206 results on '"Neophoca cinerea"'
Search Results
2. The Enigmatic Life History of the Australian Sea Lion
- Author
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McIntosh, Rebecca R., Pitcher, Benjamin J., Würsig, Bernd, Series Editor, Campagna, Claudio, editor, and Harcourt, Robert, editor
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Topical ivermectin is a highly effective seal ‘spot-on’: A randomised trial of hookworm and lice treatment in the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)
- Author
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Scott A. Lindsay, Charles G.B. Caraguel, and Rachael Gray
- Subjects
Australian sea lion ,Hookworm ,Ivermectin ,Lice ,Neophoca cinerea ,Uncinaria sanguinis ,Zoology ,QL1-991 - Abstract
The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an endangered and declining otariid species, with a high rate of pup mortality associated with endemic hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection a suspected contributor to this decline. Injected ivermectin is an effective treatment for Uncinaria sp. in otariids, with optimal outcomes achieved by the early treatment of pups prior to disease development. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the novel use of a topical ivermectin formulation against hookworm infection and lice (Antarctophthirus microchir) infestation, in comparison with injected ivermectin. During the 2017 breeding season at Dangerous Reef, South Australia, pups ≤ 70 cm in standard length (≤ 2 weeks of age; n = 85) were randomised to single dose topical (500 μg/kg spot-on; n = 27) or injected (200 μg/kg subcutaneous; n = 29) ivermectin treatment groups, or to an untreated control group (n = 29). Topical ivermectin was highly effective for U. sanguinis elimination, and not significantly different to the injected formulation (estimated effectiveness 96.4% and 96.8%, respectively; P > 0.05). Its application resulted in an 81.6% reduction and 62.7% additional clearance for A. microchir infestation by 15–24 days post-treatment, compared with untreated control pups (also not significantly different to injected ivermectin; 83.1% and 59.4%, respectively; P > 0.05). Treatment with either ivermectin formulation significantly ameliorated increases in inflammatory markers detected in the blood of untreated control pups – peripheral blood eosinophil counts (persisting to 36–41 days post-recruitment P
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)
- Author
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Scott A. Lindsay, Charles G. B. Caraguel, Ryan O’Handley, Jan Šlapeta, and Rachael Gray
- Subjects
antibody ,Australian sea lion ,Neophoca cinerea ,seal ,pinniped ,serology ,Science ,General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution ,QH1-199.5 - Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite increasingly detected in marine mammals and suspected to contribute to limited recovery of endangered populations. This study reports on the exposure of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) to this protozoon using archived adult and pup sera from three island colonies in South Australia. Modified agglutination testing (MAT) detected a seroprevalence of 30.4% (95% CI 13.2-52.9: n = 23) and high antibody titers (512 to > 2048 IU/ml) in adult females (median age 9.5 y, range 5.5-14.5 y) at Dangerous Reef, a felid-free island. Antibodies weren’t detected in any surveyed pup (97.5% CI 0.0-2.0%, n = 184) at two felid-free islands (Dangerous Reef: n = 21; Olive Island: n = 65), nor at Kangaroo Island (n = 98), which has a high-density feral cat population. Kangaroo Island pups of known age were 7-104 d old, while standard length and bodyweight comparison suggested younger and older pup cohorts at Dangerous Reef and Olive Island, respectively. This study provides the first quantification of disease risk in this endangered species from T. gondii exposure. The absence of detectable pup seroconversion supports the lack of detectable congenital transmission, maternal antibody persistence or early post-natal infection in the sampled cohort yet to commence foraging. An extended serosurvey of N. cinerea colonies is recommended to confirm the hypothesis of predominantly forage-associated exposure to T. gondii in this species. Findings have implications for parasitic disease risk in wildlife inhabiting Australia’s islands and for the feral cat control program on Kangaroo Island.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Topical ivermectin is a highly effective seal 'spot-on': A randomised trial of hookworm and lice treatment in the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophocacinerea).
- Author
-
Lindsay, Scott A., Caraguel, Charles G.B., and Gray, Rachael
- Abstract
The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an endangered and declining otariid species, with a high rate of pup mortality associated with endemic hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection a suspected contributor to this decline. Injected ivermectin is an effective treatment for Uncinaria sp. in otariids, with optimal outcomes achieved by the early treatment of pups prior to disease development. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the novel use of a topical ivermectin formulation against hookworm infection and lice (Antarctophthirus microchir) infestation, in comparison with injected ivermectin. During the 2017 breeding season at Dangerous Reef, South Australia, pups ≤ 70 cm in standard length (≤ 2 weeks of age; n = 85) were randomised to single dose topical (500 μg/kg spot-on; n = 27) or injected (200 μg/kg subcutaneous; n = 29) ivermectin treatment groups, or to an untreated control group (n = 29). Topical ivermectin was highly effective for U. sanguinis elimination, and not significantly different to the injected formulation (estimated effectiveness 96.4% and 96.8%, respectively; P > 0.05). Its application resulted in an 81.6% reduction and 62.7% additional clearance for A. microchir infestation by 15–24 days post-treatment, compared with untreated control pups (also not significantly different to injected ivermectin; 83.1% and 59.4%, respectively; P > 0.05). Treatment with either ivermectin formulation significantly ameliorated increases in inflammatory markers detected in the blood of untreated control pups – peripheral blood eosinophil counts (persisting to 36–41 days post-recruitment P < 0.05) and increased plasma protein concentrations (15–24 days post-recruitment; P < 0.05). Further, an initial short-term decrease in body condition in the control group was not observed in either of the treatment groups. This study demonstrates that topical ivermectin is an effective antiparasitic treatment in N. cinerea. It offers an alternative administration method for ivermectin delivery to a young pup cohort in this species, and an alternative, minimally invasive management tool for species conservation. [Display omitted] • Novel use of the topical ivermectin formulation in a free ranging otariid species. • Topical (spot-on) ivermectin is an effective antiparasitic in Neophoca cinerea pups. • Elimination of Uncinaria sanguinis reduces the host systemic inflammatory response. • Hookworm treatment in N. cinerea pups results in a short-term growth benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Cytokine RT-qPCR and ddPCR for immunological investigations of the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) and other mammals
- Author
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María-Ignacia Meza Cerda, Rachael Gray, and Damien P. Higgins
- Subjects
RT-qPCR ,ddPCR ,Cytokine ,Immune response ,Neophoca cinerea ,Interleukin ,Medicine ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Measurement of cytokine gene expression by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is used widely to assess the immune system of animals and to identify biomarkers of disease, but its application is limited in wildlife species due to a lack of species-specific reagents. The free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) experiences significant clinical disease and high pup mortality due to intestinal hookworm infection. Developing immunological tools specific to the species will aid in the assessment of drivers of disease and its impact in population demographics. This study describes the development and validation of cross-reactive RT-qPCR assays to measure five important cytokines involved in innate and Th1/Th2 responses (IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ, IL-4 and IL-10) in unstimulated blood samples from a range of different mammalian species including the Australian sea lion. All RT-qPCR assays efficiencies ranged between 87% (Ovis aries TNFα) and 111% (Bos taurus IL-10) and had strong linearity (R2). IL-4 and IFNγ gene expression for N. cinerea fell below the dynamic range (and therefore quantifiable limits) of RT-qPCR assays but were able to be quantified using the novel droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). This study delivers new immunological tools for eco-immunologists studying cytokine gene expression in wildlife species and is to our knowledge, the first cytokine ddPCR approach to be reported in a pinniped species.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. A Novel Presentation of Tuberculosis with Intestinal Perforation in a Free-Ranging Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea).
- Author
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Lindsay, Scott A. and Gray, Rachael
- Abstract
We detail a novel presentation of tuberculosis associated with intestinal perforation in an endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) from South Australian waters and confirm the presence of this disease in the region of highest pup production. In February 2017, a 3-yr-old juvenile male died shortly after hauling out at the Kingscote beach on Kangaroo Island. On postmortem examination, we found a mid-jejunal intestinal perforation and partial obstruction (from a strangulating fibrous and granulomatous mesenteric mass), a marked multicentric abdominal fibrosing granulomatous lymphadenitis, and a large volume serosanguinous peritoneal effusion. Acid-fast bacteria were detected postmortem in cytologic preparations of the mesenteric lymph node and in histologic sections of jejunum and the encircling mass. Mycobacterial infection was confirmed by positive culture after 3 wk. Molecular typing using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit–variable-number tandem-repeat typing with 12-locus analysis identified Mycobacterium pinnipedii. This case highlights the need for vigilance of zoonotic disease risk when handling pinnipeds, including in the absence of specific respiratory signs or grossly apparent pulmonary pathology. Increased serologic population surveillance is recommended to assess the species' risk from this and other endemic diseases, especially given its endangered status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Cytokine RT-qPCR and ddPCR for immunological investigations of the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) and other mammals.
- Author
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Meza Cerda, María-Ignacia, Gray, Rachael, and Higgins, Damien P.
- Subjects
HOOKWORMS ,SEA lions ,REVERSE transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ,IMMUNOSPECIFICITY ,CYTOKINES - Abstract
Measurement of cytokine gene expression by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is used widely to assess the immune system of animals and to identify biomarkers of disease, but its application is limited in wildlife species due to a lack of species-specific reagents. The free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) experiences significant clinical disease and high pup mortality due to intestinal hookworm infection. Developing immunological tools specific to the species will aid in the assessment of drivers of disease and its impact in population demographics. This study describes the development and validation of cross-reactive RT-qPCR assays to measure five important cytokines involved in innate and Th1/Th2 responses (IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ, IL-4 and IL-10) in unstimulated blood samples from a range of different mammalian species including the Australian sea lion. All RT-qPCR assays efficiencies ranged between 87% (Ovis aries TNFα) and 111% (Bos taurus IL-10) and had strong linearity (R²). IL-4 and IFNγ gene expression for N. cinerea fell below the dynamic range (and therefore quantifiable limits) of RT-qPCR assays but were able to be quantified using the novel droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). This study delivers new immunological tools for eco-immunologists studying cytokine gene expression in wildlife species and is to our knowledge, the first cytokine ddPCR approach to be reported in a pinniped species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Characteristic "neck collar" injuries in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) caused by marine debris.
