridization ........................................................................................ 16 2.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 17 2.2.1 Samples .................................................................................................................. 17 2.2.2 DNA extraction .................................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Mitochondrial DNA ............................................................................................. 18 2.2.4 Microsatellites ....................................................................................................... 19 2.2.5 Identifying hybrids .............................................................................................. 19 2.2.6 Population structure – mtDNA .......................................................................... 20 2.2.7 Population structure – microsatellites .............................................................. 21 2.3 Results ........................................................................................................................... 23 2.3.1 Identifying hybrids .............................................................................................. 23 2.3.2 mtDNA .................................................................................................................. 27 iv 2.3.3 Microsatellites ....................................................................................................... 30 2.4 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 34 2.4.1 Hybridization ....................................................................................................... 39 2.4.2 Contributions ........................................................................................................ 40 3 An Analysis of Cetacean Hybridization .......................................................................... 42 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 42 3.1.1 Research objectives .............................................................................................. 46 3.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 46 3.2.1 Data collection ...................................................................................................... 46 3.2.2 Similarity index .................................................................................................... 46 3.2.3 Hybridization and similarity index ................................................................... 49 3.3 Results ........................................................................................................................... 51 3.3.1 Un-weighted analysis .......................................................................................... 51 3.3.2 Weighted analysis ................................................................................................ 56 3.4 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 60 3.4.1 Species barriers ..................................................................................................... 61 3.4.2 Potential benefits of interspecific mating ......................................................... 62 3.4.3 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 63 4 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 64 4.1 Summary of findings .................................................................................................. 64 4.2 Studies using samples of bycatch and strandings .................................................. 64 4.3 Future directions ......................................................................................................... 65 References ................................................................................................................................... 68 Appendices ................................................................................................................................. 85 A.1 Appendix S1 – Chapter 2 ............................................................................................... 85 A.2 Appendix S2 – Chapter 3 ............................................................................................... 98 v List of Tables Table 2.1 Prior probability and delta K from
Recommended publications
  • Resolution 3.11 Conservation Plan for Black Sea Cetaceans
    ACCOBAMS-MOP3/2007/Res.3.11 RESOLUTION 3.11 CONSERVATION PLAN FOR BLACK SEA CETACEANS The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area: On the recommendation of the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, Aware that all three Black Sea cetacean species, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Turpsiops truncatus), experienced a dramatic decline in abundance during the twentieth century, Taking into account that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)-ACCOBAMS workshop on the Red List Assessment of Cetaceans in the ACCOBAMS Area (Monaco, March 2006) concluded that the Black Sea populations of the harbour porpoise, common dolphin and bottlenose dolphin are endangered, Conscious that most of the factors responsible for their decline, such as current fisheries by-catches, extensive habitat degradation and other anthropogenic impacts, pose continuous threats to the existence of cetaceans in the Black Sea and contiguous waters, represented by the Sea of Azov, the Kerch strait and the Turkish straits system (including the Bosphorus strait, the Marmara Sea and the Dardanelles straits), Convinced that the plan is an integral component of discussions on Black Sea regional and national strategies, plans, programmes and projects concerned with the protection, exploration and management of the Black Sea environment, biodiversity, living resources, marine mammals
    [Show full text]
  • Is Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena Phocoena) Exhaled Breath Sampling Suitable for Hormonal Assessments?
