Akamatsu, T. (1997). Developments of echolocation event detectors and their application for small cetaceans (Phocoena phocoena and Tursiops truncatus). Bulletin of National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering (18): 155-206. ISSN: 0388-9718.
Descriptors: Phocoena, sound, monitoring, measuring instruments, Tursiops, sensors, fish detection, behavior, Cetacea, dolphins, equipment, fishing operations, mammals, measuring instruments, radiation.
Language of Text: English summary.
Akamatsu, T., Y. Hatakeyama, and K. Ishii (1991). Process of harbor porpoise's entanglement in the gill net. Technical Report of National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering. Fishing Gear and Methods (5): 25-36. ISSN: 0289-5153.
Abstract: In the Bering sea and Northern Pacific Ocean, Dall's porpoises Phocoenoides dalli get entangled in gill nets. To reduce the number of entangled porpoises, we researched the mechanism of porpoise's entanglements. We used Harbor porpoises Phocoena phocoena in the coastal area of Hokkaido, Japan. Harbor porpoises are of the same family as Dall's porpoises. We observed the porpoise's behavior in the net enclosure in which we set the gill net, the float line, as well as the rope. The results may be summarized as follows: Harbor porpoises can recognize the gill net at daytime, if they are aware of it. At night, porpoises can also recognize the gill net, if they have already know the existence of it. Porpoises can easier recognize a line than a netting. The fin of porpoises get entangled in the gill net. When they obliquely thrust into the gill net, they get entangled in it. The food causes reduction of porpoises' cautiousness. The source level of porpoise's clicks is in the range 125 to 150dB.
Descriptors: Phocoena, gillnets, experimentation, behavior, animal resources, equipment, fishing gear, fishing nets, natural resources.
Allen, K.R. (1983). Development and application of cetacean population models whales. Advances in Applied Biology 7: 333-405.
NAL Call Number: QH301.A8
Descriptors: whales, Cetacean, population, models.
Ames, A.L., E.S. Van Vleet, and J.E. Reynolds (2002). Comparison of lipids in selected tissues of the Florida manatee (Order Sirenia) and bottlenose dolphin (Order Cetacea; Suborder Odontoceti). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 132(3): 625-34. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: The position, porosity and oil-filled nature of the zygomatic process of the squamosal bone (ZPSB) of the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, suggest that it may have a similar sound conduction function to that of the intramandibular fat body (IMFB) of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, and other odontocetes. To examine this possibility we determined the lipid composition of the ZPSB and adipose tissue from the dorsal part of the head region of the Florida manatee, and compared it to that of the dolphin IMFB and melon (another fatty area implicated in sound conduction in odontocetes). Lipids from manatee ZPSB and from adipose tissue were composed almost entirely of triacylglycerols. The most abundant fatty acids of the ZPSB were 18:1, 16:0, 14:0 and 16:1. The major fatty acids of the adipose tissue in the head were the four mentioned above, along with 12:0 and 18:0. Manatee samples did not contain isovaleric acid (iso-5:0), which was found in the bottlenose dolphin IMFB and melon, and has been related to sound conduction in dolphins and some other odontocetes. Thus, if manatee tissues are capable of sound conduction, and this process does occur through the ZPSB, a somewhat different suite of lipid components must support this function.
Descriptors: dolphins, lipids analysis, lipids chemistry, Trichechus manatus, adipose tissue chemistry, head, hearing, organ specificity, species specificity.
Andersen, L.W. and U. Friedrich (1988). The karyotype of the long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melaena. Hereditas 109(2): 245-251. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: whales, chromosomes, genetic markers, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, cell structure, Cetacea, ISSCAAP group b 61, ISSCAAP group b 62, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, meat animals, nucleus, oil producing animals, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English summary.
Andrews, B.K., B.M. Pettitt, and G.N. Phillips Jr. (1995). Molecular dynamics of sperm whale myoglobin. Biophysical Journal 68(2, Pt. 2): A80. ISSN: 0006-3495.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B5238
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, computer applications, computational biology, muscular system, movement and support, analytical method, computer simulation, ligand binding, meeting abstract, meeting poster, structure function relationship.
Notes: Meeting Information: 39th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, San Francisco, California, USA, 1995.
Angell, C.M., J.Y. Wilson, M.J. Moore, and J.J. Stegeman (2004). Cytochrome p450 1a1 expression in cetacean integument: implications for detecting contaminant exposure and effects. Marine Mammal Science 20(3): 554-566. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Contaminant related health risks to marine mammals are typically inferred from the levels of contaminants measured in blubber. Such measurements alone are insufficient to indicate the likelihood of biological effects from contaminant exposure, especially for contaminants that do not bioaccumulate. Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in mammals is induced by, and involved in, the metabolism of planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chemicals of concern in aquatic systems. CYP1A induction is a molecular response to exposure to these inducers in many vertebrates. Using immunohistochemistry, we semiquantitatively measured CYP1A1 expression in integument (epidermis and blubber) collected by biopsy or at necropsy from 17 species of cetaceans. CYP1A1 expression was detected in all species and, in some cases, varied both within and between species. CYP1A1 expression in mysticetes was comparable to that in odontocetes. Assessing how the differences in contaminant burdens, life history parameters, and physiological condition between individuals, populations, or species affect CYP1A1 expression in cetacean integument is essential to the interpretation of this induction as a biomarker of exposure to and effects of contaminants. Detection of CYP1A1 expression in integument samples offers a relatively simple, non-lethal technique to study biological changes associated with contaminant exposure in cetaceans.
Descriptors: enzymology, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, pollution assessment control and management, population studies, toxicology, biopsy, clinical techniques, necropsy, clinical techniques, contaminant exposure, health risks, life history.
Araabi, B.N., N. Kehtarnavaz, T. McKinney, G. Hillman, and B. Wursig (2000). A string matching computer-assisted system for dolphin photoidentification. Annals of Biomedical Engineering 28(10): 1269-79. ISSN: 0090-6964.
Abstract: This paper presents a syntactic/semantic string representation scheme as well as a string matching method as part of a computer-assisted system to identify dolphins from photographs of their dorsal fins. A low-level string representation is constructed from the curvature function of a dolphin's fin trailing edge, consisting of positive and negative curvature primitives. A high-level string representation is then built over the low-level string via merging appropriate groupings of primitives in order to have a less sensitive representation to curvature fluctuations or noise. A family of syntactic/semantic distance measures between two strings is introduced. A composite distance measure is then defined and used as a dissimilarity measure for database search, highlighting both the syntax (structure or sequence) and semantic (attribute or feature) differences. The syntax consists of an ordered sequence of significant protrusions and intrusions on the edge, while the semantics consist of seven attributes extracted from the edge and its curvature function. The matching results are reported for a database of 624 images corresponding to 164 individual dolphins. The identification results indicate that the developed string matching method performs better than the previous matching methods including dorsal ratio, curvature, and curve matching. The developed computer-assisted system can help marine mammalogists in their identification of dolphins, since it allows them to examine only a handful of candidate images instead of the currently used manual searching of the entire database.
Descriptors: animal identification systems methods, computers, dolphins anatomy and histology, animal identification systems statistics and numerical data, biomedical engineering, databases, factual, marine biology methods, photography.
Arai, K., T.K. Yamada, and Y. Takano (2004). Age estimation of male Stejneger's beaked whales (Mesoplodon stejnegeri) based on counting of growth layers in tooth cementum. Mammal Study 29(2): 125-136. ISSN: 1343-4152.
Abstract: The age of six mature and one juvenile Stejneger's beaked whales Mesoplodon stejnegeri were estimated by examining the growth layers appearing in ground thin sections of tooth cementum under the light microscope. In order to determine a reliable observation method for counting the growth layers of tooth cementum, serial thin slices of root cementum were cut out from one well-grown tooth and examined using various histological methods. Observation of ground thin sections under dark field illumination was shown to give the highest contrast of growth layers of various dimensions, and hence chosen as the method to examine whole ground sections of the tooth samples. Using this method, growth layer groups (GLGs), or growth layers of the first order, most probably representing yearly deposition of cementum, were clearly identified and shown to decrease in width toward the root surface. The number of GLGs thus counted in the tooth cementum of each whale ranged from 15 to 35.5 for the adults, and two for the juvenile. Furthermore, analysis of root elongation rate and its relation to GLG counts of the individual teeth indicated a wide variety of growth patterns in tooth development, and that the extent of characteristic wear on the mesial edge of the tooth represents the period after eruption, and may not reflect the actual age of the whales.
Descriptors: Mesoplodon stejnegeri, age determination, age estimation using counts of growth layers in tooth cementum, evaluation, meristic morphometrics, teeth, tooth cementum growth layer counts.
Arai, T., T. Ikemoto, A. Hokura, Y. Terada, T. Kunito, S. Tanabe, and I. Nakai (2004). Chemical forms of mercury and cadmium accumulated in marine mammals and seabirds as determined by XAFS analysis. Environmental Science and Technology 38(24): 6468-6474. ISSN: 0013-936X.
NAL Call Number: TD420.A1E5
Abstract: Marine mammals and seabirds tend to exhibit high accumulations of mercury, cadmium, and selenium in their livers and kidneys. In this study, chemical forms of mercury, cadmium, and selenium accumulated in the livers and kidneys of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus),and black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes) were studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to reveal the detoxification mechanisms of these metals. It was found that mercury and selenium exist in the form of HgSe in the liver of northern fur seal. Mercury levels were found to be higher than those of Se, based on their molar ratio, in black-footed albatross. XAFS analysis disclosed an existence of chalcogenide containing both Hg-Se and the Hg-S bonds, suggesting the existence of a solid solution Hg(Se, S) as granules in black-footed albatross. In contrast, Cd concentrations in the kidney were higher than those in the liver for northern fur seal, black-footed albatross, and Risso's dolphin. It was found that Cd was bound to sulfur, which was probably derived from the metallothionein, The Cd-O bond was observed in the tissues of northern fur seal.
Descriptors: Diomedea nigripes, Callorhinus ursinus, Grampus griseus, pollutants, cadmium and mercury accumulation, liver and kidney, chemical forms accumulated, liver, kidney.
Arduini, A., G. Mancinelli, G.L. Radatti, W. Damonti, P. Hochstein, and E. Cadenas (1992). Reduction of sperm whale ferrylmyoglobin by endogenous reducing agents: potential reducible loci of ferrylmyoglobin. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 13(4): 449-54. ISSN: 0891-5849.
NAL Call Number: QP527.F7
Abstract: The reactivity of the endogenous antioxidants ascorbate, ergothioneine, and urate toward the high oxidation state of sperm whale myoglobin, ferrylmyoglobin-formed upon oxidation of metmyoglobin by H2O2--was evaluated by optical spectroscopy and SDS-PAGE analysis. Depending on whether these antioxidants were present in the reaction mixture before or after the addition of H2O2 to a metmyoglobin suspension, two different effects were observed: (a) In the former instances, ascorbate, ergothioneine, and urate reduced efficiently the oxoferryl moiety in ferrylmyoglobin to metmyoglobin and prevented dimer formation, a process which requires intermolecular cross-link involving specific tyrosyl residues. In addition, all the reducing compounds inhibited--albeit with different efficiencies--dityorosine-dependent fluorescence build up produced via dimerization of photogenerated tyrosyl radicals. (b) In the latter instances, the antioxidants reduced the preformed sperm whale ferrylmyoglobin to a modified metmyoglobin, the spectral profile of which was characterized by a blue shift of the typical 633 nm absorbance of native metmyoglobin. In addition, under these experimental conditions, the antioxidants did not affect dimer formation, thus indicating the irreversible character of the process. The dimeric form of sperm whale myoglobin--separated from the monomeric form by gel electrophoresis of a solution in which ergothioneine was added to preformed ferrylmyoglobin--revealed optical spectral properties in the visible region identical to that of the modified myoglobin. This suggests that the dimeric form of the hemoprotein is redox active, inasmuch as the oxoferryl complex can be reduced to its ferric form. These results are discussed in terms of the potential reactivity of these endogenous antioxidants toward the reducible loci of ferrylmyoglobin, the oxoferryl moiety, and the apoprotein radical.
Descriptors: ascorbic acid metabolism, ergothioneine metabolism, metmyoglobin metabolism, uric acid metabolism, whales, electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel, hydrogen peroxide metabolism, macromolecular substances, oxidation reduction, spectrophotometry.
Arnason, U. (1981). Banding studies on the gray and sperm whale karyotypes Eschrichtius robustus, Physeter macrocephalus. Hereditas 95(2): 277-281. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: grey whale, sperm whale, karotypes, banding studies, Eschrichtius robustus, Physeter macrocephalus.
Arnason, U. (1981). Localization of NORs nucleolar organizing regions in cetacean karyotypes dolphin, whales. Hereditas 95(2): 269-275. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: dolphins, whales, Cetacean, karyotypes, NORS, nucleolar, organizing regions, localization.
Arnason, U., K. Benirschke, J.G. Mead, and W.W. Nichols (1977). Banded karyotypes of three whales: Mesoplodon europaeus [Gervais' beaked whale], M. carlhubbsi [Hubbs' beaked whale] and Balaenoptera acutorostrata [minke whale]. Hereditas 87(2): 189-200. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: banded karyotypes, whales, beaked whale, minke whale.
Language of Text: English summary.
Arnason, U. and P.B. Best (1991). Phylogenetic relationships within the Mysticeti (whalebone whales) based upon studies of highly repetitive DNA in all extant species. Hereditas 114(3): 263-269. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: Cetacea, dna, crossbreeding, phylogeny, species, acids, breeding methods, evolution, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, taxa, taxonomy.
Language of Text: English summary.
Arnason, U. and A. Gullberg (1996). Cytochrome b nucleotide sequences and the identification of five primary lineages of extant cetaceans. Molecular Biology and Evolution 13(2): 407-17. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: Relationships among and within baleen and toothed whales were examined using the complete sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Based on parsimony analyses of conservative nucleotide substitutions, five primary evolutionary lineages of extant cetaceans were identified, one represented by baleen whales (Mysticeti) and four represented by odontocetes (toothed whales). Based on the most comprehensive representation of taxa, both cetaceans and artiodactyls, the most parsimonious relationship among the five lineages is (Mysticeti, Odontoceti (Platanistoidea (Physeteroidea (Ziphioidea (Delphinida))))). This relationship, however, is labile and sensitive to ingroup representation and the choice of outgroup. The short nodes among the five cetacean lineages suggest that the divergence among these lineages occurred over a narrow time period, a finding consistent with the limited fossil evidence that indicates a major cetacean radiation 30-34 Mya. The level of divergence among the five cetacean lineages, and that seen between cetaceans and artiodactyls, suggests that cetaceans and artiodactyls had a common ancestor approximately 60 Mya.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, cytochrome b group genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, phylogeny, artiodactyla genetics, base sequence, Cetacea classification, dolphins classification, dolphins genetics, evolution, molecular, molecular sequence data, point mutation, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity, whales classification, whales genetics.
Arnason, U. and A. Gullberg (1993). Comparison between the complete mtDNA sequences of the blue and the fin whale, two species that can hybridize in nature. Journal of Molecular Evolution 37(4): 312-22. ISSN: 0022-2844.
NAL Call Number: QH359.J6
Abstract: The sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) molecule of the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) was determined. The molecule is 16,402 bp long and its organization conforms with that of other eutherian mammals. The molecule was compared with the mtDNA of the congeneric fin whale (B. physalus). It was recently documented that the two species can hybridize and that male offspring are infertile whereas female offspring may be fertile. The present comparison made it possible to determine the degree of mtDNA difference that occurs between two species that are not completely separated by hybridization incompatibility. The difference between the complete mtDNA sequences was 7.4%. Lengths of peptide coding genes were the same in both species. Except for a small portion of the control region, disruption in alignment was usually limited to insertion/deletion of a single nucleotide. Nucleotide differences between peptide coding genes ranged from 7.1 to 10.5%, and difference at the inferred amino acid level was 0.0-7.9%. In the rRNA genes the mean transition difference was 3.8%. This figure is similar in degree to the difference (3.4%) between the 12S rRNA gene of humans and the chimpanzee. The mtDNA differences between the two whale species, involving both peptide coding and rRNA genes, suggest an evolutionary separation of > or = 5 million years. Although hybridization between more distantly related mammalian species may not be excluded, it is probable that the blue and fin whales are nearly as different in their mtDNA sequences as hybridizing mammal species may be.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, whales genetics, adenosinetriphosphatase genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, cattle, electron transport complex iv genetics, evolution, hybridization, genetic, molecular sequence data, nadh dehydrogenase genetics, sequence homology, amino acid, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity.
Arnason, U., A. Gullberg, S. Gretarsdottir, B. Ursing, and A. Janke (2000). The mitochondrial genome of the sperm whale and a new molecular reference for estimating eutherian divergence dates. Journal of Molecular Evolution 50(6): 569-78. ISSN: 0022-2844.
NAL Call Number: QH359.J6
Abstract: Extant cetaceans are systematically divided into two suborders: Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales). In this study, we have sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of an odontocete, the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and included it in phylogenetic analyses together with the previously sequenced complete mtDNAs of two mysticetes (the fin and blue whales) and a number of other mammals, including five artiodactyls (the hippopotamus, cow, sheep, alpaca, and pig). The most strongly supported cetartiodactyl relationship was: outgroup,((pig, alpaca), ((cow, sheep),(hippopotamus,(sperm whale,(baleen whales))))). As in previous analyses of complete mtDNAs, the sister-group relationship between the hippopotamus and the whales received strong support, making both Artiodactyla and Suiformes (pigs, peccaries, and hippopotamuses) paraphyletic. In addition, the analyses identified a sister-group relationship between Suina (the pig) and Tylopoda (the alpaca), although this relationship was not strongly supported. The paleontological records of both mysticetes and odontocetes extend into the Oligocene, suggesting that the mysticete and odontocete lineages diverged 32-34 million years before present (MYBP). Use of this divergence date and the complete mtDNAs of the sperm whale and the two baleen whales allowed the establishment of a new molecular reference, O/M-33, for dating other eutherian divergences. There was a general consistency between O/M-33 and the two previously established eutherian references, A/C-60 and E/R-50. Cetacean (whale) origin, i.e., the divergence between the hippopotamus and the cetaceans, was dated to approximately 55 MYBP, while basal artiodactyl divergences were dated to >/=65 MYBP. Molecular estimates of Tertiary eutherian divergences were consistent with the fossil record.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, evolution, molecular, genome, whales genetics, mammals genetics, phylogeny.
Arnason, U., A. Gullberg, and A. Janke (2004). Mitogenomic analyses provide new insights into cetacean origin and evolution. Gene 333: 27-34. ISSN: 0378-1119.
NAL Call Number: QH442.A1G4
Abstract: The evolution of the order Cetacea (whales, dolphins, porpoises) has, for a long time, attracted the attention of evolutionary biologists. Here we examine cetacean phylogenetic relationships on the basis of analyses of complete mitochondrial genomes that represent all extant cetacean families. The results suggest that the ancestors of recent cetaceans had an explosive evolutionary radiation 30-35 million years before present. During this period, extant cetaceans divided into the two primary groups, Mysticeti (baleen whales) and Odontoceti (toothed whales). Soon after this basal split, the Odontoceti diverged into the four extant lineages, sperm whales, beaked whales, Indian river dolphins and delphinoids (iniid river dolphins, narwhals/belugas, porpoises and true dolphins). The current data set has allowed test of two recent morphological hypotheses on cetacean origin. One of these hypotheses posits that Artiodactyla and Cetacea originated from the extinct group Mesonychia, and the other that Mesonychia/Cetacea constitutes a sister group to Artiodactyla. The current results are inconsistent with both these hypotheses. The findings suggest that the claimed morphological similarities between Mesonychia and Cetacea are the result of evolutionary convergence rather than common ancestry.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, evolution, molecular, DNA, mitochondrial chemistry, models, genetic, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, sequence analysis, DNA, time factors, variation genetics.
Arnason, U., A. Gullberg, and B. Widegren (1993). Cetacean mitochondrial DNA control region: sequences of all extant baleen whales and two sperm whale species. Molecular Biology and Evolution 10(5): 960-70. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: The sequence of the mitochondrial control region was determined in all 10 extant species commonly assigned to the suborder Mysticeti (baleen or whalebone whales) and to two odontocete (toothed whale) species (the sperm and the pygmy sperm whale). In the mysticetes, both the length and the sequence of the control region were very similar, with differences occurring primarily in the first approximately 160 bp of the 5' end of the L-strand of the region. There were marked differences between the mysticete and sperm whale sequences and also between the two sperm whales. The control region, less its variable portion, was used in a comparison including the 10 mysticete sequences plus the same region of an Antarctic minke whale specimen and the two sperm whales. The difference between the minke whales from the North Atlantic and the Antarctic was greater than that between any acknowledged species belonging to the same genus (Balaenoptera). The difference was similar to that between the families Balaenopteridae (rorquals) and Eschrichtiidae (gray whales). The findings suggest that the Antarctic minke whale should have a full species status, B. bonaerensis. Parsimony analysis separated the bowhead and the right whale (family Balaenidae) from all remaining mysticetes, including the pygmy right whale. The pygmy right whale is usually included in family Balaenidae. The analysis revealed a close relationship between the gray whale (family Eschrichtiidae) sequence and those of the rorquals (family Balaenopteridae). The gray whale was included in a clade together with the sei, Bryde's, fin, blue, and humpback whales. This clade was separated from the two minke whale types, which branched together.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, whales genetics, base sequence, cattle genetics, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity, whales classification.
Arnason, U., R. Spilliaert, A. Palsdottir, and A. Arnason (1991). Molecular identification of hybrids between the two largest whale species, the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and the fin whale (B. physalus). Hereditas 115(2): 183-189. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: Balaenoptera, hybrids, interspecific hybridization, identification, breeding methods, Cetacea, hybridization, mammals, progeny, whales.
Language of Text: English summary.
Asada, M., M. Horii, T. Mogoe, Y. Fukui, H. Ishikawa, and S. Ohsumi (2000). In vitro maturation and ultrastructural observation of cryopreserved minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) follicular oocytes. Biology of Reproduction 62(2): 253-9. ISSN: 0006-3363.
NAL Call Number: QL876.B5
Descriptors: oocytes physiology, ovarian follicle physiology, whales physiology, cell nucleus ultrastructure, cryopreservation, ethylene glycol, meiosis physiology, microscopy, electron, mitochondria ultrastructure, oocyte donation, oocytes growth and development, oocytes ultrastructure, ovarian follicle cytology.
Asada, M., M. Tetsuka, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2001). Improvement on the vitro maturation, fertilization and development of minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) oocytes. Theriogenology 56(4): 521-533. ISSN: 0093-691X.
NAL Call Number: QP251.A1T5
Descriptors: Balaenopteridae, whales, adults, prepubertal females, oocytes, maturation, fertilization, in vitro, cumulus oophorus, culture media, serum, bovine serum albumin, concentration, fertilizing ability, embryo culture, granulosa cells, cleavage, cumulus oocyte complexes, fetal whale serum, coculture.
Asada, M., H. Wei, R. Nagayama, M. Tetsuka, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2001). An attempt at intracytoplasmic sperm injection of frozen-thawed minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) oocytes. Zygote (Cambridge, England) 9(4): 299-307. ISSN: 0967-1994.
NAL Call Number: QH491.Z94
Abstract: Little is known about the characteristics of fertilisation events in minke whales. Cryopreserved minke whale oocytes and spermatozoa do not fertilise in a standard IVF. This study was conducted to investigate the pronucleus formation ability of cryopreserved minke whale oocytes and their subsequent development following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In experiment 1, frozen-thawed minke whale immature oocytes were cultured for in vitro maturation (IVM) in a maturation medium (TCM199) supplemented with either porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH)/estradiol-17beta (E2) or pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). After 120 h of IVM, oocyte survival was examined before ICSI, and showed no significant difference in morphological normality (24-36%) between the two IVM media. Two-cell embryos (two oocytes from 21 sperm-injected oocytes) were obtained when the maturation medium was supplemented with pFSH/E2 or PMSG/hCG. In experiment 2, cryopreserved maturing oocytes were investigated for the effects of repeat-culture (2 h or 24 h) on survival before ICSI. Pronuclear formation and development were examined for the effects of sperm pretreatment with dithiothreitol (DTT) and oocyte activation with ethanol at ICSI. A frequency of 49-69% of frozen-thawed maturing oocytes was used for ICSI. Although oocyte activation did not produce a significant difference in survival, pronucleus formation and embryonic development, 2- and 4-cell cleaved oocytes were observed after injection of sperm pretreated with DTT.
Descriptors: cryopreservation, oocytes physiology, sperm injections, intracytoplasmic methods, whales, dithiothreitol metabolism, embryo, nonmammalian physiology, gonadal steroid hormones physiology, spermatozoa physiology.
Atassi, M.Z. and A.L. Kazim (1978). First consequences of the determination of the entire antigenic structure of sperm-whale myoglobin. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 98: 19-40. ISSN: 0065-2598.
Abstract: By using the antigenic structure of sperm-whale Mb as a model we have established that the antigenicity of its sites is independent of any sequence identities between the injected myoglobin and the Mb of the immunized animal. Furthermore, the ability to produce in rabbits autoantibodies to rabbit Mb and the successful extrapolation of the antigenic structure of sperm-whale Mb to human hemoglobin strongly demonstrated that the antigenicity of certain parts of a protein molecule is primarily dependent on the uniqueness of their conformational locations.
Descriptors: myoglobin immunology, amino acid sequence, autoantibodies, epitopes, protein conformation, rabbits immunology, species specificity, structure activity relationship, whales immunology.
Au, W.W., D.W. Lemonds, S. Vlachos, P.E. Nachtigall, and H.L. Roitblat (2002). Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) hearing threshold for brief broadband signals. Journal of Comparative Psychology 116(2): 151-157. ISSN: 0735-7036.
Abstract: The hearing sensitivity of an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) to both pure tones and broadband signals simulating echoes from a 7.62-cm water-filled sphere was measured. Pure tones with frequencies between 40 and 140 kHz in increments of 20 kHz were measured along with broadband thresholds using a stimulus with a center frequency of 97.3 kHz and 88.2 kHz. The pure-tone thresholds were compared with the broadband thresholds by converting the pure-tone threshold intensity to energy flux density. The results indicated that dolphins can detect broadband signals slightly better than a pure-tone signal. The broadband results suggest that an echolocating bottlenose dolphin should be able to detect a 7.62-cm diameter water-filled sphere out to a range of 178 m in a quiet environment.
Descriptors: auditory threshold, dolphins psychology, echolocation, pitch discrimination, appetitive behavior, psychoacoustics, sound spectrography.
Baker, C.S., F. Cipriano, and S.R. Palumbi (1996). Molecular genetic identification of whale and dolphin products from commercial markets in Korea and Japan. Molecular Ecology 5(5): 671-685. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: whale meat, whales, dolphins, meat, meat products, balaenopteridae, mysticeti, odontoceti, delphinidae, identification, polymerase chain reaction, mitochondrial dna, food analysis, genetic analysis, phylogenetics, Lagenorhynchus, Japan, Korea Republic, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Balaenoptera physalus, Balaenoptera borealis.
Baker, C.S., R.W. Slade, J.L. Bannister, R.B. Abernethy, M.T. Weinrich, J. Lien, J. Urban, P. Corkeron, J. Calmabokidis, O. Vasquez, and et al. (1994). Hierarchical structure of mitochondrial DNA gene flow among humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae, world-wide. Molecular Ecology 3(4): 313-27. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: The genetic structure of humpback whale populations and subpopulation divisions is described by restriction fragment length analysis of the mitochondrial (mt) DNA from samples of 230 whales collected by biopsy darting in 11 seasonal habitats representing six subpopulations, or 'stocks', world-wide. The hierarchical structure of mtDNA haplotype diversity among population subdivisions is described using the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) procedure, the analysis of gene identity, and the genealogical relationship of haplotypes as constructed by parsimony analysis and distance clustering. These analyses revealed: (i) significant partitioning of world-wide genetic variation among oceanic populations, among subpopulations or 'stocks' within oceanic populations and among seasonal habitats within stocks; (ii) fixed categorical segregation of haplotypes on the south-eastern Alaska and central California feeding grounds of the North Pacific; (iii) support for the division of the North Pacific population into a central stock which feeds in Alaska and winters in Hawaii, and an eastern or 'American' stock which feeds along the coast of California and winters near Mexico; (iv) evidence of genetic heterogeneity within the Gulf of Maine feeding grounds and among the sampled feeding and breeding grounds of the western North Atlantic; and (v) support for the historical division between the Group IV (Western Australia) and Group V (eastern Australia, New Zealand and Tonga) stocks in the Southern Oceans. Overall, our results demonstrate a striking degree of genetic structure both within and between oceanic populations of humpback whales, despite the nearly unlimited migratory potential of this species. We suggest that the humpback whale is a suitable demographic and genetic model for the management of less tractable species of baleen whales and for the general study of gene flow among long-lived, mobile vertebrates in the marine ecosystem.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, whales genetics, gene frequency, haplotypes, oceans and seas, polymorphism, restriction fragment length, variation genetics.
Bando, T. (2002). Ecological study of cetaceans using stable isotope technique. Aquabiology (Tokyo) 24(5): 429-433; 142. ISSN: 0285-4376.
NAL Call Number: QH90.A1K35
Descriptors: Cetacea, biochemical techniques, ecological techniques, stable isotope technique applications, feeding analysis techniques, ecology.
Barnes, G.R., P. Madie, and D.K. Blackmore (1996). Assessment of the humane aspects of electric lancing of whales by measurement of current densities in the brain and heart of dead animals. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing 34(6): 436-40. ISSN: 0140-0118.
Abstract: The potential physiological effects of the electric lance are assessed, as used in Japanese whaling operations. Current densities are measured in the brains and hearts of six whales to which a controlled current of 5 A is applied by two electrodes inserted at various sites in the carcasses. The whales vary in size from 1.8 m (22 kg) to 16 m (40 t). The minimum current density in the brain necessary to cause depolarisation of neurones is estimated to be 10 mA cm-2 and to cause ventricular fibrillation is estimated to be 0.5 mA cm-2. No current densities exceeding 4.8 mA cm-2 are recorded in the brain. Very few recordings of current density from the heart are above 0.5 mA cm-2, and they occur only when electrodes are in optimal positions. When electrodes are placed as in whaling operations, no whale over 3 m in length would receive current densities in the heart or brain sufficient to cause permanent dysfunction. It is concluded that electric lancing is ineffective as a secondary method of killing whales and that the current densities recorded could cause pain and suffering to an already distressed animal.
Descriptors: brain physiopathology, electric injuries, heart physiopathology, whales physiology, electric injuries physiopathology, electric stimulation, electricity, electrophysiology.
Barrett, T., I.K.G. Visser, L. Mamaev, L. Goatley, M.F. van Bressem, and A.D.M.E. Osterhaus (1993). Dolphin and porpoise morbilliviruses are genetically distinct from phocine distemper virus. Virology 193(2): 1010-1012. ISSN: 0042-6822.
Descriptors: genetics, viral diseases, phocine distemper virus, phocoenidae, dolphins, Phocoena, Cetacea, morbillivirus.
Barrick, D. (1994). Replacement of the proximal ligand of sperm whale myoglobin with free imidazole in the mutant His-93-->Gly. Biochemistry 33(21): 6546-54. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: The proximal bond between the iron atom of the heme group and the N epsilon of histidine F8 in myoglobin (Mb) and hemoglobin (Hb) is presumed to be an important determinant of heme binding, protein structure, and oxygen binding. Here a system is described in which the proximal ligand is provided intermolecularly by the histidine side chain mimic imidazole. The proximal ligand of sperm whale Mb is replaced with glycine (H93G) using site-directed mutagenesis. The addition of imidazole to Escherichia coli expressing this gene reconstitutes myoglobin function. H93G Mb purified in the presence of imidazole is spectroscopically similar to wild-type Mb in combination with a wide variety of distal ligands. The crystal structure of H93G Mb, determined in the presence of imidazole, reveals that an imidazole molecule is bonded to the heme iron on the proximal side, substituting in trans for the side-chain function of the proximal histidine of wild-type Mb. Although H93G Mb is similar in spectroscopic and gross structural detail to wild-type Mb, subtle differences exist in the orientation of imidazole with respect to the heme group. trans-Complementation of proximal ligand function will allow the proximal bond in hemoproteins to be chemically substituted beyond the limits of the genetic code.
Descriptors: glycine chemistry, heme chemistry, histidine chemistry, imidazoles chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, crystallography, x ray, Escherichia coli genetics, ligands, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin genetics, protein conformation, spectrum analysis, whales.
Barrick, D. and R.L. Baldwin (1993). Three-state analysis of sperm whale apomyoglobin folding. Biochemistry 32(14): 3790-6. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: We give a quantitative description of the urea- and acid-induced transitions of apomyoglobin at 0 degree C and 2 mM sodium citrate. Our data consist of two series of unfolding curves: (1) acid-induced unfolding carried out in the presence of various concentrations of urea and (2) urea-induced unfolding at various pH values. A three-state equation is derived which relates the stability of three different conformations of apomyoglobin (native [N], unfolded [U], and intermediate [I]) as a function of urea and of pH. This equation fits our data reasonably well. The parameters which give the best fit have both thermodynamic and structural implications for N, I, and U. Specifically, I is closer in Gibbs energy to U than to N, indicating that side-chain packing results in much of the stability of native protein structure. The equilibria between N and I and between I and U are equally sensitive to urea, suggesting that much of the surface of I is inaccessible to solvent. The acid-induced transition in which N unfolds can be described as the result of titration of approximately two histidines with low pKaS in N. Under physiological conditions (neutral pH, no urea) I is the most stable non-native conformation.
Descriptors: apoproteins chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, whales, hydrogen ion concentration, protein folding, recombinant proteins chemistry, urea pharmacology.
Basova, L.V., E.I. Tiktopulo, and V.E. Bychkova (2005). [Model phospholipid membranes affect the holomyoglobin structure: conformational changes at pH 6.2]. Molekuliarnaia Biologiia 39(1): 120-8. ISSN: 0026-8984.
Abstract: The influence of model negatively charged membranes on the sperm whale holomyoglobin structure at pH 6.2 has been investigated by different techniques (far and near UV circular dichroism, tryptophan fluorescence, absorbance at Soret band, differential scanning microcalorimetry and fast performance liquid chromatography). It is shown that the holomyoglobin structure undergoes a conformational transition from the native to intermediate state analogous to its apo-form. This state is characterized by the absence of a rigid tertiary structure and the native heme environment. At the same time, the content of alpha-helical secondary structure remains almost native. To change the holomyoglobin structure similarly to that of its apo-form in the presence of membranes, a higher molar phospholipids/protein ratio is required. The properties of holomyoglobin in the presence of negatively charged membranes resemble those of the molten globule state of its apo-form protein in aqueous solution. A possible functional role of the discovered non-native myoglobin state is discussed.
Descriptors: lipid bilayers chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, phospholipids chemistry, calorimetry, differential scanning, chromatography, gel, circular dichroism, hydrogen ion concentration, protein structure, secondary, protein structure, tertiary, thermodynamics, whales.
Baum, C., L.G. Fleischer, D. Roessner, W. Meyer, and D. Siebers (2002). A covalently cross-linked gel derived from the epidermis of the pilot whale Globicephala melas. Biorheology 39(6): 703-17. ISSN: 0006-355X.
Abstract: The rheological properties of the stratum corneum of the pilot whale (Globicephala melas) were investigated with emphasis on their significance to the self-cleaning abilities of the skin surface smoothed by a jelly material enriched with various hydrolytic enzymes. The gel formation of the collected fluid was monitored by applying periodic-harmonic oscillating loads using a stress-controlled rheometer. In the mechanical spectrum of the gel, the plateau region of the storage modulus G' (<1200 Pa) and the loss modulus G" (>120 Pa) were independent of frequency (omega = 43.98 to 0.13 rad x s(-1), tau = 15 Pa, T = 20 degrees C), indicating high elastic performance of a covalently cross-linked viscoelastic solid. In addition, multi-angle laser light scattering experiments (MALLS) were performed to analyse the potential time-dependent changes in the weight-average molar mass of the samples. The observed increase showed that the gel formation is based on the assembly of covalently cross-linked aggregates. The viscoelastic properties and the shear resistance of the gel assure that the enzyme-containing jelly material smoothing the skin surface is not removed from the stratum corneum by shear regimes during dolphin jumping. The even skin surface is considered to be most important for the self-cleaning abilities of the dolphin skin against biofouling.
Descriptors: cross linking reagents metabolism, dolphins metabolism, epidermis chemistry, gels metabolism, elasticity, gels analysis, kinetics, lasers, light, microscopy, electron, molecular weight, rheology, scattering, radiation, stress, mechanical, viscosity.
Baum, C., W. Meyer, D. Roessner, D. Siebers, and L.G. Fleischer (2001). A zymogel enhances the self-cleaning abilities of the skin of the pilot whale (Globicephala melas). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. A, Molecular and Integrative Physiology 130(4): 835-47. ISSN: 1095-6433.
NAL Call Number: QP1.C6
Abstract: Enzyme activity in the stratum corneum of the pilot whale Globicephala melas was investigated employing colorimetric enzyme screening assays combined with NATIVE PAGE, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and histochemical staining procedures. Applying different substrates, several enzymes were detected. The histochemical demonstration of some selected hydrolytic enzymes enriched in the stratum corneum showed high extracellular accumulation. As demonstrated by size exclusion chromatography, high molar mass aggregates were built up from a glycoprotein-rich 20-30-kD fraction. Using NATIVE PAGE experiments under non-reducing conditions, a selection of five degrading enzymes was recovered within the above-reported aggregates. Activity of extracellular aggregate-attached enzymes in the superficial layer of the stratum corneum exhibited no remarkable decrease potentially resulting from self-degradation. We thus conclude that due to their enclosure within the microenvironment of aggregates, a zymogel is formed and autolysis of the stratum corneum is reduced. With respect to the skin surface, the zymogel with hydrolytic activities covering major parts of it enhances the self-cleaning abilities of the skin of the pilot whale based on physical pre-requisites by hydrolyzing adhesive glycoconjugates of settling biofouling organisms considered as primary steps in fouling.
Descriptors: gels pharmacology, grooming, skin enzymology, whales metabolism, cell adhesion, chromatography, electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel, hydrogen ion concentration, models, theoretical.
Baum, C., F. Simon, W. Meyer, L.G. Fleischer, D. Siebers, J. Kacza, and J. Seeger (2003). Surface properties of the skin of the pilot whale Globicephala melas. Biofouling 19(Suppl.): 181-6. ISSN: 0892-7014.
Abstract: On the skin surface of delphinids small biofoulers are challenged to high shear water flow and liquid-vapor interfaces of air-bubbles during jumping. This state of self-cleaning is supported by the even, nano-rough gel-coated epidermal surface of the skin. The present study focussed on the intercellular evolution of gel formation and the chemical composition of the gel smoothing the skin surface of the pilot whale, Globicephala melas, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with cryo-scanning electron microscopy (CSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the superficial layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, intercellular material was shown by electron optical methods to assemble from smaller into larger covalently cross-linked aggregates during the transit of the corneocytes towards the skin surface. XPS measurements showed that the surface of the skin and the intercellular gel included approximately the same amounts of polar groups (especially, free amines and amides) and non-polar groups, corresponding to the presence of lipid droplets dispersed within the jelly material. It was concluded from the results that the gel-coat of the skin surface is a chemically heterogeneous skin product. The advantages of chemically heterogeneous patches contributing to the ablation of traces of the biofouling process are discussed.
Descriptors: bodily secretions chemistry, dolphins anatomy and histology, skin chemistry, skin ultrastructure, dolphins physiology, microscopy, electron, organic chemicals isolation and purification, spectrum analysis, surface properties.
Beineke, A., U. Siebert, N. van Elk, and W. Baumgartner (2004). Development of a lymphocyte-transformation-assay for peripheral blood lymphocytes of the harbor porpoise and detection of cytokines using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 98(1-2): 59-68. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Impairment of immune function is suggested to play a contributing role for the increasing incidence of infectious diseases in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) of the North and Baltic Seas. Both, lymphocyte-transformation-assay of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBMC) and detection of cytokine expression are important tools for the characterization of the cellular immune response. To evaluate optimal parameters for the lymphocyte-transformation-assay isolated blood lymphocytes from four healthy harbor porpoises were stimulated with different concentrations of concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Cell proliferation was measured photometrically after 72 h using 5-bromo-deoxyuridine-assay and stimulation indices were calculated. The expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was investigated in control and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Primers for IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 were selected from published cDNA-sequences of other cetaceans. Established canine and human primers were taken for the detection of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-10 and the house keeping transcript glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), respectively. Specificity of the amplicon was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis and comparison with nucleotide sequences of other marine and terrestrial mammals. Con A and PHA represented the most powerful mitogens for harbor porpoise lymphoid cells at concentrations of 5 and 2 microg/ml, respectively, while PWM induced a comparatively low maximum proliferation at a concentration of 2 microg/ml. GAPDH was amplified in non-stimulated and all mitogen-stimulated cells. With the exception of IL-10 none of the other cytokines were detected in non-stimulated cells. Transcription of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta-mRNA was observed after incubation with all the three phytomitogens, whereas IL-2 was only detected in Con A and PWM treated cells. Lymphocyte-transformation-assay and RT-PCR for detection of cytokines will allow to investigate possible impaired immune function in the harbor porpoise in future studies.
Descriptors: cytokines genetics, lymphocyte activation, porpoises genetics, porpoises immunology, base sequence, concanavalin A pharmacology, DNA primers genetics, DNA, complementary genetics, interleukins genetics, lymphocytes drug effects, lymphocytes immunology, molecular sequence data, phytohemagglutinins pharmacology, pokeweed mitogens pharmacology, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, transforming growth factor beta genetics, tumor necrosis factor alpha genetics.
Beineke, A., U. Siebert, A. Wunschmann, J.L. Stott, I. Prengel, E. Kremmer, and W. Baumgartner (2001). Immunohistochemical investigation of the cross-reactivity of selected cell markers from various species for characterization of lymphatic tissues in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Comparative Pathology 125(4): 311-317. ISSN: 0021-9975.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 J82
Descriptors: Phocoena, lymphatic system, monoclonal antibodies, surface antigens, cross reaction, immunohistochemistry, markers, b lymphocytes, t lymphocytes.
Bernier, J., S. de Guise, D. Martineau, P. Beland, M. Beaudet, and M. Fournier (2000). Purification of functional T lymphocytes from splenocytes of the beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Developmental and Comparative Immunology 24(6-7): 653-62. ISSN: 0145-305X.
Abstract: In an effort to gain knowledge on immune functions in beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas, we have used two physical methods for the purification of T lymphocytes of spleen cells. Isolation by sheep red blood cells (SRBC) rosetting and by adherence on nylon wool columns were tested. SRBC-rosetting gave unreliable results in obtaining purified T cells. Therefore, the purification of T cells was done using nylon wool columns. Less than 3% of the IgM(+) B cells remained in effluent populations. In the later population, 45% gave positive staining with mouse anti-human CD4 allowing us to verify functionality of the cells. The study of calcium mobilization and tyrosine kinase activation, mediated by CD4 cross-linking permitted verification of the functionality of cells. We also showed that upon activation with mitogens, beluga T cells upregulate the density of MHC class II molecules on their surfaces. CD4 cross-linking with a specific antibody inhibited the proliferation response. Overall, the activation of beluga whales lymphocytes did not differ markedly from what is known in other species. This study can help in the groundwork for functional investigation of the beluga whale's immune system.
Descriptors: spleen cytology, spleen immunology, t lymphocytes immunology, whales immunology, antigens, cd4 immunology, antigens, cd4 metabolism, calcium metabolism, cell division immunology, cell separation, histocompatibility antigens class ii biosynthesis, lymphocyte activation, spleen metabolism, t lymphocytes cytology, t lymphocytes metabolism, up regulation immunology.
Berube, M. and P. Palsboll (1996). Identification of sex in cetaceans by multiplexing with three ZFX and ZFY specific primers. Molecular Ecology 5(2): 283-7. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: We sequenced 540 nucleotides of the last exon in the ZFY/ZFX gene in two males and two females for eight cetacean species; four odontocetes (toothed whales) and four mysticetes (baleen whales). Based upon the obtained nucleotide sequences, we designed two sets of oligonucleotide primers for specific amplification of the ZFX and the ZFY sequence in odontocetes and mysticetes, respectively. Each primer set consisted of three oligonucleotides; one forward-orientated primer, which anneals to the ZFY as well as the ZFX sequence, and two reverse-orientated primers that anneal to either the ZFX or or the ZFY sequence. The resulting two amplification products (specific for the ZFY and ZFX sequences) can be distinguished by gel-electrophoresis through 2% NuSieve(TM). The accuracy of the technique was tested by determination of gender in 214 individuals of known sex. Finally we applied the technique to determine the sex of 3570 cetacean specimens; 2284 humpback whales, 315 fin whales, 37 blue whales, 7 minke whales, as well as 592 belugas, 335 narwhals and 25 harbour porpoises.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, sex determination analysis methods, base sequence, DNA genetics, DNA primers genetics, DNA binding proteins genetics, ecosystem, exons, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, sequence homology, nucleic acid, whales genetics.
Notes: Erratum In: Molecular Ecology 1996 Aug;5(4):602.
Bielec, P., D. Gallagher, J. Womack, J. Taylor, S. Davis, and D. Busbee (1998). Dolphin beta-glucocerebrosidase, map position 1q22. Chromosome Research 6(5): 425. ISSN: 0967-3849.
NAL Call Number: QH600.C47
Descriptors: chromosome mapping, dolphins genetics, glucosylceramidase genetics, in situ hybridization, fluorescence.
Bielec, P., D. Gallagher, J. Womack, J. Taylor, S. Davis, and D. Busbee (1998). Dolphin interleukin-8 receptor. Map position 18q25-26. Chromosome Research 6(8): 661. ISSN: 0967-3849.
NAL Call Number: QH600.C47
Descriptors: antigens, cd genetics, chromosome mapping, dolphins genetics, receptors, interleukin genetics, in situ hybridization, fluorescence, receptors, interleukin 8a.
Bielec, P., D. Gallagher, Y.P. Yang, J. Womack, S. Davis, J. Taylor, and D. Busbee (2000). Assignment of crystallin beta-polypeptide 1 (CRYBA1) to Atlantic bottlenose dolphin chromosome band 16p11 by in situ hybridization. Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics 89(1-2): 96-7. ISSN: 0301-0171.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 C992
Descriptors: crystallins genetics, dolphins genetics, in situ hybridization, fluorescence, physical chromosome mapping, chromosome banding, evolution, molecular.
Bildt, M.W.G.van de, T. Kuiken, and A.D.M.E. Osterhaus (2005). Cetacean morbilliviruses are phylogenetically divergent. Archives of Virology 150(3): 577-83. ISSN: 0304-8608.
NAL Call Number: 448.3 Ar23
Abstract: We performed a phylogenetic comparison of porpoise morbillivirus (PMV) and dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) isolates from porpoises and dolphins respectively according to criteria adopted by the World Health Organization for the phylogenetic comparison of measles viruses. PMV and DMV were more divergent than the most distantly related measles virus strains, thus challenging the classification of PMV and DMV as two strains of a single species, cetacean morbillivirus.
Descriptors: dolphins virology, morbillivirus genetics, porpoises virology, hemagglutinins, viral genetics, morbillivirus classification, morbillivirus isolation and purification, nucleoproteins genetics, phylogeny, species specificity, viral proteins genetics.
Blixenkrone Moller, M., G. Bolt, E. Gottschalck, and M. Kenter (1994). Comparative analysis of the gene encoding the nucleocapsid protein of dolphin morbillivirus reveals its distant evolutionary relationship to measles virus and ruminant morbilliviruses. Journal of General Virology 75(10): 2829-2834.
NAL Call Number: QR360.A1J6
Descriptors: dolphins, amino acids, gene expression, distemper virus, phylogeny, proteins, viroses, morbillivirus, nucleotide sequence, Cetacea, evolution, genomes, infectious diseases, mammals, morbillivirus, paramyxoviridae, viruses, phocine distemper virus, viral diseases.
Bolognesi, M., E. Cannillo, P. Ascenzi, G.M. Giacometti, A. Merli, and M. Brunori (1982). Reactivity of ferric Aplysia and sperm whale myoglobins towards imidazole. X-ray and binding study. Journal of Molecular Biology 158(2): 305-15. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: hemeproteins, imidazoles, metmyoglobin, aplysia, binding sites, ligands, protein conformation, spectrophotometry, whales, x ray diffraction.
Bolt, G., S. Alexandersen, and M. Blixenkrone Moller (1995). The phosphoprotein gene of a dolphin morbillivirus isolate exhibits genomic variation at the editing site. Journal of General Virology 76(12): 3051-3058.
NAL Call Number: QR360.A1J6
Descriptors: morbillivirus, phosphoproteins, messenger rna, gene expression, viruses, proteins, recombination, distemper virus, nucleotide sequence, acids, genomes, morbillivirus, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, paramyxoviridae, proteins, rna, viruses, phocine distemper virus.
Bolt, G. and M. Blixenkrone Moeller (1994). Nucleic acid hybridization analyses confirm the presence of a hitherto unknown morbillivirus in Mediterranean dolphins. Veterinary Microbiology 41(4): 363-372. ISSN: 0378-1135.
NAL Call Number: SF601.V44
Descriptors: dolphins, morbillivirus, diagnosis, nucleic acids, acids, Cetacea, mammals, nucleic compounds, organic acids, paramyxoviridae, viruses.
Language of Text: English summary.
Boon, J.P., W.E. Lewis, and A. Goksoyr (2001). Immunochemical and catalytic characterization of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 in the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Aquatic Toxicology Amsterdam, Netherlands 52(3-4): 297-309. ISSN: 0166-445X.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.W3A6
Abstract: Liver samples from three live-stranded adult male sperm whales, that could be sampled and frozen in liquid nitrogen within 18 h post mortem, provided an opportunity to learn more about the basic properties of their cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. All samples were catalytically active and showed sharp bands of the different CYP enzymes after Western blotting, indicating that degradation of the proteins was negligible. All three sperm whales showed a similar immunochemical CYP pattern: bands of CYP1A1/2, CYP3A and CYP4A were present, but CYP2B1/2 was not detected. Significant biotransformation of the polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons 4, 4'-dichlorobiphenyl (CB-15), 2,7-dichlorodibenzodioxin and 1,2,3,4,8-pentadibenzofuran was measured in an in vitro biotransformation assay. In contrast, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (CB-77) and two chlorobornanes (CHB-32 and CHB-62) occurring in the insectide toxaphene(R), were not metabolised.
Descriptors: aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylases, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system metabolism, insecticides toxicity, microsomes, liver enzymology, toxaphene toxicity, whales metabolism, alkane 1 monooxygenase, blotting, western, catalysis, cells, cultured, chromatography, gas, cytochrome p 450 cyp1a1 metabolism, cytochrome p 450 cyp1a2 metabolism, mixed function oxygenases metabolism, models, chemical, oxidoreductases, n demethylating metabolism.
Boon, J.P., H.M. Sleiderink, M.S. Helle, M. Dekker, A. van Schanke, E. Roex, M.T.J. Hillebrand, H.J.C. Klamer, B. Govers, D. Pastor, D. Morse, P.G. Wester, and J. de Boer (1998). The use of a microsomal in vitro assay to study phase I biotransformation of chlorobornanes (toxaphene) in marine mammals and birds. Possible consequences of biotransformation for bioaccumulation and genotoxicity. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. C, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Endocrinology 121(1-3): 385-403.
Descriptors: camphechlor, insecticides, side effects, aquatic animals, seals, physeter, experimentation, metabolism, agricultural chemicals, aquatic organisms, Carnivora, Cetacea, mammals, pesticides, Pinnipedia, whales, nontarget effects, marine animals, Phoca vitulina, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, Physeter catodon, Diomedea immutabilis, assays.
Notes: Forms and functions of cytochrome P450.
Borisov, V.I. (1981). Comparative analysis of electrophoretic spectra of proteins in whales of Antarctic region. 1. Hemoglobins and myoglobins of 3 species of baleen and sperm whales. Zoologicheskii Zhurnal 60(3): 438-442. ISSN: 0044-5134.
NAL Call Number: 410 R92
Descriptors: Antarctica, whales, proteins, hemoglobins, myoglobins, baleen, sperm, comarative analysis, electrophoretic spectra.
Born, E.W., P. Outridge, F.F. Riget, K.A. Hobson, R. Dietz, N. Oien, and T. Haug (2003). Population substructure of north Atlantic minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) inferred from regional variation of elemental and stable isotopic signatures in tissues. Journal of Marine Systems 43(1-2): 1-17. ISSN: 0924-7963.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, inorganic substances, population genetics, biochemical variation, elemental and stable isotopic signatures, population structure, north Atlantic, geographical stocks indication from elemental and stable isotopic signatures.
Borrell, A., V. Tornero, and A. Aguilar (2002). Retinoids in marine mammals and their use as biomarkers of organochlorine compounds. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(2): 203-211. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: mammalia, literature review, retinoid physiology and use as organochlorine biomarkers, pollutants, visual pigments, retinoids, physiology and use as organochlorine biomarkers, environmental indicators, retinoids as biomarkers of organochlorine exposure, chemical pollution, chemical factors, organochlorines, effects on retinoid physiology and use as exposure biomarkers, marine taxa, review.
Bossa, C., M. Anselmi, D. Roccatano, A. Amadei, B. Vallone, M. Brunori, and A. Di Nola (2004). Extended molecular dynamics simulation of the carbon monoxide migration in sperm whale myoglobin. Biophysical Journal 86(6): 3855-62. ISSN: 0006-3495.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B5238
Abstract: We report the results of an extended molecular dynamics simulation on the migration of photodissociated carbon monoxide in wild-type sperm whale myoglobin. Our results allow following one possible ligand migration dynamics from the distal pocket to the Xe1 cavity via a path involving the other xenon binding cavities and momentarily two additional packing defects along the pathway. Comparison with recent time resolved structural data obtained by Laue crystallography with subnanosecond to millisecond resolution shows a more than satisfactory agreement. In fact, according to time resolved crystallography, CO, after photolysis, can occupy the Xe1 and Xe4 cavities. However, no information on the trajectory of the ligand from the distal pocket to the Xe1 is available. Our results clearly show one possible path within the protein. In addition, although our data refer to a single trajectory, the local dynamics of the ligand in each cavity is sufficiently equilibrated to obtain local structural and thermodynamic information not accessible to crystallography. In particular, we show that the CO motion and the protein fluctuations are strictly correlated: free energy calculations of the migration between adjacent cavities show that the migration is not a simple diffusion but is kinetically or thermodynamically driven by the collective motions of the protein; conversely, the protein fluctuations are influenced by the ligand in such a way that the opening/closure of the passage between adjacent cavities is strictly correlated to the presence of CO in its proximity. The compatibility between time resolved crystallographic experiments and molecular dynamics simulations paves the way to a deeper understanding of the role of internal dynamics and packing defects in the control of ligand binding in heme proteins.
Descriptors: carbon monoxide chemistry, computer simulation, models, molecular, myoglobin chemistry, spermatozoa chemistry, heme chemistry, ligands, thermodynamics, whales.
Bottino, N.R. (1978). Lipids of the Antarctic sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis. Lipids 13(1): 18-23.
NAL Call Number: QP751.L5
Descriptors: whale, Antarctic, lipids, sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis.
Boutilier, R.G., J.Z. Reed, and M.A. Fedak (2001). Unsteady-state gas exchange and storage in diving marine mammals: the harbor porpoise and gray seal. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 281(2): R490-4. ISSN: 0363-6119.
Abstract: Breath-by-breath measurements of end-tidal O(2) and CO(2) concentrations in harbor porpoise reveal that the respiratory gas exchange ratio (R(R); CO(2) output/O(2) uptake) of the first lung ventilation in a breathing bout after a prolonged breath-hold is always well below the animal's metabolic respiratory quotient (RQ) of 0.85. Thus the longest apneic pauses are always followed by an initial breath having a very low R(R) (0.6-0.7), which thereafter increases with each subsequent breath to values in excess of 1.2. Although the O(2) stores of the body are fully readjusted after the first three to four breaths following a prolonged apneic pause, a further three to four ventilations are always needed, not to load more O(2) but to eliminate built-up levels of CO(2). The slower readjustment of CO(2) stores relates to their greater magnitude and to the fact that they must be mobilized from comparatively large and chemically complex HCO/CO(2) stores that are built up in the blood and tissues during the breath-hold. These data, and similar measurements on gray seals (12), indicate that it is the readjustment of metabolic RQ and not O(2) stores per se that governs the amount of time an animal must spend ventilating at the surface after a dive.
Descriptors: diving physiology, porpoises physiology, pulmonary gas exchange physiology, respiration, seals, earless physiology, oxygen metabolism, time factors.
Braun, M. (1994). Tuned hair cells for hearing, but tuned basilar membrane for overload protection: evidence from dolphins, bats, and desert rodents. Hearing Research 78(1): 98-114. ISSN: 0378-5955.
Abstract: A cochlear model is presented suggesting that the organ of Corti (OC) and the basilar membrane (BM) are both tuned resonant systems, but have different functions. The OC provides frequency filtering and amplification by means of tuned outer hair cells. The BM provides resonant absorption of excessive vibrational energy as an overload protection for vulnerable elements in the OC. Evidence supporting this model is demonstrated in dolphins, bats, and desert rodents. Specialized auditory capabilities correlate with cochlear deviations, some of them dramatically changing BM compliance. In characteristic regions along the cochlea there are BM thickenings and, on both sides of the OC, hypertrophied supporting cells. Structures of striking similarity have evolved independently across orders or families, revealing multiple events of convergent evolution. In all cases, the locations of deviating structures rule out a BM function in auditory frequency selectivity but support one in resonant absorption. Cochlear microphonics and BM responses demonstrate strongest high-level absorption in the frequency bands most vital for the tested species. The assumed cause is increased internal damping in the enlarged structures during BM motion. Species with intermediate specializations supply further evidence that resonant absorption is universally the genuine function of BM mechanics in mammals, providing complementary high-level protection of low-level sensitivity.
Descriptors: auditory threshold physiology, basilar membrane physiology, mammals physiology, organ of corti physiology, absorption, acoustic stimulation, basilar membrane anatomy and histology, Chiroptera physiology, dolphins physiology, hair cells, outer physiology, models, biological, Rodentia physiology.
Brear, K., J.D. Currey, C.M. Pond, and M.A. Ramsay (1990). The mechanical properties of the dentine and cement of the tusk of the narwhal Monodon monoceros compared with those of other mineralized tissues. Archives of Oral Biology 35(8): 615-21. ISSN: 0003-9969.
Abstract: Values for Young's modulus of elasticity, ultimate and yield stresses, ultimate and yield strains, work under the stress-strain curve and work of fracture were obtained from tensile and bending tests on specimens of narwhal tusk dentine and cement, femoral bone from young and mature cattle, and reindeer antler. Compared with the cattle bone the narwhal tissues had low Young's moduli, low yield stresses, rather low ultimate stresses and high ultimate strains. In all these properties they were similar to reindeer antler. The calcium content and hardness of the narwhal tissues were compared with those of human and cattle dental tissues. The narwhal dentine was considerably softer and less mineralized than human and cattle dentine. Human cementum was softer and less mineralized than cattle cementum, and was like narwhal cementum. In general, the mechanical properties of the narwhal tusk tissues were as would be expected from their mineral content, except that the stiffness of the cementum was low. It is likely that narwhal dentine is not very similar to human and cattle dentine in its mechanical properties.
Descriptors: dental cementum physiology, dentin physiology, whales physiology, antlers chemistry, antlers physiology, bone and bones chemistry, bone and bones physiology, calcium analysis, cattle, dental cementum chemistry, dentin chemistry, elasticity, hardness, reindeer metabolism, reindeer physiology, stress, mechanical, tensile strength, tooth chemistry, tooth physiology, whales metabolism.
Brill, R.L., P.W. Moore, and L.A. Dankiewicz (2001). Assessment of dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) auditory sensitivity and hearing loss using jawphones. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 109(4): 1717-22. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Devices known as jawphones have previously been used to measure interaural time and intensity discrimination in dolphins. This study introduces their use for measuring hearing sensitivity in dolphins. Auditory thresholds were measured behaviorally against natural background noise for two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus); a 14-year-old female and a 33-year-old male. Stimuli were delivered to each ear independently by placing jawphones directly over the pan bone of the dolphin's lower jaw, the assumed site of best reception. The shape of the female dolphin's auditory functions, including comparison measurements made in the free field, favorably matches that of the accepted standard audiogram for the species. Thresholds previously measured for the male dolphin at 26 years of age indicated a sensitivity difference between the ears of 2-3 dB between 4-10 kHz, which was considered unremarkable at the time. Thresholds for the male dolphin reported in this study suggest a high-frequency loss compared to the standard audiogram. Both of the male's ears have lost sensitivity to frequencies above 55 kHz and the right ear is 16-33 dB less sensitive than the left ear over the 10-40 kHz range, suggesting that males of the species may lose sensitivity as a function of age. The results of this study support the use of jawphones for the measurement of dolphin auditory sensitivity.
Descriptors: auditory perception physiology, dolphins physiology, hearing aids, hearing disorders diagnosis, jaw, audiometry methods, noise, sensitivity and specificity.
Brix, O., S.G. Condo, A. Bardgard, B. Tavazzi, and B. Giardina (1990). Temperature modulation of oxygen transport in a diving mammal (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Biochemical Journal 271(2): 509-13. ISSN: 0264-6021.
NAL Call Number: QP501.B64
Abstract: The functional properties of haemoglobin from the Lesser Rorqual whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) have been characterized as a function of the heterotropic effector concentrations and temperature. The results obtained suggest the existence of sophisticated modulation mechanisms based on the interplay of organic phosphates, carbon dioxide, lactate and temperature. These, together with the very small apparent heat of oxygenation (delta H) of oxygen binding, have been physiologically interpreted on the basis of the specific metabolic needs of this diving mammal.
Descriptors: diving, hemoglobins metabolism, oxygen blood, whales blood, 2,3 diphosphoglycerate, biological transport, carbon dioxide pharmacology, diphosphoglyceric acids pharmacology, hydrogen ion concentration, lactates pharmacology, lactic acid, temperature, thermodynamics.
Brix, O., S.G. Condo, G. Lazzarino, M.E. Clementi, R. Scatena, and B. Giardina (1989). Arctic life adaptation. III. The function of whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) hemoglobin. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Comparative Biochemistry 94(1): 139-42. ISSN: 0305-0491.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: 1. The oxygen binding properties of the hemoglobin from the Lesser Rorqual, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, has been investigated with respect to the possible effects of organic phosphates on gas transport in arctic environments. 2. The intrinsic oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin is high and strongly modulated by the effects of organic phosphates. 3. In the absence of organic phosphates, the temperature sensitivity of oxygen binding expressed by the heat of oxygenation, delta H, is -16.2 kcal/mol when corrected for the heat of oxygen in solution. 4. In the presence of organic phosphates there is a marked decrease in the temperature sensitivity delta H approximately -5 kcal/mol). 5. This feature is of great importance for oxygen unloading in the flippers and the tail, where the temperature is lower than the trunk of the whale. 6. Furthermore the organic phosphates strongly increase the Bohr coefficient, delta log P50/delta pH, from less than -0.3 in stripped hemoglobin to about -1.5 when the hemoglobin is saturated with P6-inositol. 7. This feature may be of great physiological importance by reducing the CO2 tension and acidosis after a prolonged dive.
Descriptors: adaptation, physiological, Cetacea blood, hemoglobins physiology, oxygen metabolism, whales blood, blood protein electrophoresis, hemoglobins metabolism, hydrogen ion concentration, organophosphorus compounds pharmacology, temperature, thermodynamics.
Brown, S.G. (1986). Research on large and small cetaceans: conservation and management. Ambio 15(3): 168-172. ISSN: 0044-7447.
NAL Call Number: QH540.A52
Descriptors: Cetacea, aquatic mammals, resource conservation, resource exploitation, animal resources, nature conservation, research, sea pollution, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic organisms, conservation, living resources, mammals, natural resources, pollution, resource development, resources, vertebrates, water pollution.
Bruhn, R., N. Kannan, G. Petrick, D.E. Schulz Bull, and J.C. Duinker (1995). CB pattern in the harbour porpoise: bioaccumulation, metabolism and evidence for cytochrome P450 IIB activity. Chemosphere 31(7): 3721-32. ISSN: 0045-6535.
NAL Call Number: TD172.C54
Abstract: Metabolism of chlorobiphenyls (CBs) was studied in harbour porpoise by comparing patterns of CB-X/CB-153 ratios in blood, brain, liver and blubber with the patterns in herring, the main food source. The CBs were classified in five groups, based on the presence/absence of vicinal H-atoms (vic. Hs) in meta,para (m,p) and/or ortho,meta (o,m) positions and the number of ortho-Cl-atoms (ortho-Cls). Plots of CB-X/CB-153 ratios in porpoise tissue vs the ratios in herring appeared to be linear for each CB group in all tissues. Slopes of these plots (metabolic slopes) were used as quantitative indicators of metabolic activity. In this way, activity of PB-type isozymes of the P450 monooxygenase system was apparent: in contrast to existing literature data, harbour porpoise appears to be able to metabolize congeners with m,p vic. Hs, even in the presence of more than 2 ortho-Cls. The presence of 3-MC-type (MC-type) isozymes was also detected. The metabolic slopes were also used as basis for risk assessment. Due to their metabolism the most toxic non-ortho CBs were not present in the tissues at detectable levels. We suggest a risk assessment approach which takes this into account. It is considered to be an alternative and more reliable basis for risk assessment than the use of toxic equivalent factors. The results support the model of equilibrium distribution of CBs in harbour porpoise and the role of blood as central transport medium. The model has been developed for persistent compounds; it appears to hold for metabolizable CB congeners as well.
Descriptors: aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylases, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system metabolism, environmental pollutants metabolism, polychlorinated biphenyls metabolism, steroid hydroxylases metabolism, adipose tissue enzymology, adipose tissue metabolism, brain chemistry drug effects, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system blood, dolphins, environmental pollutants blood, enzyme activation drug effects, liver enzymology, liver metabolism, polychlorinated biphenyls blood, risk assessment, steroid hydroxylases blood.
Brunori, M., D. Bourgeois, and B. Vallone (2004). The structural dynamics of myoglobin. Journal of Structural Biology 147(3): 223-34. ISSN: 1047-8477.
NAL Call Number: QH573.J68
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, amino acid sequence, binding sites, computer simulation, crystallography, x ray methods, ligands, models, molecular, mutagenesis, myoglobin genetics, protein conformation, thermodynamics, whales.
Bryden, M.M. and R.J. Harrison (1986). Research on Dolphins, Clarendon Press: Oxford [Oxfordshire], New York, 478 p. ISBN: 0198576064.
NAL Call Number: QL737.C432R47
Descriptors: dolphins, animal welfare, research.
Buchanan, F.C., M.K. Friesen, R.P. Littlejohn, and J.W. Clayton (1996). Microsatellites from the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas. Molecular Ecology 5(4): 571-5. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Fifteen microsatellites were isolated from a beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas, genomic library. The microsatellites were amplified in 100 beluga obtained from two widely separated locations. An average of 8.6 alleles per locus were detected and the average heterozygosity was 0.65 with a range of 0.27-0.86. All microsatellites were polymorphic and 13 of the genotype distributions observed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. It was possible with these microsatellites to assign correctly individual whales to their stock-of-origin 98% of the time. Microsatellites were amplified in 15 other cetaceans with these beluga-derived primers.
Descriptors: microsatellite repeats genetics, whales genetics, base sequence, cloning, molecular, gene frequency, molecular sequence data, polymorphism, genetic, sequence analysis, dna.
