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Sentiel A Rommel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Heat flux in manatees: an individual matter and a novel approach to assess and monitor the thermal state of Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris)
Journal of Comparative Physiology B-biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology, 2018Co-Authors: Nicola Erdsack, Sophy R. Mccully Phillips, Sentiel A Rommel, William A Mclellan, D Ann Pabst, John E. ReynoldsAbstract:Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) possess an unusual suite of adaptations to accommodate both a fully aquatic lifestyle and an herbivorous diet, including a low metabolic rate and a very limited thermoneutral zone. Their relatively high lower critical temperature of around 20 °C suggests strong sensitivity to cold, thereby limiting their distribution to tropical and subtropical waters. “Cold stress syndrome” affects and kills Florida manatees every year during intense or prolonged cold weather, posing one of the major threats to manatees. However, knowledge regarding manatee thermoregulation is sparse, but essential for effective conservation and management of this threatened species. We measured heat flux in two captive Florida manatees at multiple times of the year, at 41 sites distributed across the entire body surface of each manatee. Heat flux differed significantly between individuals, and among body sites and times of the year. The pectoral flippers and axillae were identified as areas with highest heat exchange. Despite exposure to constant water temperature throughout the year, the manatees in this study had significantly lower heat flux in winter than in summer. We used the measured heat flux values to calculate total heat dissipation in individual manatees. The values estimated this way correspond well with the low metabolic rates estimated in previous studies, confirming the reliability of our novel approach. Our method provides simple and useful options for enhancing manatee welfare by monitoring the animals’ thermal state during potentially stressful activities such as during medical treatment, capture restraints and transportation.
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ct scans and 3d reconstructions of florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris heads and ear bones
Hearing Research, 2007Co-Authors: Sentiel A Rommel, Marie E Chapla, Douglas P Nowacek, Valerie M SadlerAbstract:Abstract The auditory anatomy of the Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) was investigated using computerized tomography (CT), three-dimensional reconstructions, and traditional dissection of heads removed during necropsy. The densities (kg/m3) of the soft tissues of the head were measured directly using the displacement method and those of the soft tissues and bone were calculated from CT measurements (Hounsfield units). The manatee’s fatty tissue was significantly less dense than the other soft tissues within the head (p
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FORENSIC METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING WATERCRAFT FROM WATERCRAFT‐INDUCED WOUNDS ON THE FLORIDA MANATEE (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris)
Marine Mammal Science, 2007Co-Authors: Sentiel A Rommel, Thomas D. Pitchford, Jessica D. Lightsey, Richard H. Snyder, Alexander M. Costidis, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:Watercraft-related mortality represents 1,253 (24.9%) of 5,033 Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) deaths recorded between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 2004. Wound patterns generated by collisions with watercraft are diagnostic. Sets of cuts and scrapes that are roughly equidistant and perpendicular to the direction of vessel travel are consistent with lacerations made by propeller blades. From these lesions, estimates of propeller diameter, pitch, rotation, and direction of travel may be obtained. Considerable overlap of propeller sizes and pitches on different size vessels, common use of counter rotation propellers, and numerous other complicating factors may confound efforts to accurately predict vessel size and type from propeller wounds. Of the more than one million watercraft registered in Florida, 98% are ≤12.2 m (40 ft), yet watercraft 5.3–36.6 m (17.5–120 ft) are known to have killed manatees. Analysis of a 5-yr subset of mortality data suggests that a disproportionate number of propeller-caused watercraft-related mortalities could be attributed to propeller diameters ≥43.2 cm (17 in.), inferring that these were caused by watercraft ≥12.2 m (40 ft).
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forensic methods for characterizing watercraft from watercraft induced wounds on the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Marine Mammal Science, 2007Co-Authors: Sentiel A Rommel, Thomas D. Pitchford, Jessica D. Lightsey, Richard H. Snyder, Alexander M. Costidis, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:Watercraft-related mortality represents 1,253 (24.9%) of 5,033 Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) deaths recorded between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 2004. Wound patterns generated by collisions with watercraft are diagnostic. Sets of cuts and scrapes that are roughly equidistant and perpendicular to the direction of vessel travel are consistent with lacerations made by propeller blades. From these lesions, estimates of propeller diameter, pitch, rotation, and direction of travel may be obtained. Considerable overlap of propeller sizes and pitches on different size vessels, common use of counter rotation propellers, and numerous other complicating factors may confound efforts to accurately predict vessel size and type from propeller wounds. Of the more than one million watercraft registered in Florida, 98% are ≤12.2 m (40 ft), yet watercraft 5.3–36.6 m (17.5–120 ft) are known to have killed manatees. Analysis of a 5-yr subset of mortality data suggests that a disproportionate number of propeller-caused watercraft-related mortalities could be attributed to propeller diameters ≥43.2 cm (17 in.), inferring that these were caused by watercraft ≥12.2 m (40 ft).
