Ranging Patterns and Exposure to Cumulative Stressors of a Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) in Georgia

Balmer, Brian C.; Zolman, Eric S.; Bolton, Jennie L.; Fauquier, Deborah; Fougeres, Erin; George, R. Clay; Goldstein, Tracey; Gowen, Michael; Kolkmeyer, Trip; Le-Bert, Carolina; Mase, Blair; Norton, Terry M.; Peterson, Jon; Rowles, Teri; Saliki, Jerry T.; Ylitalo, Gina M.

doi:10.1656/058.018.0112

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The elevated Pb:Ca values at the time of acute freshwater exposure in the enclosed lake indicate the dolphin was exposed to higher concentrations of Pb, either conveyed in freshwater discharge or through consumption of contaminated fish (42). This finding suggests freshwater has potential to affect dolphin health through increased exposure to local anthropogenic contaminants, as seen elsewhere in the southeastern U.S. (43), and merits further study. Importantly, these data suggest resident dolphins along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast repeatedly endure at least seasonal low-salinity conditions and exposure to elements conveyed via freshwater discharge throughout their lifetime.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Trace element data were collected along the cut surface through laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) using a NWR213 Nd:YAG laser coupled with an Agilent 7700x quadrupole ICPMS. Trace element values for 43 Ca, 137 Ba, 208 Pb were collected. Laser scan parameters were set as 30 µm s −1 scan speed, 10 µm spot size at 20 Hz, with ablation fluence of 45% (15-17 J cm −2 ).…”

Section: Case Description and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SRM612 glass (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and MAPS-4 phosphate pellet (United States Geological Survey) were used as tuning and reference standards, respectively. The concentrations of all elements were normalized to 43 Ca, and data were analyzed using 2-point reference calibration in Microsoft Excel. To relate trace element ratios to the time of elemental incorporation, we estimated the dolphin's age using established sclerochronological age determination methods (31,32).…”

Section: Case Description and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health Impacts and Recovery From Prolonged Freshwater Exposure in a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

et al. 2020

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Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) exposed to freshwater or low salinity (<10 practical salinity units; PSU) for prolonged periods of time have been documented to develop skin lesions, corneal edema and electrolyte abnormalities, and in some instances they have died. Here we review a case of an out-of-habitat subadult, female common bottlenose dolphin that remained in a freshwater lake in Seminole, Alabama for at least 32 days. Due to concerns for the dolphin's health a rescue was initiated. At the time of rescue bloodwork results indicated minor electrolyte abnormalities (hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypoosmolality). Renal function was not affected (normal creatinine and urea nitrogen) and all other bloodwork parameters (hemogram; serum biochemistry analytes) were within normal limits. The dolphin was deemed healthy enough for immediate relocation and release. A satellite-linked tag was attached to the dorsal fin to track the dolphin following its relocation to a nearby brackish water bay (Perdido Bay, AL), a known habitat for bottlenose dolphins. Twelve weeks following release, the dolphin was found dead as a result of a fisheries interaction (peracute underwater entrapment). A full necropsy was conducted and there was complete resolution of the skin pallor and skin lesions and no evidence of chronic renal or central nervous system lesions. Post-mortem analysis of vitreous humor (used as a proxy for serum analytes and to determine post-mortem interval) was challenging to interpret and has not been validated in dolphins. This supports the need for future research in cetaceans to establish a species-specific approach. Elevated barium (Ba) concentrations in tooth dentin corresponded to increased seasonal freshwater discharge patterns, confirming repeated annual exposure to low salinity conditions prior to death and indicating freshwater exposure may pose an ongoing threat to dolphins in the region. This case provides a unique opportunity to follow the progression of prolonged freshwater exposure and recovery in a bottlenose dolphin and highlights that dolphins in nearshore habitats face a combination of persistent natural and human associated threats.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Case Description and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Case Description and Analytical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health Impacts and Recovery From Prolonged Freshwater Exposure in a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

et al. 2020

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“…Unlike previous dorsal n tagging methodologies, the single-pin design does not signi cantly damage the dorsal n of the recipient [9]. While the current single-pin satellite tag design is recognized as the safest way to attach long-term tags to small cetaceans [10,11,12], manual capture is required for tag attachment [13,14]. Capture-release methodologies are an effective strategy for handling and tagging small cetaceans [15,16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in small cetacean telemetry: an attempt at developing a remotely deployed attachment device for single-pin dorsal fin satellite transmitters