    animals Article Is Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) Exhaled Breath Sampling Suitable for Hormonal Assessments? Anja Reckendorf 1,2 , Marion Schmicke 3 , Paulien Bunskoek 4, Kirstin Anderson Hansen 1,5, Mette Thybo 5, Christina Strube 2 and Ursula Siebert 1,* 1 Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstrasse 6, 25761 Buesum, Germany; [email protected] (A.R.); [email protected] (K.A.H.) 2 Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; [email protected] 3 Clinic for Cattle, Working Group Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany; [email protected] 4 Dolfinarium, Zuiderzeeboulevard 22, 3841 WB Harderwijk, The Netherlands; paulien.bunskoek@dolfinarium.nl 5 Fjord & Bælt, Margrethes Pl. 1, 5300 Kerteminde, Denmark; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-511-856-8158 Simple Summary: The progress of animal welfare in wildlife conservation and research calls for more non-invasive sampling techniques. In cetaceans, exhaled breath condensate (blow)—a mixture of cells, mucus and fluids expelled through the force of a whale’s exhale—is a unique sampling matrix for hormones, bacteria and genetic material, among others. Especially the detection of steroid hormones, such as cortisol, is being investigated as stress indicators in several species. As the only Citation: Reckendorf, A.; Schmicke, native cetacean in Germany, harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are of special conservation concern M.; Bunskoek, P.; Anderson Hansen, and research interest. So far, strandings and live captures have been the only method to obtain K.; Thybo, M.; Strube, C.; Siebert, U.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena Phocoena) and Fisheries Interactions in the North-West Iberian Peninsula
    20th ASCOBANS Advisory Committee Meeting AC20/Doc.6.1.b (S) Warsaw, Poland, 27-29 August 2013 Dist. 11 July 2013 Agenda Item 6.1 Project Funding through ASCOBANS Progress of Supported Projects Document 6.1.b Project Report: Understanding harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and fisheries interactions in the north-west Iberian Peninsula Action Requested Take note Submitted by Secretariat / University of Aberdeen NOTE: DELEGATES ARE KINDLY REMINDED TO BRING THEIR OWN COPIES OF DOCUMENTS TO THE MEETING Final report to ASCOBANS (SSFA/ASCOBANS/2010/4) Understanding harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and fishery interactions in the north-west Iberian Peninsula Fiona L. Read1,2, M. Begoña Santos2,3, Ángel F. González1, Alfredo López4, Marisa Ferreira5, José Vingada5,6 and Graham J. Pierce2,3,6 1) Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (C.S.I.C), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain 2) School of Biological Sciences (Zoology), University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, Aberdeen, United Kingdom 3) Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, PO Box 1552, 36200, Vigo, Spain 4) CEMMA, Apdo. 15, 36380, Gondomar, Spain 5) CBMA/SPVS, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal 6) CESAM, Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal Coordinated by: In collaboration with: 1 Final report to ASCOBANS (SSFA/ASCOBANS/2010/4) Introduction The North West Iberian Peninsula (NWIP), as defined for the present project, consists of Galicia (north-west Spain), and north-central Portugal as far south as Peniche (Figure 1). Due to seasonal upwelling (Fraga, 1981), the NWIP sustains high productivity and high biodiversity, including almost 300 species of fish (Solørzano et al., 1988) and over 75 species of cephalopods (Guerra, 1992).
    [Show full text]
  • Eat and Be Eaten Porpoise Diet Studies
    EAT AND BE EATEN PORPOISE DIET STUDIES Maarten Frederik Leopold Thesis committee Promotor Prof. dr. ir. P.J.H. Reijnders Professor of Ecology and Management of Marine Mammals Wageningen University Other members Prof. dr. A.D. Rijnsdorp, Wageningen University Prof. dr. U. Siebert, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany Prof. dr. M. Naguib, Wageningen University Mr M.L. Tasker, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, United Kingdom This research was conducted under the auspices of the Netherlands Research School for the Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment (SENSE). EAT AND BE EATEN PORPOISE DIET STUDIES Maarten Frederik Leopold Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctor at Wageningen University by the authority of the Rector Magnificus Prof. dr. ir. A.P.J. Mol, in the presence of the Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board to be defended in public on Friday 20 November 2015 at 4 p.m. in the Aula. Maarten Frederik Leopold Eat or be eaten: porpoise diet studies 239 pages PhD thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, NL (2015) With references, with summaries in Dutch and English ISBN 978-94-6257-558-5 There is a crack a crack in everything... that’s how the light gets in Leonard Cohen (1992) Anthem Contents 1. Introduction: Being small, living on the edge 9 2. Not all harbour porpoises are equal: which factors determine 26 what individual animals should, and can eat? 3. Are starving harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) sentenced 56 to eat junk food? 4. Stomach contents analysis as an aid to identify bycatch 88 in stranded harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeny, Biogeography, and Host Specificity
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.20.443311; this version posted May 22, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 Cryptic diversity within the Poecilochirus carabi mite 2 species complex phoretic on Nicrophorus burying 3 beetles: phylogeny, biogeography, and host specificity 4 Julia Canitz1, Derek S. Sikes2, Wayne Knee3, Julia Baumann4, Petra Haftaro1, 5 Nadine Steinmetz1, Martin Nave1, Anne-Katrin Eggert5, Wenbe Hwang6, Volker 6 Nehring1 7 1 Institute for Biology I, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 1, Freiburg, Germany 8 2 University of Alaska Museum, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, 9 99775, USA 10 3 Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids, and Nematodes, Agriculture and 11 Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Avenue, K.W. Neatby Building, Ottawa, Ontario, 12 K1A 0C6, Canada 13 4 Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria 14 5 School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4120, USA 15 6 Department of Ecology and Environmental Resources, National Univ. of Tainan, 33 16 Shulin St., Sec. 2, West Central Dist, Tainan 70005, Taiwan 17 Correspondence: [email protected] 1 1/50 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.20.443311; this version posted May 22, 2021. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
    [Show full text]
  • Tetrameres Numida N. Sp
    Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 74:115–128 (2007) Tetrameres numida n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) from Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758), in South Africa K. JUNKER and J. BOOMKER* Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa ABSTRACT JUNKER, K. & BOOMKER, J. 2007. Tetrameres numida n. sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) from Hel - meted guineafowls, Numida meleagris (Linnaeus, 1758), in South Africa. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 74:115–128 Tetrameres numida n. sp. from the proventriculus of Helmeted guineafowls, Numida meleagris, in South Africa is described from eight male and four female specimens. The new species shares some characteristics with other Tetrameres species, but can be differentiated by a unique combination of characters. It bears two rows of cuticular spines extending over the whole length of the body and pos- sesses two spicules. The left spicule measures 1 699–2 304 μm and the right one 106–170 μm. Caudal spines are arranged in three ventral and three lateral pairs and the tail is 257–297 μm long. Diagnostic criteria of some of the previously described species of the genus Tetrameres from Africa and other parts of the world have been compiled from the literature and are included here. Keywords: Helmeted guineafowls, nematodes, Tetrameres numida INTRODUCTION commonly reported ones (Permin, Magwisha, Kassu- ku, Nansen, Bisgaard, Frandsen & Gibbons 1997; The genus Tetrameres Creplin, 1846 are cosmopol- Poulsen, Permin, Hindsbo, Yelifari, Nansen & Bloch itan parasites, infecting a variety of aquatic and ter- 2000). restrial avian hosts. Females are usually located in the proventricular glands, and the males are found Tetrameres coccinea (Seurat, 1914) Travassos, free in the lumen of the proventriculus (Ander son 1914 from the Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus ru- 1992).