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methods used during gross necropsy to determine watercraft related mortality in the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2006Co-Authors: Jessica D. Lightsey, Sentiel A Rommel, Alexander M. Costidis, Thomas D. PitchfordAbstract:Abstract Between 1993 and 2003, 713 (24%) of 2,940 dead Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) recovered from Florida waters and examined were killed by watercraft-induced trauma. It was determined that this mortality was the result of watercraft trauma because the external wound patterns and the internal lesions seen during gross necropsy are recognizable and diagnostic. This study documents the methods used in determining watercraft-related mortality during gross necropsy and explains why these findings are diagnostic. Watercraft can inflict sharp- and blunt-force trauma to manatees, and both types of trauma can lead to mortality. This mortality may be a direct result of the sharp and blunt forces or from the chronic effects resulting from either force. In cases in which death is caused by a chronic wound-related complication, the original incident is usually considered to be the cause of death. Once a cause of death is determined, it is recorded in an extensive database and is used by Federa...
Elsa M. Haubold - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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permanent genetic resources eighteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Molecular Ecology Resources, 2008Co-Authors: Michael D Tringali, John E. Reynolds, Seifu Seyoum, Susan L Carney, Michelle C Davis, Marta A Rodriguezlopez, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:: Here we describe 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Trichechus Manatus Latirostris (Florida manatee), isolated using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to four (mean = 2.5) in specimens from southwest (n = 58) and northeast (n = 58) Florida. Expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.11 to 0.67 (mean = 0.35) and from 0.02 to 0.78 (mean = 0.34), respectively. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium occurred at two loci. There was no evidence of genotypic disequilibrium for any pair of loci. For individual identification, mean random-mating and θ-corrected match probabilities were 9.36 × 10(-7) and 1.95 × 10(-6) , respectively.
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clinical biochemistry in healthy manatees Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2007Co-Authors: John W Harvey, Robert K Bonde, Kendal E Harr, David Murphy, Michael T Walsh, Elizabeth J Chittick, Melanie G Pate, Charles J Deutsch, Holly H Edwards, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:Abstract Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) are endangered aquatic mammals living in coastal and riverine waterways of Florida and adjacent states. Serum or plasma biochemical analyses are important tools in evaluating the health of free-ranging and captive manatees. The purpose of this study was to measure diagnostically important analytes in the plasma of healthy manatees and to determine whether there was significant variation with respect to location (free-ranging versus captive), age class (small calves, large calves, subadults, adults), and gender. No significant differences in plasma sodium, potassium, bilirubin, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, or creatine kinase were found among these classes of animals. Compared to free-ranging manatees, captive animals had significantly lower mean concentrations of plasma chloride, phosphate, magnesium, triglycerides, anion gap, and lactate. Captive manatees had significantly higher mean values of total CO2, calcium, urea, creatinine, alkaline ...
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FORENSIC METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING WATERCRAFT FROM WATERCRAFT‐INDUCED WOUNDS ON THE FLORIDA MANATEE (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris)
Marine Mammal Science, 2007Co-Authors: Sentiel A Rommel, Thomas D. Pitchford, Jessica D. Lightsey, Richard H. Snyder, Alexander M. Costidis, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:Watercraft-related mortality represents 1,253 (24.9%) of 5,033 Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) deaths recorded between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 2004. Wound patterns generated by collisions with watercraft are diagnostic. Sets of cuts and scrapes that are roughly equidistant and perpendicular to the direction of vessel travel are consistent with lacerations made by propeller blades. From these lesions, estimates of propeller diameter, pitch, rotation, and direction of travel may be obtained. Considerable overlap of propeller sizes and pitches on different size vessels, common use of counter rotation propellers, and numerous other complicating factors may confound efforts to accurately predict vessel size and type from propeller wounds. Of the more than one million watercraft registered in Florida, 98% are ≤12.2 m (40 ft), yet watercraft 5.3–36.6 m (17.5–120 ft) are known to have killed manatees. Analysis of a 5-yr subset of mortality data suggests that a disproportionate number of propeller-caused watercraft-related mortalities could be attributed to propeller diameters ≥43.2 cm (17 in.), inferring that these were caused by watercraft ≥12.2 m (40 ft).