Buck, J.R., H.B. Morgenbesser, and P.L. Tyack (2000). Synthesis and modification of the whistles of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108(1): 407-16. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A signal-processing algorithm was developed to analyze harmonic frequency-modulated sounds, to modify the parameters of the analyzed signal, and to synthesize a new analytically specified signal that resembles the original signal in specified features. This algorithm was used with dolphin whistles, a frequency-modulated harmonic signal that has typically been described in terms of its contour, or pattern of modulation of the fundamental frequency. In order to test whether other features may also be salient to dolphins, the whistle analysis calculates the energies at the harmonics as well as the fundamental frequency of the whistle. The modification part of the algorithm can set all of these energies to a constant, can shift the whistle frequency, and can expand or compress the time base or the frequency of the whistle. The synthesis part of the algorithm then synthesizes a waveform based upon the energies and frequencies of the fundamental and first two harmonics. These synthetic whistles will be useful for evaluating what acoustic features dolphins use in discriminating different whistles.
Descriptors: algorithms, vocalization, animal physiology, dolphins physiology, models, biological.
Caldwell, M., M.S. Gaines, and C.R. Hughes (2002). Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for bottlenose dolphin and other cetacean species. Molecular Ecology Notes 2(4): 393-395. ISSN: 1471-8278.
NAL Call Number: QH541.15.M632
Descriptors: molecular genetics, biochemistry, molecular biophysics, population genetics, genetic techniques, laboratory techniques, conservation genetics, management implications, microsatellite loci, polymorphic, population structure, bottlenose dolphin, Cetacean.
Carr, S.M., H.D. Marshall, K.A. Johnstone, L.M. Pynn, and G.B. Stenson (2002). How to tell a sea monster: molecular discrimination of large marine animals of the North Atlantic. Biological Bulletin 202(1): 1-5. ISSN: 0006-3185.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B52
Abstract: Remains of large marine animals that wash onshore can be difficult to identify due to decomposition and loss of external body parts, and in consequence may be dubbed "sea monsters." DNA that survives in such carcasses can provide a basis of identification. One such creature washed ashore at St. Bernard's, Fortune Bay, Newfoundland, in August 2001. DNA was extracted from the carcass and enzymatically amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR): the mitochondrial NADH2 DNA sequence was identified as that of a sperm whale (Physeter catodon). Amplification and sequencing of cryptozoological DNA with "universal" PCR primers with broad specificity to vertebrate taxa and comparison with species in the GenBank taxonomic database is an effective means of discriminating otherwise unidentifiable large marine creatures.
Descriptors: dna analysis, whales classification, whales genetics, Atlantic Ocean, DNA, mitochondrial chemistry, marine biology methods, nad genetics, polymerase chain reaction, postmortem changes, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology.
Carvan III, M.J., L.P. Flood, B.D. Campbell, and D.L. Busbee (1995). Effects of benzo(a)pyrene and tetrachlorodibenzo-(p)-dioxin on fetal dolphin kidney cells: inhibition of proliferation and initiation of DNA damage. Chemosphere 30(1): 187-198. ISSN: 0045-6535.
NAL Call Number: TD172.C54
Abstract: Dolphin kidney cells (CDK) were exposed in vitro to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in the presence or absence of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo(p)dioxin (TCDD), a cytochrome P450-inducing agent, and/or a-naphthoflavone (alpha-NF), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 induction. BaP inhibited mitosis in CDK cells in a dose-dependent manner. TCDD, while inhibiting cell proliferation, did not show a strict dose-dependent mode of action. BaP inhibition of mitosis was decreased by alpha NF, which also decreased the inhibitory effects of TCDD on CDK proliferation. BaP treatment initiated both 3H-thymidine incorporation and the increased alkali lability of DNA functions of the initiation of excision repair. Cells pre-treated with TCDD and then exposed to BaP exhibited increased BaP-DNA adduct levels and increased DNA excision repair. These data indicate that dolphin cells metabolized BaP in vitro as a function of cytochrome P450-associated activities, that BaP metabolites covalently bound to cellular DNA and initiated excision repair. Inhibition of the cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of BaP decreased the BaP-associated inhibition of mitosis in dolphin cells.
Descriptors: development, enzymology, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, pollution assessment control and management, toxicology, urinary system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, alpha naphthoflavone, cytochrome p450, DNA adducts.
Carver, T.E., R.J. Rohlfs, J.S. Olson, Q.H. Gibson, R.S. Blackmore, B.A. Springer, and S.G. Sligar (1990). Analysis of the kinetic barriers for ligand binding to sperm whale myoglobin using site-directed mutagenesis and laser photolysis techniques. Journal of Biological Chemistry 265(32): 20007-20. ISSN: 0021-9258.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Abstract: Time courses for NO, O2, CO, methyl and ethyl isocyanide rebinding to native and mutant sperm whale myoglobins were measured at 20 degrees C following 17-ns and 35-ps laser excitation pulses. His64 (E7) was replaced with Gly, Val, Leu, Phe, and Gln, and Val68 (E11) was replaced with Ala, Ile, and Phe. For both NO and O2, the effective picosecond quantum yield of unliganded geminate intermediates was roughly 0.2 and independent of the amino acids at positions 64 and 68. Geminate recombination of NO was very rapid; 90% rebinding occurred within 0.5-1.0 ns for all of the myoglobins examined; and except for the Gly64 and Ile68 mutants, the fitted recombination rate parameters were little influenced by the size and polarity of the amino acid at position 64 and the size of the residue at position 68. The rates of NO recombination and ligand movement away from the iron atom in the Gly64 mutant increased 3-4-fold relative to native myoglobin. For Ile68 myoglobin, the first geminate rate constant for NO rebinding decreased approximately 6-fold, from 2.3 x 10(10) s-1 for native myoglobin to 3.8 x 10(9) s-1 for the mutant. No picosecond rebinding processes were observed for O2, CO, and isocyanide rebinding to native and mutant myoglobins; all of the observed geminate rate constants were less than or equal to 3 x 10(8) s-1. The rebinding time courses for these ligands were analyzed in terms of a two-step consecutive reaction scheme, with an outer kinetic barrier representing ligand movement into and out of the protein and an inner barrier representing binding to the heme iron atom by ligand occupying the distal portion of the heme pocket. Substitution of apolar amino acids for His64 decreased the absolute free energies of the outer and inner kinetic barriers and the well for non-covalently bound O2 and CO by 1 to 1.5 kcal/mol, regardless of size. In contrast, the His64 to Gln mutation caused little change in the barrier heights for all ligands, showing that the polar nature of His64 inhibits both the bimolecular rate of ligand entry into myoglobin and the unimolecular rate of binding to the iron atom from within the protein. Increasing the size of the position 68(E11) residue in the series Ala to Val (native) to Ile caused little change in the rate of O2 migration into myoglobin or the equilibrium constant for noncovalent binding but did decrease the unimolecular rate for iron-O2 bond formation.
Descriptors: myoglobin metabolism, carbon monoxide metabolism, histidine, kinetics, lasers, molecular structure, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin chemistry, nitric oxide metabolism, nitriles metabolism, oxygen metabolism, photolysis, valine, whales.
Cashon, R.E., M.E. Vayda, and B.D. Sidell (1997). Kinetic characterization of myoglobins from vertebrates with vastly different body temperatures. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 117(4): 613-20. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: Fish myoglobins are structurally distinct from the previously characterized mammalian myoglobins. Teleost fishes express generally lower levels of myoglobin than those found in mammals. Although the oxygen binding affinity is essentially the same as mammalian myoglobins, oxygen dissociation rates and carbon monoxide combination rates of the teleost myoglobins studied are significantly faster. Thus, the kinetic parameters of myoglobin from two Antarctic teleost species, measured close to their body temperature of -1 degree C, are comparable to those of mammalian myoglobins with higher body temperatures. These data suggest myoglobins from Antarctic teleosts may function at extreme environmental temperatures.
Descriptors: body temperature, myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin metabolism, vertebrates physiology, erythrocytes chemistry, fishes physiology, horses, kinetics, muscle, skeletal chemistry, myocardium chemistry, oxidation reduction, oxygen metabolism, whales.
Cassens, I., K. Van Waerebeek, P.B. Best, E.A. Crespo, J. Reyes, and M.C. Milinkovitch (2003). The phylogeography of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus): a critical examination of network methods and rooting procedures. Molecular Ecology 12(7): 1781-92. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: We investigated the phylogeography and evolutionary history of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) using DNA sequences of the full mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in 124 individuals from the putative stocks off Peru, Argentina and Southwest Africa. While genetic differentiation within oceans is surprisingly low, there is no evidence for recent female gene flow between Atlantic and Pacific waters. Highest genetic variability in terms of sequence divergence and number of haplotypes is found in the Atlantic. Our analyses also indicate that the eastern South Pacific dusky dolphins stock should be considered a separate management unit. Given the high level of mortality experienced by the Peruvian dusky dolphin in local fishery activities, these findings have important implications for an objective management of the species. Furthermore, we analysed our mitochondrial sequence data with several widely used network estimation and rooting methods. The resulting intraspecific gene genealogies and rooting inferences exhibited substantial differences, underlying the limitations of some algorithms. Given that scientific hypotheses and management decisions depend strongly on inferred tree or network topologies, there is a clear need for a systematic comparative analysis of available methods. Finally, the present study indicates that (i) the dusky and the Pacific white-sided dolphins are sister species and (ii) not only the Westwind Drift hypothesis but also other models of dispersion are compatible with the current geographical distribution of dusky dolphins.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, dolphins physiology, evolution, molecular, genetics, population, geography, phylogeny, base sequence, conservation of natural resources, cytochromes b genetics, molecular sequence data, oceans and seas, sequence analysis, dna.
Cavagnero, S., Y. Theriault, S.S. Narula, H.J. Dyson, and P.E. Wright (2000). Amide proton hydrogen exchange rates for sperm whale myoglobin obtained from 15N-1H NMR spectra. Protein Science 9(1): 186-93. ISSN: 0961-8368.
NAL Call Number: QD431.A1P78
Abstract: The hydrogen exchange behavior of exchangeable protons in proteins can provide important information for understanding the principles of protein structure and function. The positions and exchange rates of the slowly-exchanging amide protons in sperm whale myoglobin have been mapped using 15N-1H NMR spectroscopy. The slowest-exchanging amide protons are those that are hydrogen bonded in the longest helices, including members of the B, E, and H helices. Significant protection factors were observed also in the A, C, and G helices, and for a few residues in the D and F helices. Knowledge of the identity of slowly-exchanging amide protons forms the basis for the extensive quench-flow kinetic folding experiments that have been performed for myoglobin, and gives insights into the tertiary interactions and dynamics in the protein.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, spermatozoa chemistry, amides, buffers, deuterium, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, models, molecular, nitrogen isotopes, protons, whales.
Chanthai, S., M. Ogawa, T. Tamiya, and T. Tsuchiya (1998). Studies on thermal denaturation profiles of holo- and reconstituted myoglobins from bonito and sperm whale. Fisheries Science (Tokyo) 64(3): 411-414. ISSN: 0919-9268.
Descriptors: bonitos, myoglobin, denaturation, muscles, whales, proteins, tryptophan, reconstitution, calorimetry, amino acids, analytical methods, body parts, Cetacea, fishes, heterocyclic compounds, hydration, indoles, mammals, metalloproteins, musculoskeletal system, processing, proteins, saltwater fishes.
Language of Text: English summary.
Chen Minrong, Liu Hanqin, and Guan Zhimei (1996). The karyotype and the c-band patterns of the Baiji dolphin, Lipotes vexillifer. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica 20(2): 138-143. ISSN: 1000-3207.
Descriptors: dolphins, chromosome number, karyotypes, chromosome banding, cell structure, Cetacea, mammals.
Language of Text: English and Chinese summaries.
Childerhouse, S. (2004). Cetacean research in New Zealand 2002/03. DOC Science Internal Series 158: 1-21. ISSN: 1175-6519.
Abstract: This report summarises cetacean (i.e. whale and dolphin) research undertaken in New Zealand over the period from April 2002 to March 2003, with statistical information for the 2002 calendar year. The report covers cetacean research undertaken by a wide range of researchers including government, university, and non-governmental agencies and individuals. Information presented includes details of species studied, strandings, summaries of collections and of catalogues, research projects undertaken, samples collected, and publications resulting from research. Data are included from 25 species, from 8 different institutions/agencies and over 40 researchers. Although this is a comprehensive collection of research reported for 2002/03, it does not include all cetacean research carried out in New Zealand.
Descriptors: Cetacea, literature review, South Pacific, New Zealand, research review.
Clarke, R. and O. Paliza (1994). Sperm whales of the southeast Pacific. Part V. The dorsal fin callus. Investigations on Cetacea 25(0): 9-91. ISSN: 1010-3635.
Abstract: This paper discusses the incidence of the dorsal fin callus on 1473 male and 1204 female sperm whales examined at four whaling stations in the Southeast Pacific between 1959 and 1962. In the aggregate the callus was present in 7.60% of males and 32.64% of females, but the incidence decreased with increasing latitude, in females from Paita to Pisco to Iquique to Talcahuano, and in immature males from Paita to Iquique. The callus does not occur in foetal whales nor in calves, but first appears shortly before sexual maturity in females and probably shortly before puberty in males. Incidence of the callus decreases from immature through puberal to sexually mature males; the callus is disappearing around social maturity and has disappeared in males by time they reach 24 years. On the other hand females up to 39 years bear the callus. We agree with KASUYA and OHSUMI (1966) that the callus is associated with the sexual cycle in females. We propose that oestrogens present in immature and mature animals of both sexes are primarily responsible for development of the callus. In both sexes there is a correlation between the season of lowest incidence of the callus (June to August) and the season of least activity in pairing and calving combined. From this and other evidence it is argued that the callus is a cyclic phenomenon, governed mainly by hormone levels, and is a relic of a skin moulting cycle in the sperm whale. On these lines we attempt to interpret the macroscopic appearance of the callus, externally and in transverse section. We propose that moulting of the callus in the sperm whale is an annual event, of protracted duration, but is greatest between June and August in the Southeast Pacific. We argue that the callus lasts longer in females than in males, which partially explains the lower incidence of the callus in males. Moulting in cetaceans has only previously been recorded in beluga whales (ST. AUBIN, SMITH and GERACI, 1990). Some of those engaged in 'benign' research have assumed that sperm whales bearing a callus observed at sea are all or mostly all females and so can be distinguished from small males. This assumption is now invalid, but we suggest that a mathematician might use the data presented here to work out correction factors, which would depend on season and on latitude, to make reasonable estimates which distinguish the numbers of females from the numbers of small males observed. A note is added to show that the sperm whale, alone among the Cetacea, bears no external hair at any time throughout its life history.
Descriptors: biosynchronization, chemical coordination and homeostasis, reproduction, systematics and taxonomy, female, gender differences, male, molting, sexual cycle, sexual maturity.
Cloeckaert, A., J.M. Verger, M. Grayon, J.Y. Paquet, B. Garin Bastuji, G. Foster, and J. Godfroid (2001). Classification of Brucella spp. isolated from marine mammals by DNA polymorphism at the omp2 locus. Microbes and Infection 3(9): 729-38. ISSN: 1286-4579.
NAL Call Number: QR180.M53
Abstract: A number of recent reports have described the isolation and characterization of Brucella strains from a wide variety of marine mammals such as seals, porpoises, dolphins and a minke whale. These strains were identified as brucellae by conventional typing tests. However, their overall characteristics were not assimilable to those of any of the six currently recognized Brucella species and it was suggested that they comprise a new nomen species to be called Brucella maris. In the present study we analysed DNA polymorphism at the omp2 locus of 33 marine mammal Brucella strains isolated from seals, dolphins, porpoises and an otter. The omp2 locus contains two gene copies (named omp2a and omp2b) coding for porin proteins and has been found particularly useful for molecular typing and identification of Brucella at the species, biovar, or strain level. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing showed that strains isolated from dolphins and porpoises carry two omp2b gene copies instead of one omp2a and one omp2b gene copy or two similar omp2a gene copies reported in the currently recognized species. This observation was also recently made for a minke whale Brucella isolate. The otter and all seal isolates except one were shown to carry one omp2a and one omp2b gene copy as encountered in isolates from terrestrial mammals. By PCR-RFLP of the omp2b gene, a specific marker was detected grouping the marine mammal Brucella isolates. Although marine mammal Brucella isolates may represent a separate group from terrestrial mammal isolates based on omp2b sequence constructed phylogenetic trees, the divergence found between their omp2b and also between their omp2a nucleotide sequences indicates that they form a more heterogeneous group than isolates from terrestrial mammals. Therefore, grouping the marine mammal Brucella isolates into one species Brucella maris seems inappropriate unless the currently recognized Brucella species are grouped. With respect to the current classification of brucellae according to the preferential host, brucellae isolated from such diverse marine mammal species as seals and dolphins could actually comprise more than one species, and at least two new species, B. pinnipediae and B. cetaceae, could be compatible with the classical criteria of host preferentialism and DNA polymorphism at their omp2 locus.
Descriptors: bacterial outer membrane proteins genetics, brucella classification, dolphins microbiology, otters microbiology, porpoises microbiology, seals, earless microbiology, brucella genetics, brucella isolation and purification, brucellosis microbiology, brucellosis, DNA, bacterial analysis, DNA, bacterial genetics, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, polymerase chain reaction, polymorphism, genetic genetics, polymorphism, restriction fragment length, seawater, sequence analysis.
Corda, M., M. Tamburrini, M.C. De Rosa, M.T. Sanna, A. Fais, A. Olianas, M. Pellegrini, B. Giardina, and G. di Prisco (2003). Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) haemoglobin: primary structure, functional characterisation and computer modelling studies. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 134(1): 53-62. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: The functional properties of haemoglobin from the Mediterranean whale Balaenoptera physalus have been studied as functions of heterotropic effector concentration and temperature. Particular attention has been given to the effect of carbon dioxide and lactate since the animal is specialised for prolonged dives often in cold water. The molecular basis of the functional behaviour and in particular of the weak interaction with 2,3-diphosphoglycerate is discussed in the light of the primary structure and of computer modelling. On these bases, it is suggested that the A2 (Pro-->Ala) substitution observed in the beta chains of whale haemoglobin may be responsible for the displacement of the A helix known to be a key structural feature in haemoglobins that display an altered interaction with 2,3-diphosphoglycerate as compared with human haemoglobin. The functional and structural results, discussed in the light of a previous study on the haemoglobin from the Arctic whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, give further insights into the regulatory mechanisms of the interactive effects of temperature, carbon dioxide and lactate.
Descriptors: hemoglobins chemistry, hemoglobins physiology, amino acid sequence, carbon dioxide chemistry, chromatography, high pressure liquid, models, molecular, molecular sequence data, oxygen metabolism, protein structure, secondary, protein structure, tertiary, software, temperature, time factors, trypsin pharmacology, whales.
Craik, J.D., J.D. Young, and C.I. Cheeseman (1998). GLUT-1 mediation of rapid glucose transport in dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) red blood cells. American Journal of Physiology 274(1, Pt. 2): R112-9. ISSN: 0002-9513.
NAL Call Number: 447.8 AM3
Abstract: D-Glucose entry into erythrocytes from adult dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) was rapid, showed saturation at high substrate concentrations, and demonstrated a marked stimulation by intracellular D-glucose. Kinetic parameters were estimated from the concentration dependence of initial rates of tracer entry at 6 degrees C: for zero-trans entry, Michaelis constant (K(m)) was 0.78 +/- 0.10 mM and maximal velocity (Vmax) was 300 +/- 9 mumol.l cell water-1.min-1; for equilibrium exchange entry, K(m) was 17.5 +/- 0.6 mM and Vmax was 8,675 +/- 96 mumol.l cell water-1.min-1. Glucose entry was inhibited by cytochalasin B, and mass law analysis of reversible, D-glucose-displaceable, cytochalasin B binding gave values of 0.37 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg membrane protein for maximal binding and 0.48 +/- 0.10 microM for the dissociation constant. Dolphin glucose transporter polypeptides were identified on sodium-dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblots [using antibodies that recognized human glucose transporter isoform (GLUT-1)] as two molecular species, apparent relative molecular weights of 53,000 and 47,000. Identity of these polypeptides was confirmed by D-glucose-sensitive photolabeling of membranes with [3H]cytochalasin B. Digestion of both dolphin and human red blood cell membranes with glycopeptidase F led to the generation of a sharp band of relative molecular weight 46,000 derived from GLUT-1. Trypsin treatment of human and dolphin erythrocyte membranes generated fragmentation patterns consistent with similar polypeptide structures for GLUT-1 in human and dolphin red blood cells.
Descriptors: blood glucose metabolism, dolphins physiology, erythrocyte membrane metabolism, erythrocytes metabolism, monosaccharide transport proteins blood, binding, competitive, biological transport drug effects, blotting, western, cytochalasin b blood, cytochalasin b pharmacology, electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel, kinetics, monosaccharide transport proteins isolation and purification, tritium.
Craik, J.D., J.D. Young, and C.I. Cheeseman (1997). Nucleoside transport in erythrocytes from bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. A, Comparative Physiology 117(1): 127-34. ISSN: 1096-4940.
NAL Call Number: QP1.C6
Abstract: Entry of adenosine, and thymidine, into erythrocytes from adult dolphins was rapid, showed saturation at higher substrate concentrations, and was strongly inhibited by low concentrations of nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR). Kinetic parameters were estimated from the concentration dependence of initial rates of tracer entry at 21 degrees C, as K(m) 0.14 +/- 0.05 mM and Vmax 24.4 +/- 1.9 mumol/litre cell water/sec for zero trans entry of adenosine, and K(m) 0.96 +/- 0.21 mM and Vmax 25.4 +/- 1.7 mumol/litre cell water/sec for thymidine. Adenosine, and thymidine, entry were inhibited by both purine and pyrimidine nucleosides. Mass law analysis of a saturable component of nitrobenzylthioinosine binding to dolphin red cell membranes gave values of Bmax 65.4 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg protein, and K(d) of 1.53 +/- 0.08 nM for a single class of sites. Photo-irradiation of dolphin red cell membranes in the presence of tritiated nitrobenzylthioinosine led to radioactive labeling of polypeptides M(r) 52, 500-58,000, on SDS-PAGE.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, erythrocytes metabolism, nucleosides pharmacokinetics, affinity labels, binding, competitive, biological transport drug effects, photochemistry, purine nucleoside phosphorylase metabolism, rabbits, rats, thioinosine analogs and derivatives, thioinosine pharmacology.
Craik, J.D., C.I. Cheeseman, and J.D. Young (1995). Rapid entry of d-glucose into erythrocytes from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Marine Mammal Science 11(4): 584-589. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, blood and lymphatics, transport and circulation, cell biology, metabolism, systematics and taxonomy, metabolism.
Cranford, T.W. (2004). Industrial ct-imagess of large whales as a foundation for sound propagation models. Journal of Morphology 260(3): 285. ISSN: 0362-2525.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 J826
Descriptors: equipment apparatus devices and instrumentation, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, models and simulations, computational biology, finite element modeling, mathematical and computer techniques, industrial x ray computed tomography scanner, industrial x ray ct scanner, field equipment, sound propagation models, mathematical and computer techniques.
Notes: Meeting Information: Seventh International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2004.
Crichton, P.B., M.S. Henry, and D.C. Old (2000). Strain discrimination of a novel serotype of Salmonella from harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) by molecular techniques. Veterinary Microbiology 76(1): 61-69. ISSN: 0378-1135.
NAL Call Number: SF601.V44
Descriptors: Phocoena, Salmonella, serotypes, strains, strain differences, identification, antigens, biochemical markers, disease transmission, Scotland.
Crumpton, M.J. and P.A. Small Jr. (1967). Conformation of immunologically-active fragments of sperm whale myoglobin in aqueous solution. Journal of Molecular Biology 26(1): 143-6. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: myoglobin, peptides, Cetacea, chemistry, physical, solutions.
Dalebout, M.L., C.S. Baker, J.G. Mead, V.G. Cockcroft, and T.K. Yamada (2004). A comprehensive and validated molecular taxonomy of beaked whales, family Ziphiidae. Journal of Heredity 95(6): 459-473. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: DNA sequences from orthologous loci can provide universal characters for taxonomic identification. Molecular taxonomy is of particular value for groups in which distinctive morphological features are difficult to observe or compare. To assist in species identification for the little known family Ziphiidae (beaked whales), we compiled a reference database of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (437 bp) and cytochrome b (384 bp) sequences for all 21 described species in this group. This mtDNA database is complemented by a nuclear database of actin intron sequences (925 bp) for 17 of the 21 species. All reference sequences were derived from specimens validated by diagnostic skeletal material or other documentation, and included four holotypes. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA sequences confirmed the genetic distinctiveness of all beaked whale species currently recognized. Both mitochondrial loci were well suited for species identification, with reference sequences for all known ziphiids forming robust species-specific clades in phylogenetic reconstructions. The majority of species were also distinguished by nuclear alleles. Phylogenetic comparison of sequence data from "test" specimens to these reference databases resulted in three major taxonomic discoveries involving animals previously misclassified from morphology. Based on our experience with this family and the order Cetacea as a whole, we suggest that a molecular taxonomy should consider the following components: comprehensiveness, validation, locus sensitivity, genetic distinctiveness and exclusivity, concordance, and universal accessibility and curation.
Descriptors: Ziphiidae, identification techniques, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, nuclear and mtdna sequences, phylogeny, validated molecular taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships based on mtdna and nuclear sequences, variation.
Dalebout, M.L., J.G. Mead, C.S. Baker, A.N. Baker, and A.L. Van Helden (2002). A new species of beaked whale Mesoplodon perrini sp. N. (Cetacea: Ziphiidae) discovered through phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Marine Mammal Science 18(3): 577-608. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: systematics and taxonomy, cranial morphology, geographic distribution, mitochondrial DNA, beaked whale, phylogenetic analysis.
Dalvit, C. and P.E. Wright (1987). Assignment of resonances in the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the carbon monoxide complex of sperm whale myoglobin by phase-sensitive two-dimensional techniques. Journal of Molecular Biology 194(2): 313-27. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Abstract: Phase-sensitive two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) experiments have been used to obtain extensive proton resonance assignments for the carbon monoxide complex of sperm whale myoglobin. Multiple quantum experiments were particularly important in the assignment procedure. The assignments are the most complete yet reported for a protein of such high molecular weight (approximately 18,000) and make possible new and comprehensive studies of the structure and dynamics of carbonmonoxymyoglobin in solution. Assignments for seven of the histidine residues are reported, including the critical proximal and distal histidines. Most of these are at variance with the assignments already in the literature. The present n.m.r. data indicate that histidines 24 (B5) and 119 (GH1) are hydrogen bonded to each other and, in contrast to neutron diffraction data, show that His24 does not protonate at pH greater than 5. The aromatic rings of all the phenylalanine and tyrosine residues undergo rapid flips about the ring axis. The side-chains of Leu89 (F4) and Phe138 (H15), which border a large hydrophobic cavity, are particularly mobile.
Descriptors: myoglobin, amino acid sequence, heme, macromolecular substances, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, tryptophan, tyrosine, whales.
Das, K., G. Lepoint, Y. Leroy, and J.M. Bouquegneau (2003). Marine mammals from the southern North Sea: Feeding ecology data from [delta]13C and [delta]15N measurements. Marine Ecology Progress Series 263: 287-298. ISSN: 0171-8630.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.S3M32
Descriptors: Halichoerus grypus Cetacea, Phocoena phocoena, inorganic substances, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition, nutrition, food webs, North Sea, diet and feeding ecology inferences from stable isotope composition, comparative study.
David, C.S. and M.Z. Atassi (1982). Genetic control and intersite influences on the immune response to sperm whale myoglobin. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 150: 97-125. ISSN: 0065-2598.
Abstract: Determination of the precise antigenic structure of sperm-whale myoglobin (Mb) has enabled us to focus our attention on the molecular and cellular factors that control and regulate the immune responses to the protein antigen. Our studies have shown that the immune responses to sperm-whale Mb are controlled by genes in the I region of the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) of mice. More importantly, the responses to the synthetic antigenic sites are each under separate genetic control. The recognition of the antigenic sites by antibodies is independent of the immunized species and of the time the antisera are obtained after the initial immunization (from nine days up to a year). The same sites are recognized by antisera raised in rabbit, goat, pig, cat, chicken and outbred and inbred mice. The same sites recognized by mouse B-cells are also recognized by mouse T-cells. No meaningful genetic control of antibody affinity was observed. Autoimmune antibody and T-lymphocyte proliferative responses were readily generated by immunizing an animal with self-Mb. With mouse Mb, the autoimmune T-lymphocyte response was under genetic control and mapped with the I-A and the H-2D end of the H-2 gene complex. In other recent studies we have shown, using several Mb variants, that the binding capacity of an antigenic site is fully accounted for by substitutions in the antigenic sites (actual contact residues) and in residues close (within 7.A) to the sites (i.e. environmental residues). The overall response to Mb is regulated by inter-site influences which can either be of a cooperative (help) nature or of a suppressive nature. Finally, genetic control of the responses to individual antigenic sites on a protein is not only determined by the genetic constitution of the host but also by the chemical properties of the individual sites. The H-2 subregions mapping the responses to given antigenic sites can also recognize other sites, which were previously unrecognizable in a homologous protein, if the chemical properties of these sites are suitably altered.
Descriptors: antibody formation, genes, mhc class ii, h 2 antigens immunology, myoglobin immunology, antibody specificity, autoantibodies biosynthesis, epitopes, lymphocyte activation, mice, peptide fragments immunology, species specificity, t lymphocytes immunology.
De Guise, S., J. Bernier, M.M. Dufresne, D. Martineau, P. Beland, and M. Fournier (1996). Immune functions in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): evaluation of mitogen-induced blastic transformation of lymphocytes from peripheral blood, spleen and thymus. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 50(1-2): 117-126. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Descriptors: Delphinapterus leucas, lymphocytes, lymphocyte transformation, blood, monocytes, spleen cells, thymocytes, measurement.
De Guise, S., J. Bernier, D. Martineau, P. Beland, and M. Fournier (1997). Phenotyping of beluga whale blood lymphocytes using monoclonal antibodies. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 21(5): 425-33. ISSN: 0145-305X.
Abstract: Widespread efforts are currently made to classify morphologically indistinguishable lymphocyte subpopulations in several species. In order to increase the knowledge in cetacean immunology, cross-reactivity of antibodies against bovine, human, ovine and mouse cell surface proteins was tested on beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) peripheral blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry. Anti-MHC class I and II as well as anti-CD2 reacted with virtually all peripheral blood lymphocytes. Anti-TCR gamma delta and anti-CD4 reacted with respectively 31% and 30% of peripheral blood lymphocytes. B lymphocytes were identified by an anti-surface IgM which was present on 6% of blood lymphocytes. Specificity of these antibodies was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation of beluga proteins with similar molecular weight to that of other species. These results could be useful for further immunotoxicological evaluation of highly versus mildly contaminated populations of belugas.
Descriptors: lymphocytes immunology, whales immunology, antibodies, monoclonal immunology, cattle, immunophenotyping, lymphocytes classification, mice, precipitin tests, sheep.
De Guise, S., K. Erickson, M. Blanchard, L. DiMolfetto, H.D. Lepper, J. Wang, J.L. Stott, and D.A. Ferrick (2002). Monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens for cetacean homologues to CD2, CD19 and CD21. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 84(3-4): 209-221. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Descriptors: Cetacea, monoclonal antibodies, lymphocytes, antigens, B lymphocytes, binding, T lymphocytes, cell suspensions, lymph nodes.
De Guise, S., P.S. Ross, A.D.M.E. Osterhaus, D. Martineau, P. Beland, and M. Fournier (1997). Immune functions in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): evaluation of natural killer cell activity. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 58(3-4): 345-354. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Descriptors: Delphinapterus leucas, immune system, natural killer cells, activity, defense mechanisms, viruses, infections, neoplasms, biochemical techniques, chromium, isotope labeling, flow cytometry, assays, cell lines, interleukin 2, ratios.
de Guise, S., D. Flipo, J.R. Boehm, D. Martineau, P. Beland, and M. Fournier (1995). Immune functions in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas): evaluation of phagocytosis and respiratory burst with peripheral blood leukocytes using flow cytometry. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 47(3-4): 351-362. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Flow cytometric assays using peripheral blood were developed to study phagocytosis and respiratory burst, the two major functions of neutrophils and among the most important non-specific defense mechanisms, in beluga whales. The use of flow cytometry avoids the problems associated with the isolation and purification of different cell types, and allows the measurement of a large number of cells (10000) in a very short period of time. The methods described will be used to compare these functions in blood samples from highly contaminated beluga whales from the St. Lawrence and from relatively clean arctic beluga whales.
Descriptors: blood and lymphatics, transport and circulation, cell biology, ecology, environmental sciences, immune system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, metabolism, methods and techniques, pollution assessment control and management, toxicology, environmental contaminant, immune system, neutrophil function.
Denis, F. and D. Archambault (2001). Molecular cloning and characterization of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research 65(4): 233-240. ISSN: 0830-9000.
NAL Call Number: SF601.C24
Descriptors: Delphinapterus leucas, interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor, complementary dna, nucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, species differences, phylogenetics, immune serum.
Dickinson, L.C. and J.C. Chien (1971). Crystallization of reconstituted sperm whale myoglobins. Nature New Biology 234(47): 107.
Descriptors: crystallization, myoglobin analysis, Cetacea, protein conformation.
Dillon, M.C. and J.M. Wright (1993). Nucleotide sequence of the D-loop region of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) mitochondrial genome. Molecular Biology and Evolution 10(2): 296-305. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: We have amplified, by the polymerase chain reaction, and have sequenced the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA from the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). The sperm whale D-loop was aligned with D-loop sequences from four other cetaceans (Commerson's dolphin, orca, fin whale, and minke whale) and an out-group (cow). This alignment showed the sperm whale sequence to be larger than that of other cetaceans. In addition, some sequence blocks were highly conserved among all six species, suggesting roles in the functioning of mitochondrial DNA. Other blocks that were previously reported to be well conserved among cetaceans showed little sequence conservation with the sperm whale D-loop, which argues against the functional importance of these sequence blocks in cetaceans.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, whales genetics, base sequence, cattle genetics, dolphins genetics, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, polymerase chain reaction, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity, whales classification.
Dobson, G.P. (2003). On being the right size: heart design, mitochondrial efficiency and lifespan potential. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology 30(8): 590-7. ISSN: 0305-1870.
Descriptors: heart anatomy and histology, heart physiology, mitochondria, adenosine diphosphate metabolism, adenosine diphosphate physiology, adenosine triphosphate metabolism, adenosine triphosphate physiology, body weight physiology, cytosol metabolism, guinea pigs, life expectancy, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mice, mitochondria, heart metabolism, myocardium metabolism, myofibrils metabolism, myofibrils ultrastructure, organ size physiology, rabbits, rats.
Dobson, G.P. and J.P. Headrick (1995). Bioenergetic scaling: metabolic design and body-size constraints in mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 92(16): 7317-21. ISSN: 0027-8424.
NAL Call Number: 500 N21P
Abstract: The cytosolic phosphorylation ratio ([ATP]/[ADP][P(i)]) in the mammalian heart was found to be inversely related to body mass with an exponent of -0.30 (r = 0.999). This exponent is similar to -0.25 calculated for the mass-specific O2 consumption. The inverse of cytosolic free [ADP], the Gibbs energy of ATP hydrolysis (delta G'ATP), and the efficiency of ATP production (energy captured in forming 3 mol of ATP per cycle along the mitochondrial respiratory chain from NADH to 1/2 O2) were all found to scale with body mass with a negative exponent. On the basis of scaling of the phosphorylation ratio and free cytosolic [ADP], we propose that the myocardium and other tissues of small mammals represent a metabolic system with a higher driving potential (a higher delta G'ATP from the higher [ATP]/[ADP][P(i)]) and a higher kinetic gain [(delta V/Vmax)/delta [ADP]] where small changes in free [ADP] produce large changes in steady-state rates of O2 consumption. From the inverse relationship between mitochondrial efficiency and body size we calculate that tissues of small mammals are more efficient than those of large mammals in converting energy from the oxidation of foodstuffs to the bond energy of ATP. A higher efficiency also indicates that mitochondrial electron transport is not the major site for higher heat production in small mammals. We further propose that the lower limit of about 2 g for adult endotherm body size (bumblebee-bat, Estrucan shrew, and hummingbird) may be set by the thermodynamics of the electron transport chain. The upper limit for body size (100,000-kg adult blue whale) may relate to a minimum delta G'ATP of approximately 55 kJ/mol for a cytoplasmic phosphorylation ratio of 12,000 M-1.
Descriptors: body constitution, energy metabolism, myocardium metabolism, adenosine diphosphate metabolism, adenosine triphosphate metabolism, body temperature regulation, cytosol metabolism, dogs, electron transport, evolution, kinetics, oxygen consumption, phosphates metabolism, phosphorylation, rabbits, rats, wistar rats, thermodynamics.
Dolar, M.L., P. Suarez, P.J. Ponganis, and G.L. Kooyman (1999). Myoglobin in pelagic small cetaceans. Journal of Experimental Biology 202(3): 227-36. ISSN: 0022-0949.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B77
Abstract: Although myoglobin (Mb) is considered to contribute significantly to the oxygen and diving capacity of marine mammals, few data are available for cetaceans. Cetacean by-catch in the tuna driftnet fisheries in the Sulu Sea, Philippines, afforded the opportunity to examine Mb content and distribution, and to determine muscle mass composition, in Fraser's (Lagenodelphis hosei) and spinner (Stenella longirostris) dolphins and a pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata). Age was estimated by body length determination. Stomach contents were analyzed for the presence or absence of milk and solid foods. It was hypothesized (a) that Mb concentration ([Mb]) would be higher in Fraser's and spinner dolphins than in other small cetaceans because of the known mesopelagic distribution of their prey, (b) that [Mb] would vary among different muscles according to function during diving, and (c) that [Mb] would increase with age during development. The results were as follows. (1) Myoglobin concentrations of the longissimus muscle in adult Fraser's (6.8-7.2 g 100 g-1 muscle) and spinner (5-6 g 100 g-1 muscle) dolphins and in an immature pygmy killer whale (5.7 g 100 g-1 muscle) were higher than those reported previously for small cetaceans. (2) [Mb] varied significantly among the different muscle types in adult dolphins but not in calves; in adults, swimming muscles had significantly higher [Mb] than did non-swimming muscles, contained 82-86 % of total Mb, and constituted 75-80 % of total muscle mass. (3) Myoglobin concentrations in Fraser's and spinner dolphins increased with size and age and were 3-4 times greater in adults than in calves. The high Mb concentrations measured in the primary locomotory muscles of these pelagic dolphins are consistent with the known mesopelagic foraging behaviour of Fraser's and spinner dolphins and suggest that the pygmy killer whale is also a deep-diving species. The high Mb concentrations in epaxial, hypaxial and abdominal muscle groups also support the primary locomotory functions suggested for these muscles in other anatomical studies. As in other species, the increase in [Mb] during development probably parallels the development of diving capacity.
Descriptors: dolphins, muscle, skeletal chemistry, myoglobin analysis, aging, diving, oxygen analysis, reference values, swimming.
Dolphin, W.F., W.W.L. Au, P.E. Nachtigall, and J. Pawloski (1995). Modulation rate transfer functions to low-frequency carriers in three species of cetaceans. Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 177(2): 235-245. ISSN: 0340-7594.
NAL Call Number: QP33.J68
Abstract: A temporal modulation rate transfer function (MRTF) is a quantitative description of the ability of a system to follow the temporal envelope of a stimulating waveform. In this study MRTFs were obtained from three cetacean species: the false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens; the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas; and the bottlenosed dolphin Tursiops truneatus, using auditory-evoked potentials. Steady-state electrophysiological responses were recorded noninvasively from behaving, alert animals using suction cup electrodes placed on the scalp surface. Responses were elicited using continuous two-tone (TT) and sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) stimuli. MRTFs were obtained for modulation frequencies ranging from 18-4019 Hz using carrier and primary frequencies of 500, 1000, 4000, and 10000 Hz. Scalp potentials followed the low-frequency temporal envelope of the stimulating waveform; this envelope following response (EFR) was the dependent variable in all experiments. MRTFs were generally low-pass in shape with corner frequencies between approximately 1-2 kHz.
Descriptors: marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, physiology, sense organs, sensory reception, hearing.
Domeneghini, C., P. Massoletti, and S. Arrighi (1997). Localization of regulatory peptides in the gastrointestinal tract of the striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba (Mammalia: Cetacea). An immunohistochemical study. European Journal of Histochemistry 41(4): 285-300. ISSN: 1121-760X.
Abstract: Samples of oesophagus, first, second and third stomach, duodenal ampulla, proximal intestine and distal intestine including rectum were obtained from striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along Italian coasts, fixed in formalin and used for immunohistochemistry. The possible presence of neuropeptides and the biogenic amine serotonin was investigated by a labelled streptavidin-biotin method. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, substance P-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, metenkephalin-, gastrin releasing peptide (GRP)/bombesin-, and somatostatin-like immunoreactivities were present in the submucosal as well as the myenteric plexuses, even with differences of distribution in the various organs. Vasoactive intestinal poly-peptide (VIP)-like immunoreactivity was detected in the submucosal plexus, whereas beta-endorphin- and leu-enkephalin-like immunoreactivities were shown in the myenteric plexus only. NPY-, substance P-, CGRP- and VIP-like-immunoreactivities were also observed in perivascular nerve fibres. In addition, VIP-, GRP- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivities were detected in myelinated nervous bundles. These were localized in the submucosal and muscular layers all along the gastrointestinal tract, and possibly sustain an exceptionally rapid response of the target structures. It is note-worthy that peptidergic axons in the wall of the gut of the majority of mammals are unmyelinated. A somatostatin-like peptide was identified in epithelial cells only in the second stomach, whereas in terrestrial mammals this endocrine cell type occurs widely. Immunoreactivity to serotonin was never detected, and this is a further difference in comparison with the majority of other mammals.
Descriptors: digestive system chemistry, dolphins anatomy and histology, dolphins metabolism, immunohistochemistry methods, peptides analysis, digestive system anatomy and histology, peptides immunology, staining and labeling methods.
Douzery, E. (1993). Relations evolutives chez les cetaces: les sequences du gene de l' ARNr 12S mitochondrial suggerent une possible paraphylie des cetaces a dents (odontocetes) due a une divergence precoce des cachalots (Physeteridae). [Evolutionary relationships among Cetacea based on the sequence of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene: possible paraphyly of toothed-whales (odontocetes) and long separate evolution of sperm whales (Physeteridae)]. Comptes Rendus De L'Academie Des Sciences Serie III Sciences De La Vie 316(12): 1511-1518. ISSN: 0764-4469.
NAL Call Number: Q2.C6
Descriptors: Cetacea, phylogeny, mitochondria, nucleotide sequence, rna, acids, cell structure, cytoplasm, cytoplasmic organelles, evolution, genomes, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, protoplasm.
Language of Text: English and French summaries.
Drouot, V., M. Berube, A. Gannier, J.C. Goold, R.J. Reid, and P.J. Palsboll (2004). A note on genetic isolation of Mediterranean sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) suggested by mitochondrial dna. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(1): 29-32. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: population studies, marine ecology, environmental sciences, population genetics, wildlife management, conservation, microsatellite genotyping, genetic techniques, genetic isolation, halotype frequency, maternal entity, molecular sexing, sloughed skin, species conservation, stock identity, whale stranding, Mediteranean, sperm whales, DNA, mitochondrial, genetic isolation.
Duffield, D.A., N.B. Barros, E.O. Espinoza, S. Ploen, F.M.D. Gulland, and J.E. Heyning (2003). Identifying pygmy and dwarf sperm whales (genus Kogia) using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Marine Mammal Science 19(2): 395-399. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: biochemistry, molecular biophysics, methods, techniques, taxonomy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, laboratory techniques, spectrum analysis techniques, species determination, sperm whales, pygmy whales, myoglobin, hemoglobin.
Eliezer, D., P.A. Jennings, and P.E. Wright (1995). NMR and saxs studies of the folding of sperm whale apomyoglobin. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry Supplement 21B: 44. ISSN: 0733-1959.
NAL Call Number: QH506.J67 Suppl.
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, blood and lymphatics, transport and circulation, methods and techniques, meeting abstract, meeting poster, small angle x ray scatter.
Notes: Meeting Information: Keystone Symposium on Frontiers of NMR in Molecular Biology-IV, Keystone, Colorado, USA, 1995.
Endo, H., D. Yamagiwa, K. Arishima, M. Yamamoto, M. Sasaki, Y. Hayashi, and T. Kamiya (1999). MRI examination of trachea and bronchi in the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 61(10): 1137-1141. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: The MRI examination was carried out in a formalin-fixed specimen of the Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica), one of the evolutionary primitive species of cetaceans.We could morphologically elucidate the tracheobronchial ramification in the intact whole body.We demonstrated from the MRI sections that the characteristic tracheal bronchus branches from the trachea at the cranial portion.These findings suggest the phylogenetic relationships between cetaceans and artiodactyls.The left bronchus is obviously larger in diameter than the right one.We suggest that the right bronchus has smaller capacity of gas exchange than the left one, because the dolphin possesses the tracheal bronchus in the right lung.The MRI method will be important in the non-invasive study of the anatomy in endangered animal carcass as Ganges River dolphin.
Descriptors: dolphins, imagery, trachea, bronchi, body parts, Cetacea, lungs, mammals, methods, respiratory system.
Language of Text: English summary.
Erbe, C. (2000). Detection of whale calls in noise: performance comparison between a beluga whale, human listeners, and a neural network. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 108(1): 297-303. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: This article examines the masking by anthropogenic noise of beluga whale calls. Results from human masking experiments and a software backpropagation neural network are compared to the performance of a trained beluga whale. The goal was to find an accurate, reliable, and fast model to replace lengthy and expensive animal experiments. A beluga call was masked by three types of noise, an icebreaker's bubbler system and propeller noise, and ambient arctic ice-cracking noise. Both the human experiment and the neural network successfully modeled the beluga data in the sense that they classified the noises in the same order from strongest to weakest masking as the whale and with similar call-detection thresholds. The neural network slightly outperformed the humans. Both models were then used to predict the masking of a fourth type of noise, Gaussian white noise. Their prediction ability was judged by returning to the aquarium to measure masked-hearing thresholds of a beluga in white noise. Both models and the whale identified bubbler noise as the strongest masker, followed by ramming, then white noise. Natural ice-cracking noise masked the least. However, the humans and the neural network slightly overpredicted the amount of masking for white noise. This is neglecting individual variation in belugas, because only one animal could be trained. Comparing the human model to the neural network model, the latter has the advantage of objectivity, reproducibility of results, and efficiency, particularly if the interference of a large number of signals and noise is to be examined.
Descriptors: neural networks computer, sound localization, vocalization, animal physiology, behavior, animal physiology, noise, whales.
Escorza, S., I. Nakayama, and A. Kawamura (1994). Cetacean dna fingerprinting using the oligonucleotide (ggat)-4 as a probe. Marine Biology (Berlin) 120(3): 339-342. ISSN: 0025-3162.
NAL Call Number: QH91.A1M35
Abstract: Since the discovery in 1985 of hypervariable minisatellite regions in human DNA, "DNA fingerprinting" has been widely used in animals and plants. Although many different probes have been developed recently, most investigators still use 33.15 and 33.6 human polycore minisatellites for hybridization studies of cetaceans. This animal order shows considerably less variability than humans, and thus some limitations have to be taken into account when using these probes. The present study demonstrates that the short repetitive tandem oligonucleotide (GGAT)-4 hybridizes with cetacean (Globicephala macrorhynchus and Grampus griseus) DNA, yielding individual-specific patterns of bands or "DNA fingerprints". Freedom of design and shorter hybridization times of oligonucleotides allow an increase in the number of usable probes used, helping to overcome some of the problems found when only human polycore minisatellites are used.
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, genetics, systematics and taxonomy, hybridization method.
Escorza Trevino, S. and A.E. Dizon (2000). Phylogeography, intraspecific structure and sex-biased dispersal of Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli, revealed by mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA analyses. Molecular Ecology 9(8): 1049-60. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control-region sequences and microsatellite loci length polymorphisms were used to estimate phylogeographical patterns (historical patterns underlying contemporary distribution), intraspecific population structure and gender-biased dispersal of Phocoenoides dalli dalli across its entire range. One-hundred and thirteen animals from several geographical strata were sequenced over 379 bp of mtDNA, resulting in 58 mtDNA haplotypes. Analysis using F(ST) values (based on haplotype frequencies) and phi(ST) values (based on frequencies and genetic distances between haplotypes) yielded statistically significant separation (bootstrap values P < 0.05) among most of the stocks currently used for management purposes. A minimum spanning network of haplotypes showed two very distinctive clusters, differentially occupied by western and eastern populations, with some common widespread haplotypes. This suggests some degree of phyletic radiation from west to east, superimposed on gene flow. Highly male-biased migration was detected for several population comparisons. Nuclear microsatellite DNA markers (119 individuals and six loci) provided additional support for population subdivision and gender-biased dispersal detected in the mtDNA sequences. Analysis using F(ST) values (based on allelic frequencies) yielded statistically significant separation between some, but not all, populations distinguished by mtDNA analysis. R(ST) values (based on frequencies of and genetic distance between alleles) showed no statistically significant subdivision. Again, highly male-biased dispersal was detected for all population comparisons, suggesting, together with morphological and reproductive data, the existence of sexual selection. Our molecular results argue for nine distinct dalli-type populations that should be treated as separate units for management purposes.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, microsatellite repeats genetics, porpoises classification, porpoises genetics, variation genetics, base sequence, genotype, geography, molecular sequence data, Pacific Ocean, phylogeny, sex determination analysis, sex factors.
Escorza Trevino, S., L.A. Pastene, and A.E. Dizon (2004). Molecular analyses of the truei and dalli morphotypes of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli). Journal of Mammalogy 85(2): 347-355. ISSN: 0022-2372.
NAL Call Number: 410 J823
Abstract: The taxonomic status of the 2 morphologically distinct forms of Dall's porpoises, Phocoenoides dalli (dalli- and truei-type) remains unresolved. To address this uncertainty, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences were used to estimate phylogenetic relationships between the 2 types and, in conjunction with microsatellite markers, to test Genetic differentiation between truei- and dalli-type populations. Twenty-three truei-type and 113 dalli-type specimens were sequenced for 379 base pairs of the mtDNA control region and genotyped for 6 microsatellite loci. Twelve haplotypes were shared between truei- and dalli-types. A neighbor-joining tree of mtDNA haplotypes showed 2 distinctive clades, each containing individuals from both types. This suggests that truer and dalli-types are forms of the same species. However, at the population level, statistically significant genetic differentiation was found between truei-type and sympatric dalli-type populations. These results argue that differentiation between truei- and dalli-types is at the population level, much in the same way that dalli-type populations differ among each other.
Descriptors: Phocoenoides dalli, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, population genetics, phylogeny, biochemical variation, north Pacific, morphotype mtdna sequences, phylogenetic and systematic significance.
Evans, K., M.A. Hindell, K. Robertson, C. Lockyer, and D. Rice (2002). Factors affecting the precision of age determination of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(2): 193-201. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: dental and oral system, development, methods and techniques, coefficients of variation, mathematical and computer techniques, age determination, growth, sperm whale, factors.
Fasick, J.I., T.W. Cronin, D.M. Hunt, and P.R. Robinson (1998). The visual pigments of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Visual Neuroscience 15(4): 643-51. ISSN: 0952-5238.
Abstract: To assess the dolphin's capacity for color vision and determine the absorption maxima of the dolphin visual pigments, we have cloned and expressed the dolphin opsin genes. On the basis of sequence homology with other mammalian opsins, a dolphin rod and long-wavelength sensitive (LWS) cone opsin cDNAs were identified. Both dolphin opsin cDNAs were expressed in mammalian COS-7 cells. The resulting proteins were reconstituted with the chromophore 11-cis-retinal resulting in functional pigments with absorption maxima (lambdamax) of 488 and 524 nm for the rod and cone pigments respectively. These lambdamax values are considerably blue shifted compared to those of many terrestrial mammals. Although the dolphin possesses a gene homologous to other mammalian short-wavelength sensitive (SWS) opsins, it is not expressed in vivo and has accumulated a number of deletions, including a frame-shift mutation at nucleotide position 31. The dolphin therefore lacks the common dichromatic form of color vision typical of most terrestrial mammals.
Descriptors: color perception physiology, DNA analysis, dolphins physiology, opsin genetics, amino acid sequence, COS cells metabolism, cattle, cloning, molecular, cones retina physiology, DNA primers chemistry, gene expression, molecular sequence data, opsin metabolism, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology, amino acid.
Fasick, J.I. and P.R. Robinson (2000). Spectral-tuning mechanisms of marine mammal rhodopsins and correlations with foraging depth. Visual Neuroscience 17(5): 781-8. ISSN: 0952-5238.
Abstract: It has been observed that deep-foraging marine mammals have visual pigments that are blue shifted in terms of their wavelength of maximal absorbance (lambda(max)) when compared to analogous pigments from terrestrial mammals. The mechanisms underlying the spectral tuning of two of these blue-shifted pigments have recently been elucidated and depend on three amino acid substitutions (83Asn, 292Ser, and 299Ser) in dolphin rhodopsin, but only one amino acid substitution (308Ser ) in the dolphin long-wavelength-sensitive pigment. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular basis for changes in the spectral sensitivity of rod visual pigments from seven distantly related marine mammals. The results show a relationship between blue-shifted rhodopsins (lambda(max) < or = 490 nm), deep-diving foraging behavior, and the substitutions 83Asn and 292Ser. Species that forage primarily near the surface in coastal habitats have a rhodopsin with a lambda(max) similar to that of terrestrial mammals (500 nm) and possess the substitutions 83Asp and 292Ala, identical to rhodopsins from terrestrial mammals.
Descriptors: Cetacea metabolism, diving physiology, feeding behavior physiology, rhodopsin genetics, rhodopsin metabolism, rods retina metabolism, seals, earless metabolism, Trichechus manatus metabolism, Cetacea anatomy and histology, DNA mutational analysis methods, complementary DNA chemistry, complementary DNA genetics, molecular sequence data, mutation physiology, phototransduction physiology, rods retina cytology, seals, earless anatomy and histology, sequence homology, amino acid, Trichechus manatus anatomy and histology, vision physiology.
Fasick, J.I. and P.R. Robsinson (1998). Mechanism of spectral tuning in the dolphin visual pigments. Biochemistry 37(2): 433-8. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: The absorption maxima of both rod and cone visual pigments of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) are blue-shifted relative to those of terrestrial mammals. A comparison of the sequence of the dolphin rod photopigment gene with that of the bovine rod suggests that, fo the 28 nonidentical amino acids, three amino acid substitutions at positions 83, 292, and 299 in the dolphin rod pigment are responsible for the 10 nm blue shift in absorption maxima. A similar comparison of the dolphin long-wavelength sensitive (LWS) cone photopigment gene with those of the human LWS cones suggests that a single substitution at position 292 (using the convention of rhodopsin numbering) in the dolphin LWS cone pigment results in a blue shift in absorption maxima. A mutagenesis study reveals that the combination of the three dolphin specific substitutions in the bovine rod pigment (83D to 83N, 292A to 292S, and 299A to 299S) causes a blue shift from the wild-type lambdamax of 499 nm to 389 nm. The single substitution in the dolphin LWS cone pigment (292S to 292A) causes a red shift from the wild-type lambdamax of 524 nm to 552 nm. The interactions of the three amino acids identified in the rod pigment with the chromophore may be a general mechanism for blue shifting in rod visual pigments. Furthermore, the single substitution in the dolphin LWS opsin gene is a novel mechanism of wavelength modulation in mammalian LWS pigments.
Descriptors: color perception physiology, dolphins physiology, opsin chemistry, rods retina physiology, cattle, color, complementary DNA genetics, fishes, mutation, opsin genetics, recombinant proteins chemistry, ruminants, sequence homology, amino acid, species specificity, spectrophotometry.
Flores Ramirez, S., J. Urban Ramirez, and R.D. Miller (2000). Major histocompatibility complex class I loci from the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus). Journal of Heredity 91(4): 279-82. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: Sequences from exons encoding the peptide binding region of MHC class I (MHC-I) molecules were isolated from California gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) genomic DNA to initiate an investigation of variation in these genes in a cetacean. These represent the first mysticete MHC-I sequences to be reported. The analysis of gray whale MHC-I sequences suggests the presence of at least three loci, which share greatest similarity to MHC-I in the ungulates, consistent with current views on cetacean phylogenetics. The peptide binding region of MHC is the most polymorphic part of the molecule and analysis of the variation and synonymous to nonsynonymous substitution ratios in gray whale sequences found these genes to display polymorphism characteristics similar to that attributed to selection in other species.
Descriptors: genes, mhc class i, whales genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, DNA, complementary, exons, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, sequence homology, amino acid, whales classification, whales immunology.
Flores Ramirez, S., R.D. Miller, and J. Urban Ramirez (2004). Major histocompatibility complex I polymorphism in a cetacean: the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus). Marine Mammal Science 20(2): 262-273. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Vertebrate Major Histocompatibility Complex-I (Mhc-I) proteins bind and display self and foreign peptides on the cell surface. Mhc-I polymorphism is considered critical for eliciting immune responses to a diversity of antigens, and thus, for the health and conservation of a species. Based on restriction fragment length polymorphism it was concluded that whales generally have low Mhc-I polymorphism. This was attributed to the weak pathogenic pressure in aquatic habitats. Since gray whales' habits might favor their encounter with diverse pathogens, resulting in selection pressures for Mhc variability, we searched for functional polymorphism of gray whale's Mhc-I exon 2 sequences that encode the [alpha]-I protein domain of the antigen-binding region. We sequenced twelve Mhc-I exon 2 clones from each of seven gray whales. Most obtained sequences were similar to functional artiodactyl sequences, and their reconstructed phylogeny consistently showed three whale Mhc-I exon 2 sequence clusters (A, B, and C). Sequences within a given cluster and from distinct clusters, showed a greater number of non-synonymous than synonymous substitutions, that commonly shifted the physiochemical properties of the involved residue, suggesting the existence of a diverse repertoire of Mhc-I antigen recognition sites in gray whales, and that selection maintains gray whale's Mhc-I allelic diversity.
Descriptors: Eschrichtius robustus antigens, polymorphism, population genetics, biochemical variation, immune response, major histocompatibility complex i, north Pacific, Mexico, Baja California Sur, Guerrero Negro Lagoon, major histocompatibility complex i polymorphism.
Folkow, L.P. and A.S. Blix (1992). Metabolic rates of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in cold water. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 146(1): 141-50. ISSN: 0001-6772.
NAL Call Number: QP1.A2
Abstract: Body temperature, blubber thickness and lung capacity (Vc) were recorded in newly killed minke whales, while respiratory frequency (f) was determined in free-swimming animals. Mean deep (thoracic) body temperature was 34.7 +/- 0.8 (SD) degrees C (n = 14). Weighted mean core/blubber interface temperature in animals caught in 2.5-5.5 degrees C water was 28.8 +/- 1.7 degrees C (n = 8). The minimum average rate of sensible heat loss (HLs) was 3.81 +/- 0.53 (SD) W kgw-0.75 (n = 8) in animals with body masses (w) in the range of 1840 to 5740 kg, HLs being inversely proportional to w (HLs = -2.98 10(-4) w +4.89 W kgw-0.75 (n = 8, r2 = 0.73, P less than 0.01)). The average rate of respiratory heat loss (HLr) was 0.26 +/- 0.04 (SD) W kgw-0.75, regardless of w, in the same 8 animals. Total rates of heat loss (HL = HLr+HLs) in 2.5-5.5 degrees C water ranged between 3.40 and 4.87 W kgw-0.75, with an average of 4.06 +/- 0.52 (SD) W kgw-0.75 (n = 8). Estimates of oxygen consumption based on records of f and Ve, and data on oxygen extraction from other cetaceans, yielded a range of metabolic rates which compared nicely with the calculated HL values.
Descriptors: cold, whales metabolism, adipose tissue anatomy and histology, adipose tissue physiology, body surface area, body temperature regulation physiology, body weight, electric conductivity, energy metabolism, lung volume measurements, temperature, tidal volume.
Forlani, L., C. Ioppolo, W.J. Evans, and M.A. Marini (1990). Evidence for cooperative hydrogen ligand binding to sperm whale metmyoglobin. Cellular and Molecular Biology 36(6): 737-46. ISSN: 0145-5680.
Abstract: Potentiometric titrations of sperm whale metmyoglobin from pH 10 to 3 shows the well-known exposure of groups between pH 4.5 and 4. However the reverse titration, at low protein concentration, results in the regeneration of its ionic property in the form of a reversible hysteresis, which was obtained by titrating the same solution twice. The Soret intensity band indicates reversibility for about 94%. Apomyoglobin shows an acid-base reversible titration from pH 9.5 to 3. Since the analysis by electrostatic interaction models do not adequately describe the overall ionic equilibria of metmyoglobin, a cooperative model was introduced. The model exactly reproduces the titration curve, indicating that 6 groups ionize with a cooperative coefficient of 9. The cooperative model explains the anomalous behaviour toward hydrogen ions and the incomplete spectral reversibility of sperm whale metmyoglobin as a molecular mechanism with physiological significance.
Descriptors: metmyoglobin metabolism, whales metabolism, hydrogen ion concentration, ligands, metmyoglobin chemistry, models, theoretical, oxygen, protein conformation.
Frauenfelder, H., P.W. Fenimore, and B.H. McMahon (2002). Hydration, slaving and protein function. Biophysical Chemistry 98(1-2): 35-48. ISSN: 0301-4622.
NAL Call Number: QP1.B5
Abstract: Protein dynamics is crucial for protein function. Proteins in living systems are not isolated, but operate in networks and in a carefully regulated environment. Understanding the external control of protein dynamics is consequently important. Hydration and solvent viscosity are among the salient properties of the environment. Dehydrated proteins and proteins in a rigid environment do not function properly. It is consequently important to understand the effect of hydration and solvent viscosity in detail. We discuss experiments that separate the two effects. These experiments have predominantly been performed with wild-type horse and sperm whale myoglobin, using the binding of carbon monoxide over a broad range of temperatures as a tool. The experiments demonstrate that data taken only in the physiological temperature range are not sufficient to understand the effect of hydration and solvent on protein relaxation and function. While the actual data come from myoglobin, it is expected that the results apply to most or all globular proteins.
Descriptors: myoglobin metabolism, carbon monoxide chemistry, carbon monoxide metabolism, data interpretation, statistical, diffusion, horses, kinetics, models, chemical, myoglobin chemistry, photolysis, protein conformation, solvents, temperature, thermodynamics, trehalose chemistry, trehalose metabolism, viscosity, water chemistry, water metabolism, whales.
Friedberg, F., A.A. Saunders, and A.R. Rhoads (2003). Conservation of the 3'-untranslated regions of calmodulin mRNAs in cetaceans. Molecular Biology Reports 30(3): 193-8. ISSN: 0301-4851.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M684
Abstract: Three separate calmodulin (CaM) genes (I, II and III) encoding an identical CaM protein but differing in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of each of the three mRNAs are present and highly conserved in all mammals (so far examined). Primers complementary to the 3'- untranslated region (3'UTR) of each of the three mRNAs occurring in human, rat and mouse were synthesized and used to amplify regions of the 3'UTR from genomic DNA isolated from cetaceans, specifically from the bottled-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncates), the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Using several primers and PCR conditions, the three CaM genes were identified in all three species by this method with one exception. The sequenced regions of the 3'UTRs of the three genes of the cetaceans exhibited a high percentage identity when compared to the corresponding regions of these three CaM mRNAs isolated from humans (85-96%). These partial sequences of the 3'UTR regions and the corresponding regions for humans, rats and mice that were available from the database were aligned and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The three CaM genes from all species showed a close phylogenetic relationship based on these 3'UTR sequences. Such high conservation of the 3'UTRs suggests a specialized and significant function for this region in mammals.
Descriptors: 3' untranslated regions genetics, calmodulin genetics, Cetacea genetics, conserved sequence genetics, base sequence, cloning, molecular, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, sequence alignment.
Frigerio, N. A., and Sacher, G. A. (1968). The Determination of Whale Life-Spans. ANL-7535. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission,
Descriptors: Cetacea, longevity, age determination by teeth, autoradiography, feeding behavior, radioactive fallout.
Fritsch, G., R. Frey, M. Fassbender, P. Giere, V. Vasuthevan, and T.B. Hildebrandt (2004). Imaging of whale fetuses: computed tomography of preserved specimens of different cetacean species. Journal of Morphology 260(3): 292-293. ISSN: 0362-2525.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 J826
Descriptors: evolution and adaptation, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, methods and techniques, computed tomography imaging, ct imaging, clinical techniques, diagnostic techniques, imaging and microscopy techniques, laboratory techniques, virtual endoscopy, imaging and microscopy techniques, laboratory techniques.
Notes: Meeting Information: Seventh International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2004.
Fujihira, T., M. Kinoshita, M. Sasaki, M. Ohnishi, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2004). Comparative studies on lipid analysis and ultrastructure in porcine and southern minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) oocytes. Journal of Reproduction and Development 50(5): 525-32. ISSN: 0916-8818.
NAL Call Number: SF1.K3
Abstract: The present study was conducted to clarify the difference in the color of the cytoplasm in immature follicular oocytes from prepubertal and adult minke whales. The four lipid contents (triglyceride, total cholesterol, phospholipids and non-esterified fatty acids) in vitrified immature oocytes from prepubertal and adult minke whales, and also in fresh and vitrified immature porcine oocytes, were measured. The lipid contents in vitrified-warmed minke whale oocytes were similarly high compared with those in vitrified-warmed porcine oocytes. In particular, the total cholesterol and phospholipid contents in the vitrified immature oocytes from prepubertal and adult minke whales were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from prepubertal pigs. Furthermore, the distribution of lipid droplets in fresh and vitrified immature oocytes was observed in transmission electron microscopy. Lipid droplets in the prepubertal minke whale oocytes were distributed throughout the cytoplasm. In contrast, adult minke whales had larger lipid droplets which were distributed mainly in the central portion of the cytoplasm. The lipid droplets of immature oocytes from prepubertal pigs were larger than those in minke whale oocytes. These results indicated that the difference in the distribution of the cytoplasmic lipid droplets may result in the difference in the color tone of both prepubertal and adult whale oocyte cytoplasm.
Descriptors: lipids metabolism, oocytes metabolism, sexual maturation physiology, freezing, microscopy, electron, transmission, oocytes ultrastructure, swine, whales.
Fukui, Y., T. Mogoe, H. Ishikawa, and S. Ohsumi (1997). Factors affecting in vitro maturation of minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) follicular oocytes. Biology of Reproduction 56(2): 523-8. ISSN: 0006-3363.
NAL Call Number: QL876.B5
Abstract: Factors affecting in vitro maturation (IVM) of minke whale (Balaenopetra acutorostrata) follicular oocytes were investigated. In experiment 1, recovery rates for oocytes from follicles of different sizes (small, 1-5 mm; medium, 6-10 mm; large, > or = 11 mm) were similar in both immature (54.7%) and mature (53.5%) females, and the follicular sizes did not affect recovery rate. Approximately half the oocytes recovered from small follicles in immature (55.5%) and mature (52.1%) whales were surrounded by at least a few layers of cumulus cells. Before culture, 71.7% and 61.2% of oocytes from immature and mature whales, respectively, were at the germinal vesicle stage. For IVM, effects of serum type, hormones, and additional cumulus cells (experiment 2) and effects of culture durations (24-120 h, experiment 3) were investigated. The three factors investigated in experiment 2 did not affect maturation rates. TCM199 supplemented with fetal whale serum, hormones, and additional cumulus cells showed the highest rate (21.6%) of matured oocytes and resulted in a significant difference from the rate in medium with only fetal calf serum added (6.6%). The first oocyte with an extruded polar body was observed after 84 h of culture. The maximum rate (27.3%) of matured oocytes was obtained by 96 h of culture, but there was no significant difference in the proportions of matured oocytes between 90 and 120 h in culture. These results indicate that in vitro nuclear maturation of immature follicular oocytes in minke whales can be induced.
Descriptors: oocytes growth and development, ovarian follicle cytology, whales, cell nucleus ultrastructure, cells, cultured, coculture techniques, culture media, oocytes ultrastructure, time factors.
Fukui, Y., T. Mogoe, Y. Terawaki, H. Ishikawa, Y. Fujise, and S. Ohsumi (1995). Relationship between physiological status and serum constituent values in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). Journal of Reproduction and Development 41(3): 203-208. ISSN: 0916-8818.