    [Show full text]
  • Habitat Modelling of Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena Phocoena) in the Northern Gulf of St
    Living among giants: Habitat modelling of Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence By Raquel Soley Calvet Masters Research in Marine Mammal Science Supervision by: Dr. Sonja Heinrich Dr. Debbie J. Russell Sea Mammal Research Unit, August 2011 Table of contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................i 1. Introduction 1.1 Cetacean habitat modelling....................................................................................1 1.2 Ocean Models........................................................................................................2 1.3 The Gulf of St. Lawrence......................................................................................3 1.4 Biology of Harbour Porpoises...............................................................................4 1.5 Aims.......................................................................................................................6 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study Area..............................................................................................................7 2.2 Data collection........................................................................................................8 2.3 Generating pseudo-absences.................................................................................10 2.4 Analysis.................................................................................................................11
    [Show full text]
  • Microtetrameres Sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Records Extended
    Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science Volume 84 Number Article 6 1977 Microtetrameres sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Records Extended Charles J. Ellis Iowa State University Gregory Calderwood Iowa State University Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy Copyright ©1977 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc. Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias Recommended Citation Ellis, Charles J. and Calderwood, Gregory (1977) "Microtetrameres sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Records Extended," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 84(1), 30-31. Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol84/iss1/6 This Research is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa Academy of Science at UNI ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science by an authorized editor of UNI ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ellis and Calderwood: Microtetrameres sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Microtetrameres sp. (Nematoda: Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Records Extended CHARLES J. ELLIS1 and GREGORY CALDERWOOD ELLIS , CHARLES J. and G. CALDERWOOD (Department of Zoology, extended. One hundred thirty-eight birds were examined including 10 genera, Iowa State University , Ames IA 50011). Microtetrameres sp. (Nematoda: 10 species and 5 families. Two species were infected with Tetrameres sp. , Tetrameridae) Host and Geographic Records Extended. Proc . Iowa Acad. one with over 40 females
    [Show full text]
  • Omslag 2011-7.Indd 1 25/08/2011 12:05 Authors
    Conservation plan for the Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena in The Netherlands: towards a favourable conservation status Kees (C.J.) Camphuysen & Marije L. Siemensma NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research omslag 2011-7.indd 1 25/08/2011 12:05 Authors C.J. (Kees) Camphuysen Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, NL Tel. + 31 222 369488, E-mail: [email protected] M.L. (Marije) Siemensma Marine Science & Communication Bosstraat 123, 3971 XC Driebergen-Rijssenburg, NL Tel. + 31 6 16830430 E-mail: [email protected] Commissioning This project was commissioned and nanced by the Dutch Ministry of Economics, Agriculture and Innovation Cover illustration Reproduced with permission from The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Jan van de Cappelle (1649) “Shipping in a Calm at Flushing with a States General Yacht Firing a Salute” Oil on oak panel, Unframed: 69.5 x 92.1 cm. The im- age shows numerous animals in the water that could be recognised as Harbour Porpoises, which were abundant at the time. Recommended citation Camphuysen C.J. & M.L. Siemensma (2011). Conservation plan for the Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena in The Netherlands: towards a favourable conservation status. NIOZ Report 2011-07, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Re- search, Texel. © 2011 Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research omslag 2011-7.indd 4 25/08/2011 12:06 Conservation plan for the Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena in The Netherlands: towards a favourable conservation status Kees (C.J.) Camphuysen & Marije L. Siemensma © 2011 Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research 1 Conservation plan Harbour Porpoise in The Netherlands – NIOZ Report 2011-07 Authors C.J.
    [Show full text]
  • The Possible Reasons for Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) Participating In