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forensic methods for characterizing watercraft from watercraft induced wounds on the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Marine Mammal Science, 2007Co-Authors: Sentiel A Rommel, Thomas D. Pitchford, Jessica D. Lightsey, Richard H. Snyder, Alexander M. Costidis, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:Watercraft-related mortality represents 1,253 (24.9%) of 5,033 Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) deaths recorded between 1 January 1979 and 31 December 2004. Wound patterns generated by collisions with watercraft are diagnostic. Sets of cuts and scrapes that are roughly equidistant and perpendicular to the direction of vessel travel are consistent with lacerations made by propeller blades. From these lesions, estimates of propeller diameter, pitch, rotation, and direction of travel may be obtained. Considerable overlap of propeller sizes and pitches on different size vessels, common use of counter rotation propellers, and numerous other complicating factors may confound efforts to accurately predict vessel size and type from propeller wounds. Of the more than one million watercraft registered in Florida, 98% are ≤12.2 m (40 ft), yet watercraft 5.3–36.6 m (17.5–120 ft) are known to have killed manatees. Analysis of a 5-yr subset of mortality data suggests that a disproportionate number of propeller-caused watercraft-related mortalities could be attributed to propeller diameters ≥43.2 cm (17 in.), inferring that these were caused by watercraft ≥12.2 m (40 ft).
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comparison of methods used to diagnose generalized inflammatory disease in manatees Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 2006Co-Authors: Kendal E Harr, Elsa M. Haubold, Robert K Bonde, Mark Lowe, John W Harvey, David Murphy, Maya Menchaca, Ruth FrancisfloydAbstract:Abstract Manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) are afflicted with inflammatory and infectious disease secondary to human interaction, such as boat strike and entanglement, as well as “cold stress syndrome” and pneumonia. White-blood-cell count and fever, primary indicators of systemic inflammation in most species, are insensitive in diagnosing inflammatory disease in manatees. Acute phase-response proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, have proven to be sensitive measures of inflammation/infection in domestic large animal species. This study assessed diagnosis of generalized inflammatory disease by different methods including total white-blood-cell count, albumin: globulin ratio, gel electrophoresis analysis, C-reactive protein, alpha1 acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A. Samples were collected from 71 apparently healthy and 27 diseased animals during diagnostic medical examination. Serum amyloid A, measured by ELISA, followed by albumin:globulin ratio, measured...
Robert K Bonde - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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serum iron analytes in healthy and diseased florida manatees Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2019Co-Authors: John W Harvey, Kendal E Harr, David Murphy, Michael T Walsh, Charles J Deutsch, Robert K BondeAbstract:Summary Serum iron concentration is usually decreased in true iron deficiency and with inflammatory disease in man and domestic animals. Serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) may be increased in true iron deficiency and decreased with inflammatory disease. This prospective study was designed to measure serum iron analytes in healthy free-ranging and housed Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) of both sexes and various ages and to evaluate the effects of diseases common to manatees on these analytes. Blood samples were collected without anticoagulant from 137 healthy free-ranging manatees, 90 healthy housed manatees and 74 free-ranging diseased manatees, and serum was prepared by centrifugation. Serum iron concentration and unsaturated iron binding capacity were measured colourimetrically, and TIBC and percent transferrin saturation with iron were calculated. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was measured to assist in the health assessment of manatees and provide evidence of inflammation in diseased manatees. Based on the serum iron analytes, iron availability was lower in immature manatees compared with adults, and it was lower in housed manatees compared with free-ranging manatees. In contrast to other mammals studied, serum iron concentration was elevated rather than depressed in late pregnancy. Serum iron concentrations and transferrin saturation with iron percentages were significantly lower, and SAA concentrations were significantly higher, in diseased (ill and injured) manatees compared with healthy manatees. Serum iron concentration and transferrin saturation with iron values were negatively correlated with SAA concentrations, and manatees with the highest SAA concentrations had lower serum TIBC values. These findings indicate that inflammation is the major factor responsible for alterations in iron analytes in diseased manatees. Consequently, hypoferraemia may be used as supportive evidence of inflammatory disease in manatees (unless haemorrhage is also present). A decision threshold of ≤13.8 μmol/l was determined for hypoferraemia using receiver operating curve analysis. Based on studies in man and domestic animals, iron therapy is unnecessary for manatees with hypoferraemia associated with inflammation and has the potential for causing tissue damage and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections.
