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Ice seals as sentinels for algal toxin presence in the Pacific Arctic and subarctic marine ecosystems
Author(s) -
Hendrix Alicia M.,
Lefebvre Kathi A.,
Quakenbush Lori,
Bryan Anna,
Stimmelmayr Raphaela,
Sheffield Gay,
Wisswaesser Gabriel,
Willis Maryjean L.,
Bowers Emily K.,
Kendrick Preston,
Frame Elizabeth,
Burbacher Thomas,
Marcinek David J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
marine mammal science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.723
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1748-7692
pISSN - 0824-0469
DOI - 10.1111/mms.12822
Subject(s) - phoca , subarctic climate , biology , arctic , fur seal , domoic acid , algae , fishery , benthic zone , ecology , toxin , biochemistry
Domoic acid (DA) and saxitoxin (STX)‐producing algae are present in Alaskan seas, presenting exposure risks to marine mammals that may be increasing due to climate change. To investigate potential increases in exposure risks to four pagophilic ice seal species ( Erignathus barbatus , bearded seals; Pusa hispida , ringed seals; Phoca largha , spotted seals; and Histriophoca fasciata , ribbon seals), this study analyzed samples from 998 seals harvested for subsistence purposes in western and northern Alaska during 2005–2019 for DA and STX. Both toxins were detected in bearded, ringed, and spotted seals, though no clinical signs of acute neurotoxicity were reported in harvested seals. Bearded seals had the highest prevalence of each toxin, followed by ringed seals. Bearded seal stomach content samples from the Bering Sea showed a significant increase in DA prevalence with time (logistic regression, p  = .004). These findings are consistent with predicted northward expansion of DA‐producing algae. A comparison of paired samples taken from the stomachs and colons of 15 seals found that colon content consistently had higher concentrations of both toxins. Collectively, these results suggest that ice seals, particularly bearded seals (benthic foraging specialists), are suitable sentinels for monitoring HAB prevalence in the Pacific Arctic and subarctic.

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