    The possible reasons for bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) participating in non-predatory aggressive interactions with harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in Cardigan Bay, Wales Leonora Neale Student ID: 4103778 BSc Zoology Supervised by Dr Francis Gilbert Word count: 5335 Contents Page Page: ABSTRACT……………………………………………………………………….......1 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………..............................3 METHODS………………………………………………………………....................9 Study species………………………………………………………………......9 Study area………………………………………………………………….…10 Methods of data collection………………………………………...................10 Methods of data analysis………………………………………......................13 RESULTS………………………………………………………………………........14 Geographical distribution……………………………………………….......14 Object-oriented play……………………………………………………........15 DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………….…….18 Geographical distribution……………………………………………………18 Object-oriented play…………………………………………………….........18 Diet………………………………………………………………...................21 CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………………23 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS………………………………………………………….25 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………26 APPENDIX……………………………………………………………………..........33 CBMWC sightings………………………...………………………………….…33 CBMWC sightings form guide………………...………………………….….34 CBMWC excel spreadsheet equations……………………………………......35 Abstract Between 1991 and 2011, 137 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) died as a result of attacks by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Cardigan Bay. The suggested reasons for these non-predatory aggressive interactions
    [Show full text]
  • Tesi Di Dottorato
    TESI DI DOTTORATO Sede Amministrativa: Università degli Studi di Padova Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute CORSO DI DOTTORATO DI RICERCA IN: SCIENZE VETERINARIE CICLO XXXI PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN SEA TURTLES AND CETACEANS IN MEDITERRANEAN SEA WATERS, WITH A FOCUS ON THE ADRIATIC SEA Coordinatore: Ch.mo Prof. Valentina Zappulli Supervisore: Dott.ssa Federica Marcer Dottorando : Erica Marchiori Index Abstract pg. 1 Background pg. 3 SECTION I – SEA TURTLES 1. Blood flukes (Spirorchiidae, Stunkard 1921) pg. 7 2. Gastrointestinal helminth community of Caretta caretta pg. 11 3. Aims of the project and outputs pg. 14 4. Paper 1 pg. 24 Cardiovascular flukes (Trematoda: Spirorchiidae) in Caretta caretta Linnaeus, 1758 from the Mediterranean Sea 5. Paper 2 pg. 53 A comprehensive mitochondrial DNA mixed-stock analysis clarifies the composition of loggerhead turtle aggregates in the Adriatic Sea 6. Paper 3 pg. 75 Qualitative and quantitative methods to estimate spirorchidiasis burden in sea turtles 7. Scientific communications pg. 92 SECTION II - CETACEANS 1 Parasitofauna of cetaceans: metazoan parasites pg. 109 2. Protozoan parasites of cetaceans: Toxoplasma gondii pg. 117 3. Aims of the project and outputs pg. 121 4. Paper 4 pg. 133 Parasitological and pathological findings in fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) stranded along Italian coastlines 5. Paper 5 pg. 159 Morphological and molecular characterization of adults and larvae of Crassicauda spp. (Nematoda: Spirurida) from Mediterranean fin whales Balenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, 1758) 6. Scientific communications pg. 177 Conclusions and future perspectives pg. 185 Abstract Parasitic infections contribute to natural mortality in population of free ranging sea turtles and cetaceans worldwide. Notwithstanding all host-dependant factors influencing the outcomes of parasitic infections, some parasites, spanning from protozoan to helminthic taxa, have a high pathogenic potential and can cause fatal disease in these animals.
    [Show full text]
  • Diet of Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Brasilianus) in an Estuarine Environment
    Mar Biol (2008) 153:431–443 DOI 10.1007/s00227-007-0824-8 RESEARCH ARTICLE Diet of Neotropic cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) in an estuarine environment V. Barquete Æ L. Bugoni Æ C. M. Vooren Received: 3 July 2006 / Accepted: 17 September 2007 / Published online: 10 October 2007 Ó Springer-Verlag 2007 Abstract The diet of the Neotropic cormorant (Phala- temporary changes in diet in terms of food items, abun- crocorax brasilianus) was studied by analysing 289 dance and prey size were detected, revealing a high regurgitated pellets collected from a roosting site at Lagoa ecological plasticity of the species. Individual daily food dos Patos estuary, southern Brazil, between November intake of Neotropic cormorants estimated by pellets and 2001 and October 2002 (except April to June). In total, metabolic equations corresponded to 23.7 and 27.1% of 5,584 remains of prey items from 20 food types were their body mass, falling in the range of other cormorant found. Fish composed the bulk of the diet representing species. Annual food consumption of the population esti- 99.9% by mass and 99.7% by number. The main food items mated by both methods was 73.4 and 81.9 tonnes, were White croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) (73.7% by comprising mainly immature and subadult White croaker frequency of occurrence, 48.9% by mass and 41.2% by and Catfish which are commercially important. Temporal number), followed by Catfish (Ariidae) and anchovies variations in diet composition and fish size preyed (Engraulididae). In Lagoa dos Patos estuary the generalist by Neotropics cormorants, a widespread and generalist Neotropic cormorant fed mainly on the two most abundant species, suggest shifts according to fluctuations in the demersal fishes (White croaker and Catfish), which abundance of prey.
    [Show full text]