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the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris t cell receptor loci exhibit v subgroup synteny and chain specific evolution
Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 2018Co-Authors: Breanna Breaux, Maria Paula Cruzschneider, Margaret E Hunter, Robert K Bonde, Michael F. Criscitiello, Leonardo SenaAbstract:Abstract The Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) has limited diversity in the immunoglobulin heavy chain. We therefore investigated the antigen receptor loci of the other arm of the adaptive immune system: the T cell receptor. Manatees are the first species from Afrotheria, a basal eutherian superorder, to have an in-depth characterization of all T cell receptor loci. By annotating the genome and expressed transcripts, we found that each chain has distinct features that correlates to their individual functions. The genomic organization also plays a role in modulating sequence conservation between species. There were extensive V subgroup synteny blocks in the TRA and TRB loci between T. m. Latirostris and human. Increased genomic locus complexity correlated to increased locus synteny. We also identified evidence for a VHD pseudogene for the first time in a eutherian mammal. These findings emphasize the value of including species within this basal eutherian radiation in comparative studies.
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the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris immunoglobulin heavy chain suggests the importance of clan iii variable segments in repertoire diversity
Developmental and Comparative Immunology, 2017Co-Authors: Breanna Breaux, Thaddeus C Deiss, Patricia L Chen, Maria Paula Cruzschneider, Margaret E Hunter, Robert K Bonde, Michael F. Criscitiello, Leonardo SenaAbstract:Abstract Manatees are a vulnerable, charismatic sentinel species from the evolutionarily divergent Afrotheria. Manatee health and resistance to infectious disease is of great concern to conservation groups, but little is known about their immune system. To develop manatee-specific tools for monitoring health, we first must have a general knowledge of how the immunoglobulin heavy (IgH) chain locus is organized and transcriptionally expressed. Using the genomic scaffolds of the Florida manatee ( Trichechus Manatus Latirostris ), we characterized the potential IgH segmental diversity and constant region isotypic diversity and performed the first Afrotherian repertoire analysis. The Florida manatee has low V(D)J combinatorial diversity (3744 potential combinations) and few constant region isotypes. They also lack clan III V segments, which may have caused reduced VH segment numbers. However, we found productive somatic hypermutation concentrated in the complementarity determining regions. In conclusion, manatees have limited IGHV clan and combinatorial diversity. This suggests that clan III V segments are essential for maintaining IgH locus diversity.
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seasonal response of ghrelin growth hormone and insulin like growth factor i in the free ranging florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Mammalian Biology, 2016Co-Authors: Rachel L Tighe, Robert K Bonde, Julie P AveryAbstract:Abstract Seasonal changes in light, temperature, and food availability stimulate a physiological response in an animal. Seasonal adaptations are well studied in Arctic, Sub-Arctic, and hibernating mammals; however, limited studies have been conducted in sub-tropical species. The Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris), a sub-tropical marine mammal, forages less during colder temperatures and may rely on adipose stores for maintenance energy requirements. Metabolic hormones, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and ghrelin influence growth rate, accretion of lean and adipose tissue. They have been shown to regulate seasonal changes in body composition. The objective of this research was to investigate manatee metabolic hormones in two seasons to determine if manatees exhibit seasonality and if these hormones are associated with seasonal changes in body composition. In addition, age related differences in these metabolic hormones were assessed in multiple age classes. Concentrations of GH, IGF-I, and ghrelin were quantified in adult manatee serum using heterologous radioimmunoassays. Samples were compared between short (winter) and long (summer) photoperiods (n = 22 male, 20 female) and by age class (adult, juvenile, and calf) in long photoperiods (n = 37). Short photoperiods tended to have reduced GH (p = 0.08), greater IGF-I (p = 0.01), and greater blubber depth (p = 0.03) compared with long photoperiods. No differences were observed in ghrelin (p = 0.66). Surprisingly, no age related differences were observed in IGF-I or ghrelin concentrations (p > 0.05). However, serum concentrations of GH tended (p = 0.07) to be greater in calves and juveniles compared with adults. Increased IGF-I, greater blubber thickness, and reduced GH during short photoperiod suggest a prioritization for adipose deposition. Whereas, increased GH, reduced blubber thickness, and decreased IGF-I in long photoperiod suggest prioritization of lean tissue accretion. Hormone profiles in conjunction with difference in body composition between photoperiods indicate seasonal adjustments in manatee nutrient partitioning priorities.
