Reproductive hormone monitoring of dugongs in captivity: Detecting the onset of sexual maturity in a cryptic marine mammal

Burgess, Elizabeth A.; Blanshard, Wendy H.; Barnes, Andrew D.; Gilchrist, Sam; Keeley, Tamara; Chua, Jayce; Lanyon, Janet M.

doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.06.005

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…, b, ; Burgess et al . , ), suggesting that the range observed in the present study could be a normal range for Amazonian manatees. Rodrigues et al .…”

Section: Estimated Age Total Length and Weight At Sexual Maturity Isupporting

confidence: 62%

“…Marsh and Kwan () and Burgess et al . (, ) showed some evidence indicating that dugong females reach sexual maturity earlier than males. Therefore, the captive environment could contribute to precocious sexual maturity.…”

Section: Estimated Age Total Length and Weight At Sexual Maturity Imentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, ) and endocrine studies (Burgess et al . ) suggested that male dugongs reach sexual maturity between 7 and 16 yr old, a more protracted period than that for male Amazonian manatees. According to Marsh et al .…”

Section: Estimated Age Total Length and Weight At Sexual Maturity Imentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Assessment of sexual maturity in captive Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis)

Amaral

Silva

Lazzarini

et al. 2017

Marine Mammal Science

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“…, b, ; Burgess et al . , ), suggesting that the range observed in the present study could be a normal range for Amazonian manatees. Rodrigues et al .…”

Section: Estimated Age Total Length and Weight At Sexual Maturity Isupporting

confidence: 62%

Section: Estimated Age Total Length and Weight At Sexual Maturity Imentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Assessment of sexual maturity in captive Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis)

Amaral

Silva

Lazzarini

et al. 2017

Marine Mammal Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…In dugongs, the age of sexual maturity reported in a female in one study was 9.5 years and ranged between 9 and 10 years for males (Marsh, 1995, Table 14.5). Hormonal monitoring of female dugongs in captivity suggests considerable flexibility in the age at which sexual maturity can be reached (3-4 to 9 years) (Burgess et al 2013). In this same study, a captive male dugong reached puberty at age nine, his tusks erupted at age 11, and he was confirmed to be sexually mature at age 12.8 years.…”

Section: Age Of Sexual Maturitymentioning

confidence: 63%

Population Structure and Dynamics

Berta

2015

Marine Mammals

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“…Previous studies have shown that biopsy samples of cortisol found within blubber samples can provide measurements of stress levels over several weeks to a month, which would provide insight into how stress levels may fluctuate throughout an entire whale watching season as the number of tourist boats changes (Noren and Mocklin, 2012;Teerlink et al, 2018). Alternative cortisol collection methods including fecal (Wasser et al, 2000;Rolland et al, 2005;Hunt et al, 2006;Burgess et al, 2013) and blowhole spray have also been shown to provide more acute measurements of stress related to vessel presence.…”

Section: Conclusion and Future Research Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Whale Watching on the Behavior of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Coast of Panama

et al. 2020

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Ecotourism focused on whales and dolphins has become a popular activity and an important source of revenue for many countries. Whale watching is vital to supporting conservation efforts and provides numerous benefits to local communities including educational opportunities and job creation. However, the sustainability of whale-based ecotourism depends on the behavior and health of whale populations and it is crucial that ecotourism industries consider the impact of their activities on whale behavior. To address this statement, we collected behavioral data (e.g., change in swimming direction, frequency of breaching, slap behaviors, diving, and spy hops) from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the marine protected area of Las Perlas Archipelago off the Pacific coast of Panama. The goal was to determine if tourist vessel presence had an influence on whale behaviors. We conducted this study during the humpback whale breeding season from August through September 2019. Based on 47 behavioral observations, we found that higher boat density corresponded with humpback whales’ frequency of direction changes, which based on previous literature is believed to be a sign of disturbance. Alternatively, no changes in behavior were observed with varying boat density. This result is important given Panamanian regulations first implemented in 2007 by Resolution AMD/ARAP No. 01, 2007 prohibit whale-based tourism from disturbing whales, which is explicitly measured by changes in whale behavior. Because there is no systematic monitoring of whale watching activity to enforce the regulations, there is currently little compliance from tour operators and tourists. The integration of animal behavior research into management planning should result in more effective regulation and compliance of such conservation policies.

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Reproductive hormone monitoring of dugongs in captivity: Detecting the onset of sexual maturity in a cryptic marine mammal

Cited by 10 publications

References 42 publications

Assessment of sexual maturity in captive Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis)

Assessment of sexual maturity in captive Amazonian manatees (Trichechus inunguis)

Population Structure and Dynamics

Impacts of Whale Watching on the Behavior of Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the Coast of Panama

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