- Author
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Byard, Roger W. and Machado, Aaron
- Subjects
- *
MARINE debris , *SEA lions , *NECK , *WOUNDS & injuries , *SKELETAL muscle - Abstract
An adult male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) presented with a deep, almost circumferential, incised wound around the neck caused by a noose formed by a single strand of green nylon rope. The wound extended 4-5 cm deeply through the skin and blubber into skeletal muscle, predominantly on the dorsal surface and left side, but had not involved the airway or major vessels. The edges of the wound were sharply incised and oozing blood with a granulating infected base. The rope was removed and the wound debrided of necrotic tissues and irrigated with disinfectant. Antibiotic and rehydration therapy were successful and the seal was released after 2 weeks of treatment. Entanglement injuries such as "neck collars" have characteristic features, are increasing in incidence and often have lethal outcomes. This type of injury may significantly impact upon populations of pinnipeds in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Chemical fingerprints suggest direct familiarisation rather than phenotype matching during olfactory recognition in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea).
- Author
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Wierucka, Kaja, Barthes, Nicolas, Harcourt, Robert, Schaal, Benoist, Charrier, Isabelle, and Pitcher, Benjamin J.
- Subjects
- *
SEA lions , *SMELL , *ANIMAL communication , *ODORS - Abstract
Olfaction is one of the most commonly used senses for communication among animals and is of particular importance to mother-offspring recognition in mammals. The use of smell in offspring recognition has been well studied, however, we often lack information about the underlying mechanistic basis for olfactory recognition. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), we examine chemical profiles of two different colonies of Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) and assess similarity of chemical fingerprints in mother-pup pairs. This analysis allows us to examine whether a chemical base for phenotype matching exists in this species. Our results showed no GC-detectible mother-offspring similarity in the overall chemical fingerprints, suggesting that direct familiarisation is a more likely mechanism used by Australian sea lion mothers for recognition of their young. Our analysis also demonstrates that colony differences are encoded within chemical fingerprints and appear to be highly influenced by environmental compounds. The study improves our understanding of how Australian sea lion females use odours for selective offspring recognition and the potential importance of environmentally acquired chemical compounds in the overall odour bouquet used in mother-pup interactions. • Direct familiarisation is likely used for olfactory recognition in Neophoca cinerea. • There is no detectable similarity in mother-offspring chemical profiles. • Colony and environment can be encoded in sea lion chemical fingerprints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Topical ivermectin is a highly effective seal ‘spot-on’: A randomised trial of hookworm and lice treatment in the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea)
- Author
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Charles G. B. Caraguel, Scott A. Lindsay, and Rachael Gray
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,Hookworm ,Endangered species ,medicine.disease_cause ,Neophoca cinerea ,Ivermectin ,Infestation ,parasitic diseases ,Seasonal breeder ,medicine ,Sea lion ,Hookworm infection ,biology ,Australian sea lion ,Uncinaria sanguinis ,biology.organism_classification ,Peripheral blood ,Infectious Diseases ,QL1-991 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Zoology ,Lice ,medicine.drug - Abstract
The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an endangered and declining otariid species, with a high rate of pup mortality associated with endemic hookworm (Uncinaria sanguinis) infection a suspected contributor to this decline. Injected ivermectin is an effective treatment for Uncinaria sp. in otariids, with optimal outcomes achieved by the early treatment of pups prior to disease development. This randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the novel use of a topical ivermectin formulation against hookworm infection and lice (Antarctophthirus microchir) infestation, in comparison with injected ivermectin. During the 2017 breeding season at Dangerous Reef, South Australia, pups ≤ 70 cm in standard length (≤ 2 weeks of age; n = 85) were randomised to single dose topical (500 μg/kg spot-on; n = 27) or injected (200 μg/kg subcutaneous; n = 29) ivermectin treatment groups, or to an untreated control group (n = 29). Topical ivermectin was highly effective for U. sanguinis elimination, and not significantly different to the injected formulation (estimated effectiveness 96.4% and 96.8%, respectively; P > 0.05). Its application resulted in an 81.6% reduction and 62.7% additional clearance for A. microchir infestation by 15–24 days post-treatment, compared with untreated control pups (also not significantly different to injected ivermectin; 83.1% and 59.4%, respectively; P > 0.05). Treatment with either ivermectin formulation significantly ameliorated increases in inflammatory markers detected in the blood of untreated control pups – peripheral blood eosinophil counts (persisting to 36–41 days post-recruitment P
- Published
- 2021
12. Comparative ecology of Escherichia coli in endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups.
- Author
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Fulham, Mariel, Power, Michelle, and Gray, Rachael
- Subjects
- *
MARINE ecology , *AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *ESCHERICHIA coli , *ENDANGERED species , *ANTI-infective agents - Abstract
Abstract The dissemination of human-associated bacteria into the marine environment has the potential to expose wildlife populations to atypical microbes that can alter the composition of the gut microbiome or act as pathogens. The objective of the study was to determine whether endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups from two South Australian colonies, Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island and Dangerous Reef, Spencer Gulf, have been colonised by human-associated Escherichia coli. Faecal samples (n = 111) were collected to isolate E. coli , and molecular screening was applied to assign E. coli isolates (n = 94) to phylotypes and detect class 1 integrons; mobile genetic elements that confer resistance to antimicrobial agents. E. coli phylotype distribution and frequency differed significantly between colonies with phylotypes B2 and D being the most abundant at Seal Bay, Kangaroo Island (55% and 7%) and Dangerous Reef, Spencer Gulf (36% and 49%), respectively. This study reports the first case of antimicrobial resistant E. coli in free-ranging Australian sea lions through the identification of class 1 integrons from an individual pup at Seal Bay. A significant relationship between phylotype and total white cell count (WCC) was identified, with significantly higher WCC seen in pups with human-associated phylotypes at Dangerous Reef. The difference in phylotype distribution and presence of human-associated E. coli suggests that proximity to human populations can influence sea lion gut microbiota. The identification of antimicrobial resistance in a free-ranging pinniped population provides crucial information concerning anthropogenic influences in the marine environment. Graphical abstract Image: Australian sea lion pup at Dangerous Reef, Spencer Gulf. Graph: Frequency of E. coli phylotypes across two free-ranging Australian sea lion colonies in South Australia. A significant difference (p < 0.0001) was seen in phylotype distribution across the two colonies. Unlabelled Image Highlights • E. coli isolated from free-ranging Australian sea lion pups. • Significant differences in phylotype distribution in pups at two colonies • Human-associated E. coli phylotypes, B2 and D, identified at both colonies. • First report of a class 1 integron in a free-ranging Australian sea lion population • Relationship between pup health parameters and E. coli phylotype [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Fur seals and sea lions (family Otariidae) on the breakwaters at Adelaide’s Outer Harbor, South Australia.
- Author
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Shaughnessy, Peter D., Bossley, Mike, and Nicholls, A. O.
- Subjects
NEW Zealand fur seal ,AUSTRALIAN sea lion - Abstract
Long-nosed fur seals (Arctocephalus forsteri) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) on the breakwaters at the mouth of the Port River estuary at Adelaide’s Outer Harbor were counted from 2004 to 2015. Observed counts were modelled using a generalised linear model. Fur seal numbers have been increasing since 2011; for sea lions there was a small discernible annual trend in counts. Counts of fur seals varied seasonally; most annual maxima were in August or September with modelled peak numbers around 9–11 September. The maximum count of fur seals was 79 in September 2015. For sea lions, the model predicts annual peaks in the period 28 August to 19 September. The maximum count of sea lions was nine in September 2009. The haulout sites on the Outer Harbor breakwaters are easily accessible by boats, including pleasure craft. In particular, the seaward end of the outer breakwater is a popular spot with recreational anglers whose lines are often within a few metres of the seals. We propose that a management plan should be developed involving a study of the effect of boat approaches on seals utilising the Outer Harbor area followed by education coupled with enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
14. Assessment of the status and trends in abundance of a coastal pinniped, the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea
- Author
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Andrew D. Lowther, Simon D. Goldsworthy, Dirk Holman, Holly C. Raudino, Frédéric Bailleul, Simon Bryars, Kelly Waples, Alice I. Mackay, Brad Page, Peter D. Shaughnessy, and Tim Anderson
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Ecology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Endangered species ,Botany ,Neophoca cinerea ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,QL1-991 ,Abundance (ecology) ,QK1-989 ,Sea lion ,Zoology ,Nature and Landscape Conservation - Abstract
Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea are endemic to Australia, with their contemporary distribution restricted to South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA). Monitoring of the species has proved challenging due to prolonged breeding events that occur non-annually and asynchronously across their range. The most recent available data from 80 extant breeding sites (48 in SA, 32 in WA) enabled us to estimate the species-wide pup abundance to be 2739, with 82% (2246) in SA and 18% (493) in WA, mostly based on surveys conducted between 2014 and 2019. We evaluated 1776 individual site-surveys undertaken between 1970 and 2019 and identified admissible time-series data from 30 breeding sites, which revealed that pup abundance declined on average by 2.0% yr-1 (range 9.9% decline to 1.7% growth yr-1). The overall reduction in pup abundance over 3 generations (42.3 yr) was estimated to be 64%, with over 98% of Monte Carlo simulations producing a decline >50% over a 3-generation period, providing strong evidence that the species meets IUCN ‘Endangered’ criteria (decline ≥50% and ≤80%). The population is much smaller than previously estimated and is declining. There is a strong cline in regional abundances (increasing from west to east), with marked within-region heterogeneity in breeding site pup abundances and trends. Results from this study should improve consistency in the assessment of the species and create greater certainty among stakeholders about its conservation status. To facilitate species management and recovery, we prioritise key data gaps and identify factors to improve population monitoring.
- Published
- 2021
15. DNA metabarcoding for diet analysis and biodiversity: A case study using the endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea).