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variation in the hindgut microbial communities of the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris over winter in crystal river florida
FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 2014Co-Authors: Samuel Merson, Robert K Bonde, Lisamaree Gulino, Elizabeth A Burgess, Diane Ouwerkerk, Athol V. Klieve, Janet M LanyonAbstract:The Florida manatee, Trichechus Manatus Latirostris, is a hindgut-fermenting herbivore. In winter, manatees migrate to warm water overwintering sites where they undergo dietary shifts and may suffer from cold-induced stress. Given these seasonally induced changes in diet, the present study aimed to examine variation in the hindgut bacterial communities of wild manatees overwintering at Crystal River, west Florida. Faeces were sampled from 36 manatees of known sex and body size in early winter when manatees were newly arrived and then in mid-winter and late winter when diet had probably changed and environmental stress may have increased. Concentrations of faecal cortisol metabolite, an indicator of a stress response, were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Using 454-pyrosequencing, 2027 bacterial operational taxonomic units were identified in manatee faeces following amplicon pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3/V4 region. Classified sequences were assigned to eight previously described bacterial phyla; only 0.36% of sequences could not be classified to phylum level. Five core phyla were identified in all samples. The majority (96.8%) of sequences were classified as Firmicutes (77.3 ± 11.1% of total sequences) or Bacteroidetes (19.5 ± 10.6%). Alpha-diversity measures trended towards higher diversity of hindgut microbiota in manatees in mid-winter compared to early and late winter. Beta-diversity measures, analysed through permanova, also indicated significant differences in bacterial communities based on the season.
Graham A J Worthy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope turnover rates and diet-tissue discrimination in Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris).
The Journal of experimental biology, 2020Co-Authors: Christy D Alves-stanley, Graham A J WorthyAbstract:The Florida manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) is a herbivorous marine mammal that occupies freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats. Despite being considered endangered, relatively little is known about its feeding ecology. The present study expands on previous work on manatee feeding ecology by providing critical baseline parameters for accurate isotopic data interpretation. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were examined over a period of more than 1 year in the epidermis of rescued Florida manatees that were transitioning from a diet of aquatic forage to terrestrial forage (lettuce). The mean half-life for (13)C turnover was 53 and 59 days for skin from manatees rescued from coastal and riverine regions, respectively. The mean half-life for (15)N turnover was 27 and 58 days, respectively. Because of these slow turnover rates, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis in manatee epidermis is useful in summarizing average dietary intake over a long period of time rather than assessing recent diet. In addition to turnover rate, a diet-tissue discrimination value of 2.8 per thousand for (13)C was calculated for long-term captive manatees on a lettuce diet. Determining both turnover rate and diet-tissue discrimination is essential in order to accurately interpret stable isotope data.
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digestive efficiencies of ex situ and in situ west indian manatees Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 2014Co-Authors: Graham A J Worthy, Tamara A M WorthyAbstract:AbstractDigestive efficiencies (Dm) of ex situ and in situ manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) were, for the first time, assessed using manganese (Mn2+) as a naturally occurring marker. The Dm of ex situ manatees determined using [Mn2+] did not differ significantly from the Dm assessed using lignin, supporting the efficacy of the manganese approach. Gastrointestinal tract samples, obtained from recently dead animals, showed [Mn2+] concentrations were lowest in the stomach and remained low in the duodenum and small intestine but increased in the cecum, colon, and rectum, consistent with colonic digestion and absorption. In situ manatees consuming marine vegetation had significantly lower Dm (mean ± SE, ; ) than did in situ manatees consuming freshwater vegetation (; ), which in turn had significantly lower values than did ex situ manatees consuming lettuce (; ). In situ manatees eating seagrasses had significantly higher Dm than did long-term ex situ animals consuming seagrass for short periods of ti...
