Hydrurga Research Articles

Do free-ranging common brushtail possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula) play a role in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii within a zoo environment?

To investigate the possible role of common brushtail possums ( Trichosurus vulpecula) in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii within a zoo environment, a serological survey of a free-ranging population resident within Taronga Zoo, Sydney, Australia was undertaken using the modified agglutination test (MAT). For comparison, the seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was also assessed in a possum population inhabiting a felid-free, non-urban woodland habitat. Six of 126 possums (4.8%) from the zoo population had antibodies to T. gondii with a MAT titre of 25 or higher, while in contrast, all of the 17 possums from woodland were seronegative. These observations suggest that possums were at a higher risk of exposure to the parasite as a consequence of co-existing with domestic, stray and captive felids associated with urbanisation. Screening of captive felids at the zoo indicated 16 of 23 individuals (67%) and all 6 species were seropositive for T. gondii, implicating them as a possible source of the parasite within the zoo setting. In addition captive, non-felid carnivores including the chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes), saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus), dingo ( Canis lupis) and leopard seal ( Hydrurga leptonyx) were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies as these species predate and are a leading cause of death amongst zoo possums. In total, 5 of 23 individuals (22%) were seropositive, representing 2 of the 4 carnivorous species; the dingo and chimpanzee. These data suggest that carnivory was not a highly efficient pathway for the transmission of T. gondii and the free-ranging possum population posed minimal threat to the health of zoo animals.

Coping with variation in aerial survey protocol for line-transect sampling

Altitude and flight speed affect detection probability and they typically vary during the course of most aerial surveys. We demonstrate how these sources of variation can be accommodated with covariates in a line-transect analysis using data from a pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) survey in Wyoming and a survey of Antarctic ice seals (Lobodon carcinophaga, Leptonychotes weddellii, Hydrurga leptonyx, Ommatophoca rossii). We also show how the likelihood for binned distance data can be modified to allow for variation in altitude. As an alternative, we develop an estimator for aerial line-transect sampling based on vertical angles rather than distance. With a small simulation study, we show that our estimators are unbiased and are preferable to using biased estimators based on fixed-distance intervals derived from average altitude.

Upper ocean variability in west Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf waters as measured using instrumented seals

Abstract Temperature profile data for the west Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) continental shelf waters, collected from freely ranging instrumented seals (crabeater, Lobodon carcinophagus and leopard, Hydrurga leptonyx), were used to demonstrate that these platforms can be used to supplement traditional oceanographic sampling methods to investigate the physical properties of the upper water column. The seal-derived profiles were combined with temperature profiles obtained from ship-based CTD measurements and from a numerical circulation model developed for the WAP to describe changes in temperature structure, heat content, and heat flux in the upper ocean waters of the WAP continental shelf. The seal-derived data documented the fall-to-winter transition of the surface waters and the shelf-wide presence of modified Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) below 150–200 m on the WAP continental shelf. The heat content of the upper 200 m calculated from the seal-derived temperature profiles ranged between 1000 and 1500 MJ m−2; similar estimates were obtained from simulated temperature distributions. The seal-derived temperature measurements provided broader space and time resolution than was possible using any other currently available oceanographic sampling method. As such, the seal-derived measurements provided a valuable dataset for evaluation of temperature fields obtained from a numerical circulation model.

Age-related differences in the acoustic characteristics of male leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx

During the breeding season, the underwater vocalizations and calling rates of adult male leopard seals are highly stereotyped. In contrast, sub-adult males have more variable acoustic behavior. Although adult males produce only five stereotyped broadcast calls as part of their long-range underwater breeding displays the sub-adults have a greater repertoire including the adult-like broadcast calls, as well as variants of these. Whether this extended repertoire has a social function is unknown due to the paucity of behavioral data for this species. The broadcast calls of the sub-adults are less stereotyped in their acoustic characteristics and they have a more variable calling rate. These age-related differences have major implications for geographic variation studies, where the acoustic behavior of different populations are compared, as well as for acoustic surveying studies, where numbers of calls are used to indicate numbers of individuals present. Sampling regimes which unknowingly include recordings from sub-adult animals will artificially exaggerate differences between populations and numbers of calling animals. The acoustic behavior of sub-adult and adult male leopard seals were significantly different and although this study does not show evidence that these differences reflect vocal learning in the male leopard seal it does suggest that contextual learning may be present.