NAL Call Number: SF1.K3
Abstract: Ten serum constituents in 53 minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the southern Antarctic ocean were measured and compared with sex and three physiological states (pregnant, mature/non-pregnant, and immature) in females. Body length and body weight of immature females (n=5) were 7.2+-0.6m and 4.6+-1.0t, respectively. Both body weight and weight of pregnant (n=20: 8.9+-0.1m and 7.6+-0.8t) and mature/non-pregnant (n=6: 8.8+-0.2m and 7.2+-0.4t) females were similar. All males (n=22) were mature, and the testicular weight were 1493.9+-109.4g and 1435.2+-87.7g for left and right, respectively. There were no significant differences in the serum concentrations of the ten constituents between sexes or among the physiological states. Serum glucose values in males (183.5+-13.9 mg/dl) were significantly (P<0.05) correlated with body length (r=-0.49) and body weight (r=-0.46). Body length was positively correlated with serum concentrations of sodium (176.3+-6.2 mM/L: r=0.51, P<0.05), chloride (124,8+-5.8 mM/L: r=0.56, P<0.01) and calcium (15.2+-1.6 mg/dl: r=0.53, P<0.05). In females, body weight was positively correlated with the values of total-protein (6.9+-0.4 g/dl: r=-0.38, P<0.05) and albumin (4.0+-0.2 g/dl: r=0.36, P<0.05). Although detailed and clear reasons for the significant correlations were not clarified in the present study, these results provide useful information on the serum chemistry of minks whales and other marine mammals.
Descriptors: whales, blood composition, blood serum, growth, sexual maturity, pregnancy, females, males, Antarctic Ocean, biological development, blood, Cetacea, developmental stages, mammals, marine areas, maturity, physiological functions, reproduction, sex, sexual reproduction.
Language of Text: English summary.
Fukui, Y., M. Togawa, N. Abe, Y. Takano, M. Asada, A. Okada, K. Iida, H. Ishikawa, and S. Ohsumi (2004). Validation of the sperm quality analyzer and the hypo-osmotic swelling test for frozen-thawed ram and minke whale (Balaenoptera bonarensis) spermatozoa. Journal of Reproduction and Development 50(1): 147-54. ISSN: 0916-8818.
NAL Call Number: SF1.K3
Abstract: The object of the present study was to investigate the validation of the sperm quality analyzer (SQA) and the hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test with standard sperm analysis methods in frozen-thawed ram and minke whale spermatozoa. In rams, highly significant correlations were observed in the percentage of motile spermatozoa (P<0.01) and sperm concentration (P<0.01) between the standard and SQA methods. But, the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa did not significantly correlate between the standard and SQA methods. The percentages of swollen spermatozoa at 15 minutes by the HOS test were significantly correlated with the motility by the standard (P<0.05) and by the SQA (P<0.05) methods. For minke whale spermatozoa, the SVI (sperm viability index) values by the standard method were significantly (P<0.001) correlated with the sperm motility index (SMI) values by SQA. The percentage of motile spermatozoa was also significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the motility measured by SQA. Using different hypo-osmotic solutions and incubation times, the HOS test with 25, 100 and 150 mOsM did not show significant variations. Motility observed by the standard method and the percentage of swollen spermatozoa were significantly correlated (P<0.05). These results indicate that the SQA and HOS test can be utilized to assess the post-thawing motility of ram and minke whale spermatozoa, and that the SQA and HOS test values are significantly correlated in ram spermatozoa. However, sperm concentration and morphologically normal spermatozoa are not assessed accurately by SQA in minke whales.
Descriptors: cryopreservation, sheep, sperm motility, spermatozoa cytology, whales, hypotonic solutions pharmacology, osmotic pressure, species specificity, sperm banks, spermatozoa drug effects, spermatozoa physiology.
Fullard, K.J., G. Early, M.P. Heide Jorgensen, D. Bloch, A. Rosing Asvid, and W. Amos (2000). Population structure of long-finned pilot whales in the North Atlantic: a correlation with sea surface temperature? Molecular Ecology 9(7): 949-58. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: The long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, is a social, pelagic odontocete distributed widely in the cold temperate waters of the North Atlantic. Despite genetic, morphometric, physiological and observational studies, it remains unclear whether any population substructure exists. We have used eight highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to analyse samples from four disparate sampling sites: USA East Coast (Cape Cod), West Greenland, the Faeroe Islands and the UK. Our results indicate that substructure does exist, and is particularly pronounced between West Greenland and other sites. The magnitudes of the various pairwise comparisons do not support a simple isolation-by-distance model. Instead, the patterns of genetic differentiation suggest that population isolation occurs between areas of the ocean which differ in sea surface temperature. Such a mechanism is supported by the observation that temperature is a primary factor determining the relative distributions of two short-finned pilot whale (G. macrorhynchus) populations off the Pacific coast of Japan.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, genetics, population, microsatellite repeats genetics, temperature, atlantic ocean, geography, heterozygote, linkage disequilibrium, polymorphism, genetic, seawater, variation genetics.
Funke, C., D.P. King, J.F. McBain, D. Adelung, and J.L. Stott (2003). Expression and functional characterization of killer whale (Orcinus orca) interleukin-6 (IL-6) and development of a competitive immunoassay. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 93(1-2): 69-79. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that can reach detectable systemic levels and is a major inducer of the acute phase response. As such, clinical assays to identify this cytokine in mammalian sera are of diagnostic value. A 558 base-pair (bp) fragment of killer whale IL-6 was cloned and expressed as a 21 kDa protein in Escherichia coli. Biological activity of the recombinant killer whale IL-6 (rkwIL-6) was demonstrated using the IL-6-dependent B9 mouse hybridoma cell line; acute phase sera from a killer whale and supernatants from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated killer whale peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) also supported the proliferation of the B9 hybridoma. Rat anti-mouse IL-6 receptor antibody effectively blocked biological activity of all three sources of IL-6. Polyclonal antisera, specific for the recombinant protein, were obtained by successive immunization of a rabbit with rkwIL-6. The polyclonal antibody was capable of neutralizing the biological activity of both recombinant and native kwIL-6. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using the polyclonal rabbit anti-rkwIL-6 and the recombinant protein; sensitivity of the assay was in the range of 1 ng/ml. The ELISA was subsequently used to identify the presence of native IL-6 in acute phase sera of two species of delphinidae, a killer whale and a bottlenose dolphin. The application of quantitative cytokine assays as diagnostic tools for monitoring cetacean health are becoming feasible as many animals are now being trained for fluke presentation, making blood collection a routine procedure.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, dolphins immunology, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay methods, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, interleukin 6 analysis, interleukin 6 genetics, gene expression, interleukin 6 antagonists and inhibitors, interleukin 6 pharmacology, lipopolysaccharides pharmacology, mice, neutrophils drug effects, neutrophils metabolism, rabbits.
Furtado Neto, M.A.A., E.L. Queiroz, A.N. Zerbini, and S.M. Carr (1998). Uso de sequencias do mtDNA para identificacao de um exemplar de golfinho rotador, Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828), encalhado no Estado da Bahia, Brasil. [Identifying a spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris (Gray, 1828), stranded in Bahia state, Brazil, using mtDNA sequences]. Arquivos De Ciencias Do Mar 31(1-2): 83-91. ISSN: 0374-5686.
Descriptors: dolphins, identification, molecular genetics, DNA, Bahia, acids, America, Brazil, Cetacea, genetics, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, South America.
Language of Text: English and Portuguese summaries.
Gaines, C.A., M.P. Hare, S.E. Beck, and H.C. Rosenbaum (2005). Nuclear markers confirm taxonomic status and relationships among highly endangered and closely related right whale species. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 272(1562): 533-42. ISSN: 0962-8452.
Abstract: Right whales (genus: Eubalaena) are among the most endangered mammals, yet their taxonomy and phylogeny have been questioned. A phylogenetic hypothesis based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation recently prompted a taxonomic revision, increasing the number of right whale species to three. We critically evaluated this hypothesis using sequence data from 13 nuclear DNA (nuDNA) loci as well as the mtDNA control region. Fixed diagnostic characters among the nuclear markers strongly support the hypothesis of three genetically distinct species, despite lack of any diagnostic morphological characters. A phylogenetics analysis of all data produced a strict consensus cladogram with strong support at nodes that define each right whale species as well as relationships among species. Results showed very little conflict among the individual partitions as well as congruence between the mtDNA and nuDNA datasets. These data clearly demonstrate the strength of using numerous independent genetic markers during a phylogenetics analysis of closely related species. In evaluating phylogenetic support contributed by individual loci, 11 of the 14 loci provided support for at least one of the nodes of interest to this study. Only a single marker (mtDNA control region) provided support at all four nodes. A study using any single nuclear marker would have failed to support the proposed phylogeny, and a strong phylogenetic hypothesis was only revealed by the simultaneous analysis of many nuclear loci. In addition, nu DNA and mtDNA data provided complementary levels of support at nodes of different evolutionary depth indicating that the combined use of mtDNA and nuDNA data is both practical and desirable.
Descriptors: phylogeny, variation genetics, whales genetics, base sequence, cell nucleus genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, molecular sequence data, sequence analysis, DNA, species specificity, whales classification.
Galantsev, V.P., D.A. Kuz'min, A.G. Kupin, and V.I. Shereshkov (1994). Sravnitel'naia kharakteristika serdechnogo ritma u kitoobraznykh. [The comparative characteristics of the heart rhythm in cetaceans].
. Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii 30(3): 358-65. ISSN: 0044-4529.
Abstract: In Amazon River dolphins, bottle-nosed dolphins and white whales, comparative studies have been made on cardiac electrical activity using electrocardiographic and telemetric techniques. In all the species investigated, certain dependence of cardiac cycle duration on the phase of respiratory pause was observed. A pronounced bradycardia was noted in diving animals which reflects the level of their adaptation to hypoxia and hypoxemia. Autocorrelation functions of the dynamic sequences of cardiac intervals were calculated. The presence of "slow" waves in cardiac cycle was shown which were considerably increased during diving.
Descriptors: Cetacea physiology, heart rate physiology, adaptation, physiological, dolphins, electrocardiography instrumentation, electrocardiography methods, respiration physiology, signal processing, computer assisted, telemetry instrumentation, telemetry methods, time factors, ultrasonics, whales.
Language of Text: Russian.
Gambell, R. (1973). Research on whales. Nature (London) 244(5417): 528. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: whales, research.
Gardner, S.C. and U. Varanasi (2003). Isovaleric acid accumulation in odontocete melon during development. Naturwissenschaften 90(11): 528-531. ISSN: 0028-1042.
NAL Call Number: 474 N213
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, Phocoena phocoena, spermaceti organ, melon, isovaleric acid accumulation during development, lipids, isovaleric acid, development.
Gauthier, J.M., C.D. Metcalfe, and R. Sears (1997). Validation of the blubber biopsy technique for monitoring of organochlorine contaminants in balaenopterid whales. Marine Environmental Research 43(3): 157-179.
NAL Call Number: QH545.W3M36
Descriptors: pesticides, residues, insecticides, side effects, analytical methods, biopsy, lipids, models, Cetacea, whales, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine compounds, aromatic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, biological analysis, Cetacea, histocytological analysis, hydrocarbons, mammals, organic halogen compounds, organochlorine compounds, pesticides, nontarget effects, Balaenoptera acurostrata, Balaenoptera musculus.
Gillespie, J.M., K.D. Hapner, C.R. Hartzell, and F.R. Gurd (1966). Interaction of sperm whale metmyoglobin with phosphate. Journal of Molecular Biology 21(2): 399-402. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: myoglobin, phosphates, Cetacea, chemistry, copper, morpholines, protein denaturation.
Glezer, I.I., P.R. Hof, A.I. Ackerman, F. Tsai, and P.J. Morgane (1995). Immunocytochemistry and cytoarchitectonics of the hippocampal formation in whales: comparative analyses. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 21: 1-3. ISSN: 0190-5295.
NAL Call Number: QP351.S6
Descriptors: cell biology, immune system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, morphology, nervous system, neural coordination, meeting abstract, meeting poster, monotreme.
Notes: Meeting Information: 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, USA, 1995.
Glezer, I.I., P.R. Hof, C. Leranth, and P.J. Morgane (1993). Calcium-binding protein-containing neuronal populations in mammalian visual cortex: a comparative study in whales, insectivores, bats, rodents, and primates. Cerebral Cortex 3(3): 249-72. ISSN: 1047-3211.
Abstract: This study is focused on comparative analysis of gamma-aminobutyric acid-positive (GABAergic) neuronal populations in primary visual cortex of totally aquatic toothed whales and select terrestrial mammals with different evolutionary histories and various ecological adaptations. The distribution of neuronal populations containing the calcium-binding proteins calbindin and parvalbumin, which are recognized markers for the GABAergic neurons in cerebral cortex, is compared in five species of toothed whales and in representatives (one species each) of insectivores, bats, rodents, and primates. Computerized image analysis has shown that overall quantitative characteristics of GABAergic cortical neurons in toothed whales are similar to those in other mammalian orders. Thus, GABA-positive neurons represent 26% of the total population of cortical neurons in the visual cortex of whales. Some 97% of GABA-positive cells contain calcium-binding proteins, which is numerically similar to these parameters found in primates and other mammals. On the other hand, the typology and laminar distribution of calcium-binding protein-containing neurons in the primary visual cortex of five whale species (Delphinapterus leucas, Globicephala melaena, Phocoena phocoena, Stenella coeruleoalba, and Tursiops truncatus) differ significantly from those of primates (Macaca mulatta) and rodents (Rattus rattus) and are similar to those found in insectivorous bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). In whales, bats, and hedgehogs a significant concentration of calbindin-positive, vertically oriented bipolar and bitufted neurons was found in layers I, II, and IIIc/V with their axons arranged in a three-dimensional network. In primates and rodents they are distributed evenly across all cortical layers and are predominantly multipolar or bitufted neurons found in all cortical layers with their axons oriented along the vertical axis of the cortical plate. The parvalbumin-positive neurons in all mammalian species, including toothed whales, are represented by variously sized multipolar non-pyramidal cells. As opposed to all other mammalian species, the major concentrations of parvalbumin-positive neurons in whales are found in layers IIIc/V and VI, whereas in other cortical layers there are only scattered parvalbumin-positive neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Descriptors: calcium binding proteins metabolism, neurons metabolism, visual cortex metabolism, chiroptera, dolphins, hedgehogs, image processing, computer assisted, immunohistochemistry, insectivora, macaca mulatta, parvalbumins immunology, parvalbumins metabolism, rats, species specificity, visual cortex cytology, whales, gamma aminobutyric acid immunology, gamma aminobutyric acid metabolism.
Glezer, I.I., P.R. Hof, and P.J. Morgane (1998). Comparative analysis of calcium-binding protein-immunoreactive neuronal populations in the auditory and visual systems of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the macaque monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy 15(4): 203-37. ISSN: 0891-0618.
Abstract: This study compares the distribution of three calcium-binding protein-immunoreactive (CaBP-immunoreactive) neuronal populations (calretinin-, calbindin- and parvalbumin-immunoreactive) in the visual and auditory systems in two mammalian species which are fundamentally different in their evolutionary traits and ecology, the aquatic toothed whale Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin) and the terrestrial Old World primate, Macaca fascicularis (long-tailed macaque). Immunocytochemical analyses, combined with computerized morphometry revealed that in the visual and auditory systems of the bottlenose dolphin, calretinin and calbindin are the prevalent calcium-binding proteins, whereas parvalbumin is present in very few neurons. The prevalence of calretinin and calbindin-immunoreactive neurons is especially obvious in the auditory system of this species. In both auditory and visual systems of the macaque monkey, the parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons are present in comparable or higher densities than the calretinin and calbindin-immunoreactive neurons. In some structures of the visual and auditory systems of the macaque monkey, the calretinin- and calbindin-immunoreactive neurons are nearly absent. The prevalence of parvalbumin-immunoreactive over calretinin- and calbindin-immunoreactive neurons is particularly prominent in the visual system of primates. Thus, the dominant sensory systems in both aquatic and terrestrial mammals are enriched in specific phenotypes of calcium-binding protein-immunoreactive neurons.
Descriptors: brain chemistry physiology, calcium binding proteins metabolism, dolphins metabolism, Macaca fascicularis metabolism, neurons metabolism, auditory cortex anatomy and histology, auditory cortex metabolism, calcium binding protein, vitamin d dependent metabolism, geniculate bodies anatomy and histology, geniculate bodies metabolism, image processing, computer assisted, immunohistochemistry, inferior colliculus anatomy and histology, inferior colliculus metabolism, parvalbumins metabolism, superior colliculus anatomy and histology, superior colliculus metabolism, visual cortex anatomy and histology, visual cortex metabolism.
Glezer, I.I., P.R. Hof, and P.J. Morgane (1995). Cytoarchitectonics and immunocytochemistry of the inferior colliculus of midbrain in cetaceans. FASEB Journal 9(3): A247. ISSN: 0892-6638.
NAL Call Number: QH301.F3
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, cell biology, methods and techniques, morphology, nervous system, neural coordination, physiology, cellular arrangements, hyperchromal domains, meeting abstract, morphology, neurocytology, neurons.
Notes: Meeting Information: Experimental Biology 95, Part I, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 1995.
Glezer, I.I., P.R. Hof, and P.J. Morgane (1992). Calretinin-immunoreactive neurons in the primary visual cortex of dolphin and human brains. Brain Research 595(2): 181-8. ISSN: 0006-8993.
Abstract: A new class of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons immunoreactive to the calcium-binding protein calretinin (CR) was demonstrated in primary visual cortices of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and humans (Homo sapiens). Comparative analysis revealed several differences between dolphin and human visual cortex in the laminar distribution of CR-positive perikarya, although general typology of the immunoreactive CR-positive neurons was similar in both species. Thus, in both human and dolphin primary visual cortex almost all CR-positive neurons are non-pyramidal, either fusiform or bipolar cells, oriented with their long axis along the radial axis of the cortex. Large multipolar stellate cells were also observed in layers I and VI. The CR-positive neurons in the dolphin visual cortex are concentrated almost exclusively in layer I and, to a lesser extent, in layer II. In all other layers (IIIa, b, IIIc/V and VI) of the dolphin visual cortex CR-positive neurons were only rarely seen. In the human primary visual cortex CR-positive neurons are located mainly in layers II, III and IVa, b, c, with considerably lower densities of these cells observed in layers V and VI. CR-positive neurons in layer I of the human visual cortex are represented by Cajal-Retzius horizontal cells, whereas no such cells were seen in layer I of the dolphin neocortex. The numerical density of CR-positive neurons in the dolphin primary visual cortex is significantly lower than in the area of cortex in humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Descriptors: calcium binding protein, vitamin d dependent metabolism, dolphins metabolism, neurons metabolism, visual cortex cytology, aged, aged, 80 and over, calcium binding protein, vitamin d dependent immunology, middle aged, neurons immunology, species specificity, visual cortex immunology, visual cortex metabolism, gamma aminobutyric acid metabolism.
Godard, C.A., R.M. Smolowitz, J.Y. Wilson, R.S. Payne, and J.J. Stegeman (2004). Induction of cetacean cytochrome P4501A1 by beta-naphthoflavone exposure of skin biopsy slices. Toxicological Sciences 80(2): 268-75. ISSN: 1096-6080.
NAL Call Number: RA1190.F8
Abstract: Marine mammals can accumulate environmental contaminants in their blubber at concentrations harmful to laboratory animals. Induction of the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) enzyme is widely used as a biomarker of exposure and molecular effects in animal species, yet the validity of this biomarker has not been established in marine mammals. In vivo studies are generally precluded in these protected species, but skin biopsies (epidermis and dermis) can be collected in a minimally invasive way. We developed an in vitro assay using skin biopsy slices to examine CYP1A1 protein induction in marine mammals in response to chemical exposure. Skin biopsies from sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) were exposed for 24 h to beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), a prototypical CYP1A1 inducer, and CYP1A1 induction was detected by immunohistochemical staining in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibroblasts. Biopsy slices were exposed to a range of BNF concentrations (0.6-600 microM), and a significant concentration-effect relationship was observed in both endothelial and smooth muscle cells (p = 0.05). This is the first study using skin biopsy slices to examine exposure of cetacean tissue to a CYP1A1 inducer. It demonstrates a causal relationship between chemical exposure and CYP1A1 induction and therefore validates the use of CYP1A1 expression in skin biopsies as a biomarker in cetaceans. Our protocol can be adapted to the investigation of chemicals, mixtures, concentrations, incubation times, or biological endpoints of choice. This should prove particularly relevant for these and other protected species that cannot be studied in the laboratory.
Descriptors: cytochrome p 450 cyp1a1 biosynthesis, skin enzymology, whales physiology, beta naphthoflavone pharmacology, biopsy, endothelial cells drug effects, endothelial cells enzymology, enzyme induction drug effects, fibroblasts drug effects, fibroblasts enzymology, immunohistochemistry, rna, messenger biosynthesis, rna, messenger genetics, receptors, aryl hydrocarbon agonists, skin drug effects, xenobiotics blood, xenobiotics toxicity.
Notes: Comment In: Toxicological Sciences 2004 Aug;80(2):216-7.
Goodwin, T.J., L. Coate Li, R.M. Linnehan, and T.G. Hammond (2000). Selected contribution: a three-dimensional model for assessment of in vitro toxicity in Balaena mysticetus renal tissue. Journal of Applied Physiology 89(6): 2508-17. ISSN: 8750-7587.
NAL Call Number: 447.8 J825
Abstract: This study established two- and three-dimensional renal proximal tubular cell cultures of the endangered species bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), developed SV40-transfected cultures, and cloned the 61-amino acid open reading frame for the metallothionein protein, the primary binding site for heavy metal contamination in mammals. Microgravity research, modulations in mechanical culture conditions (modeled microgravity), and shear stress have spawned innovative approaches to understanding the dynamics of cellular interactions, gene expression, and differentiation in several cellular systems. These investigations have led to the creation of ex vivo tissue models capable of serving as physiological research analogs for three-dimensional cellular interactions. These models are enabling studies in immune function, tissue modeling for basic research, and neoplasia. Three-dimensional cellular models emulate aspects of in vivo cellular architecture and physiology and may facilitate environmental toxicological studies aimed at elucidating biological functions and responses at the cellular level. Marine mammals occupy a significant ecological niche (72% of the Earth's surface is water) in terms of the potential for information on bioaccumulation and transport of terrestrial and marine environmental toxins in high-order vertebrates. Few ex vivo models of marine mammal physiology exist in vitro to accomplish the aforementioned studies. Techniques developed in this investigation, based on previous tissue modeling successes, may serve to facilitate similar research in other marine mammals.
Descriptors: hazardous substances poisoning, kidney drug effects, toxicity tests, whales physiology, amino acid sequence genetics, base sequence genetics, cells, cultured, cloning, molecular, cytological techniques, flow cytometry, kidney cytology, metallothionein genetics, molecular sequence data, rna, messenger genetics, transfection, weightlessness, whales genetics.
Greenwood, A.G. and C.E. Barlow (1979). Thyroid function in dolphins: radioimmunoassay measurement of thyroid hormones. British Veterinary Journal 135(1): 96-102.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 V643
Descriptors: thyroid, function, radioimmunoassay, thyroid hormones, dolphins.
Gretarsdottir, S. and U. Arnason (1993). Molecular studies on two variant repeat types of the common cetacean DNA satellite of the sperm whale, and the relationship between Physeteridae (sperm whales) and Ziphiidae (beaked whales). Molecular Biology and Evolution 10(2): 306-18. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: In the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) two different repeat types (A and B) of the common cetacean DNA satellite were identified. The evolution of each group of repeats appears to be independent from that of the other. The sequence similarity between the two groups is less than the similarity between group A and repeats of the satellite in related whale species. The systematic relationship within and between the families Physeteridae (sperm whales) and Ziphiidae (beaked whales) was addressed by both sequence analysis of the satellite and comparisons with the families Delphinidae and Phocoenidae. The mysticete blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) was used as an outgroup in the comparisons. The molecular phylogeny, when maximum-parsimony analysis and the neighbor-joining method were used, grouped together species of each family. At the family level the ziphiids grouped closet to the families Phocoenidae and Delphinidae. The similarities between the common cetacean satellite of the blue whale and the sperm whale were greater than those between the blue whale and the other odontocetes included, suggesting that the evolution of the satellite is slower in the sperm whale than in the other odontocetes.
Descriptors: dna, satellite genetics, phylogeny, repetitive sequences, nucleic acid, whales genetics, base sequence, Cetacea classification, Cetacea genetics, consensus sequence, molecular sequence data, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity, whales classification.
Guglielmini, C., A. Zotti, D. Bernardini, M. Pietra, M. Podesta, and B. Cozzi (2002). Bone density of the arm and forearm as an age indicator in specimens of stranded striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Anatomical Record 267(3): 225-30. ISSN: 0003-276X.
Descriptors: bone density, dolphins, forelimb growth and development, age determination by skeleton methods, age distribution, densitometry, x-ray, forelimb metabolism, Mediterranean Sea.
Guise, S.d. (1998). Effects of in vitro exposure of beluga whale leukocytes to selected organochlorines. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A 55(7): 479-493.
Descriptors: pollutants, ddt, metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine compounds, pesticides, toxicity, side effects, Delphinapterus leucas, immune response, blood cells, leukocytes, aromatic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, blood, blood cells, cells, Cetacea, delphinapterus, hydrocarbons, immunity, mammals, organic halogen compounds, organochlorine compounds, whales, contaminants, nontarget effects.
Guise, S.d., K. Erickson, M. Blanchard, L. DiMolfetto, H.D. Lepper, J. Wang, J.L. Stott, and D.A. Ferrick (2002). Monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte surface antigens for cetacean homologues to CD2, CD19 and CD21. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 84(3-4): 2-9-221. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Descriptors: immunity, immunodiagnosis, immunological markers, immunological techniques, immunology, immunotherapy, lymphocyte antigens, lymphocytes, marine mammals, monoclonal antibodies, Cetacea.
Guitart, R., A. Martinez Silvestre, X. Guerrero, and R. Mateo (1999). Comparative study on the fatty acid composition of two marine vertebrates: striped dolphins and loggerhead turtles. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Comparative Biochemistry 124B(4): 439-443. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Descriptors: dolphins, turtles, fatty acids, chemical composition, arachidonic acid.
Gulotta, M., E. Rogatsky, R.H. Callender, and R.B. Dyer (2003). Primary folding dynamics of sperm whale apomyoglobin: core formation. Biophysical Journal 84(3): 1909-18. ISSN: 0006-3495.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B5238
Abstract: The structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics of heat-induced unfolding of sperm whale apomyoglobin core formation have been studied. The most rudimentary core is formed at pH(*) 3.0 and up to 60 mM NaCl. Steady state for ultraviolet circular dichroism and fluorescence melting studies indicate that the core in this acid-destabilized state consists of a heterogeneous composition of structures of approximately 26 residues, two-thirds of the number involved for horse heart apomyoglobin under these conditions. Fluorescence temperature-jump relaxation studies show that there is only one process involved in Trp burial. This occurs in 20 micro s for a 7 degrees jump to 52 degrees C, which is close to the limits placed by diffusion on folding reactions. However, infrared temperature jump studies monitoring native helix burial are biexponential with times of 5 micro s and 56 micro s for a similar temperature jump. Both fluorescence and infrared fast phases are energetically favorable but the slow infrared absorbance phase is highly temperature-dependent, indicating a substantial enthalpic barrier for this process. The kinetics are best understood by a multiple-pathway kinetics model. The rapid phases likely represent direct burial of one or both of the Trp residues and parts of the G- and H-helices. We attribute the slow phase to burial and subsequent rearrangement of a misformed core or to a collapse having a high energy barrier wherein both Trps are solvent-exposed.
Descriptors: apoproteins chemistry, crystallography methods, myoglobin chemistry, protein folding, horses, myocardium chemistry, protein conformation, species specificity, structure activity relationship, temperature, whales.
Gulotta, M., E. Rogatsky, R.B. Dyer, and R. Callender (2002). Sperm whale apomyoglobin core formation: structure and kinetics. Biophysical Journal 82(1, Pt. 2): 303a. ISSN: 0006-3495.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B5238
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, meeting abstract, sperm whale, apomyoglobin, structure, kinetics.
Notes: Meeting Information: 46th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society, San Francisco, California, USA, 2002.
Gunther, M.R., R.A. Tschirret Guth, O.M. Lardinois, and P.R. Ortiz de Montellano (2003). Tryptophan-14 is the preferred site of DBNBS spin trapping in the self-peroxidation reaction of sperm whale metmyoglobin with a single equivalent of hydrogen peroxide. Chemical Research in Toxicology 16(5): 652-60. ISSN: 0893-228X.
NAL Call Number: RA1190.C475
Abstract: The 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonate (DBNBS)-metmyoglobin adduct formed following the horse metmyoglobin-H(2)O(2) reaction has been assigned to both a tyrosyl and a tryptophanyl residue radical. At low H(2)O(2), hyperfine coupling to a (13)C atom in sperm whale metmyoglobin labeled at the tryptophan residues with (13)C allowed the unequivocal assignment of the primary adduct to a tryptophanyl radical. Trapping at Trp-14 of sperm whale myoglobin was indicated by greatly decreased electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectral intensity of the DBNBS adducts of the Trp-14-Phe recombinant proteins. Complex EPR spectra with partially resolved hyperfine splittings from several atoms were obtained by pronase treatment of the DBNBS/*W14F metmyoglobin adducts. The EPR spectra of authentic DBNBS/*Tyr adducts were incubation time-dependent; the late time spectra resembled the spectra of pronase-treated DBNBS/*W14F sperm whale myoglobin adducts, suggesting formation of an unstable tyrosyl radical adduct in the latter proteins. When the H(2)O(2):metmyoglobin ratio was increased to 5:1, the EPR spectrum after pronase treatment supported trapping of a tyrosyl radical, although similar decreases in tryptophan content were detected at H(2)O(2):metmyoglobin ratios of 1:1 and 5:1.
Descriptors: benzenesulfonates chemistry, hydrogen peroxide chemistry, metmyoglobin chemistry, nitroso compounds chemistry, tryptophan chemistry, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, free radicals chemistry, horses, oxidants chemistry, pronase chemistry, species specificity, spin trapping methods, tyrosine chemistry, whales.
Hanson, J.C. and B.P. Schoenborn (1981). Real space refinement of neutron diffraction data from sperm whale carbonmonoxymyoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 153(1): 117-146. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: sperm whale, carbonmonoxymyoglobin, neutron diffraction.
Hare, M.P., F. Cipriano, and S.R. Palumbi (2002). Genetic evidence on the demography of speciation in allopatric dolphin species. Evolution International Journal of Organic Evolution 56(4): 804-16. ISSN: 0014-3820.
NAL Call Number: 443.8 EV62
Abstract: Under a neutral model, the stochastic lineage sorting that leads to gene monophyly proceeds slowly in large populations. Therefore, in many recent species with large population size, the genome will have mixed support for monophyly unless historical bottlenecks have accelerated coalescence. We use genealogical patterns in mitochondrial DNA and in introns of four nuclear loci to test for historical bottlenecks during the speciation and divergence of two temperate Lagenorhynchus dolphin species isolated by tropical Pacific waters (an antitropical distribution). Despite distinct morphologies, foraging behaviors, and mitochondrial DNAs, these dolphin species are polyphyletic at all four nuclear loci. The abundance of shared polymorphisms between these sister taxa is most consistent with the maintenance of large effective population sizes (5.09 x 10(4) to 10.9 x 10(4)) during 0.74-1.05 million years of divergence. A variety of population size histories are possible, however. We used gene tree coalescent probabilities to explore the rejection region for historical bottlenecks of different intensity given best estimates of effective population size under a strict isolation model of divergence. In L. obliquidens the data are incompatible with a colonization propagule of an effective size of 10 or fewer individuals. Although the ability to reject less extreme historical bottlenecks will require data from additional loci, the intermixed genealogical patterns observed between these dolphin sister species are highly probable only under an extended history of large population size. If similar demographic histories are inferred for other marine antitropical taxa, a parsimonious model for the Pleistocene origin of these distributions would not involve rare breaches of a constant dispersal barrier by small colonization propagules. Instead, a history of large population size in L. obliquidens and L. obscurus contributes to growing biological and environmental evidence that the equatorial barrier became permeable during glacial/interglacial cycles, leading to vicariant isolation of antitropical populations.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, variation genetics, ca2+ calmodulin dependent protein kinase genetics, cytochrome b group genetics, DNA, mitochondrial analysis, dolphins classification, introns genetics, membrane glycoproteins genetics, phylogeny.
Harms, C.A. (1993). Composition of prepartum mammary secretions of two bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus L.). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 29(1): 94-7. ISSN: 0090-3558.
NAL Call Number: 41.9 W64B
Abstract: Mammary secretions from two bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus L.) females carrying near-term fetuses were analyzed for dry matter, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrate and energy content. Protein values ranged from 75.9% to 97.3% of dry matter. Fat ranged from 0.6% to 9.1% of dry matter. A protein corresponding to beta-lactoglobulin on gel filtration chromatography was the predominant whey protein. Neutralizing antibodies to nine caliciviruses were detected in one sample. Composition of these two samples differs from previous reports for cetacean milk, perhaps due to the stage of lactation.
Descriptors: colostrum chemistry, mammary glands, animal secretion, pregnancy, animal metabolism, whales metabolism, antibodies, viral analysis, caliciviridae immunology, colostrum immunology, lipids analysis, milk proteins analysis, milk proteins chemistry, orthomyxoviridae immunology.
Hasegawa, M. and J. Adachi (1996). Phylogenetic position of cetaceans relative to artiodactyls: reanalysis of mitochondrial and nuclear sequences. Molecular Biology and Evolution 13(5): 710-7. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: By a maximum likelihood analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences, we examine Graur and Higgins' hypothesis of the Ruminantia/Cetacea clade with Suiformes as an outgroup. Graur and Higgins analyzed these sequences by the neighbor-joining and parsimony methods, as well as by the maximum likelihood method under the assumption that the substitution rate is the same for all sites. The Ruminantia/Suiformes clade assumed by the traditional taxonomy was rejected strongly by this analysis and the Ruminantia/Cetacea clade was supported. Adoption of a more realistic model distinguishing among rates at different codon positions in the maximum likelihood analysis of the same data, however, grossly reduces the significance level on the Graur-Higgins hypothesis. Thus, although the Ruminantia/Suiformes grouping is indeed least likely from Graur and Higgins' data set of mitochondrial DNA, this traditional tree cannot be rejected with statistical significance under the new analysis, and more data are needed to settle the issue. In the same way, we examine Irwin and Arnason's suggestion of the Hippopotamus/Cetacea clade by using cytochrome b and hemoglobins alpha and beta, and it turn out that their suggestion is also fragile. This analysis demonstrates the importance of selecting an appropriate model among the alternatives in the maximum likelihood analysis and of using many different genes from many relevant species in order to make reliable phylogenetic inferences.
Descriptors: artiodactyla genetics, DNA genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, phylogeny, whales genetics, cattle genetics, codon genetics, cytochrome b group genetics, hemoglobins genetics, likelihood functions, mice genetics, molecular sequence data, sequence analysis, DNA, swine genetics, variation genetics genetics.
Hasunuma, R., T. Ogawa, Y. Fujise, and Y. Kawanishi (1993). Analysis of selenium metabolites in urine samples of minke whale (Balaenoptera Acutorostrata) using ion exchange chromatography. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. C, Comparative Pharmacology and Toxicology 104(1): 87-9. ISSN: 0742-8413.
Abstract: 1. To study the distribution of selenium metabolites in whale urine, an analytical methodology for separation and determination has been developed. 2. From whale urine, five selenium components, including trimethylselenonium ion were separated and determined by a combination of ion exchange chromatography and fluorometry. 3. The mean urinary selenium level of five minke whales was 1500 ng/ml, with a standard deviation of 400 ng/ml, i.e., about 30 times as high as that for humans.
Descriptors: selenium urine, whales urine, chromatography, ion exchange.
Havsteen, B.H. (2002). Evidence of quasi-linear gas transport through sperm whale myoglobin. European Biophysics Journal 31(7): 549-53. ISSN: 0175-7571.
Abstract: The diffusion of molecular oxygen or its isosteric analogue, carbon monoxide, from the surface of myoglobin to its deeply imbedded haem appears to represent one of the simplest protein functions. Hence, it was chosen for the study of the possible role of a global controlling effect like an attractor. However, whereas the six statistical criteria of the classical non-linear dynamic analysis for the existence of an attractor in myoglobin were fulfilled and invariant to the Fourier transformation, the properties of this attractor were not as simple as anticipated. The parameters were tested and confirmed by alternative approaches, the interpoint distance method of Judd and Fourier transformation. If the diffusion were approximately linear, the order of the attractor would be expected to be near one. However, a clearly higher value, 1.46+/-0.03, was found, indicating the existence of additional steps. Later, the latter were identified as a 90 degrees rotation of CO followed by a translocation by 0.4 A to a transient pocket. These additional steps may explain the high number of regulatory factors found, 10+/-1. The autocorrelation function was damped with a correlation length of at least 20 residues. The Poincare plot showed a dense domain compatible with the cross-section of a quasi-spherical attractor. The first Lyapunov exponent, lambda(1), was clearly positive. The Hurst fractal coefficient was 1.90+/-0.22, indicating a clear departure from simple linear diffusion.
Descriptors: biological transport, carbon dioxide chemistry, models, molecular, myoglobin chemistry, whales metabolism, binding sites, carrier proteins chemistry, computer simulation, databases, protein, diffusion, gases chemistry, kinetics, nonlinear dynamics, oxygen chemistry, protein binding, protein conformation, structure activity relationship.
Hayano, A., M. Yoshioka, M. Tanaka, and M. Amano (2004). Population differentiation in the Pacific white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens inferred from mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite analyses. Zoological Science (Tokyo) 21(9): 989-999. ISSN: 0289-0003.
NAL Call Number: QL1.Z68
Descriptors: Lagenorhynchus obliquidens, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, population genetics, evidence based on mtdna and microsatellite DNA sequence variation, biochemical variation, mtdna and microsatellite DNA sequence variation, north pacific, population genetic differentiation, molecular evidence.
Hayashi, K. and T. Takagi (1982). Neutral plasmalogens and their absorptive property against ultraviolet light lipids present in marine organisms, fish, shark, whale. Bulletin of the Japanese Soeicty of Scientific Fisheries 48(1): 123. ISSN: 0021-5392.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: neural plasmalogens, ultraviolet light, lipids, whale, fish, shark, absorptive.
Hobson, B.M. and L. Wide (1986). Gonadotrophin in the term placenta of the dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Californian sea lion (Zalophus californianus), the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and man. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 76(2): 637-44. ISSN: 0022-4251.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8222
Abstract: Chorionic gonadotrophin activity in extracts of the term placenta of a dolphin, a sea lion and a grey seal was measured by its effectiveness in increasing uterine weight in the mouse and by solid-phase RIA using hCG as immunogen and labelled antigen. Bioreactive (B) gonadotrophin was found in these placentae and, compared to the human term placenta, the concentration of CG in the dolphin was higher, in the sea lion similar and in the grey seal lower. The biological activity in each species was neutralized with a rabbit anti-hCG serum. All placental extracts contained material active in the hCG immunoassay (I). The ratio B/I was significantly higher for the CG in the placental extracts of the marine mammals compared with that of the human term placenta. Results of in-vivo bioassay, RIA, electrophoretic and gel-chromatographic studies indicate structural similarities between CG in the placentae of the marine mammals and human CG.
Descriptors: chorionic gonadotropin analysis, dolphins metabolism, Pinnipedia metabolism, placenta analysis, sea lions metabolism, biological assay, chromatography, gel, electrophoresis, agar gel, mice, radioimmunoassay.
Hobson, K.A., F.F. Riget, P.M. Outridge, R. Dietz, and E. Born (2004). Baleen as a biomonitor of mercury content and dietary history of North Atlantic minke whales (Balaenopetra acutorostrata): combining elemental and stable isotope approaches. Science of the Total Environment 331(1-3): 69-82. ISSN: 0048-9697.
Abstract: Baleen is an incrementally-growing tissue of balaenopteran whales which preserves relatively well over time in museums and some archeological sites, and, therefore might be useful for studies examining long-term changes of metal levels in whales. This study examined Hg and stable C and N isotopic composition of baleen plates of the North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), which continues to be a food source for people in Greenland and elsewhere. We compared the Hg levels and stable isotopes of major tissues (kidney, liver and muscle) with those of baleen plates to see whether baleen could be used as a biomonitor of variations of Hg intake and diet both between individuals and within individuals over time. Mercury was significantly correlated with concentrations in all tissues (kidney, liver and muscle). Stable C and N isotopes in baleen were generally similar to those of muscle, which reflects the recent (approximately one month) feeding of the whale, but in some individuals there were significant differences between baleen and muscle. Sectioning of baleen into 1 cm longitudinal increments showed that these differences were due to marked dietary shifts by some individuals over time that had been recorded in the baleen but were lost from the muscle record. Whole baleen C and N isotopes were better correlated with tissue Hg levels, suggesting that baleen may provide a more reliable indicator of long-term average diet, which in turn may be better related to Hg accumulation in tissues than the shorter-term diet record contained in muscle.
Descriptors: mercury pharmacokinetics, water pollutants pharmacokinetics, whales physiology, Atlantic Ocean, carbon isotopes analysis, diet, environmental monitoring methods, Greenland, mercury analysis, nitrogen isotopes analysis, tissue distribution, water pollutants analysis.
Hoekstra, A. and A.C. Burgers (1967). Investigations on the melanophore-stimulating hormones in the hypophysis of the finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Acta Endocrinologica 56(3): 554-60. ISSN: 0001-5598.
Descriptors: Cetacea, msh analysis, pituitary gland analysis, adaptation, physiological, biological assay, electrophoresis, lizards, marine biology, skin drug effects.
Hoekstra, P.F., R.J. Letcher, T.M. O'Hara, S.M. Backus, K.R. Solomon, and D.C. Muir (2003). Hydroxylated and methylsulfone-containing metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls in the plasma and blubber of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 22(11): 2650-8. ISSN: 0730-7268.
NAL Call Number: QH545.A1E58
Abstract: Bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) blubber (n = 20) and plasma (n = 19) samples were collected during the 1997 to 2000 Inuit subsistence harvests in Barrow, Alaska, USA, to quantify the concentrations of methylsulfone (MeSO2)-containing and hydroxylated (OH) polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) metabolites in this cetacean. The distribution of MeSO2-PCBs in blubber was dominated by 4-MeSO2-substituted congeners, the most abundant being 4-MeSO2-CB-70, 3'-MeSO2-CB-132, and 4-MeSO2-CB-64. Mean (+/- 1 standard error) sum (sigma) MeSO2-PCBs concentrations in blubber were low (6.23 +/- 0.81 ng g(-1) lipid normalized) compared to concentrations previously reported in other marine mammals. However, similar ratios of MeSO2-PCB metabolites to parent PCB congeners among marine mammals suggest that cytochrome P450 2B-like biotransformation and other necessary enzyme-mediated processes and mechanisms that influence the formation and clearance of MeSO2-PCBs exist in the bowhead whale. Pentachlorophenol was the most abundant halogenated phenolic compound quantified in bowhead plasma (1.55 +/- 0.19 ng g(-1) wet wt). Despite indirect evidence for arene epoxidation of the biphenyl moiety inferred from MeSO2-PCB formation, sumOH-PCB concentrations in bowhead plasma were low (1.52 +/- 0.31 ng g(-1) wet wt) compared to humans and marine mammals and were comprised of only two detectable OH-PCB congeners (4'-OH-CB-130 and 4-OH-CB-187). Further research is required to elucidate the toxicokinetics and distribution of OH-PCBs in this cetacean.
Descriptors: environmental exposure, environmental pollutants pharmacokinetics, polychlorinated biphenyls pharmacokinetics, whales, adipose tissue chemistry, biotransformation, environmental pollutants metabolism, polychlorinated biphenyls chemistry, polychlorinated biphenyls metabolism, tissue distribution.
Hoelzel, A.R. (1992). Conservation genetics of whales and dolphins. Molecular Ecology 1(2): 119-25. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Whales and dolphins (cetaceans) are found in all the world's oceans and in some of the major rivers, yet little is known about the distribution and behaviour of many species. At the same time, cetaceans are under threat from a variety of pressures including direct and indirect takes, pollution, and competition for habitat and prey. To ensure their long-term survival it will be necessary to preserve genetic diversity through the identification and protection of differentiated populations, the assessment of variation within local populations, and through a better understanding of reproductive and dispersal behaviour. The application of molecular genetic techniques is helping to provide answers to some of these previously intractable questions. Early results suggest few consistent patterns. Obvious geographic boundaries correlate to genetic distance in some species, and not in others. Furthermore, morphological variation within species can be fairly extensive without correlating to genetic distance, or relatively minor between morphotypes that are as genetically distinct as some species. These examples emphasize the need for further study.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, whales genetics, conservation of natural resources, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, ecosystem, genetics, population, polymorphism, restriction fragment length, variation genetics.
Hoelzel, A.R., J.M. Hancock, and G.A. Dover (1991). Evolution of the cetacean mitochondrial D-loop region. Molecular Biology and Evolution 8(4): 475-93. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: We sequenced the mitochondrial DNA D-loop regions from two cetacean species and compared these with the published D-loop sequences of several other mammalian species, including one other cetacean. Nucleotide substitution rates, DNA sequence simplicity, possible open reading frames (ORFs), and potential RNA secondary structure were investigated. The substitution rate is an order of magnitude lower than would be expected on the basis of reports on human sequence variation in this region but are consistent with interspecific primate and rodent D-loop sequence variation and with estimates of substitution rates from whole mitochondrial genomes. Deletions/insertions are less common in the cetacean D-loop than in other vertebrate species. Areas of high sequence simplicity (clusters of short repetitive motifs) across the region correspond to areas of high sequence divergence. Three regions predicted to form secondary structures are homologous to such putative structures in other species; however, the presumptive structures most conserved in cetaceans are different from those reported for other taxa. While all three species have possible long ORFs, only a short sequence of seven amino acids is shared with other mammalian species, and those changes that had occurred within it are all nonsynonymous. We conclude that DNA slippage, in addition to point mutation, contributes to the evolution of the D-loop and that regions of conserved secondary structure in cetaceans and an ORF are unlikely to contribute significantly to the conservation of the central region.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, evolution, amino acid sequence, base composition, base sequence, Cetacea classification, DNA, mitochondrial chemistry, haplorhini genetics, molecular sequence data, mutagenesis, nucleic acid conformation, open reading frames, rna chemistry, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid.
Hoelzel, A.R. (1991). Genetic Ecology of Whales and Dolphins: Incorporating the Proceedings of the Workshop on the Genetic Analysis of Cetacean Populations, Reports of the International Whaling Commission, International Whaling Commission: Cambridge, 311 p. ISBN: 0906975255.
NAL Call Number: QL737.C4G45 1991
Descriptors: whales genetics, dolphins Genetics, population genetics, nucleotide sequence, molecular sequence data.
Hof, P.R., I.I. Glezer, A.V. Revishchin, C. Bouras, Y. Charnay, and P.J. Morgane (1995). Distribution of dopaminergic fibers and neurons in visual and auditory cortices of the harbor porpoise and pilot whale. Brain Research Bulletin 36(3): 275-84. ISSN: 0361-9230.
Abstract: The distribution of putative dopaminergic fibers in two sensory cortical areas in the brain of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and pilot whale (Globicephala melaena) was analyzed at the light and electron microscopic levels using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. The quantitative analysis of the distribution of labeled fibers demonstrates that the primary visual cortex located in the lateral gyrus and entolateral sulcus contains a denser dopaminergic innervation than the auditory cortex within the posterior portion of the presylvian gyrus. In both areas, TH-immunoreactive fibers are densest in layer I, while layers IIIab and VI have intermediate densities and layers II and IIIc-V have the lowest fiber counts. Layer I is characterized by the presence of very thick TH-immunoreactive fiber populations, in addition to the thin and varicose fiber plexus observed throughout the cortical layers. Electron microscopic analyses demonstrated that some of these thick fibers represent the dendrites of TH-immunoreactive neurons located in the deep portion of layer I. The patterns observed in the present study suggest that the dopaminergic projections to the neocortex in whales have a different organization than in terrestrial mammals, particularly rodents and primates. These differences may reflect the fact that during evolution, the cetacean neocortex has retained many of the cytoarchitectonic features that are usually observed only in proisocortical regions in progressive terrestrial mammals.
Descriptors: auditory cortex chemistry, dolphins anatomy and histology, dopamine analysis, visual cortex chemistry, whales anatomy and histology, auditory cortex cytology, immunohistochemistry, microscopy, electron, nerve fibers chemistry, neurons chemistry, tyrosine 3 monooxygenase analysis, visual cortex cytology.
Hogg, C.J., E.R. Vickers, and T.L. Rogers (2005). Determination of testosterone in saliva and blow of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography. B, Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences 814(2): 339-46. ISSN: 1570-0232.
NAL Call Number: QD272.C4J682
Abstract: A rapid, accurate and reproducible assay utilising high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been developed and validated for determining testosterone concentrations in saliva and blow of bottlenose dolphins. Sample preparation used solid phase extraction with specific preconditioning of cartridges. Analytes were eluted with 100% acetonitrile, dried under nitrogen and stored at -80 degrees C. Samples were reconstituted in 60% acetonitrile for LC-MS analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved with an Alltech Macrosphere C8 stainless steel analytical column (2.1 mm x 150 mm i.d., 5 microm particle size, 300 angstroms pore size) using a 55% mobile phase B isocratic method (mobile phase A = 0.5% acetic acid; mobile phase B = 0.5% acetic acid, 90% acetonitrile). Samples were analysed in SIM at m/z 289.20 (testosterone mw 288.40) and a positive ion ESI. The limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/ml with a limit of detection of 0.2 ng/ml. The concentration curve was linear from 0.5 to 50 ng/ml (y = 0.01x + 0.0045, r(2) = 0.959, r = 0.979, p < 0.001). The R.S.D.s of intra- and inter-batch precision were less than 15% for saliva and 11% blow. Recovery of the assay for saliva was 93.0 +/- 7.9% (50 ng/ml) and 91.5 +/- 3.72% (1 ng/ml), and for blow was 83.3 +/- 6.8% (50 ng/ml) and 85.8 +/- 4.6% (1 ng/ml). Recovery of the internal standard in saliva was 73.0 +/- 14.2% and in blow was 78.63 +/- 4.29. The described assay was used to determine the presence of endogenous testosterone in saliva (9.73-23 ng/ml, n = 10) and blow (14.71-86.20 ng/ml, n = 11) samples of captive bottlenose dolphins.
Descriptors: saliva chemistry, testosterone analysis, dolphins, reference standards, sensitivity and specificity.
Hohn, D., E. Cohen, R. Cunningham, and J. Fitzpatrick (1983). Human lymphocyte agglutinins in Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose dolphin). Immunological Communications 12(5): 481-490. ISSN: 0090-0877.
Descriptors: bottlenose dolphin, human lymphocyte agglutinins.
Hokkanen, J.E. (1990). Temperature regulation of marine mammals. Journal of Theoretical Biology 145(4): 465-85. ISSN: 0022-5193.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8223
Abstract: A mathematical model of heat loss from an aquatic animal to the surrounding water is presented. Heat is generated in metabolically active tissues and distributed by circulating blood and by conduction. The time dependent radial temperature profile of the animal is numerically solved from heat transfer equations by a computer. The model is applied to large whales, porpoises, and seals. For the whales, blood circulation to the dermal layer below appendage and body skin surfaces proved to be essential for sufficient heat dissipation. When decreasing the blood flow below a certain value (dependent on sea temperature and whale activity) the large whales would overheat. Blubber thickness was found to be of minor importance in whale thermoregulation, because the blubber coat can be bypassed by blood circulation. On the other hand, it is in general not possible for small porpoises and seals to stay warm in the coldest waters using normal mammalian resting metabolic rates, even if the peripheral circulation is shut off (or artery-vein heat exchangers used). Heat loss can be reduced if the outermost tissue layers are allowed to cool. This is achieved by minimizing convective radial heat flow via the circulation. (For large whales even minute radial blood flow raises the muscle temperatures to the core temperature level.) Seasonal acclimatization of harbour seals is explained by changes in their effective insulation thickness. Differences in whale activity induce changes in the temperature profile mainly within the first few centimeters from the skin surface. These superficial temperatures, if known, could be used to estimate whale metabolic rates. Since they drop close to the sea water temperature within minutes after whale death, the measurements should be done of live whales.
Descriptors: body temperature regulation physiology, computer simulation, mammals physiology, models, biological, dolphins physiology, mathematics, seals, earless physiology, whales physiology.
Holmes, R.W., S. Nagasawa, and H. Takano (1993). The morphology and geographic distribution of epidermal diatoms of the Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli True) in the Northern Pacific Ocean. Bulletin of the National Science Museum. Series B. Botany 19(1): 1-18. ISSN: 0385-2431.
NAL Call Number: QK1.K6
Descriptors: Bacillariophyta, epidermis, flora, geographical distribution, new combination, new genus, new species, plant morphology, taxonomy, ultrastructure, northwest pacific, California, Japan, Bering Sea, Epiphalaina aleutica, Tursiocola olympica, Tripterion kalamensis.
Holt, W.V., J. Waller, A. Moore, P.D. Jepson, R. Deaville, and P.M. Bennett (2004). Smooth muscle actin and vimentin as markers of testis development in the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Anatomy 205(3): 201-211. ISSN: 0021-8782.
Abstract: Testicular development in the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena was examined using animals (n = 192) stranded or by-caught off the coast of England, Wales and Scotland. Classification of animals according to their stage of sexual development was undertaken using gonadal morphology and the distribution of cytoskeletal proteins. Smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin proved particularly useful in this respect; SMA was prominent in the myoid peritubular cells of the adult testis, and two stages of peritubular cell SMA expression could be recognized ('absent' or 'incomplete'). The initial appearance of SMA in peritubular cells was associated with significant increases in body length and body weight (P 0.001), and occurred during the second year of life. Vimentin, which was prominent in prespermatogonia and spermatogonia, sometimes showed a polarized cytoplasmic distribution. This correlated with a developmental stage at which the seminiferous tubule epithelium becomes populated by germ cells (mean age 1.8 years). Several antibodies were tested for their utility as Sertoli cell markers, but none was found to be specific or useful. Nevertheless, immunohistochemical localization of desmin, GATA-4, Ki67 and androgen receptor was possible despite the poor quality of tissue preservation. This study showed that immunohistochemical classification of these individuals provides a robust basis for the recognition of key physiological stages of sexual development in the male harbour porpoise. This may provide an alternative to the estimation of age, body weight and body length in future analyses aimed at detecting possible adverse effects of environmental pollutants on the reproductive potential of wild marine mammals.
Descriptors: Phocoena phocoena, proteins, smooth muscle actin and vimentin, spermatogenesis, testis, north Atlantic, United Kingdom, testicular development, smooth muscle actin and vimentin evaluation as markers.
Honda, K., Y. Fujise, R. Tatsukawa, and N. Miyazaki (1984). Composition of chemical components in bone of striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba: Distribution characteristics of major inorganic and organic components in various bones, and their age-related change. Agricultural and Biological Chemistry 48(2): 409-418. ISSN: 0002-1369.
NAL Call Number: 385 AG8B
Descriptors: dolphins, bones, inorganic compounds, organic compounds, foetus, age, proteins, lipids, strontium, alkaline earth metals, anatomy, animal anatomy, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, biological development, body parts, Cetacea, elements, embryonic development, ISSCAAP group b 63, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, metals, musculoskeletal system, organic compounds, physiological functions, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English summary.
Hood, C., P. Daoust, J. Lien, and C. Richter (2003). An experimental study of postmortem ocular fluid and core temperature analysis in incidentally captured harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) Scientific Publications 5: 229-242. ISSN: 1560-2206.
Abstract: Determination of elapsed time since death in small cetaceans can be important to our understanding of the nature of their interactions with fishing operations. This pilot study was conducted to determine the potential diagnostic usefulness of ocular fluid (vitreous humour) and core body temperature to estimate postmortem intervals in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Core temperature and concentrations of various constituents of vitreous humour (glucose, urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus) were determined in 24 harbour porpoises incidentally caught in groundfish gillnets in the waters of the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy. These parameters were compared to published values for rectal temperatures and the serum concentrations of several selected elements in live harbour porpoises. Glucose in vitreous humour decreased in dead animals compared to serum values in live ones; its level was positively correlated with core temperature. Potassium and magnesium in vitreous humour increased following death. These data suggest that most animals analysed had been dead for several hours. For the present, the methodology affords researchers an approach that appears to hold some promise. However, the most practical technique requires testing animals with a known time of death in order to derive a set of curves for ocular fluid values and temperature versus time that are appropriate for a statistical presentation of predictability for the time since death.
Descriptors: Phocoena phocoena, pathological techniques, body temperature, core temperature, eye, ocular fluid, mortality, north Atlantic, Canada, Bay of Fundy and USA, Gulf of Maine, postmortem interval estimation, ocular fluid and core temperature analysis.
Houde, M., L.N. Measures, and J. Huot (2003). Experimental transmission of Pharurus pallasii (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea), a lungworm of the cranial sinuses of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), to fish. Canadian Journal of Zoology 81(3): 364-370. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Descriptors: intermediate hosts, lungworms, morphology, nematode larvae, parasitoses, Delphinapterus leucas, Hippoglossoides, Metastrongylidae, Myoxocephalus, Nematoda.
Language of Text: French.
Houser, D.S., R. Howard, and S. Ridgway (2001). Can diving-induced tissue nitrogen supersaturation increase the chance of acoustically driven bubble growth in marine mammals? Journal of Theoretical Biology 213(2): 183-95. ISSN: 0022-5193.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8223
Abstract: The potential for acoustically mediated causes of stranding in cetaceans (whales and dolphins) is of increasing concern given recent stranding events associated with anthropogenic acoustic activity. We examine a potentially debilitating non-auditory mechanism called rectified diffusion. Rectified diffusion causes gas bubble growth, which in an insonified animal may produce emboli, tissue separation and high, localized pressure in nervous tissue. Using the results of a dolphin dive study and a model of rectified diffusion for low-frequency exposure, we demonstrate that the diving behavior of cetaceans prior to an intense acoustic exposure may increase the chance of rectified diffusion. Specifically, deep diving and slow ascent/descent speed contributes to increased gas-tissue saturation, a condition that amplifies the likelihood of rectified diffusion. The depth of lung collapse limits nitrogen uptake per dive and the surface interval duration influences the amount of nitrogen washout from tissues between dives. Model results suggest that low-frequency rectified diffusion models need to be advanced, that the diving behavior of marine mammals of concern needs to be investigated to identify at-risk animals, and that more intensive studies of gas dynamics within diving marine mammals should be undertaken.
Descriptors: Cetacea physiology, diving physiology, lung metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, sound adverse effects, diffusion, models, biological.
Ianov, V.G. (1998). Kinoregistratsii kinematiki plavaniia del'finov. [Film recording of the kinematics of dolphin swimming]. Biofizika 43(6): 1087-96. ISSN: 0006-3029.
Abstract: An ingenious method for recording the forward motion of dolphins and decoding the pictures was elaborated. The method makes it possible to reproduce the trajectories of body points of a swimming dolphin from their positions on pictures.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, swimming physiology, videotape recording methods, biomechanics, reproducibility of results.
Language of Text: Russian.
Iizuka, T. and I. Morishima (1975). NMR studies of hemoproteins. 6. Acid-base transitions of ferric myoglobin [of sperm whale and horse] and its imidazole complex. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (Netherlands). Protein Structure 400(1): 143-153.
Descriptors: NMR, studies, hemoproteins, myoglobin sperm whale, horse, imidazole complex.
Language of Text: English summary.
Ikumi, S., K. Sawai, Y. Takeuchi, H. Iwayama, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2004). Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer for in vitro production of Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) embryos. Cloning and Stem Cells 6(3): 284-93. ISSN: 1536-2302.
NAL Call Number: QH442.2.C57
Descriptors: adenine analogs and derivatives, blastomeres cytology, cell nucleus drug effects, oocytes cytology, whales embryology, adenine pharmacology, blastomeres drug effects, cattle, cycloheximide pharmacology, embryo cytology, embryo drug effects, fertilization in vitro methods, oocytes drug effects, protein kinase inhibitors pharmacology, sperm injections, intracytoplasmic methods, swine.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, T. Jimbo, T. Sakai, K. Ueda, and S. Imajoh Ohmi (2001). Molecular cloning and identification of bottle-nosed dolphin p40phox, p47phox and p67phox. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 78(1): 21-33. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: The bottle-nosed dolphin NADPH oxidase cytosolic components, p40phox, p47phox and p67phox cDNA's were cloned from mitogen stimulated peripheral white blood cell mRNA utilizing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The sequences of these cDNAs showed that dolphin p4Ophox, p47phox and p67phox clones contained open reading frames encoding predicted polypeptides of 339, 391 and 526 amino acids, respectively. Analysis of the p47phox and p67phox amino acid sequences showed two potential Src homology three domains and p40phox one. Comparison of the deduced amino acids showed that dolphin p40phox sequence shared 88.8% similarity with the human p40phox, that dolphin p47phox sequence shared 87.7% similarity with the bovine p47phox, and that dolphin p67phox shared 88.1% similarity with the bovine p67phox. Western blot analysis using anti-human p40phox, p47phox and p67phox antibodies demonstrated that dolphin neutrophil possesses p40phox, p47phox and p67phox with similar molecular masses and structures, to each counterpart in human neutrophils, except for the p67phox COOH-terminus. These results suggest that dolphin NADPH oxidase cytosolic components have functional activities equivalent to those of human.
Descriptors: dolphins, cloning, identification, genes, nucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, neutrophils, nadph, oxidoreductases, species differences, molecular sequence data.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, T. Jimbo, T. Sakai, K. Ueda, S. Imajoh Ohmi, and T. Iida (2000). Molecular cloning and identification of bottle-nosed dolphin flavocytochrome b gp91(phox) and p22(phox) subunits. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 76(1-2): 137-50. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: The bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) gp91(phox) and p22(phox) cDNA were cloned from mitogen stimulated leukocytes RNA utilizing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The sequences of these cDNAs showed that dolphin gp91(phox) and p22(phox) clones contained open reading frames encoding 569 and 192 amino acids, respectively. Analysis of the gp91(phox) amino acids sequence showed three potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Comparison of the deduced amino acid showed that dolphin gp91(phox) sequence shared 95.4, 93.8, 91.4 and 89.5% similarity with the bovine, porcine, human and mouse gp91(phox) sequences, respectively. Similarly, the amino acid sequence showed that dolphin p22(phox) shared 89.7, 84.6, 84.1, 83.6 and 83.6% similarity with the bovine, mouse, porcine, human and rattus p22(phox) sequences, respectively. Western blotting analysis with anti-peptide antibodies supported the molecular weights of the dolphin gp91(phox) and p22(phox) homologous proteins predicted from the cDNAs and amino acids sequence data.
Descriptors: cytochrome b group genetics, dolphins genetics, membrane glycoproteins genetics, membrane transport proteins, nadph dehydrogenase genetics, nadph oxidase genetics, phosphoproteins genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, cattle, cloning, molecular, cytochrome b group chemistry, glycosylation, mice, molecular sequence data, neutrophils chemistry, protein conformation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequence alignment, swine.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, T. Jimbo, Y. Syouji, K. Ueda, and T. Sakai (2001). Molecular cloning and functional expression of bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interleukin-1 receptor antagonist. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 78(2): 131-41. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: The bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interleukin-1 receptor antagonist IL-1ra cDNA was cloned from mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) RNA utilizing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The sequence of this cDNA showed that dolphin IL-1ra clones contained open reading frames encoding 177 amino acids. Comparison of the deduced amino acids showed that dolphin IL-1ra sequence shared 87.6, 77.9, 77.4, 77.4, 76.4, and 75.8% similarity with the bovine, rabbit, equine, human, mouse, and rat IL-1ra sequences, respectively. Recombinant glutathione S-transferase (GST) dolphin IL-1ra produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was purified. This protein suppressed the cytostatic activity of dolphin IL-1beta on A375S2 cells, indicating that the dolphin IL-1ra cDNA obtained in the present study encodes biologically active dolphin IL-1ra.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, dolphins immunology, receptors, interleukin 2 antagonists and inhibitors, sialoglycoproteins genetics, sialoglycoproteins immunology, amino acid sequence, base sequence, cloning, molecular, DNA, complementary chemistry, DNA, complementary genetics, Escherichia coli chemistry, Escherichia coli genetics, gene expression regulation, molecular sequence data, rna chemistry, rna isolation and purification, random amplified polymorphic DNA technique, receptors, interleukin 2 chemistry, receptors, interleukin 2 immunology, recombinant proteins biosynthesis, recombinant proteins genetics, recombinant proteins pharmacology, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequence alignment, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology, amino acid, sialoglycoproteins biosynthesis, sialoglycoproteins pharmacology, tumor cells, cultured.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, T. Oike, and T. Sakai (1999). Cloning and sequencing of the bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interferon-gamma gene. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 61(8): 939-942. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Descriptors: dolphins, interferons, genes, molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, cell structure, Cetacea, chromosomes, genetic engineering, genomes, mammals, nucleus, proteins.
Language of Text: English summary.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, T. Sakai, and T. Oike (1999). Cloning and sequencing of a bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interleukin-4-encoding cDNA. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 61(6): 693-696. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Descriptors: dolphins, interleukins, dna, cloning, nucleotide sequence, acids, Cetacea, genomes, immunological factors, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, proteins.
Language of Text: English summary.
Inoue, Y., T. Itou, K. Ueda, T. Oike, and T. Sakai (1999). Cloning and sequencing of a bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiopus truncatus) interleukin-1alpha and -1beta complementary DNAs. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 61(12): 1317-1321. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: The bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) IL-1alpha and IL-1beta cDNA were cloned from mitogen stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) RNA utilizing the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).The sequences of these cDNAs showed that dolphin IL-1alpha and IL-1beta clones contained open reading frames encoding 265 and 266 amino acids, respectively.Comparison of the deduced amino acid showed that dolphin IL-1alpha sequence shared 77, 77, 77, 74, 71, 65 and 57% similarity with the bovine, ovine, porcine, equine, feline, human and mouse IL-1alpha sequences, respectively.Similarly, the amino acid sequence showed that dolphin IL-1beta shared 77, 77, 74, 69, 65, 64 and 63% similarity with the bovine, ovine, porcine, equine, feline, human and mouse IL-1beta sequences, respectively.The relatedness of dolphin IL-1alpha and IL-1beta were relatively distant with 21% amino acid homology.
Descriptors: dolphins, interleukins, dna, molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, acids, Cetacea, genetic engineering, genomes, immunological factors, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids, proteins.
Language of Text: English summary.
Ishii, K. (1990). Firmware development system for dolphin's clicks waveform reproduction. Bulletin of National Research Institute of Fisheries Engineering (11): 251-280. ISSN: 0388-9718.
NAL Call Number: SH301.S852
Abstract: The author has researched the dolphin's behavior control technique to prevent them from being caught in drift nets. An acoustic study on Dall's porpoises in the Sea of Okhotsk off Hokkaido in 1985 is reported as follows: When porpoises were floating with ease around the vessel, and the sound waves were given off, they started to jump up and escaped in a direction away from transmitter. The signal source was synthesized using supersonic sinusoidal waves. As a result of this sound projection experiment, the author is of the opinion that clicks transmitted by dolphins themselves are more significant as a signal source of the threading device in respect to ecology. Then, the author designed a biosonar simulator and developed software, calling at the firmware development system for clicks waveform reproduction. This software has a consistent routine from drawing of a parameter and data by modeling program into IC memory chip. Wave parameters are evaluated from graphs made by the clicks acquisition system. The modeling divides the clicks between burst and waiting periods. The IC memory written clicks wave data is loaded into the biosonar simulator as the signal source of the projection supersonic.
Descriptors: dolphins, sound, vibration, computer software, behavior, acoustic properties, Cetacea, chemicophysical properties, mammals, radiations.
Language of Text: English summary.