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carbon and nitrogen stable isotope turnover rates and diet tissue discrimination in florida manatees Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2009Co-Authors: Christy D Alvesstanley, Graham A J WorthyAbstract:The Florida manatee ( Trichechus Manatus Latirostris ) is a herbivorous marine mammal that occupies freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats. Despite being considered endangered, relatively little is known about its feeding ecology. The present study expands on previous work on manatee feeding ecology by providing critical baseline parameters for accurate isotopic data interpretation. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were examined over a period of more than 1 year in the epidermis of rescued Florida manatees that were transitioning from a diet of aquatic forage to terrestrial forage (lettuce). The mean half-life for 13C turnover was 53 and 59 days for skin from manatees rescued from coastal and riverine regions, respectively. The mean half-life for 15N turnover was 27 and 58 days, respectively. Because of these slow turnover rates, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis in manatee epidermis is useful in summarizing average dietary intake over a long period of time rather than assessing recent diet. In addition to turnover rate, a diet–tissue discrimination value of 2.8‰ for 13C was calculated for long-term captive manatees on a lettuce diet. Determining both turnover rate and diet–tissue discrimination is essential in order to accurately interpret stable isotope data.
John E. Reynolds - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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TRENDS IN MANATEE (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) COUNTS AND HABITAT USE IN TAMPA BAY, 1987–1994: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION
Marine Mammal Science, 2020Co-Authors: Irene E Wright, John E. Reynolds, Bruce B Ackerman, Leslie I Ward, Bradley L Weigle, William A SzelistowskiAbstract:Aerial surveys (n= 88) were used to document locations and count sightings of manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) in the inshore waters of Tampa Bay, Florida, between November 1987 and May 1994. We made 5,358 sightings of manatees in 1,958 groups. Calves represented 8% of the manatees sighted. Counts were significantly higher in winter (x= 79, n= 29 flights) than in non-winter (x= 46, n= 47) months. Counts of manatees in winter increased significantly during the study, but warm-season counts did not. Regression models demonstrated a relationship between counts and environmental factors. Year-round counts were related to air temperatures and seasons, with highest counts in winter. However, in the winter season, counts were significantly correlated only with wind speed, not air temperature. Yearround counts were predicted to be curvilinear with highest counts at 15°C average air temperature. Areas used differed with season: in cold weather, 76% of all sightings occurred in zones with warm-water sources. High-use areas were identified for summer months. Spatial filter analysis was used to compare manatee density in high-use areas between two two-year time periods. The data indicate that (1) manatee use of Tampa Bay was high and increasing in winter, (2) there are particular zones of the bay where conservation of manatees and habitat should be a priority, and (3) sufficient information has been collected for management agencies to develop and implement manatee protection plans.
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Heat flux in manatees: an individual matter and a novel approach to assess and monitor the thermal state of Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris)
Journal of Comparative Physiology B-biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology, 2018Co-Authors: Nicola Erdsack, Sophy R. Mccully Phillips, Sentiel A Rommel, William A Mclellan, D Ann Pabst, John E. ReynoldsAbstract:Florida manatees (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) possess an unusual suite of adaptations to accommodate both a fully aquatic lifestyle and an herbivorous diet, including a low metabolic rate and a very limited thermoneutral zone. Their relatively high lower critical temperature of around 20 °C suggests strong sensitivity to cold, thereby limiting their distribution to tropical and subtropical waters. “Cold stress syndrome” affects and kills Florida manatees every year during intense or prolonged cold weather, posing one of the major threats to manatees. However, knowledge regarding manatee thermoregulation is sparse, but essential for effective conservation and management of this threatened species. We measured heat flux in two captive Florida manatees at multiple times of the year, at 41 sites distributed across the entire body surface of each manatee. Heat flux differed significantly between individuals, and among body sites and times of the year. The pectoral flippers and axillae were identified as areas with highest heat exchange. Despite exposure to constant water temperature throughout the year, the manatees in this study had significantly lower heat flux in winter than in summer. We used the measured heat flux values to calculate total heat dissipation in individual manatees. The values estimated this way correspond well with the low metabolic rates estimated in previous studies, confirming the reliability of our novel approach. Our method provides simple and useful options for enhancing manatee welfare by monitoring the animals’ thermal state during potentially stressful activities such as during medical treatment, capture restraints and transportation.
