Effects of ontogeny and oiling on the thermal function of southern sea otter ( Enhydra lutris nereis ) fur.
| Autor: | Riordan K; Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA., Thometz NM; Department of Biology, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA., Batac FI; California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, 151 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA., Nicholson TE; Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940, USA., Liwanag HEM; Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Conservation physiology [Conserv Physiol] 2023 Dec 14; Vol. 11 (1), pp. coad095. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 14 (Print Publication: 2023). |
| DOI: | 10.1093/conphys/coad095 |
| Abstrakt: | During the evolution of most marine mammals, fur as an insulator has been replaced with more buoyant, energy storing and streamlining blubber. By contrast, the sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ) relies on insulation from its dense, air-trapping pelage, which differs morphologically between natal and adult stages. In this study, we investigated the ontogenetic changes in thermal function of southern sea otter ( Enhydra lutris nereis ) pelts in air, in water, and when saturated with crude oil. Pelt thermal conductivity, thickness, and thermal resistance were measured for six age classes: neonate (<1 month), small pup (1-2 months), large pup (3-5 months), juvenile (6 months-1 year), subadult (1-3 years), and adult (4-9 years). Thermal conductivity was significantly higher for pelts in air than in water, with oiled pelts exhibiting the highest values ( P < 0.001). Oiled pelts had the lowest thermal resistance, which suggests that regardless of age, all sea otters are vulnerable to the effects of oiling ( P < 0.001). To scale up our laboratory findings, we used a volume-specific geometric model of conductive heat transfer for a simplified sea otter body, representing all tested age classes and treatments. Neonates, small pups, and large pups are more vulnerable to the effects of oiling compared with older age classes ( P < 0.0001) due to a higher surface area-to-volume ratio. These results are consistent with the known thermal conductance values for adult sea otter pelts, yet this is the first time such thermal differences have been demonstrated in young otters. Overall, body size and age play a more important role in the thermal abilities of sea otters than previously thought. Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts to declare. (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press and the Society for Experimental Biology.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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