Ishiyama, M. (2004). Characterization of amelogenin genes in whales. Anatomical Science International 79: 359. ISSN: 1447-6959.
Descriptors: dental and oral system, ingestion and assimilation, molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, amelogenesis imperfecta, congenital disease, dental and oral disease, polymerase chain reaction amplification, genetic techniques, laboratory techniques, mysticetian species, odontocetian species.
Notes: Meeting Information: 16th International Congress of the IFAA (International Federation of Associations of Anatomists) and the 109th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association of Anatomists, Kyoto, Japan, August 22-27, 2004.
Itou, T., Y. Shoji, R. Shiraishi, H. Sugisawa, T. Endo, Y. Inoue, and T. Sakai (2002). Priming of dolphin neutrophil respiratory burst by recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 26(7): 675-9. ISSN: 0145-305X.
NAL Call Number: QR180.D4
Abstract: We studied the effects of recombinant dolphin tumor necrosis factor alpha (rdoTNFalpha) on the respiratory burst activity of dolphin neutrophils. rdoTNFalpha enhanced the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence response of dolphin neutrophils induced by concanavalin-A, opsonized zymosan, and heated plasma, but not that induced by phorbol myristate acetate. The TNF-associated priming activity was concentration- and preincubation time-dependent, and heat-instable. These data suggest that, as in human neutrophils, TNFalpha enhances the respiratory burst in dolphin neutrophils that follows short-term incubation with various receptor-mediated agonists.
Descriptors: neutrophils drug effects, respiratory burst drug effects, tumor necrosis factor alpha pharmacology, dolphins, recombinant fusion proteins pharmacology.
Itou, T., H. Sugisawa, Y. Inoue, T. Jinbo, and T. Sakai (2001). Oxygen radical generation and expression of NADPH oxidase genes in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) neutrophils. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 25(1): 47-53. ISSN: 0145-305X.
NAL Call Number: QR180.D4
Abstract: Oxygen radical generation by stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was evaluated in bottlenose dolphin neutrophils. A Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescent assay demonstrated that dolphin neutrophils generate superoxide by the addition of PMA, and that its superoxide-forming activity is completely suppressed by diphenylene iodonium, a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. These results indicate that dolphin neutrophils possess NADPH oxidase activity. Furthermore, the NADPH oxidase activity (hydrogen peroxide production) in dolphin neutrophils, as well as in human neutrophils, was greater at 37 degrees C than at a lower temperature. RT-PCR with specific primers revealed that dolphin neutrophils expressed the mRNAs of the major NADPH oxidase components, which included membrane-associated flavocytochrome b (gp91(phox) and p22(phox)) and cytosolic factors (p40(phox), p47(phox), and p67(phox)), implying the existence of these protein homologues in dolphin neutrophils.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, nadph oxidase genetics, neutrophils enzymology, superoxides blood, cattle, cells, cultured, dolphins blood, enzyme inhibitors pharmacology, free radicals blood, hydrogen peroxide metabolism, kinetics, mice, neutrophils drug effects, onium compounds pharmacology, rna, messenger metabolism, temperature, tetradecanoylphorbol acetate pharmacology.
Itou, T., Y. Yoshida, Y. Shoji, H. Sugisawa, T. Endo, and T. Sakai (2003). Molecular cloning and expression of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) interleukin-8. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 65(12): 1351-4. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: The bottlenose dolphin interleukin (IL)-8 cDNA was molecularly cloned. The dolphin IL-8 has an open reading frame of 303-bp encoding 101 amino acids. The homology of the amino acid sequence with that of other species was: sheep, 89.1%; cattle, 88.1%; pig, 85.1%; dog, 85.1%; horse, 79.2%; human, 74.5%; and macaque, 72.3%. The amino acid sequence suggested that dolphin IL-8 was a CXC chemokine. The recombinant dolphin IL-8 protein was recognized with anti-ovine IL-8 monoclonal antibody.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, interleukin 8 genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, cloning, molecular, conserved sequence, DNA primers, DNA, complementary genetics, dolphins immunology, sequence alignment, sequence homology, amino acid.
Iwayama, H., S. Hochi, M. Kato, M. Hirabayashi, M. Kuwayama, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2004). Effects of cryodevice type and donors' sexual maturity on vitrification of minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) oocytes at germinal vesicle stage. Zygote (Cambridge, England) 12(4): 333-8. ISSN: 0967-1994.
NAL Call Number: QH491.Z94
Abstract: Germinal-vesicle-stage oocytes enclosed with compact cumulus cell layers (COCs) were recovered from adult or prepubertal minke whale ovaries, and were vitrified in a solution containing 15% ethylene glycol, 15% DMSO and 0.5 M sucrose using either a Cryotop or an open-pulled straw (OPS) as the cryodevice. The post-warm COCs with normal morphology were cultured for 40 h in a 390 mosmol in vitro maturation medium, and oocytes extruding the first polar body were considered to be matured. The proportion of morphologically normal COCs after vitrification and warming was higher when the COCs were cryopreserved by Cryotop (adult origin, 88.4%; prepubertal origin, 80.8%) compared with the OPS (adult origin, 67.7%; prepubertal origin, 64.2%). The oocyte maturation rate was higher in the adult/Cryotop group (29.1%) compared with those of the prepubertal/Cryotop group (14.4%), the adult/OPS group (14.3%) and the prepubertal/OPS group (10.6%). These results indicate that the Cryotop is a better device than the OPS for vitrification of immature oocytes from adult minke whales.
Descriptors: cryopreservation instrumentation, oocytes, whales, age factors, analysis of variance, cryopreservation methods, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, sucrose.
Iwayama, H., H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, and Y. Fukui (2005). Attempt at in vitro maturation of minke whale (Balaenoptera Bonaerensis) oocytes using a portable CO2 incubator. Journal of Reproduction and Development 51(1): 69-75. ISSN: 0916-8818.
NAL Call Number: SF1.K3
Abstract: The present study was conducted to investigate whether a portable CO2 incubator was effective for in vitro maturation (IVM) of bovine, porcine and minke whale oocytes, and the effect of maturation media supplemented with different hormones; porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH), estradiol-17beta (E2), or pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG): human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for minke whale immature oocytes was also examined. In vitro maturation rates of bovine and porcine oocytes cultured in the portable CO2 incubator were not significantly different from the standard CO2 incubator. In minke whale IVM culture using the portable incubator, the maximum expansion of cumulus mass was observed by pFSH/E2 and PMSG/hCG at the end of IVM culture. Moreover, the IVM culture period was shortened to 28-30 h from 96-120 h previously reported. The proportion of matured oocytes cultured in the medium supplemented with pFSH/E2 (26.7%) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that with PMSG/hCG (6.9%). The present study indicates that a portable CO2 incubator is a useful device for minke whale IVM culture on a research base ship, and the addition of pFSH/E2 into an IVM medium enhanced cumulus expansion and the proportion of minke whale matured oocytes.
Descriptors: carbon dioxide pharmacology, culture techniques, incubators, oocytes cytology, organ culture techniques methods, cattle, chorionic gonadotropin pharmacology, culture media pharmacology, estradiol pharmacology, follicle stimulating hormone pharmacology, gonadotropins, equine pharmacology, oocytes metabolism, ovary metabolism, swine, time factors, whales.
Jaber, J.R., A. Fernandez, P. Herraez, A. Espinosa de los Monteros, G.A. Ramirez, P.M. Garcia, T. Fernandez, M. Arbelo, and J. Perez (2003). Cross-reactivity of human and bovine antibodies in striped dolphin paraffin wax-embedded tissues. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 96(1-2): 65-72. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: This study evaluates the cross-reactivity of seven anti-human and one anti-bovine antibodies in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples of liver and mesenteric lymph nodes of 13 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Four antibodies (CD3, IgG, lysozyme and S100 protein) reacted with striped dolphin lymph nodes in a similar pattern to that observed in the species of origin. The anti-human MHC class II mAb reacted strongly with macrophages and dendritic-like cells of striped dolphins, whereas a small number of lymphocytes were labelled with this antibody. These antibodies were used to study the immunophenotype of the inflammatory infiltrated in non-specific chronic reactive hepatitis (eight cases) and chronic parasite cholangitis (two cases) and normal liver (three cases) of striped dolphins. Non-specific chronic reactive hepatitis was composed of inflammatory infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocytes and IgG+ plasma cells in portal spaces and hepatic sinusoids. Lymphonodular aggregates observed in chronic parasitic cholangitis showed a cellular distribution similar to that found in lymph node cortex, including the presence of S100+ and MHC class II+ dendritic-like cells in lymphoid follicles and interfollicular areas. This result suggests that those inflammatory infiltrates are highly organised to enhance antigen presentation to B and T cells.
Descriptors: dolphins immunology, liver immunology, lymph nodes immunology, antibodies, monoclonal immunology, antigens, cd3 immunology, cattle, cross reactions, hepatitis, animal immunology, histocompatibility antigens class ii immunology, immunoglobulin g immunology, immunohistochemistry, muramidase immunology, paraffin embedding, s100 proteins immunology.
Jaber, J.R., J. Perez, M. Arbelo, P. Herraez, A. Espinosa de los Monteros, F. Rodnguez, T. Fernandez, and A. Fernandez (2003). Immunophenotypic characterization of hepatic inflammatory cell infiltrates in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Journal of Comparative Pathology 129(2-3): 226-30. ISSN: 0021-9975.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 J82
Abstract: Of 14 common dolphins, 12 showed non-specific reactive hepatitis and three chronic parasitic cholangitis with lymphoid proliferation. Non-specific reactive hepatitis was shown immunohistochemically to be associated with small clusters of CD3(+) cells in portal areas and hepatic sinusoids. Polyclonal antibody against S100 protein reacted with a variable number of lymphocytes from portal areas and hepatic sinusoids, as well as with Kupffer cells and epithelial cells of the bile ducts. The majority of plasma cells observed in portal areas and hepatic sinusoids were IgG(+). In lymphonodular lesions of chronic parasitic cholangitis, the distribution of immunoreactive cells was similar to that found in the cortex of lymph nodes. The presence of stellate cells similar to follicular dendritic and interdigitating cells expressing S-100 protein and MHC class II antigen in lymphonodular lesions suggested that these were highly organized structures developed to enhance antigen presentation to B and T cells.
Descriptors: cholangitis, dolphins, hepatitis, animal pathology, liver pathology, parasitic diseases, animal pathology, antigens, cd3 analysis, cell count, cholangitis immunology, cholangitis pathology, hepatitis, animal immunology, histocompatibility antigens class ii analysis, immunoenzyme techniques, immunophenotyping, parasitic diseases, animal immunology, s100 proteins analysis.
Jacobs, M.S., A.M. Galaburda, W.L. McFarland, and P.J. Morgane (1984). The insular formations of the dolphin brain: quantitative cytoarchitectonic studies of the insular component of the limbic lobe [Tursiops truncatus]. Journal of Comparative Neurology 225(3): 396-432. ISSN: 0021-9967.
NAL Call Number: QP351.J68
Descriptors: dolphin, brain, limbic lobe, insular formations, cytoarchitectonic, studies.
Jakobzek, W. (1980). Versuche zur Immunisierung von Meerschweinchen gegen Maul- und Klauenseuche mit Aluminiumhydroxyd-Vaccine. [Study of immunization of porpoises against FMD with aluminum hydroxide vaccine]. 25 p.
NAL Call Number: TRANSL 30064
Descriptors: porpoises, FMD, immunization, aluminum hydroxide, vaccine, study.
Notes: Translated from German for USDA, TT 80-53824. Translated from: DVM. Dissertation. Friedrich-Wilhems University. Berlin, pp. 1-17, 1937.
Janech, M.G., R. Chen, J. Klein, M.W. Nowak, W. McFee, R.V. Paul, W.R. Fitzgibbon, and D.W. Ploth (2002). Molecular and functional characterization of a urea transporter from the kidney of a short-finned pilot whale. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 282(5): R1490-500. ISSN: 0363-6119.
Abstract: Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) always excrete urine with an osmolality markedly higher than that of plasma. Although the mechanisms by which cetaceans concentrate urine have not been elucidated, data support a role for medullary urea accumulation in this process, as is the case for terrestrial mammals. Therefore, we hypothesized that facilitated urea transporters are present in the kidney of cetaceans. Using 5'/3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, we cloned a 2.7-kb cDNA from the kidney of the short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus. The putative open-reading frame encoded a 397-amino acid protein [pilot whale urea transporter A2 (whUT-A2)] that has 94% amino acid sequence identity to the A2 isoform of the human urea transporter (hUT-A2). Heterologous expression of whUT-A2 cRNA in Xenopus oocytes induced phloretin-inhibitable urea transport. Although Northern analysis and RT-PCR indicated that whUT-A2 was exclusively expressed in kidney, Western blotting using a polyclonal antibody to rat UT-A1/UT-A2 detected various immunoreactive proteins in kidney and other tissues. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis suggested the presence of alternatively spliced UT-A transcripts in the kidney as well as extrarenal tissues. We conclude that renal urea transporters are highly conserved among mammals inhabiting terrestrial and pelagic environments. A urea-based concentrating mechanism, presumably evolved to meet the demands of an arid terrestrial environment, may have contributed a fortuitous preadaptation that enabled the ancestors of cetaceans to reinvade the sea.
Descriptors: carrier proteins genetics, carrier proteins metabolism, kidney metabolism, membrane glycoproteins genetics, membrane glycoproteins metabolism, membrane transport proteins, whales genetics, whales metabolism, amino acid sequence genetics, base sequence genetics, cloning, molecular, DNA, complementary genetics, molecular sequence data, oocytes, tissue distribution, xenopus.
Jarman, S.N., N.J. Gales, M. Tierney, P.C. Gill, and N.G. Elliott (2002). A DNA-based method for identification of krill species and its application to analysing the diet of marine vertebrate predators. Molecular Ecology 11(12): 2679-90. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Accurate identification of species that are consumed by vertebrate predators is necessary for understanding marine food webs. Morphological methods for identifying prey components after consumption often fail to make accurate identifications of invertebrates because prey morphology becomes damaged during capture, ingestion and digestion. Another disadvantage of morphological methods for prey identification is that they often involve sampling procedures that are disruptive for the predator, such as stomach flushing or lethal collection. We have developed a DNA-based method for identifying species of krill (Crustacea: Malacostraca), an enormously abundant group of invertebrates that are directly consumed by many groups of marine vertebrates. The DNA-based approach allows identification of krill species present in samples of vertebrate stomach contents, vomit, and, more importantly, faeces. Utilizing samples of faeces from vertebrate predators minimizes the impact of dietary studies on the subject animals. We demonstrate our method first on samples of Adelie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) stomach contents, where DNA-based species identification can be confirmed by prey morphology. We then apply the method to faeces of Adelie penguins and to faeces of the endangered pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda). In each of these cases, krill species consumed by the predators could be identified from their DNA present in faeces or stomach contents.
Descriptors: birds metabolism, DNA genetics, euphausiacea genetics, whales metabolism, base sequence, DNA chemistry, DNA, ribosomal chemistry, DNA, ribosomal genetics, Euphausiacea classification, feces chemistry, feeding behavior, gastrointestinal contents chemistry, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, sequence alignment, DNA sequence analysis.
Jarrell, G.H. and U. Arnason (1981). Banded karyotypes of a belukha whale, Delphinapterus leucas. Hereditas 95(1): 37-41. ISSN: 0018-0661.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 H42
Descriptors: banded karyotypes, belukha whale, Delphinapterus leucas.
Language of Text: English summary.
Jensen, A.E., N.F. Cheville, C.O. Thoen, A.P. MacMillan, and W.G. Miller (1999). Genomic fingerprinting and development of a dendrogram for Brucella spp. isolated from seals, porpoises, and dolphins. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 11(2): 152-157. ISSN: 1040-6387.
NAL Call Number: SF774.J68
Descriptors: seals, phocoenidae, dolphins, brucella, DNA fingerprinting, pulsed field electrophoresis, strains, vaccines, species differences, relationships.
Jensen, B.A. and M.E. Hahn (2001). cDNA cloning and characterization of a high affinity aryl hydrocarbon receptor in a cetacean, the beluga, Delphinapterus leucas. Toxicological Sciences 64(1): 41-56. ISSN: 1096-6080.
NAL Call Number: RA1190.F8
Abstract: Some cetaceans bioaccumulate substantial concentrations of planar halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) in their tissues, but little is known about the effects of such burdens on cetacean health. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related PHAHs cause toxicity via activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a member of the bHLH-PAS family of transcription factors. Differences in AHR structure and function are known to contribute to species-specific differences in susceptibility to PHAH toxicity. To ascertain the potential for PHAH effects in a cetacean, we characterized an AHR from the beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas. The 3.2 kb cDNA encodes an 845-amino acid protein with a predicted size of 95.5 kDa. Overall, the beluga AHR shares 85% amino acid sequence identity with the human AHR and 75% identity with the mouse AHR Ah(b-1) allele. Beluga AHR protein synthesized in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system demonstrated specific, high-affinity [(3)H]TCDD binding. Saturation binding analysis was used to compare the [(3)H]TCDD binding affinity of the in vitro-expressed beluga AHR with affinities of in vitro-expressed AHRs from a dioxin-sensitive mouse strain (Ah(b-1) allele) and humans. The beluga AHR bound [(3)H]TCDD with an affinity (K(d)= 0.43 +/- 0.16 nM) that was at least as high as that of the mouse AHR (K(d)= 0.68 +/- 0.23 nM), and significantly greater than that of the human AHR (K(d)= 1.63 +/- 0.64 nM). In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the beluga AHR exhibited sequence-specific, Arnt-dependent binding to a dioxin responsive enhancer (DRE). Upon transient transfection into mammalian cells, the beluga AHR activated transcription of a luciferase reporter under control of a DRE-containing fragment of the mouse Cyp1a1 promoter. These results show that in an in vitro system, the beluga AHR possesses characteristics similar to those of AHRs from other mammals that are considered sensitive to toxic effects of PHAHs. Together, these results demonstrate that the use of in vitro-expressed proteins is a promising approach for addressing molecular and biochemical questions concerning PHAH toxicity in endangered or protected species.
Descriptors: cloning, molecular, receptors, aryl hydrocarbon genetics, receptors, aryl hydrocarbon metabolism, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin metabolism, transcription, genetic, whales genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, cos cells, cell fractionation, DNA, complementary, enhancer elements genetics, genes, reporter, liver chemistry, liver metabolism, molecular sequence data, protein structure, tertiary, radioligand assay, receptors, aryl hydrocarbon chemistry, sequence alignment, whales metabolism.
Jochle, W. (2001). Plasma and pituitary concentrations of gonadotrophins (FSH and LH) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the feeding season. Theriogenology 56(1): 193-7. ISSN: 0093-691X.
NAL Call Number: QP251.A1T5
Descriptors: animal welfare, whales blood, Antarctic regions, conservation of natural resources, Japan, progesterone blood, testosterone blood.
Notes: Comment On: Theriogenology. 2001 Mar 15;55(5):1127-41.
Kage, T., I. Nakayama, and A. Kawamura (1995). A comparative study of the techniques of genomic DNA analysis used in Ecological and population genetics research in cetaceans. Bulletin of the Faculty of Bioresources Mie University (15): 49-57. ISSN: 0915-0471.
NAL Call Number: S471.J3M54
Descriptors: Cetacea, genomes, dna, population genetics, animal ecology, acids, ecology, genetics, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids.
Language of Text: English summary.
Kakuda, T. and T.K. Yamada (2003). Genetic variability of Stejneger's beaked whale (Mesoplodon stejnereri) stranded on the shore of Sea of Japan based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Honyurui Kagaku 3(Suppl.): 93-96. ISSN: 0385-437X.
Descriptors: Mesoplodon stejnereri, nucleic acids, mtdna, molecular genetics, mtdna sequences, population genetics, biochemical variation, mtdna variation, population genetic implications, west Pacific, Japan, Sea of Japan coast, mtdna variation and population genetic implications.
Kapitonov, V.V., G.P. Holmquist, and J. Jurka (1998). L1 repeat is a basic unit of heterochromatin satellites in cetaceans. Molecular Biology and Evolution 15(5): 611-2. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, DNA, satellite, heterochromatin genetics, base sequence, mammals genetics, molecular sequence data.
Karol, R., C. Litchfield, D.K. Caldwell, and M.C. Caldwell (1978). Compositional topography of melon and spermaceti organ lipids in the pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps: Implications for echolocation. Marine Biology (Berlin) 47(2): 115-123. ISSN: 0025-3162.
NAL Call Number: QH91.A1M35
Descriptors: topography, melon, spermaceti organ, lipids, pygmy sperm whale, echolocation, composition.
Language of Text: English summary.
Kasamatsu, M., M. Tsunokawa, M. Taki, H. Higuchi, and H. Nagahata (2001). Serum lipid peroxide and alpha-tocopherol concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity in captive bottle-nosed dolphins. American Journal of Veterinary Research 62(12): 1952-6. ISSN: 0002-9645.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 Am3A
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum lipid peroxide (LPO) and alpha-tocopherol concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in captive bottle-nosed dolphins and to evaluate effects of storage on production of LPO in various marine fish. ANIMALS: 16 bottle-nosed dolphins. PROCEDURE: 8 dolphins (group A) were fed chub mackerel and herring (high fat) and arabesque greenling and banded blue-sprat (low fat); the other 8 dolphins (group B) were fed chub mackerel and Pacific saury (high fat) and shishamo smelt and Japanese horse mackerel (low fat). Each group had been on these respective diets for 3 years. Serum LPO and alpha-tocopherol concentrations, serum SOD activity, and superoxide production by neutrophils were measured. All types of marine fish were frozen at -20 C for 6 months, and concentrations of LPO were measured at various time points. RESULTS: Serum LPO concentrations in group-A dolphins were significantly higher than those in group B. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations and SOD activity in group A were significantly lower than those in group B. A significant negative correlation was found between serum LPO and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in all 16 dolphins. The LPO concentrations in mackerel and herring fed to group-A dolphins were higher than those of other fish. Concentrations of LPO in herring stored for 3 and 6 months at -20 C were higher than those in herring before freezing and in herring stored for 1 month. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum LPO and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in captive bottle-nosed dolphins may be strongly influenced by high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acid and LPO found in marine fatty fishes. High concentrations of serum LPO, as found in group-A dolphins, were associated with decreased antioxidative states. Monitoring of serum LPO and alpha-tocopherol concentrations and serum SOD activity may be useful for the management of captive marine mammals.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, lipid peroxides biosynthesis, superoxide dismutase blood, alpha tocopherol blood, diet, fishes, lipid peroxides blood, neutrophils enzymology, neutrophils metabolism, statistics, nonparametric, superoxides metabolism, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances metabolism.
Kasamatsu, M. (2004). Characterization of acute phase reactants and lipid metabolism, and their application to the health monitoring of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Rakuno Gakuen University Natural Science 29(1): 105-106. ISSN: 0388-001X.
NAL Call Number: QH7.J68
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, lipids, acute phase reactants and lipid metabolism, characterization and use in health monitoring.
Kastelle, C.R., K.E.W. Shelden, and D.K. Kimura (2003). Age determination of mysticete whales using 210pb/226ra disequilibria. Canadian Journal of Zoology 81(1): 21-32. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Descriptors: aging, radiometric ageing, laboratory techniques, age determination, growth rates, population structure, whales, radiometric.
Kawashima, M., M. Kuwamura, M. Takeya, and J. Yamate (2004). Morphologic characteristics of pulmonary macrophages in cetaceans: particular reference to pulmonary intravascular macrophages as a newly identified type. Veterinary Pathology 41(6): 682-686. ISSN: 0300-9858.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 P27
Abstract: We examined the morphologic characteristics of pulmonary macrophages in 42 specimens of Odontoceti (Globicephala macrorhynchus, Grampus griseus, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella attenuata, Stenella coeruleoalba, Berardius bairdii), using light and electron microscopes as well as immunohistochemistry with SRA-E5. SRA-E5ûpositive alveolar macrophages and pulmonary interstitial macrophages contained graphitic soots, indicating the clearance of airborne, aspirated foreign bodies. Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs), positive with SRA-E5, were present within pulmonary capillaries, attaching to applied endothelial cells by cell junctions. They showed cytoplasmic tubular structures of micropinocytosis vermiformis and erythrophagocytosis, indicating their contributory role in the clearance of blood-borne particles. The uptake of pathogens by PIMs may be associated with the inducement of acute lung injury, especially bacterial infectious pneumonia. This study revealed for the first time the presence of PIMs in cetaceans.
Descriptors: Globicephala macrorhynchus, Grampus griseus, Stenella attenuata, Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Berardius bairdii, lungs, immune response, new record and ultrastructure, tissue reactions, pulmonary intravascular macrophages.
Kawashima, M., M. Nakanishi, M. Kuwamura, M. Takeya, and J. Yamate (2004). Distributive and phagocytic characteristics of hepatic macrophages in five cetaceans belonging to Delphinidae and Ziphiidae. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 66(6): 671-80. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: Details of morphology and distribution of hepatic macrophages in cetaceans were investigated using the immunohistochemistry with an antibody (SRA-E5) generated against human macrophage scavenger receptor antigen. Liver samples were obtained from five species of cetaceans (Baird's beaked whales, short-finned pilot whales, Risso's dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and pantropical spotted dolphins). Except for two species of whales, the number of SRA-E5-positive Kupffer cells was greatest in the perivenous zone (zone 3), followed by the mid-zonal (zone 2) and periportal (zone 1) zones; this distribution pattern was different from that in cattle examined here and previously reported rodents with the highest number in zone 1. The frequency of Kupffer cell in each of zones was significantly different among species, and interestingly, the total mean of the Kupffer cell number in three zones increased as the body-length of species was small. In cetaceans, Kupffer cells in zone 1 appeared larger and more stellate in shape, whereas those in zone 3 were smaller and rounder. All cetaceans but Baird's beaked whales had the black pigment-containing Kupffer cells, with the greatest number in zone 3, and macrophages with the similar pigments were also seen in the hepatic intermediate septa, indicating an active phagocytosis. Most of the black pigments were considered to be lipofuscin and such pigments were not seen in the bovine livers. These results indicate that cetacean hepatic macrophages show differences in the distribution and phagocytosis among hepatic lobular zones, or between cetacean species and terrestrial animals.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, kupffer cells physiology, phagocytosis physiology, whales physiology, immunohistochemistry, kupffer cells cytology, lipofuscin metabolism, microscopy, electron, microscopy, fluorescence, receptors, immunologic metabolism.
Kawashima, M., M. Nakanishi, M. Kuwamura, M. Takeya, and J. Yamate (2004). Immunohistochemical detection of macrophages in the short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus). Journal of Comparative Pathology 130(1): 32-40. ISSN: 0021-9975.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 J82
Abstract: Macrophages play a central role in the immune system, but few markers are available for their detection in cetaceans. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to examine the cross-reactivity for two cetacean species (short-finned pilot whale and Risso's dolphin) of four anti-human antibodies (SRA-E5, AM-3K, EBM11 and anti-human lysozyme). The distribution of SRA-E5- and AM-3K-positive cells was similar, both antibodies labelling (1) many resident macrophages in the spleen, lymph nodes, liver, lung, kidney, intestine and dermis, and (2) exudate macrophages in the hepatic interlobular septa. Anti-human lysozyme antibody also labelled both resident and exudate macrophages. However, double immunohistochemistry showed that the majority of AM-3K-positive cells in the spleen and liver were also labelled by SRA-E5; on the other hand, anti-human lysozyme-positive cells did not always correspond with AM-3K-positive cells. Cetacean tissues contained no EBM11-positive cells. The study demonstrated the potential values of SRA-E5, AM-3K and anti-human lysozyme antibody for cetacean macrophage studies.
Descriptors: dolphins immunology, immunohistochemistry, macrophages cytology, macrophages immunology, antibodies, monoclonal immunology, biological markers analysis, cross reactions, lymph nodes cytology, lymph nodes immunology, spleen cytology, spleen immunology.
Kawauchi, H. (1979). Isolation and primary structure of whale and fish pituitary hormones. Journal of the Agricultural Chemical Society of Japan 53(11): R141-R150. ISSN: 0002-1407.
Descriptors: whale, fish, pituitary hormones, structure, isolation.
Kennedy, S., J.A. Smyth, P.F. Cush, M. McAliskey, S.J. McCullough, and B.K. Rima (1991). Histopathologic and immunocytochemical studies of distemper in harbor porpoises. Veterinary Pathology 28(1): 1-7. ISSN: 0300-9858.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 P27
Descriptors: Phocoena, distemper virus, pneumonia, histopathology, meningitis, encephalitis, immunoperoxidase technique, Northern Ireland, Phocoena Phocoena, meningoencephalitis.
Kenyon, A.J., L. Dunn, D. Douglas, and P. Babukis. (1985). Significance of lymphocytes with T-helper/T-suppressor antigens in captive Beluga whales. Fifth International Conference on Wildlife Diseases. Abstracts of Papers to Be Presented at the Conference, August 18, 1985-August 24, 1985, Uppsala, Sweden, Statens Veterinaermedicinska Anstalt: 35 p.
Descriptors: whales, immunity, lymphocytes, antigens, anatomy, animal anatomy, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, blood, blood cells, body fluids, cells, Cetacea, immunity, ISSCAAP group b 61, ISSCAAP group b 62, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, meat animals, oil producing animals, vertebrates.
Notes: Summary only.
Kiefl, C., N. Sreerama, R. Haddad, L. Sun, W. Jentzen, Y. Lu, Y. Qiu, J.A. Shelnutt, and R.W. Woody (2002). Heme distortions in sperm-whale carbonmonoxy myoglobin: correlations between rotational strengths and heme distortions in MD-generated structures. Journal of the American Chemical Society 124(13): 3385-94. ISSN: 0002-7863.
NAL Call Number: 381 AM33J
Abstract: We have investigated the effects of heme rotational isomerism in sperm-whale carbonmonoxymyoglobin using computational techniques. Several molecular dynamics simulations have been performed for the two rotational isomers A and B, which are related by a 180 degrees rotation around the alpha-gamma axis of the heme, of sperm-whale carbonmonoxy myoglobin in water. Both neutron diffraction and NMR structures were used as starting structures. In the absence of an experimental structure, the structure of isomer B was generated by rotating the heme in the structure of isomer A. Distortions of the heme from planarity were characterized by normal coordinate structural decomposition and by the angle of twist of the pyrrole rings from the heme plane. The heme distortions of the neutron diffraction structure were conserved in the MD trajectories, but in the NMR-based trajectories, where the heme distortions are less well defined, they differ from the original heme deformations. The protein matrix induced similar distortions on the hemes in orientations A and B. Our results suggest that the binding site prefers a particular macrocycle conformation, and a 180 degrees rotation of the heme does not significantly alter the protein's preference for this conformation. The intrinsic rotational strengths of the two Soret transitions, separated according to their polarization in the heme plane, show strong correlations with the ruffling deformation and the average twist angle of the pyrrole rings. The total rotational strength, which includes contributions from the chromophores in the protein, shows a weaker correlation with heme distortions.
Descriptors: heme chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, whales, computer simulation, nuclear magnetic resonance, biomolecular, protein conformation, protein isoforms.
Kilian, A., L. von Fersen, and O. Gunturkun (2005). Left hemispheric advantage for numerical abilities in the bottlenose dolphin. Behavioural Processes 68(2): 179-84. ISSN: 0376-6357.
Descriptors: cognition, discrimination learning, dolphins psychology, mathematics, laterality, optic nerve, task performance and analysis, visual perception.
Kilian, A., S. Yaman, L. von Fersen, and O. Gunturkun (2003). A bottlenose dolphin discriminates visual stimuli differing in numerosity. Learning and Behavior 31(2): 133-42. ISSN: 1543-4494.
Abstract: A bottlenose dolphin was trained to discriminate two simultaneously presented stimuli differing in numerosity (defined by the number of constituent elements). After responding correctly to stimuli consisting of three-dimensional objects, the dolphin transferred to two-dimensional stimuli. Initially, a variety of stimulus parameters covaried with the numerosity feature. By systematically controlling for these stimulus parameters, it was demonstrated that some of these attributes, such as element configuration and overall brightness, affected the animal's discrimination performance. However, after all the confounding parameters were under control, the dolphin was able to discriminate the stimuli exclusively on the basis of the numerosity feature. The animal then achieved a successful transfer to novel numerosities, both intervening numerosities and numerosities outside the former range. These findings provide substantial evidence that the dolphin could base his behavior on the numerosity of a set independently of its other attributes and that he represented ordinal relations among numerosities.
Descriptors: discrimination learning, dolphins psychology, pattern recognition, visual, cognition, mathematics, mental processes, problem solving, transfer psychology.
Kim, E.Y., H. Iwata, Y. Fujise, and S. Tanabe (2004). Searching for novel CYP members using cDNA library from a minke whale liver. Marine Environmental Research 58(2-5): 495-498. ISSN: 0141-1136.
Abstract: The contaminant-induced cytochrome P450 (CYP) members in minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) can be potential biomarkers of the contaminant exposure and toxic effects. In this study, we constructed a cDNA library from the liver of minke whale from the North Pacific, and further screened a total of 6930 clones randomly selected in the library for the isolation of cDNA clones encoding novel members of CYP superfamily. The screening revealed the isolation of six novel CYP cDNA clones that are classified into CYP1A, CYP2C, CYP2E, CYP3A, CYP4, and CYP4A subfamilies. The BLAST homology search using the partial cDNA fragments of four CYP subfamilies (CYP1A, CYP2C, CYP2E and CYP4A) demonstrated that the minke whale CYPs were most closely related to pig CYPs (81û91%). Identification of multiple CYP genes in marine mammal species such as minke whale will provide new insights into the metabolic or toxicological functions of individual CYP members.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, cytochromes, biomarker significance of novel members, liver, molecular genetics, cdna library construction, environmental indicators, chemical pollution, north Pacific, cytochrome p450, cdna library construction and biomarker significance.
Kingston, S.E. and P.E. Rosel (2004). Genetic differentiation among recently diverged delphinid taxa determined using AFLP markers. Journal of Heredity 95(1): 1-10. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: In the mid-1990s, a new common dolphin species (Delphinus capensis) was defined in the northeast Pacific using morphological characters and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences. This species is sympatric with a second species, Delphinus delphis; morphological differences between the two are slight and it is clear they are closely related. Does the phenotypic distinction result from only a few important genes or from large differences between their nuclear genomes? We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to broadly survey the nuclear genomes of these two species to examine the levels of nuclear divergence and genetic diversity between them. Furthermore, to create an evolutionary context in which to compare the level of interspecific divergence found between the two Delphinus taxa, we also examined two distinct morphotypes of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). A nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis clearly differentiated both Delphinus species, indicating that significant nuclear genetic differentiation has arisen between the species despite their morphological similarity. However, the AFLP data indicated that the two T. truncatus morphotypes exhibit greater divergence than D. capensis and D. delphis, suggesting that they too should be considered different species.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, nucleic acid amplification techniques methods, DNA, mitochondrial chemistry, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, dolphins anatomy and histology, dolphins classification, genetic markers, phenotype, phylogeny, polymorphism, restriction fragment length, sequence analysis, dna.
Kinkel, M.D., J.G. Thewissen, and H.A. Oelschlager (2001). Rotation of middle ear ossicles during cetacean development. Journal of Morphology 249(2): 126-31. ISSN: 0362-2525.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 J826
Descriptors: body patterning physiology, dolphins embryology, dolphins growth and development, ear ossicles embryology, ear ossicles growth and development, hearing physiology, rotation, dolphins physiology, ear ossicles physiology.
Kjeld, M., G.A. Vikingsson, A. Alfredsson, O. Olafsson, and A. Arnason (2003). Sex hormone concentrations in the blood of sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) off Iceland. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 5(3): 233-240. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Abstract: Blood samples were collected postmortem at sea, from 195 sei whales (127 females and 68 males) caught southwest of Iceland between 1983 and 1988. The reproductive status of the whales was determined by anatomical/histological methods. The blood samples were measured by radioimmunoassays for progesterone (P), testosterone (T) and oestradiol concentrations, which were then related to the reproductive status, the length of the whales and the days of the hunting season. Serum P concentrations in females were found to be clustered mainly into two groups, one with values at or below the detection limit (0.1nmol/L) of the assay (Group I) and the other with values about two orders of magnitude higher (Group III) with intermediate values (Group II) in between. Anatomical results showed that Group I (n = 73) was largely a mixture of immature and anoestrous mature females. Group III (n = 39), with a significantly (p < 0.01) greater mean body length than Group I, had a distinct frequency distribution of serum P values with a mean (SD) concentration of 10.3nmol/L (4.1) and consisted predominantly of pregnant females. Many foetuses were lost at sea due to a slit in the abdomen for cooling purposes, but all 13 foetuses (1.5-3.7m in length) recovered belonged to females of Group III. Group II (n= 15) consisted mainly of anoestrous mature animals. When pregnancy was estimated by serum P values and sexual maturity by the anatomical findings, the apparent pregnancy rate of mature females was 0.37, agreeing reasonably with earlier reports. Male sei whales were classified into immature, pubertal and mature groups by anatomical/histological methods and had mean T concentrations (nmol/L, ranges) of 0.85, 0.1-4.5; 3.3, 0.1-14.7 and 4.8, 0.1-14.8, respectively. Serum T concentrations did not correlate significantly with body length in the groups but pubertal and mature males had significantly higher geometric mean T values than immature males. Mean serum T concentrations in males, classified as sexually mature by anatomical/histological methods, rose approximately 3.2-fold every 30 days during July-September indicating a seasonal breeding cycle. It is concluded that measurements of sex hormone concentrations in sei whales make a powerful addition to the earlier anatomical/histological methods for determination of reproductive status, not only corroborating them but apparently surpassing them in sensitivity of detecting pregnancy and cyclical changes in serum T values during the male reproductive cycle.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera borealis, hormones, sex hormones, reproduction, north Atlantic, Iceland, south west, reproductive biology, implications from sex hormone concentrations.
Kjeld, M., A. Alfredsson, O. Olafsson, M. Tryland, I. Christensen, S. Stuen, and A. Arnason (2004). Changes in blood testosterone and progesterone concentrations of the North Atlantic minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during the feeding season. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61(2): 230-237. ISSN: 0706-652X.
Abstract: An opportunity to study seasonal changes of sex hormones in the North Atlantic minke whale (common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata) arose when we obtained access to fresh postmortem blood samples from 104 females and 83 males. The whales were caught in the North Atlantic during May-September 1992-1995. Serum progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) concentrations were measured and compared with anatomical data. The frequency distribution of female serum P values showed two clusters, one consisting mainly of immature animals and the second of pregnant ones, with mean serum values of about 0.49 [plus or minus] 0.04 (SE) and 44.2 [plus or minus] 2.84 nmol.L-1, respectively. The frequency distribution of male serum T did not show any group-specific distribution during the hunting season. The mean serum T value for the males was 0.63 [plus or minus] 0.13 nmol.L-1. Contrary to earlier reports on the Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis), serum T values rose during the hunting season in mature males (p < 0.0001). Serum P values in immature females increased during the season (p = 0.015). This increase agrees with the predominantly annual reproduction cycle of minke whales. Blood sex hormone measurements seem to be useful for detecting cyclic changes and pregnancy of minke whales.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, plasma, serum, hormones, Arctic Ocean, Norway, Russia and Svalbard, progesterone and testosterone, serum concentrations, seasonal changes.
Knudsen, S.K., S. Mork, and E.O. Oen (2002). A novel method for in situ fixation of whale brains. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 120(1): 35-44. ISSN: 0165-0270.
Abstract: A new method of in situ formalin fixation was used on 38 brains from minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The method was developed because traditional ways of fixing brains are poorly suited to the collection of whale brains. The whole brain was preserved uncut in its meninges and then excised undamaged from the skull at a later opportunity. There was no handling of the brain in the fresh state. Fixation was started within a couple of hours post mortem. All brains were subjected to gross and light microscopy examination. The results showed that both the gross and microscopic architecture of the brains were adequately preserved, with no massive gross or histological changes due to insufficient fixation apparent. The occurrence of fixation artifacts was low. Microscopic examination showed well-preserved cells and myelin in all parts of the brain. We report the mean fixed weight of the minke whale brain as 2741 g, which is the lowest among the baleen whales. The cerebellum constituted 22% of the total brain weight, which conforms to findings in other baleen whales. This in situ method can probably be used without any particular modifications in other whale species and also in large terrestrial mammals.
Descriptors: brain cytology, formaldehyde diagnostic use, whales anatomy and histology, brain anatomy and histology, histological techniques methods.
Knudsen, S.K. and E.O. Oen (2003). Blast-induced neurotrauma in whales. Neuroscience Research 46(3): 377-86. ISSN: 0168-0102.
Abstract: A majority of investigations on primary blast injuries have focused on gas-containing organs, while the likelihood of blast-induced neurotrauma remains underrated. In Norway minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) are hunted using small fishing boats rigged with harpoon guns, which fire harpoons tipped with a grenade containing a charge of 30-g penthrite. The grenade detonates 60-70 cm inside the animal. The present study was undertaken to characterize the neuropathological changes caused by the penthrite blast and evaluate its role in the loss of consciousness and death in hunted whales. The study included 37 minke whales that were examined shipboard. The brains were later subjected to gross and light microscopy examination. The results showed that intra-body detonation of the grenade in near vicinity of the brain resulted in trauma similar to severe traumatic brain injury associated with a direct blow to the head. Detonation in more distant areas of the body resulted in injuries resembling acceleration-induced diffuse traumatic brain injury. The authors conclude that even if several vital organs were fatally injured in most whales, the neurotrauma induced by the blast-generated pressure waves were the primary cause for the immediate or very rapid loss of consciousness and death.
Descriptors: blast injuries pathology, whales, blast injuries classification, brain, brain injuries classification, brain injuries etiology, motor neurons pathology, myelin sheath pathology, organ size, skull fractures, staining and labeling.
Koopman, H.N., S.J. Iverson, and D.E. Gaskin (1996). Stratification and age-related differences in blubber fatty acids of the male harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 165(8): 628-39. ISSN: 0174-1578.
NAL Call Number: QP33.J681
Abstract: Fatty acid composition of blubber was determined at four body sites of 19 male harbour porpoises. A total of 65 fatty acids were quantified in each sample. The array of fatty acids contained in harbour porpoise blubber was similar to those found in other marine mammals. While chemical composition of total blubber was uniform over the body, with the exception of the caudal peduncle, vertical stratification was evident between the deep (inner) and superficial (outer) blubber layers. Fatty acids with chain lengths shorter than 18 carbons were present in significantly greater amounts in the outer blubber layer, while the longer-chain unsaturated fatty acids were more prevalent in the inner layer. This distribution suggests that the inner blubber layer is more active metabolically than the outer layer in terms of lipid deposition and mobilization. The degree of stratification between the two layers appears to increase with age, indicating a predictable turnover in the blubber layer of male porpoises. Harbour porpoise blubber contained high levels (2-27%) of isovaleric acid in the outer blubber layer, and these levels were positively correlated with age.
Descriptors: adipose tissue metabolism, aging metabolism, dolphins metabolism, fatty acids metabolism, adipose tissue anatomy and histology, adipose tissue chemistry, dolphins anatomy and histology, fatty acids analysis, fatty acids chemistry, omega 3 analysis, omega 3 metabolism, unsaturated analysis, unsaturated metabolism, pentanoic acids analysis, pentanoic acids metabolism, tissue distribution.
Koopman, H.N., S.J. Iverson, and A.J. Read (2003). High concentrations of isovaleric acid in the fats of odontocetes: variation and patterns of accumulation in blubber vs. stability in the melon. Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 173(3): 247-61. ISSN: 0174-1578.
NAL Call Number: QP33.J681
Abstract: Isovaleric acid (iso5:0) is an unusual fatty acid that is important for echolocation and hearing in acoustic tissues of some odontocetes, but its functional significance in blubber is unknown. We examined patterns of accumulation of this compound in blubber in 30 species of odontocetes ( n=299). Iso5:0 concentrations in blubber varied with phylogeny, ontogeny and body topography. Iso5:0 accumulated in greater quantities in superficial/outer blubber than in deep/inner blubber. In the outer blubber of northern right whale and Hector's dolphins, iso5:0 accounted for one-third to one-half of all fatty acids. Total blubber burden of iso5:0 in harbour porpoises represented up to 15 times the amount deposited in the melon. The composition of the melon does not change during starvation in harbour porpoises, supporting the hypothesis that lipids in melon are conserved for a specific function. Some odontocetes continually deposit iso5:0 in blubber after levels in melon have reached asymptotic levels, suggesting independent control of iso5:0 synthesis and storage in these compartments. Dolphins and porpoises inhabiting cold waters possess higher concentrations of iso5:0 in their outer blubber layers than species from warmer regions. We propose that this relationship represents an adaptive secondary role for iso5:0 in maintaining blubber flexibility in cold environments.
Descriptors: adipose tissue metabolism, dolphins metabolism, pentanoic acids metabolism, porpoises metabolism, whales metabolism, acclimatization, aging metabolism, body constitution, environment, osmolar concentration, thorax.
Koopman, H.N., D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, R.M. Dillaman, and A.J. Read (2002). Changes in blubber distribution and morphology associated with starvation in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): evidence for regional differences in blubber structure and function. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 75(5): 498-512. ISSN: 1522-2152.
NAL Call Number: QL1.P52
Descriptors: Phocoena phocoena, dermis, blubber, distribution and morphology related to starvation, starvation, variation, mortality, north west Atlantic, Canada and USA, blubber distribution and morphology related to starvation, implications for regional differences.
Korolev, V.I., K.A. Zaitseva, and V.V. Rotin (1996). Osobennosti struktury ekholokatsionnogo signala del'fina Delphinapterus leucas. [The structural characteristics of the echolocation signal in the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas]. Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii 32(4): 539-42. ISSN: 0044-4529.
Abstract: The sounding signal analysis of beluga dolphin under aquatory adaptation with orientation reflexes has been conducted. It has been shown that the single sounding orientation impulse of beluga has a complex structure. Its initial part consists of a large number of components and has a great power. The main part of impulse is frequency-modulated and has a large duration and constant amplitude. The spectral analysis of beluga's signal demonstrates the low-frequency character with spectrum maximal of 1.6 kHz.
Descriptors: echolocation physiology, whales physiology, dolphins physiology, orientation physiology, sound spectrography statistics and numerical data.
Language of Text: Russian.
Krahn, M.M., D.P. Herman, G.M. Ylitalo, C.A. Sloan, D.G. Burrows, R.C. Hobbs, B.A. Mahoney, G.K. Yanagida, J. Calambokidis, and S.E. Moore (2004). Stratification of lipids, fatty acids and organochlorine contaminants in blubber of white whales and killer whales. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 6(2): 175-189. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Abstract: The biopsy - via dart. trocar or surgery - is becoming the preferred protocol for sampling skin and blubber of many cetacean species, because a small sample from a healthy animal may provide better information than a larger sample collected via necropsy from an ill or emaciated animal. Furthermore, the biopsy is often the only means of obtaining samples (e.g. for threatened or endangered species). Because biopsy darts collect only a small sample of tissue - and blubber can be heterogeneous in structure and composition - it is essential to compare the results obtained from biopsies to those found by analysing full-thickness blubber samples obtained via necropsy. This manuscript compares blubber stratification in two odontocete species, white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Five parameters (i.e. lipid percent and classes, contaminant concentrations and profiles, fatty acid profiles) were measured by blubber depth. Results of these comparisons strongly suggest that biopsy results must be interpreted with caution and in conjunction with results from species-specific blubber depth profiling. For example, lipid classes measured in biopsy samples of white whales and killer whales were similar to those for equivalent-depth samples obtained by necropsy. In addition, lipid-adjusted contaminant concentrations measured in dart or trocar samples adequately represented those obtained by necropsy of both species. Conversely, the lipid content in biopsy samples was lower than that found in same-depth necropsied samples due to loss of lipid during sampling. Also, because of the high level of fatty acid stratification observed, fatty acid profiles from the outer blubber layer collected via biopsy from both species are less likely than the metabolically active inner layer to be useful in determining the prey species consumed by these odontocetes. This study demonstrates, for white and killer whales, that property interpreted results from blubber biopsies can provide valuable information about the body condition, health and life history of individual animals.
Descriptors: Orcinus orca, Delphinapterus leucas, lipids, pollutants, organochlorine contaminants, dermis, blubber, stratification of lipids, fatty acids and organochlorine contaminants.
Kreiling, J.A., R. Duncan, M.A. Faggart, and N.W. Cornell (1999). Comparison of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) expressed genes for 5-aminolevulinate synthase with those in other vertebrates. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 123(2): 163-74. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: The cDNA and inferred amino acid sequences were determined for beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) erythroid (E) and housekeeping (H) forms of 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALS), and they were compared with known sequences for five other vertebrates with particular attention to regulatory features. The cDNAs for whale ALS-E and -H encode, respectively, proteins of 582 and 640 amino acids. Sequence alignments suggest that the whale ALS-H, like those for rat and chicken, has an N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence of 56 amino acids. There is a high degree of amino acid conservation between the beluga whale proteins and those of other vertebrates, including regulatory elements and functional residues that have been defined in other ALSs. Both whale proteins contain three heme regulatory motifs suggesting that mitochondrial uptake may be regulated by heme. The ALS-E mRNA contains an iron responsive element in its 5'-untranslated region indicating that its expression may be post-transcriptionally regulated by cellular iron. This extensive structural similarity and the presence of the same regulatory elements found in other ALSs indicate that regulation of ALS in beluga whale is similar to that in other vertebrates.
Descriptors: 5 aminolevulinate synthetase genetics, whales genetics, 5' untranslated regions, amino acid sequence, base sequence, conserved sequence, DNA, complementary chemistry, fishes, gene expression regulation, iron metabolism, isoenzymes genetics, mitochondria enzymology, mitochondria metabolism, molecular sequence data, rna, messenger, regulatory sequences, nucleic acid, rodentia, sequence alignment.
Kretsinger, R.H. (1968). A crystallographic study of iodinated sperm whale metmyoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 31(2): 315-8. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: iodine, myoglobin, x ray diffraction, Cetacea, histidine, ions, mercury, potassium iodide, protein binding, tyrosine.
Kretsinger, R.H., H.C. Watson, and J.C. Kendrew (1968). Binding of mercuri-iodide and related ions to crystals of sperm whale metmyoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 31(2): 305-14. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: iodides, mercury, myoglobin, x ray diffraction, bromides, Cetacea, gold, potassium iodide, protein binding, xenon.
Kroeger, R.H.H. and K. Kirschfeld (1994). Refractive index in the cornea of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) measured by two-wavelengths laser-interferometry. Aquatic Mammals 20(2): 99-107. ISSN: 0167-5427.
Abstract: The refractive index of the cornea of a harbor porpoise eye was measured by two-wavelengths laser-interferometry. In the thickest part of the cornea a refractive index of about 1.53 was found From this value, the refractive index gradually decreases to about 1.37 at the surfaces of the cornea. Due to its peculiar shape, the cornea contributes significant, negative refractive power to the overall optics of the eye. The combination of a diverging corneal lens with the powerful, converging crystalline lens results in near emmetropia for the harbor porpoise eye in underwater viewing conditions.
Descriptors: ecology, environmental sciences, marine ecology, sense organs, sensory reception, systematics and taxonomy, eye morphology, underwater viewing.
Kroger, R.H. and K. Kirschfeld (1993). Optics of the harbor porpoise eye in water. Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and Image Science 10(7): 1481-9. ISSN: 0740-3232.
Abstract: A two-dimensional ray-tracing model for the harbor porpoise eye is constructed from new measurements, mainly on two enucleated eyes, and from data found in the literature. Model calculations show that the crystalline lens has too much refractive power to focus light on the retina. The cornea has a high refractive index and acts as a diverging lens of considerable refractive power. The cornea corrects the eye to near emmetropia for axial and temporal (caudal) directions of view. The eye is approximately 5-D myopic for nasal (frontal) directions of view. The iris serves a dual role as a stop: the iris determines the shapes of bundles of light that enter the lens and the iris blocks light that leaves the lens anterior to its equator.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, ocular physiology, Cetacea, cornea physiology, eye anatomy and histology, lens, crystalline physiology, pupil physiology, refraction, ocular, refractometry, retina physiology, vision physiology, water.
Kunito, T., I. Watanabe, G. Yasunaga, Y. Fujise, and S. Tanabe (2002). Using trace elements in skin to discriminate the populations of minke whales in southern hemisphere. Marine Environmental Research 53(2): 175-97. ISSN: 0141-1136.
NAL Call Number: QH545.W3M36
Abstract: Concentrations of 12 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, and Hg) were determined in liver and skin tissues of minke whales from various regions within the Antarctic Ocean. Cd concentrations in livers of southern minke whale were apparently higher than those in cetaceans from other regions, while Hg concentrations were lower. There were significant positive correlations between body length and concentrations of Cd and Hg in the liver. The concentrations of all trace elements in the skin were lower than those in other cetaceans reported previously. Significant positive correlations between liver and skin were found for Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Rb, Cd, and Cs, implying that the concentrations of these trace elements in the skin reflect those of internal organs. Large interannual variation of the accumulation pattern of trace elements in the skin was observed for the southern minke whales from Area V. There were significant differences in the skin element concentrations among Areas III, IV, and V, especially for males. Also, discriminant analysis between geographically two different groups collected during 1995/1996 austral summer season, based on the concentrations of trace elements in the skin, allowed for a correct classification of 90% of these minke whales. These results suggest that measurement of trace elements in skin samples could provide valuable information on the status of contamination and possible geographic differences in the accumulation levels in southern minke whales.
Descriptors: environmental monitoring methods, skin chemistry, trace elements analysis, water pollutants analysis, whales, environmental exposure, geography, liver chemistry, population dynamics, seasons, tissue distribution, water pollutants adverse effects.
Lai, H.H., T. Li, D.S. Lyons, G.N. Phillips Jr., J.S. Olson, and Q.H. Gibson (1995). Phe-46(CD4) orients the distal histidine for hydrogen bonding to bound ligands in sperm whale myoglobin. Proteins 22(4): 322-39. ISSN: 0887-3585.
NAL Call Number: QP551.P698
Abstract: The role of Phe-46(CD4) in modulating the functional properties of sperm whale myoglobin was investigated by replacing this residue with Leu, Ile, Val, Ala, Trp, Tyr, and Glu. This highly conserved amino acid almost makes direct contact with the distal histidine and has been postulated to affect ligand binding. The overall association rate constants for CO, O2, and NO binding were little affected by decreasing the size of residue 46 step-wise from Phe to Leu to Val to Ala. In contrast, the rates of CO, O2, and NO dissociation increased 4-, 10-, and 25-fold, respectively, for the same series of mutants, causing large decreases in the affinity of myoglobin for all three diatomic gases. The rates of autooxidation at 37 degrees C, pH 7.0 increased dramatically from approximately 0.1-0.3 h-1 for wild-type, Tyr-46, and Trp-46 myoglobins to 1.5, 5.2, 4.9, and 5.0 h-1 for the Leu-46, Ile-46, Val-46 and Ala-46 mutants, respectively. Rates of NO and O2 geminate recombination were measured using 35 ps and 9 ns laser excitation pulses. Decreasing the size of residue 46 causes significant decreases in the extent of both picosecond and nanosecond rebinding processes. High resolution structures of Leu-46 and Val-46 metmyoglobins, Val-46 CO-myoglobin, and Val-46 deoxymyoglobin were determined by X-ray crystallography. When Phe-46 is replaced by Val, the loss of internal packing volume is compensated by (1) contraction of the CD corner toward the core of the protein, (2) movement of the E-helix toward the mutation site, (3) greater exposure of the distal pocket to intruding solvent molecules, and (4) large disorder in the position of the side chain of the distal histidine (His-64). In wild-type myoglobin, the van der Waals contact between C zeta of Phe-46 and C beta of His-64 appears to restrict rotation of the imidazole side chain. Insertion of Val at position 46 relieves this steric restriction, allowing the imidazole side chain to rotate about the C alpha - C beta bond toward the surface of the globin and about the C beta - C gamma bond toward the space previously occupied by the native Phe-46 side chain. This movement disrupts hydrogen bonding with bound ligands, causing significant decreases in affinity, and opens the distal pocket to solvent water molecules, causing marked increases in the rate of autooxidation.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin metabolism, carbon monoxide metabolism, computer simulation, crystallography, x ray, flow injection analysis, histidine chemistry, histidine metabolism, hydrogen bonding, kinetics, ligands, models, molecular, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin genetics, nitric oxide metabolism, oxidation reduction, oxygen metabolism, phenylalanine chemistry, photolysis, structure activity relationship, whales.
Laidre, K.L., M.P. Heide Jorgensen, M.L. Logsdon, R.C. Hobbs, R. Dietz, and G.R. Van Blaricom (2004). Fractal analysis of narwhal space use patterns. Zoology (Jena) 107(1): 3-11. ISSN: 0944-2006.
NAL Call Number: QL1.Z769
Descriptors: Monodon monoceros, foraging, territoriality, home range, migration, distribution within habitat, habitat utilization, physical factors, season, Arctic Ocean, Greenland and Canada, space use patterns, fractal analysis.
Lardinois, O.M. and P.R. Ortiz de Montellano (2003). Intra- and intermolecular transfers of protein radicals in the reactions of sperm whale myoglobin with hydrogen peroxide. Journal of Biological Chemistry 278(38): 36214-26. ISSN: 0021-9258.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Abstract: Reaction of sperm whale metmyoglobin (SwMb) with H2O2 produces a ferryl (MbFeIV=O) species and a protein radical and leads to the formation of oligomeric products. The ferryl species is maximally formed with one equivalent of H2O2, and the maximum yields of the dimer (28%) and trimer (17%) with 1 or 2 eq. Co-incubation of the SwMb Y151F mutant with native apoSwMb and H2O2 produced dimeric products, which requires radical transfer from the nondimerizing Y151F mutant to apoSwMb. Autoreduction of ferryl SwMb to the ferric state is biphasic with t = 3.4 and 25.9 min. An intramolecular autoreduction process is implicated at low protein concentrations, but oligomerization decreases the lifetime of the ferryl species at high protein concentrations. A fraction of the protein remained monomeric. This dimerization-resistant protein was in the ferryl state, but after autoreduction it underwent normal dimerization with H2O2. Proteolytic digestion established the presence of both dityrosine and isodityrosine cross-links in the oligomeric proteins, with the isodityrosine links primarily forged by Tyr151-Tyr151 coupling. The tyrosine content decreased by 47% in the dimer and 14% in the recovered monomer, but the yields of isodityrosine and dityrosine in the dimer were only 15.2 and 6.8% of the original tyrosine content. Approximately 23% of the lost tyrosines therefore have an alternative but unknown fate. The results clearly demonstrate the concurrence of intra- and intermolecular electron transfer processes involving Mb protein radicals. Intermolecular electron transfers that generate protein radicals on bystander proteins are likely to propagate the cellular damage initiated by the reaction of metalloproteins with H2O2.
Descriptors: hydrogen peroxide metabolism, myoglobin chemistry, tyrosine analogs and derivatives, chromatography, gel, chromatography, high pressure liquid, cross linking reagents pharmacology, dimerization, electrons, electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel, free radicals, heme chemistry, hydrogen peroxide chemistry, iron chemistry, models, chemical, mutagenesis, site directed, mutation, time factors, tyrosine chemistry, ultraviolet rays, whales.
Lazaro, M., E.P. Lessa, and H. Hamilton (2004). Geographic genetic structure in the franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei). Marine Mammal Science 20(2): 201-214. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: Pontoporia blainvillei, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, mtdna control region sequences, population genetics, biochemical variation, mtdna control region sequences variation, South Atlantic, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, geographic genetic structure.
Leduc, R.G., D.W. Weller, J. Hyde, A.M. Burdin, P.E. Rosel, R.L.W.B. Brownell Jr., and A.E. Dizon (2002). Genetic differences between western and eastern gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(1): 1-5. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: population genetics, population studies, conservation genetics, forensic implications, genetic differences, haplotypic diversity, gray whale.
Levin, M., B. Morsey, C. Mori, and S. Guise (2004). Specific non-coplanar PCB-mediated modulation of bottlenose dolphin and beluga whale phagocytosis upon in vitro exposure. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A 67(19): 1517-35. ISSN: 1528-7394.
Abstract: Contaminant-induced immunosuppression by organochlorines (OC), particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), has been suspected as a cofactor in the deaths of thousands of marine mammals. One important innate defense mechanism is phagocytosis, the ability of cells to ingest extracellular macromolecules. The present study was aimed at characterizing the immunomodulatory potential of representative OCs on phagocytosis in bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales. The ability of peripheral blood leukocytes to engulf fluorescent microspheres was evaluated using flow cytometry. The immunomodulatory effects of three non-coplanar PCB congeners, 138, 153, and 180, one coplanar PCB, 169, and 2,3,7,8-TCDD and all possible mixtures (26) were tested upon in vitro exposure. In both species, all mixtures containing at least two non-coplanar PCBs significantly reduced both neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis, with effects more marked in dolphins than in belugas. Coplanar OCs, on their own or when added to non-coplanar congeners, did not further modulate phagocytosis, suggesting an Ah receptor-independent mechanism. Concentration-response experiments with individual congeners further demonstrated a non-coplanar PCB-induced suppression of phagocytosis, while coplanar congeners produced no consistent effects. Our results suggest simple additive interactions of chemicals in a mixture. However, calculation of toxic equivalency (TEQs) failed to predict the experimentally induced immunomodulatory effects of OCs on dolphin and beluga phagocytosis, confirming the Ah receptor-independent nature of the effects on phagocytosis. Overall, our results suggest that non-AhR mechanisms may explain one facet of immunotoxicity (phagocytosis), something that is not captured using the TEQ approach. This is the first report demonstrating the immunomodulatory effects of OCs on dolphin and beluga phagocytosis, and the first overall demonstration of immunomodulatory effects on phagocytosis mediated specifically by non-coplanar PCBs.
Descriptors: dolphins immunology, phagocytosis drug effects, polychlorinated biphenyls adverse effects, water pollutants, chemical adverse effects, whales immunology, cell survival drug effects, drug interactions, immune tolerance drug effects, leukocytes drug effects, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin adverse effects.
Levin, M., B. Morsey, C. Mori, P.R. Nambiar, and S. De Guise (2005). PCBs and TCDD, alone and in mixtures, modulate marine mammal but not B6C3F1 mouse leukocyte phagocytosis. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A 68(8): 635-56. ISSN: 1528-7394.
Abstract: Increasing evidence has supported the general hypothesis that organochlorines (OC) can produce immunotoxic effects in marine mammals. One important innate defense mechanism is phagocytosis, the ability of cells to ingest extracellular macromolecules. The present study is aimed at characterizing the immunomodulatory potential of mixtures of OCs on phagocytosis compared to that of individual compounds in different species of marine mammals and mice, the traditional model to study mammalian immunotoxicity. The ability of peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes to engulf fluorescent microspheres was evaluated using flow cytometry. The immunomodulatory effects of three non-coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, 138, 153, 180, one coplanar PCB, 169, as well as 2,3,7,8-TCDD, and all possible mixtures (26) were tested upon in vitro exposure. All species were not equally sensitive to the adverse effects of OCs on either neutrophils or monocytes phagocytosis. With the exception of harbor seals, all mixtures that significantly modulated neutrophil or monocyte phagocytosis contained at least one non-coplanar PCB. Regression analysis revealed that the non-coplanar congeners, more than the coplanar congeners, explained the variability in phagocytosis. Dendrograms revealed that phylogeny could not predict immunotoxicity. The currently used toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach and the traditional mouse model both failed to predict experimentally induced immunomodulatory effects in marine mammals tested, leading us to question the reliability of both TEQs and mouse model in risk assessment of OC mixtures. Testing the relative sensitivity to immunomodulatory effects of contaminants and contaminant mixtures between different species of marine mammals may have important implications for risk assessment as well as conservation and management strategies.
Descriptors: phagocytosis drug effects, polychlorinated biphenyls pharmacology, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin pharmacology, dolphins, drug interactions, flow cytometry, leukocytes drug effects, mice, otters, phagocytosis immunology, phoca, regression analysis, species specificity.
Linnehan, R.M., R.W. Ulrich, and S. Ridgway (1999). Enrofloxacin serum bioactivity in bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, following oral administration of 5 mg/kg in whole fish. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 22(3): 170-173. ISSN: 0140-7783.
NAL Call Number: SF915.J63
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, enrofloxacin, oral administration, drug delivery systems, fish, pharmacokinetics.
Lionetti, C., M.G. Guanziroli, F. Frigerio, P. Ascenzi, and M. Bolognesi (1991). X-ray crystal structure of the ferric sperm whale myoglobin: imidazole complex at 2.0 A resolution. Journal of Molecular Biology 217(3): 409-12. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Abstract: The X-ray crystal structure of the ferric sperm whale (Physeter catodon) myoglobin:imidazole complex has been refined at 2.0 A resolution, to a final R-factor of 14.8%. The overall conformation of the protein is little affected by binding of the ligand. Imidazole is co-ordinated to the heme iron at the distal site, and forces distinguishable local changes in the surrounding protein residues. His64(E7) swings out of the distal pocket and becomes substantially exposed to the solvent: nevertheless, it stabilizes the exogenous ligand by hydrogen bonding. The side-chains of residues Arg45(CD3) and Asp60(E3) are also affected by imidazole association.
Descriptors: myoglobin ultrastructure, crystallography, ferric compounds chemistry, heme, imidazoles chemistry, models, molecular, motion, myoglobin chemistry, protein conformation, whales, x ray diffraction.
Liong, E.C., Y. Dou, E.E. Scott, J.S. Olson, and G.N. Phillips Jr. (2001). Waterproofing the heme pocket. Role of proximal amino acid side chains in preventing hemin loss from myoglobin. Journal of Biological Chemistry 276(12): 9093-100. ISSN: 0021-9258.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Abstract: The ability of myoglobin to bind oxygen reversibly depends critically on retention of the heme prosthetic group. Globin side chains at the Leu(89)(F4), His(97)(FG3), Ile(99)(FG5), and Leu(104)(G5) positions on the proximal side of the heme pocket strongly influence heme affinity. The roles of these amino acids in preventing heme loss have been examined by determining high resolution structures of 14 different mutants at these positions using x-ray crystallography. Leu(89) and His(97) are important surface amino acids that interact either sterically or electrostatically with the edges of the porphyrin ring. Ile(99) and Leu(104) are located in the interior region of the proximal pocket beneath ring C of the heme prosthetic group. The apolar amino acids Leu(89), Ile(99), and Leu(104) "waterproof" the heme pocket by forming a barrier to solvent penetration, minimizing the size of the proximal cavity, and maintaining a hydrophobic environment. Substitutions with smaller or polar side chains at these positions result in exposure of the heme to solvent, the appearance of crystallographically defined water molecules in or near the proximal pocket, and large increases in the rate of hemin loss. Thus, the naturally occurring amino acid side chains at these positions serve to prevent hydration of the His(93)-Fe(III) bond and are highly conserved in all known myoglobins and hemoglobins.
Descriptors: amino acids chemistry, heme chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, amino acid substitution, crystallography, x ray, models, molecular, myoglobin metabolism, oxygen metabolism, protein conformation, recombinant proteins chemistry, recombinant proteins metabolism, whales.
Lo, N.C.H. (1983). Sample size for estimating dolphin mortality associated with the tuna fishery Thunnus albacares, Stenella attenuate, Stenella longirostris. Journal of Wildllife Management 47(2): 413-421. ISSN: 0022-541X.
NAL Call Number: 410 J827
Descriptors: dolphin, mortality, fishery, tuna, stenella, sample size.
Lockard, J.S. (1986). Research status of Orcinus orca: what is not known about its behavioral biology. Zoo Biology Monographs 1: 407-442.
Descriptors: Orcinus orca, feeding, breeding habits, behavior, vocalizations, social behavior, research status, review.
Lundqvist, M.L., K.E. Kohlberg, H.A. Gefroh, P. Arnaud, D.L. Middleton, T.A. Romano, and G.W. Warr (2002). Cloning of the IgM heavy chain of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and initial analysis of VH gene usage. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 26(6): 551-62. ISSN: 0145-305X.
