Seal Phoca Largha Research Articles

Vocal Behavior in Spotted Seals (Phoca largha) and Implications for Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Passive acoustic methods enable remote monitoring of marine species and habitats. These methods can be applied to investigate distribution and abundance of populations, to evaluate behavioral and physiological states of individuals, and to inform management efforts for animals that live in hard-to-reach places. Spotted seals (Phoca largha) inhabit high-latitude, light-limited sub-Arctic and Arctic waters and move seasonally with unstable sea ice. They are high trophic level predators vulnerable to changing conditions associated with environmental warming. At present, an incomplete characterization of the spotted seal vocal repertoire limits our ability to monitor this species acoustically. Captive studies can inform passive acoustic efforts by describing fundamental features of species-typical vocalizations emitted by known individuals. These features include acoustic parameters as well as developmental, seasonal, and sex-specific patterns in vocal behavior. Here, we studied several male spotted seals in captivity from age 6 months through adulthood (10 years). Vocal behavior was scored daily and opportunistically recorded. The production of underwater calls emerged during sexual maturation, at age 4. To evaluate vocal repertoire and fine-scale temporal patterns of sound production in adult seals, an underwater acoustic recorder was continuously deployed with two seals at age 7 years. The spotted seals produced at least eight distinctive underwater call types with dominant energy below 1 kHz. The amplitude of the most common vocalization was ∼140 dB re 1 μPa (sound pressure level at 1 m). There was a marked peak in vocal activity in springtime, prior to onset of the annual molt. This period coincided with increased aggressive behavior, presence of a notable musky odor, and urogenital swelling indicative of heightened reproductive status. These results from developing male spotted seals reared in human care confirm the production of recognizable, stereotypic underwater calls associated with the breeding season. Description of vocal behavior improves knowledge of this species’ biology, and informs the potential use of autonomous acoustic recorders to track the presence and movements of free-ranging spotted seals in remote habitats.

The First Data on the Use of the Pacific Ocean Area by the Okhotsk Population of the Spotted Seal Phoca largha

The First Data on the Use of the Pacific Ocean Area by the Okhotsk Population of the Spotted Seal Phoca largha

Differences in the Activities of Serum Antioxidant and Immune Factors between Wild and Captive Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) Pups from the Liaodong Bay Colony

The innate immune system plays a vital role to resist the environmental stresses and infectious pathogens in marine mammal pups. To get a baseline level of innate immune capacity in spotted seals, the concentrations of several antioxidant and immune-related factors in the serum of wild and captive spotted seal (Phoca largha) pups from the Liaodong Bay colony were measured and compared. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase and peroxidase were mainly responsible for the antioxidant system of spotted seal pups, and wild pups possessed stronger antioxidant capacity than captive ones. Against infectious pathogens, wild spotted seal pups also had an advantage over the captive counterparts. Specifically, the activities of acid phosphatase, phenoloxidase, and lysozyme in the serum of wild spotted seal pups were significantly higher than those in captive animals. The present study provides the normal activities of several serum immune enzymes for wild and captive spotted seal pups from the Liaodong Bay colony, which is benefit to the conservation of this species.

The Use of a Remote Surveillance System for Monitoring the Reproductive Grouping of the Spotted Seal (Phoca largha Pallas, 1811) in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

An autonomous system of remote audio and video surveillance of marine mammal activity has been designed and installed in the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Nature Reserve (Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan) for monitoring the condition of the spotted seal (Phoca largha Pallas, 1811) population in the reproductive zone. This system makes it possible to collect information on animals without affecting their natural behavior.

Spotted seal Phoca largha underwater vocalisations in relation to ambient noise

Animals use different strategies to adjust their vocalisations to compensate for ambient noise interference. This is true for some marine mammals, especially cetaceans, but relatively little is known about this for pinnipeds. We recorded 4 major call types (drum, growl, knock, and sweep) of spotted sealsPhoca larghain Liaodong Bay, China, to investigate if seals adjusted their vocalisation parameters in relation to broadband (50-4000 Hz) ambient noise recorded immediately preceding each seal vocalisation. Regression analyses showed that the received level of growls, in both broadband and 1/3-octave bands, centred at 200 and 400 Hz, significantly increased with increasing ambient noise levels. These relationships were not observed in the other 3 call types. Further, regardless of call type, the duration, centroid frequency, and root mean squared bandwidth parameters showed no statistical relationship with noise levels. The noise measured in this study had relatively low broadband levels of 116-132 dB re 1 µPa, and no masking was predicted for any of the 4 call types at 200 and 400 Hz when applying a standard critical ratio approach. It is therefore possible that the ambient noise levels in the study area were not sufficiently loud to induce vocal compensation to avoid masking, but loud enough for the seals to adjust their growl vocalisations. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate potential vocal adjustment of spotted seals in relation to ambient noise and is important in light of increasing anthropogenic noise in the marine environment.