Australian exploration of Heard Island, 1947–1971

In 1947 knowledge of Heard Island was confined to a rough mapping compiled by nineteenth-century sealers, and the results of four scientific expeditions that had briefly investigated the Atlas Cove area. Exploration continued in two distinct periods between 1947 and 1971. In the first period the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) built a scientific station at Atlas Cove in 1947, and occupied it continuously until 1955 as an ‘A Class’ meteorological station, a seismic and magnetic observatory, and a base for other scientific studies and for exploration of the island. In the second period four summer expeditions and one wintering expedition worked on the island between 1963 and 1971. The summer expeditions were an ANARE expedition in 1963, an Australian private expedition (The South Indian Ocean Expedition to Heard Island) in 1965, and ANARE expeditions in 1969 and 1971 associated with United States and French expeditions. A United States expedition wintered in 1969. There were no further expeditions until 1980. The years 1947–1971 saw many achievements. Expedition members recorded seven years of synoptic meteorological observations and four years of seismic and magnetic observations. They developed empirical techniques of work, travel, and survival that shaped the collective character of ANARE and were later applied in Antarctica. Despite difficult terrain and consistently bad weather, and the accidental deaths of two men in 1952, unsupported field parties of two or three men travelling on foot explored and mapped in detail the heavily glaciated island, and documented its topography, geology, glaciology and biology. They made three overland circuits of the island, the first ascent of Big Ben (2745 m), and the first recorded landing on the nearby McDonald Islands. Expedition members bred and trained dog teams for later use in Antarctica. They reported the commencement and subsequent progress of massive glacier retreat caused by regional warming, and of the island's colonisation by king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). They also reported measurements of glacier flow and thickness, the palaeomagnetism of Heard Island rocks, behavioural and population studies of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) and other birds, studies of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), and the cold stress and acclimatisation experienced by humans working in the island's wet-cold climate. In addition, Heard Island served as a testing ground for men, equipment, scientific programmes, huskies, general administration, and logistics, without which Mawson station could not have been established as successfully as it was in 1954. The American wintering expedition and the French summer expedition contributed to major international geodetic and geophysical investigations. In sum, the expeditions between 1947 and 1971 added much to our knowledge of Heard Island, and they laid down a solid foundation for the work of later expeditions.

Pathological findings of a fatal leopard seal attack.

A unique case of a fatal leopard seal attack against an adult human female is presented. The death occurred in Rothera, Antarctica when the female was snorkeling while undertaking scientific research. The principle injuries occurred, during life, to the facial areas prior to the act of drowning. The method of attack of leopard seals against their natural prey is discussed and related to the findings on the deceased.

Ten novel dinucleotide microsatellite loci cloned from the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) are polymorphic in other pinniped species

AbstractWe isolated and characterized 10 novel dinucleotide microsatellite loci from the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus californianus wollebaeki) and tested their amplification utility in four further otariid species (Zalophus californianus californianus, Arctocephalus gazella, Arctocephalus australis and Eumetopias jubatus) and three phocid species (Hydrurga leptonyx, Halichoerus grypus and Phoca vitulina). All of the loci amplified polymorphic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in at least three species other than the Galápagos sea lion. These markers will be useful for studies of pinniped mating systems, genetic structure and genetic diversity.

Using vocalizations of Antarctic seals to determine pupping habitats

The Ross and Leopard seal use the floes of the Antarctic pack ice to whelp and raise their pups, But both species are rarely seen in summer throughout the pack ice. We now realize that this is because they are under the water ‘‘calling’’ during the austral summer as part of their breeding display, and so their presence is underestimated in traditional visual surveys. The period of ‘‘calling’’ overlaps with the time that females give birth, so their vocalizations can be used to determine seal distributions during this time. Acoustic recordings were made using sonobuoys deployed during ship based surveys in the pack ice and analyzed to determine the seal distributions. This was used to predict habitat preference of seals by relating their distributions to remotely sensed indices: ice cover, ice floe type, ice thickness, distance to ice edge, distance to shelf break, distance to land, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll a.