- Author
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Berry, Tina E., Osterrieder, Sylvia K., Murray, Dáithí C., Coghlan, Megan L., Richardson, Anthony J., Grealy, Alicia K., Stat, Michael, Bejder, Lars, and Bunce, Michael
- Subjects
- *
BIODIVERSITY , *AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *PREDATION , *MARINE pollution , *NUCLEOTIDE sequencing - Abstract
The analysis of apex predator diet has the ability to deliver valuable insights into ecosystem health, and the potential impacts a predator might have on commercially relevant species. The Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) is an endemic apex predator and one of the world's most endangered pinnipeds. Given that prey availability is vital to the survival of top predators, this study set out to understand what dietary information DNA metabarcoding could yield from 36 sea lion scats collected across 1,500 km of its distribution in southwest Western Australia. A combination of PCR assays were designed to target a variety of potential sea lion prey, including mammals, fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and birds. Over 1.2 million metabarcodes identified six classes from three phyla, together representing over 80 taxa. The results confirm that the Australian sea lion is a wide-ranging opportunistic predator that consumes an array of mainly demersal fauna. Further, the important commercial species Sepioteuthis australis (southern calamari squid) and Panulirus cygnus (western rock lobster) were detected, but were present in <25% of samples. Some of the taxa identified, such as fish, sharks and rays, clarify previous knowledge of sea lion prey, and some, such as eel taxa and two gastropod species, represent new dietary insights. Even with modest sample sizes, a spatial analysis of taxa and operational taxonomic units found within the scat shows significant differences in diet between many of the sample locations and identifies the primary taxa that are driving this variance. This study provides new insights into the diet of this endangered predator and confirms the efficacy of DNA metabarcoding of scat as a noninvasive tool to more broadly define regional biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
16. Carriage of antibiotic resistant bacteria in endangered and declining Australian pinniped pups
- Author
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Michelle L. Power, Mariel Fulham, Rachael Gray, Rebecca R. McIntosh, and Fiona McDougall
- Subjects
Topography ,Marine and Aquatic Sciences ,Social Sciences ,Wildlife ,Integron ,Heavy Metals ,Toxicology ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Integrons ,Feces ,Antibiotics ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Toxins ,Psychology ,Mammals ,Islands ,Seals ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Animal Behavior ,Antimicrobials ,Eukaryota ,Drugs ,Neophoca cinerea ,Pollution ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Sea Lions ,Chemistry ,Gene cassette ,Animal Sociality ,Vertebrates ,Physical Sciences ,Medicine ,Research Article ,Chemical Elements ,DNA, Bacterial ,Science ,Toxic Agents ,Zoology ,Marine Biology ,Microbiology ,Antibiotic resistance ,Metals, Heavy ,Microbial Control ,Drug Resistance, Bacterial ,Escherichia coli ,Animals ,Marine Mammals ,Arctocephalus forsteri ,Pharmacology ,Behavior ,Landforms ,Bacteria ,Fur Seals ,Endangered Species ,Ecology and Environmental Sciences ,Australia ,Organisms ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Geomorphology ,biology.organism_classification ,Arctocephalus ,Carriage ,Antibiotic Resistance ,Amniotes ,biology.protein ,Earth Sciences ,Antimicrobial Resistance ,Fur seal - Abstract
The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern for wildlife and ecosystem health globally. Genetic determinants of AMR have become indicators of anthropogenic pollution due to their greater association with humans and rarer presence in environments less affected by humans. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution and frequency of the class 1 integron, a genetic determinant of AMR, in both the faecal microbiome and in Escherichia coli isolated from neonates of three pinniped species. Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from eight breeding colonies along the Southern Australian coast were sampled between 2016-2019. DNA from faecal samples (n=309) and from E. coli (n=795) isolated from 884 faecal samples were analysed for class 1 integrons using PCRs targeting the conserved integrase gene (intI) and the gene cassette array. Class 1 integrons were detected in A. p. doriferus and N. cinerea pups sampled at seven of the eight breeding colonies investigated in 4.85% of faecal samples (n=15) and 4.52% of E. coli isolates (n=36). Integrons were not detected in any A. forsteri samples. DNA sequencing of the class 1 integron gene cassette array identified diverse genes conferring resistance to four antibiotic classes. The relationship between class 1 integron carriage and the concentration of five trace elements and heavy metals was also investigated, finding no significant association. The results of this study add to the growing evidence of the extent to which antimicrobial resistant bacteria are polluting the marine environment. As AMR determinants are frequently associated with bacterial pathogens, their occurrence suggests that these pinniped species are vulnerable to potential health risks. The implications for individual and population health as a consequence of AMR carriage is a critical component of ongoing health investigations.
- Published
- 2022
17. Mitigating disease risk in an endangered pinniped: early hookworm elimination optimizes the growth and health of Australian sea lion pups.
- Author
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Lindsay SA, Fulham M, Caraguel CGB, and Gray R
- Abstract
The Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea ) experiences high pup mortality of seasonally alternating severity, partly attributed to endemic hookworm ( Uncinaria sanguinis ) infection. To further explore health outcomes of early hookworm elimination, a treatment trial was conducted at Seal Bay Conservation Park, South Australia, over consecutive lower and higher mortality breeding seasons (2019, 19.2%; 2020-1; 28.9%). Pups ( n = 322) were stratified into two age cohorts (median 14 d and 24 d recruitment ages) and randomly assigned to treated (topical ivermectin 500 μg/kg) or control (untreated) groups. A younger prepatent cohort <14 d old (median 10 d) was identified a posteriori . A seasonally independent growth benefit resulted from hookworm elimination across all age cohorts. The greatest relative improvements (bodyweight + 34.2%, standard length + 42.1%; p ≤ 0.001) occurred in the month post-treatment, in the youngest prepatent cohort. A significant benefit of lesser magnitude (bodyweight + 8.6-11.6%, standard length + 9.5-18.4%; p ≤ 0.033) persisted up to 3 months across all age cohorts - greatest in the youngest pups. Treatment resulted in immediate improvement in hematological measures of health - decreased anemia and inflammation severity ( p ≤ 0.012). These results enhance our understanding of host-parasite-environment interactions within the context of hematological ontogenesis, confirm the seasonally independent benefits of hookworm disease intervention, and further inform conservation recommendations for this endangered species., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Lindsay, Fulham, Caraguel and Gray.)
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. When were the weaners weaned? Identifying the onset of Australian sea lion nutritional independence.
- Author
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LOWTHER, ANDREW D. and GOLDSWORTHY, SIMON D.
- Subjects
- *
MAMMALS , *ANIMAL weaning , *ANIMAL offspring sex ratio , *EARED seals , *ANIMAL breeding , *SEA lions - Abstract
Weaning in mammals is typically thought of as the transition from reliance on maternal milk to feeding independently. Current theory suggests a complex process involving mothers imparting enough resources to offspring as to ensure survival without compromising both prior and future reproductive efforts, and the demands of offspring whose primary concern is survival. Otariid seals are a suitable group to study this given the morphological and behavioral similarities across species of the primary care giver, adult females. At higher latitudes, the duration of maternal care is short and tightly linked to seasonal productivity of the marine environment, punctuated by a predictable migration of mothers away from breeding sites. In contrast, nonmigratory temperate latitude otariid species have a much wider range of lactation periods, with mothers prolonging maternal support in relation to seasonal unpredictability of food resource. Prolonging care into the subsequent reproductive effort will likely have profound effects on the survival of the younger offspring. The Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea has broken the phylogenetic constraint of a 12-month breeding cycle, which may reflect an alternate strategy to reduce the fitness costs of prolonged support by providing up to 18 months nutritional support to offspring. We use stable isotope analysis of temporally matched whisker sections combined with telemetry data on nutritionally dependent Australian sea lion pups to determine the weaning process and characterize the transition to nutritional independence. Using changes in isotopic nitrogen (δ15N) over time, pups undergo a gradual transition to independent foraging during a 3- to 6-month period before the onset of the next reproductive effort. Telemetry data supported this conclusion, indicating benthic foraging of weaned pups in areas consistent with adult female foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. PCR-based techniques to determine diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea): a comparison with morphological analysis.
- Author
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Peters, Kristian J., Ophelkeller, Kathy, Herdina, , Bott, Nathan J., and Goldsworthy, Simon D.