NAL Call Number: QR180.D4
Abstract: Clones encoding the dolphin IgM heavy (micro) chain gene were isolated from a cDNA library of peripheral blood leukocytes. Genomic Southern blot analyses showed that the dolphin IGHM gene is most likely present in a single copy, and its sequence shows greatest similarity to those of the IGHM gene of the sheep, pig and cow, evolutionarily related artiodactyls. The transmembrane (TM) form of the IGHM chain was isolated by 3' RACE. While showing similarities to the TM regions of other mammalian IGHM chains, the highly conserved Ser residue of the CART motif is substituted with a Gly in the dolphin. In contrast to the pig and cow, which utilize only a single VH family, the dolphin expresses at least two distinct VH families, belonging to the mammalian VH clans I and III. At least two JH genes were identified in the dolphin. Some CDR3 regions of the dolphin VH are long (up to 21 amino acids), and contain multiple Cys residues, hypothesized to stabilize the CDR3 structure through disulfide bond formation.
Descriptors: dolphins immunology, genes, immunoglobulin genetics, immunoglobulin m genetics, immunoglobulin variable region genetics, immunoglobulins, heavy chain genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, blotting, southern, DNA, complementary chemistry, dolphins genetics, gene library, immunoglobulin m immunology, immunoglobulin variable region chemistry, immunoglobulin variable region immunology, immunoglobulins, heavy chain chemistry, immunoglobulins, heavy chain immunology, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, rna chemistry, rna genetics, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequence homology, amino acid.
Lyamin, O.I., L.M. Mukhametov, J.M. Siegel, E.A. Nazarenko, I.G. Polyakova, and O.V. Shpak (2002). Unihemispheric slow wave sleep and the state of the eyes in a white whale. Behavioural Brain Research 129(1-2): 125-9. ISSN: 0166-4328.
Abstract: We recorded electroencephalogram (EEG) and simultaneously documented the state of both eyelids during sleep and wakefulness in a sub-adult male white whale over a 4-day-period. We showed that the white whale was the fifth species of Cetaceans, which exhibits unihemispheric slow wave sleep. We found that the eye contralateral to the sleeping hemisphere in this whale was usually closed (right eye, 52% of the total sleep time in the contralateral hemisphere; left eye, 40%) or in an intermediate state (31 and 46%, respectively) while the ipsilateral eye was typically open (89 and 80%). Episodes of bilateral eye closure in this whale occupied less than 2% of the observation time and were usually recorded during waking (49% of the bilateral eye closure time) or low amplitude sleep (48%) and rarely in high amplitude sleep (3%). In spite of the evident overall relationship between the sleeping hemisphere and eye state, EEG and eye position in this whale could be independent over short time periods (less than 1 min). Therefore, eye state alone may not accurately reflect sleep state in Cetaceans. Our data support the idea that unihemispheric sleep allows Cetaceans to monitor the environment.
Descriptors: laterality physiology, ocular physiology, sleep physiology, whales physiology, electrocardiography, electrodes, implanted, electroencephalography.
Lyamin, O.I., O.V. Shpak, E.A. Nazarenko, and L.M. Mukhametov (2002). Muscle jerks during behavioral sleep in a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas L.). Physiology and Behavior 76(2): 265-70. ISSN: 0031-9384.
NAL Call Number: QP1.P4
Abstract: We conducted video recording of the behavior of one captive adult male beluga (or white) whale over eight nights aiming to quantify muscle jerks and to evaluate their relationship to the sleep-waking cycle. Presumably, the whale was asleep during a significant portion of the time it spent lying on the bottom of the pool. Individual sleep episodes lasted between 20 and 492 s and on average occupied 66.7+/-2.6% of the nighttime (n=8). Muscle jerks were quantified in the last three nights, during which an average of 144+/-24 jerks were documented per night. Forty-six percent of all jerks occurred within 10 s of each other. Series of jerks lasted 2-21 s (on average 4.8+/-0.5 s, n=97) and in total occupied 0.3-0.7% of the rest time (0.2-0.5% of total nighttime). Jerks occurred more frequently at the end of rest episodes. A significant portion of rest episodes with jerks (62%) followed each other. These series of episodes with jerks alternated with periods when jerks were not recorded over 8-37 min. We conclude that some jerks meet the behavioral criteria of paradoxical [or rapid eye movement (REM)] sleep (PS). On the other hand, definitive conclusions about the presence and duration of this sleep stage in cetaceans cannot be reached without further combined electropolygraphic studies and visual observations.
Descriptors: movement physiology, muscle, skeletal physiology, sleep physiology, whales physiology, motor activity physiology, muscle contraction physiology, sleep, rem physiology, videotape recording.
Ma, L. and D. Dolphin (1999). The metabolites of dietary chlorophylls. Phytochemistry 50(2): 195-202.
NAL Call Number: 450 P5622
Descriptors: mankind, chlorophylls, metabolites, diet, heterocyclic compounds, pigments, porphyrins.
Mackey, E.A., R.D. Oflaz, M.S. Epstein, B. Buehler, B.J. Porter, T. Rowles, S.A. Wise, and P.R. Becker (2003). Elemental composition of liver and kidney tissues of rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 44(4): 523-32. ISSN: 0090-4341.
NAL Call Number: TD172.A7
Abstract: On December 14, 1997, 62 rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) stranded on Cape San Blas, on the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 30 animals died either on the beach or in rehabilitation facilities. Two were successfully rehabilitated and released. Liver, kidney, blubber, and muscle tissues were collected from 15 animals that died on the beach. Portions of the liver and kidney from each dolphin were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine mass fractions of 37 elements. Levels of several electrolytes (Na, Cl, K, Br, Rb, I, Cs) and of the essential trace elements Fe, Cu, and Zn in both tissues were similar to those found in other Odontoceti. Mass fractions of Ca ranged from 60 mg/kg to 1,200 mg/kg (wet mass basis), indicating significant inhomogeneity in the kidney tissues of several animals. Necropsy reports noted that the kidneys of many of these animals contained fibrous nodules. The measured Ca inhomogeneity may be due to mineralization of the fibrous kidney tissue. Hepatic levels of Hg and Se were at the high end of the ranges generally found in livers of other Odontoceti and were slightly higher in animals with fibrous kidneys than in the others. Mass fractions of Se, Ag, and Hg in liver tissues increased with the size and age of the animals indicating accumulation of these elements in the liver with age. Results also indicate that Se and Hg accumulate in rough-toothed dolphin kidney. Accumulation of these elements with age has been reported commonly for marine mammals and other species.
Descriptors: aging metabolism, dolphins metabolism, kidney chemistry, liver chemistry, water pollutants, chemical analysis, adipose tissue chemistry, adipose tissue metabolism, electrolytes analysis, electrolytes pharmacokinetics, kidney metabolism, liver metabolism, mass fragmentography, metals, heavy analysis, metals, heavy pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, trace elements analysis, trace elements pharmacokinetics, water pollutants, chemical pharmacokinetics.
Malvin, R.L., J.P. Bonjour, and S.H. Ridgway (1971). Antidiuretic hormone levels in some cetaceans. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine 136(4): 1203-5. ISSN: 0037-9727.
Descriptors: Cetacea physiology, dolphins physiology, vasopressins blood, diuresis, fasting, osmolar concentration, pituitary gland analysis, urine, vasopressins analysis, vasopressins urine.
Manger, P.R., K. Fuxe, S.H. Ridgway, and J.M. Siegel (2004). The distribution and morphological characteristics of catecholaminergic cells in the diencephalon and midbrain of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 64(1): 42-60. ISSN: 0006-8977.
Descriptors: catecholamines metabolism, diencephalon cytology, dolphins anatomy and histology, dolphins metabolism, mesencephalon cytology, neurons metabolism, diencephalon metabolism, mesencephalon metabolism, neurons cytology, tissue distribution.
Manger, P.R., S.H. Ridgway, and J.M. Siegel (2003). The locus coeruleus complex of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) as revealed by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Journal of Sleep Research 12(2): 149-55. ISSN: 0962-1105.
Abstract: Using tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry we examined the structure of the pontine, or rostral rhombencephalic, catecholaminergic cells groups, which may be collectively termed the locus coeruleus complex (LC), in the bottlenose dolphin. The present study is the first to describe the LC in a cetacean species and, at 1.3 kg, represents the largest non-human brain to date in which the LC has been investigated. We identified four catecholaminergic cell groups in the dorsal pontine tegementum and peri-aqueductal gray matter: A6 dorsal (locus coeruleus), A6 ventral (locus coeruleus alpha), A7 (subcoeruleus), and A5 (fifth arcuate nucleus). No patterns of cellular distribution, nuclear subdivision, or cellular morphology indicate specialization of the LC, which might have been anticipated because of the large absolute brain size and unihemispheric sleep phenomenology of cetaceans.
Descriptors: locus coeruleus enzymology, tyrosine 3 monooxygenase metabolism, body temperature regulation physiology, catecholamines metabolism, dolphins, immunohistochemistry, locus coeruleus cytology, norepinephrine metabolism, pons metabolism, sleep, rem physiology.
Maniou, Z., O. Caryl Wallis, and M. Wallis (2002). Cloning and characterisation of the GH gene from the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). General and Comparative Endocrinology 127(3): 300-6. ISSN: 0016-6480.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 G28
Abstract: The sequence of growth hormone (GH) is generally strongly conserved in mammals, but episodes of rapid change occurred during the evolution of primates and artiodactyls, when the rate of GH evolution apparently increased at least 50-fold. As a result, the sequences of human and ruminant GHs differ substantially from those of other non-primate GHs. Recent molecular studies have suggested that cetaceans are closely related to artiodactyls and may be deeply nested within the artiodactyl phylogenetic tree. To extend the knowledge of GH in Cetartiodactyla (Artiodactyla plus Cetacea), we have cloned and characterised a single GH gene from the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), using genomic DNA and a polymerase chain reaction technique. As in other mammals, the dolphin GH gene comprises five exons and four introns. The deduced sequence for the mature dolphin GH differs from that of pig at two residues only, showing that the apparent burst of rapid evolution of GH occurred largely after the separation of cetaceans and ruminants.
Descriptors: cloning, molecular, dolphins genetics, growth hormone genetics, amino acid sequence, artiodactyla genetics, base sequence, DNA genetics, evolution, molecular, growth hormone chemistry, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, sequence alignment, sequence analysis, dna.
Mankovska, I.N. and YE.V. Petelina (1975). Research on Dolphin Anatomy, Joint Publications Research Service: Arlington, Va., 36 p.
NAL Call Number: QL737.C432M36 1975
Descriptors: dolphins, anatomy.
Notes: JPRS (Series); 63790.
Marcolin, H.E., R. Reschke, and A. Trautwein (1979). Moessbauer spectroscopic investigations of photodissociated myoglobin-CO at low temperatures [sperm whale skeletal muscle]. European Journal of Biochemistry 96(1): 119-123. ISSN: 0014-2956.
NAL Call Number: QP501.E8
Descriptors: sperm whale, skeletal muscle, myoglobin, spectroscopic investigations, photodissociated.
Language of Text: English summary.
Mareschal, J.C., E. Schonne, R.R. Crichton, and D.A. Strosberg (1975). Amino acid sequence homology in the active site of rabbit, beef, whale and calamary muscle aldolases. FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Letters 54(1): 97-99.
Descriptors: amino acid, sequence homology, rabbit, beef. whale, calamary, muscle aldolases.
Marsili, L., M.C. Fossi, G. Neri, S. Casini, C. Gardi, S. Palmeri, E. Tarquini, and S. Panigada (2000). Skin biopsies for cell cultures from Mediterranean free-ranging cetaceans. Marine Environmental Research 50(1-5): 523-6. ISSN: 0141-1136.
NAL Call Number: QH545.W3M36
Abstract: The aim of this study was to develop a useful method for obtaining viable tissue samples for establishing cell cultures from skin biopsies of free-ranging cetaceans. The skin biopsies were performed by two methods: dart from an air gun and dart from a crossbow. The dart tip was modified to collect tissue. The tissue was kept in tissue culture medium at ambient temperature, then processed within 24 h. Many modifications in culture technique, with respect to conventional culture methods for human fibroblasts, were made. The cultures thus obtained can be used for many purposes, including genetic and toxicological studies. In toxicology they are an alternative in vitro system for studying threatened animals such as marine mammals. In particular, fibroblasts can be used to test the vulnerability of cetaceans and pinnipeds to different environmental contaminants such as organochlorine compounds, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Descriptors: biopsy, dolphins, skin pathology, biopsy methods, cells, cultured, fibroblasts cytology, Mediterranean region.
Marsili, L., M.C. Fossi, G. Notarbartolo di Sciara, M. Zanardelli, B. Nani, S. Panigada, and S. Focardi (1998). Relationship between organochlorine contaminants and mixed function oxidase activity in skin biopsy specimens of Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus). Chemosphere 37(8): 1501-1510. ISSN: 0045-6535.
NAL Call Number: TD172.C54
Descriptors: balaenopteridae, ddt, insecticide residues, polychlorinated biphenyls, enzyme activity, mixed function oxidase, skin, biopsy, contamination, Mediterranean Sea, benzoapyrene monooxygenase.
Martinez, I. and A.K. Danielsdottir (2000). Identification of marine mammal species in food products. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 80(4): 527-533. ISSN: 0022-5142.
NAL Call Number: 382 So12
Descriptors: seals, phoca, seal meat, balaenopteridae, whales, whale meat, identification, random amplified polymorphic dna, genetic markers, body fat, meat products, harp seals, minke whales, sei whales, fin whales, single stand conformational polymorphism, Phoca groenlandica, Balaenoptera borealis, Balaenoptera acutorostrata, Balaenoptera physalus.
Matsui, T., C. Shimizu, and F. Matsuura (1975). Studies on metmyoglobin reducing enzyme systems in the muscle of blue white dolphin, 1: Purification and properties of diaphorase. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 41(7): 761-769.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: metmyoglobin, enzyme systems, muscle, blue white dolphin, diaphorase, purification.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Mauck, B., U. Eysel, and G. Dehnhardt (2000). Selective heating of vibrissal follicles in seals (Phoca vitulina) and dolphins (Sotalia fluviatilis guianensis). Journal of Experimental Biology 203(14): 2125-31. ISSN: 0022-0949.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B77
Abstract: The thermal characteristics of the mystacial vibrissae of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and of the follicle crypts on the rostrum of the dolphin Sotalia fluviatilis guianensis were measured using an infrared imaging system. Thermograms demonstrate that, in both species, single vibrissal follicles are clearly defined units of high thermal radiation, indicating a separate blood supply to these cutaneous structures. It is suggested that the high surface temperatures measured in the area of the mouth of the follicles is a function of the sinus system. In seals and dolphins, surface temperature gradually decreased with increasing distance from the centre of a follicle, indicating heat conduction from the sinus system via the follicle capsule to adjacent tissues. It is suggested that the follicular sinus system is a thermoregulatory structure responsible for the maintenance of high tactile sensitivity at the extremely low ambient temperatures demonstrated for the vibrissal system of seals. The vibrissal follicles of odontocetes have been described as vestigial structures, but the thermograms obtained in the present study provide the first evidence that, in Sotalia fluviatilis, the follicles possess a well-developed sinus system, suggesting that they are part of a functional mechanosensory system.
Descriptors: body temperature regulation physiology, dolphins physiology, hair follicle physiology, seals, earless physiology, skin temperature physiology, vibrissae physiology, cavernous sinus metabolism, cavernous sinus physiology, diagnostic imaging, hair follicle blood supply, hair follicle metabolism, infrared rays, mechanoreceptors metabolism, thermography, thermoreceptors metabolism, vibrissae metabolism.
McClellan, D.A., E.J. Palfreyman, M.J. Smith, J.L. Moss, R.G. Christensen, and J.K. Sailsbery (2005). Physicochemical evolution and molecular adaptation of the cetacean and artiodactyl cytochrome b proteins. Molecular Biology and Evolution 22(3): 437-455. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: Cetaceans have most likely experienced metabolic shifts since evolutionarily diverging from their terrestrial ancestors, shifts that may be reflected in the proteins such as cytochrome b that tire responsible for metabolic efficiency. However, accepted statistical methods for detecting molecular adaptation are largely biased against even moderately conservative proteins because the primary criterion involves a comparison of nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates (dN/dS); they do not allow for the possibility that adaptation may come in the form of very few amino acid changes. We apply the MM01 model to the possible molecular adaptation of cytochrome b among cetaceans because it does not rely on a dN/dS ratio, instead evaluating positive selection in terms of the amino acid properties that comprise protein phenotypes that selection at the molecular level may act upon. We also apply the codon-degeneracy model (CDM), which focuses on evaluating overall patterns of nucleotide substitution in terms of base exchange, codon position, and synonymy to estimate the overall effect of selection. Using these relatively new models, we characterize the molecular adaptation that has occurred in the cetacean cytochrome b protein by comparing revealed amino acid replacement patterns to those found among artiodactyls, the modem terrestrial mammals found to be most closely related to cetaceans. Our findings suggest that several regions of the cetacean cytochrome b protein have experienced molecular adaptation. Also, these adaptations are spatially associated with domain structure, protein function, and the structure and function of the cytochrome bc1 complex and its constituents. We also have found a general correlation between the results of the analytical software programs TreeSAAP (which implements the MM01 model) and CDM (which implements the codon-degeneracy model).
Descriptors: artiodactyla, proteins, cytochrome b proteins, physicochemical evolution and molecular adaptation, mm01 model based analysis, molecular genetics, cytochrome b DNA sequences, evolution, physicochemical evolution, evolutionary adaptation, molecular adaptation, natural selection, positive selection pressures, phylogeny, cytochrome b protein phylogeny.
McKinney, M.A., A. Arukwe, S. De Guise, D. Martineau, P. Beland, A. Dallaire, S. Lair, M. Lebeuf, and R.J. Letcher (2004). Characterization and profiling of hepatic cytochromes P450 and phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence River Estuary and the Canadian Arctic. Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 69(1): 35-49. ISSN: 0166-445X.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.W3A6
Descriptors: antibodies immunology, cytochrome p 450 cyp1a1 metabolism, epoxide hydrolases metabolism, glucuronosyltransferase metabolism, whales immunology, whales metabolism, Arctic regions, Canada, chromatography, high pressure liquid, cross reactions, cytochrome p 450 cyp1a1 immunology, epoxide hydrolases immunology, glucuronosyltransferase immunology, hydroxytestosterones metabolism, isoenzymes immunology, isoenzymes metabolism, microsomes, liver enzymology, seawater, spectrophotometry.
McKinney, M.A., A. Arukwe, P. Beland, S. de Guise, and R.J. Letcher (2004). Microsomal cytochrome P450 enzyme activity in ringed seal (Phoca hispida), beluga whale (Delphinaptems leucas) and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) from the Canadian Arctic. Marine Environmental Research 58(2-5): 531-532. ISSN: 0141-1136.
Descriptors: enzymology, biochemistry, molecular biophysics, pollution, assessment, ecology, toxicology, bioassay techniques, laboratory techniques, cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, ringed seal, beluga whale, polar bear, Canadian Arctic, enzyme activity.
Notes: Meeting Information: 12th International Symposium on Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO 12), Safety Harbor, FL, USA, May 9-13, 2003.
McKinney, M.A., A. Arukwe, D. Martineau, A.D. Dallaire, P. Beland, S. de Guise, and R.J. Letcher (2004). Characterization and comparison of immunochemically determined phase I and II enzymes in hepatic microsomes of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) from the St. Lawrence estuary and the Canadian Arctic. Marine Environmental Research 58(2-5): 534-535. ISSN: 0141-1136.
Descriptors: enzymology, biochemistry, ecology, metabolism, pollution, assessment, toxicology, laboratory techniques, immunochemistry, electrophoretic techniques, enzyme profile, metabolism, organohalogen exposure, toxicodynamics, toxicokinetics, beluga whale, Arctic.
Notes: Meeting Information: 12th International Symposium on Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO 12), Safety Harbor, FL, USA, 2003.
McLellan, T. (1984). Molecular charge and electrophoretic mobility in cetacean myoglobins of known sequence [Genetic variation, whales]. Biochemical Genetics 22(1/2): 181-200. ISSN: 0006-2928.
NAL Call Number: QR73.B5
Descriptors: Cetacean, myoglobins, genetic variation, whales.
McNaughton, L., G. Hernandez, and D.M. LeMaster (2003). Equilibrium O2 distribution in the Zn2+-protoporphyrin IX deoxymyoglobin mimic: application to oxygen migration pathway analysis. Journal of the American Chemical Society 125(13): 3813-20. ISSN: 0002-7863.
NAL Call Number: 381 AM33J
Abstract: Proton spin relaxation induced by the triplet ground state of O(2) in the zinc-containing diamagnetic analogue of sperm whale deoxymyoglobin has been measured as a function of oxygen concentration. As no covalent binding of oxygen to the metal occurs in the zinc species, the relaxation effects of O(2) on the protein (1)H resonances arise exclusively via much weaker noncovalent interactions. The relaxation effects at the amide proton sites are found to be highly localized and are derived almost exclusively from O(2) binding at the four previously identified xenon binding sites. Relative binding constants of 1.0, 0.08, 0.07, and 0.23 were determined for the Xe 1, Xe 2, Xe 3, and Xe 4 sites, respectively. In combination with earlier measurements of the kinetics of the heme binding of oxygen, these equilibria measurements enable a more detailed analysis of models characterizing O(2) entry and egress. A correlation is established between the fraction of O(2) which enters the Fe(2+)-binding site via rotation of the distal histidine side chain (so-called "histidine gate") and the experimentally observable O(2) (or CO) lifetime in the Xe 1 site. A physiological role for these secondary oxygen binding sites is proposed in enhancing the efficiency of the O(2) association reaction by rendering more favorable its competition with water binding in the distal heme pocket.
Descriptors: biomimetic materials chemistry, myoglobin analogs and derivatives, myoglobin chemistry, oxygen chemistry, protoporphyrins chemistry, binding sites, biomimetic materials metabolism, carbon monoxide chemistry, carbon monoxide metabolism, kinetics, models, molecular, myoglobin metabolism, nuclear magnetic resonance, biomolecular, oxygen metabolism, protoporphyrins metabolism, water chemistry, whales.
Mellinger, D.K. and C.W. Clark (2000). Recognizing transient low-frequency whale sounds by spectrogram correlation. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 107(6): 3518-29. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A method is described for the automatic recognition of transient animal sounds. Automatic recognition can be used in wild animal research, including studies of behavior, population, and impact of anthropogenic noise. The method described here, spectrogram correlation, is well-suited to recognition of animal sounds consisting of tones and frequency sweeps. For a sound type of interest, a two-dimensional synthetic kernel is constructed and cross-correlated with a spectrogram of a recording, producing a recognition function--the likelihood at each point in time that the sound type was present. A threshold is applied to this function to obtain discrete detection events, instants at which the sound type of interest was likely to be present. An extension of this method handles the temporal variation commonly present in animal sounds. Spectrogram correlation was compared to three other methods that have been used for automatic call recognition: matched filters, neural networks, and hidden Markov models. The test data set consisted of bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) end notes from songs recorded in Alaska in 1986 and 1988. The method had a success rate of about 97.5% on this problem, and the comparison indicated that it could be especially useful for detecting a call type when relatively few (5-200) instances of the call type are known.
Descriptors: sound, vocalization, animal physiology, auditory threshold physiology, models, biological, sound spectrography methods, whales physiology.
Messenger, S.L. and J.A. McGuire (1998). Morphology, molecules, and the phylogenetics of cetaceans. Systematic Biology 47(1): 90-124. ISSN: 1063-5157.
NAL Call Number: QH83.S9
Abstract: Recent phylogenetic analyses of cetacean relationships based on DNA sequence data have challenged the traditional view that baleen whales (Mysticeti) and toothed whales (Odontoceti) are each monophyletic, arguing instead that baleen whales are the sister group of the odontocete family Physeteridae (sperm whales). We reexamined this issue in light of a morphological data set composed of 207 characters and molecular data sets of published 12S, 16S, and cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA sequences. We reach four primary conclusions: (1) Our morphological data set strongly supports the traditional view of odontocete monophyly; (2) the unrooted molecular and morphological trees are very similar, and most of the conflict results from alternative rooting positions; (3) the rooting position of the molecular tree is sensitive to choice of artiodactyls outgroup taxa and the treatment of two small but ambiguously aligned regions of the 12S and 16S sequences, whereas the morphological root is strongly supported; and (4) combined analyses of the morphological and molecular data provide a well-supported phylogenetic estimate consistent with that based on the morphological data alone (and the traditional view of toothed-whale monophyly) but with increased bootstrap support at nearly every node of the tree.
Descriptors: Cetacea anatomy and histology, Cetacea genetics, phylogeny, base sequence, body constitution, Cetacea classification, classification methods, DNA chemistry, DNA genetics, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid.
Metaxas Buhler, M. (1981). Passive Ubertragung Der Allergie Bei Der Infektion Des Meerschweinchens Mit Brucella Abortus. [Passive Transmission of Allergy by the Infection of Porpoises With Brucella Abortus], 13 p.
NAL Call Number: TRANSL 31059
Descriptors: allergy, transmission, porpoises, Brucella abortus, infection.
Notes: Translated from German, TT 81-53815. Translated from: International Archives of Allergy, vol. 1:325-332, 1950.
Milinkovitch, M.C. and I. Cassens (2001). Deciphering river dolphin evolution. Science 294(5543): 787. ISSN: 0036-8075.
NAL Call Number: 470 Sci2
Descriptors: dolphins classification, dolphins genetics, evolution, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, phylogeny, sequence analysis.
Notes: Comment On: Science. 2001 Mar 30;291(5513):2531-2.
Milinkovitch, M.C., A. Meyer, and J.R. Powell (1994). Phylogeny of all major groups of cetaceans based on DNA sequences from three mitochondrial genes. Molecular Biology and Evolution 11(6): 939-48. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: Traditionally, living cetaceans (order Cetacea) are classified into two highly distinct suborders: the echolocating toothed whales, Odontoceti, and the filter-feeding baleen whales, Mysticeti. A molecular phylogeny based on 1,352 base pairs of two mitochondrial ribosomal gene segments and the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for all major groups of cetaceans contradicts this long-accepted taxonomic subdivision. One group of toothed whales, the sperm whales, is more closely related to the morphologically highly divergent baleen whales than to other odontocetes. This finding suggests that the suborder Odontoceti constitutes an unnatural grouping and challenges the conventional scenario of a long, independent evolutionary history of odontocetes and mysticetes. The superfamily Delphinoidea (dolphins, porpoises, and white whales) appears to be monophyletic; the Amazon River dolphin, Inia geoffrensis, is its sister species. This river dolphin is genetically more divergent from the morphologically similar marine dolphins than the sperm whales are from the morphologically dissimilar baleen whales. The phylogenetic relationships among the three families of Delphinoidea remain uncertain, and we suggest that the two cladogenetic events that generated these three clades occurred within a very short period of time. Among the baleen whales, the bowhead is basal, and the gray whale is the sister species to the rorquals (family Balaenopteridae). The phylogenetic position of beaked whales (Ziphioidea) remains weakly supported by molecular data. Based on molecular clock assumptions, the mitochondrial-DNA data suggest a more recent origin of baleen whales (approximately 25 mya) than has been previously assumed (> 40 mya). This revised phylogeny has important implications for the rate and mode of evolution of morphological and physiological innovations in cetaceans.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, phylogeny, base sequence, Cetacea classification, DNA primers, evolution, mitochondria metabolism, mitochondria, liver metabolism, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, skin metabolism, spleen metabolism.
Notes: Erratum In: Molecular Biology and Evolution 1995 May;12(3):525.
Milinkovitch, M.C., G. Orti, and A. Meyer (1993). Revised phylogeny of whales suggested by mitochondrial ribosomal DNA sequences. Nature (London) 361(6410): 346-8. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: Living cetaceans are subdivided into two highly distinct suborders, Odontoceti (the echolocating toothed whales) and Mysticeti (the filter-feeding baleen whales), which are believed to have had a long independent history. Here we report the determination of DNA sequences from two mitochondrial ribosomal gene segments (930 base pairs per species) for 16 species of cetaceans, a perissodactyl and a sloth, and construct the first phylogeny for whales and dolphins based on explicit cladistic methods. Our data (and earlier published myoglobin sequences) confirmed that cetaceans are closely related to artiodactyls and that all families and superfamilies of cetaceans are monophyletic. A surprising finding was that one group of toothed whales, the sperm whales, is more closely related to the baleen whales than to other odontocetes. The common ancestor of baleen whales and sperm whales might have lived only 10-15 million years ago. The suggested paraphyly of toothed whales has many implications for classification, phylogeny and our understanding of the evolutionary history of cetaceans.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, DNA, ribosomal genetics, phylogeny, whales genetics, base sequence, polymerase chain reaction methods, probability.
Notes: Comment In: Nature. 1993 Jan 28;361(6410):298-9.
Milinkovitch, M.C. (1995). Molecular phylogeny of cetaceans prompts revision of morphological transformations. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10(8): 328-334. ISSN: 0169-5347.
NAL Call Number: QH540.T742
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, evolution and adaptation, mathematical biology, computational biology, systematics and taxonomy, baleen whale, cladistic analysis, morphology, phylogeny, toothed whale.
Miller, D.L., G.D. Bossart, M. Nadji, R. Tarpley, B. Roberts, and T.M. O'Hara (2002). A note on the possibility of identifying leydig and sertoli cells by immunohistochemistry in bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus). Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(2): 149-153. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: methods and techniques, reproductive system, reproduction, wildlife management, conservation, histology, histology and cytology techniques, laboratory techniques, immunohistochemistry, immunologic techniques, laboratory techniques.
Moehl, B., E. Larsen and M. Amundin (1981). Sperm whale size determination: outlines of an acoustic approach. In: J. Gordon-Clark (Editor), Mammals in the Seas. General Papers and Large Cetaceans. FAO Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research, Working Party on Marine Mammals, FAO Fisheries Series, Vol. 3, FAO: Rome (Italy), p. 327-331. ISBN: 92-5-100513-3.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.F66
Descriptors: sperm whales, size, acoustic approach.
Language of Text: English, Spanish and French summaries.
Moessner, S., I. Barudio, T.S. Spraker, G. Antonelis, G. Early, J.R. Geraci, P.R. Becker, and K. Ballschmiter (1994). Determination of HCHs, PCBs, and DDTs in brain tissues of marine mammals of different age. Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry 349(10-11): 708-716. ISSN: 0937-0633.
NAL Call Number: QD71.F7
Abstract: The concentrations of a number of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in brain tissues of marine mammals of different age and regional origin were determined by using high-resolution capillary gas chromatography and electron capture detection. Brain tissues of two neonatal and three stillborn northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) collected in the Bering Sea, Pacific Ocean, were examined. In addition, cerebrum, cerebellum, and hypothalamus of one adult female common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) stranded on the coast of Massachusetts, Atlantic Ocean, were examined. It showed clearly that alpha-HCH was dominant in all brain tissues (90-203 ng/g extractable lipids) compared with other tissues like liver or blubber (45-61 ng/g extractable lipids). This excess of alpha-HCH in brain tissue was due to only one enantiomer, (+)-alpha-HCH, whereas in other tissues both enantiomers contributed to the alpha-HCH concentration. Comparing the overall general xenobiotic burden the HCH isomers (99-216 ng/g extractable lipids) resemble the PCB (17-105 ng/g extractable lipids) and DDT (111-171 ng/g extractable lipids) levels in brain tissues. The latter two groups exceed the HCHs in liver tissue and in blubber. On a single compound basis, the highest levels are found in brain for alpha-HCH (fur seal pups: 90-203 ng/g extractable lipids, adult dolphin: 221-305 ng/g extractable lipids), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153) (fur seal pups: 4-25 ng/g extractable lipids, adult dolphin: 260-377 ng/g extractable lipids) and 4,4'-DDE (fur seal pups: 104-164 ng/g extractable lipids, adult dolphin: 364-625 ng/g extractable lipids). The levels of alpha-HCH and 4,4'-DDE are comparable.
Descriptors: seals, delphinus, hch, polychlorinated biphenyls, residues, insecticides, chemical contamination, brain, age, agricultural chemicals, animal morphology, aromatic compounds, carnivora, central nervous system, Cetacea, contamination, dolphins, halogenated hydrocarbons, mammals, nervous system, organic halogen compounds, pesticides, Pinnipedia.
Language of Text: English summary.
Moiseeva, S.A. and G.B. Postnikova (2001). Mechanism of oxidation of oxymyoglobin by copper ions: comparison of sperm whale, horse, and pig myoglobins. Biochemistry [Biokhimiia] 66(7): 780-7. ISSN: 0006-2979.
NAL Call Number: 385 B523Ae
Abstract: The influence of Cu2+ concentration, pH, and ionic strength of the solution as well as redox-inactive zinc ions on the rate of oxidation of sperm whale, horse, and pig oxymyoglobins (oxy-Mb) by copper ions has been studied. These myoglobins have homologous spatial structures and equal redox potentials but differ in the number of histidines located on the surface of the proteins. It was shown that oxy-Mb can be oxidized in the presence of Cu2+ through two distinct pathways depending on which histidine binds the reagent and how stable the complex is. A slow pH-dependent catalytic process is observed in the presence of equimolar Cu2+ concentration for sperm whale and horse oxymyoglobins. The curves of pH dependence in both cases are sigmoid with pK(eff) corresponding to the ionization. The process is caused by the strong binding of Cu2+ to His113 and His116, an analogous His residue being absent in pig Mb. In contrast, rapid oxidation of 10-15% of pig oxy-Mb is observed under the same conditions (fast phase), which is not accompanied by catalysis because the reduced copper is apparently not reoxidized. The complexing of Cu2+ with His97 situated near the heme is probably responsible for the fast phase of the reaction. The affinity of His97 for Cu2+ must be significantly lower than those of the "catalytic" His residues since the fast phase does not contribute markedly to the rate of sperm whale and horse oxy-Mb oxidation. Increasing copper concentration does not produce a proportional growth in the oxidation rate of sperm whale and horse oxy-Mbs. Which Cu2+ binding sites of Mb make main contributions to the His reaction rate at different Cu2+/Mb ratios from 0.25 to 10 is discussed.
Descriptors: copper metabolism, myoglobin metabolism, zinc metabolism, copper chemistry, histidine chemistry, histidine metabolism, horses, kinetics, myoglobin chemistry, oxidation reduction drug effects, species specificity, swine, whales, zinc chemistry, zinc pharmacology.
Moiseeva, S.A., G.B. Postnikova, and V.S. Sivozhelezov (2000). Okislenie oksimioglobina kashalota, kataliziruemoe ionami ferrotsianida: kinetika i mekhanizm. [Oxidation of sperm whale oxymyoglobin, catalyzed by ferrocyanide ions: kinetics and mechanisms]. Biofizika 45(6): 1019-28. ISSN: 0006-3029.
Abstract: Specific catalytic oxidation of sperm whale oxymyoglobin by small amounts of potassium ferri- and ferrocyanide, from 1 to 20% in relation to the protein concentration, was studied. The mechanism of catalysis was shown to involve specific binding of the ferrocyanide anion to the protein. The influence of pH and ionic strength of the medium, the [Fe(CN)6]4- concentration and of chemical modification of Mb histidines by bromoacetate, as well as the effect of the Mb complexing with redox-inactive zinc ion on the rate of reaction was examined. The zinc ion forms a stable complex with His 119(GH1) on the Mb surface at the equimolar Zn2+ concentration. The kinetic scheme of the reaction was analyzed, and the equilibrium and kinetic parameters were obtained. It was first shown that the strong oxidant such as potassium ferricyanide is able to react with the same protein by two distinct mechanisms: (i) a simple outer sphere electron transfer over the heme edge and (ii) electron transfer after the specific binding of [Fe(CN)6]4- to oxyMb in the His 119(GH1) region, thus catalyzing the protein oxidation.
Descriptors: ferrocyanides chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, catalysis, electron transport, kinetics, oxidation reduction, whales.
Language of Text: Russian.
Moller, L.M. and L.B. Beheregaray (2004). Genetic evidence for sex-biased dispersal in resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus). Molecular Ecology 13(6): 1607-12. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: In most mammals males usually disperse before breeding, while females remain in their natal group or area. However, in odontocete cetaceans behavioural and/or genetic evidence from populations of four species indicate that both males and females remain in their natal group or site. For coastal resident bottlenose dolphins field data suggest that both sexes are philopatric to their natal site. Assignment tests and analyses of relatedness based on microsatellite markers were used to investigate this hypothesis in resident bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops aduncus, from two small coastal populations of southeastern Australia. Mean corrected assignment and mean relatedness were higher for resident females than for resident males. Only 8% of resident females had a lower probability than average of being born locally compared to 33% of resident males. Our genetic data contradict the hypothesis of bisexual philopatry to natal site and suggest that these bottlenose dolphins are not unusual amongst mammals, with females being the more philopatric and males the more dispersing sex.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, homing behavior physiology, reproduction physiology, spatial behavior physiology, dolphins genetics, gene frequency, genotype, microsatellite repeats genetics, Pacific Ocean, sex factors.
Moller, P., E.W. Born, R. Dietz, T. Haug, D.E. Ruzzante, and N. Oien (2003). Regional differences in fatty acid composition in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the North Atlantic. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 5(2): 115-124. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera acutorostrata, lipids, fatty acids, regional population comparisons, diet, foraging, north Atlantic, regional comparisons of fatty acid composition.
Montgelard, C., F.M. Catzeflis, and E. Douzery (1997). Phylogenetic relationships of artiodactyls and cetaceans as deduced from the comparison of cytochrome b and 12S rRNA mitochondrial sequences. Molecular Biology and Evolution 14(5): 550-9. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: A data set of complete mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S rDNA sequences is presented here for 17 representatives of Artiodactyla and Cetacea, together with potential outgroups (two Perissodactyla, two Carnivora, two Tethytheria, four Rodentia, and two Marsupialia). We include seven sequences not previously published from Hippopotamidae (Ancodonta) and Camelidae (Tylopoda), yielding a total of nearly 2.1 kb for both genes combined. Distance and parsimony analyses of each gene indicate that 11 clades are well supported, including the artiodactyl taxa Pecora, Ruminantia (with low 12S rRNA support), Tylopoda, Suina, and Ancodonta, as well as Cetacea, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Tethytheria, Muridae, and Caviomorpha. Neither the cytochrome b nor the 12S rDNA genes resolve the relationships between these major clades. The combined analysis of the two genes suggests a monophyletic Cetacea +Artiodactyla clade (defined as "Cetartiodactyla"), whereas Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Tethytheria fall outside this clade. Perissodactyla could represent the sister taxon of Cetartiodactyla, as deduced from resampling studies among outgroup lineages. Cetartiodactyla includes five major lineages: Ruminantia, Tylopoda, Suina, Ancodonta, and Cetacea, among which the phylogenetic relationships are not resolved. Thus, Suiformes do not appear to be monophyletic, justifying their split into the Suina and Ancodonta infraorders. An association between Cetacea and Hippopotamidae is supported by the cytochrome b gene but not by the 12S rRNA gene. Calculation of divergence dates suggests that the Cetartiodactyla could have diverged from other Ferungulata about 60 MYA.
Descriptors: artiodactyla classification, artiodactyla genetics, Cetacea classification, Cetacea genetics, cytochrome b group genetics, phylogeny, rna, ribosomal genetics, base sequence, DNA primers genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, DNA, ribosomal genetics, evolution, molecular, molecular sequence data, species specificity.
Moore, M.J., C.A. Miller, M.S. Morss, R. Arthur, W.A. Lange, K.G. Prada, M.K. Marx, and E.A. Frey (2001). Ultrasonic measurement of blubber thickness in right whales. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management (Special Issue 2): 301-309. ISSN: 1561-073X.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, biometrical techniques, ultrasonic measurement of blubber thickness, evaluation, histological techniques, dermis, blubber thickness.
Morgan, L.W., W. Van Bonn, E.D. Jensen, and S.H. Ridgway (1999). Effects of in vitro hemolysis on serum biochemistry values of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 30(1): 70-5. ISSN: 1042-7260.
Abstract: The effects of in vitro hemolysis on 23 biochemical analytes were assessed in sera from 14 clinically healthy Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Each serum sample was divided into three portions for analysis: 1) nonhemolyzed control; 2) moderate hemolysis, simulated by adding hemolyzed serum to a final concentration of approximately 150 mg/dl Hb; and 3) severe hemolysis, simulated by adding hemolyzed serum to a final concentration of approximately 500 mg/dl Hb. Moderate hemolysis resulted in statistically significant increases in the mean values of iron, lactate dehydrogenase, potassium, and uric acid and a decrease in creatinine (P < 0.001). Severe hemolysis resulted in statistically significant changes in the mean values of the above analytes in addition to the following increases: alanine aminotransferase, calcium, and serum globulins (P < 0.001) and albumin and total protein (P < 0.01). Total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase levels were lower in the severely hemolyzed sample (P < 0.001). Differences in mean values for alkaline phosphatase between nonhemolyzed and hemolyzed serum were not significant but did show a downward trend in the hemolyzed sera. The presence and severity of hemolysis must be considered in the interpretation of the serum chemistry values.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, hemolysis, blood chemical analysis standards, blood chemical analysis, reference values.
Notes: SF601.J6.
Morii, H. (1982). Fatty acids and fatty alcohols of triglycerides and wax esters in subcutaneous tissues of marine little teeth whales Stenella caeruleo-alba. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 48(2): 227-235. ISSN: 0021-5392.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: dolphins, adipose tissues, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, glycerides, waxes, acids, agricultural chemicals, alcohols, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, Cetacea, energy, energy sources, fuels, growth inhibitors, hydroxy compounds, ISSCAAP group b 63, ISSCAAP groups of species, lipids, mammals, natural resources, organic acids, organic compounds, plant growth substances, products, resources, tissues, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Morii, H. (1981). Fatty acids in blood of marine little toothed whales, Stenella caeruleo-alba. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 47(7): 921-927. ISSN: 0021-5392.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: dolphins, blood composition, fatty acids, proteins, Stenella.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Morii, H. (1981). Fatty acids in milk of marine little toothed whales, Stenella attenuata. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 47(10): 1367-1370. ISSN: 0021-5392.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: whales, milk, fatty acids, acetic acid, acids, anatomy, animal anatomy, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, beverages, body fluids, Cetacea, fatty acids, foods, ISSCAAP group b 61, ISSCAAP group b 62, ISSCAAP groups of species, lipids, mammals, meat animals, oil producing animals, organic acids, organic compounds, preservatives, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Morii, H. (1980). Distribution of branched-chain fatty acids in tissue and organs of adult, nursling and foetus of a kind of marine little toothed whale, Stenella caeruleo-alba. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries Nagasaki University (49): 35-52. ISSN: 0547-1427.
Descriptors: fatty acids, branched chain, tissues, organs, adult, nursing, foetus, toothed whale, distribution.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Morii, H. (1979). Long-chain branched fatty acids in the stomach contents of marine little toothed whales. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries Nagasaki University (47): 61-65. ISSN: 0547-1427.
Descriptors: long chain, fatty acids, stomach, toothed whales.
Language of Text: English summary.
Morii, H. (1979). The production of free volatile fatty acids by microorganisms isolated from the stomach of marine little toothed whales, 2: Changes with environmental conditions for growth of free volatile fatty acids produced from peptone-glucose medium. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries Nagasaki University (47): 43-48. ISSN: 0547-1427.
Descriptors: fatty acids, volatile, microorganisms, production, stomach, toothes whales.
Language of Text: English summary.
Morii, H. (1979). The production of short- and long-chain branched fatty acids from fish- and squid-extract media by Vibrio sp. isolated from the stomach of marine little toothed whales. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries Nagasaki University (47): 49-59. ISSN: 0547-1427.
Descriptors: fatty acids, short chain, long chain, fish, squid, stomach, vibrio, toothed whales.
Language of Text: English summary.
Morii, H. (1979). The viable counts of microorganisms, pH values, amino acid contents, ammonia contents and volatile fatty acid contents in the stomach fluid of marine little toothed whales. Bulletin of the Faculty of Fisheries Nagasaki University (47): 55-60. ISSN: 0547-1427.
Descriptors: pH values, microorganisms, amino acid, ammonia, volitile fatty acid, stomach fluid, toothed whales.
Language of Text: English summary.
Morii, H. (1974). Fatty acid composition of microorganisms isolated from the stomach of marine little toothed whales. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 40(3): 275-283.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: fatty acid, microorganisms, stomach, toothed whales, composition.
Language of Text: English summary.
Morii, H. and T. Kaneda (1982). Biosynthesis of branched-chain fatty acids from branched-chain amino acids in subcutaneous tissue of the marine little toothed whale, Stenella caeruleo-alba. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Comparative Biochemistry 71(3): 357-365. ISSN: 0305-0491.
Descriptors: branched chain fattyacids, biosynthesis, amino acids, toothed whale, subcutaneous tissue.
Muranishi, Y., M. Sasaki, K. Hayashi, N. Abe, T. Fujihira, H. Ishikawa, S. Ohsumi, A. Miyamoto, and Y. Fukui (2004). Relationship between the appearance of preantral follicles in the fetal ovary of Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) and hormone concentrations in the fetal heart, umbilical cord and maternal blood. Zygote (Cambridge, England) 12(2): 125-132. ISSN: 0967-1994.
NAL Call Number: QH491.Z94
Abstract: The present study aimed to determine the relationship among changes in the number of preantral follicles and concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P4), androstenedione (A) and estradiol-17[beta] (E2) in the fetal heart, umbilical cord and maternal blood. Primordial follicles had already appeared in a 20 cm fetus and primary follicles were observed in a 50 cm fetus. In a 70 cm fetus, the number of primordial and primary follicles increased rapidly and secondary follicles were present. The concentrations of LH and FSH id not change between 20 cm and 160 cm in fetal length. When the fetal length became > 70 cm, serum levels in the fetus, umbilical cord and mothers, and E2 levels in umbilical cord increased synchronously (p 0.05). These results showed increases in the number of preantral follicles in the Antarctic minke whale fetal ovary along with fetal growth during the early gestation period. These findings suggest that the change in preantral follicles was associated with changes in the concentration of steroids in early gestation periods. The changes in steroid concentrations in the fetal and umbilical cord blood and the increased number of preantral follicles were coincident at around 70 cm in fetal length, whereas the growth and differentiation of primordial and primary follicles appeared to be independent of FSH and LH.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera bonaerensis, blood, maternal blood, heart, fetal heart, hormones, ovary, appearance of preantral follicles and hormone levels in fetal heart, umbilical cord and maternal blood, placenta, umbilical cord, embryo development, fetal ovary.
Murayama, T., H. Somiya, I. Aoki, and T. Ishii (1995). Retinal ganglion cell size and distribution predict visual capabilities of dall's porpoise. Marine Mammal Science 11(2): 136-149. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: The structure of the retina, the distribution of ganglion cells, and the extent of the tapetum lucidum were studied in Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) with the aim of understanding the role vision plays in this species of cetacean. The basic organization of the retina was similar to that of other vertebrates. Average ganglion cell size was 21.5 mu-m. The distribution of the ganglion cells in the retina was not even and there were two high-density areas, one in the temporal and one in the rostral part of the retina. Retinal resolving power was estimated using a terrestrial animal model incorporating the density of ganglion cells and other morphological data. The resolving power in the right eyes of two individuals was 2.60 and 2.64 cycles per degree. These values were close to those of other oceanic cetaceans, but inferior to those of terrestrial mammals. On the basis of amino acid analyses, it was shown that the choroid tapetum lucidum in Dall's porpoise contained collagen. The tapetum lucidum was thick at the fundal but thin at the peripheral part of the choroid.
Descriptors: cell biology, ecology, environmental sciences, nervous system, neural coordination, sense organs, sensory reception, collagen, resolving power, tapetum lucidum.
Murray, B.W., S. Malik, and B.N. White (1995). Sequence variation at the major histocompatibility complex locus DQ beta in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Molecular Biology and Evolution 12(4): 582-93. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: Genetic variation at the Major Histocompatibility Complex locus DQ beta was analyzed in 233 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from seven populations: St. Lawrence Estuary, eastern Beaufort Sea, eastern Chukchi Sea, western Hudson Bay, eastern Hudson Bay, southeastern Baffin Island, and High Arctic and in 12 narwhals (Monodon monoceros) sympatric with the High Arctic beluga population. Variation was assessed by amplification of the exon coding for the peptide binding region via the polymerase chain reaction, followed by either cloning and DNA sequencing or single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis. Five alleles were found across the beluga populations and one in the narwhal. Pairwise comparisons of these alleles showed a 5:1 ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions per site leading to eight amino acid differences, five of which were nonconservative substitutions, centered around positions previously shown to be important for peptide binding. Although the amount of allelic variation is low when compared with terrestrial mammals, the nature of the substitutions in the peptide binding sites indicates an important role for the DQ beta locus in the cellular immune response of beluga whales. Comparisons of allele frequencies among populations show the High Arctic population to be different (P < or =.005) from the other beluga populations surveyed. In these other populations an allele, Dele-DQ beta*0101-2, was found in 98% of the animals, while in the High Arctic it was found in only 52% of the animals. Two other alleles were found at high frequencies in the High Arctic population, one being very similar to the single allele found in narwhal.
Descriptors: major histocompatibility complex genetics, whales genetics, alleles, amino acid sequence, Arctic regions, base sequence, Canada, evolution, genetics, population, molecular sequence data, oceans and seas, polymorphism, single stranded conformational, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology, nucleic acid, variation genetics.
Notes: Erratum In: Molecular Biology and Evolution 1995 Nov;12(6):1174.
Murray, B.W. and B.N. White (1998). Sequence variation at the major histocompatibility complex DRB loci in beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhal (Monodon monoceros). Immunogenetics 48(4): 242-52. ISSN: 0093-7711.
NAL Call Number: QR184.I4
Abstract: The variation at loci with similarity to DRB class II major histocompatibility complex loci was assessed in 313 beluga collected from 13 sampling locations across North America, and 11 narwhal collected in the Canadian high Arctic. Variation was assessed by amplification of exon 2, which codes for the peptide binding region, via the polymerase chain reaction, followed by either cloning and DNA sequencing or single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis. Two DRB loci were identified in beluga: DRB1, a polymorphic locus, and, DRB2, a monomorphic locus. Eight alleles representing five distinct lineages (based on sequence similarity) were found at the beluga DRB1 locus. Although the relative number of alleles is low when compared with terrestrial mammals, the amino acid variation found among the lineages is moderate. At the DRB1 locus, the average number of nonsynonymous substitutions per site is greater than the average number of synonymous substitutions per site (0.0806: 0.0207, respectively; P<0.01). Most of the 31 amino acid substitutions do not conserve the physiochemical properties of the residue, and 21 of these are located at positions implicated as forming pockets responsible for the selective binding of foreign peptide side chains. Only DRB1 variation was examined in 11 narwhal, revealing a low amount of variation. These data are consistent with an important role for the DRB1 locus in the cellular immune response of beluga. In addition, the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions is similar to that among primate alleles, arguing against a reduction in the balancing selection pressure in the marine environment. Two hypotheses may explain the modest amount of Mhc variation when compared with terrestrial mammals: small population sizes at speciation or a reduced neutral substitution rate in cetaceans.
Descriptors: major histocompatibility complex, variation genetics, whales immunology, alleles, amino acid sequence, base sequence, DNA, evolution, molecular, hla dr antigens genetics, hla dr antigens immunology, histocompatibility antigens class ii genetics, histocompatibility antigens class ii immunology, molecular sequence data, sequence homology, amino acid, whales genetics.
Nagao, S., Y. Hirai, A. Suzuki, and Y. Yamamoto (2005). 19F NMR characterization of the thermodynamics and dynamics of the acid-alkaline transition in a reconstituted sperm whale metmyoglobin. Journal of the American Chemical Society 127(12): 4146-7. ISSN: 0002-7863.
NAL Call Number: 381 AM33J
Descriptors: metmyoglobin chemistry, metmyoglobin classification, fluorine chemistry, hydrogen ion concentration, kinetics, nuclear magnetic resonance, biomolecular methods, thermodynamics, whales.
Nakamura, A., M. Soma, and M. Tsutusmi (1985). A satellite-linked transmitter to study migration of dolphin and its application. Journal of the Faculty of Marine Science and Technology Tokai University (21): 65-77. ISSN: 0375-3271.
Descriptors: dolphins, migration, monitoring, electrical installations, remote sensing, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, behavior, Cetacea, electrification, equipment, ISSCAAP group b 63, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, methods, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English summary.
Nakashima, K. (1974). Studies on the precipitation of whale cartilage chondroitin sulfate with ethanol, 3: Fractional precipitation of whale cartilage mucopolysaccharides with ethanol. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 40(7): 721-727.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: whale cartilage, studies, fractional precipitation, mucopolysaccarides, ethanol.
Language of Text: English summary.
Natoli, A., A. Birkun, A. Aguilar, A. Lopez, and A.R. Hoelzel (2005). Habitat structure and the dispersal of male and female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences 272(1569): 1217-1226. ISSN: 0962-8452.
Abstract: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are widely distributed and a high degree of morphometric and genetic differentiation has been found among both allopatric and parapatric populations. We analysed 145 samples along a contiguous distributional range from the Black Sea to the eastern North Atlantic for mitochondrial and nuclear genetic diversity, and found population structure with boundaries that coincided with transitions between habitat regions. These regions can be characterized by ocean floor topography, and oceanographic features such as surface salinity, productivity and temperature. At the extremes of this range there was evidence for the directional emigration of females. Bi-parentally inherited markers did not show this directional bias in migration, suggesting a different dispersal strategy for males and females at range margins. However, comparative assessment based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear markers indicated that neither sex showed a strong bias for greater dispersal on average. These data imply a mechanism for the evolutionary structuring of populations based on local habitat dependence for both males and females.
Descriptors: bottlenose dolphins, genetic differentiation, populations, male, female, DNA, nuclear markers, habitat, dispersal.
Natoli, A., V.M. Peddemors, and A.R. Hoelzel (2004). Population structure and speciation in the genus Tursiops based on microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 17(2): 363-75. ISSN: 1010-061X.
NAL Call Number: QH359.J68
Abstract: Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have a world-wide distribution, and show morphotypic variation among regions. Distinctions between coastal and pelagic populations have been documented; however, regional patterns of differentiation had not been previously investigated in a wider geographic context. We analysed up to nine different populations from seven different areas of the world by mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite DNA markers, and found differentiation among all putative regional populations. Both mtDNA and microsatellite DNA data show significant differentiation, suggesting restricted gene flow for both males and females. Dolphins in coastal habitat showed less variability and were in most cases differentiated from a pelagic lineage, which could suggest local founder events in some cases. Two coastal populations recently classified as belonging to a new species, T. aduncus, were each highly differentiated from populations of the truncatus morphotype, and from each other, suggesting a possible third species represented by the South African aduncus type.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, genetics, population, phylogeny, variation genetics, base sequence, cluster analysis, DNA primers, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, gene frequency, geography, haplotypes genetics, microsatellite repeats genetics, molecular sequence data, sequence alignment, sequence analysis, DNA, species specificity.
Nazarian, A. and R. Muller (2004). Time-lapsed microstructural imaging of bone failure behavior. Journal of Biomechanics 37(1): 55-65. ISSN: 0021-9290.
NAL Call Number: TA166.J6
Abstract: Many bones within the axial and appendicular skeleton are subjected to repetitive loading during the course of ordinary daily activities. If this loading is of sufficient magnitude or duration, failure of the bone tissue may result. Until recently the structural analysis of these fractures has been limited to two-dimensional sections. Due to the inherent destructiveness of this method, dynamic assessment of fracture progression has not been possible. An image-guided technique to analyze structural failure has been developed utilizing step-wise micro-compression in combination with time-lapsed micro-computed tomographic imaging. This technique allows, for the first time, direct three-dimensional visualization and quantification of fracture initiation and progression on the microscopic level and relates the global failure properties of trabecular bone to those of the individual trabeculae. The goals of this project were first to design and fabricate a novel micro-mechanical testing system, composed of a micro-compression device and a material testing and data acquisition system; and second, to validate the testing system to perform step-wise testing of trabecular bone specimens based on image-guided failure analysis. Due to the rate dependant properties of bone, stress relaxation was a concerning factor with respect to the step-wise testing method. In order to address these concerns, the results of the step-wise testing method were compared to those obtained from a conventional continuous test (considered to be the gold standard for the step-wise compressive mechanical testing) over the same total strain range and testing conditions. This was performed using porous aluminum alloy samples with highly reproducible and homogenous structural properties as well as trabecular bone samples from a single whale vertebra. Five cylinders from aluminum foam and trabecular whale bone each were compressed and imaged in a step-wise fashion from 0% to 20% strain at intervals of 2%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20%. Mechanical properties obtained from the continuous and step-wise methods were not significantly different for both aluminum foam and whale bone specimens (p>0.05). Both testing methods yielded very similar stress-strain graphs with almost identical elastic and plastic regions with overlaying standard error bars for both whale bone and aluminum foam specimens. This was further concurred by performing regression analyses between the stress data from both testing methods (r(2)=0.98 for whale bone and aluminum foam specimens). Animations of fracture initiation and progression revealed that failure always occurred in local bands with the remaining regions of the structure largely unaffected independent of structure type. In conclusion, we found step-wise micro-compression to be a valid approach for image-guided failure assessment (IGFA) with high precision and accuracy as compared to classical continuous testing. We expect findings from upcoming studies of IGFA of human vertebral bone to improve our understanding of the relative importance of densitometric, morphological, and loading factors in the etiology of spontaneous fractures of the spine. Eventually, this improved understanding may lead to more successful approaches to the prevention of age-related fatigue fractures.
Descriptors: fractures, stress physiopathology, fractures, stress radiography, imaging, three dimensional methods, radiographic image interpretation, computer assisted methods, spine physiopathology, spine radiography, tomography, x ray computed methods, video recording methods, compressive strength, elasticity, physical stimulation, stress, mechanical, time factors, whales.
Nemoto, T., P.B. Best, K. Ishimaru, and H. Takano (1980). Diatom films on whales [minke whales and 4 species of toothed whales] in South African waters. Scientific Reports of the Whales Research Institute (32): 97-103. ISSN: 0083-9086.
Descriptors: whales, skin, algae, marine areas, migration, South Africa.
Language of Text: English summary.
Notes: .
Nielsen, R., D.K. Mattila, P.J. Clapham, and P.J. Palsboll (2001). Statistical approaches to paternity analysis in natural populations and applications to the North Atlantic humpback whale. Genetics 157(4): 1673-82. ISSN: 0016-6731.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 G28
Abstract: We present a new method for paternity analysis in natural populations that is based on genotypic data that can take the sampling fraction of putative parents into account. The method allows paternity assignment to be performed in a decision theoretic framework. Simulations are performed to evaluate the utility and robustness of the method and to assess how many loci are necessary for reliable paternity inference. In addition we present a method for testing hypotheses regarding relative reproductive success of different ecologically or behaviorally defined groups as well as a new method for estimating the current population size of males from genotypic data. This method is an extension of the fractional paternity method to the case where only a proportion of all putative fathers have been sampled. It can also be applied to provide abundance estimates of the number of breeding males from genetic data. Throughout, the methods were applied to genotypic data collected from North Atlantic humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to test if the males that appear dominant during the mating season have a higher reproductive success than the subdominant males.
Descriptors: bayes theorem, genomic imprinting, paternity, whales genetics, Atlantic Ocean.
Nienhaus, K., P. Deng, J.M. Kriegl, and G.U. Nienhaus (2003). Structural dynamics of myoglobin: effect of internal cavities on ligand migration and binding. Biochemistry 42(32): 9647-58. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: Using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with temperature derivative spectroscopy (TDS) at cryogenic temperatures, we have studied CO binding to the heme and CO migration among cavities in the interior of sperm whale carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) after photodissociation. Photoproduct intermediates, characterized by CO in different locations, were selectively enhanced by laser illumination at specific temperatures. Measurements were performed on the wild-type protein and a series of mutants (L104W, I107W, I28F, and I28W) in which bulky amino acid side chains were introduced to block passageways between cavities or to fill these sites. Binding of xenon was also employed as an alternative means of filling cavities. In all samples, photolyzed CO ligands were observed to initially bind at primary docking site B in the vicinity of the heme iron, from where they migrate to the secondary docking sites, the Xe4 and/or Xe1 cavities. To examine the relevance of these internal docking sites for physiological ligand binding, we have performed room-temperature flash photolysis on the entire set of proteins in the CO- and O(2)-bound form. Together with the cryospectroscopic results, these data provide a clear picture of the role of the internal sites for ligand escape from and binding to myoglobin.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin metabolism, amino acid substitution, binding sites, carbon monoxide chemistry, carbon monoxide metabolism, heme chemistry, heme metabolism, kinetics, ligands, models, molecular, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin genetics, oxygen chemistry, oxygen metabolism, photolysis, protein binding, recombinant proteins chemistry, recombinant proteins genetics, recombinant proteins metabolism, spectrophotometry methods, spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared, temperature, whales.
Nienhaus, K., P. Deng, J.M. Kriegl, and G.U. Nienhaus (2003). Structural dynamics of myoglobin: spectroscopic and structural characterization of ligand docking sites in myoglobin mutant L29W. Biochemistry 42(32): 9633-46. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: We have studied CO binding to the heme and CO migration among protein internal cavities after photodissociation in sperm whale carbonmonoxy myoglobin (MbCO) mutant L29W using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with temperature derivative spectroscopy (TDS) and kinetic experiments at cryogenic temperatures. Photoproduct intermediates, characterized by CO at particular locations in the protein, were selectively enhanced by applying special laser illumination protocols. These studies were performed on the L29W mutant protein and a series of double mutants constructed so that bulky amino acid side chains block passageways between cavities or fill these sites. Binding of xenon was also employed as an alternative means of occluding cavities. All mutants exhibit two conformations, A(I) and A(II), with distinctly different photoproduct states and ligand binding properties. These differences arise mainly from different positions of the W29 and H64 side chains in the distal heme pocket [Ostermann, A., et al. (2000) Nature 404, 205-208]. The detailed knowledge of the interplay between protein structure, protein dynamics, and ligand migration at cryogenic temperatures allowed us to develop a dynamic model that explains the slow CO and O(2) bimolecular association observed after flash photolysis at ambient temperature.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, amino acid substitution, binding sites, carbon monoxide chemistry, carbon monoxide metabolism, heme chemistry, kinetics, ligands, models, molecular, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin genetics, myoglobin metabolism, oxygen chemistry, oxygen metabolism, photolysis, protein conformation, recombinant proteins chemistry, recombinant proteins genetics, spectrophotometry methods, spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared, temperature, whales.
Nishida, S., K. Hayashi, L.A. Pastene, M. Goto, N. Kanda, and H. Koike (2003). Polymorphic analysis of cetacean mhc: a case study on the minke whales. Honyurui Kagaku 3(Suppl.): 75-78. ISSN: 0385-437X.
Descriptors: evolution and adaptation, immune system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, population genetics, population studies, sequence analysis, genetic techniques, laboratory techniques, environmental change, genetic polymorphism, genetic variability, immune function, population dynamics.
Nishida, S., L.S. Pastene, M. Goto, and H. Koike (2003). Sry gene structure and phylogeny in the cetacean species. Mammal Study 28(1): 57-66. ISSN: 1343-4152.
Descriptors: evolution and adaptation, molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, systematics and taxonomy, evolutionary changes, nonsynonymous substitutions, paternal inheritance, phylogenetic lineages, phylogeny, sex determination, synonymous substitutions.
Nobbs, C.L. (1965). The binding of ethyl isocyanide to sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 13(1): 325-7. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: cyanides, myoglobin, Cetacea, chemistry, physical, crystallography, x ray diffraction.
Noda, K., M. Aoki, H. Akiyoshi, H. Asaki, T. Shimada, and F. Ohashi (2003). Evaluation of the polymorphonuclear cell functions of bottlenose dolphins. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 65(6): 727-9. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: The functions of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) are the important non-specific defense mechanisms in the immune system. Especially marine mammals are protected by these mechanisms from the aquatic environment with a large variety of microorganisms. Therefore, we examined the PMN functions of bottlenose dolphins in order to obtain the normal ranges and to standardize the techniques. PMNs were isolated by using lymphocyte isolate solution whose density was 1.077; superoxide production was assessed by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test (NBT) and phagocytosis was tested by using polystyrene latex beads. We showed that the optimal incubation time was 30 min in NBT assay and 12 hr in phagocytosis assay for dolphin PMNs.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, neutrophils physiology, dolphins immunology, indicators and reagents, neutrophils cytology, neutrophils immunology, nitroblue tetrazolium, phagocytosis physiology, reference values, superoxides metabolism.
Nordoy, E.S. (1995). Do minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) digest wax esters. British Journal of Nutrition 74(5): 717-722. ISSN: 0007-1145.
NAL Call Number: 389.8 B773
Abstract: Mammals are known to utilize wax esters with an efficiency of less than 50%. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether or not minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), which at times may eat considerable amounts of wax-ester-rich krill, represent an exception to this general pattern. Samples of fresh undigested forestomach, as well as colon, contents were obtained from minke whales (n 5) that had been feeding on krill (Thysanoessa inermis) for some time. The samples were analysed for dry mass, energy density, lipid content and the major lipid classes, including wax esters. The concentrations of wax esters were compared with previous estimates of dry-matter disappearance of the same type of prey using an in vitro technique, to calculate the dry-matter digestibility of wax esters (DMDwax) Wax esters contributed 21% of the energy and 47% of total lipids in the krill diet. The energy density of gut contents decreased by 50% after their passage from forestomach to the end of the colon. The DMDwax was 94.1 (SD 2.8)% (n 5). This high DMDwax and the occurrence of fatty alcohols, one of the products of wax-ester hydrolysis, in faeces show that minke whales are very efficient digesters of wax esters and absorb most of the energy-rich products of this process.
Descriptors: whales, Balaenopteridae, wax esters, forestomach, samples, digesta, colon, krill, diet, dry matter, mass, energy content, lipids, fatty alcohols, feces, digestibility, nutrition physiology, chemical composition, nutrient content, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, acylglycerols, sterols, digestion, energy density.
Nordoy, E.S., W. Sormo, and A. Schytte Blix (1993). In vitro digestibility of different prey species of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). British Journal of Nutrition 70(2): 485-489. ISSN: 0007-1145.
NAL Call Number: 389.8 B773
Abstract: Information on diet composition daily energy expenditure, energy storage and the utilization of energy in the prey are important factors when evaluating the food consumption of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) during their summer stay in northern waters. The purpose of the present study was in this context to obtain information on the digestible energy (DE) of different prey selected by minke whales. An in vitro three-stage digestion technique, simulating the different compartments of the digestive system, has been developed. The initial step simulated the anaerobic microbial fermentation of substrate in the forestomach. The next stage included the addition of pepsin (EC 3.4.23.1)-HCl, simulating ventricle enzymic decomposition, and finally, in the third step, fresh extract from duodenal contents was used to simulate enzymic intestinal degradation of the remaining components of the food. The inoculum was normally obtained from animals which had recently eaten the prey to be tested. In such tests we obtained a dry matter disappearance (DMD) and a DE for herring (Clupea harengus) of 80.4 (SD 5.0)% (n 18) and 92.1 (SD 3.7)% (n 16) respectively, and a DMD of krill (Thysanoessa sp.) of 83.4 (SD 4.9)% (n 6). The DMD of krill was reduced to 73.8 (SD 7.3)% (n 8) while the DE was 70.6 (SD 10.4)% (n 7) when inoculum from whales which had recently eaten cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) was used. These results indicate a high digestibility of the most common species of prey in these animals, and also that the whales have little difficulty in changing from one prey species to another.
Descriptors: whales, digestible energy, digestion, diet, dry matter, in vitro, dry matter, prey.
Noren, S.R., T.M. Williams, D.A. Pabst, W.A. McLellan, and J.L. Dearolf (2001). The development of diving in marine endotherms: preparing the skeletal muscles of dolphins, penguins, and seals for activity during submergence. Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology 171(2): 127-34. ISSN: 0174-1578.