Balmer

Westgate

McFee

2023

Preprint

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Movement pattern and habitat use data are essential parameters for developing effective management strategies and successful conservation efforts for marine mammals across the world. Satellite telemetry is critical for collecting fine-scale, temporal and spatial data on individual animals that has broad-scale applicability at population and species levels. There have been significant advances in the remote deployment of satellite telemetry devices on large cetacean species. However, the development of comparable remote attachment methodologies for small cetaceans is still limited. Currently, satellite tag attachment for small cetaceans requires manual capture that increases the risk to the target animal, can be logistically challenging, and cost prohibitive. The goal of this project was to develop a novel tool to remotely attach single-pin satellite telemetry devices to the dorsal fin of individual small cetaceans. Three different spring-loaded designs and one pneumatic version of the remote attachment device were built in an iterative process to identify a successful deployment methodology. Ultimately, as a result of logistical challenges associated with a Category 5 hurricane, the COVID-19 pandemic, and engineering complexities related to dorsal fin morphology and small cetacean behavior, the objective of this project was not met. However, lessons learned from these attempts to develop this new sampling tool have applicability for future researchers in the successful completion of a safe and effective methodology for remote attachment of satellite tags to small cetacean dorsal fins.

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“…Unlike previous dorsal fin tagging methodologies, the single-pin design does not significantly damage the dorsal fin of the recipient and the tag is lost by corrosion of the attachment nut or sheering of the attachment pin, either of which results in a well-healed hole on the dorsal fin, or migration of the tag, which results in a well-healed notch on the dorsal fin [ 18 ]. While the current single-pin satellite tag design is recognized as the safest way to attach long-term tags to small cetaceans [ 19 – 21 ], manual capture is required for tag attachment [ 22 , 23 ]. Capture-release methodologies are an effective strategy for handling and tagging small cetaceans [ 24 – 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges in small cetacean telemetry: an attempt at developing a remotely deployed attachment device for single-pin dorsal fin satellite transmitters

Balmer¹,

Westgate

McFee

2023

Anim Biotelemetry

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Satellite telemetry is critical for collecting fine-scale temporal and spatial data on individual animals that has broad-scale applicability at population and species levels. There have been significant advances in the remote deployment of satellite telemetry devices on large cetacean species. However, the development of comparable remote attachment methodologies for small cetaceans is still limited. Currently, satellite tag attachment for small cetaceans requires manual capture that increases the risk to the target animal, can be logistically challenging, and cost prohibitive. The goal of this project was to develop a novel tool to remotely attach single-pin satellite telemetry devices to the dorsal fin of individual small cetaceans. Three different spring-loaded designs and one pneumatic version of the remote attachment device were built in an iterative process to identify a successful deployment methodology. Ultimately, as a result of logistical challenges associated with a Category 5 hurricane, the COVID-19 pandemic, and engineering complexities related to dorsal fin morphology and small cetacean behavior, the objective of this project was not met. However, lessons learned from these attempts to develop this new sampling tool have applicability for future researchers in the successful completion of a safe and effective methodology for remote attachment of satellite tags to small cetacean dorsal fins.

show abstract

Ranging Patterns and Exposure to Cumulative Stressors of a Tursiops truncatus (Common Bottlenose Dolphin) in Georgia

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Health Impacts and Recovery From Prolonged Freshwater Exposure in a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Health Impacts and Recovery From Prolonged Freshwater Exposure in a Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Challenges in small cetacean telemetry: an attempt at developing a remotely deployed attachment device for single-pin dorsal fin satellite transmitters

Challenges in small cetacean telemetry: an attempt at developing a remotely deployed attachment device for single-pin dorsal fin satellite transmitters

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