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *NEOPHOCA , *MORPHOLOGY , *COMPARATIVE anatomy , *DNA - Abstract
Comprehensive dietary information for the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is currently limited by the deficiency and poor quality of identifiable prey remains recovered from regurgitate and faeces and the difficulty of observing feeding in the wild. In this study, we investigated DNA-based prey detection methods using conventional (end-point) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) on faeces collected from two captive Australian sea lions fed experimental diets of whole teleost fish, squid and shark tissue. PCR prey detection methods using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S genes combined with clone sequencing were compared with prey identified using traditional hard part analysis. The molecular results indicated that prey DNA was degraded. However, prey amplification was successful by targeting short (71 bp) DNA fragments. Both conventional PCR and qPCR techniques significantly increased prey detection compared with analysis of hard parts. For both sea lions, the hard part analysis was constrained by sporadic and extremely low recovery of fish otoliths (<2%), and cephalopod beaks were not recovered from the 116 squid fed. Comparisons between PCR techniques indicated comparable prey detection frequencies for all species tested; however, the sensitivity and greater resolution of qPCR improved prey detection by ~25% in one sea lion fed the experimental squid and perch. The detection of squid DNA ≤ 6 day post-ingestion by qPCR further exhibits the ability and potential of this method to detect low concentrations of infrequent or pulse prey. This study highlights the use of DNA-based analysis to detect prey taxa in the absence of identifiable hard prey remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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20. Neophoca cinerea
- Author
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Jackson, Stephen M., Jansen, Justin J. F. J., Baglione, Gabrielle, and Callou, Cécile
- Subjects
Neophoca ,Mammalia ,Carnivora ,Animalia ,Biodiversity ,Chordata ,Otariidae ,Taxonomy ,Neophoca cinerea - Abstract
Otaria cinerea Péron in Péron & Freycinet, 1816 (Fig. 171) Otaria cinerea Péron in Péron & Freycinet, 1816: 54. COMMON NAME. — Australian Sea-lion. CURRENT NAME. — Neophoca cinerea (Péron in Péron & Freycinet, 1816). See Webber (2014: 97) and Jackson & Groves (2015: 295). COLLECTOR/S. — Charles-Alexandre Lesueur. COLLECTION LOCALITY. — Île Decres (Kangaroo Island), South Australia, Australia (See Girard 1856: 104). King Island according to Péron (1804a). COLLECTION DATE. — Between 2 January and 1 February 1803. SPECIMEN NUMBER/S. — No specimen identified in MNHN collection. COMMENTS. — Several ‘fur seals’ were collected at Rottnest Island on 15 June 1801 by Stanislas Levillain (Journal de Stanislas Levillain, Archives Nationales de France, série Marine, 5JJ52) who preserved the two best skins for the museum. ILLUSTRATIONS. — Illustrated by Charles-Alexandre Lesueur – Muséum d’Histoire naturelle du Havre, Inv. no. 80676 (Fig. 171; living animals) (Fornasiero et al. 2004: 244)., Published as part of Jackson, Stephen M., Jansen, Justin J. F. J., Baglione, Gabrielle & Callou, Cécile, 2021, Mammals collected and illustrated by the Baudin Expedition to Australia and Timor (1800 - 1804): A review of the current taxonomy of specimens in the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris and the illustrations in the Muséum d'Histoire naturelle du Havre, pp. 387-548 in Zoosystema 43 (21) on page 436, DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2021v43a21, http://zenodo.org/record/5142972, {"references":["PERON F. & FREYCINET L. 1816. - Voyage de decouvertes aux Terres Australes, Partie historique 2, terminee par L. de Freycinet. Imprimerie Royale, Paris, 471 p.","WEBBER M. A. 2014. - Family Otariidae (eared seals), in WILSON D. E. & MITTERMEIER R. A. (eds) Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 4. Sea Mammals. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona: 34 - 101.","JACKSON S. M. & GROVES S. M. 2015. - Taxonomy of Australian Mammals. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne, 529 p.","GIRARD M. 1856. - F. Peron, naturaliste, voyageur aux Terres Australes; sa vie, appreciation de ses travaux, analyse raisonnee de ses recherches sur les animaux vertebres et invertebres d'apres ses collections depos e es au Museum d'Histoire naturelle. J. - B. Bailliere, Paris. https: // www. biodiversitylibrary. org / page / 46101762","PERON F. 1804 a. - Diarium Zoographicum. No. XV. Ans XI et XII. Observationes generales de Collectionibus factis in Zoologia ex profectura nostra de Portu Jackson (27 Brumaire an XI) adusque Promontorium Bonae Spei inclusive (30 Pluviose an XII). Museum d'Histoire naturelle du Havre, no. 21001.","FORNASIERO J., MONTEATH P. & WEST- SOOBY J. 2004. - Encountering Terra Australis: The Australian Voyages of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders. Wakefield Press, Kent Town. 2010 reprint."]}
- Published
- 2021
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21. Ivermectin treatment of free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) pups: effect on hookworm and lice infection status, haematological parameters, growth, and survival.
- Author
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Marcus, Alan, Higgins, Damien, and Gray, Rachael
- Subjects
- *
HOOKWORM disease , *IVERMECTIN , *SEA lions , *PARASITES , *LICE as carriers of disease , *ENDANGERED species , *THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
A placebo-controlled study was used to investigate the effectiveness of ivermectin to treat hookworm ( Uncinaria sanguinis) and lice ( Antarctophthirus microchir) infections in free-ranging Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) pups and to test the hypotheses that these parasitic infections cause anaemia, systemic inflammatory responses, and reduced growth, and contribute towards decreased pup survival. Ivermectin was identified as an effective and safe anthelmintic in this species. Pups administered ivermectin had significantly higher erythrocyte counts and significantly lower eosinophil counts compared to controls at 1-2 months post-treatment, confirming that U. sanguinis and/or A. microchir are causatively associated with disease and demonstrating the positive effect of ivermectin treatment on clinical health parameters. Higher growth rates were not seen in ivermectin-treated pups and, unexpectedly, relatively older pups treated with ivermectin demonstrated significantly reduced growth rates when compared to matched saline-control pups. Differences in survival were not identified between treatment groups; however, this was attributed to the unexpectedly low mortality rate of recruited pups, likely due to the unintended recruitment bias towards pups >1-2 months of age for which mortality due to hookworm infection is less likely. This finding highlights the logistical and practical challenges associated with treating pups of this species shortly after birth at a remote colony. This study informs the assessment of the use of anthelmintics as a tool for the conservation management of free-ranging wildlife and outlines essential steps to further the development of strategies to ensure the effective conservation of the Australian sea lion and its parasitic fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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- View/download PDF
22. Health assessment of free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups: Effect of haematophagous parasites on haematological parameters.
- Author
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Marcus, Alan D., Higgins, Damien P., and Gray, Rachael
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *BLOODSUCKING animals , *HEMATOLOGY , *HOOKWORM disease , *ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis - Abstract
Evaluation of the health status of free-ranging populations is important for understanding the impact of disease on individuals and on population demography and viability. In this study, haematological reference intervals were developed for free-ranging endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea ) pups within the context of endemic hookworm ( Uncinaria sanguinis ) infection and the effects of pathogen, host, and environment factors on the variability of haematological parameters were investigated. Uncinaria sanguinis was identified as an important agent of disease, with infection causing regenerative anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, and a predominantly lymphocytic–eosinophilic systemic inflammatory response. Conversely, the effects of sucking lice ( Antarctophthirus microchir ) were less apparent and infestation in pups appears unlikely to cause clinical impact. Overall, the effects of U. sanguinis , A. microchir , host factors (standard length, body condition, pup sex, moult status, and presence of lesions), and environment factors (capture-type and year of sampling) accounted for 26–65% of the total variance observed in haematological parameters. Importantly, this study demonstrated that anaemia in neonatal Australian sea lion pups is not solely a benign physiological response to host–environment changes, but largely reflects a significant pathological process. This impact of hookworm infection on pup health has potential implications for the development of foraging and diving behaviour, which would subsequently influence the independent survival of juveniles following weaning. The haematological reference intervals developed in this study can facilitate long-term health surveillance, which is critical for the early recognition of changes in disease impact and to inform conservation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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- View/download PDF
23. Adult male Australian sea lion barking calls reveal clear geographical variations.
- Author
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Ahonen, Heidi, Stow, Adam J., Harcourt, Robert G., and Charrier, Isabelle
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *VOCALIZATION in mammals , *GEOGRAPHICAL distribution of mammals , *MAMMAL reproduction , *MAMMAL breeding , *COLONIZATION (Ecology) , *MAMMAL morphology - Abstract
Vocalizing by males plays an important role in the reproductive activities of many species. Geographical variation in the characteristics of male vocalization is well studied in birds, but largely unexplored in mammals. This study quantified the extent of geographical variation in male Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea , barking calls and examined what drives vocal differences in this species. We recorded male barking calls from seven breeding colonies separated by ca. 5–2700 km enabling us to investigate acoustic differences on both micro- and macrogeographical scales. Our results revealed significant nonuniform geographical variation across colonies. Neither genetic nor geographical distances between colonies fully explained the observed acoustic variation. We suggest that environmental or morphological factors are likely to further contribute to differences in vocal characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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- View/download PDF
24. Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at high concentrations in neonatal Australian pinnipeds
- Author
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Chunhai Yu, Shannon Taylor, Michael Terkildsen, Alan Yates, Rachael Gray, Rebecca R. McIntosh, Gavin Stevenson, and Jesuina de Araujo
- Subjects
Environmental Engineering ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,Victoria ,Zoology ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Perfluorononanoic acid ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,South Australia ,Environmental Chemistry ,Animals ,Waste Management and Disposal ,Arctocephalus forsteri ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Fluorocarbons ,biology ,Fur Seals ,Neophoca cinerea ,biology.organism_classification ,Pollution ,Caniformia ,Arctocephalus ,Perfluorooctane ,chemistry ,Alkanesulfonic Acids ,Perfluorooctanoic acid ,Environmental Pollutants ,Fur seal ,Caprylates ,Toxicant - Abstract
Per and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) exposure was investigated in Australian pinnipeds. Concentrations of 16 PFAS were measured in the livers of Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and a long-nosed Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pup sampled between 2017 and 2020 from colonies in South Australia and Victoria. Findings reported in this study are the first documented PFAS concentrations in Australian pinnipeds. Median and observed range of values in ng/g wet weight were highest for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) in the liver of N. cinerea (PFOS = 7.14, 1.00-16.9; PFOA = 2.73, 0.32-11.2; PFNA = 2.96, 0.61-8.22; n = 28), A. forsteri (PFOS = 15.98, PFOA = 2.02, PFNA = 7.86; n = 1) and A. p. doriferus (PFOS = 27.4, 10.5-2119; PFOA = 0.98, 0.32-52.2; PFNA = 2.50, 0.91-44.2; n = 20). PFAS concentrations in A. p. doriferus pups were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than in N. cinerea pups for all PFAS except PFOA and were of similar magnitude to those reported in northern hemisphere marine animals. These results demonstrate exposure differences in both magnitude and PFAS profiles for N. cinerea in South Australia and A. p. doriferus in Victoria. This study reports detectable PFAS concentrations in Australian pinniped pups indicating the importance of maternal transfer of these toxicants. As N. cinerea are endangered and recent declines in pup production has been reported for A. p. doriferus at the colony sampled, investigation of potential health impacts of these toxicants on Australian pinnipeds is recommended.
- Published
- 2021
25. Australian Fur Seal: Adapting to Coexist in a Shared Ecosystem
- Author
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Roger Kirkwood and Rebecca R. McIntosh
- Subjects
Fishery ,Arctocephalus ,Geography ,integumentary system ,biology ,Habitat ,Range (biology) ,Marine debris ,Neophoca cinerea ,Fur seal ,biology.organism_classification ,Population density ,Predation - Abstract
The Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) resulted from an emigration by South African fur seals (A. p. pusillus) across the Indian Ocean 18,000 to 12,000 years ago. The sub-species look and behave similarly. The Australian fur seal has a smaller range, smaller population density and smaller total population probably because waters around south-eastern Australia are less productive than coastal waters off Southern Africa. The Australian fur seals’ distribution and habitat uses are likely influenced by interactions with New Zealand fur seals (A. forsteri) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea), which had prior occupation of southern Australian waters. Australian fur seals are primarily benthic foragers and adaptable generalist predators. Their life history traits are comparable to other otariids, being linked to an annual reproductive cycle, a territorial defense/polygynous mating system, and extreme sexual dimorphism—males are twice the size of females. Conservation issues facing Australian fur seals are comparable to those facing other otariids, and include competition from fisheries, entanglement in marine debris, exposure to pollutants, and disturbance on land.