Gut microbiota variations in a rescued spotted seal Phoca largha pup

Rescuing seal pups is an important conservation action for spotted seals Phoca largha. Gut microbiota are directly associated with host health and diet metabolism. Therefore, knowledge gained from gut microbiota variations of spotted seal pups held in captivity after rescue can help formulate comprehensive rescue plans for the future. In this study, we collected feces from a rescued spotted seal pup every 3 d during the rescue process. Fecal bacterial communities were measured by high-throughput sequencing based on 16S rRNA amplification. Firmicutes were the most dominant bacteria, comprising >70% of the total gut microbiota. Moreover, differences in fecal bacterial communities of the rescued spotted seal pup between rescue and release were compared. At release, the abundances of 2 potential bacteria related to gut health, Blautia producta and Cetobacterium somerae, were remarkably lower, while Clostridium perfringens, a key mammalian pathogen, was significantly higher in the feces of the released pup. Moreover, the pup experienced a bout of diarrhea during its time in captivity, which resulted in a momentary change in its gut microbiota. Fusobacterium was recognized as a potential causative pathogen for the diarrhea. This study contributes to our understanding of gut microbiota variations in spotted seal pups during the rescue period.

Aging and Seasonal Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Captive Spotted Seals (Phoca largha) from the Liaodong Bay Colony

Aging and Seasonal Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Captive Spotted Seals (Phoca largha) from the Liaodong Bay Colony

Co-Infection of Dirofilaria immitis and Japanese Encephalitis Virus in a Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) in the Republic of Korea

Co-Infection of Dirofilaria immitis and Japanese Encephalitis Virus in a Spotted Seal (Phoca largha) in the Republic of Korea

Inferring foraging locations and water masses preferred by spotted seals Phoca largha and bearded seals Erignathus barbatus

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 631:209-224 (2019) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13145 Inferring foraging locations and water masses preferred by spotted seals Phoca largha and bearded seals Erignathus barbatus R. D. Gryba1,7,*, F. K. Wiese2, B. P. Kelly3, A. L. Von Duyke4, R. S. Pickart5, D. A. Stockwell6 1Stantec, Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6, Canada 2Stantec, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA 3Study of Environmental Arctic Change, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99709-3710, USA 4Department of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, Utqiaġvik, AK 99723, USA 5Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA 6College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Institute of Marine Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA 7Present address: Statistical Ecology Research Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada *Corresponding author: r.gryba@gmail.com ABSTRACT: Spotted seals Phoca largha and bearded seals Erignathus barbatus are ice-associated seals that have overlapping range in the Beaufort, Chukchi, and Bering Seas, but have different foraging ecologies. The link between foraging behaviour and specific oceanographic variables is not well understood for these species, nor is the influence of different dive metrics when modelling their foraging behaviour. To explore the value of different dive metrics to estimate foraging behaviour, and the relationships between foraging and water bodies/oceanographic variables, we tagged 3 spotted seals and 2 bearded seals with satellite telemetry tags that recorded movement and oceanographic data. To infer foraging behaviour, we included dive metrics in Bayesian state-space switching models, and found that models that included depth-corrected dive duration were more parsimonious than models that included dive shape. The addition of vertical movements to the model enabled better determination of foraging areas (inferred from area-restricted searches) and provided insights into the probabilities of switching between foraging and transiting behaviours. The collection of oceanographic data in situ at a scale relevant to seals helped identify water masses, and how they were used, and potential oceanographic cues used by seals to identify foraging locations. Fine-scale spatiotemporal clustering analysis revealed spotted and bearded seal foraging ‘hotspots’ in the Chukchi and Bering Seas that overlap with hotspots identified for other marine mammals and marine birds. KEY WORDS: Ice-associated seals · Foraging · Bayesian state-space models · Satellite telemetry · Oceanographic variables · Spotted seals · Bearded seals · MARES Full text in pdf format PreviousCite this article as: Gryba RD, Wiese FK, Kelly BP, Von Duyke AL, Pickart RS, Stockwell DA (2019) Inferring foraging locations and water masses preferred by spotted seals Phoca largha and bearded seals Erignathus barbatus. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 631:209-224. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13145 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 631. Online publication date: November 21, 2019 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2019 Inter-Research.

Metastatic testicular Sertoli cell tumor in a free-ranging cryptorchid adult spotted seal Phoca largha in North Slope, Alaska, USA.

This case describes a metastatic Sertoli cell tumor (SCT) with lymphatic spread to the abdominal and thoracic lymph nodes, pancreas, and adrenal gland in an adult spotted seal Phoca largha. The neoplasm was composed of tubules lined by palisading neoplastic cells separated by a variably dense fibrous stroma. This pinniped was 1 of 2 cryptorchid seals and the sole case of genital neoplasia among 70 ice seals necropsied by the North Slope Borough from 2012 to 2017. Overall, SCTs are rarely reported in marine mammals.