NAL Call Number: QP33.J681
Abstract: Myoglobin is an important oxygen store for supporting aerobic diving in endotherms, yet little is known about its role during postnatal development. Therefore, we compared the postnatal development of myoglobin in marine endotherms that develop at sea (cetaceans) to those that develop on land (penguins and pinnipeds). We measured myoglobin concentrations in the major locomotor muscles of mature and immature bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and compared the data to previously reported values for northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Neonatal dolphins, penguins, and seals lack the myoglobin concentrations required for prolonged dive durations, having 10%, 9%, and 31% of adult values, respectively. Myoglobin contents increased significantly during subsequent development. The increases in myoglobin content with age may correspond to increases in activity levels, thermal demands, and time spent in apnea during swimming and diving. Across these phylogenetically diverse taxa (cetaceans, penguins, and pinnipeds), the final stage of postnatal development of myoglobin occurs during the initiation of independent foraging, regardless of whether development takes place at sea or on land.
Descriptors: body temperature regulation physiology, diving physiology, muscle development, muscle, skeletal growth and development, muscle, skeletal physiology, myoglobin physiology, age factors, apnea, birds, dolphins, oxygen physiology, seals, earless, species specificity.
Noren, S.R. (2004). Buffering capacity of the locomotor muscle in cetaceans: correlates with postpartum development, dive duration, and swim performance. Marine Mammal Science 20(4): 808-822. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Skeletal muscles of marine mammals must support the metabolic demands of exercise during periods of reduced blood flow associated with the dive response. Enhanced muscle buffering could support anaerobic metabolic processes during apnea, yet this has not been fully investigated in cetaceans. To assess the importance of this adaptation in the diving and swimming performance of cetaceans, muscle buffering capacity due to non-bicarbonate buffers was measured in the longissimus dorsi of ten species of odontocete and one mysticete. Immature specimens from a subset of these species were studied to assess developmental trends. Fetal and neonatal cetaceans have low buffering capacities (range: 34.8-53.9 slykes) that are within the range measured for terrestrial mammals. A lengthy developmental period, independent of muscle myoglobin postnatal development, is required before adult levels are attained. Adult cetacean buffering capacities (range: 63.7-94.5 slykes) are among the highest values recorded for mammals. Cetacean species that demonstrate extremely long dive durations or high burst speed swimming tend to have greater buffering capacities. However, the wide range of body size across cetaceans may complicate these trends. Enhanced muscle buffering capacity may enable small-bodied species to extend breath-hold beyond short aerobic dive limits for foraging or predator evasion when necessary.
Descriptors: Cetacea, biochemistry, proteins, myoglobin, skeletal musculature, locomotor muscles buffering capacity, postnatal development and swim, dive performance correlation, development, evolutionary adaptation, swimming, aquatic diving.
Norris, K.S. (1966). Whales, dolphins, and porpoises. First International Symposium on Cetacean Research. American Institute of Biological Sciences, August, 1963, Washington, D.C., University of California Press: Berkeley, CA, 789 p.
NAL Call Number: QL737.C4I57 1963
Descriptors: Cetacea, whales, dolphins, porpoises, symposium.
Notes: .
Oftedal, O.T. (1993). The adaptation of milk secretion to the constraints of fasting in bears, seals, and baleen whales. Journal of Dairy Science 76(10): 3234-3246. ISSN: 0022-0302.
NAL Call Number: 44.8 J822
Abstract: Although lactation is accompanied by increased nutrient demands for milk synthesis, many species of bears, true seals, and baleen whales fast for much or all of lactation. Large body mass in these species confers the advantage of greater stores of fat and protein relative to rates of milk production. Given the constraints on substrate availability during fasting, the milks of fasting mammals are predicted to be low in carbohydrate, protein, and water and to be high in fat. The milks of bears, true seals, and baleen whales conform to this prediction. Mammals that lactate while fasting may lose up to 40% of initial BW. The production of milk entails the export of up to one-third of body fat and 15% of body protein in the dormant black bear and in several seal species, which greatly depletes maternal resources and may represent a physiological threshold, because higher protein and fat outputs have only been measured in species that start feeding. The low K:Na ratio of seal and whale milks and the low Ca:casein and inverse Ca:P ratios in seal milks are unusual and warrant further study.
Descriptors: whales, Ursidae, seals, lactation, fasting, body weight, weight losses, milk secretion, species differences, seal milk, milks, milk composition, lactation stage, casein, whey protein.
Ohland, D.P., E.H. Harley, and P.B. Best (1995). Systematics of cetaceans using restriction site mapping of mitochondrial DNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 4(1): 10-9. ISSN: 1055-7903.
NAL Call Number: QH367.5.M56
Abstract: Phylogenetic analysis of 14 cetacean species, including members from two baleen whale families and three toothed whale families, was undertaken using restriction site mapping of mitochondrial DNA and using cladistic and distance measures to infer phylogenies. The amount of between-taxa sequence divergence inferred from the data was lower than expected from the standard interpretation of the fossil record, but more consistent with some recent estimates of sequence divergence in cetacean mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA. This implies either that the rate of molecular evolution of cetacean DNA is much lower than that of other mammalian orders or that the fossil record of cetaceans requires reinterpretation. The incompleteness of the cetacean fossil record precludes resolution of the paradox at the present time. However, this discrepancy could in part be attributed to the sampling error inherent in the restriction site mapping technique, as comparative studies using the complete mtDNA genome and restriction site data of the blue and fin whales (genus Balaenoptera) indicate that the restriction site maps underestimate sequence divergence by about 40%. In contrast to a recent study suggesting that toothed whales were paraphyletic, with the sperm whales being more closely related to the rorquals than to the other toothed whales, the restriction data tend to support the monophyly of the baleen and the toothed whales, a finding which is consistent with a recent molecular-based study and with morphological and paleontological data. Topologies of the subfamily and generic levels are generally consistent with morphologically based schemes.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, phylogeny, restriction mapping, whales classification, mitochondria, heart chemistry, software, species specificity, whales genetics.
Olsen, E. and N.O. Grahl (2003). Blubber fatty acids of minke whales: stratification, population identification and relation to diet. Marine Biology (Berlin) 142(1): 13-24. ISSN: 0025-3162.
NAL Call Number: QH91.A1M35
Descriptors: chemical coordination and homeostasis, population studies, international whaling commission, fisheries biology, management stocks, population identification.
Olsen, E. (2002). Errors in age estimates of north atlantic minke whales when counting growth zones in bulla tympanica. Journal of Cetacean Research and Management 4(2): 185-191. ISSN: 1561-0713.
Descriptors: development, methods and techniques, wildlife management, conservation, general linear mixed model poisson based regression, mathematical and computer techniques, age determination, life history, sexual maturity, minke whales, bulla tympanica, growth zones.
Olsen, M.A., A.S. Blix, T.H. Utsi, W. Sormo, and S.D. Mathiesen (2000). Chitinolytic bacteria in the minke whale forestomach. Canadian Journal of Microbiology 46(1): 85-94. ISSN: 0008-4166.
NAL Call Number: 448.8 C162
Abstract: Minke whales consume large amounts of pelagic crustaceans. Digestion of the prey is initiated by indigenous bacteria in a rumen-like forestomach system. A major structural component of the crustacean exoskeleton is chitin, the beta-1,4-linked polymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The exoskeletons appear to dissolve completely in the non-glandular forestomach. Bacteria in the forestomach fluid of six krill-eating minke whales were enumerated and isolated using an anaerobic habitat-simulating culture medium. Median viable population densities ranged between 6.0 x 10(6) and 9.9 x 10(9) bacterial cells per mL forestomach fluid. Bacterial isolates (n = 44) cultured from the forestomach fluid of one minke whale mainly resembled strains of Eubacterium (25%), Streptococcus (18%), Clostridium (14%), and Bacteroides (11%). As much as 12% of the bacterial isolates were chitinolytic, while beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity was demonstrated in 54% of the isolates, and utilisation of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine was observed in 73%. The chitinolytic isolates resembled strains of Bacteroides, Bacteroidaceae, Clostridium, and Streptococcus. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of partly digested krill from the minke whale forestomach revealed bacteria close to and inside the chitinous exoskeleton. The bacterial chitinase may act on the chitinous crustacean exoskeletons, thereby allowing other bacteria access to the nutritious soft inner tissues of the prey, and thus initiating its degradation and fermentation.
Descriptors: bacteria isolation and purification, chitin metabolism, stomach microbiology, whales microbiology, bacteria enzymology, bacteroidaceae enzymology, bacteroidaceae isolation and purification, chitinase metabolism, clostridium enzymology, clostridium isolation and purification, microscopy, electron, microscopy, electron, scanning, stomach ultrastructure, streptococcus enzymology, streptococcus isolation and purification.
Olsen, M.A. and S.D. Mathiesen (1996). Production rates of volatile fatty acids in the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) forestomach. British Journal of Nutrition 75(1): 21-31. ISSN: 0007-1145.
NAL Call Number: 389.8 B773
Abstract: Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) have developed a compartmentalized stomach system, which includes a non-glandular forestomach containing high concentrations of indigenous bacteria. The forestomach contents serve as microbial substrate, and samples were collected from five adult minke whales eating capelin (Mallotus villosus) and crustaceans (Thysanoessa sp.). Chemical analysis of the forestomach contents revealed that they consisted of crude protein (650 (SD 58) g/kg DM), lipid (330 (SD 77) g/kg DM) and water-soluble carbohydrates (53.3 (SD 7.3) g/kg DM). The contribution of energy from volatile fatty acids (VFA), produced by forestomach bacterial fermentation, to the total energy budget was estimated. The forestomach concentration of VFA ranged from 13.2 to 68.5 mmol/l, and the pH was 5.83 (SD 0.41). VFA pool size ranged from 72.8 to 638.1 mmol and represented from 0.169 to 2.107 kJ/kg live weight (W)0.75. Maximal recorded forestomach VFA production rate was 1694 mmol/h in one capelin-eating minke whale with 42.6 litres of forestomach fluid. Energy from VFA produced by forestomach fermentation represented 6-107 kJ/kg W0.75 per d, which accounts for only 0.9-16.9% of the average daily energy expenditure of minke whales. This study suggests that the bacterial fermentation in the minke whale forestomach varies, depending on the volume and the quality of substrate available, influencing fermentation rates and concentration of VFA. Due to the small relative size of the forestomach, the contribution of VFA to the daily energy requirement in minke whales would be of less importance than in ruminants even when assuming the same production rate of VFA as in a ruminant.
Descriptors: whales, forestomach, volatile fatty acids, fermentation, digesta, chemical composition, crude protein, energy content, carbohydrates, in vitro, Mallotus villosus, crustacea, diet, nutrient content, liveweight, ph, time.
Oswald, J.N., S. Rankin, and J. Barlow (2004). The effect of recording and analysis bandwidth on acoustic identification of Delphinid species. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 116(5): 3178-3185. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Descriptors: Delphinus delphis, Stenella attenuata, Stenella coeruleoalba, Stenella longirostris, identification techniques, ability, acoustic signals, Pacific Ocean, acoustic identification, effect of recording and analysis bandwidth.
Outridge, P.M., R. Wagemann, and R. McNeely (2000). Teeth as biomonitors of soft tissue mercury concentrations in beluga, Delphinapterus leucas. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 19(6): 1517-1522. ISSN: 0730-7268.
NAL Call Number: QH545.A1E58
Descriptors: mercury, teeth, Delphinapterus leucas, Leucas, biomonitors, mercury concentrations, soft tissue.
Palatnikov, G.M., N.B. Kenigfest, I.L. Kratskin, N.P. Veselkin, and R.Y. Kasimov (1994). Gaba-immunoreactive cells in the telencephalon and diencephalon on the beluga huso huso. Zhurnal Evolyutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii 30(4): 617-618. ISSN: 0044-4529.
Descriptors: cell biology, endocrine system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, membranes, cell biology, nervous system, neural coordination, gamma aminobutyric acid.
Palsboll, P.J., J. Allen, M. Berube, P.J. Clapham, T.P. Feddersen, P.S. Hammond, R.R. Hudson, H. Jorgensen, S. Katona, A.H. Larsen, F. Larsen, J. Lien, D.K. Mattila, J. Sigurjonsson, R. Sears, T. Smith, R. Sponer, P. Stevick, and N. Oien (1997). Genetic tagging of humpback whales. Nature (London) 388(6644): 767-9. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: The ability to recognize individual animals has substantially increased our knowledge of the biology and behaviour of many taxa. However, not all species lend themselves to this approach, either because of insufficient phenotypic variation or because tag attachment is not feasible. The use of genetic markers ('tags') represents a viable alternative to traditional methods of individual recognition, as they are permanent and exist in all individuals. We tested the use of genetic markers as the primary means of identifying individuals in a study of humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. Analysis of six microsatellite loci among 3,060 skin samples collected throughout this ocean allowed the unequivocal identification of individuals. Analysis of 692 'recaptures', identified by their genotype, revealed individual local and migratory movements of up to 10,000 km, limited exchange among summer feeding grounds, and mixing in winter breeding areas, and also allowed the first estimates of animal abundance based solely on genotypic data. Our study demonstrates that genetic tagging is not only feasible, but generates data (for example, on sex) that can be valuable when interpreting the results of tagging experiments.
Descriptors: genetic markers, whales genetics, Atlantic Ocean, DNA, feasibility studies, microsatellite repeats, population dynamics, skin.
Palsboll, P.J., M. Berube, A.H. Larsen, and H. Jorgensen (1997). Primers for the amplification of tri- and tetramer microsatellite loci in baleen whales. Molecular Ecology 6(9): 893-5. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: microsatellite repeats, trinucleotide repeats, whales genetics, base sequence, DNA primers genetics, ecosystem, genetics, population, molecular sequence data, polymorphism, genetic.
Palumbi, S.R. and F. Cipriano (1998). Species identification using genetic tools: the value of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences in whale conservation. Journal of Heredity 89(5): 459-64. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: DNA sequence analysis is a powerful tool for identifying the source of samples thought to be derived from threatened or endangered species. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from retail whale meat markets has shown consistently that the expected baleen whale in these markets, the minke whale, makes up only about half the products analyzed. The other products are either unregulated small toothed whales like dolphins or are protected baleen whales such as humpback, Bryde's, fin, or blue whales. Independent verification of such mtDNA identifications requires analysis of nuclear genetic loci, but this is technically more difficult than standard mtDNA sequencing. In addition, evolution of species-specific sequences (i.e., fixation of sequence differences to produce reciprocally monophyletic gene trees) is slower in nuclear than in mitochondrial genes primarily because genetic drift is slower at nuclear loci. When will use of nuclear sequences allow forensic DNA identification? Comparison of neutral theories of coalescence of mitochondrial and nuclear loci suggests a simple rule of thumb. The "three-times rule" suggests that phylogenetic sorting at nuclear loci is likely to produce species-specific sequences when mitochondrial alleles are reciprocally monophyletic and the branches leading to the mtDNA sequences of a species are three times longer than the average difference observed within species. A preliminary test of the three-times rule, which depends on many assumptions about the species and genes involved, suggests that blue and fin whales should have species-specific sequences at most neutral nuclear loci, whereas humpback and fin whales should show species-specific sequences at fewer nuclear loci. Partial sequences of actin introns from these species confirm the predictions of the three-times rule and show that blue and fin whales are reciprocally monophyletic at this locus. These intron sequences are thus good tools for the identification of these species and will afford a chance to identify putative hybrid blue/fin whales thought to have entered the retail market after 1989.
Descriptors: conservation of natural resources, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, fisheries legislation and jurisprudence, whales genetics, actins genetics, alleles, animal welfare, dolphins genetics, food industry, food inspection, international cooperation, introns, Japan, meat, sequence analysis, dna.
Panigada, S., M. Zanardelli, S. Canese, and M. Jahoda (1999). How deep can baleen whales dive? Marine Ecology Progress Series 187: 309-311. ISSN: 0171-8630.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.S3M32
Descriptors: behavior, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, velocity time depth recorders, equipment, dive depth, baleen whales, fin whale.
Parsons, K.M. (2001). Reliable microsatellite genotyping of dolphin DNA from faeces. Molecular Ecology Notes 1(4): 341-344. ISSN: 1471-8278.
NAL Call Number: QH541.15.M632
Descriptors: alleles, DNA, faeces, genotypes, microsatellites, dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.
Parsons, K.M., J.F. Dallas, D.E. Claridge, J.W. Durban, K.C. Balcomb III, P.M. Thompson, and L.R. Noble (1999). Amplifying dolphin mitochondrial DNA from faecal plumes. Molecular Ecology 8(10): 1766-8. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, dolphins genetics, base sequence, DNA, mitochondrial isolation and purification, feces chemistry, molecular sequence data, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid, specimen handling.
Parsons, K.M., J.W. Durban, and D.E. Claridge (2003). Comparing two alternative methods for sampling small cetaceans for molecular analysis. Marine Mammal Science 19(1): 224-231. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: methods and techniques, molecular genetics, biochemistry, molecular biophysics, population genetics, population studies, molecular analysis, laboratory techniques, remote biopsy sampling, applied and field techniques, tissue sampling, applied and field techniques, sampling methods, invasive, non invasive.
Parsons, K.M. (2001). Reliable microsatellite genotyping of dolphin DNA from faeces. Molecular Ecology Notes 1(4): 341-344. ISSN: 1471-8278.
NAL Call Number: QH541.15.M632
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, genetic techniques, genotyping, faecal samples, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, microsatellite dna.
Patenaude, N.J., J.S. Quinn, P. Beland, M. Kingsley, and B.N. White (1994). Genetic variation of the St. Lawrence beluga whale population assessed by DNA fingerprinting. Molecular Ecology 3(4): 375-81. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Recent surveys suggest that the endangered St. Lawrence beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population is not recovering significantly despite 20 years of protection. Dead individuals that have been autopsied show high levels of tumours and infections. This situation could be a result of pollution, loss of genetic variation, inbreeding depression or a combination of these factors. Analyses of DNA fingerprints from St. Lawrence belugas with three minisatellite probes (Jeffreys 33.6, 33.15 and M13) indicate a reduced level of genetic variation compared to Beaufort Sea animals. The average band-sharing between individuals of the St. Lawrence beluga population for the three probes (0.534, 0.573 and 0.478, respectively) was significantly higher than that of the Beaufort Sea beluga population (0.343, 0.424, 0.314, respectively). Higher levels of mean allele frequency in the St. Lawrence belugas (0.33 vs. 0.21) suggest that this population is composed of individuals which are related. Inbreeding depression could therefore be a factor in the lack of recovery of the St. Lawrence beluga population.
Descriptors: dna fingerprinting, variation genetics, whales genetics, alleles, gene frequency.
Patenaude, N.J. and B.N. White (1995). Skin biopsy sampling of beluga whale carcasses: assessment of biopsy darting factors for minimal wounding and effective sample retrieval. Marine Mammal Science 11(2): 163-171. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Different combinations of biopsy tip lengths (20, 25 mm) and diameters (5, 6, 7 mm), crossbow draw weights (23, 45, 68 kg) and distances (1.5-15 m) were tested on fresh beluga carcasses to determine factors affecting the success of biopsy retrieval and the extent of wounding. Tips with smaller diameters and longer lengths were found to be more likely to retrieve a skin sample, while the draw weight of the crossbow had a significant effect on the severity of the wound. The samples obtained from all biopsy darts tested yielded sufficient amounts of DNA for genetic analysis (20-109 mu-g) with the highest yield coming from the germinativum spinosum layer. For beluga whales we recommend using a tip of 5 mm in diameter, 25 mm in length, and a draw weight of 23 kg at close range.
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, ecology, environmental sciences, genetics, integumentary system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, methods and techniques, DNA, field method, genetic analysis.
Patterson, R.A. and B.L. Middlebrooks (2002). Methods of purification and study of cetacean immunoglobulins. In: C.J. Pfeiffer (Editor), Molecular and Cell Biology of Marine Mammals, Kreiger Publishing Company: Malabar, p. 245-252. ISBN: 1575240629.
Descriptors: Cetacea, purification techniques, proteins, immune response, immunoglobulins.
Patterson, W.R., L.M. Dalton, and D.L. McGlasson (1998). A comparison of human and killer whale platelet fatty acid composition. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 120(2): 247-52. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: Activation of blood platelets and their subsequent aggregation results from the interactions of several complex metabolic pathways. Considered to be of critical importance are the platelet lipids. Subsequent to platelet activation, several membrane lipids undergo hydrolysis and the free fatty acids are metabolized to prostanoids which mediate platelet function in response to vascular injury. It is conceivable then, that differences in platelet membrane fatty acid content could result in significant differences in platelet responses to aggregatory stimuli, especially between species. The objective of this study was to identify specific differences in fatty acid content between human and killer whale platelets. Blood was collected, washed platelets were prepared, and platelet fatty acids were extracted. Methyl esters of the extracted fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography and reported as relative concentrations. Analysis of the data revealed significant differences between the two species for several relevant fatty acids, i.e. 16:0 (P < 0.05), and 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 20:4 (P < 0.001). The differences in platelet fatty acid composition and concentration may explain at least some of the differences in platelet function which have previously been identified between these species.
Descriptors: blood platelets chemistry, dolphins blood, fatty acids blood, adult, blood platelets physiology, chromatography, gas, fatty acids chemistry, platelet activation physiology, species specificity.
Patterson, W.R., L.M. Dalton, D.L. McGlasson, and J.H. Cissik (1993). Aggregation of killer whale platelets. Thrombosis Research 70(3): 225-31. ISSN: 0049-3848.
Abstract: The aggregation of blood platelets is a crucial step in normal hemostasis for all mammals. Circulating platelets are sensitive to a large variety of physiologic and non-physiologic stimulants, some of which are formed or exposed in conjunction with vascular damage or endothelial cell denudation. In addition, drastic pressure changes activate human platelets. Killer whale platelet function, on the other hand, is very intriguing since these animals do not seem to experience untoward platelet reactions during or after diving to great depths, nor do they experience abnormal bleeding associated with sub optimal platelet function. We examined this concept and determined that killer whale platelets, in response to ADP, PAF, and arachidonic acid, appeared to aggregate normally during the first 2-5 minutes after addition of the agonist, but had completely disaggregated at 10 minutes. Collagen- and A23187-induced aggregation appeared normal and complete within 10 minutes, while there was no response to epinephrine or ristocetin. Thromboxane production by killer whale platelets appears to be quantitatively similar to that produced by human platelets in response to ADP and PAF and exceeded that produced by human platelets when collagen was used as the agonist. In summary, this study reports a reduced platelet aggregation reaction in killer whales in response to several platelet agonists which does not appear to be related to the generation of thromboxane. This phenomenon may serve a protective role in these mammals by preventing thrombosis during diving and resurfacing.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, platelet aggregation drug effects, adaptation, physiological, adenosine diphosphate pharmacology, arachidonic acid pharmacology, blood platelets drug effects, blood platelets metabolism, calcimycin pharmacology, collagen pharmacology, epinephrine pharmacology, platelet activating factor pharmacology, ristocetin pharmacology, thromboxane b2 biosynthesis, time factors.
Pettis, H.M., R.M. Rolland, P.K. Hamilton, S. Brault, A.R. Knowlton, and S.D. Kraus (2004). Visual health assessment of North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) using photographs. Canadian Journal of Zoology 82(1): 8-19. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Abstract: Although trends in reproduction, mortality, and entanglement events have been analyzed for the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) population, no method has been available to assess individual right whale health. Here, we describe a technique for assessing health based on evaluation of selected physical parameters from archived photographs of right whales. A scoring system was developed to assess body and skin condition, blowhole cyamids, and rake marks in over 200 000 photographs. Comparison of body condition scores of females during calving and noncalving years found that females were significantly thinner in calving years and in the year after calving compared with the year before calving, showing that changes in body condition known to occur during the reproductive cycle can be successfully evaluated from photographs. Comparison of scores for all parameters between living whales and whales with more than a 5-year gap in sighting history ("presumed dead") found that presumed dead whales received health assessment scores indicating compromised health with body condition emerging as a key visual indicator. This health assessment method provides a new tool to monitor health trends in right whales at individual and population levels and may provide a model for assessments of other welI-photographed cetaceans.
Descriptors: Eubalaena glacialis, physiological techniques, physiological condition, north Atlantic, visual health assessment using photographs.
Pfeiffer, C.J. and F.M. Jones (1993). Epidermal lipid in several cetacean species: ultrastructural observations. Anatomy and Embryology 188(3): 209-18. ISSN: 0340-2061.
Abstract: The ultrastructure of the skin of four cetacean species, bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melaena), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) was investigated with particular reference to epidermal lipid. It has already been established that massive lipid reservoirs exist in whales, that the biochemical structures of cetacean lipids are unique, and that unusual intracellular lipid droplets appear in the epidermis. We report here some novel findings on scanning electron microscopic morphology of epidermal lipid, and on its ultrastructural morphology in general and specialized integumentary sites, including species not previously investigated. The intracellular epidermal lipid droplets were more extensive than lamellar body-derived intercellular lipid which is within the interstices of stratum externum cells. The intracellular droplets were spherical, highly variable in size ranging from 0.24 micron to 3.0 microns in diameter, appeared singly or were aggregated in cytoplasmic cavitations, and often were closely associated with epidermal cell nuclei. Evidence for exocytosis of the intracellular droplets was not observed. Significant numbers of intracellular lipid droplets are not observed in the epidermis of terrestrial mammals, so their presence is one of several aquatic specializations of the cetacean integument. Its full significance remains obscure, but it is more probably associated with epidermal cell metabolism than with secretion of lipid.
Descriptors: epidermis metabolism, lipids metabolism, whales metabolism, epidermis ultrastructure, microscopy, electron, microscopy, electron, scanning.
Pfeiffer, C.J. and V.J. Rowntree (1996). Epidermal ultrastructure of the southern right whale calf (Eubalaena australis). Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology 28(2): 277-86. ISSN: 1122-9497.
Abstract: An ultrastructural analysis by transmission and scanning electron microscopy was carried out on normal epidermis of six southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) calves which stranded over a period of several months at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. This was undertaken to 1) provide the first normal skin ultrastructural data on this highly endangered species which is known to display skin pathology in some instances, and 2) to elucidate further the integumentary specializations which have developed in diving marine mammals. Southern right whale lipokeratinocytes demonstrated parakeratosis and numerous intracellular lipid bodies, keratin and melanosomes, as reported for other cetacean species, but showed several unique ultrastructural features as well. These included a high prevalence of intranuclear inclusion bodies resembling small fragments of cytoplasmic keratin, and close structural relationship between cytoplasmic lipid droplets and the nucleus. The subcellular morphology supported the concept of possible nuclear import of cytoplasmic keratin and lipid metabolites through enlargements of the nuclear pore complex or other disruptions of the nuclear envelope. The light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy also revealed an irregular contour of the lipokeratinocytes which comprised the thick stratum externum, and surface flaking of the outermost cells which were covered by stubby microvillous-like remnants of intercellular junctions. These results thus suggest that the long-tem aquatic evolution of this cetacean species has resulted in a number of integumentary specializations and that investigation of their submicroscopic cytology may help elucidate the general cell biology of nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions.
Descriptors: epidermis ultrastructure, whales anatomy and histology, keratinocytes ultrastructure.
Pfeiffer, C.J., L.B. Gray and K.J. Mullins (2002). Cellular signal transduction pathways in Atlantic spotted dolphin renal cells. In: C.J. Pfeiffer (Editor), Molecular and Cell Biology of Marine Mammals, Kreiger Publishing Company: Malabar, p. 356-363. ISBN: 1575240629.
Descriptors: Stenella plagiodon, biochemistry, kidney, intracellular signal transduction pathways in renal cells.
Pfeiffer, C.J. and G. Menon (2002). Cellular ultrastructural and biochemical specializations in the cetacean epidermis. In: C.J. Pfeiffer (Editor), Molecular and Cell Biology of Marine Mammals, Kreiger Publishing Company: Malabar, p. 396-411. ISBN: 1575240629.
Descriptors: Cetacea, biochemistry, skin, epidermis, cellular ultrastructural and biochemical specializations, evolutionary adaptation.
Phillips, K. (2004). Cetacean wake. Journal of Experimental Biology 207(10): III. ISSN: 0022-0949.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B77
Descriptors: behavior, movement, strouhal number, mathematical and computer techniques, videotaping,laboratory techniques, swimming efficiency, swimming speed, swimming vorticity, wake.
Pichler, F.B., M.L. Dalebout, and C.S. Baker (2001). Nondestructive dna extraction from sperm whale teeth and scrimshaw. Molecular Ecology Notes 1(1-2): 106-109. ISSN: 1471-8278.
NAL Call Number: QH541.15.M632
Descriptors: methods and techniques, molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, nondestructive DNA extraction, genetic method, scrimshaw.
Pichler, F.B., D. Robineau, R.N. Goodall, M.A. Meyer, C. Olivarria, and C.S. Baker (2001). Origin and radiation of Southern Hemisphere coastal dolphins (genus Cephalorhynchus). Molecular Ecology 10(9): 2215-23. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: The genus Cephalorhynchus (Gray 1846) consists of four species of small coastal dolphins distributed in cool temperate waters around the Southern Hemisphere. Each species is sympatric with other members of the subfamily Lissodelphininae but widely separated from other congeners. To describe the origin and radiation of these species, we examined 442 bp of mitochondrial DNA control region sequences of 307 individuals from the genus Cephalorhynchus and compared these to sequences from other members of the subfamily Lissodelphininae. We investigate the hypotheses that Cephalorhynchus is a monophyletic genus or, alternatively, that the four species have arisen separately from pelagic Lissodelphine species and have converged morphologically. Our results support the monophyly of Cephalorhynchus within the Lissodelphininae and a pattern of radiation by colonization. We confirm a pattern of shallow but diagnosable species clades with Heaviside's dolphin as the basal branch. We further examine the monophyly of maternal haplotypes represented by our large population sample for each species. Based on this phylogeographic pattern, we propose that Cephalorhynchus originated in the waters of South Africa and, following the West Wind Drift, colonized New Zealand and then South America. The Chilean and Commerson's dolphins then speciated along the two coasts of South America, during the glaciation of Tierra del Fuego. Secondary radiations resulted in genetically isolated populations for both the Kerguelen Island Commerson's dolphin and the North Island Hector's dolphin. Our results suggest that coastal, depth-limited odontocetes are prone to population fragmentation, isolation and occasionally long-distance movements, perhaps following periods of climatic change.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, phylogeny, base sequence, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, dolphins classification, molecular sequence data, sequence alignment, variation genetics genetics.
Pin, S., B. Alpert, R. Cortes, I. Ascone, M.L. Chiu, and S.G. Sligar (1994). The heme iron coordination complex in His64(E7)Tyr recombinant sperm whale myoglobin. Biochemistry 33(38): 11618-23. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: By using site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant sperm whale (SW) myoglobin, the native distal histidine residue, at position 64 (the helical position E7), has been replaced with a tyrosine. The mutation of His64Tyr SW myoglobin has an analogous heme iron electronic structure as that of native hemoglobins M Boston and M Saskatoon. Optical spectroscopy showed that the distal tyrosine bound to the heme iron had a pK value of 5.6. In the pH range of 4.7-11.0, electron spin resonance spectroscopy suggested the presence of two heme iron ligation schemes: the heme iron bound to a distal water molecule or to a distal tyrosine residue. The heme iron coordination in the wild-type myoglobin and in the His64Tyr SW Mb mutant was studied by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Indeed, the heme iron K-edge reflects the electronic organization of the metal inside the six-coordinated complex. Comparative analysis of X-ray absorption heme iron K-edge shapes showed that the heme iron of His64Tyr SW myoglobin is bound to the oxygen atom from the phenol group of the distal tyrosine residue (Fe-OH phi). When the pH value decreased from pH 7 to 5.6, the Fe-OH phi bond strength decreased, resulting in an increase of the heme iron high-spin population of His64Tyr SW myoglobin. At low pH values, the Fe-OH phi bond can be disrupted with the possibility of heme iron binding of another ligand having a higher affinity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Descriptors: heme chemistry, iron chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, electron spin resonance spectroscopy, models, molecular, mutagenesis, site directed, mutation, myoglobin genetics, recombinant proteins chemistry, spectrophotometry, spectrum analysis, whales.
Pine, M., M. Schroeder, K. Greer, R. Hokanson, and D. Busbee (2004). Generation and partial characterization of a transformed cetacean cell line. Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 67(2): 195-202. ISSN: 0166-445X.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.W3A6
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, cell lines, kidney cells, epithelial cells, transfection, cell culture, culture media, glutamine, glutathione, cysteine, antioxidants, cell physiology, gene expression, cytoskeleton, keratin, N acetylcysteine.
Polasek, L.K. and R.W. Davis (2001). Heterogeneity of myoglobin distribution in the locomotory muscles of five cetacean species. Journal of Experimental Biology 204(2): 209-15. ISSN: 0022-0949.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B77
Abstract: Myoglobin is an important storage site for oxygen in the swimming muscles of diving marine mammals. However, little is known about its distribution within muscles since previous studies have relied on single samples. The goal of this study was to determine the distribution of myoglobin within the swimming muscles of five species of cetacean: dusky dolphin, false killer whale, striped dolphin, humpbacked dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. The entire dorsal (epaxial) and ventral (hypaxial) swimming muscles were removed from each animal and weighed. Transverse sections were taken from the cranial, middle and caudal regions of each muscle and sampled along a circular grid with a minimum of 30 sites per section. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to measure the myoglobin concentration of each sample. Contour maps of myoglobin concentration were made for each transverse section. Myoglobin concentration was found to be non-uniformly distributed within the muscle. The interior of the muscle lying closest to the vertebrae showed a significantly higher (11 %) mean myoglobin concentration than the exterior of the muscle for all five species. In the epaxial muscles, the mean myoglobin concentration was significantly higher in the caudal region closest to the flukes. The two deep-water species (false killer whale and striped dolphin) had significantly higher myoglobin concentrations than the three species (dusky, humpbacked and bottlenose dolphins) that occur in shallow, coastal waters. These results show that myoglobin is not homogeneously distributed in the locomotory muscle of cetaceans and that levels may be highest in those areas that produce greater force and consume more oxygen during aerobic swimming. Enhancing oxygen stores in those areas of the muscle that work the hardest would theoretically lengthen the aerobic dive limit of the animal during submerged swimming.
Descriptors: Cetacea metabolism, muscle, skeletal metabolism, myoglobin metabolism, aerobiosis, Cetacea anatomy and histology, diving, dolphins anatomy and histology, dolphins metabolism, muscle, skeletal anatomy and histology, species specificity, swimming, tissue distribution, whales anatomy and histology, whales metabolism.
Postnikova, G.B. and S.V. Tselikova (2005). [Myoglobin and mitochondria: kinetics of oxymyoglobin deoxygenation in mitochondria suspension]. Biofizika 50(2): 297-306. ISSN: 0006-3029.
Abstract: The kinetics of whale MbO2 deoxygenation was studied spectrophotometrically in the presence of breathing rat mitochondria under conditions when mitochondria were separated from the protein solution by a semipermeable film capable to transfer only low-molecular-weight compounds and directly in the solution of MbO2 with mitochondria (incubation medium: 15-35 mM succinate, 150 mM sucrose, 100 mM KCl, 0.5 mM EGTA, 5 mM KH2PO4, 10 mM MOPS, pH 7.4). It was shown that the splitting of O2 from MbO2 at physiological pO2 is possible only if it directly contacts mitohondria. The deoxygenation rate does not depend on the protein concentration (zero order on [MbO2] as opposite to the first order reaction in the absence of mitochondria) and completely coincides with the rate of oxygen consumption by mitochondria under the same conditions, as indicated by the polarographic data. The dependence of the MbO2 deoxygenation rate on the concentration of mitochondria and the protein, and on the total charge of the MbO2 molecule was studied using horse MbO2 (pI 7.1), sperm whale MbO2 (pI 8.3), its zinc complex, Zn-MbO2 (pI > 8.3), and the sperm whale MbO2 derivative carboxymethylated at His residues, CM-MbO2 (pI 5.2). The mechanism of MbO2 deoxygenation in the cell obviously actuates its interplay with the mitochondrial membrane. As a result, the affinity of Mb to oxygen decreases several times, which corresponds to a shift of the Mb dissociation curve to higher pO2 values.
Descriptors: mitochondria, liver metabolism, myoglobin metabolism, oxygen metabolism, carboxyhemoglobin metabolism, horses, oxygen consumption, rats, spectrophotometry, whales, zinc metabolism.
Power, G., J. Breckon, M. Sherriff, and F. McDonald (2005). Dolphin Imaging Software: An analysis of the accuracy of cephalometric digitization and orthognathic prediction. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 34(6): 619-626. ISSN: 0901-5027.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the reproducibility and reliability of digitization using Dolphin Imaging Software (Version 8.0) with traditional manual techniques. In addition, orthognathic prediction was compared with actual outcomes. Sixty lateral cephalograms were evaluated by two methods: manual tracing and indirect digitization using Dolphin Imaging Software (Version 8.0). Method error (reliability) using duplicate measurements for each method, and comparison of both techniques (reproducibility), were investigated using alternative statistical methods, Bland and Altman (1986) and Lin's Correlation of Concordance (1989). Each technique was significantly reliable at the 95% level (method error). Comparing the standard deviations of the differences, manual tracing proving more reliable for SNA (1.36 degrees manually, 2.07 degrees digitally), SNB (1.19 degrees and 1.69 degrees ), SNMx (1.39 degrees and 2.66 degrees ), and MxMd (1.77 degrees and 2.26 degrees ), and Dolphin digital tracing more reliable for UIMx (3.49 degrees digitally and 3.97 degrees manually) and LIMd (2.90 degrees and 3.04 degrees ). However, systematic error in the software's calculation of LAFH% resulted in measurements 4% larger than manual techniques, a difference which is clinically significant. Comparison of actual outcome and software generated prediction for 26 orthognathic cases demonstrated clinically significant differences for all measurements (rhoc 0.32 for ANB to 0.91 for LIMd; P<0.05). The investigation revealed the impact of radiographic magnification when used in an uncalibrated system. These findings indicate that Version 8.0 of Dolphin Imaging Software needs to be re-assessed for software errors that may result in clinically significant miscalculations, and to facilitate compensation of radiographic magnification when using linear measurements.
Descriptors: dolphin, imaging software, accuracy, reproducibility, digitization, cephalograms.
Prager, E.M. (1993). The sequence-immunology correlation revisited: data for cetacean myoglobins and mammalian lysozymes. Journal of Molecular Evolution 37(4): 408-16. ISSN: 0022-2844.
NAL Call Number: QH359.J6
Abstract: Quantitative microcomplement fixation tests employing rabbit antisera were done to compare immunologically 13 cetacean myoglobins and 15 mammalian lysozymes c of known amino acid sequence. In both cases there was a strong correlation between immunological distance (y) and percent sequence difference (x), as had been found for several other globular proteins. For myoglobin the relationship could be described by y = 10.5x and for lysozyme by y = 8.5x. The coefficients in both of these equations are appreciably higher than the values of 5.1-6.9 reported for three other vertebrate globular proteins (bird lysozyme c, mammalian ribonuclease, and mammalian serum albumin), and they imply that rabbit antisera to mammalian myoglobins and lysozymes are more sensitive to evolutionary substitutions. A strong inverse correlation (r = -0.95) was found when the slope of the line relating y to x for these five data sets was plotted against the percent sequence difference between the rabbit's own protein and the proteins immunized with. Specifically, the cetacean myoglobins on average differ in amino acid sequence from rabbit myoglobin by less than 13% and exhibit the steepest slope (10.5), while bird lysozyme sequences differ by nearly 40% from rabbit lysozyme and exhibit the shallowest slope (5.1).
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, mammals genetics, muramidase genetics, myoglobin genetics, amino acid sequence, evolution, molecular sequence data, muramidase immunology, myoglobin immunology, sequence homology, amino acid.
Pritz Hohmeier, S., W. Hartig, G. Behrmann, and A. Reichenbach (1994). Immunocytochemical demonstration of astrocytes and microglia in the whale brain. Neuroscience Letters 167(1-2): 59-62. ISSN: 0304-3940.
NAL Call Number: QP351.N3
Abstract: Whale brains have attracted the attention of neuroscientists but there are only sparse studies on whale glial cells. Here we report on immunolabeling of astrocytes by antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or protein S-100 beta (both by the streptavidin/biotin technique), and labeling of microglial cells by Griffonia simplicifolia agglutinin (GSA I-B4, coupled to horseradish peroxidase), in the neocortex of a harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena L. Many subpial and perivascular astrocytes were stained; they differed greatly in thickness and length of their processes. Subpial astrocytes were coarse with a few stout stem processes, whereas perivascular astrocytes deeper in the brain had many long and slender processes. Additionally, some long radial astrocytes were observed. Microglia were labeled throughout the brain, and showed similar features as 'resting' (ramified) microglia in the brain of other mammals.
Descriptors: astrocytes cytology, brain cytology, dolphins anatomy and histology, microglia cytology, astrocytes metabolism, brain metabolism, glial fibrillary acidic protein metabolism, immunohistochemistry, microglia metabolism, s100 proteins metabolism.
QR46.J6Swenshon, M., C. Lammler, and U. Siebert (1998). Identification and molecular characterization of beta-hemolytic streptococci isolated from harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) of the North and Baltic seas. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 36(7): 1902-1906. ISSN: 0095-1137.
NAL Call Number: QR46.J6
Descriptors: identification, characterization, pulsed field electrophoresis, bacterial diseases, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Phocoena, harbour porpoises.
Quillin, M.L., R.M. Arduini, J.S. Olson, and G.N. Phillips Jr. (1993). High-resolution crystal structures of distal histidine mutants of sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 234(1): 140-55. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Abstract: The highly conserved distal histidine residue (His64) of sperm whale myoglobin modulates the affinity of ligands. In an effort to fully characterize the effects of mutating residue 64, we have determined the high-resolution crystal structures of the Gly64, Val64, Leu64, Thr64 and Gln64 mutants in several liganded forms. Metmyoglobins with hydrophobic substitutions at residue 64 (Val64 and Leu64) lack a water molecule at the sixth coordination position, while those with polar amino acid residues at this position (wild-type and Gln64) retain a covalently bound water molecule. In the Thr64 mutant, the bound water position is only partially occupied. In contrast, mutating the distal histidine residue to glycine does not cause loss of the coordinated water molecule, because the hydrogen bond from the imidazole side-chain is replaced by one from a well-ordered solvent water molecule. Differences in water structure around the distal pocket are apparent also in the structures of deoxymyoglobin mutants. The water molecule that is hydrogen-bonded to the N epsilon atom of histidine 64 in wild-type deoxymyoglobin is not found in any of the position 64 mutant structures that were determined. Comparison of the carbonmonoxy structures of wild-type, Gly64, Leu64 and Gln64 myoglobins in the P6 crystal form shows that the conformation of the Fe-C-O complex is nearly linear and is independent of the identity of the amino acid residue at position 64. However, the effect of CO binding on the conformation of residue 64 is striking. Superposition of deoxy and carbonmonoxy structures reveals significant displacements of the residue 64 side-chain in the wild-type and Gln64 myoglobins, but no displacement in the Leu64 mutant. These detailed structural studies provide key insights into the mechanisms of ligand binding and discrimination in myoglobin.
Descriptors: myoglobin ultrastructure, crystallography, x ray, iron chemistry, kinetics, ligands, metmyoglobin ultrastructure, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin analogs and derivatives, oxidation reduction, protein structure, tertiary, structure activity relationship, water chemistry, whales.
Radding, W. and G.N. Phillips Jr. (2004). Kinetic proofreading by the cavity system of myoglobin: protection from poisoning. BioEssays News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology 26(4): 422-33. ISSN: 0265-9247.
NAL Call Number: QH506.B356
Descriptors: carbon monoxide toxicity, myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin physiology, biochemistry, carbon monoxide chemistry, carbon monoxide poisoning, crystallography, x ray, electron transport complex iv chemistry, heme chemistry, kinetics, ligands, models, biological, models, chemical, models, molecular, muscle cells chemistry, muscle cells metabolism, whales, xenon.
Reddy, M.L., J.S. Reif, A. Bachand, and S.H. Ridgway (2001). Opportunities for using Navy marine mammals to explore associations between organochlorine contaminants and unfavorable effects on reproduction. Science of the Total Environment 274(1-3): 171-82. ISSN: 0048-9697.
Abstract: The Department of Defense (DoD) has a unique marine mammal program maintained by the US Navy that includes the largest force of bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, worldwide. In recent years, this population of cetaceans that lives in netted open water enclosures in San Diego Bay has been monitored for levels of organochlorine (OC) contaminants in blubber, blood and milk. Data generated from these studies have afforded insight into the fate and possible effects of OC contaminants in marine mammals. We now report preliminary findings on the effects of maternal OC exposure on pregnancy outcome. Blubber OC levels were compared between females whose calves survived beyond 6 months and females whose calves were stillborn or died within 12 days of birth. The mean concentration of SigmaDDT was more than 3 times as high among dolphins whose calves died as that among dolphins whose calves survived beyond 6 months (P = 0.002). Mean SigmaPCB was more than 2.5 times higher in females whose calves did not survive (P= 0.076). This population is a logical sentinel for the assessment of environmentally mediated disease. Biological tissues and fluids can be sampled on a regular basis from the dolphins for accumulation of tissue residues, facilitated by conditioned husbandry behaviors. These trained behaviors help preclude possible alterations in health measures resulting from capture stress. Animals' diets can be monitored for contaminant levels. With these data, the expertise and facilities available at the Navy laboratory and in collaboration with other experts in the field, controlled studies can be designed to monitor and assess dietary exposure, measurable immune and neurologic responses and assess reproductive and transgenerational effects of contaminants. Biomarkers can be developed to relate the health of individual animals relative to contaminant exposures. Such investigations of natural exposure and response scenarios are a logical adjunct to traditional laboratory toxicity studies.
Descriptors: dolphins, environmental monitoring methods, hydrocarbons, chlorinated, insecticides analysis, water pollutants, chemical analysis, adipose tissue chemistry, California, fetal death, government agencies, insecticides pharmacokinetics, insecticides toxicity, military medicine, milk chemistry, Pacific Ocean, pregnancy outcome, prenatal exposure delayed effects, seawater, tissue distribution, United States, water pollutants, chemical pharmacokinetics, water pollutants, chemical toxicity.
Regis, W.C., J. Fattori, M.M. Santoro, M. Jamin, and C.H. Ramos (2005). On the difference in stability between horse and sperm whale myoglobins. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 436(1): 168-77. ISSN: 0003-9861.
NAL Call Number: 381 AR2
Abstract: The work in the literature on apomyoglobin is almost equally divided between horse and sperm whale myoglobins. The two proteins share high homology, show similar folding behavior, and it is often assumed that all folding phenomena found with one protein will also be found with the other. We report data at equilibrium showing that horse myoglobin was 2.1 kcal/mol less stable than sperm whale myoglobin at pH 5.0, and aggregated at high concentrations as measured by gel filtration and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. The higher stability of sperm whale myoglobin was identified for both apo and holo forms, and was independent of pH from 5 to 8 and of the presence of sodium chloride. We also show that the substitution of sperm whale myoglobin residues Ala15 and Ala74 to Gly, the residues found at positions 15 and 74 in horse myoglobin, decreased the stability by 1.0 kcal/mol, indicating that helix propensity is an important component of the explanation for the difference in stability between the two proteins.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, protein folding, base sequence, chromatography, gel, dose response relationship, drug, horses, hydrogen ion concentration, molecular sequence data, myoglobin metabolism, protein denaturation, species specificity, temperature, ultracentrifugation, urea pharmacology, whales.
Reidarson, T.H., J. McBain, and L.M. Dalton (1999). Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in cetaceans. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 30(2): 228-34. ISSN: 1042-7260.
NAL Call Number: SF601.J6
Abstract: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme activity was analyzed in cetaceans. Animals that were treated by i.m. injection and others that received azole therapy had distinctly different LDH isoenzyme profiles. A third distinctive pattern was occasionally observed in clinically normal animals with elevations in total transaminase and LDH activity levels. DH isoenzyme activity patterns were not affected by mild or moderate hemolysis, refrigeration after 24 hr, or freezing for 24 hr with subsequent thawing. However, severe hemolysis produced artifactual changes similar to those observed in individuals that received injections but of a lesser magnitude. DH isoenzyme activity patterns may provide useful corroboration of other clinical findings when diagnostic modalities are limited, especially to differentiate nonspecific enzyme elevation from nonpathologic elevations in serum enzyme concentrations due to i.m. injections or azole therapy.
Descriptors: dolphins metabolism, fluoroquinolones, l lactate dehydrogenase blood, whales metabolism, alanine transaminase blood, amikacin administration and dosage, amikacin pharmacology, anti bacterial agents administration and dosage, anti bacterial agents pharmacology, anti infective agents administration and dosage, anti infective agents pharmacology, antifungal agents pharmacology, antineoplastic agents administration and dosage, antineoplastic agents pharmacology, aspartate aminotransferases blood, injections, intramuscular, isoenzymes, itraconazole pharmacology, ketoconazole pharmacology, l lactate dehydrogenase drug effects, liver enzymology, quinolones administration and dosage, quinolones pharmacology, reference values.
Revishchin, A.V. and L.J. Garey (1996). Mitochondrial distribution in visual and auditory cerebral cortex of the harbour porpoise. Brain, Behavior and Evolution 47(5): 257-66. ISSN: 0006-8977.
Abstract: The distributions of mitochondria and synapses in two areas of harbour porpoise cerebral cortex were examined by quantitative electron microscopy of sections stained for cytochrome oxidase. The distribution of cytochrome oxidase-positive and total mitochondria in the visual cortex of the lateral gyrus and in the auditory cortex of the temporal operculum was related closely to that of total cytochrome oxidase staining seen by light microscopy in the relevant areas. There were two peaks of mitochondrial numerical density in visual cortex: in layer III and the upper part of layer I. Mitochondrial distribution was more uniform in temporal cortex, where the numbers of mitochondria in layers VI, V and lower I were similar to those in visual cortex, but fewer were present in layers III, II and upper I. The laminar distribution of axodendritic synapses in both cortices was relatively uniform, and there was not such a large difference between the two areas. As large numbers of mitochondria have been described in the layers of cat visual cortex showing dark staining for cytochrome oxidase and receiving thalamic afferent input, we regard our data as suggestive of the existence of two main thalamorecipient zones in cetacean cortex: one in layer III and the other in upper layer I.
Descriptors: auditory cortex metabolism, mitochondria metabolism, mitochondria ultrastructure, synapses ultrastructure, visual cortex metabolism, cats, dolphins, microscopy, electron, synapses metabolism.
Revishchin, A.V. and L.J. Garey (1993). Neuronal morphology in the lateral geniculate nucleus of the porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Journal Fur Hirnforschung 34(1): 25-34. ISSN: 0021-8359.
Abstract: The Golgi and Nissl methods and cytochrome oxidase (CO) histochemistry were used to study the overall structure and neuronal morphology of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the Black Sea porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Differences were observed between dorsal and ventral portions of the nucleus in terms of cell size and CO staining. In addition to prominent fibre bundles crossing the LGN horizontally, vertically oriented variations of CO staining were apparent. Neuronal types in the LGN corresponded broadly to those observed in land mammals. The commonest were variants of multipolar cells, and may represent thalamocortical relay cells. Various other types were probably interneuronal.
Descriptors: dolphins anatomy and histology, geniculate bodies cytology, neurons ultrastructure, axons ultrastructure, dendrites ultrastructure, electron transport complex iv analysis, electron transport complex iv metabolism, histocytochemistry.
Revishchin, A.V. and L.J. Garey (1991). Laminar distribution of cytochrome oxidase staining in cetacean isocortex. Brain, Behavior and Evolution 37(6): 355-67. ISSN: 0006-8977.
Abstract: The distribution of cytochrome oxidase activity was studied in the cerebral cortex of two species of cetaceans, the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena, and the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. Two main patterns of distribution of cytochrome oxidase were detected. The first, characteristic of the visual and auditory cortices of the lateral and suprasylvian gyri, is typified by a peak density in layer III, contrasting with low levels in layers II, V and VI. The second is found in wide areas of the limbic lobe, the insular cortex, the temporal operculum and the occipital cortex. In these regions, distribution of cytochrome oxidase is more uniform, with little difference between layers III, V and VI. A transitional pattern is found in the most dorsal parts of the limbic lobe, the parietal operculum, the ectosylvian gyrus and in orbitofrontal cortex. As areas of high cytochrome oxidase activity have been described in various land mammals to correspond to zones of major excitatory input and, in particular, to characterise the cortical layers that receive thalamocortical afferents, we propose that the thalamocortical input to cetacean sensory cortex, in which a typical layer IV is absent, may be mainly to layer III. This view is supported by the high density of neurons positive for the inhibitory transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid that is also found in layer III of cetacean cortex, another typical feature of thalamocortical recipient zones.
Descriptors: cerebral cortex anatomy and histology, dolphins anatomy and histology, electron transport complex iv metabolism, brain mapping, cell count, cerebral aqueduct anatomy and histology, dominance, cerebral physiology, limbic system anatomy and histology, neurons ultrastructure.
Rhinelander, M.Q. and S.M. Dawson (2004). Measuring sperm whales from their clicks: stability of interpulse intervals and validation that they indicate whale length. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 115(4): 1826-1831. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Multiple pulses can often be distinguished in the clicks of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). Norris and Harvey [in Animal Orientation and Navigation, NASA SP-262 (1972), pp. 397-417] proposed that this results from reflections within the head, and thus that interpulse interval (IPI) is an indicator of head length, and by extrapolation, total length. For this idea to hold, IPIs must be stable within individuals, but differ systematically among individuals of different size. IPI stability was examined in photographically identified individuals recorded repeatedly over different dives, days, and years. IPI variation among dives in a single day and days in a single year was statistically significant, although small in magnitude (it would change total length estimates by <3%). As expected, IPIs varied significantly among individuals. Most individuals showed significant increases in IPIs over several years, suggesting growth. Mean total lengths calculated from published IPI regressions were 13.1 to 16.1 m, longer than photogrammetric estimates of the same whales (12.3 to 15.3 m). These discrepancies probably arise from the paucity of large (12-16 m) whales in data used in published regressions. A new regression is offered for this size range.
Descriptors: Physeter macrocephalus, biometrical techniques, length estimation, use of broadband clicks, acoustic signals, south Pacific, New Zealand, broadband clicks, use in length estimation.
Ribeiro Jr., E.A., W.C. Regis, L. Tasic, and C.H. Ramos (2003). Fast purification of the Apo form and of a non-binding heme mutant of recombinant sperm whale myoglobin. Protein Expression and Purification 28(1): 202-8. ISSN: 1046-5928.
NAL Call Number: QP551.P695818
Abstract: As molecular biology has developed it has become possible to abundantly produce heterologous proteins in bacteria and to design serial amino acid substitutions for the generation of modified proteins, an approach also known as protein engineering. Sperm whale myoglobin, a protein of broad interest, has been cloned for several years now and a large collection of mutants has been produced. The presence of heme stabilizes the protein, which is recovered soluble from the bacterial pellet, and most purification protocols take advantage of this property for myoglobin purification directly from the pellet. However, recovery from the column resin is poor with these methods making them expensive and the procedure for removing heme is laborious and drastic when the apo form of Mb is required. In the case of proteins with severe mutations, which bind heme weakly or do not bind it at all, such methods cannot be employed without massive loss of productivity. Here, we describe a modified method, which is both low cost and rapid, for the purification of the soluble apo form of Mb from Escherichia coli inclusion bodies. Biophysical characterization of the protein after purification shows that the purified apoMb retains its native conformation and is soluble. This modified method is also used for the purification of a non-heme-binding apoMb mutant, demonstrating its efficiency when dealing with drastic mutations.
Descriptors: apoproteins isolation and purification, heme metabolism, mutation genetics, myoglobin genetics, myoglobin isolation and purification, amino acid sequence, apoproteins chemistry, molecular sequence data, myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin metabolism, protein subunits, recombinant proteins chemistry, recombinant proteins isolation and purification, recombinant proteins metabolism, time factors, whales.
Richard, K.R., H. Whitehead, and J.M. Wright (1996). Polymorphic microsatellites from sperm whales and their use in the genetic identification of individuals from naturally sloughed pieces of skin. Molecular Ecology 5(2): 313-5. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: microsatellite repeats, whales genetics, base sequence, DNA primers genetics, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, polymorphism, genetic, skin metabolism.
Ridgway, S.H., T.H. Bullock, D.A. Carder, R.L. Seeley, D. Woods, and R. Galambos (1981). Auditory brainstem response in dolphins. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 78(3): 1943-7. ISSN: 0027-8424.
NAL Call Number: 500 N21P
Abstract: We recorded the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in four dolphins (Tursiops truncatus and Delphinus delphis). The ABR evoked by clicks consists of seven waves within 10 msec; two waves often contain dual peaks. The main waves can be identified with those of humans and laboratory mammals; in spite of a much longer path, the latencies of the peaks are almost identical to those of the rat. The dolphin ABR waves increase in latency as the intensity of a sound decreases by only 4 microseconds/decibel(dB) (for clicks with peak power at 66 kHz) compared to 40 microseconds/dB in humans (for clicks in the sonic range). Low-frequency clicks (6-kHz peak power) show a latency increase about 3 times (12 microseconds/dB) as great. Although the dolphin brainstem tracks individual clicks to at least 600 per sec, the latency increases and amplitude decreases with increasing click rates. This effect varies among different waves of the ABR; it is around one-fifth the effect seen in man. The dolphin brain is specialized for handling brief, frequent clicks. A small latency difference is seen between clicks 180 degrees different in phase--i.e., with initial compression vs. initial rarefaction. The ABR can be used to test theories of dolphin sonar signal processing. Hearing thresholds can be evaluated rapidly. Cetaceans that have not been investigated can now be examined, including the great whales, a group for which data are now completely lacking.
Descriptors: brain stem physiology, dolphins physiology, hearing, acoustic stimulation, oscillometry, species specificity.
Ridgway, S.H. (2002). Asymmetry and symmetry in brain waves from dolphin left and right hemispheres: some observations after anesthesia, during quiescent hanging behavior, and during visual obstruction. Brain, Behavior and Evolution 60(5): 265-274. ISSN: 0006-8977.
Descriptors: Tursiops truncatus, sedation, anesthesia, brain, brain wave pattern, hemispheric asymmetry and symmetry under different conditions, sleep.
Rima, B.K., A.M.J. Collin, and J.A.P. Earle (2005). Completion of the sequence of a cetacean morbillivirus and comparative analysis of the complete genome sequences of four morbilliviruses. Virus Genes 30(1): 113-119. ISSN: 0920-8569.
NAL Call Number: QH434.V57
Descriptors: infection, molecular genetics, biochemistry, morbillivirus, genome sequences, genetic techniques, comparative analysis, Cetacean.
Rima, B.K., R.G.A. Wishaupt, M.J. Welsh, and J.A.P. Earle (1995). The evolution of morbilliviruses: a comparison of nucleocapsid gene sequences including a porpoise morbillivirus. Veterinary Microbiology 44(2-4): 127-134. ISSN: 0378-1135.
NAL Call Number: SF601.V44
Descriptors: morbillivirus, proteins, genes, nucleotide sequence, evolution, cell structure, chromosomes, genomes, nucleus, paramyxoviridae, viruses.
Language of Text: English summary.
Robeck, T.R. and J.K. O'Brien (2004). Effect of cryopreservation methods and precryopreservation storage on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) spermatozoa. Biology of Reproduction 70(5): 1340-8. ISSN: 0006-3363.
NAL Call Number: QL876.B5
Abstract: Research was conducted to develop an effective method for cryopreserving bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) semen processed immediately after collection or after 24-h liquid storage. In each of two experiments, four ejaculates were collected from three males. In experiment 1, three cryopreservation methods (CM1, CM2, and CM3), two straw sizes (0.25 and 0.5 ml), and three thawing rates (slow, medium, and fast) were evaluated. Evaluations were conducted at collection, prefreeze, and 0-, 3-, and 6-h postthaw. A sperm motility index (SMI; total motility [TM] x % progressive motility [PPM] x kinetic rating [KR, scale of 0-5]) was calculated and expressed as a percentage MI of the initial ejaculate. For all ejaculates, initial TM and PPM were greater than 85%, and KR was five. At 0-h postthaw, differences in SMI among cryopreservation methods and thaw rates were observed (P < 0.05), but no effect of straw size was observed. In experiment 2, ejaculates were divided into four aliquots for dilution (1:1) and storage at 4 degrees C with a skim milk- glucose or a N-tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl-2-aminoethane sulfonic acid (TES)-TRIS egg yolk solution and at 21 degrees C with a Hepes-Tyrode balanced salt solution (containing bovine albumin and HEPES) (TALP) medium or no dilution. After 24 h, samples were frozen and thawed (CM3, 0.5-ml straws, fast thawing rate) at 20 x 10(6) spermatozoa ml(-1) (low concentration) or at 100 x 10(6) spermatozoa ml(-1) (standard concentration). The SMI at 0-h postthaw was higher for samples stored at 4 degrees C than for samples stored at 21 degrees C (P < 0.001), and at 6-h postthaw, the SMI was higher for samples frozen at the standard concentration than for samples frozen at the low concentration (P < 0.05). For both experiments, acrosome integrity was similar across treatments. In summary, a semen cryopreservation protocol applied to fresh or liquid-stored semen maintained high levels of initial ejaculate sperm characteristics.
Descriptors: cryopreservation methods, dolphins physiology, semen preservation, spermatozoa physiology, acrosome ultrastructure, ejaculation, sperm count, sperm motility, spermatozoa cytology, spermatozoa ultrastructure, time factors.
Robeck, T.R., A.L. Schneyer, J.F. McBain, L.M. Dalton, M.T. Walsh, N.M. Czekala, and D.C. Kraemer (1993). Analysis of urinary immunoreactive steroid metabolites and gonadotropins for characterization of the estrous cycle, breeding period, and seasonal estrous activity of captive killer whales (Orcinus orca). Zoo Biology 12(2): 173-187.
NAL Call Number: QL77.5.Z6
Descriptors: Cetacea, reproductive physiology, orca, estrus cycle, killer whales, breeding period, urinary, gonadotropins.
Robeck, T.R., K.J. Steinman, S. Gearhart, T.R. Reidarson, J.F. McBain, and S.L. Monfort (2004). Reproductive physiology and development of artificial insemination technology in killer whales (Orcinus orca). Biology of Reproduction 71(2): 650-60. ISSN: 0006-3363.
NAL Call Number: QL876.B5
Abstract: Research was conducted to define the basic reproductive physiology of killer whales (Orcinus orca) and to use this knowledge to facilitate the development of artificial insemination procedures. The specific objectives were 1) to determine the excretory dynamics of urinary LH and ovarian steroid metabolites during the estrous cycle; 2) to evaluate the effect of an exogenously administered, synthetic progesterone analog on reproductive hormone excretion; 3) to validate the use of transabdominal ultrasound for ovarian evaluation and timing of ovulation; 4) to examine the quality of semen after liquid storage and cryopreservation; and 5) to develop an intrauterine insemination technique. Based on urinary endocrine monitoring of 41 follicular phases and 26 complete cycles from five females, estrous cycles were 41 days long and comprised a 17-day follicular phase and a 21-day luteal phase. A consistent temporal relationship was observed between peak estrogen conjugates and the LH surge, the latter of which occurred approximately 0.5 days later. Two animals placed on oral altrenogest (three separate occasions for 30, 17, and 31 days, respectively) excreted peak urinary estrogen concentrations 25 days after withdrawal that were followed by sustained elevations in urinary pregnanediol-3alpha-glucuronide excretion. Mean preovulatory follicle diameter was 3.9 cm (n = 6), and ovulation occurred 38 h (n = 5) after the peak of the LH surge. Based on visual estimates of motility, liquid-stored semen maintained 92% of its raw ejaculate sperm motility index (total progressive motility x kinetic rating [0-5 scale, where 0 = no movement and 5 = rapid progressive movement]) when held at 4 degrees C for 3 days postcollection. Semen cryopreserved using a medium freezing rate demonstrated good postthaw total motility (50%), progressive motility (94%), and kinetic rating (3.5). Insemination during eight estrous cycles resulted in three pregnancies (38%), two from liquid-stored and one from cryopreserved semen. Two calves were delivered after gestation lengths of 552 and 554 days, respectively. These data demonstrate the potential of noninvasive endocrine monitoring combined with serial ultrasonography to improve our understanding of the reproductive biology of cetaceans. This fundamental knowledge was essential for ensuring the first successful conceptions, resulting in live offspring, using artificial insemination in any cetacean species.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, ovarian follicle physiology, ovulation physiology, pregnanediol analogs and derivatives, reproductive techniques, assisted, acrosome, breeding, cryopreservation, estrous cycle physiology, luteinizing hormone urine, ovarian follicle ultrasonography, pregnanediol urine, semen, semen preservation.
Rodriguez, D., R. Bastida, and P.E. Olsson (2002). DNA extraction from formalin fixed franciscana tissues. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals 1(1): 123-128.
Descriptors: Pontoporia blainvillei, extraction techniques, DNA extraction from formalin fixed tissues, genetic techniques.
Rodriguez, M., A. Ayala, S. Rodriguez, F. Rosa, and M. Diaz Gonzalez (2004). Application of the Max-Lloyd quantizer for ECG compression in diving mammals. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine 73(1): 13-21. ISSN: 0169-2607.
NAL Call Number: RA409.5.C62
Abstract: This article presents a practical implementation of an ECG compression algorithm using a Max-Lloyd quantizer, to optimize the low resources of an ECG acquisition and transmission system (telemetry system) for dolphins and human divers. The algorithm scheme is based on a first-order differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) and uses a Max-Lloyd quantizer to code the difference between the current and predicted samples. The use of the non-uniform quantizer instead of a uniform quantizer improves the percent root mean-square difference (PRD), thereby producing a low distortion in the reconstructed signals. Due to its low computational complexity, the compression process can be accomplished on-line during the ECG acquisition process.
Descriptors: algorithms, diving physiology, dolphins physiology, electrocardiography.
Rohlfs, R.J., A.J. Mathews, T.E. Carver, J.S. Olson, B.A. Springer, K.D. Egeberg, and S.G. Sligar (1990). The effects of amino acid substitution at position E7 (residue 64) on the kinetics of ligand binding to sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of Biological Chemistry 265(6): 3168-76. ISSN: 0021-9258.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Abstract: Association and dissociation rate constants were measured for O2, CO, and alkyl isocyanide binding to a set of genetically engineered sperm whale myoglobins with site-specific mutations at residue 64 (the E7 helical position). Native His was replaced by Gly, Val, Leu, Met, Phe, Gln, Arg, and Asp using the synthetic gene and expression system developed by Springer and Sligar (Springer, B. A., and Sligar, S. G. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 8961-8965). The His64----Gly substitution produced a sterically unhindered myoglobin that exhibited ligand binding parameters similar to those of chelated protoheme suspended in soap micelles. The order of the association rate constants for isocyanide binding to the mutant myoglobins was Gly64 (approximately 10(7) M-1 s-1) much greater than Val64 approximately Leu64 (approximately 10(6) M-1 s-1) greater than Met64 greater than Phe64 approximately His64 approximately Gln64 (10(5)-10(3) M-1 s-1) and indicates that the barrier to isocyanide entry into the distal pocket is primarily steric in nature. The bimolecular rates of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and n-butyl isocyanide binding to the His64----Arg and His64----Asp mutants were abnormally high (1-5 x 10(6) M-1 s-1), suggesting that Arg64 and Asp64 adopt conformations with the charged side chains pointing out toward the solvent creating a less hindered pathway for ligand binding. In contrast to the isocyanide data, the association rate constants for O2 and CO binding exhibited little dependence on the size of the E7 side chain. The values for all the mutants except His64----Gln approached or were larger than those for chelated model heme (i.e. approximately 1 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 for O2 and approximately 1 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 for CO), whereas the corresponding rate parameters for myoglobin containing either Gln64 or His64 were 5- to 10-fold smaller. This result suggests that a major kinetic barrier for O2 and CO binding to native myoglobin may involve disruption of polar interactions between His64 and water molecules found in the distal pocket of deoxymyoglobin. Finally, the rate and equilibrium parameters for O2 and CO binding to the His64----Gln, His64----Val, and His64----Leu mutants were compared to those reported previously for Asian elephant myoglobin (Gln-E7), Aplysia limacina myoglobin (Val-E7), and monomeric Hb II from Glycera dibranchiata (Leu-E7).