- Published
- 2021
26. The Enigmatic Life History of the Australian Sea Lion
- Author
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Benjamin J. Pitcher and Rebecca R. McIntosh
- Subjects
education.field_of_study ,biology ,Ecology ,Ecology (disciplines) ,Population ,Foraging ,Neophoca cinerea ,biology.organism_classification ,Life history theory ,Geography ,education ,Paternal care ,Polygyny ,Apex predator - Abstract
Like most sea lions, Australian sea lions are benthic foragers with prolonged lactation, extensive parental care, complex social interactions, mild-moderate polygyny, are relatively long-lived and near apex predators. They have been well studied in regards to population dynamics, foraging ecology, parent-offspring behavior and social communication; in fact, they are probably the best understood of all the otariids in regards to mother-offspring recognition and mating strategies. Yet they remain an enigmatic beast with a unique, asynchronous aseasonal reproductive cycle, the evolution of which is still not fully understood. In this chapter we compare Australian sea lions to other otariids and the odobenid, describe the detailed understanding of their life history traits and explore putative hypotheses as to how their unique reproductive cycle evolved.
- Published
- 2021
27. Establishing tourism guidelines for viewing Australian Sea Lions Neophoca cinerea at Seal Bay Conservation Park, South Australia.
- Author
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Lovasz, Terijo, Croft, David B., and Banks, Peter
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *TOURISM , *MARINE mammals , *WILDLIFE conservation - Abstract
The establishment of approach distances between wildlife and tourists is a useful tool for resource managers involved with wildlife tourism. Such guidelines are especially beneficial at locations with high tourism activity and potentially dangerous wildlife, but need to be based on research to ensure an evidence-based balance between tourist experience and wildlife protection. At Seal Bay Conservation Park (SBCP), large numbers (> 100,000 annually) of tourists regularly interact with a breeding colony of Australian sea lions Neophoca cinerea, which has been listed as threatened under the EPBC Act. To determine guidelines for approach distances we experimentally subjected individuals and groups of sea lions to approaches by 1 to 10 pedestrians to measure the distance at which the animals reacted and the type of behaviour displayed during that reaction. These trials were carried out on both the beach where tourists are allowed access with guides, as well as in areas that are usually undisturbed by human activity. At the current recommended minimum approach distance of 6 m, 28% of sea lions on the tourist beach and 5 I% of sea lions in other areas exhibited a change in behaviour and some displayed aggressive behaviour. Based on these results, we recommend that SBCP managers increase the approach distance to 10 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
28. Geographic vocal variation and perceptual discrimination abilities in male Australian sea lions
- Author
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Ahonen, Heidi, Harcourt, Robert G., Stow, Adam J., and Charrier, Isabelle
- Published
- 2018
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29. Epidemiology of hookworm ( Uncinaria sanguinis) infection in free-ranging Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) pups.
- Author
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Marcus, Alan, Higgins, Damien, and Gray, Rachael
- Subjects
- *
UNCINARIA , *EPIDEMIOLOGY , *AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *HOOKWORM disease , *WILDLIFE diseases - Abstract
Understanding the fundamental factors influencing the epidemiology of wildlife disease is essential to determining the impact of disease on individual health and population dynamics. The host-pathogen-environment relationship of the endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) and the parasitic hookworm, Uncinaria sanguinis, was investigated in neonatal pups during summer and winter breeding seasons at two biogeographically disparate colonies in South Australia. The endemic occurrence of hookworm infection in Australian sea lion pups at these sites was 100 % and post-parturient transmammary transmission is likely the predominant route of hookworm infection for pups. The prepatent period for U. sanguinis in Australian sea lion pups was determined to be 11-14 days and the duration of infection approximately 2-3 months. The mean hookworm infection intensity in pups found dead was 2138 ± 552 ( n = 86), but a significant relationship between infection intensity and faecal egg count was not identified; infection intensity in live pups could not be estimated from faecal samples. Fluctuations in infection intensity corresponded to oscillations in the magnitude of colony pup mortality, that is, higher infection intensity was significantly associated with higher colony pup mortality and reduced pup body condition. The dynamic interaction between colony, season, and host behaviour is hypothesised to modulate hookworm infection intensity in this species. This study provides a new perspective to understanding the dynamics of otariid hookworm infection and provides evidence that U. sanguinis is a significant agent of disease in Australian sea lion pups and could play a role in population regulation in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
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- View/download PDF
30. Diversity and Distribution of Escherichia coli in Three Species of Free-Ranging Australian Pinniped Pups
- Author
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Mariel Fulham, Michelle L. Power, and Rachael Gray
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,lcsh:QH1-199.5 ,Sentinel species ,wildlife ,Zoology ,Ocean Engineering ,Aquatic Science ,lcsh:General. Including nature conservation, geographical distribution ,Oceanography ,medicine.disease_cause ,01 natural sciences ,anthropogenic pollution ,human-associated bacteria ,medicine ,Escherichia coli ,lcsh:Science ,Arctocephalus forsteri ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Water Science and Technology ,Trophic level ,Phylotype ,Global and Planetary Change ,biology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,Neophoca cinerea ,biology.organism_classification ,Arctocephalus ,pinnipeds ,lcsh:Q ,Fur seal - Abstract
Anthropogenic activities and pollution are impacting marine environments globally. This has resulted in increasing numbers of human-associated phylotypes of Escherichia coli, an indicator of faecal contamination, being found in both aquatic environments and upper trophic marine mammals that are considered sentinels for marine health. The objective of this study was to determine the presence and diversity of E. coli in pups of three species of free-ranging pinnipeds in Australia. Faecal samples (n = 964) were collected between 2016 and 2019 from Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) and long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) pups from eight breeding colonies extending along the Southern Australian coast. E. coli were isolated from 842 (87.3%) samples and molecular screening was applied to assign isolates to E. coli phylotypes and sub-types. The human associated E. coli phylotype B2 was the most frequently isolated in all species at seven of the eight colonies, with 73.7% of all E. coli isolates belonging to this phylotype. Phylotype distribution did not differ significantly within or across species, breeding colonies or breeding seasons. Further analysis of B2 isolates into sub-types showed a significant difference in sub-type distribution across breeding seasons at two colonies (Seal Rocks and Cape Gantheaume). The predominance of the B2 phylotype could indicate that all colonies are exposed to similar levels of anthropogenic pollution. This widespread occurrence of the human-associated E. coli phylotypes highlights the imperative for ongoing monitoring and surveillance of microbes in both the marine environment and sentinel species.
- Published
- 2020
31. A Novel Presentation of Tuberculosis with Intestinal Perforation in a Free-Ranging Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea)
- Author
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Rachael Gray and Scott A. Lindsay
- Subjects
Male ,Pathology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Tuberculosis ,Perforation (oil well) ,Population ,Peritonitis ,Animals, Wild ,Serology ,Mycobacterium ,Fatal Outcome ,medicine ,Animals ,Pulmonary pathology ,education ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,education.field_of_study ,Mycobacterium Infections ,Granuloma ,Ecology ,biology ,Endangered Species ,Neophoca cinerea ,Mycobacterium pinnipedii ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Sea Lions ,Intestinal Perforation ,Intraabdominal Infections ,Intestinal Obstruction - Abstract
We detail a novel presentation of tuberculosis associated with intestinal perforation in an endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) from South Australian waters and confirm the presence of this disease in the region of highest pup production. In February 2017, a 3-yr-old juvenile male died shortly after hauling out at the Kingscote beach on Kangaroo Island. On postmortem examination, we found a mid-jejunal intestinal perforation and partial obstruction (from a strangulating fibrous and granulomatous mesenteric mass), a marked multicentric abdominal fibrosing granulomatous lymphadenitis, and a large volume serosanguinous peritoneal effusion. Acid-fast bacteria were detected postmortem in cytologic preparations of the mesenteric lymph node and in histologic sections of jejunum and the encircling mass. Mycobacterial infection was confirmed by positive culture after 3 wk. Molecular typing using mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat typing with 12-locus analysis identified Mycobacterium pinnipedii. This case highlights the need for vigilance of zoonotic disease risk when handling pinnipeds, including in the absence of specific respiratory signs or grossly apparent pulmonary pathology. Increased serologic population surveillance is recommended to assess the species' risk from this and other endemic diseases, especially given its endangered status.
- Published
- 2020
32. Visual cues do not enhance sea lion pups’ response to multimodal maternal cues
- Author
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Robert Harcourt, Benjamin J. Pitcher, Isabelle Charrier, Kaja Wierucka, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Taronga Conservation Society
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,medicine.medical_specialty ,genetic structures ,Offspring ,[SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology ,lcsh:Medicine ,Stimulus (physiology) ,Audiology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Article ,medicine ,Animals ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Sea lion ,Maternal Behavior ,lcsh:Science ,Sensory cue ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Adult female ,[SDV.NEU.PC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Psychology and behavior ,05 social sciences ,lcsh:R ,[SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences ,Neophoca cinerea ,Acoustics ,biology.organism_classification ,Sea Lions ,Animals, Newborn ,Visual Perception ,Female ,lcsh:Q ,Cues - Abstract
Mammals use multiple sensory cues for mother-offspring recognition. While the role of single sensory cues has been well studied, we lack information about how multiple cues produced by mothers are integrated by their offspring. Knowing that Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) pups recognise their mother’s calls, we first tested whether visual cues are used by pups to discriminate between conspecifics of different age classes (adult female vs pup). We then examined if adding a visual stimulus to an acoustic cue enhances vocal responsiveness of Australian sea lion pups, by presenting wild individuals with either a visual cue (female 3D-model), an acoustic cue (mother’s call), or both simultaneously, and observing their reaction. We showed that visual cues can be used by pups to distinguish adult females from other individuals, however we found no enhancement effect of these cues on the response in a multimodal scenario. Audio-only cues prompted a similar reaction to audio-visual cues that was significantly stronger than pup response to visual-only cues. Our results suggest that visual cues are dominated by acoustic cues and that pups rely on the latter in mother recognition.