Movements of spotted seals (Phoca largha) in the Sea of Okhotsk according to satellite tagging data

For the first time, satellite tagging of spotted seals (Phoca largha) has been performed in three regions of the Sea of Okhotsk: Chkalov Island in Sakhalin Bay, Ptichy Island, and the Bolshaya River mouth on the western coast of Kamchatka. As a result, regions inhabited by the seals in different periods of their life cycle and differences in the pattern of water area use by animals from different regions have been revealed. The seals from the western Kamchatka coast have covered greater distances during the observation period, compared to the animals from Sakhalin Bay. In the reproductive period, the seals from the western coast spread over the entire northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk, whereas the animals from the Sakhalin Bay move only to the Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan. None of tagged seals has been located in the “reproductive center” at the eastern coast of Sakhalin. The seals tagged in different regions of the Sea of Okhotsk have never been located in the same place during the entire annual cycle, suggesting that the sea is inhabited by two reproductively isolated groups of ringed seals.

Changes in haul-out use by spotted seals (Phoca largha) on Rebun Island, Hokkado, Japan, in response to controls on harmful animals

Harmful animal controls on spotted seals on Rebun Island have been conducted each spring since 2010 due to an increase in the number of seals and damage to local fisheries. To evaluate the influences of controls on seals, we used the numbers of haul-out sites and hauled-out seals, and photo-identification to study differences in the usage patterns of haul-out sites by seals before and after controls. As a result, two major changes were confirmed. Firstly, in spring after controls, the numbers of hauled-out seals at Northern Rebun (NR) greatly decreased, while at Bensashi (Ben) on the southern side of Rebun they greatly increased, compared to spring prior to controls. Secondly, the number of identified seals observed at both NR and Ben (NR-Ben) increased after controls, while most of the seals that changed to NR-Ben after controls were observed only at NR (NR-NR) before controls. Additionally, most of the seals using NR-Ben were observed year-round. The controls had a direct influence on reducing the numbers of seals in the controls area mainly during the period of controls. However, many seals that avoided the controls area used other haul-out sites, and the numbers of year-round-seals on Rebun increased after controls.

To morphological description of cardiovascular system in pinnipeds (Pinnipedia)

Morphometric parameters of the heart, the absolute and relative caliber of the aortic arch and the major arterial trunks are determined for northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus , Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus , spotted seal Phoca largha , harbor seal Phoca vitulina stejnegeri , and ribbon seal Histriophoca fasciata . The value of cardiac index, the thickness of ventricular wall, and the relative diameter of arterial trunks correlate well with energy expenditures of the entire body of mammals or their certain organs during the life cycle. The hypothesis is confirmed on seals’ adaptation to asphyxia by pronounced dilatation of the aorta ascending that ensures constant blood pressure and supports perfusion of brain and cardiac tissue.

New data on the abundance of the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), and spotted seal (Phoca largha) on Tyuleniy Island, Sea of Okhotsk

The latest data on the abundance and distribution of the northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), and spotted seal (Phoca largha) on Tyuleniy Island (Sea of Okhotsk) are presented. Based on the surveys in June and July of 2013, the total estimated number of northern fur seals is 115000. The direct counts showed 5000 bulls, 30300 females, and 34700 pups (31500 live and 3200 dead). The total decrease in the number of females and pups for the recent 4 years is 18.0% (or 4.5% per year). The counted number of Steller sea lions is 1879 adults, viz., 119 bulls, 1390 females (of which 68.5% were parous), and 370 animals of other categories. A total of 890 pups were recorded. The reproductive group of sea lions is increasing due to immigrants. The largest number of spotted seals is 162 individuals. Its seasonal and daily variations are dynamic.

De novo assembly and characterization of spotted seal Phoca largha transcriptome using Illumina paired-end sequencing

Spotted seal (Phoca largha) is categorized as a critically endangered species in China. The aim of this study was to investigate spotted seal transcriptome by the approach of Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. We obtained a total of 52,146,394 reads for the mixed tissues of liver and spleen from the spotted seal. The de novo assemblies yielded 354,014 contigs and 178,466 unigenes. In the transcriptome, 193 unigenes were assigned to defense mechanisms. Three unigenes encoded MHC class I and 17 unigenes encoded MHC class II. In addition, bioinformatics analysis revealed a total of 4425 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Fifty SSRs were randomly selected to validate amplification and determine the degree of polymorphism in the genomic DNA pools. Thirty-five primer pairs successfully amplified the expected DNA fragments and detected significant polymorphism among 28 spotted seal individuals. These results would contribute to the understanding of the genetic makeup of spotted seal transcriptome and provide useful information for functional genomic research in this species.

СОВРЕМЕННОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ПОПУЛЯЦИИ И УГРОЗЫ СТАБИЛЬНОМУ СУЩЕСТВОВАНИЮ ЛАРГИ (PHOCA LARGHA) В ЗАЛИВЕ ПЕТРА ВЕЛИКОГО ЯПОНСКОГО МОРЯ

Population of the spotted seal Phoca largha in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan is in a state of unstable equilibrium, ensuring the maintenance of population number at extremely low level of 2.5 thousand individuals. The current status of the largha seal population and its biocenotic significance in the bay are considered, and threat to seal stable existence under increasing anthropogenic pressure are analyzed. Because of the eco-ethological features (coastal breeding, specific social organization) and strongly pronounced isolation of reproductive grouping of the spotted seals in Peter the Great Bay, probability of recovery after a possible reduction in population numbers due to immigration is negligible, and the resumption by the internal potential may be impossible.

Characterization of the spotted seal Phoca largha transcriptome using Illumina paired-end sequencing and development of SSR markers

Next-generation sequencing provides a powerful new approach for developing functional genomic tools for non-model species. This study aims to investigate the spotted seal (Phoca largha) transcriptome by the approach of Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. We obtained a total of 52,146,394 reads for the mixed tissues of liver and spleen from spotted seal. The de novo assemblies yielded 354,014 contigs and 178,466 unigenes. In addition, bioinformatics analysis revealed a total of 4425 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Fifty SSRs were randomly selected to validate amplification and determine the degree of polymorphism in the genomic DNA pools. Thirty-five primer pairs successfully amplified expected DNA fragments and detected significant polymorphism among 28 spotted seal individuals. These results contribute to the understanding of the genetic makeup of spotted seal transcriptome and provide useful information for functional genomic research in this species.

Molecular analysis of parapoxvirus from a spotted seal Phoca largha in Japan

A spotted seal Phoca largha with nodular and scab lesions on the whole body was brought to an aquarium in Nagoya, Japan. We extracted DNA from the lesions and used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for detecting orthopoxvirus and parapoxvirus DNA. Parapoxvirus but not orthopoxvirus DNA was detected. The partial nucleotide sequence of the envelope gene was determined from the PCR product, and the sequence was seen to be closely related to 2 parapoxvirus strains from spotted seals in Alaska, showing 100% identity at the amino acid level, with one nucleotide substitution. Virus-neutralizing (VN) antibody against canine distemper virus (CDV) was not detected in the serum, indicating that this individual was not infected with CDV or phocine distemper virus (PDV), which both have a high mortality rate for marine mammals. These results suggest that the lesions were caused by infection with pinniped parapoxvirus, and that the viruses spread and are maintained within the habitat range or populations of spotted seals from the Bering Sea to the Japan Sea. This is the first report of molecular analysis of parapoxvirus in marine mammals in Japan.

Preliminary genetic status of the spotted seal Phoca largha in Liaodong Bay (China) based on microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses

The Liaodong Bay spotted seal (Phoca largha) population experienced several drastic declines in the last 80 years. Recent studies are contradictory regarding the level of genetic diversity and population structure of P. largha, possibly because of the use of non-species-specific nuclear markers. Here, we report on i) the first isolation and character­ization of 10 species-specific polymorphic microsatellite loci for the spotted seal, ii) sequences of a 572 bp mtDNA fragment in 25 Liaodong Bay individuals that we analyzed together with all published haplotypes from Liaodong Bay and Japan. Intermediate genetic diversity in microsatellite loci was found in the Liaodong Bay population and the effective popu­lation size estimates were 41.8 to 86.8 individuals. Low mtDNA genetic variability, especially nucleotide diversity, in the Liaodong Bay population was detected, but Bayesian skyline plots did not show any evidence of recent bottleneck. Both F-statistics and the haplotypic network indicate a clear differentiation between the Liaodong Bay and Japanese populations separated by a fixed mutation. Analysis of mtDNA data indicates that Liaodong Bay female seals show fidelity to their breeding site, and breeding time data suggest that this population is reproductively isolated from popu­lations in other breeding areas. The observed low genetic diversity in mtDNA and the intermediate levels of nuclear microsatellite diversity, combined with the potential genetic isolation, suggest that the Liaodong Bay population might be at risk and that further investigation of the population genetics of spotted seals across their whole range is warranted for proper management of the species.

Inshore associations of the spotted seal (Phoca largha Pallas, 1811)

Spotted seal Phoca largha is considered typically pagophilic species, but in the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan it is closely associated with specific coastal sites all the year round. Four types of largha inshore associations (preliminary, breeding, molting, and rehabilitative) invariably connected with certain types of haulout sites are cyclically formed on the islands of the bay. Principles of formation and features of functioning, as well as structure, specificity of dynamics, the degree of aggregation and behavior features of each type of inshore associations are considered.