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secretion of anti mullerian hormone in the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris with implications for assessing conservation status
Endangered Species Research, 2011Co-Authors: Rhian C Wilson, John E. Reynolds, Dana L Wetzel, Leslie Schwierzkewade, Robert K Bonde, Kevin F Breuel, William E RoudebushAbstract:Environmental and anthropogenic stressors can affect wildlife populations in a number of ways. For marine mammals (e.g. the Florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris), certain stres- sors or conservation risk factors have been identified, but sublethal effects have been very difficult to assess using traditional methods. The development of 'biomarkers' allows us to correlate effects, such as impaired reproduction, with possible causes. A recently developed biomarker (anti-Mullerian hor- mone, AMH) provides an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of gonadal function. The study objec- tive was to determine AMH levels in wild manatees. In total, 28 male and 17 female manatee serum samples were assayed. Animal demographics included collection date, body weight (kg) and total length (cm). In certain cases, age of individuals was also known. AMH levels ranged from 160 to 2451.85 ng ml -1 (mean = 844.65 ng ml -1 ) in males and 0.00 to 0.38 ng ml -1 (mean = 0.10 ng ml -1 ) in females. Linear regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between male AMH levels and body weight (R 2 = 0.452; p < 0.001) and length (R 2 = 0.338; p < 0.001). Due to the small sample size, regression analyses for female AMH and body weight and length were not significant. This rep- resents the first report of AMH detection in a marine mammal. AMH levels in male manatees are the highest of any species observed to date, whereas levels in females are within reported ranges. Fur- ther studies will promote improved conservation decision by assessing AMH levels in the manatee as a function of various stressors including, but not limited to, nutritional status, serious injuries (e.g. watercraft collisions), exposure to biotoxins or contaminants, or disease.
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permanent genetic resources eighteen new polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Molecular Ecology Resources, 2008Co-Authors: Michael D Tringali, John E. Reynolds, Seifu Seyoum, Susan L Carney, Michelle C Davis, Marta A Rodriguezlopez, Elsa M. HauboldAbstract:: Here we describe 18 polymorphic microsatellite loci for Trichechus Manatus Latirostris (Florida manatee), isolated using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to four (mean = 2.5) in specimens from southwest (n = 58) and northeast (n = 58) Florida. Expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.11 to 0.67 (mean = 0.35) and from 0.02 to 0.78 (mean = 0.34), respectively. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium occurred at two loci. There was no evidence of genotypic disequilibrium for any pair of loci. For individual identification, mean random-mating and θ-corrected match probabilities were 9.36 × 10(-7) and 1.95 × 10(-6) , respectively.
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a minimally invasive method of field sampling for genetic analyses of the florida manatee Trichechus Manatus Latirostris
Marine Mammal Science, 2007Co-Authors: Susan L Carney, Michael D Tringali, Ellen E Bolen, Sheri L Barton, Kerri M Scolardi, Carolyn C Englund, John E. ReynoldsAbstract:Sampling from living animals has a number of advantages over using samples from only deceased animals when genetic studies are conducted. Once genetic markers with the appropriate level of variability are developed, they can be used to generate DNA genotypes to distinguish individuals, and comparisons of genotypes can permit the elucidation of familial relationships (siblings, parents, and offspring). Better understanding of social relationships can be garnered from this knowledge when combined with information from photo-identification records. In addition, multilocus genotypes of individuals can serve as a type of “tag” for use in mark-recapture, movement, and population size estimation studies with samples from live animals (Wilson and Rannala 2003, Bellemain et al. 2005, Peakall et al. 2006). Most of the genetic samples that exist for the Florida manatee, Trichechus Manatus Latirostris, have been obtained from tissues and bone of deceased animals acquired from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory, or from captured animals using dermatome (“cookie”) biopsy punches or, occasionally, blood samples (McClenaghan and O’Shea 1988; Bradley et al. 1993; Garcia-Rodriguez et al. 1998, 2000; Cantanhede et al. 2005;
