Seasonal patterns of heat loss in wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology
Erin M MeagherD Ann Pabst

Abstract

This study investigated patterns of heat loss in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) resident to Sarasota Bay, FL, USA, where water temperatures vary seasonally from 11 to 33 degrees C. Simultaneous measurements of heat flux (HF) and skin surface temperature were collected at the body wall and appendages of dolphins during health-monitoring events in summer (June 2002-2004) and winter (February 2003-2005). Integument thickness was measured and whole body conductance (W/m(2) degrees C) was estimated using HF and colonic temperature measurements. Across seasons, HF values were similar at the appendages, but their distribution differed significantly at the flipper and fluke. In summer, these appendages displayed uniformly high values, while in winter they most frequently displayed very low HF values with a few high HF values. In winter, blubber thickness was significantly greater and estimated conductance significantly lower, than in summer. These results suggest that dolphins attempt to conserve heat in winter. In winter, though, HF values across the body wall were similar to (flank) or greater than (caudal keel) summer values. It is likely that higher winter HF values are due to the steep temperature gradient between the bo...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 3, 2010·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Jonathan D ReichardThomas H Kunz
Sep 7, 2012·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Elisabetta MacchiPatrizia Ponzio
May 13, 2009·Zoo Biology·Randall S Wells
May 18, 2012·Journal of Morphology·Sara J McClellandHeather N Koopman
Aug 31, 2016·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·H C BallR J Duff
Aug 31, 2017·Conservation Physiology·Monique A LaddsRobert G Harcourt
Mar 21, 2018·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Nicola ErdsackJohn E Reynolds
Oct 9, 2008·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Laura C Yeates, Dorian S Houser

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