Descriptors: histidine, myoglobin metabolism, amino acids, kinetics, ligands, myoglobin genetics, protein binding, protein conformation, structure activity relationship, whales.
Rohr, J., M.I. Latz, S. Fallon, J.C. Nauen, and E. Hendricks (1998). Experimental approaches towards interpreting dolphin-stimulated bioluminescence. Journal of Experimental Biology 201(9): 1447-60. ISSN: 0022-0949.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 B77
Abstract: Flow-induced bioluminescence provides a unique opportunity for visualizing the flow field around a swimming dolphin. Unfortunately, previous descriptions of dolphin-stimulated bioluminescence have been largely anecdotal and often conflicting. Most references in the scientific literature report an absence of bioluminescence on the dolphin body, which has been invariably assumed to be indicative of laminar flow. However, hydrodynamicists have yet to find compelling evidence that the flow remains laminar over most of the body. The present study integrates laboratory, computational and field approaches to begin to assess the utility of using bioluminescence as a method for flow visualization by relating fundamental characteristics of the flow to the stimulation of naturally occurring luminescent plankton. Laboratory experiments using fully developed pipe flow revealed that the bioluminescent organisms identified in the field studies can be stimulated in both laminar and turbulent flow when shear stress values exceed approximately 0.1 N m-2. Computational studies of an idealized hydrodynamic representation of a dolphin (modeled as a 6:1 ellipsoid), gliding at a speed of 2 m s-1, predicted suprathreshold surface shear stress values everywhere on the model, regardless of whether the boundary layer flow was laminar or turbulent. Laboratory flow visualization of a sphere demonstrated that the intensity of bioluminescence decreased with increasing flow speed due to the thinning of the boundary layer, while flow separation caused a dramatic increase in intensity due to the significantly greater volume of stimulating flow in the wake. Intensified video recordings of dolphins gliding at speeds of approximately 2 m s-1 confirmed that brilliant displays of bioluminescence occurred on the body of the dolphin. The distribution and intensity of bioluminescence suggest that the flow remained attached over most of the body. A conspicuous lack of bioluminescence was often observed on the dolphin rostrum and melon and on the leading edge of the dorsal and pectoral fins, where the boundary layer is thought to be thinnest. To differentiate between effects related to the thickness of the stimulatory boundary layer and those due to the latency of the bioluminescence response and the upstream depletion of bioluminescence, laboratory and dolphin studies of forced separation and laminar-to-turbulent transition were conducted. The observed pattern of stimulated bioluminescence is consistent with the hypothesis that bioluminescent intensity is directly related to the thickness of the boundary layer.
Descriptors: dinoflagellida physiology, dolphins physiology, luminescent measurements, rheology, dolphins anatomy and histology, swimming, video recording.
Rolland, R.M., K.E. Hunt, S.D. Kraus, and S.K. Wasser (2005). Assessing reproductive status of right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) using fecal hormone metabolites. General and Comparative Endocrinology 142(3): 308-317. ISSN: 0016-6480.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 G28
Abstract: Long-term studies of the endangered North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis, have revealed declining reproductive parameters over the past two decades, threatening recovery of this small population if current trends continue. Little is known about right whale reproductive physiology, and investigating this reproductive decline has been limited by a lack of non-lethal methods for assessing reproductive status (e.g., sexual maturation, ovarian activity, pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive senescence) in free-swimming whales. This paper describes validation of existing radioimmunoassay techniques to study reproduction in right whales by measuring estrogens, progestins, androgens, and their related metabolites in fecal samples. Over the past decade fecal steroid hormone assays have been used to assess reproductive status and function in a wide range of terrestrial wildlife species, but this is the first application of this methodology in wild cetaceans. Analysis of fecal hormone metabolite levels in combination with life history data from photographically identified whales shows that this non-invasive method can be used to determine gender, detect pregnancy and lactation, and to assess age at sexual maturity in right whales and potentially other endangered whale populations.
Descriptors: right whales, reproductive status, assessing, fecal hormones, metabolites, reproductive physiology, radioimmunoassay.
Romanenko, E.V. (1995). Swimming of dolphins: experiments and modelling. Symposia of the Society for Experimental Biology 49: 21-33. ISSN: 0081-1386.
NAL Call Number: 442.9 SO15
Abstract: A critical analysis of the numerous works on dolphin swimming shows that several uncertainties led to incorrect conclusions concerning the estimates of dolphin drag coefficients. Original results on dolphin kinematics and hydrodynamics indicate the existence of a drag-reduction mechanism, caused by the formation of a negative pressure gradient along the body during active swimming. The mathematical model for this mechanism is presented.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, swimming physiology, biophysics, mathematics, models, biological, stress, mechanical.
Romano, T., S.H. Ridgway, and S.N. Haber (1995). The basal ganglia of the white whale, Delphinapterus leucas: a comparative study. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 21: 1-3. ISSN: 0190-5295.
NAL Call Number: QP351.S6
Descriptors: endocrine system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, enzymology, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, methods and techniques, nervous system, neural coordination, acetylcholinesterase, enkephalin, immunohistochemistry, meeting abstract, meeting poster, substance p, tyrosine hydroxylase.
Notes: Meeting Information: 25th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, San Diego, California, USA, 1995.
Romano, T.A., S.Y. Felten, J.A. Olschowka, and D.L. Felten (1994). Noradrenergic and peptidergic innervation of lymphoid organs in the beluga, Delphinapterus leucas: an anatomical link between the nervous and immune systems. Journal of Morphology 221(3): 243-59. ISSN: 0362-2525.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 J826
Abstract: The presence of peptidergic and noradrenergic sympathetic nerve fibers in specific compartments of both primary and secondary lymphoid organs of the rodent is well established. These nerve fibers directly contact lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as vascular and trabecular smooth muscle. We investigated the noradrenergic and neuropeptide-Y innervation of lymphoid organs in the cetacean, Delphinapterus leucas (beluga whale). The spleen, thymus, tonsil, gut-associated lymphoid tissue, and assorted lymph nodes were collected from five belugas, obtained during sanctioned hunts, and processed for catecholamine fluorescence histochemistry and for tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide-Y immunocytochemistry. Innervation studies revealed fluorescent nerve fibers, tyrosine hydroxylase, and neuropeptide-Y positive nerve fibers in parenchymal lymphoid compartments, where they were closely associated with cells of the immune system, and in vascular and trabecular compartments. In lymphoid zones, tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide-Y positive nerve fibers were observed in the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath and marginal zone of the spleen; in the outermost portion of the cortex, the corticomedullary zone, and medulla of the lymph nodes; in the parafollicular zones, and diffuse lymphocyte layer below the epithelium of the tonsil; in the outermost portion of some thymic lobules; and in the lamina propria of the gut. These findings are similar to those described for other mammals and substantiate an anatomical link between the nervous and immune systems in the beluga, whereby central nervous system activity may influence autonomic outflow to lymphoid organs and effect immunologic reactivity.
Descriptors: Cetacea anatomy and histology, lymphoid tissue innervation, nervous system anatomy and histology, neuropeptide y analysis, norepinephrine analysis, immunohistochemistry, lymphoid tissue metabolism, lymphoid tissue ultrastructure, microscopy, electron, nerve endings metabolism, nerve fibers metabolism, nervous system metabolism, neuropeptide y immunology, norepinephrine immunology.
Romano, T.A., S.H. Ridgway, D.L. Felten, and V. Quaranta (1999). Molecular cloning and characterization of CD4 in an aquatic mammal, the white whale Delphinapterus leucas. Immunogenetics 49(5): 376-83. ISSN: 0093-7711.
NAL Call Number: QR184.I4
Abstract: Given the importance of the cell surface recognition protein, CD4, in immune function, the cloning and characterization of CD4 at the molecular level from an odontocete cetacean, the white whale (Delphinapterus leucas), was carried out. Whale CD4 cDNA contains 2662 base pairs and translates into a protein containing 455 amino acids. Whale CD4 shares 64% and 51% identity with the human and mouse CD4 protein, respectively, and is organized in a similar manner. Unlike human and mouse, however, the cytoplasmic domain, which is highly conserved, contains amino acid substitutions unique to whale. Moreover, only one of the seven potential N-linked glycosylation sites present in whale is shared with human and mouse. Evolutionarily, the whale CD4 sequence is most similar to pig and structurally similar to dog and cat, in that all lack the cysteine pair in the V2 domain. These differences suggest that CD4 may have a different secondary structure in these species, which may affect binding of class II and subsequent T-cell activation, as well as binding of viral pathogens. Interestingly, as a group, species with these CD4 characteristics all have high constitutive expression of class II molecules on T lymphocytes, suggesting potential uniqueness in the interaction of CD4, class II molecules, and the immune response. Molecular characterization of CD4 in an aquatic mammal provides information on the CD4 molecule itself and may provide insight into adaptive evolutionary changes of the immune system.
Descriptors: antigens, cd4 genetics, whales genetics, whales immunology, adaptation, biological, amino acid sequence, antigens, cd4 chemistry, base sequence, cloning, molecular, dolphins genetics, dolphins immunology, evolution, molecular, lymphocytes immunology, molecular sequence data, protein structure, secondary, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology, amino acid, species specificity.
Rooney, A.P., D.B. Merritt, and J.N. Derr (1999). Microsatellite diversity in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Heredity 90(1): 228-31. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: The utility of microsatellites for managing captive Tursiops truncatus was investigated. Specifically the level of genetic diversity among the loci examined and their usefulness for resolving paternity was assessed. Overall a relatively low level of genetic variation was found among captive dolphins. In addition, a high percentage of common alleles was found among dolphins belonging to different morphotypes (inshore versus offshore). The implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions are given for the use of genetic markers in captive propagation programs for T. truncatus.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, microsatellite repeats genetics, variation genetics, DNA chemistry, dolphins classification, genomic library, heterozygote, polymerase chain reaction veterinary.
Rosa, C., J.E. Blake, T.M. O'Hara, and V.M. Monnier (2002). Collagen aging in the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Arctic Science Conference Abstracts 53: 193.
Descriptors: integumentary system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, marine ecology, methods and techniques, hplc, high performance liquid chromatography, chromatographic techniques, laboratory techniques, collagen aging, dermal age determination, hydrolyzation, marine mammal aging methods, applied and field techniques, pentosidine extraction, skin sampling, maillard reaction, aging indicators, aging manifestations, extracellular matrix, glycoxidative stress, resiliency, tissue hydration, collagen aging, bowhead whale.
Notes: Meeting Information: 3rd Arctic Science Conference, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA, 2002.
Rosel, P.E., A.E. Dizon, and M.G. Haygood (1995). Variability of the mitochondrial control region in populations of the harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, on interoceanic and regional scales. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52(6): 1210-1219. ISSN: 0706-652X.
NAL Call Number: 442.9 C16J
Abstract: The harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena, experiences a high degree of incidental mortality owing to interactions with commercial fisheries. To properly manage the species, it is necessary to assess levels of inter- and intra-populational variation so that management units can be accurately defined. A portion of the mitochondrial DNA control region was amplified and sequenced to characterize the amount of genetic variation within harbour porpoise populations in the Northeast Pacific, North Atlantic, and Black Sea. In addition, the utility of the control region to discriminate among putative populations of harbour porpoises along the west coast of North America was investigated. The resultant data were analyzed phylogenetically using a neighbor-joining algorithm and statistically for population subdivision using an analysis of variance approach. No shared haplotypes were found among the three ocean basins, and the estimated sequence divergence among them was high. Within the Northeast Pacific, several distinct groupings of haplotypes were found, but no phylogenetic concordance between sequence type and geographic location was found. However, differences in the geographic distributions among and genetic diversity within matrilineal groups, and indications of significant genetic heterogeneity among the sampling locales in the Northeast Pacific argue for management strategies on a regional basis.
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, evolution and adaptation, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, systematics and taxonomy, wildlife management, conservation, fishing industry, incidental mortality, management, phylogeny.
Rosel, P.E., M.G. Haygood, and W.F. Perrin (1995). Phylogenetic relationships among the true porpoises (Cetacea: Phocoenidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 4(4): 463-74. ISSN: 1055-7903.
NAL Call Number: QH367.5.M56
Abstract: Portions of the cytochrome b gene and control region of the mitochondrial DNA molecule were sequenced to investigate systematic relationships among the six extant species of true porpoises, (Cetacea: Phocoenidae). Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences support a close relationship between Burmeister's porpoise, Phocoena spinipinnis, and the vaquita, Phocoena sinus, and the association of these two species with the spectacled porpoise, Australophocaena dioptrica. The latter result is not in concordance with a recent morphological reclassification which groups A. dioptrica with Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli, in the subfamily Phocoenoidinae. The molecular analysis found no support for this grouping. A. dioptrica was originally described as a member of the genus Phocoena, and our results support returning it to that genus at this time. Finally, the data suggest that the tropical species Neophocaena phocaenoides, the finless porpoise, may represent the most basal member of the family. The control region sequences corroborated the relationships among the closely related taxa P. sinus, P. spinipinnis, and A. dioptrica, but were unable to resolve the deeper branches of the tree, probably as a result of a high level of saturation of these sequences.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, phylogeny, amino acid sequence, base sequence, consensus sequence, cytochrome b group genetics, DNA primers genetics, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, dolphins classification, molecular sequence data, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity.
Rosel, P.E. (2003). PCR-based sex determination in odontocete cetaceans. Conservation Genetics 4(5): 647-649. ISSN: 1566-0621.
NAL Call Number: QH75.A1C56
Descriptors: population genetics, population studies, molecular sexing, genetic techniques, laboratory techniques, polymerase chain reaction, behavior, breeding systems, sex determination, sexual dimorphism, social systems, cetaceans.
Rosenbaum, H.C., M.T. Weinrich, S.A. Stoleson, J.P. Gibbs, C.S. Baker, and R. DeSalle (2002). The effect of differential reproductive success on population genetic structure: correlations of life history with matrilines in humpback whales of the gulf of Maine. Journal of Heredity 93(6): 389-99. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: To examine whether demographic and life-history traits are correlated with genetic structure, we contrasted mtDNA lineages of individual humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with sighting and reproductive histories of female humpback whales between 1979 and 1995. Maternal lineage haplotypes were obtained for 323 whales, either from direct sequencing of the mtDNA control region (n = 159) or inferred from known relationships along matrilines from the sequenced sample of individuals (n = 164). Sequence variation in the 550 bp of the control region defined a total of 19 maternal lineage haplotypes that formed two main clades. Fecundity increased significantly over the study period among females of several lineages among the two clades. Individual maternal lineages and other clades were characterized by significant variation in fecundity. The detected heterogeneity of reproductive success has the potential to substantially affect the frequency and distribution of maternal lineages found in this population over time. There were significant yearly effects on adult resighting rates and calf survivorship based on examination of sighting histories with varying capture-recapture probability models. These results indicate that population structure can be influenced by interactions or associations between reproductive success, genetic structure, and environmental factors in a natural population of long-lived mammals.
Descriptors: DNA, mitochondrial genetics, whales genetics, whales physiology, base sequence, fertility, genetics, population, haplotypes, Maine, population density, reproduction, seawater, variation genetics, whales growth and development.
Ross, H.A., G.M. Lento, M.L. Dalebout, M. Goode, G. Ewing, P. McLaren, A.G. Rodrigo, S. Lavery, and C.S. Baker (2003). DNA surveillance: web-based molecular identification of whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Journal of Heredity 94(2): 111-4. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: DNA Surveillance is a Web-based application that assists in the identification of the species and population of unknown specimens by aligning user-submitted DNA sequences with a validated and curated data set of reference sequences. Phylogenetic analyses are performed and results are returned in tree and table format summarizing the evolutionary distances between the query and reference sequences. DNA Surveillance is implemented with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences representing the majority of recognized cetacean species. Extensions of the system to include other gene loci and taxa are planned. The service, including instructions and sample data, is available at http://www.dna-surveillance.auckland.ac.nz.
Descriptors: dna, dolphins genetics, porpoises genetics, whales genetics, databases, genetic, dolphins classification, porpoises classification, software, whales classification.
Ruby, S., L.T. Mendoza, M. Fournier, P. Brousseau, and V. Degas (2003). Reproductive system impairment of mice fed diets containing beluga whale blubber from the St Lawrence estuary and arctic populations. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A 66(11): 1073-85. ISSN: 1528-7394.
Abstract: The toxic potential of naturally relevant mixtures of PCBs and other organohalogens on the reproductive system of C57Bl/6 female mice was assessed. Mice were fed diets in which lipids were replaced by blubber of beluga whales from a highly contaminated population of the Saint Lawrence River, and a less contaminated population from the Arctic Ocean. Ratios of blubber from both sources were mixed in order to perform a dose-response study. Control mice were fed diets for 90 d in which fat was replaced by corn oil or beef tallow. There were no significant effects of diets on body, liver, spleen or thymus weights. Similarly ovulation occurred in all control and experimental groups. However, Graafian follicles from ovaries of mice fed contaminated diets showed abnormal development of oocytes. Cumulus granulosa cells bind normally to the oocyte prior to ovulation and are essential for sperm penetration and fertilization. These cells were absent in both Graafian follicles and ovulated oocytes in the oviduct of all groups fed contaminated diets. Oviducts of these mice revealed evidence of epithelial degeneration. These results suggest the female mouse reproductive system is sensitive to organohalogens and illustrate the toxic potential of contaminant mixtures as found in the less contaminated Arctic population.
Descriptors: adipose tissue chemistry, dietary fats toxicity, ovary drug effects, polychlorinated biphenyls toxicity, water pollutants, chemical toxicity, analysis of variance, arctic regions, diet, fresh water, mice, mice, inbred c57bl, seawater, whales.
Ruggieri, G.D. (1975). Aquatic animals in biomedical research. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 245: 39-56. ISSN: 0077-8923.
NAL Call Number: 500 N484
Descriptors: animals, laboratory, marine biology, Annelida, Arachnida, blood coagulation, diving, Echinodermata, eels physiology, electric organ physiology, fishes immunology, fishes physiology, marine toxins, Mollusca, Pinnipedia blood, Pinnipedia physiology, Porifera, research, seals, earless physiology, shock physiopathology, Urochordata, whales physiology.
Ruiz, C.R.I., D. Gendron, S. Aguiniga, S. Mesnick, and J.D. Carriquiry (2004). Trophic relationships between sperm whales and jumbo squid using stable isotopes of c and n. Marine Ecology Progress Series 277: 275-283. ISSN: 0171-8630.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.S3M32
Descriptors: ecology, fecal analysis, laboratory techniques, isotope analysis, molecular analysis, stomach content, trophic relationship, sperm whale, jumbo squid, sloughed skin samples, alternative method.
Rychel, A.L., T.W. Reeder, and A. Berta (2004). Phylogeny of mysticete whales based on mitochondrial and nuclear data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32(3): 892-901. ISSN: 1055-7903.
NAL Call Number: QH367.5.M56
Abstract: Mysticetes or baleen whales are comprised of four groups: Eschrichtiidae, Neobalaenidae, Balaenidae, and Balaenopteridae. Various phylogenetic hypotheses among these four groups have been proposed. Previous studies have not satisfactorily determined relationships among the four groups with a high degree of confidence. The objective of this study is to determine the relationships among the mysticete whales. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Most species relationships determined using these data were well resolved and congruent. Balaenidae is the most basal group and Neobalaenidae is the second most basal and sister group to the balaenopterid-eschrichtiid clade. In this phylogenetic study, the resolution of Eschrichtiidae with two main lineages of Balaenopteridae was problematic. Some data partitions placed this group within the balaenopterids, and other partitions placed it as a sister taxon to the balaenopterids. An additive likelihood approach was used to determine the most optimal trees. Although it was not found in the combined phylogenetic analyses, the "best" tree found under the additive likelihood approach was one with a monophyletic Balaenopteridae.
Descriptors: phylogeny, whales genetics, base sequence, bayes theorem, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, lactalbumin genetics, likelihood functions, models, genetic, molecular sequence data, sequence analysis.
Sasaki, T., M. Nikaido, H. Hamilton, M. Goto, H. Kato, N. Kanda, L. Pastene, Y. Cao, R. Fordyce, M. Hasegawa, and N. Okada (2005). Mitochondrial phylogenetics and evolution of mysticete whales. Systematic Biology 54(1): 77-90. ISSN: 1063-5157.
NAL Call Number: QH83.S9
Abstract: The phylogenetic relationships among baleen whales (Order: Cetacea) remain uncertain despite extensive research in cetacean molecular phylogenetics and a potential morphological sample size of over 2 million animals harvested. Questions remain regarding the number of species and the monophyly of genera, as well as higher order relationships. Here, we approach mysticete phylogeny with complete mitochondrial genome sequence analysis. We determined complete mtDNA sequences of 10 extant Mysticeti species, inferred their phylogenetic relationships, and estimated node divergence times. The mtDNA sequence analysis concurs with previous molecular studies in the ordering of the principal branches, with Balaenidae (right whales) as sister to all other mysticetes base, followed by Neobalaenidae (pygmy right whale), Eschrichtiidae (gray whale), and finally Balaenopteridae (rorquals + humpback whale). The mtDNA analysis further suggests that four lineages exist within the clade of Eschrichtiidae + Balaenopteridae, including a sister relationship between the humpback and fin whales, and a monophyletic group formed by the blue, sei, and Bryde's whales, each of which represents a newly recognized phylogenetic relationship in Mysticeti. We also estimated the divergence times of all extant mysticete species, accounting for evolutionary rate heterogeneity among lineages. When the mtDNA divergence estimates are compared with the mysticete fossil record, several lineages have molecular divergence estimates strikingly older than indicated by paleontological data. We suggest this discrepancy reflects both a large amount of ancestral polymorphism and long generation times of ancestral baleen whale populations.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, evolution, molecular, phylogeny, whales genetics, base sequence, DNA primers, likelihood functions, models, genetic, molecular sequence data, sequence analysis, DNA, species specificity, whales classification.
Sato, H., T. Hayashi, T. Ando, Y. Hisaeda, T. Ueno, and Y. Watanabe (2004). Hybridization of modified-heme reconstitution and distal histidine mutation to functionalize sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of the American Chemical Society 126(2): 436-7. ISSN: 0002-7863.
NAL Call Number: 381 AM33J
Descriptors: heme analogs and derivatives, histidine chemistry, myoglobin analogs and derivatives, peroxidase chemistry, heme chemistry, heme genetics, heme metabolism, histidine genetics, histidine metabolism, kinetics, mutation, myoglobin genetics, myoglobin metabolism, peroxidase genetics, peroxidase metabolism, whales.
Schaeff, C.M., P.B. Best, V.J. Rowntree, R. Payne, C. Jarvis, and V.A. Portway (1999). Dorsal skin color patterns among southern right whales (Eubalaena australis): genetic basis and evolutionary significance. Journal of Heredity 90(4): 464-71. ISSN: 0022-1503.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 AM3
Abstract: Distribution and inheritance of dorsal skin color markings among two populations of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) suggest that two genes influence dorsal skin color. The grey-morph and partial-grey-morph phenotypes (previously known as partial albino and grey-blaze, respectively) appear to be controlled by an X-linked gene, whereas the white blaze appears controlled by an autosomal gene (recessive phenotype). Calving intervals, calf size, and length of sighting history data suggest that partial-grey-morph, white-blaze, and black cows experience similar levels of reproductive success. Grey-morph cows (XgXg) are rare or absent in the two populations, but this was not unexpected given observed population frequencies of grey-morph males (XgY) and partial-grey-morph females (XGXg). The proportion of partial-grey-morph calves produced by black cows (XGXG) suggests that the reproductive success of grey-morph males was equal to that of black males, however, larger sample sizes are required to determine whether grey-morph males tend to have shorter sighting histories. The reproductive success of white-blaze males appeared similar to that of black males among whales off Argentina. There were significantly fewer white-blaze calves than expected off South Africa, which could be due to white-blaze males experiencing reduced reproductive success or to sighting blases that result in white-marked calves being misidentified as black calves. The relative frequencies of both types of dorsal color markings varied between the South African and Argentinian right whale populations, suggesting limited nuclear gene flow between these populations; analyses using other nuclear markers are under way to confirm the extent of gene flow.
Descriptors: evolution, skin pigmentation genetics, whales genetics, Argentina, genetics, population, sex characteristics, South Africa.
Schaeff, C.M. (2002). Right whale, Eubalaena, molecular ecology. In: C.J. Pfeiffer (Editor), Molecular and Cell Biology of Marine Mammals, Kreiger Publishing Company: Malabar, p. 65-83. ISBN: 1575240629.
Descriptors: Eubalaena, conservation, molecular genetics, population genetics, molecular genetic analyses review, conservation implications.
Schmitz, H.E., H. Atassi, and M.Z. Atassi (1983). Production of monoclonal antibodies to surface regions that are non-immunogenic in a protein using free synthetic peptide as immunogens: demonstration with sperm-whale myoglobin. Immunological Communications 12(2): 161-175. ISSN: 0090-0877.
Descriptors: monoclonal antibodies, production, non-immunogenic, protein, peptide, sperm whale, myoglobin.
Schneyer, A., A. Castro, and D. Odell (1985). Radioimmunoassay of serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the bottlenosed dolphin. Biology of Reproduction 33(4): 844-53. ISSN: 0006-3363.
NAL Call Number: QL876.B5
Abstract: Commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits for human follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were adapted for quantitation of these hormones in serum from bottlenosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Serum samples from over 160 wild and 70 captive animals were assayed in order to determine basal concentrations of FSH and LH in these animals, as well as to detect possible differences between various groups. Mean FSH and LH levels for all animals were 0.22 +/- 0.08 and 0.37 +/- 0.18 ng/ml, respectively. Although wild animals had higher FSH and LH levels than captive ones, the differences were not statistically significant (P less than 0.07). However, both FSH and LH were significantly (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively) elevated in females when compared to males. Adults and peripubescent animals had significantly (P less than 0.01) higher LH levels than did juveniles. Among wild animals, serum concentrations of FSH and LH reflected seasonal differences. Samples obtained in early summer (Gulf of Mexico population) contained significantly (P less than 0.01) higher concentrations of FSH and LH than samples obtained in the fall (Indian River, Florida population). Both FSH and LH were significantly elevated in samples from confirmed pregnant animals as compared to the overall mean and to a sample from a confirmed nonpregnant female. Our observations indicate that these RIAs can reliably detect serum FSH and LH from bottlenosed dolphins and represent the first quantitation of these hormones in cetaceans.
Descriptors: dolphins blood, follicle stimulating hormone blood, luteinizing hormone blood, aging, animals, domestic, animals, wild, radioimmunoassay methods.
Schwabe, C., E.E. Bullesbach, H. Heyn, and M. Yoshioka (1989). Cetacean relaxin. Isolation and sequence of relaxins from Balaenoptera acutorostrata and Balaenoptera edeni. Journal of Biological Chemistry 264(2): 940-3. ISSN: 0021-9258.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Abstract: The tendency toward extremely high variability among relaxins derived from purportedly closely related species has come to an abrupt end with the discovery of quasi-porcine relaxin in the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and the Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni). An aqueous abstract of the corpora lutea of the two baleen whales contained significant amounts of relaxin-like activity as determined by a mouse bioassay and by cross-reactivity with anti-pig relaxin antibodies. The activity could be isolated and purified to homogeneity. Sequence analysis revealed that both whale relaxins differed from each other by about 3 residues, whereas the relaxin of B. edeni differed at only one position from that of pig relaxin. The similarity appears to include even the chain length heterogeneity observed at the C-terminal end of the B chain in porcine relaxin which is produced by a peculiar mode of connecting peptide removal from the pro-hormone. This finding may well represent one of the better documented challenges to the current paradigm of molecular evolution.
Descriptors: Cetacea metabolism, corpus luteum analysis, relaxin isolation and purification, whales metabolism, amino acid sequence, amino acids analysis, chromatography, high pressure liquid methods, chromatography, ion exchange methods, electrophoresis, cellulose acetate methods, macromolecular substances, molecular sequence data, peptide fragments analysis, species specificity.
Scott, E.E. and Q.H. Gibson (1997). Ligand migration in sperm whale myoglobin. Biochemistry 36(39): 11909-17. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: Geminate oxygen rebinding to myoglobin was followed from a few nanoseconds to a few microseconds after photolysis for more than 25 different oxymyoglobin point mutants in the presence and absence of 12 atm of xenon. In all cases, two relaxations were observed: an initial fast phase (half-time 20 ns) and a slower, smaller phase (half-time 0.5-2 micros). Generally, xenon accelerates the fast reaction but slows the slower reaction and diminishes its amplitude. The rates and proportions of the two components and the effects of xenon on them vary widely for different mutants. The locations of specific xenon binding sites [Tilton, R. F., Kuntz, I. D. Jr., and Petsko, G. A. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 2849-2857], the effects of point mutations on the geminate reactions, and molecular dynamics simulations were used to suggest locations in the protein interior occupied by ligands on the nanosecond to microsecond time scale. Photodissociated ligands may occupy xenon site 4 in the distal pocket and xenon site 1 below the plane of the heme. Rebinding from these positions corresponds to the slower geminate phase for O2 rebinding. The rapid geminate component is determined by competition between rebinding from a position closer to the iron atom and escape to solvent or more distant locations in the protein.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, binding sites, ligands, models, chemical, mutagenesis, site directed, myoglobin genetics, myoglobin metabolism, oxygen metabolism, recombinant proteins chemistry, recombinant proteins metabolism, whales, xenon.
Scouloudi, H. (1978). A preliminary comparison of metmyoglobin molecules from seal and sperm whale. Journal of Molecular Biology 126(4): 661-71. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: Cetacea, hemeproteins, metmyoglobin, Pinnipedia, seals, earless, whales, amino acid sequence, models, molecular, protein conformation.
Sezaki, K., Y. Hirosaki, S. Watabe, and K. Hashimoto (1984). Electrophoretic characters of the hybrids between two dolphins Tursiops truncatus and Grampus griseus. Bulletin of the Japanese Soeicty of Scientific Fisheries 50(10): 1771-1776. ISSN: 0021-5392.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 J274
Descriptors: Tursiops, grampus, dolphins, hybrids, electrophoresis, hybrids, electophoretic.
SF604.J342Ishikawa, H., H. Amasaki, H. Dohguchi, A. Furuya, and K. Suzuki (1999). Immunohistological distributions of fibronectin, tenascin, type I, III and IV collagens, and laminin during tooth development and degeneration in fetuses of minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 61(3): 227-232. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: The immunohistological distributions of fibronectin, tenascin, type I, III and IV collagens, and laminin were observed in the tooth buds of fetuses of minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata.Distributions of extracellular matrices (ECMs) examined in this study except for tenascin were generally similar to those of terrestrial mammalian species during development of the tooth bud.Tenascin in the fetuses of minke whale showed characteristic distributions in the dental lamina and the enamel organ in the early tooth developmental stage.In the physiological degeneration stage of tooth bud development, immunoreactivity of the ECMs were very weakly and limitedly detected in the dental papilla and the surrounding mesenchyme.Immunoreactivity of tenascin and type I and III collagens were positively detected in the developing baleen plate germ which was associated with the degenerating tooth bud.These findings suggested that expressions of the ECMs were related to the formation of the tooth bud and baleen plate germ, and that the lack of the ECMs was related to the degeneration of the tooth bud in the fetal minke whale.
Descriptors: whales, fetus, collagen, glycoproteins, scleroproteins, teeth, developmental stages, immunological techniques, histocytological analysis, animal developmental stages, biological analysis, body parts, Cetacea, developmental stages, digestive system, mammals, mouth, proteins, scleroproteins.
Language of Text: English summary.
Shao, Q., M.D. Wilson, C.S. Romanek, and K.A. Hobson (2004). Time series analysis of elemental and isotopic data from biomineralized whale tissue. Environmental and Ecological Statistics 11(3): 323-337. ISSN: 1352-8505.
Abstract: A temporal record of environmental conditions is often contained within accretionary biological tissue. These records can provide knowledge of the environmental conditions that existed at the time the tissue was formed. In this study, we look at trace element concentrations and isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen as contained in baleen from bowhead whales in the eastern and western Arctic Ocean. Time series techniques, including maximum likelihood method and likelihood ratio tests, are applied to analysis of data and inference about their mean structures.
Descriptors: marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, methods and techniques, likelihood ratio test, mathematical and computer techniques, time series analysis, laboratory techniques, environmental condition.
Sharp, G.D. (1981). Biochemical genetic studies, their value and limitations in stock identification and discrimination of pelagic mammal species. In : J. Gordon-Clark (Editor), Mammals in the Seas. General Papers and Large Cetaceans. FAO Advisory Committee on Marine Resources Research, Working Party on Marine Mammals, FAO Fisheries Series, Vol. 3, FAO: Rome (Italy), p. 131-136. ISBN: 92-5-100513-3.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.F66
Descriptors: aquatic mammals, animal genetics, pelagic, identification.
Language of Text: English, Spanish and French summaries.
Shaw, C.N., P.J. Wilson, and B.N. White (2003). A reliable molecular method of gender determination for mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 84(1): 123-128. ISSN: 0022-2372.
NAL Call Number: 410 J823
Descriptors: Mammalia, sexing techniques, DNA use, PCR based method, nucleic acids, physiological and biochemical sex differences, molecular genetics, DNA, PCR based sexing technique.
Shekhovtsova, E.A., E.V. Goraev, V.S. Sivozhelezov, and G.B. Postnikova (2005). [The oxidation of sperm whale, horse, and pig oxymyoglobins, catalyzed by ferrocyanide ions: kinetics and mechanism]. Biofizika 50(1): 39-48. ISSN: 0006-3029.
Abstract: The influence of pH, ionic strength of the solution, and [Fe(CN)6]4- concentration on the rate of oxidation of sperm whale, horse, and pig oxymyoglobins, which is catalyzed by ferrocyanide ions, was studied. These myoglobins have homologous spatial structures and identical redox potentials but differ by the amount of His residues located on the protein surface. The effect of the MbO2 complexing with redox-inactive Zn2+ ion on the reaction rate was also examined. At the equimolar Zn2+ concentration, zinc ions form a stable complex with His119(GH1). It was found that the kinetic behavior of horse MbO2, which lacks His12(A10) substituted for by Gln, is fully analogous to one of sperm whale MbO2, while the oxidation of pig MbO2, three histidines of which, His12, His113(G14), and His116(G17), are replaced by Gln, is strongly inhibited. The mechanism of the catalysis was shown to involve specific binding of [Fe(CN)6]4- to the protein at the His119(GH1) site, which is in accord with the large positive electrostatic potential of this site and the presence here of a cavity large enough to accommodate [Fe(CN)6]4-. The nearby His113 and His116 residiues, which are absent in pig Mb, also play a very important role in the catalysis, because their protonation (especially of the last residue) is most likely responsible for the week oxidation of bound [Fe(CN)6]4- by dissolved oxygen.
Descriptors: ferrocyanides metabolism, myoglobin metabolism, horses, kinetics, oxidation reduction, swine, whales.
Shi, Y. and S. Yokoyama (2003). Molecular analysis of the evolutionary significance of ultraviolet vision in vertebrates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 100(14): 8308-13. ISSN: 0027-8424.
NAL Call Number: 500 N21P
Abstract: Many fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and some mammals use UV vision for such basic activities as foraging, mate selection, and communication. UV vision is mediated by UV pigments in the short wavelength-sensitive type 1 (SWS1) group that absorb light maximally (lambda max) at approximately 360 nm. Reconstructed SWS1 pigments of most vertebrate ancestors have lambda max values of approximately 360 nm, whereas the ancestral avian pigment has a lambda max value of 393 nm. In the nonavian lineage, UV vision in many modern species is inherited directly from the vertebrate ancestor, whereas violet vision in others has evolved by different amino acid replacements at approximately 10 specific sites. In the avian lineage, the origin of the violet pigment and the subsequent restoration of UV pigments in some species are caused by amino acid replacements F49V/F86S/L116V/S118A and S90C, respectively. The use of UV vision is associated strongly with UV-dependent behaviors of organisms. When UV light is not available or is unimportant to organisms, the SWS1 gene can become nonfunctional, as exemplified by coelacanth and dolphin.
Descriptors: color perception genetics, evolution, molecular, opsin genetics, phylogeny, ultraviolet rays, vertebrates physiology, amino acid sequence, amino acid substitution, behavior, animal, color perception physiology, DNA, recombinant genetics, environment, gene deletion, gene duplication, light, molecular sequence data, multigene family, mutagenesis, site directed, opsin chemistry, opsin classification, pseudogenes, sequence alignment, sequence homology, amino acid, species specificity, vertebrates genetics.
Notes: Comment In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2003 Jul 8;100(14):8045-7.
Shimada, H. (2002). Acoustic techniques for assessment of large cetaceans. Aquabiology (Tokyo) 24(1): 63-66; 138. ISSN: 0285-4376.
NAL Call Number: QH90.A1K35
Descriptors: Cetacea, techniques, acoustic techniques, use in assessment of large taxa.
Shimura, E., K. Numachi, K. Sezaki, Y. Hirosaki, S. Watabe, and K. Hashimoto (1986). Biochemical evidence of hybrid formation between the two species of dolphin Tursiops truncatus and Grampus griseus. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 52(4): 725-730. ISSN: 0021-5392.
Descriptors: Tursiops, Grampus, hybrids, isoenzymes, heterozygotes, electrophoresis, analysis, Cetacea, chemical analysis, enzymes, genetics, genotypes, mammals, methods, organic compounds, processing, progeny forms, separating, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Shinohara, M., X. Domingo Roura, and O. Takenaka (1997). Microsatellites in the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus. Molecular Ecology 6(7): 695-6. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, microsatellite repeats, DNA primers, evolution, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, skin chemistry, species specificity, whales genetics.
Shirai, K., T. Sakai, M. Fukuda, and T. Oike (1998). A monoclonal antibody against dolphin lymphocytes (6E9) which recognizes bovine MHC class II antigens. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 60(3): 291-293. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Abstract: A monoclonal antibody, 6E9 established from mice injected with dolphin peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was characterized.In addition to its reactivity against 89.4% of dolphin PBLs, 6E9 reacted with 33.1% of bovine PBLs of which 22% were CD5(+), 11.1% were CD5(-).6E9 recognized a 34 kD protein on the surface of dolphin and bovine PBLs.Analysis of the protein's N-terminal amino acid sequence indicated that 6E9 recognizes bovine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens.These results suggested that 6E9 recognized MHC class II antigens on bovine PBLs.As we have already produced an anti-dolphin MHC class I monoclonal antibody, analysis of immune system using these monoclonal antibodies will advance our understanding of the evolution of the mammalian immune system.
Descriptors: dolphins, lymphocytes, monoclonal antibodies, cattle, major histocompatibility complex, antigens, antibodies, blood, blood cells, bovidae, bovinae, cells, Cetacea, domestic animals, genomes, immunological factors, leukocytes, livestock, mammals, ruminants, useful animals.
Language of Text: English summary.
Shirai, K., T. Sakai, and T. Oike (1998). Molecular cloning of bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) MHC class I cDNA. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 60(10): 1093-1096. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Descriptors: dolphins, molecular cloning, major histocompatibility complex, dna, acids, Cetacea, genetic engineering, genomes, mammals, nucleic acids, nucleic compounds, organic acids.
Language of Text: English summary.
Shiraishi, R., T. Itou, H. Sugisawa, Y. Shioji, T. Endo, and T. Sakai (2002). The respiratory burst activity of bottlenose dolphin neutrophils elicited by several stimulants. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science the Japanese Society of Veterinary Science 64(8): 711-714. ISSN: 0916-7250.
NAL Call Number: SF604.J342
Descriptors: neutrophils, bottlenose dolphin, respiratory, stimulants, burst activity, host defense, bovine, human.
Language of Text: English summary.
Shoji, Y., Y. Inoue, H. Sugisawa, T. Itou, T. Endo, and T. Sakai (2001). Molecular cloning and functional characterization of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) tumor necrosis factor alpha. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 82(3-4): 183-92. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Bottlenose dolphin tumor necrosis factor alpha (doTNF-alpha) cDNA was cloned by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences were determined. The sequence of the cDNA clones shows that doTNF-alpha has an open reading frame of 699bp encoding 233 amino acids. The nucleic acid sequence of doTNF-alpha indicates 90, 88, 87, and 79% similarity with the cattle, pig, human, and mouse TNF-alpha gene, respectively. Based on the analysis of human and mouse TNF-alpha molecules, doTNF-alpha is processed to a mature protein with 157 amino acids. The 233 amino acids precursor has a hydrophobic region that could serve as a transmembrane domain. The recombinant doTNF-alpha expressed in Escherichia coli as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein reacted with anti-human TNF-alpha antibody and exerted cytotoxity to the TNF-alpha sensitive murine cell line L929.
Descriptors: dolphins genetics, dolphins immunology, tumor necrosis factor alpha genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, biological assay, cells, cultured, DNA chemistry, Escherichia coli genetics, mice, molecular sequence data, rna chemistry, rna isolation and purification, random amplified polymorphic DNA technique, recombinant proteins biosynthesis, recombinant proteins genetics, recombinant proteins toxicity, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequence homology, amino acid, tumor necrosis factor alpha physiology, tumor necrosis factor alpha toxicity.
Shu, F., V. Ramakrishnan, and B.P. Schoenborn (1996). High-level expression and deuteration of sperm whale myoglobin. A study of its solvent structure by X-ray and neutron diffraction methods. Basic Life Sciences 64: 309-23. ISSN: 0090-5542.
Abstract: Neutron diffraction has become one of the best ways to study light atoms, such as hydrogens. Hydrogen however has a negative coherent scattering factor, and a large incoherent scattering factor, while deuterium has virtually no incoherent scattering, but a large positive coherent scattering factor. Beside causing high background due to its incoherent scattering, the negative coherent scattering of hydrogen tends to cancel out the positive contribution from other atoms in a neutron density map. Therefore a fully deuterated sample will yield better diffraction data with stronger density in the hydrogen position. On this basis, a sperm whale myoglobin gene modified to include part of the A c11 protein gene has been cloned into the T7 expression system. Milligram amounts of fully deuterated holo-myoglobin have been obtained and used for crystallization. The synthetic sperm whale myoglobin crystallized in P2(1) space group isomorphous with the native protein crystal. A complete X-ray diffraction dataset at 1.5A has been collected. This X-ray dataset, and a neutron data set collected previously on a protonated carbon-monoxymyoglobin crystal have been used for solvent structure studies. Both X-ray and neutron data have shown that there are ordered hydration layers around the protein surface. Solvent shell analysis on the neutron data further has shown that the first hydration layer behaves differently around polar and apolar regions of the protein surface. Finally, the structure of per-deuterated myoglobin has been refined using all reflections to a R factor of 17%.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, protein conformation, crystallization, crystallography methods, crystallography, x ray methods, deuterium, Escherichia coli, isotope labeling, models, molecular, myoglobin biosynthesis, neutrons, recombinant fusion proteins biosynthesis, recombinant fusion proteins chemistry, scattering, radiation, solvents, whales.
Siemann, L.A. (1994). Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation in North Atlantic long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas. Dissertation, Dept. of Biology: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 164 p.
Descriptors: long-finned pilot whales, mitochondrial, DNA, sequence variation, Globicephala melas.
Notes: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 1994.
Silva, R.G. (2004). Assessment of body surface temperature in cetaceans: An iterative approach. Brazilian Journal of Biology 64(3B): 719-724. ISSN: 1519-6984.
Abstract: Heat transfer from skin surface to ambient water is probably the most important aspect of thermal balance in marine mammals, but the respective calculations depend on knowing the surface temperature (TS), the direct measurement of which in free animals is very difficult. An indirect iterative method is proposed for TS prediction in free cetaceans from deep body temperature, swimming speed, and temperature and thermodynamic properties of the water.
Descriptors: Cetacea, physiological techniques, body surface temperature assessment, iterative method, body temperature, body surface temperature.
Smith, J.D., W.E. Shields, and D.A. Washburn (2003). The comparative psychology of uncertainty monitoring and metacognition. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 26(3): 317-39; Discussion 340-73. ISSN: 0140-525X.
Abstract: Researchers have begun to explore animals' capacities for uncertainty monitoring and metacognition. This exploration could extend the study of animal self-awareness and establish the relationship of self-awareness to other-awareness. It could sharpen descriptions of metacognition in the human literature and suggest the earliest roots of metacognition in human development. We summarize research on uncertainty monitoring by humans, monkeys, and a dolphin within perceptual and metamemory tasks. We extend phylogenetically the search for metacognitive capacities by considering studies that have tested less cognitively sophisticated species. By using the same uncertainty-monitoring paradigms across species, it should be possible to map the phylogenetic distribution of metacognition and illuminate the emergence of mind. We provide a unifying formal description of animals performances and examine the optimality of their decisional strategies. Finally, we interpret animals' and humans' nearly identical performances psychologically. Low-level, stimulus-based accounts cannot explain the phenomena. The results suggest granting animals a higher-level decision-making process that involves criterion setting using controlled cognitive processes. This conclusion raises the difficult question of animal consciousness. The results show that animals have functional features of or parallels to human conscious cognition. Remaining questions are whether animals also have the phenomenal features that are the feeling/knowing states of human conscious cognition, and whether the present paradigms can be extended to demonstrate that they do. Thus, the comparative study of metacognition potentially grounds the systematic study of animal consciousness.
Descriptors: attention, awareness, cognition, decision making, problem solving, uncertainty, appetitive behavior, consciousness, discrimination learning, dolphins, Macaca mulatta, mental recall, pattern recognition, visual, personal construct theory, phylogeny, pitch discrimination, psychology, comparative, psychomotor performance, psychophysics, rats, retention psychology, sensory thresholds, species specificity.
Smith, T.G., D.J. St. Aubin and J.R. Geraci (1990). Advances in Research on the Beluga Whale, Delphinapterus Leucas, Canadian Bulletin of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans: Ottawa, 206 p. ISBN: 0660138174.
NAL Call Number: 414.9 C162B no. 224
Descriptors: White whale, research, beluga, advances, Delphinapterus leucas.
Language of Text: French summary.
Sokolov, V.E. and L.V. Stepanova (1995). Prianal'nye zhelezy del'finov. [Dolphin anal glands]. Doklady Akademii Nauk 342(6): 823-6. ISSN: 0869-5652.
NAL Call Number: Q60.D64
Descriptors: anus ultrastructure, dolphins anatomy and histology, anus anatomy and histology, anus metabolism, epithelium metabolism, glycosaminoglycans biosynthesis, lipids biosynthesis, lymphoid tissue ultrastructure, microscopy, electron, protein biosynthesis.
Language of Text: Russian.
Sokolova, O.V. (2004). Some immunological and biochemical indices of the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) during adaptation to the captivity conditions. Doklady Biological Sciences Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR 395: 149-53. ISSN: 0012-4966.
NAL Call Number: 511 P444AEB
Descriptors: adaptation, physiological immunology, zoo animals, blood, immunology, dolphin blood, dolphin immunology, B lymphocytes cytology, B lymphocytes immunology, blood chemical analysis, hematologic tests, lymphocyte count, oceans and seas, Russia, T lymphocytes cytology, T lymphocytes immunology, time factors.
Notes: Biological sciences sections translated from Russian.
Southern, S.O., P.J. Southern, and A.E. Dizon (1988-1989). Molecular characterization of a cloned dolphin mitochondrial genome. Journal of Molecular Evolution 28(1-2): 32-42. ISSN: 0022-2844.
NAL Call Number: QH359.J6
Abstract: DNA clones have been isolated that span the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of the dolphin, Cephalorhynchus commersonii. Hybridization experiments with purified primate mtDNA probes have established that there is close resemblance in the general organization of the dolphin mt genome and the terrestrial mammalian mt genomes. Sequences covering 2381 bp of the dolphin mt genome from the major noncoding region, three tRNA genes, and parts of the genes encoding cytochrome b, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 3 (ND3), and 16S rRNA have been compared with corresponding regions from other mammalian genomes. There is a general tendency throughout the sequenced regions for greater similarity between dolphin and bovine mt genomes than between dolphin and rodent or human mt genomes.
Descriptors: mitochondrial genetics, dolphins genetics, base sequence, cattle genetics, DNA, recombinant, DNA, superhelical genetics, genetic vectors, mice genetics, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, rna, transfer genetics, sequence homology, nucleic acid, species specificity.
Sridhar, V. (1993). Structure-function studies and expression in E.coli of sperm whale myoglobin. Dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry: . 228 p.
Descriptors: structure, function, E. coli, sprem whale, myoglobin.
Notes: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, 1993.
St. Aubin, D.J. and J.R. Geraci (1992). Thyroid hormone balance in Beluga whales, Delphinapterus leucas: dynamics after capture and influence of thyrotropin. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research 56(1): 1-5. ISSN: 0830-9000.
NAL Call Number: SF601.C24
Descriptors: whales, Delphinapterus leucas, blood plasma, l thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyrotropin, hydrocortisone, estuaries, blood chemistry, Manitoba.
St. Aubin, D.J., S.H. Ridgway, R.S. Wells, and H. Rhinehart (1996). Dolphin thyroid and adrenal hormones: circulating levels in wild and semidomesticated Tursiops truncatus, and influence of sex, age, and season. Marine Mammal Science 12(1): 1-13. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Biological and environmental influences on circulating adrenal and thyroid hormones were investigated in 36 wild and 36 semidomesticated Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, matched by age, sex, and time of year when the samples were collected. Serum concentrations of thyroxine (free (fT4) and total (tT4)), triiodothyronine (free (fT3), total (tT3), and total reverse (rT3)), cortisol, and aldosterone were determined by radio-immunoassay. Wild female dolphins had significantly higher levels of tT4, fT4 and fT3, an effect that was possibly related to reproduction and lactation. Semidomesticated females had higher tT3 than their wild counterparts. fT4 declined with age in wild dolphins, whereas rT3 was greatest in the older animals. Cortisol and aldosterone were both higher in wild animals sampled after a variable interval of up to four hours after encirclement by capture net. The pattern of adrenal hormone release suggested a mild stress response. Levels of both adrenal hormones were low in semidomesticated dolphins conditioned to present voluntarily their tails for blood sampling, an approach that appears to yield specimens representative of resting values for these constituents.
Descriptors: aging, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, blood and lymphatics, transport and circulation, climatology, environmental sciences, endocrine system, chemical coordination and homeostasis, systematics and taxonomy, aldosterone, cortisol, serum, stress, thyroxine, triiodothyronine.
St. Laurent, G. and D. Archambault (2000). Molecular cloning, phylogenetic analysis and expression of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) interleukin 6. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 73(1): 31-44. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine produced primarily by the monocytes/macrophages with regulatory effects in hematopoiesis, acute phase response, and multiple aspects of the immune response. IL-6 exerts its activity through its binding to specific high affinity receptors at the surface of target cells. As yet, no molecular data have been reported for the beluga whale IL-6. In this study, we cloned and determined the entire beluga whale IL-6-encoding cDNA sequence by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) sequencing, and analysed its genetic relationship with those from several mammalian species including human, rodent, ruminant, carnivore and other marine species. The identity levels of beluga whale IL-6 nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences with those from these mammalian species ranged from 62.3 to 97.3%, and 42.9 to 95.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences showed that the beluga whale IL-6 was most closely related to that of the killer whale. Thereafter, beluga whale IL-6-encoding sequence was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli by using the pTHIOHisA expression vector for the production of a recombinant fusion protein. The immunogenicity of the recombinant fusion protein was then confirmed as determined by the production of a beluga whale IL-6-specific rabbit antiserum.
Descriptors: Delphinapterus leucas, interleukin 6, phylogenetics, gene expression, genes, cytokines, binding, receptors, complementary dna, nucleotide sequences, polymerase chain reaction, amino acid sequences, recombinant proteins, Escherichia coli, immune serum, molecular sequence data, genbank, af076643.
St. Laurent, G., C. Beliveau, and D. Archambault (1999). Molecular cloning and phylogenetic analysis of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) interleukin 2. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 67(4): 385-394. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Abstract: Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a lymphokine produced by activated T helper lymphocytes which exerts immunoregulatory effects on a variety of immune cells, including T cells, activated B cells, natural killer cells, and lymphokine-activated killer cells. In this study, we cloned and determined the entire beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) IL-2-encoding cDNA sequences, and analysed their genetic relationships with those from several mammalian species obtained from the Genbank Database. The encoding nucleic acid sequences of beluga whale and grey seal IL-2 were 465 and 468 bp in length, respectively. The identity levels of IL-2 nucleic and deduced amino acid sequences from the beluga whale and grey seal with those from the other mammalian species, ranged from 59.9% to 89.5%, and 52.9% to 77.3%, and from 61.1% to 93.2%, and 58.7% to 88.4%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on both nucleic and amino acid sequences showed that the beluga whale IL-2 was closely related to that of the ruminant species, which includes the bovine, while the grey seal IL-2 was closely related to that of the canine.
Descriptors: Delphinapterus leucas, seals, Interleukin 2, phylogenetics, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, complementary DNA, nucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, molecular sequence data, Genbank, af072870, Genbank, af072871.
Stanton, J.B., C.C. Brown, S. Poet, T.P. Lipscomb, J. Saliki, and S. Frasca Jr. (2004). Retrospective differentiation of canine distemper virus and phocine distemper virus in phocids. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 40(1): 53-59. ISSN: 0090-3558.
NAL Call Number: 41.9 W64B
Abstract: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from one Caspian seal (Phoca caspica), one harp seal (Phoca groenlandica), one hooded seal (Cystophora cristata), and one harbor seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) were used to compare the utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) versus that of a novel seminested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect and differentiate canine distemper virus (CDV) and phocine distemper virus (PDV). Four antibodies made against PDV were able to detect both viruses. Two antibodies made against cetacean morbillivirus (CMV) did not label antigens from either CDV or PDV A third anti-CMV antibody inconsistently stained CDV antigens but did not label PDV antigens. The seminested RT-PCR was able to detect RNA of the phosphoprotein gene in all positive cases. Nucleotide sequence analyses of seminested RT-PCR products were used to differentiate CDV RNA from PDV RNA. From these data, it was determined that IHC using antibodies generated against PDV provided a rapid means of detection for both CDV and PDV antigens; however, differentiation between CDV and PDV was achieved only with the RT-PCR assay.
Descriptors: Cystophora cristata, Phoca groenlandica, Phoca vitulina vitulina diagnostic techniques, viral diseases, phocine distemper virus and canine distemper virus, detection assays development and virus differentiation ability, north Atlantic, virual disease detection assays development and virus differentiation ability.
Stewart, J.M., J.A. Blakely, P.A. Karpowicz, E. Kalanxhi, B.J. Thatcher, and B.M. Martin (2004). Unusually weak oxygen binding, physical properties, partial sequence, autoxidation rate and a potential phosphorylation site of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) myoglobin. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 137(3): 401-12. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Abstract: We purified myoglobin from beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) muscle (longissimus dorsi) with size exclusion and cation exchange chromatographies. The molecular mass was determined by mass spectrometry (17,081 Da) and the isoelectric pH (9.4) by capillary isoelectric focusing. The near-complete amino acid sequence was determined and a phylogeny indicated that beluga was in the same clad as Dall's and harbor porpoises. There were consensus motifs for a phosphorylation site on the protein surface with the most likely site at serine-117. This motif was common to all cetacean myoglobins examined. Two oxygen-binding studies at 37 degrees C indicated dissociation constants (20.5 and 23.6 microM) 5.7-6.6 times larger than horse myoglobin (3.6 microM). The autoxidation rate of beluga myoglobin at 37 degrees C, pH 7.2 was 0.218+/-0.028 h(-1), 1/3 larger than reported for myoglobin of terrestrial mammals. There was no clear sequence change to explain the difference in oxygen binding or autoxidation although substitutions (N66 and T67) in an invariant rich sequence (HGNTV) distal to the heme may play a role. Structural models based on the protein sequence and constructed on topologies of known templates (horse and sperm whale crystal structures) were not adequate to assess perturbation of the heme pocket.
Descriptors: myoglobin chemistry, myoglobin metabolism, oxygen metabolism, whales metabolism, amino acid sequence, binding sites, myoglobin genetics, phosphorylation, phylogeny, sequence alignment.
Supin, A.Y., V.V. Popov, and V.O. Klishin (1993). ABR frequency tuning curves in dolphins. Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology 173(5): 649-56. ISSN: 0340-7594.
NAL Call Number: QP33.J68
Abstract: Tone-tone masking was used to determine auditory brain-stem response tuning curves in dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in a simultaneous-masking paradigm. The Q10 of the curves was as large as 16-19 in the frequency range 64-128 kHz. In the range 45-16 kHz, Q10 decreased proportionally to the frequency with the bandwidth of the curves being constant, about 3.5-4 kHz at the 10-dB level. Tuning curves below 45 kHz are supposed to reflect broad spectral bandwidth of the probe's effective part which is no longer than 0.5 ms, irrespective of actual probe duration. Tuning curves above 64 kHz are supposed to reflect the real frequency tuning of the dolphin's auditory system.
Descriptors: auditory perception physiology, brain stem physiology, dolphins physiology, acoustic stimulation, perceptual masking.
Suyama, M., Y. Izumi, and M. Namekawa (1977). Amino acid composition of whale muscle protein. Journal of the Tokyo University of Fisheries 63(2): 181-188. ISSN: 0040-9014.
Descriptors: whale muscle, protein, amino acid, composition.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Suyama, M., T. Suzuki, and A. Yamamoto (1977). Free amino acids and related compounds in whale muscle tissue. Journal of the Tokyo University of Fisheries 63(2): 189-196. ISSN: 0040-9014.
Descriptors: free amino acids, whale, muscle tissue, related compounds.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Sweeney, J.C. and M.L. Reddy (2001). Cetacean cytology. In: L.A. Dierauf and F. Gulland (Editors), CRC Handbook of Marine Mammal Medicine, Second edition, CRC Press: Boca Raton, London, p. 437-448. ISBN: 0849308399.
NAL Call Number: SF997.5.M35C73 2001
Descriptors: Cetacea, cytological techniques, diagnostic techniques, cytology.
Swenshon, M. (1997). Identifizierung Und Weitergehende Charakterisierung Beta -Hamolysierender Streptokokken Isoliert Von Schweinswalen Aus Nord- Und Ostsee. [Identification and Properties of Beta-Haemolytic Streptococci From Common Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) From the North Sea and the Baltic Sea], 130 p.
Descriptors: wild animals, bacterial diseases, identification, characterization, Cetacea, Streptococcus, Phocoena.
Language of Text: German with English summary.
Taboy, C.H., C. Bonaventura and A.L. Crumbliss (2002). Anaerobic oxidations of myoglobin and hemoglobin by spectroelectrochemistry. In: C.K. San and L. Packer (Editors), Redox Cell Biology and Genetics, Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 353, Academic Press: San Diego, CA, p. 187-209.
NAL Call Number: QP601.M49 v. 352-353
Descriptors: electrochemistry instrumentation, electrochemistry methods, hemoglobins metabolism, myoglobin metabolism, anaerobiosis, electrodes, hemoglobins chemistry, kinetics, myoglobin chemistry, oxidation reduction, spectrophotometry instrumentation, spectrophotometry methods, whales.
Taddei, F., V. Scarcelli, G. Frenzilli, and M. Nigro (2001). Genotoxic hazard of pollutants in cetaceans: DNA damage and repair evaluated in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by the Comet Assay. Marine Pollution Bulletin 42(4): 324-8. ISSN: 0025-326X.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Abstract: Single cell gel electrophoresis (or Comet Assay) was used for evaluation of the in vitro genotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide (used as a positive control), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (Aroclor 1254) and methyl mercury chloride, in isolated bottlenose dolphin leukocytes. Results showed that hydrogen peroxide and methyl mercury induced DNA strand breakage in a dose-dependent manner, while PCBs did not induce a clear dose-effect response at the low doses investigated. Efficiency in repairing DNA breakage induced by methyl mercury was also evaluated. Findings demonstrated that dolphin cells are characterized by higher efficiency in DNA repair when compared to human leukocytes. The observed resistance to methyl mercury toxicity in dolphins was hypothesized to be a defence strategy developed to combat high dietary exposure and compensate for limited capacity to excrete persistent pollutants.
Descriptors: DNA damage, DNA repair, dolphins genetics, dolphins physiology, methylmercury compounds toxicity, polychlorinated biphenyls toxicity, comet assay, hydrogen peroxide toxicity, oxidants toxicity, water pollutants, chemical toxicity.
Takano, T. (1977). Structure of myoglobin refined at 2-0 A resolution. I. Crystallographic refinement of metmyoglobin from sperm whale. Journal of Molecular Biology 110(3): 537-68. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: Cetacea, myoglobin, whales, amino acid sequence, electrons, heme, models, molecular, x ray diffraction.
Takano, T. (1977). Structure of myoglobin refined at 2-0 A resolution. II. Structure of deoxymyoglobin from sperm whale. Journal of Molecular Biology 110(3): 569-84. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: Cetacea, myoglobin, whales, heme, iron, models, molecular, molecular weight, x ray diffraction.
Tamura Takahashi, H. and N. Ui (1977). Purification and properties of four biologically active components of whale luteinizing hormone. Journal of Biochemistry 81(4): 1155-1160. ISSN: 0021-924X.
NAL Call Number: 385 J822
Descriptors: luteinizing hormone, whale, biologically active, components, properties, purification.
Language of Text: English summary.
Tanabe, S., P. Kumaran, H. Iwata, R. Tatsukawa, and N. Miyazaki (1996). Enantiomeric ratios of alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane in blubber of small cetaceans. Marine Pollution Bulletin 32(1): 27-31.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Descriptors: side effects, chemical structure, insecticides, residues, pesticides, gas chromatography, analytical methods, metabolism, marine areas, Cetacea, hch, agricultural chemicals, analytical methods, chemicophysical properties, chromatography, mammals, pesticides, nontarget effects, phocoenoides, Phocoenoides dalli.
Tanabe, S., B. Madhusree, A.A. Ozturk, R. Tatsukawa, N. Miyazaki, E. Ozdamar, O. Aral, O. Samsun, and B. Ozturk (1997). Isomer-specific analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from the Black Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin 34(9): 712-720.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Descriptors: Black Sea, polychlorinated biphenyls, Phocoena, toxicity, poisoning, aromatic compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, hydrocarbons, marine areas, organic halogen compounds, organochlorine compounds.
Tanaka, S. (1987). Satellite radio tracking of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 53(8): 1327-1338. ISSN: 0021-5392.
Descriptors: Tursiops, movement, remote sensing, radio, identification, audiovisual aids, Cetacea, documentation, information flow, information science, mammals, mass media, methods, physiological functions, public relations, teaching, teaching materials, telecommunications, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Tanaka, S., K. Takao, and N. Kato (1987). Tagging techniques for bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. Bulletin of the Japanese Society of Scientific Fisheries 53(8): 1317-1325. ISSN: 0021-5392.
Descriptors: Tursiops, identification, labelling, freezing, visibility, radio, remote sensing, lesions, audiovisual aids, Cetacea, documentation, ergonomic factors, information flow, information science, injurious factors, mammals, mass media, methods, processing, public relations, teaching, teaching materials, telecommunications, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English and Japanese summaries.
Tanner, J.W., J.S. Johansson, P.A. Liebman, and R.G. Eckenhoff (2001). Predictability of weak binding from X-ray crystallography: inhaled anesthetics and myoglobin. Biochemistry 40(16): 5075-80. ISSN: 0006-2960.
NAL Call Number: 381 B523
Abstract: Xenon and dichloromethane are inhalational anesthetic agents whose binding to myoglobin has been demonstrated by X-ray crystallography. We explore the thermodynamic significance of such binding using differential scanning calorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and hydrogen-tritium exchange measurements to study the effect of these agents on myoglobin folding stability. Though specific binding of these anesthetics might be expected to stabilize myoglobin against unfolding, dichloromethane actually destabilized myoglobin at all examined concentrations of this anesthetic (15, 40, and 200 mM). On the other hand, xenon (1 atm) stabilized myoglobin. Thus, dichloromethane and xenon have opposite effects on myoglobin stability despite localization in comparably folded X-ray crystallographic structures. These results suggest a need for solution measurements to complement crystallography if the consequences of weak binding to proteins are to be appreciated.
Descriptors: anesthetics, inhalation chemistry, crystallography, x ray methods, methylene chloride chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, calorimetry, differential scanning, circular dichroism, horses, hydrogen chemistry, protein binding, protein folding, recombinant proteins chemistry, thermodynamics, tritium chemistry, whales, xenon chemistry.
Taylor, B.C., R.M. Brotheridge, D.A. Jessup, and J.L. Stott (2002). Measurement of serum immunoglobulin concentration in killer whales and sea otters by radial immunodiffusion. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 89(3-4): 187-95. ISSN: 0165-2427.
NAL Call Number: SF757.2.V38
Descriptors: dolphins blood, dolphins immunology, immunodiffusion methods, immunoglobulin G blood, otters blood, otters immunology, wild animals, zoo animals, antibody specificity, immunoelectrophoresis, immunoglobulin G isolation and purification, rabbits, reproducibility of results, sensitivity and specificity.
Teramitsu, I., Y. Yamamoto, I. Chiba, H. Iwata, S. Tanabe, Y. Fujise, A. Kazusaka, F. Akahori, and S. Fujita (2000). Identification of novel cytochrome P450 1A genes from five marine mammal species. Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) 51(2): 145-53. ISSN: 0166-445X.
NAL Call Number: QH541.5.W3A6
Abstract: Marine mammals, being endangered by the chronic exposure of hydrophobic environmental contaminants as an assorting result of global pollution, are especially focused as indicators for organochlorine pollution. The use of contaminant-induced xenobiotic metabolizers, particularly P450 (CYP) 1A, in marine mammals can be effective as potential biomarkers of the contaminant exposure and/or toxic effects. In this study, we identified the first marine mammalian CYPs. Six novel CYP1A cDNA fragments were cloned from the livers of marine mammal species, minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), largha seal (Phoca largha), and ribbon seal (Phoca fasciata) by the method of reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR); two distinct fragments were from steller sea lion and one fragment each was obtained from the other species. Five of the fragments, one from each species, were classified in the subfamily of CYP1A1, and the other fragment cloned from steller sea lion was designated CYP1A2. Degenerate PCR primers were used to amplify the fragments from liver cDNAs. The deduced amino acid sequences of these fragment CYP1As showed identities ranging from 50.0 to 94.3% with other known vertebrate CYPs in the subfamily of CYP1A, including those from fish, chicken, and terrestrial mammals. The isolated fragments were used to construct a molecular phylogeny, along with other vertebrate CYP1A cDNAs cut down in size to the corresponding region of 265 bp in which those newly determined fragments were cloned. This phylogenetic analysis by the maximum parsimony method using the PHYLIP program suggests two distinct evolutional pathways for aquatic mammalian CYP1As, compatible to a conservative taxonomy. Pinniped genes are clustered together with dog gene, forming a carnivore group, and cetaceans form another branch. Identification of CYP1A genes in marine mammals will be an introductory step to provide new insights into the metabolic or toxicological functions of CYP1As in these animals.
Descriptors: cytochrome P 450 enzyme system genetics, porpoises physiology, seals, earless physiology, whales genetics, amino acid sequence, base sequence, conserved sequence, isoenzymes metabolism, molecular sequence data, oligonucleotides chemistry, RNA biosynthesis, RNA isolation and purification, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.
Theriault, Y., T.C. Pochapsky, C. Dalvit, M.L. Chiu, S.G. Sligar, and P.E. Wright (1994). 1H and 15N resonance assignments and secondary structure of the carbon monoxide complex of sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of Biomolecular NMR 4(4): 491-504. ISSN: 0925-2738.
Abstract: Sequence-specific backbone 1H and 15N resonance assignments have been made for 95% of the amino acids in sperm whale myoglobin, complexed with carbon monoxide (MbCO). Many assignments for side-chain resonances have also been obtained. Assignments were made by analysis of an extensive series of homonuclear 2D spectra, measured with unlabeled protein, and both 2D and 3D 1H-15N-correlated spectra obtained from uniformly 15N-labeled myoglobin. Patterns of medium-range NOE connectivities indicate the presence of eight helices in positions that are very similar to those found in the crystal structures of sperm whale myoglobin. The resonance assignments of MbCO form the basis for determination of the solution structure and for hydrogen-exchange measurements to probe the stability and folding pathways of myoglobin. They will also form a basis for assignment of the spectra of single-site mutants with altered ligand-binding properties.