- Published
- 2018
33. Survival estimates for the Australian sea lion: Negative correlation of sea surface temperature with cohort survival to weaning.
- Author
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McIntosh, Rebecca R., Arthur, Anthony D., DENnis, Terry, Berris, Mel, Goldsworthy, Simon D., Shaughnessy, Peter D., and Teixeira, Carlos E. P.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIAN sea lion ,NEOPHOCA ,ANIMAL weaning ,EARED seals ,OCEAN temperature - Abstract
A bstract The Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) population at Seal Bay Conservation Park, South Australia, is estimated to be declining at a rate of 1.14% per breeding season. To better understand the potential causes of this decline, survival rates were examined to 14 yr of age for eight cohorts marked as pups (aged 0.17 yr) between 1991 and 2002. Apparent yearly survival rates (Φ) varied by cohort for pups from marking to weaning at 1.5 yr (Φ= 0.30-0.67). Postweaning juvenile survival (1.5-3 yr) was 0.89 and survival from 3 to 14 yr was constant (Φ female:male = 0.96:0.89). Φ of pup cohorts was negatively correlated to local sea surface temperature where the sea lions forage (SST) and was especially low for cohort 7 in 2000 (0.30). It is possible that periods of unusually warm oceanographic conditions may be limiting primary production and inhibiting maternal provisioning to pups. Pup survival to weaning is relatively low compared to other otariid species, is likely to limit recruitment, and may be contributing to the decline in pup abundance observed in the colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
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- View/download PDF
34. Population structure of adult female Australian sea lions is driven by fine-scale foraging site fidelity
- Author
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Lowther, A.D., Harcourt, R.G., Goldsworthy, S.D., and Stow, A.
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *ANIMAL populations , *ISOTOPES , *HAPLOTYPES , *HABITATS , *MITOCHONDRIAL DNA , *MARINE animals , *PREDATORY animals ,REPRODUCTIVE isolation - Abstract
The Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea, one of the world’s rarest otariids, is notable for an asynchronous, aseasonal breeding chronology. Determining the ecological features that shape the genetic structure of marine predators such as Australian sea lions is challenging because their demersal foraging habitat is difficult to observe and quantify. Recent developments in stable isotope screening techniques using milk-dependent pups as proxies for maternal isotope signatures identified temporally stable, alternative (inshore and offshore) foraging ecotypes in adult female Australian sea lions. We combined this technique with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of samples of 40–60% of all pups produced at 17 of the largest South Australian colonies to determine whether ecological specialization in foraging ecotype within and between colonies has shaped maternal population structure within the species. Genetic isolation by distance was apparent at very fine geographical scales with three distinct clusters of colonies that share multiple haplotypes being interspersed with isolated breeding sites. There was no congruence between mtDNA haplotype distribution and foraging ecotypes suggesting that observed behavioural specialization was not maintained along matrilines. We propose that foraging specialization within discrete fine-scale foraging areas and habitats at the individual level limits the dispersive capacity of adult female Australian sea lions which in turn drives population structure. Given this species’ vulnerability to anthropogenic impacts and the high degree of female population structure, determining the extent of male-mediated gene flow in this species is critical. Only then can breeding colony connectivity be established and appropriate management units identified for the species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. Individual identity encoding and environmental constraints in vocal recognition of pups by Australian sea lion mothers
- Author
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Pitcher, Benjamin J., Harcourt, Robert G., and Charrier, Isabelle
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *AQUATIC mammals , *FORAGE , *LACTATION , *HABITATS , *WINDSHIELDS , *VERTEBRATES , *ECOLOGY - Abstract
Colonial living imposes strong selection pressures on the communication systems of species with many animals communicating on the same sensory channels simultaneously. Colonial species often exhibit complex individual vocal signatures that encode a caller’s identity in their vocalizations. During lactation, Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea, mothers and pups are repeatedly separated when mothers leave the colony to forage. After maternal foraging trips, mothers and pups must reunite in the colony. Both mothers and pups produce individually distinctive vocalizations during reunions and can recognize their counterpart’s calls. Using playback experiments with modified calls, we investigated the acoustic parameters involved in the recognition of pup vocalizations by mothers. We also examined the efficiency of the vocal signature in three habitat types within the colony using propagation tests. We found that Australian sea lion females used a combination of temporal, amplitude and frequency parameters to recognize their pup’s vocalizations. Pup vocalizations were severely degraded in the herbaceous dune habitat type with no vocal signature components reliably propagating to any measured distance. By contrast, calls propagated comparatively well in the shrubby dune habitat of the colony, as the vegetation appeared to act as a windshield. This study shows that the vocal signatures of Australian sea lion pups are both shaped and constrained by their environment and ecology, and that these signatures are of a moderate level of complexity when compared to those of other colonial vertebrates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. The memory remains: long-term vocal recognition in Australian sea lions.
- Author
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Pitcher, Benjamin J., Harcourt, Robert G., and Charrier, Isabelle
- Subjects
- *
SEA lions , *LONG-term memory , *HUMAN voice , *RECOGNITION (Psychology) , *PINNIPEDIA - Abstract
The ability to recognize other individuals plays an important role in mediating social interactions. As longitudinal studies are challenging, there is only limited evidence of long-term memory of individuals and concepts in mammals. We examined the ability of six wild Australian sea lions to discriminate between the voice of their mother and another adult female, both while they were dependent on their mother and when they were independent, 2 years after weaning. Here, we show that even after a long period of independence, juveniles retain the ability to identify their mother’s voice. Both when dependent and independent, animals showed stronger responses to maternal calls than to the calls of another female. This demonstration of recognition provides rare evidence of the long-term memory capabilities of wild mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
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37. Vocal recognition of mothers by Australian sea lion pups: individual signature and environmental constraints
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Charrier, Isabelle, Pitcher, Benjamin J., and Harcourt, Robert G.
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *ANIMAL sound production , *KIN recognition in animals , *EARED seals , *PINNIPEDIA , *ANIMAL behavior , *ANIMAL communication , *PARENTAL behavior in animals - Abstract
As in all otariids, Australian sea lion, Neophoca cinerea, females alternate foraging trips at sea with suckling periods ashore, and each time they return, mothers and pups have to find each other among individuals at the colony. The need for a finely tuned mechanism of individual recognition is exacerbated by their habit of changing the suckling location. Using playback experiments with modified calls, we investigated the acoustic parameters involved in the discrimination of the mother by pups. The signature efficiency was also tested in the three environments in which reunions at the study site occur by performing propagation tests. Pups paid great attention to both amplitude and frequency modulations, and to the exact frequency values of the call to identify their mother. When severe modifications of AM and FM patterns were made to mothers'' calls pups no longer responded to them. This may have arisen because the calls fell outside the natural species range. The energy spectrum, even though highly individualized, was not important for individual recognition. Propagation tests revealed that one particular environment was extremely harsh and did not allow accurate transfer of the individual signature components whatever the distance. In two other environments, AM was only reliable to a distance of 16m, but both FM and frequency spectrum could be transmitted with limited degradation over 32m. The different environments greatly influenced the efficiency of the individual identification process. Accordingly, the area in which mother–pup reunions occur is an important factor in the success of individual recognition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2009
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38. Status of small colonies of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
- Author
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Shaughnessy, Peter D., Dennis, Terry E., Dowie, Dave, McKenzie, Jane, and McIntosh, Rebecca R.
- Abstract
The status of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea at eight sites on Kangaroo Island was assessed using criteria adopted by the National Seal Strategy Group based on numbers of pups counted between 1985 and 2005. Each site was allocated to one of three categories.At the Seal Slide, I to II pups were born over nine pupping seasons and it is classed as a breeding colony. At four sites (Black Point, Cave Point, Cape Bouguer and North Casuarina Island), small numbers of pups were recorded over two or more seasons, and each is classed as a haul-out site with occasional pupping. At three sites near Cape Bouguer, pups were recorded but each instance was several months after a pupping season began at the large breeding colony at Seal Bay, and pups born there are known to move to other sites.Therefore each of these three is classed as a haul-out site. Because N. cinerea is susceptible to mortality from fishery interactions, is strongly philopatric and that small colonies are especially susceptible to extinction, the status of its small aggregations on Kangaroo Island should be taken into consideration when coastal developments are planned and coastal visitation encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2009
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39. Vocal identity and species recognition in male Australian sea lions, Neophoca cinerea.
- Author
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Gwilliam, Jessica, Charrier, Isabelle, and Harcourt, Robert O.
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *EARED seals , *ANIMAL communication , *ANIMAL sound production , *ANIMAL breeds , *DISCRIMINATION (Sociology) , *SOCIAL interaction - Abstract
The acoustic channel is important for communication in otariids (fur seals and sea lions). Discrimination between species, sex or individuals is essential in communication; therefore insight into the role of vocalisations in recognition is vital to understanding otariid social interactions. We measured vocalisations and their use in discriminating sex and species in male Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea). Barking calls of mature males were recorded and analysed based on five acoustic parameters. A discriminant function analysis classified calls to the correct individual at a classification rate of 56%, suggesting that male barking calls are individually distinctive with the potential to facilitate individual vocal recognition. Playback experiments were used to assess the role of vocalizations in sex and species recognition both in and out of the breeding season. Males showed significantly stronger reactions to both conspecific and heterospecific males than they did to conspecific females and were most responsive during the breeding season. Australian sea lion males have the most depauperate vocal repertoire of any otariid. This simple repertoire may reflect the ecological circumstances in which these animals breed, with very low colony densities, asynchronous breeding and low levels of polygyny. Yet even in this simple system, males are able to discriminate between males and females of their own species, and distinguish the calls of conspecifics from other species. The barking calls of male Australian sea lions have sufficient information embedded to provide the potential for individual discrimination and this ability will be assessed in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
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- View/download PDF
40. Ontogeny of oxygen stores and physiological diving capability in Australian sea lions.
- Author
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FOWLER, S. L., COSTA, D. P., ARNOULD, J. P. Y., GALES, N. J., and BURNS, J. M.