Identification of hairs found in leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) scats

The leopard seal is a top-order predator in the Southern Ocean ecosystem and preys on a wide variety of vertebrate species including seals and penguins. We assessed the use of hairs found in leopard seal scats to identify the species of pinniped consumed. A reference collection of hairs was obtained from four potential leopard seal prey species including crabeater, Weddell, Ross, and Southern elephant seals. Discrimination techniques applied to terrestrial mammals did not allow for identification of the seal hairs. Instead, a 2-dimensional (2-D) and 6-dimensional (6-D) analysis technique utilising Mahalanobis distances (D2) was used. The smallest Mahalanobis distance together with the largest value of p(F) positively identified hairs from each species. The 6-D analysis was more accurate and applied to hairs found in the leopard seal scats. The majority of prey species were identified as crabeater seals, which are a known prey item of the leopard seal.

A bizarre new toothed mysticete (Cetacea) from Australia and the early evolution of baleen whales

Extant baleen whales (Cetacea, Mysticeti) are all large filter-feeding marine mammals that lack teeth as adults, instead possessing baleen, and feed on small marine animals in bulk. The early evolution of these superlative mammals, and their unique feeding method, has hitherto remained enigmatic. Here, I report a new toothed mysticete from the Late Oligocene of Australia that is more archaic than any previously described. Unlike all other mysticetes, this new whale was small, had enormous eyes and lacked derived adaptations for bulk filter-feeding. Several morphological features suggest that this mysticete was a macrophagous predator, being convergent on some Mesozoic marine reptiles and the extant leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). It thus refutes the notions that all stem mysticetes were filter-feeders, and that the origins and initial radiation of mysticetes was linked to the evolution of filter-feeding. Mysticetes evidently radiated into a variety of disparate forms and feeding ecologies before the evolution of baleen or filter-feeding. The phylogenetic context of the new whale indicates that basal mysticetes were macrophagous predators that did not employ filter-feeding or echolocation, and that the evolution of characters associated with bulk filter-feeding was gradual.

Vagrant Antarctic pinnipeds at Gough Island

Opportunistic sightings of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and a leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx at Gough Island (40°20′S, 09°54′W) in the South Atlantic Ocean represent the northernmost island records for vagrant Antarctic fur seals, and only the second for a vagrant leopard seal at Gough Island. Some ten different individual Antarctic fur seals were sighted on a single day, up to seven on a single beach. An overall total of 18 individuals were recorded over a 7-week period in October/November 2005, before the onset of the breeding (pupping) season of the resident population of Subantarctic fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis. Most were immature, male and mostly in good condition (n = 11, 61%); one mature male and six putative females were also present. All had departed after 23 November, although only a fraction of the available beaches was searched.

Histology of selected tissues of the leopard seal and implications for functional adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle

The microscopic anatomy of the cardio-respiratory system, digestive system, kidney, lymphatic system and integument was investigated in the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, by examining histological sections of tissues collected from leopard seals in Antarctica and New South Wales, Australia. The majority of the tissues had similar histological features to those described in terrestrial mammals and other pinniped species, particularly phocid seals. Differences noted included readily identifiable Purkinje cells within the endocardium, muscular rather than cartilaginous reinforcement of the smaller airways, a single capillary layer within the alveolar septa, limited and variable keratinization of the oesophageal epithelium, few lymphoid follicles within the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract, and an absence of a sporta perimedullaris musculosa described in the kidney of cetaceans and some pinniped species. Adaptations of the lung, spleen and integument, similar to those described in other pinnipeds, including reinforcement of the pulmonary terminal airways, prominent pulmonary interlobular septa, ample smooth muscle in the capsule and trabeculae of the spleen, increased thickness of the epidermis, well-developed dermal sebaceous glands, and a thick blubber layer, appear to confer upon the leopard seal advantages related to its aquatic lifestyle.