- Subjects
- *
SEA lions , *FORAGING behavior , *EARED seals , *SURVIVAL behavior (Animals) , *ONTOGENY , *BIOLOGY , *EMBRYOLOGY , *ECOLOGY - Abstract
1. For air-breathing animals in aquatic environments, foraging behaviours are often constrained by physiological capability. The development of oxygen stores and the rate at which these stores are used determine juvenile diving and foraging potential. 2. We examined the ontogeny of dive physiology in the threatened Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea. Australian sea lions exploit benthic habitats; adult females demonstrate high field metabolic rates (FMR), maximize time spent near the benthos, and regularly exceed their calculated aerobic dive limit (cADL). Given larger animals have disproportionately greater diving capabilities; we wanted to determine the extent physiological development constrained diving and foraging in young sea lions. 3. Ten different mother/pup pairs were measured at three developmental stages (6, 15 and 23 months) at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Hematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb) and plasma volume were analyzed to calculate blood O2 stores and myoglobin was measured to determine muscle O2. Additionally, FMR's for nine of the juveniles were derived from doubly-labelled water measurements. 4. Australian sea lions have the slowest documented O2 store development among diving mammals. Although weaning typically occurs by 17·6 months, 23-month juveniles had only developed 68% of adult blood O2. Muscle O2 was the slowest to develop and was 60% of adult values at 23 months. 5. We divided available O2 stores (37·11 ± 1·49 mL O2 kg−1) by at-sea FMR (15·78 ± 1·29 mL O2 min−1 kg−1) to determine a cADL of 2·33 ± 0·24 min for juvenile Australian sea lions. Like adults, young sea lions regularly exceeded cADL's with 67·8 ± 2·8% of dives over theoretical limits and a mean dive duration to cADL ratio of 1·23 ± 0·10. 6. Both dive depth and duration appear impacted by the slow development of oxygen stores. For species that operate close to, or indeed above their estimated physiological maximum, the capacity to increase dive depth, duration or foraging effort would be limited. Due to reduced access to benthic habitat and restricted behavioural options, young benthic foragers, such as Australian sea lions, would be particularly vulnerable to resource limitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
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41. ONTOGENY OF MOVEMENTS AND FORAGING RANGES IN THE AUSTRALIAN SEA LION.
- Author
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Fowler, Shannon L., Costa, Daniel P., and Arnould, John P. Y.
- Subjects
AUSTRALIAN sea lion ,NEOPHOCA ,MARINE mammals ,FORAGING behavior ,HOME range (Animal geography) ,MARINE mammal populations - Abstract
This study tracked the movements of Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) pups, juveniles, and adult females to identify home ranges and determine if young sea lions accompanied their mothers at sea. Satellite tags were deployed on nine 15-mo-old pups, nine 23-mo-old juveniles, and twenty-nine adult female Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Females did not travel with their offspring at sea, suggesting young Australian sea lions learn foraging behaviors independently. Although home ranges increased with age, 23-mo-old juveniles had not developed adult movement capacity and their range was only 40.6% of the adult range. Juveniles traveled shorter distances (34.8 ± 5.5 km) at slower speeds (2.0 ± 0.3 km/h) than adults (67.9 ± 3.5 km and 3.9 ± 0.3 km/h). Young sea lions also stayed in shallower waters; sea floor depths of mean locations were 48 ± 7 m for juveniles and 74 ± 2 m for females. Restricted to shallow coastal waters, pups and juveniles are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by human activities. With limited available foraging habitat, young Australian sea lions appear particularly vulnerable to environmental alterations resulting from fisheries or climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2007
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- View/download PDF
42. INDIVIDUAL VOCAL IDENTITY IN MOTHER AND PUP AUSTRALIAN SEA LIONS (NEOPHOCA CINEREA).
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Charrier, Isabelle and Harcourt, Robert G.
- Subjects
- *
PINNIPEDIA , *SEA lions , *ANIMAL young , *ANIMAL species , *ECOLOGY - Abstract
Individual vocal recognition between mothers and pups has been widely observed in pinnipeds, especially otariids. Otariids are colonial breeders; mothers suckle only their own offspring, aggressively attacking nonrelated young. Mothers alternate foraging trips with periods ashore, and at each return to the colony, mothers and pups must find each other among all the individuals of the colony. In the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea), the need for a finely tuned mechanism of recognition is exacerbated by their habit of changing the nursing location over the course of lactation. We investigated potential acoustic parameters used in mother-pup recognition in Australian sea lions. We measured 11 acoustic parameters on calls of mothers and pups and found that several parameters (fundamental frequency, energy spectrum, amplitude, and frequency modulation) were highly individually specific. Discriminant analysis correctly assigned calls to individual mothers or pups with an average classification rate of 65% and 77%, respectively. Spectral features and frequency modulation were the most important features distinguishing individuals. Lastly, principal component analysis showed that calls of pups and mothers were easily distinguishable using energy spectrum and frequency modulation. Comparison with other pinniped species suggests that individual vocal identity is likely to be selected through ecological constraints such as density of the colony, degree of polygyny, likelihood of allosuckling or fostering, and degree of maternal absence during lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
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43. <scp>DNA</scp> metabarcoding for diet analysis and biodiversity: A case study using the endangered Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea )
- Author
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Tina E. Berry, Michael Stat, Lars Bejder, Michael Bunce, Alicia K. Grealy, Sylvia K. Osterrieder, Dáithí C. Murray, Megan L. Coghlan, and Anthony J. Richardson
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Ecology ,Fauna ,Biodiversity ,Endangered species ,Sepioteuthis australis ,Neophoca cinerea ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Predation ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,14. Life underwater ,Predator ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Nature and Landscape Conservation ,Apex predator - Abstract
The analysis of apex predator diet has the ability to deliver valuable insights into ecosystem health, and the potential impacts a predator might have on commercially relevant species. The Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is an endemic apex predator and one of the world's most endangered pinnipeds. Given that prey availability is vital to the survival of top predators, this study set out to understand what dietary information DNA metabarcoding could yield from 36 sea lion scats collected across 1,500 km of its distribution in southwest Western Australia. A combination of PCR assays were designed to target a variety of potential sea lion prey, including mammals, fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and birds. Over 1.2 million metabarcodes identified six classes from three phyla, together representing over 80 taxa. The results confirm that the Australian sea lion is a wide-ranging opportunistic predator that consumes an array of mainly demersal fauna. Further, the important commercial species Sepioteuthis australis (southern calamari squid) and Panulirus cygnus (western rock lobster) were detected, but were present in
- Published
- 2017
44. Ontogeny of diving behaviour in the Australian sea lion: trials of adolescence in a late bloomer.
- Author
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FOWLER, SHANNON L., COSTA, DANIEL P., ARNOULD, JOHN P. Y., GALES, NICHOLAS J., and KUHN, CAREY E.
- Subjects
- *
AUSTRALIAN sea lion , *ANIMAL behavior , *BENTHIC animals , *HABITATS , *ANIMAL ecology , *ANIMAL populations , *ANIMAL communities , *FORAGING behavior , *SEA lions - Abstract
1. Foraging behaviours of the Australian sea lion ( Neophoca cinerea) reflect an animal working hard to exploit benthic habitats. Lactating females demonstrate almost continuous diving, maximize bottom time, exhibit elevated field metabolism and frequently exceed their calculated aerobic dive limit. Given that larger animals have disproportionately greater diving capabilities, we wanted to examine how pups and juveniles forage successfully. 2. Time/depth recorders were deployed on pups, juveniles and adult females at Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Ten different mother/pup pairs were equipped at three stages of development (6, 15 and 23 months) to record the diving behaviours of 51 (nine instruments failed) animals. 3. Dive depth and duration increased with age. However, development was slow. At 6 months, pups demonstrated minimal diving activity and the mean depth for 23-month-old juveniles was only 44 ± 4 m, or 62% of adult mean depth. 4. Although pups and juveniles did not reach adult depths or durations, dive records for young sea lions indicate benthic diving with mean bottom times (2·0 ± 0·2 min) similar to those of females (2·1 ± 0·2 min). This was accomplished by spending higher proportions of each dive and total time at sea on or near the bottom than adults. Immature sea lions also spent a higher percentage of time at sea diving. 5. Juveniles may have to work harder because they are weaned before reaching full diving capability. For benthic foragers, reduced diving ability limits available foraging habitat. Furthermore, as juveniles appear to operate close to their physiological maximum, they would have a difficult time increasing foraging effort in response to reductions in prey. Although benthic prey are less influenced by seasonal fluctuations and oceanographic perturbations than epipelagic prey, demersal fishery trawls may impact juvenile survival by disrupting habitat and removing larger size classes of prey. These issues may be an important factor as to why the Australian sea lion population is currently at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2006
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45. Entanglement of Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals in lost fishing gear and other marine debris before and after Government and industry attempts to reduce the problem.
- Author
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Page, Brad, McKenzie, Jane, McIntosh, Rebecca, Baylis, Alastair, Morrissey, Adam, Calvert, Norna, Haase, Tami, Berris, Mel, Dowie, Dave, Shaughnessy, Peter D., and Goldsworthy, Simon D.