Population abundance, structure and turnover estimates for leopard seals during winter dispersal combining tagging and photo-identification data

Winter dispersal in leopard seals is poorly understood because of its low density in most of its range. By combining photo-identification and tagging data from Bird Island, South Georgia, in mark-recapture models, leopard seal abundance over the winter of 2005 was estimated as 118 (95% CI: 78–179). Seasonal residents arrived earlier and stayed longer around the island (27 days; 95% CI: 23–32) and their numbers were low and stable over the winter $$(\bar{x} = 12; 95\%\hbox{CI}: 5\hbox{--}28).$$ Most of the seals (81; 95% CI: 31–130) were young transients, stayed only 1–7 days, and arrived later in the season. This suggests (1) very low predatory pressure upon the locally abundant prey populations; (2) two different patterns of winter movements: a winter migration in adult seals with long-term site fidelity, and large numbers of juveniles in dispersal possibly attracted by locally abundant prey colonies, and potentially influenced by increased environmental stress.

Interactions between humans and leopard seals

In July 2003 Kirsty Brown, a marine biologist at Rothera Research Station (West Antarctic Peninsula), was attacked and drowned by a leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). As a direct consequence, a study was initiated to analyse interactions between humans and leopard seals over the last thirty years utilising humanistic and observational data. The response of leopard seals to humans in different situations was considered using a categorical response scale. Location of the leopard seal and human had the greatest influence on the response of the leopard seal. More specifically, interactions occurring at the ice edge, where leopard seals seek out prey, resulted in the highest response from leopard seals. ‘In water’ interactions, examined through SCUBA dive and snorkelling logs, generally described the seal’s behaviour as displaying curiosity and occurred most frequently at the surface. Although leopard seals approached close to observers and displayed behaviour that appeared aggressive, there were no records of interactions where ‘curious’ leopard seals showed subsequent hunting, or attack behaviour. In contrast, in most interactions (only a few occasions) where physical contact was initiated by a seal, in the form of an attack, the seal was not seen prior to the attack. Kirsty’s incident is the only known account of its kind, given that physical contact occurred at the surface of the water, and the seal had not been seen prior to the attack. This suggests that the commonly cited descriptions of leopard seals interacting with humans in the water are a distinctly different behaviour to that displayed in the attack on Kirsty. Although leopard seal behaviour was generally described by divers as curious, the death of Kirsty Brown indicates that leopard seals can display predatory behaviour towards humans.

Diel and seasonal patterns of underwater sounds by Weddell seals, leopard seals, and killer whales in the Antarctic: When it’s adaptive to be quiet

Automated underwater recordings taken during the austral breeding season of the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Antarctica also provided data on the vocalizations of predators in the area; leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Weddell seals inhabit fast ice areas to give birth, mate, and molt. Near the end of the breeding season in December the fast ice often breaks out and the two pack ice predators are able to move near the Weddell seal colonies and prey on them, especially pups. Recordings were taken continuously for a 2.5-min period each hour from mid-October 1977 and late-January 1978 at Hutton Cliffs and South Turtle Rock Crack, in McMurdo Sound. The leopard seals increased their trill calls when killer whales came into the area as evidenced by an increase in their frequency-modulated squeak calls. Weddell seals decreased their vocalization rate dramatically (∼10 sounds/min) compared to during the peak of the breeding season (∼75 sounds/min). Perhaps by being quiet, Weddell seals do not attract predators to their area.

Diving physiology and winter foraging behavior of a juvenile leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx)

Diving physiology and at-sea behavior of a juvenile leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) were oppor- tunistically measured in the Antarctic Peninsula during winter 2002. Total body oxygen stores were estimated from measures of hematocrit, hemoglobin, myoglobin, and total blood volume and were used to calculate an aerobic dive limit (ADL). Movement patterns and div- ing behavior were measured by equipping the seal with a Satellite Relay Data Logger that transmitted data from 8-31 August 2002. The seal remained in a focal area, in contrast to crabeater seals tracked simultaneously. The seal displayed short, shallow dives (mean 2.0±1.4 min, 44±48 m) and spent 99.9% of its time within the esti- mated ADL of 7.4 min. The shallow diving behavior contradicts previous diet research suggesting Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is the primary prey of leopard seals during the winter months as krill were found at deeper depths during this period. These measurements of diving and movement of a leopard seal provide valuable preliminary data necessary to develop future research on the at-sea behavior of an apex predator in the Antarctic ecosystem.

Leopard seal predation rates at penguin colonies of different size

In a study designed to elucidate the factors that might differentially affect the well being and biology of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) that breed in colonies of different size, we investigated the predation rates on penguins by leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) over a period of six years. The study colonies varied in size across the full range for this penguin species, contrasting with previous studies in which data were gathered only at very large colonies, and only in single years. The number of seals present varied directly with the amount of penguin traffic in the areas near the beach, where most predation takes place. Seals were present persistently only when penguin traffic exceeded about 250 penguins per hour. Predation rates also varied with penguin traffic in a curvilinear fashion, leveling off where traffic exceeded about 1200 penguins per hour. With respect to predation, it appears to be advantageous for Adélie penguins to nest in very small or very large colonies. At large colonies, the number of penguins moving to and from the colony ‘swamp’ the seals' predatory efforts, thus reducing the chances that an individual penguin will be taken. Small colonies are of little interest to the seals.

Data Mining and Scientific Data

Data mining—the discovery of previously unknown information from a large collection of individual data sources—is becoming increasingly popular for scientific data archives. We describe an approach to data mining that uses spatial, temporal, and type constraints to obtain a broad list of data that are potentially related to a data set of interest. Tree- and spline-based multivariate regression and classification techniques are then used to identify functional relationships between the data. Expert knowledge is used to constrain and guide the model building and evaluation process.We demonstrate the approach by identifying relationships between indicators in a state of the Antarctic environment reporting database. Analyses of the fuel usage of electrical generators and boilers at Australia’s Davis station yielded fuel usage dependencies on air temperature and wind speed that were in good accordance with known physical processes. The phenomenon of periodic haul-outs of large numbers of leopard seals on Macquarie Island was related to anomalies in regional sea ice cover and sea surface temperature.

Serum proteins in the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, in Prydz Bay, Eastern Antarctica and the coast of NSW, Australia

Blood protein analysis including total serum protein and albumin by chemical methods, fibrinogen estimation and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) was performed on the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx. The most commonly observed SPE pattern was eight fractions designated albumin, α 1a, α 1b, α 2a, α 2b, β 1, β 2 and γ-globulin. Significantly higher total serum protein and albumin concentrations, as determined by chemical methods, and significantly higher α 2-globulin concentrations, determined by SPE, were seen in free-ranging male seals compared to females, whilst significantly higher β-globulin concentrations were seen in female seals. Season of sampling influenced fibrinogen and β 2-globulin concentrations, whereas there were no significant differences in any protein concentrations with moult status. Qualitative comparison of SPE traces of leopard seals in Antarctica with “sick” individuals in NSW, Australia revealed obvious differences, as did quantitative comparison of protein concentrations where differences in α 1, α 2, β 1, β 2, and γ-globulin concentrations were seen. These findings suggest that SPE is a useful tool for investigating serum proteins in the leopard seal, with applications for the investigation of “sick” individuals and the assessment of variation in homeostasis. This technique could also be used to identify the presence of environmental stressors, subclinical disease and physiological variation within specific seal populations.

ESTIMATING BODY MASS AND CONDITION OF LEOPARD SEALS BY ALLOMETRICS

Abstract Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) are formidable marine predators and require sedation before scientific examination. Mass-specific drug dosage for leopard seals has usually been determined from generic allometric equations or visual estimates. However, the leopard seal is a slender phocid and generic equations are likely to return inaccurate mass estimates, which may lead to fatal overdoses of drugs. We used published and unpublished morphometric data to construct allometric models for estimating leopard seal body mass. The model using volume (Vol), which combined measures of snout-tail length (STL) and the square of girth (G2), provided our best estimate of mass (r2 = 0.97). The model using STL alone was sample-site specific (each r2 = 0.85), highlighting G as an important measure to obtain where possible. The confidence and prediction intervals associated with each model broadened with increased seal size and decreased sample size, suggesting the use of extra caution when estimating drug dosag...