- Subjects
SEA lions ,FISHING ,EARED seals - Abstract
In recent years, Australian governments and fishing industry associations have developed guiding principles aimed at reducing the impact of fishing on non-target species and the benthos and increasing community awareness of their efforts. To determine whether they reduced seal entanglement in lost fishing gear and other marine debris, we analysed Australian sea lion and New Zealand fur seal entanglement data collected from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Contrary to our expectations, we found that entanglement rates did not decrease in recent years. The Australian sea lion entanglement rate (1.3% in 2002) and the New Zealand fur seal entanglement rate (0.9% in 2002) are the third and fourth highest reported for any seal species. Australian sea lions were most frequently entangled in monofilament gillnet that most likely originated from the shark fishery, which operates in the region where sea lions forage––south and east of Kangaroo Island. In contrast, New Zealand fur seals were most commonly entangled in loops of packing tape and trawl net fragments suspected to be from regional rock lobster and trawl fisheries. Based on recent entanglement studies, we estimate that 1478 seals die from entanglement each year in Australia. We discuss remedies such as education programs and government incentives that may reduce entanglements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2004
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- View/download PDF
46. Chew, shake, and tear: Prey processing in Australian sea lions ( Neophoca cinerea )
- Author
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Alistair R. Evans, Erich M. G. Fitzgerald, Monique A. Ladds, David J. Slip, and David P. Hocking
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Ecology ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,Zoology ,Neophoca cinerea ,Shake ,Aquatic Science ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Predation ,Processing methods ,stomatognathic system ,behavior and behavior mechanisms ,Sea lion ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Pinnipeds generally target relatively small prey that can be swallowed whole, yet often include larger prey in their diet. To eat large prey, they must first process it into pieces small enough to swallow. In this study we explored the range of prey-processing behaviors used by Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) when presented with large prey during captive feeding trials. The most common methods were chewing using the teeth, shaking prey at the surface, and tearing prey held between the teeth and forelimbs. Although pinnipeds do not masticate their food, we found that sea lions used chewing to create weak points in large prey to aid further processing and to prepare secured pieces of prey for swallowing. Shake feeding matches the processing behaviors observed in fur seals, but use of forelimbs for “hold and tear” feeding has not been previously reported for other otariids. When performing this processing method, prey was torn by being stretched between the teeth and forelimbs, where it was secured by being squeezed between the palms of their flippers. These results show that Australian sea lions use a broad repertoire of behaviors for prey processing, which matches the wide range of prey species in their diet.
- Published
- 2016
47. Chemical fingerprints suggest direct familiarisation rather than phenotype matching during olfactory recognition in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea)
- Author
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Robert Harcourt, Nicolas Barthes, Benoist Schaal, Isabelle Charrier, Benjamin J. Pitcher, Kaja Wierucka, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UM3), Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation [Dijon] (CSGA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Bourgogne (UB)-AgroSup Dijon - Institut National Supérieur des Sciences Agronomiques, de l'Alimentation et de l'Environnement-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut des Neurosciences de Paris-Saclay (Neuro-PSI), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro), Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI), The project was supported by the LIA Centre national de la recherche scientifique, France (CNRS)-Macquarie University 'Multimodal Communication in Marine Mammals' McoMM and by the University Paris Sud., Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), and Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro)
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Matching (statistics) ,biology ,[SDV.NEU.PC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Psychology and behavior ,010604 marine biology & hydrobiology ,[SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology ,Pinniped Neophoca cinerea ,[SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences ,Neophoca cinerea ,Olfaction ,Mother-offspring recognition ,Aquatic Science ,biology.organism_classification ,Chemical communication ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,Phenotype ,Evolutionary biology ,Sea lion ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
International audience; Olfaction is one of the most commonly used senses for communication among animals and is of particular importance to mother-offspring recognition in mammals. The use of smell in offspring recognition has been well studied, however, we often lack information about the underlying mechanistic basis for olfactory recognition. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), we examine chemical profiles of two different colonies of Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) and assess similarity of chemical fingerprints in mother-pup pairs. This analysis allows us to examine whether a chemical base for phenotype matching exists in this species. Our results showed no GC-detectible mother-offspring similarity in the overall chemical fingerprints, suggesting that direct familiarisation is a more likely mechanism used by Australian sea lion mothers for recognition of their young. Our analysis also demonstrates that colony differences are encoded within chemical fingerprints and appear to be highly influenced by environmental compounds. The study improves our understanding of how Australian sea lion females use odours for selective offspring recognition and the potential importance of environmentally acquired chemical compounds in the overall odour bouquet used in mother-pup interactions.
- Published
- 2019
48. Chemical Profiles of Integumentary and Glandular Substrates in Australian Sea Lion Pups ( Neophoca cinerea )
- Author
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Robert Harcourt, Kaja Wierucka, Benjamin J. Pitcher, Nicolas Barthes, Benoist Schaal, Isabelle Charrier, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie University, Department of Biological Sciences, Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UM3), Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation [Dijon] (CSGA), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Bourgogne (UB)-AgroSup Dijon - Institut National Supérieur des Sciences Agronomiques, de l'Alimentation et de l'Environnement-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut des Neurosciences de Paris-Saclay (Neuro-PSI), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-École pratique des hautes études (EPHE), Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Université Paris sciences et lettres (PSL)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université Paul-Valéry - Montpellier 3 (UPVM)-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro), Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD [France-Sud]), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-AgroSup Dijon - Institut National Supérieur des Sciences Agronomiques, de l'Alimentation et de l'Environnement-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Université de Bourgogne (UB), and Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI)
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,olfactory recognition ,Physiology ,Offspring ,[SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology ,Foraging ,Zoology ,Olfaction ,Biology ,Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ,03 medical and health sciences ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,0302 clinical medicine ,Physiology (medical) ,Animals ,Scent Glands ,gas chromatography–mass spectrometry ,marine mammals ,pinniped ,[SDV.NEU.PC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Psychology and behavior ,Australia ,chemical communication ,Integumentary system ,[SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences ,Neophoca cinerea ,biology.organism_classification ,Sensory Systems ,Sea Lions ,030104 developmental biology ,Odor ,mother–offspring recognition ,Multivariate Analysis ,Odorants ,Body region ,Female ,Fur seal ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
International audience; Recognition of individuals or classes of individuals plays an important role in the communication systems of many mammals. The ability of otariid (i.e., fur seal and sea lion) females to locate and identify their offspring in colonies after returning from regular foraging trips is essential to successful pup rearing. It has been shown that olfaction is used to confirm the identity of the pup by the mother when they reunite, yet the processes by which this chemical recognition occurs remain unclear. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, we examined chemical profiles of integumentary and glandular secretions/excretions from pre- and post-molt Australian sea lion pups (Neophoca cinerea) and compared fur and swab samples to assess data collection methods. Multivariate statistics were applied to assess differences in chemical composition between body regions and sexes. We found differences among secretions from various body regions, driven by the distinctiveness of the oral odor mixture. The fine-scale trends in pre- and post-molt pups seem to differ due to changes in the behavior of pups and consequent decrease in the transfer of compounds among adjacent body regions in older pups. Volatile compounds from exocrine substrates were not distinct for different sexes. We also show that swab samples provide better data for exploring social olfaction than fur samples for this species. Obtaining fundamental chemical information, in this case chemical profiles of animals, and discerning differences in chemical composition is an important step toward fully exploring the intricacies of mother-offspring olfactory recognition and its underlying processes.
- Published
- 2019
49. Characteristic 'neck collar' injuries in Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) caused by marine debris
- Author
-
Roger W. Byard and Aaron Machado
- Subjects
Male ,Adult male ,Neck collar ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Pathology and Forensic Medicine ,Neck Injuries ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Blubber ,Marine debris ,Medicine ,Animals ,Water Pollutants ,030216 legal & forensic medicine ,Sea lion ,Incised wound ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Waste Products ,biology ,business.industry ,Australia ,Neophoca cinerea ,General Medicine ,Anatomy ,biology.organism_classification ,Sea Lions ,business ,Single strand - Abstract
An adult male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) presented with a deep, almost circumferential, incised wound around the neck caused by a noose formed by a single strand of green nylon rope. The wound extended 4-5 cm deeply through the skin and blubber into skeletal muscle, predominantly on the dorsal surface and left side, but had not involved the airway or major vessels. The edges of the wound were sharply incised and oozing blood with a granulating infected base. The rope was removed and the wound debrided of necrotic tissues and irrigated with disinfectant. Antibiotic and rehydration therapy were successful and the seal was released after 2 weeks of treatment. Entanglement injuries such as “neck collars” have characteristic features, are increasing in incidence and often have lethal outcomes. This type of injury may significantly impact upon populations of pinnipeds in the wild.
- Published
- 2018
50. Morphometrical and molecular evidence suggests cryptic diversity among hookworms (Nematoda: Uncinaria) that parasitize pinnipeds from the south-eastern Pacific coasts
- Author
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H Pavés, D Morgades, Carlos Ramírez, H Katz, Z López, K I Calderón-Mayo, J J Nuñez, M.T. González, and M George-Nascimento
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,biology ,Arctocephalus australis ,Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ,Zoology ,Neophoca cinerea ,Helminth genetics ,General Medicine ,Otaria flavescens ,biology.organism_classification ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Taxonomy (biology) ,Internal transcribed spacer ,Southern Hemisphere - Abstract
Hookworms of the genus Uncinaria parasitize pinniped pups in various locations worldwide. Four species have been described, two of which parasitize pinniped pups in the southern hemisphere: Uncinaria hamiltoni parasitizes Otaria flavescens and Arctocephalus australis from the South American coast, and Uncinaria sanguinis parasitizes Neophoca cinerea from the Australian coast. However, their geographical ranges and host specificity are unknown. Uncinaria spp. are morphologically similar, but molecular analyses have allowed the recognition of new species in the genus Uncinaria. We used nuclear genetic markers (internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA) and a mitochondrial genetic marker (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)) to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Uncinaria spp. parasitizing A. australis and O. flavescens from South American coasts (Atlantic and Pacific coasts). We compared our sequences with published Uncinaria sequences. A Generalized Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC) analysis was also used to delimit species, and principal component analysis was used to compare morphometry among Uncinaria specimens. Parasites were sampled from A. australis from Peru (12°S), southern Chile (42°S), and the Uruguayan coast, and from O. flavescens from northern Chile (24°S) and the Uruguayan coast. Morphometric differences were observed between Uncinaria specimens from both South American coasts and between Uncinaria specimens from A. australis in Peru and southern Chile. Phylogenetic and GMYC analyses suggest that south-eastern Pacific otariid species harbour U. hamiltoni and an undescribed putative species of Uncinaria. However, more samples from A. australis and O. flavescens are necessary to understand the phylogenetic patterns of Uncinaria spp. across the South Pacific.
- Published
- 2018
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