Descriptors: magnetic resonance spectroscopy, myoglobin chemistry, amino acid sequence, carbon monoxide chemistry, hydrogen, molecular sequence data, nitrogen isotopes, protein structure, secondary, recombinant fusion proteins chemistry, whales blood.
Thiemann, G.W., S.M. Budge, and S.J. Iverson (2004). Determining blubber fatty acid composition: a comparison of in situ direct and traditional methods. Marine Mammal Science 20(2): 284-295. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Fatty acids (FAs) are used to make inferences about the foraging behavior and diets of free-ranging marine mammals. However, several methods are currently available for determining the FA composition of blubber and these methods may produce different results. We compared in situ direct transesterification methods, where a small amount of tissue is sampled, with more traditional methods involving prior lipid extraction of the entire sample of interest. Using gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) and beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) blubber, we found that when the direct in situ method was used on a 2-mg sample of blubber, the resulting FA profile differed significantly from that produced when traditional full-extraction methods were employed. Regardless of where the small spot sample was taken within the blubber depth, it was not representative of the entire blubber FA composition, as blubber is non-homogeneous throughout its depth. We also modified the in situ direct method to allow analysis of the entire blubber layer. Results of this full-layer direct method compared quite favorably with traditional extraction methods and may provide a reasonable alternative for analyses. Although application of our full-layer direct method will require further verification in certain marine mammal blubber samples, we conclude that the large differences obtained when using the direct method are not a consequence of the chemical method itself. Rather, they arise from non-representative sampling of the blubber FA composition.
Descriptors: Halichoerus grypus Delphinapterus leucas, characterization techniques, blubber fatty acid composition determination, in situ direct and traditional methods comparison, lipids, fatty acids, dermis, blubber.
Thode, A. (2004). Tracking sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) dive profiles using a towed passive acoustic array. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 116(1): 245-53. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: A passive acoustic method is presented for tracking sperm whale dive profiles, using two or three hydrophones deployed as either a vertical or large-aperture towed array. The relative arrival times between the direct and surface-reflected acoustic paths are used to obtain the ranges and depths of animals with respect to the array, provided that the hydrophone depths are independently measured. Besides reducing the number of hydrophones required, exploiting surface reflections simplifies automation of the data processing. Experimental results are shown from 2002 and 2003 cruises in the Gulf of Mexico for two different towed array deployments. The 2002 deployment consisted of two short-aperture towed arrays separated by 170 m, while the 2003 deployment placed an autonomous acoustic recorder in tandem with a short-aperture towed array, and used ship noise to time-align the acoustic data. The resulting dive profiles were independently checked using single-hydrophone localizations, whenever multipath reflections from the ocean bottom could be exploited to effectively create a large-aperture vertical array. This technique may have applications for basic research and for real-time mitigation for seismic airgun surveys.
Descriptors: acoustics, diving, whales physiology, oceans and seas, sound, vocalization, animal physiology.
Thode, A., D.K. Mellinger, S. Stienessen, A. Martinez, and K. Mullin (2002). Depth-dependent acoustic features of diving sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 112(1): 308-21. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: Three-dimensional dive trajectories of three sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico have been obtained by measuring the relative arrival times and bearings of the animals' acoustic multipath reflections, using two elements of a towed hydrophone array deployed at an unknown depth and orientation. Within the first 6-12 min of the start of a dive, the intervals between successive "clicks" of all three whales corresponded closely with the two-way travel time of an acoustic pulse traveling vertically between the animals' position and the ocean bottom. The click spectra contained multiple peaks, including a faint band of energy originally centered near 10 kHz. As the animals descended over 500 m in depth, the center frequency of this band shifted to nearly 15 kHz, but subsequently remained near this value during the rest of the dive. This frequency shift is consistent with that expected from energy scattering from an ensemble of incompressible small-scale air-filled resonators, with diameters on the order of 4 mm. One possible candidate for such an ensemble is proposed to reside in the collapsed frontal sac of the animal. A comparison of the received levels for the bottom and direct multipath arrivals indicates that the whales' acoustic directivity must range between 10-30 dB in the 5-20-kHz region.
Descriptors: acoustics, diving, echolocation, models, biological, oceans and seas, whales.
Thomas, R.E., K.M. Fristrup, and P.L. Tyack (2002). Linking the sounds of dolphins to their locations and behavior using video and multichannel acoustic recordings. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 112(4): 1692-701. ISSN: 0001-4966.
Abstract: It is difficult to attribute underwater animal sounds to the individuals producing them. This paper presents a system developed to solve this problem for dolphins by linking acoustic locations of the sounds of captive bottlenose dolphins with an overhead video image. A time-delay beamforming algorithm localized dolphin sounds obtained from an array of hydrophones dispersed around a lagoon. The localized positions of vocalizing dolphins were projected onto video images. The performance of the system was measured for artificial calibration signals as well as for dolphin sounds. The performance of the system for calibration signals was analyzed in terms of acoustic localization error, video projection error, and combined acoustic localization and video error. The 95% confidence bounds for these were 1.5, 2.1, and 2.1 m, respectively. Performance of the system was analyzed for three types of dolphin sounds: echolocation clicks, whistles, and burst-pulsed sounds. The mean errors for these were 0.8, 1.3, and 1.3 m, respectively. The 95% confidence bound for all vocalizations was 2.8 m, roughly the length of an adult bottlenose dolphin. This system represents a significant advance for studying the function of vocalizations of marine animals in relation to their context, as the sounds can be identified to the vocalizing dolphin and linked to its concurrent behavior.
Descriptors: behavior, animal physiology, sound localization physiology, videotape recording, vocalization, animal physiology, acoustics, dolphins.
Thomsen, F., D. Franck, and J.K. Ford (2002). On the communicative significance of whistles in wild killer whales (Orcinus orca). Naturwissenschaften 89(9): 404-7. ISSN: 0028-1042.
NAL Call Number: 474 N213
Abstract: Killer whales (Orcinus orca) use pulsed calls and whistles in underwater communication. Unlike pulsed calls, whistles have received little study and thus their function is poorly known. In this study, whistle activities of groups of individually known killer whales were compared quantitatively across behavioural categories. Acoustic recordings and simultaneous behavioural observations were made of northern resident killer whales off Vancouver Island in 1996 and 1997. Whistles were produced at greater rates than discrete calls during close-range behavioural activities than during long-range activities. They were the predominant sound-type recorded during socializing. The number of whistles per animal per minute was significantly higher during close-range behavioural activities than during long-range activities. Evidently, whistles play an important role in the close-range acoustic communication in northern resident killer whales.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, vocalization, animal, animals, wild, British Columbia, feeding behavior, motor activity, Pacific Islands, social behavior.
Tilley, R.E., G.D. Kemp, and A.J. Hall (2003). Cryostorage of hepatic microsomes from two marine mammal species: effects on cytochrome P450-monooxygenase activities and content. Marine Pollution Bulletin 46(5): 654-8. ISSN: 0025-326X.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Descriptors: cryopreservation methods, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system analysis, microsomes, liver enzymology, cryoprotective agents pharmacology, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system pharmacology, glycerol pharmacology, porpoises, postmortem changes, reproducibility of results, seals, earless, specimen handling.
Tornero, V., A. Borrell, A. Aguilar, R.S. Wells, J. Forcada, T.K. Rowles, and P.J. Reijnders (2005). Effect of organochlorine contaminants and individual biological traits on blubber retinoid concentrations in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Environmental Monitoring 7(2): 109-14. ISSN: 1464-0325.
Abstract: Here we assessed retinoids as biomarkers of contaminant exposure by studying whether the sex, age, lipid content and organochlorine concentrations of bottlenose dolphins induced variation in retinoid status and its deposition in blubber. Blubber samples were collected from 47 individuals of known age and gender from Sarasota Bay in June 2000 and 2001. The sample included a representative cross-section of the resident dolphin community, with ages ranging from 2 to 50 years. Organochlorine levels showed the age- and sex-related variation commonly observed in other species, with concentrations increasing in youngsters of both sexes and in adult males, and decreasing in adult females after the onset of maturity. Blubber lipid content was low in the overall population and significantly decreased with age in adult males. Retinoid blubber concentrations were comparable to other odontocete species previously studied, and were strongly determined by lipid content. As a consequence of the latter, retinoid concentration was observed to decrease with age in adult males. This effect could not be statistically dissociated from the negative correlation observed between levels of organochlorines and retinoid blubber concentration. Consequently, we could not clarify whether high organochlorine loads in this population lowered retinoid concentrations or, conversely, whether depleted lipid reserves were indeed responsible for the high organochlorine concentrations and the low retinoid levels detected in blubber. With the current knowledge, both options should be considered and investigated, with initial focus on male dolphins.
Descriptors: biological markers analysis, dolphins physiology, hydrocarbons, chlorinated pharmacology, retinoids pharmacokinetics, water pollutants, chemical pharmacology, adipose tissue chemistry, age factors, florida, hydrocarbons, chlorinated poisoning, retinoids analysis, sex factors, water pollutants, chemical poisoning.
Tornero, V., A. Borrell, J. Forcada, E. Pubill, and A. Aguilar (2004). Retionoid and lipid patterns in the blubber of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis): implications for monitoring vitamin A status. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 137B(3): 391-400. ISSN: 1096-4959.
NAL Call Number: QP501.C6
Descriptors: dolphins, Delphinus, body fat, retinoids, lipid composition, lipid content, biomarkers.
Trudgett, A., C. Lyons, M.J. Welsh, N. Duffy, S.J. McCullough, and F. McNeilly (1991). Analysis of a seal and a porpoise morbillivirus using monoclonal antibodies. Veterinary Record 128(3): 61. ISSN: 0042-4900.
NAL Call Number: 41.8 V641
Descriptors: morbillivirus, monoclonal antibodies, porpoise, seal.
Tschudin, A., J. Call, R.I. Dunbar, G. Harris, and C. van der Elst (2001). Comprehension of signs by dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Journal of Comparative Psychology 115(1): 100-5. ISSN: 0735-7036.
Abstract: The authors assessed the ability of 6 captive dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to comprehend without explicit training 3 human communicative signs (pointing, directed gaze, and replica). Pointing consisted of indicating the target item with the index finger and a fully extended arm. Directed gaze consisted of orienting the head and eyes toward the target item while the rest of the body remained stationary. The replica signal consisted of holding up an exact duplicate of the target item. On the initial series of 12 trials for each condition, 3 dolphins performed above chance on pointing, 2 on gaze, and none for replica. With additional trials, above chance performance increased to 4 dolphins for pointing, 6 for gazing, and 2 for replica. The replica sign seemed to be the most taxing for them (only 2 dolphins achieved results significantly above chance). Taken together, these results indicate that dolphins are able to interpret untrained communicative signs successfully.
Descriptors: behavior, animal, dolphins psychology, learning, sign language, nonverbal communication psychology, practice psychology.
Tsuchiya, T., H. Tamate, Y. Takahashi, K. Suzuki, and H. Nagai (1983). Enzyme histochemical studies on the parathyroid gland and thyroid C-cells [calcitonin containing cells] in the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Tohoku Journal of Agricultural Research 33(3-4): 146-151. ISSN: 0040-8719.
NAL Call Number: 22.5 T574
Descriptors: dolphins, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, enzymes, cells, calcitonin, anatomy, animal anatomy, animals, aquatic animals, aquatic mammals, aquatic organisms, body parts, Cetacea, endocrine glands, glands, hormones, ISSCAAP group b 63, ISSCAAP groups of species, mammals, organic compounds, peptides, proteins, thyroid hormones, vertebrates.
Language of Text: English summary.
Ukishima, Y., Y. Sakane, A. Fukuda, S. Wada, and S. Okada (1995). Identification of whale species by liquid chromatographic analysis of sarcoplasmic proteins. Marine Mammal Science 11(3): 344-361. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Liquid chromatography (LC) was applied to identify whale species by analyzing water-soluble sarcoplasmic proteins in skeletal muscles. Twenty-five samples from four baleen whale species (fin whale, sei whale, Bryde's whale, and minke whale) and eight toothed whale species (sperm whale, Baird's beaked whale, short-finned pilot whale, Dall's porpoise, northern right whale dolphin, Pacific white-sided dolphin, common dolphin, and striped dolphin) were analyzed. Water-soluble sarcoplasmic proteins were extracted from each sample and analyzed using a UV-VIS spectrophotometric detector at 280 nm and a photodiode array detector. The chromatographic profiles of each sample showed distinctive qualitative and quantitative characteristics for each whale species, making species identification possible. A photodiode array detector was useful for further accurate identification of whale species by obtaining the absorption spectra of separated protein peaks. These results suggest that the LC method is readily applicable to rapid, simple, and reliable identification of whale species.
Descriptors: biochemistry and molecular biophysics, muscular system, movement and support, systematics and taxonomy, absorption spectra, brydes whale, retention time, toothed whale.
Urayama, P., G.N. Phillips Jr., and S.M. Gruner (2002). Probing substates in sperm whale myoglobin using high-pressure crystallography. Structure 10(1): 51-60. ISSN: 0969-2126.
Abstract: Pressures in the 100 MPa range are known to have an enormous number of effects on the action of proteins, but straightforward means for determining the structural basis of these effects have been lacking. Here, crystallography has been used to probe effects of pressure on sperm whale myoglobin structure. A comparison of pressure effects with those seen at low pH suggests that structural changes under pressure are interpretable as a shift in the populations of conformational substates. Furthermore, a novel high-pressure protein crystal-cooling method has been used to show low-temperature metastability, providing an alternative to room temperature, beryllium pressure cell-based techniques. The change in protein structure due to pressure is not purely compressive and involves conformational changes important to protein activity. Correlation with low-pH structures suggests observed structural changes are associated with global conformational substates. Methods developed here open up a direct avenue for exploration of the effects of pressure on proteins.
Descriptors: crystallography methods, myoglobin chemistry, protein conformation, whales, hydrogen ion concentration, models, molecular, myoglobin metabolism, pressure, temperature.
Uskova, E.T., L.N. Momot, R.M. Surkina, S.I. Davidenko, and I.A. Uskov (1975). Izuchenie khimicheskoi prirody glaznykh vydeleniu del'fina Tursiops truncatus. [Chemical nature of lachrymal products in the dolphin Tursiops truncatus]. Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii i Fiziologii 11(4): 371-5. ISSN: 0044-4529.
NAL Call Number: QH345.Z5
Abstract: Studies have been made on carbohydrate-protein complex (the ratio of carbohydrate to protein is equal to 1: 2) in lachrymal products of the dolphin. It was shown that protein component includes 14 amino acids, in which diamino monocarboxylic acids amount to 58%. The ratio of the latter to monoamino dicarboxylic acids is equal to 4.3. Therefore the proteins of lachrymal products are basic ones. This peculiarity of the proteins and the absence of cystein and tryptophan in them indicate that these proteins are represented by histon-like ones, which exhibit high capacity to complex formation. It was demonstrated histochemically, that carbohydrate component of lachrymal reproduct is represented by chondroitin-sulfate B. By thin layer chromatography, neutral monosaccharides (galactose and fucose) were detected, which presumably constitute terminal links of the prosthetic groups.
Descriptors: dolphins metabolism, glycoproteins analysis, lacrimal apparatus secretion, tears analysis, amino acids analysis, dermatan sulfate analysis, fucose analysis, galactose analysis.
Language of Text: Russian.
Valsecchi, E., P. Hale, P. Corkeron, and W. Amos (2002). Social structure in migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Molecular Ecology 11(3): 507-18. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: Although largely solitary, humpback whales exhibit a number of behaviours where individuals co-operate with one another, for example during bubble net feeding. Such cases could be due to reciprocal altruism brought on by exceptional circumstances, for example the presence of abundant shoaling fish. An alternative explanation is that these behaviours have evolved through kin selection. With little restriction to either communication or movement, diffuse groups of relatives could maintain some form of social organization without the need to travel in tight-nit units. To try to distinguish between these hypotheses, we took advantage of the fact that migrating humpback whales often swim together in small groups. If kin selection is important in humpback whale biology, these groups should be enriched for relatives. Consequently, we analysed biopsy samples from 57 groups of humpback whales migrating off Eastern Australia in 1992. A total of 142 whales were screened for eight microsatellite markers. Mitochondrial DNA sequences (371 bp) were also used to verify and assist kinship identification. Our data add support to the notion that mothers travel with their offspring for the first year of the calf's life. However, beyond the presence of mother-calf/yearling pairs, no obvious relatedness pattern was found among whales sampled either in the same pod or on the same day. Levels of relatedness did not vary between migratory phases (towards or away from the breeding ground), nor between the two sexes considered either overall or in the north or south migrations separately. These findings suggest that, if any social organization does exist, it is formed transiently when needed rather than being a constant feature of the population, and hence is more likely based on reciprocal altruism than kin selection.
Descriptors: animal migration, behavior, animal physiology, whales genetics, DNA, mitochondrial, family, gene frequency, genotype, microsatellite repeats, whales physiology.
Varanasi, U., H.R. Feldman, and D.C. Malins (1975). Molecular basis for formation of lipid sound lens in echolocating Cetaceans. Nature (London) 255(5506): 340-343.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Descriptors: echolocating, cetaceans, lipid sound lens, molecular basis, formation.
Verger, J.M., M. Grayon, A. Cloeckaert, M. Lefevre, E. Ageron, and F. Grimont (2000). Classification of Brucella strains isolated from marine mammals using DNA-DNA hybridization and ribotyping. Research in Microbiology 151(9): 797-9. ISSN: 0923-2508.
NAL Call Number: QR1.A55
Abstract: DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the Brucella strains recently isolated from marine mammals belong to the monospecific genus Brucella (more than 77% DNA relatedness). Ribotyping (HindIII rDNA restriction patterns) showed that they may represent a separate subgroup (marine type) specifically associated with marine mammals.
Descriptors: Brucella classification, Brucella isolation and purification, seawater, deoxyribonuclease hindIII metabolism, dolphins microbiology, mammals microbiology, nucleic acid hybridization, porpoises microbiology, ribotyping, seals, earless microbiology.
Vetter, W., W. Jun, and G. Althoff (2003). Non-polar halogenated natural products bioaccumulated in marine samples. I. 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-Heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1). Chemosphere 52(2): 415-22. ISSN: 0045-6535.
NAL Call Number: TD172.C54
Abstract: This presentation adds new spectroscopic and analytical data on the natural product Q1 that was recently identified by synthesis as 2,3,3('),4,4('),5,5(')-heptachloro-1(')-methyl-1,2(')-bipyrrole. Solid state magic angle spinning 13C NMR data of Q1 is presented as an option for structural proof. Furthermore, the UV spectrum of neat Q1 (absorption maximum at 223 nm) was recorded and, with NMR spectroscopic data, confirmed a twisted bipyrrole ring system. A quantitative standard of Q1 was prepared which allowed to correct previous concentration estimates relative to the electron capture detector response factor of trans-nonachlor. As a result, the actual Q1 response was only 0.65+/-15% of the response factor of trans-nonachlor. Therefore, actual Q1 levels are about 50% higher than the previous estimates. With this result the highest (corrected) Q1 concentration determined to date in the blubber of marine mammals from Australia is 14 mg/kg lipid. Analysis of Q1 and trans-nonachlor in specimens from the German North Sea coast suggests that harbor seals are more able to metabolize Q1 than harbor porpoises. Finally, we calculated that 79 congeners of Q1 (i.e. lower chlorinated 1(')-methyl-1,2(')-bipyrroles) are theoretically possible and present their structures.
Descriptors: hydrocarbons, chlorinated analysis, porpoises metabolism, pyrroles analysis, seals, earless metabolism, water pollutants, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring methods, environmental monitoring statistics and numerical data, food chain, hydrocarbons, chlorinated chemistry, hydrocarbons, chlorinated metabolism, magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods, mass fragmentography, models, molecular, pyrroles chemistry, pyrroles metabolism, seawater, spectrophotometry, ultraviolet, water pollutants, chemical metabolism.
Vetter, W., G. Scherer, M. Schlabach, B. Luckas, and M. Oehme (1994). An unequivocal 1 H NMR structural assignment of TOX8 and TOX9, the two most abundant toxaphene congeners in marine mammals. Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry 349(7): 552-558. ISSN: 0937-0633.
NAL Call Number: QD71.F7
Abstract: The structure of the two most abundant toxaphene congeners has unequivocally been established by 500 MHz 1 H NMR spectroscopy as 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,9,10,10-nonachlorobornane (TOX9) and as 2-endo,3-exo,5-endo,6-exo,8,8,10,10-octachlorobornane (TOX8). Semiempirical calculations (AM1 and PM3-MNDO) were carried out for both structures. The distance information found by nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) for the protons is in agreement with the energy minimized AM1 and PM3-MNDO structures. For these definitively established NMR data for TOX8 and TOX9, together with literature data for other toxaphene isolates, a set of rules has been derived for 1 H chemical shifts in polychlorinated bornane structures. A set of rules is also proposed for assigning systematical nomenclature to NMR-derived polychlorobornane structures.
Descriptors: seals, dolphins, camphechlor, insecticides, residues, sea pollution, chemical contamination, analytical methods, agricultural chemicals, carnivora, Cetacea, contamination, mammals, pesticides, Pinnipedia, pollution, water pollution.
Language of Text: English summary.
von Fersen, L., U. Schall, and O. Gunturkun (2000). Visual lateralization of pattern discrimination in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Behavioural Brain Research 107(1-2): 177-81. ISSN: 0166-4328.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether bottlenose dolphins have cerebral asymmetries of visual processing. The monocular performance of the adult dolphin Goliath was tested using a large number of simultaneous multiple pattern discrimination tasks. The experiments revealed a clear right eye advantage in the acquisition and the retention of pattern discriminations as well as asymmetries in the interhemispheric transfer of visual information. As a result of a complete decussation at the optic nerve, this right eye superiority is probably related to a left hemisphere dominance in visual processing.
Descriptors: discrimination learning physiology, dolphins physiology, dominance, cerebral physiology, pattern recognition, visual physiology, optic nerve physiology, retention psychology physiology, vision, monocular physiology.
Wada, S., M. Oishi, and T.K. Yamada (2003). A newly discovered species of living baleen whale. Nature (London) 426(6964): 278-281. ISSN: 0028-0836.
NAL Call Number: 472 N21
Abstract: In the late 1970s eight Balaenoptera specimens of unknown identity were caught in the lower latitudinal Indo-Pacific waters by Japanese research whaling vessels. The combination of the allozyme patterns and physical maturity of the eight specimens separated them from all acknowledged Balaenoptera species. In September 1998 we collected a medium-sized baleen whale carcass on a coastal island in the Sea of Japan. This specimen and the previously collected eight specimens resembled Balaenoptera physalus (fin whale) in external appearance but were much smaller. Comparison of external morphology, osteology and mitochondrial DNA data grouped the nine specimens as a single species but separated them from all known baleen whale species. Therefore, here we describe a new species of Balaenoptera, which is characterized by its unique cranial morphology, its small number of baleen plates, and by its distant molecular relationships with all of its congeners. Our analyses also separated Balaenoptera brydei (Bryde's whale) and Balaenoptera edeni (Eden's whale) into two distinct species, raising the number of known living Balaenoptera species to eight.
Descriptors: Balaenoptera omurai, south Indian Ocean, Cocos Islands, north Pacific, Japan, south Pacific, new species.
Waddell, V.G., M.C. Milinkovitch, M. Berube, and M.J. Stanhope (2000). Molecular phylogenetic examination of the delphinoidea trichotomy: congruent evidence from three nuclear loci indicates that porpoises (Phocoenidae) share a more recent common ancestry with white whales (Monodontidae) than they do with true dolphins (Delphinidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 15(2): 314-8. ISSN: 1055-7903.
NAL Call Number: QH367.5.M56
Descriptors: dolphins classification, phylogeny, porpoises classification, whales classification, dolphins genetics, porpoises genetics, whales genetics.
Waldick, R.C., M.W. Brown, and B.N. White (1999). Characterization and isolation of microsatellite loci from the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Molecular Ecology 8(10): 1763-5. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Descriptors: microsatellite repeats, whales genetics, Atlantic Ocean, base sequence, conservation of natural resources, DNA genetics, DNA isolation and purification, DNA primers, molecular sequence data, polymerase chain reaction, skin chemistry.
Walker, J.L., C.W. Potter, and S.A. Macko (1999). The diets of modern and historic bottlenose dolphin populations reflected through stable isotopes. Marine Mammal Science 15(2): 335-350.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: analytical methods, feeding behavior, teeth, wild animals, radionuclides, diets, stomach, mammals, dolphins, Tursiops truncatus.
Walker, J.L. and S.A. Macko (1999). Dietary studies of marine mammals using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of teeth. Marine Mammal Science 15(2): 314-334. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: Mammalia, feeding analysis techniques, dental isotopic ratios use for dietary studies, biochemistry, isotopic content of teeth, teeth, isotopic content, use for dietary studies, diet, analysis, use of dental isotopic ratios, evaluation, marine taxa.
Walker, T.A., J.L. Betz, J. Olah, and N.R. Pace (1975). The nucleotide sequence of dolphin and bovine 5S ribosomal ribonucleic acid. FEBS (Federation of European Biochemical Societies) Letters 54(2): 241-244.
Descriptors: dolphin, bovine, nucleotide, sequence, 5S, ribonucleic acid.
Wallis, O.C., Z. Maniou, and M. Wallis (2005). Cloning and characterization of the gene encoding growth hormone in finback whale (Balaenoptera physalus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 143(1): 92-97. ISSN: 0016-6480.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 G28
Abstract: In mammals growth hormone (GH) is generally a strongly conserved protein, reflecting a slow rate of molecular evolution. However, during primate and artiodactyl evolution episodes of rapid change occurred, so that the GHs of higher primates and ruminants differ markedly from those of other mammals. To extend knowledge of GH evolution in Cetartiodactyla (Artiodactyla plus Cetacea) we have previously characterized GH genes from several members of this group, including the common dolphin. Surprisingly the sequence deduced for dolphin GH differed at several residues from that described previously for another cetacean, finback whale. To investigate this anomaly we have now cloned and characterized the GH gene from finback whale. The overall organization of this gene is similar to that of dolphin, and the deduced amino acid sequence of finback whale GH differs from that of dolphin GH at only residue 47, and from that of pig GH at only residue 149. Phylogenetic analysis of the data provides further support for inclusion of Cetacea within the order Cetartiodactyla, as sister group of Hippopotamidae. The results support the idea that in Cetartiodactyla a burst of rapid evolution of GH occurred after the separation of the line leading to ruminants from other cetartiodactyls. Overall, the GH gene in cetaceans appears to be evolving more slowly than in most other cetartiodactyls.
Descriptors: gene encoding, cloning, finback whale, mammals, primate, growth hormone, GH, ruminants, dolphin.
Wang, A., D. Barber, and C.J. Pfeiffer (2001). Protective effects of selenium against mercury toxicity in cultured Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon) renal cells. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 41(4): 403-9. ISSN: 0090-4341.
NAL Call Number: TD172.A7
Abstract: Marine mammals are known for their low susceptibility to mercury toxicity, and selenium may play a role in this protection against mercury intoxication. To gain insight into mechanisms by which selenium might inhibit mercury toxicity in cetacean cells, we investigated the effects of sodium selenite on cell proliferation and cell death (including apoptosis, oncosis, and necrosis) of control and mercuric chloride-treated Atlantic spotted dolphin renal cells (Sp1K cells). Concurrent exposure to 80 microM Na2SeO3 provided full protection against the decrease in cell proliferation induced by 20 microM HgCl2. Pretreatment with Na2SeO3 increased the protective effects of selenium administered later in conjunction with mercury, but pretreatment alone did not provide protection against mercury given alone. Furthermore, Na2SeO3 administered after the exposure to HgCl2 did not protect cells. These data suggest that the coexistence of Na2SeO3 and HgCl2 was essential for the protective effects of Na2SeO3 against the toxicity of HgCl2 in Sp1K cells, and may involve selenium-mercury binding. This is supported by the results of an experiment in which earlier premixed mercury and selenium solutions were less cytotoxic than freshly mixed solutions. Furthermore, HgCl2 induced apoptosis in Sp1K cells, as revealed by nuclear specific dye (7-AAD) incorporation and cell flow cytometry, and this was prevented by the concurrent exposure to Na2SeO3. Inhibition of mercury-induced apoptosis in marine mammal cells, provided by selenium, may contribute to the in vivo protection. This study is the first report that addresses the mechanism of mercury-selenium antagonism in cultured cetacean cells at the cellular level.
Descriptors: apoptosis drug effects, cell division drug effects, disinfectants toxicity, dolphins physiology, kidney drug effects, mercuric chloride toxicity, mercury toxicity, selenium pharmacology, water pollutants, chemical toxicity, cell line, flow cytometry, kidney cytology, selenium compounds pharmacology.
Wang, A. and C.J. Pfeiffer (2001). Cytopathology induced by mercuric chloride and methylmercury in cultured renal cells of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon). Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology 33(1-2): 7-16. ISSN: 1122-9497.
Abstract: High mercury concentrations have been reported in various tissues of cetaceans, but the toxicological effects of mercury on cetaceans remain unclear. In vivo study is difficult due to the endangered status of these marine mammals and co-exposure to both mercury and selenium (antagonist of mercury) in the oceanic environment. The present data are the first ultrastructural information on dolphin renal cells exposed to mercury in vitro. Multiple organelle changes were observed in Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella plagiodon) renal cells treated with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) or methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl2). Mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticula were swollen after treatment with HgCl2 or MeHgCl. Mitochondrial dense bodies and small cytoplasmic spherical granules of high electron density were also observed after exposure to MeHgCl. Cytoplasmic vacuoles and myelin-like figures were induced by both HgCl2 and MeHgCl. Nuclear changes included karyolysis, nuclear buds, and a novel observation in mercury-treated cells, vacuolization of (micro-)nucleoli after treatment with HgCl2. These morphological changes (multiple organelle damage and nuclear budding) indicated mercury-treated dolphin renal cells underwent oncosis and necrosis, and supported earlier pathophysiologic findings of diverse toxic actions on genetic, respiratory and other cellular functions.
Descriptors: dolphins, kidney drug effects, mercuric chloride toxicity, methylmercury compounds toxicity, water pollutants, chemical toxicity, cell line, cells, cultured, kidney ultrastructure, microscopy, electron, organelles drug effects, organelles ultrastructure.
Wang, J.P., S.T. Chen, C.H. Chien, C.J. Yao, and L.S. Chou (1999). Protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive neurons in the retina of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Fraser dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei). Journal of Anatomy 74(4): 441-6. ISSN: 0022-7722.
NAL Call Number: 447.8 J826
Abstract: This study demonstrates immunocytochemically that protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), a neuronal marker, is expressed by various populations of retinal cells in Stenella coeruleoalba (striped dolphin) and Lagenodelphis hosei (Fraser dolphin): one in the retinal ganglion cells and the other in the inner nuclear layer, resembling horizontal and amacrine cells. The specific distribution of PGP 9.5 in a dolphin closely resembles that in rodents and carnivores; however, some differences arise among these animals. In a dolphin's retina, for example, only a few of giant ganglion cells are immunoreacted while almost all the small ganglion cells are stained strongly. The processes of horizontal cells, identified according to their localization, appear not to connect entirely in a dolphin. Instead, PGP 9.5 positive cells are widely distributed in the small to moderate ganglion cells and have distinct processes which are ramified extensively in the outer plexiform layer in rodents and carnivores. The high levels of PGP 9.5 expressing in the inner part of dolphin retina, including ganglion cells and their axons as well as distinct sublamination in the inner plexiform layer, indicate that this molecule markedly influences the retinal system, possibly in visual connection. Although mammals have various visual behavior, i.e., living marine vs. terrestrial environment, and active during daytime vs. in the night, the retina is a common model to characterize the neurochemical properties.
Descriptors: neurons enzymology, retina enzymology, thiolester hydrolases analysis, adaptation, ocular, dolphins, immunohistochemistry, neurons physiology, retina cytology, retina physiology, thiolester hydrolases physiology, ubiquitin thiolesterase, visual acuity.
Wang, J.Y., L.S. Chou, and B.N. White (1999). Mitochondrial DNA analysis of sympatric morphotypes of bottlenose dolphins (genus: Tursiops) in Chinese waters. Molecular Ecology 8(10): 1603-12. ISSN: 0962-1083.
NAL Call Number: QH540.M64
Abstract: The classification within the bottlenose dolphin (genus Tursiops) is controversial. Although many morphological variants exist, most authors have concluded that the genus is composed of a single species, Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821). Two distinct morphotypes of bottlenose dolphins, which have been referred to as T. truncatus and T. aduncus, exist in sympatry in Chinese waters. Comparisons of a 386-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (n = 47) indicated that the two sympatric morphotypes were genetically distinct, with seven fixed site differences and a sequence divergence of approximately 4.4%. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony approaches showed that the truncatus-type dolphins from Chinese waters were more closely related to Atlantic Ocean truncatus-type than to the sympatric aduncus-type dolphins. The Atlantic truncatus-type dolphins also shared the same diagnostic sites that separated Chinese truncatus-type from aduncus-type dolphins. The molecular data agreed completely with the morphological classifications of the specimens. This congruence is strong evidence that the sympatric morphotypes in Chinese waters are reproductively isolated and comprise two distinct species. These findings have important implications for the conservation of bottlenose dolphins in Chinese waters.
Descriptors: dna, mitochondrial genetics, dolphins classification, dolphins genetics, phylogeny, variation genetics, base sequence, China, dolphins anatomy and histology, geography, molecular sequence data, muscle, skeletal chemistry, sequence alignment, sequence homology, nucleic acid, skin chemistry.
Wang, J., G. Yang, H. Liu, K. Zhou, and F. Wei (2003). Application of mitochondrial DNA sequences in the species identification of common dolphins (genus Delphinus) in Chinese waters. Acta Theriologica Sinica 23(2): 120-126. ISSN: 1000-1050.
Descriptors: Delphinus capensis, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, phylogeny, north Pacific, China, mtdna sequences, use to determine identity and phylogeny.
Wang, J., G. Yang, K. Zhou, F. Wei, and J. Yan (2005). Sex identification of cetaceans by pcr with sry-specific primers. Acta Theriologica Sinica 25(1): 20-23. ISSN: 1000-1050.
Abstract: Sex-determining region Y (Sry) gene located in the short arm of the mammalian Y chromosome directs the sexual development of male. In this study, a 221-bp fragment of cetacean Sry genes was amplified by polymerase chain. reaction (PCR) through a pair of primers designed based on the conserved region of other mammalian Sry genes. Eighty seven sex-known cetacean specimens in Nanjing Normal University were accurately determined sex with the simultaneous amplification of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (cyt b) gene fragments as positive control, which proved the efficiency of the present molecular technique. The established molecular method was applied to sex eighteen finless porpoises Neophocaena phocaenoides, two bottlenose dolphins Turiops trucatus, three indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins T. aduncus, three baiji Lipotes vexillifer, five striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, and two pantropical spotted dolphin S. attenuata. This study provided a simple, rapid, and accurate approach for cetacean sex identification.
Descriptors: molecular genetics, biochemistry and molecular biophysics, population studies, pcr amplification, polymerase chain reaction amplification, laboratory techniques, genetic techniques, sex identification.
Wei, H. and Y. Fukui (2000). Fertilisability of ovine, bovine or minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) spermatozoa intracytoplasmically injected into bovine oocytes. Zygote (Cambridge, England) 8(3): 267-74. ISSN: 0967-1994.
NAL Call Number: QH491.Z94
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of using bovine oocytes for a heterologous fertility test by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to compare the pronuclear formation of ram, bull and minke whale spermatozoa after injection into bovine oocytes. Bovine oocytes were cultured in vitro for 24 h and those with a polar body were selected for ICSI. Frozen-thawed semen from the three species were treated with 5 mM dithiothreitol for 1 h and spermatozoa were killed by storing them in a -20 degrees C refrigerator before use. ICSI was performed using a Piezo system. Three experiments were designed. In experiment 1, a higher (p < 0.05) male pronuclear formation rate was found in the oocytes injected with ram (52.6%) or bull (53.4%) spermatozoa than with minke whale spermatozoa (39.1%). In experiment 2, sperm head decondensation was detected at 2 h after ICSI in the oocytes injected with a spermatozoon of each species. Male pronuclei were first observed at 4 h in the oocytes injected with ram or bull spermatozoa and at 6 h in oocytes injected with minke whale spermatozoa. The mean diameters of male pronuclei derived from both whale and bull spermatozoa were larger than those from ram spermatozoa (30.4 microm and 28.3 microm vs 22.4 microm, p < 0.005). The mean diameter of female pronuclei in the oocytes injected with whale spermatozoa was also larger than with ram spermatozoa (29.3 microm vs 24.7 microm, p < 0.05). The development of male and female pronuclei was synchronous. In experiment 3, ethanol-activated oocytes injected with a spermatozoon from any of the three species achieved significantly higher (p < 0.05-0.001) cleavage rates than control oocytes. Blastocyst formation was only observed when bull spermatozoa were used. The results of this study indicate that dead foreign spermatozoa can participate in fertilisation activities in bovine oocytes after ICSI.
Descriptors: fertility physiology, oocytes physiology, sperm injections, intracytoplasmic, spermatozoa physiology, cattle, cell nucleus ultrastructure, sheep, species specificity, whales.
West, K.L., S. Atkinson, M.J. Carmichael, J.C. Sweeney, B. Krames, and J. Krames (2000). Concentrations of progesterone in milk from bottlenose dolphins during different reproductive states. General and Comparative Endocrinology 117(2): 218-24. ISSN: 0016-6480.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 G28
Descriptors: dolphins metabolism, milk metabolism, progesterone metabolism, reproduction physiology, anestrus metabolism, milk chemistry, postpartum period metabolism, time factors.
White, R.D., M.E. Hahn, W.L. Lockhart, and J.J. Stegeman (1994). Catalytic and immunochemical characterization of hepatic microsomal cytochromes P450 in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 126(1): 45-57. ISSN: 0041-008X.
NAL Call Number: 391.8 T662
Abstract: Understanding the effects of environmental contaminants on cetaceans and other marine mammals will require information on the biochemistry of xenobiotic metabolism in these species. We characterized the hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 system in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from the Canadian Arctic. The content of native P450 averaged 0.203 and 0.319 nmol/mg microsomal protein, cytochrome b5 content averaged 0.199 and 0.236 nmol/mg, and rates of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase were 79 and 76 nmol/min/mg, for females and males respectively. Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD), and benzo[a]pyrene (BP) hydroxylase (AHH) activities were significantly greater in males than in females, and were highly correlated with one another (r2 between 0.853 and 0.912). HPLC analysis of in vitro BP metabolites revealed benzo-ring (7,8- and 9,10-) dihydrodiols, consistent with activation of this compound, as well as 4,5-dihydrodiol,3-OH-, 7-OH-, and 9-OH-BP and 1,6- and 3,6-quinones. Estradiol 2-hydroxylase activity did not differ between sexes, and rates did not correlate with those of the other activities. Antibodies against scup P450B (an apparent teleost CYP2B) and rat CYP2B1 did not recognize proteins in beluga liver microsomes, but there was a protein detected by antibodies to PB-inducible rabbit CYP2B4. Antibodies to ethanol and ketone-inducible rat CYP2E1 reacted with two proteins in beluga liver microsomes. Antibodies specific to hydrocarbon-inducible CYP1A1 and/or CYP1A2 forms showed a single protein band, apparently more closely related to CYP1A1. The content of CYP1A was fivefold greater in male than in female beluga. CYP1A content was highly correlated with EROD, PROD, and AHH activities, suggesting that this P450 form is a primary catalyst for these reactions in beluga. CYP1A content and activity were highly correlated with the concentrations in blubber of non-ortho and mono-ortho PCB congeners, compounds that induce CYP1A in other mammals. These results indicate that a CYP1A is a catalyst for the metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in the beluga whale, and strongly suggest that this protein is induced in these organisms by environmental contaminants, including PCBs. The results support the measurement of CYP1A expression as a biomarker of exposure to inducers in marine mammals. The full functional and evolutionary relationships of beluga CYP1A and of beluga proteins immunologically related to other P450 forms are uncertain.
Descriptors: cytochrome p 450 enzyme system metabolism, microsomes, liver enzymology, whales metabolism, benzoapyrene metabolism, catalysis, cytochromes b5 metabolism, electron transport, enzyme induction, immunoblotting, isoenzymes metabolism.
White, R.D., D. Shea, J.J. Schlezinger, M.E. Hahn, and J.J. Stegeman (2000). In vitro metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners by beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) and pilot whale (Globicephala melas) and relationship to cytochrome P450 expression. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. C, Toxicology and Pharmacology 126(3): 267-84. ISSN: 1532-0456.
NAL Call Number: QP901.C6
Abstract: We measured rates of oxidative metabolism of two tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCB) congeners by hepatic microsomes of two marine mammal species, beluga whale and pilot whale, as related to content of selected cytochrome P450 (CYP) forms. Beluga liver microsomes oxidized 3,3',4,4'-TCB at rates averaging 21 and 5 pmol/min per mg for males and females, respectively, while pilot whale samples oxidized this congener at 0.3 pmol/min per mg or less. However, rates of 3,3',4,4'-TCB metabolism correlated with immunodetected CYP1A1 protein content in liver microsomes of both species. The CYP1A inhibitor alpha-naphthoflavone inhibited 3,3',4,4'-TCB metabolism by 40% in beluga, supporting a role for a cetacean CYP1A as a catalyst of this activity. Major metabolites of 3,3',4,4'-TCB generated by beluga liver microsomes were 4-OH-3,3',4',5-TCB and 5-OH-3,3',4,4'-TCB (98% of total), similar to metabolites formed by other species CYP1A1, and suggesting a 4,5-epoxide-TCB intermediate. Liver microsomes of both species metabolized 2,2',5,5'-TCB at rates of 0.2-1.5 pmol/min per mg. Both species also expressed microsomal proteins cross-reactive with antibodies raised against some mammalian CYP2Bs (rabbit; dog), but not others (rat; scup). Whether CYP2B homologues occur and function in cetaceans is uncertain. This study demonstrates that PCBs are metabolized to aqueous-soluble products by cetacean liver enzymes, and that in beluga, rates of metabolism of 3,3',4,4'-TCB are substantially greater than those of 2,2',5,5'-TCB. These directly measured rates generally support the view that PCB metabolism plays a role in shaping the distribution patterns of PCB residues found in cetacean tissue.
Descriptors: aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylases, cytochrome p 450 enzyme system metabolism, dolphins metabolism, polychlorinated biphenyls metabolism, whales metabolism, cytochrome p 450 cyp1a1 metabolism, oxidoreductases, n demethylating metabolism.
Whitehead, H. (1998). Cultural selection and genetic diversity in matrilineal whales. Science 282(5394): 1708-11. ISSN: 0036-8075.
NAL Call Number: 470 Sci2
Abstract: Low diversities of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have recently been found in four species of matrilineal whale. No satisfactory explanation for this apparent anomaly has been previously suggested. Culture seems to be an important part of the lives of matrilineal whales. The selection of matrilineally transmitted cultural traits, upon which neutral mtDNA alleles "hitchhike," has the potential to strongly reduce genetic variation. Thus, in contrast to other nonhuman mammals, culture may be an important evolutionary force for the matrilineal whales.
Descriptors: behavior, animal, DNA, mitochondrial genetics, evolution, variation genetics, vocalization, animal, whales genetics, computer simulation, dolphins genetics, dolphins physiology, models, biological, selection genetics, whales physiology.
Notes: Comment In: Science. 1998 Nov 27;282(5394):1616.
Whitehead, H. (2005). Genetic diversity in the matrilineal whales: models of cultural hitchhiking and group-specific non-heritable demographic variation. Marine Mammal Science 21(1): 58-79. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Abstract: Cultural hitchhiking is the process by which cultural selection reduces the diversity of genes that are being transmitted in parallel to selective cultural traits. I use simulation models to investigate cultural hitchhiking in geographically unstructured populations of culturally homogeneous tribes. Substantial reduction of genetic diversity required: a reasonably low mutation rate; that tribes split fairly frequently when they constitute a substantial part of the population; a fairly low migration rate (<[approximately]10 migrants per tribe per generation); only a low rate of cultural evolution (mean culturally determined fitness change >[approximately]0.005%/generation); and that cultural assimilation from other tribes change the fitness of a tribe less than cultural innovation within it. Cultural hitchhiking tends to increase mean tribe size. Measures of genetic and cultural variation among tribes poorly indicate past cultural hitchhiking. Demographic effects, in which tribal fitness varies but is not heritable, can also reduce a population's genetic diversity if the fitness varies very considerably, or tribal extirpation is added. In such cases populations frequently become extinct. Four species of matrilineal whales have remarkably low mitochondrial DNA diversity. Knowledge of the population and social structure of these species is consistent with the conditions for cultural hitchhiking. However, there remain important information gaps.
Descriptors: Cetacea, mathematical techniques, population genetics, cultural hitchhiking and demographic variation models, matrilineal species, variation, genetic diversity.
Whitehead, H. (2004). The group strikes back: follow protocols for behavioral research on cetaceans. Marine Mammal Science 20(3): 664-670. ISSN: 0824-0469.
NAL Call Number: QL713.2.M372
Descriptors: behavior, marine ecology, ecology, environmental sciences, behavioral research, protocols.
Widegren, B., U. Arnason, and G. Akusjarvi (1985). Characteristics of a conserved 1,579-bp highly repetitive component in the killer whale, Orcinus orca. Molecular Biology and Evolution 2(5): 411-9. ISSN: 0737-4038.
NAL Call Number: QH506.M642
Abstract: A tandemly organized, highly repetitive DNA component of the killer whale was sequenced. The length of the repeat was 1,579 bp. This unit, which characterizes all delphinids, shows stringent hybridization homology with a 1,740-bp repeat that is characteristic of all other cetacean families. The 1,579-bp component comprises approximately 15% of the killer-whale genome, in which it is repeated 4-5 X 10(5) times. Computer analysis of the sequence showed no linear repetition within the component. This indicates that the 1,579-bp unit has not evolved by amplification of shorter repeats. Several inverted repeats of substantial length were found in the 1,579-bp unit. The most conspicuous of these was a 72-bp sequence that deviated from matching in only three positions. The 72-bp sequence occurs within an open reading frame 330 bp in length. Transcriptional activity was registered in the cloned repeat in a cell-free system. The length of the transcript was approximately 340 nucleotides. The chromosomal localization of the 1,579-bp repeat was determined by in situ hybridization. The repeat was present in eight of 21 autosomal pairs and was found in almost all C-band-positive (constitutive heterochromatin) regions of the karyotype.
Descriptors: Cetacea genetics, repetitive sequences, nucleic acid, whales genetics, base sequence, DNA genetics, evolution, molecular sequence data.
Williams, G., B.C. Davidson, P. Stevens, and M.A. Crawford (1977). Comparative fatty acids of the dolphin and the herring. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society 54(8): 328-330. ISSN: 0003-021X.
NAL Call Number: 307.8 J82
Descriptors: fatty acids, dolphin, herring, comparative.
Language of Text: English summary.
Willis, P.M., B.J. Crespi, L.M. Dill, R.W. Baird, and M.B. Hanson (2004). Natural hybridization between Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Canadian Journal of Zoology 82(5): 828-834. ISSN: 0008-4301.
NAL Call Number: 470 C16D
Abstract: Natural hybridization occurs rarely in mammals compared with other taxonomic groups of animals. Cetaceans appear unique among mammals in exhibiting striking karyological uniformity, which suggests that they have the potential to produce hybrid offspring more readily than other mammals. However, the detection and accurate identification of wild mammalian hybrids is difficult, and molecular evidence for wild cetacean hybrids is extremely limited. Here, we present molecular and morphological evidence of frequent hybridization between free-ranging Dall's, Phocoenoides dalli (True, 1885), and harbour, Phocoena phocoena (L., 1758), porpoises. The study describes a temporally and geographically concentrated case of natural hybridization in large mammals. Molecular analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA revealed the species identity, sex, and direction of cross of several hybrid individuals. In concert with morphological and behavioural observations, these data confirmed the hybrid status of putative crosses in the field, including reproductive females. All crosses examined had Dall's porpoise as the maternal parent. This directionality may reflect the indiscriminate pursuit of female porpoises by male harbour porpoises. Our finding of extensive localized hybridization, despite apparently strong isolation elsewhere in their range, suggests that ecological influences on mating behaviour may be of primary importance in the reproductive isolation of these, and possibly other, cetacean species.
Descriptors: Phocoena phocoena, Phocoenoides dalli, general morphology, markings, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, DNA sequence analysis, hybridization, swimming, north Pacific, USA, Washington, San Juan Islands, morphological and molecular evidence for frequent occurrence, implications.
Wilson, J.Y., A.G. McArthur, and J.J. Stegeman (2005). Characterization of a cetacean aromatase (CYP19) and the phylogeny and functional conservation of vertebrate aromatase. General and Comparative Endocrinology 140(1): 74-83. ISSN: 0016-6480.
NAL Call Number: 444.8 G28
Descriptors: vertebrata, enzymes, biochemical variation, aromatase, phylogeny and functional conservation.
Winn, H.E. and B.L. Olla (1972). Behavior of Marine Animals: Current Perspectives in Research, Vol. 1-3, Plenum Press: New York, ISBN: 0306375710 (v. 1).
NAL Call Number: QL121.W5
Descriptors: marine fauna, behavior, marine animals, research.
Wittenberg, J.B. (1978). Acid and alkaline forms of the higher oxidation state of kangaroo, horse, and sperm whale myoglobin. Journal of Biological Chemistry 253(16): 5694-5695.
NAL Call Number: 381 J824
Descriptors: acid, alkaline, forms, oxidation, myoglobin, sperm whale, horse, kangaroo.
Woshner, V.M., T.M. O'Hara, G.R. Bratton, R.S. Suydam, and V.R. Beasley (2001). Concentrations and interactions of selected essential and non-essential elements in bowhead and beluga whales of arctic Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 37(4): 693-710. ISSN: 0090-3558.
NAL Call Number: 41.9 W64B
Abstract: In this study, we evaluated concentrations of twelve essential and non-essential elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Se, Ag, and Zn) in tissues of bowhead (Balaena mysticetus) and beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) whales from arctic Alaska (USA) and northwestern Canada. Tissue samples were collected between 1983 and 1997, mostly in 1995-97. The essential elements are reported to develop reference ranges for health status determination, and to help assess known or suspected interactions affecting toxicoses of cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg). In some tissues, Cd, Hg, and selenium (Se) were present at concentrations that have been associated with toxicoses in some domestic animals. Nevertheless, tissue levels of all elements were within ranges that have been reported previously in marine mammals. While mean Ag concentrations in beluga whale liver were relatively high (15.91 micrograms/g ww), Ag was not associated with hepatic Se levels or age, contrary to previous findings. Significant associations included: Cd with age, Zn, or Cu; Cu with age, Zn or Ag; and Hg with age, Se, Zn, or Cu. This study found hepatic Hg:Se molar ratios to be consistently lower than unity and different between species. Possible explanations for observed elemental correlations (i.e., interactions) and ancillary mechanisms of Cd and Hg detoxification are discussed.
Descriptors: metals metabolism, whales metabolism, age factors, Alaska, Arctic regions, Canada, kidney chemistry, liver chemistry, metals analysis, muscles chemistry, reference values, species specificity, tissue distribution.
Woshner, V.M., T.M. O'Hara, J.A. Eurell, M.A. Wallig, G.R. Bratton, R.S. Suydam, and V.R. Beasley (2002). Distribution of inorganic mercury in liver and kidney of beluga and bowhead whales through autometallographic development of light microscopic tissue sections. Toxicologic Pathology 30(2): 209-15. ISSN: 0192-6233.
Abstract: Inorganic mercury was localized through autometallography (AMG) in kidney and liver of free-ranging, subsistence-harvested beluga (Delphinapterus leucus: n = 20) and bowhead (Balaena mysticetrus: n = 5) whales. AMG granules were not evident in bowhead tissues, confirming nominal mercury (Hg) concentrations (range = 0.011 to 0.038 microg/g ww for total Hg). In belugas, total Hg ranged from 0.30 to 17.11 and from 0.33 to 82.47 microg/g ww in liver and kidney, respectively. AMG granules were restricted to cortical tubular epithelial cytoplasm in belugas with lower tissue burdens; whales with higher tissue burdens had granules throughout the uriniferous tubular epithelium. In liver, AMG granular densities differed between lobular zones, concentrating in stellate macrophages and bile cannalicular domains of hepatocytes. AMG granules aggregated in periportal regions in belugas with lower hepatic Hg concentrations, yet among whales with higher Hg, AMG granule deposition extended to pericentral and midzonal regions of liver lobules. Mean areas occupied by AMG granules correlated well with hepatic Hg concentrations and age. In beluga livers, AMG staining density was not associated with lipofuscin quantity (an index of oxidative damage). Occasionally, AMG granules and lipofuscin were colocalized, but more often were not, implying that Hg was not a prominent factor in hepatic lipofuscin deposition in belugas.
Descriptors: kidney metabolism, liver metabolism, mercury pharmacokinetics, whales metabolism, lipofuscin pharmacokinetics, microscopy, fluorescence, staining and labeling, tissue distribution.
Xampeny Baro, J. and S. Filella Cornado (1976). Datos sobre tres cachalotes Physeter macrocephalus L. capturados frente a las costas atlanticas de Galicia, Espana (Cetacea, Physeteridae). [Data on three Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus L. captured in front of the Atlantic coast of Galicia, Spain (Cetacea, Physeteridae)]. Miscellania Zoologica (Barcelona) 3(5): 235-242.
Descriptors: sperm whale, data, Atlantic coast, Spain, captured.
Language of Text: English summary.
Xu, H.G., S.L. Jia, Z.X. Li, and W.X. Huang (1983). Studies on the minke whale from the northern Yellow Sea China. Acta Zoologica Sinica 29(1): 86-92. ISSN: 0001-7302.
NAL Call Number: 410 AC87
Descriptors: China, minke whale, studies, Yellow Sea.
Xu, N., T. Shiraki, T. Yamada, M. Nakajima, J.M. Gauthier, C.J. Pfeiffer, and S. Sato (2002). Nucleotide sequence of the p53 cDNA of beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). Gene 288(1-2): 159-66. ISSN: 0378-1119.
NAL Call Number: QH442.A1G4
Abstract: The cDNA (DNA complementary to RNA) of the p53 gene of the beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) was sequenced by the method of 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) with the cDNA made for the RNA obtained from fresh peripheral blood leukocytes isolated from two animals. Primers for the RACE method were synthesized based on the sequence of the DNA of beluga whale corresponding to exon 5 of the human p53 gene, which was determined after amplification of the DNA isolated from the liver from a beluga whale by using a pair of primers for the human sequence. The sequenced cDNA had a 2150-nucleotide length and contained the whole region corresponding to human exons 1 through 11. The reading frame was 1164 bp (base pair) long and began in exon 2 and ended in exon 11, coding for a 387-amino acid protein. The nucleotide sequence of the reading frame showed high similarity over 85% with pig, sheep, cow, and human genes. The similarities with the former two animals at the amino acid level were also more than 85%. Lower similarity of the beluga whale p53 gene was also found with those of lower tetrapods, fish and invertebrates.
Descriptors: protein p53 genetics, whales genetics, amino acid sequence, DNA, complementary chemistry, DNA, complementary genetics, molecular sequence data, phylogeny, sequence alignment, sequence analysis, DNA, sequence homology, amino acid.
Yaman, S., L. von Fersen, G. Dehnhardt, and O. Gunturkun (2003). Visual lateralization in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): evidence for a population asymmetry? Behavioural Brain Research 142(1-2): 109-14. ISSN: 0166-4328.
Abstract: A previous behavioural study with a single bottlenose dolphin had reported a right eye superiority in visual discrimination tasks, indicating a left hemisphere dominance for visual object processing. The presence of a functional asymmetry demonstrated with one individual shows that this function can be lateralized in this single animal, but cannot reveal if this represents a population asymmetry. Therefore, we conducted a series of visual discrimination experiments with three individuals of Tursiops truncatus under monocular conditions. The tested animals had to distinguish between simultaneously presented stimulus pairs of different patterns, whereby one stimulus was always defined to be correct. Additionally, the animals were observed for their free eye use during training and introduction of new items. The present data set revealed a right eye advantage (left hemisphere dominance) for all tested animals and a predominance of right eye use during daily activities. These results make it possible that bottlenose dolphins are lateralized for visual pattern discrimination at the level of a population asymmetry. Against the background of similar data in other vertebrates, a left hemisphere dominance for pattern discrimination points to the possibility that dolphins exploit local visual details instead of global configurational features to recognize and memorize visual stimuli.
Descriptors: dolphins physiology, dominance, cerebral, pattern recognition, visual physiology, analysis of variance, discrimination learning physiology, laterality physiology.
Yan, J., T. Kunito, S. Tanabe, M. Amano, and N. Miyazaki (2002). Trace elements in skin of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) from the northern waters of Japan: an evaluation for utilization as non-lethal tracers. Marine Pollution Bulletin 45(1-12): 230-6. ISSN: 0025-326X.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Abstract: Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Mo, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ag, Pb, Sr and V were determined in skins of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dali) of the Pacific coast truei-type population (PT population) (N = 45), and the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk dalli-type population (JD population) (N = 31) from the northern waters of Japan. Cutaneous Hg concentrations in both PT and JD populations were significantly correlated with age, indicating a possible alternative method of age estimation. A significant correlation was also noted between Hg concentrations in skin and liver, suggesting that biopsy samples of skin can provide a non-lethal surrogate for monitoring Hg contamination in this species. Trace element accumulation patterns differed strongly between PT and JD populations, when analyzed by principal component analysis, suggesting these patterns could be utilized as non-lethal tracers of population identification.
Descriptors: porpoises, trace elements pharmacokinetics, water pollutants pharmacokinetics, biological markers analysis, biopsy, environmental monitoring methods, Japan, skin chemistry, trace elements analysis, water pollutants analysis.
Yang, A.S. and B. Honig (1994). Structural origins of pH and ionic strength effects on protein stability. Acid denaturation of sperm whale apomyoglobin. Journal of Molecular Biology 237(5): 602-14. ISSN: 0022-2836.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 J8224
Descriptors: apoproteins chemistry, myoglobin chemistry, protein folding, hydrogen ion concentration, models, chemical, osmolar concentration, protein denaturation, thermodynamics, whales, pH, acid denaturation, apomyoglobin, protein stability.
Yang, G., G. Ji, K. Zhou, and F. Wei (2003). A preliminary study on the sequence variability of Cetacean c - mos genes and its application in phylogenetic analysis. Acta Theriologica Sinica 23(4): 277-282. ISSN: 1000-1050.
Descriptors: Cetacea, nucleic acids, molecular genetics, c mos gene DNA sequence, comparative study and phylogenetic significance, phylogeny, biochemical variation, c mos gene DNA sequence variation.
Yang, H., D. Hewett Emmett, and R.E. Tashian (2000). Absence or reduction of carbonic anhydrase II in the red cells of the beluga whale and llama: implications for adaptation to hypoxia. Biochemical Genetics 38(7-8): 241-52. ISSN: 0006-2928.
NAL Call Number: QR73.B5
Abstract: Carbonic anhydrase (CA) expression was examined in the red cells of two mammals that have adapted to low oxygen stress: the llama, which has adapted to high altitudes, and the beluga (or white) whale, which routinely dives for extended periods. Immunodiffusion analyses of their Hb-free hemolysates and partial amino acid sequencing of their HPLC-separated nonheme proteins indicate that the low-activity CA I isozyme is the major nonheme protein in erythrocytes of both the beluga whale and the llama. The high-activity CA II isozyme was not detected in the whale red cells but was present at low levels in erythrocytes of the llama. These results suggest that the absence or decrease in the expression of the high-activity CA II isozyme may be advantageous under hypoxic conditions.
Descriptors: camelids, new world blood, carbonic anhydrases blood, erythrocytes enzymology, whales blood, amino acid sequence, camels, chromatography, high pressure liquid, electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel, molecular sequence data, oxygen, sequence alignment.
Yang, J., T. Kunito, Y. Anan, S. Tanabe, and N. Miyazaki (2004). Total and subcellular distribution of trace elements in the liver of a mother-fetus pair of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli). Marine Pollution Bulletin 48(11-12): 1122-9. ISSN: 0025-326X.
NAL Call Number: GC1000.M3
Abstract: Total and subcellular hepatic Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, V, Hg, Cd, and Ag were determined in a mother-fetus pair of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli). Except for higher fetal Cu concentration, all maternal elements were higher. Elements existed mostly in the cytosol of both animals except in the case of maternal Ag in the microsome and fetal Cu and Ag in the nuclei and mitochondria. In the maternal cytosol, Zn, Mn, Hg, and Ag were present in the high-molecular-weight substances (HMW); Se and V were present in the low-molecular-weight substances (LMW); Cu and Cd were mostly sequestered by metallothionein (MT). In the fetal cytosol, Zn, Se, Mn, Hg, Cd, and Ag were present in the HMW and V in the LMW, while Cu and Ag were mostly associated with MT. MT isoforms were characterized using the HPLC/ICP-MS. Two and four obvious peaks appeared in the maternal and fetal MT fractions, respectively. The highest elemental ion intensities were at a retention time of 7.8 min for the mother, and for the fetus the peak elemental ion intensities occurred at a retention time of 4.3 min, suggesting that different MT isoforms may be involved in elemental accumulation in maternal and fetal hepatocytosols.
Descriptors: liver chemistry, porpoises metabolism, trace elements analysis, chromatography, gel, chromatography, high pressure liquid, cytosol chemistry, fetus chemistry, Japan, metallothionein metabolism, mothers, Pacific Ocean, spectrophotometry, atomic, spectrum analysis, mass.
Yang, J. and N. Miyazaki (2003). Moisture content in Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) tissues: a reference base for conversion factors between dry and wet weight trace element concentrations in cetaceans. Environmental Pollution 121(3): 345-7. ISSN: 0269-7491.
NAL Call Number: QH545.A1E52
Abstract: Concentration of trace elements measured by dry weight basis has become more commonly used in recent studies on cetaceans than wet weight basis, which was used more in earlier studies. Because few authors present moisture content data in their papers, it is difficult to compare the concentrations of trace elements between various studies. Therefore, we felt that it would be useful if a reference conversion factor (CF) for tissue types could be found to convert between wet weight and dry weight data on trace element concentrations. We determined the moisture contents of 14 tissues of Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), and then, calculated the CF values for those tissues. Because the moisture content of each tissue differs from other tissues, it is necessary to use a specific CF for each tissue rather than a general CF for several tissues. We have also found that CF values for Dall's porpoise tissues are similar to the same tissues in other cetaceans. Therefore CF values from Dall's porpoise can be reliably used to convert between wet and dry weight concentrations for other cetacean tissues as reference data.
Descriptors: body fluids, porpoises metabolism, trace elements analysis, water pollutants, chemical analysis, environmental monitoring methods, reference values.
Yokoyama, S. (2000). Phylogenetic analysis and experimental approaches to study color vision in vertebrates. In: P. Palczewski (Editor), Vertebrate Phototransduction and the Visual Cycle, Methods in Enzymology, Academic Press: San Diego, CA, p. 312-25.
NAL Call Number: QP601.M49 v. 315
Abstract: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of vertebrate color vision, it is essential to establish associations between amino acid substitutions and the directions of lambda max shifts of visual pigments. In this way, we can identify critical amino acid changes that may be responsible for lambda max shifts of visual pigments. In this process, we may consider only highly conserved residues, simply because the evolutionary conservation often implies functional importance. Using such an "evolutionary model" as a convenient tool in designing mutagenesis experiments, we can test specific hypotheses on the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for color vision in vertebrates. Virtually any vertebrate opsin cDNA can be expressed in COS cells, reconstituted with 11-cis-retinal, and the lambda max values of the regenerated pigments can be measured rather easily. By constructing mutant pigments with desired amino acid changes and conducting the in vitro assay and comparing their lambda max values with those of corresponding wild-type pigments, we can elucidate the molecular mechanisms of lambda max shifts--and color vision--of vertebrates rigorously.
Descriptors: color perception physiology, evolution, molecular, phylogeny, retina physiology, retinal pigments chemistry, retinal pigments genetics, rhodopsin chemistry, amino acid sequence, amino acid substitution, chickens, color perception genetics, dolphins, eels, fishes, lampreys, molecular sequence data, rhodopsin genetics, sequence alignment, sequence homology, amino acid.
Yokoyama, S. and F.B. Radlwimmer (1999). The molecular genetics of red and green color vision in mammals. Genetics 153(2): 919-32. ISSN: 0016-6731.
NAL Call Number: 442.8 G28
Abstract: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of red-green color vision in mammals, we have cloned and sequenced the red and green opsin cDNAs of cat (Felis catus), horse (Equus caballus), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). These opsins were expressed in COS1 cells and reconstituted with 11-cis-retinal. The purified visual pigments of the cat, horse, squirrel, deer, and guinea pig have lambdamax values at 553, 545, 532, 531, and 516 nm, respectively, which are precise to within +/-1 nm. We also regenerated the "true" red pigment of goldfish (Carassius auratus), which has a lambdamax value at 559 +/- 4 nm. Multiple linear regression analyses show that S180A, H197Y, Y277F, T285A, and A308S shift the lambdamax values of the red and green pigments in mammals toward blue by 7, 28, 7, 15, and 16 nm, respectively, and the reverse amino acid changes toward red by the same extents. The additive effects of these amino acid changes fully explain the red-green color vision in a wide range of mammalian species, goldfish, American chameleon (Anolis carolinensis), and pigeon (Columba livia).
Descriptors: color perception genetics, evolution, molecular, mammals genetics, opsin genetics, phylogeny, amino acid sequence, base sequence, COS cells, cats, DNA primers, deer, dolphins, goats, guinea pigs, horses, mammals physiology, mice, molecular sequence data, opsin biosynthesis, opsin chemistry, rabbits, rats, recombinant proteins biosynthesis, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Sciuridae, sequence alignment, sequence homology, amino acid, transfection.
Yoshitome, R., T. Kunito, T. Ikemoto, S. Tanabe, H. Zenke, M. Yamauchi, and N. Miyazaki (2003). Global distribution of radionuclides (137Cs and 40K) in marine mammals. Environmental Science and Technology 37(20): 4597-602. ISSN: 0013-936X.
NAL Call Number: TD420.A1E5
Abstract: Concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides were measured in the muscle of marine mammals collected from various locations all over the world, and the global distribution of 137Cs in marine mammals was investigated. 40K was detected in all the specimens of marine mammals with no apparent difference between regions. An anthropogenic radionuclide, 137Cs, was detected in most of the species of marine mammals. With regard to the worldwide distribution of 137Cs, the highest concentration was noticed in the U.K. coast, followed by Lake Baikal, and decreases toward the southern sampling points. A strong positive correlation was observed between 137Cs levels in the muscle of marine mammals and the ambient seawater. Marine mammals feeding on fishes showed a higher concentration factor (CF) for 137Cs than those feeding on cephalopods. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the global distribution of 137Cs and the effect of feeding habits on the CF values of 137Cs in marine mammals.
Descriptors: cesium radioisotopes analysis, dolphins, potassium radioisotopes analysis, seals, earless, water pollutants, radioactive analysis, whales, cesium radioisotopes pharmacokinetics, diet, environmental monitoring, muscle, skeletal chemistry, potassium radioisotopes pharmacokinetics, seawater chemistry, tissue distribution, water pollutants, radioactive pharmacokinetics.
Young, C.R., A. Ebringer, and J.R. Archer (1978). Antigen dose and strain variation as factors in the genetic control of the immune response to sperm whale myoglobin. Immunology 34(3): 571-579.
Descriptors: antigen, dose, strain, genetic control, immune response, myoglobin, sperm whale.
Zabka, T.S. and T.A. Romano (2003). Distribution of MHC II (+) cells in skin of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): an initial investigation of dolphin dendritic cells. Anatomical Record 273a(1): 636-47. ISSN: 0003-276X.
Descriptors: dolphins immunology, histocompatibility antigens class ii metabolism, langerhans cells immunology, langerhans cells metabolism, skin immunology, dolphins anatomy and histology, histocompatibility antigens class ii immunology, immunohistochemistry, skin cytology, skin pathology, species specificity, tissue distribution.
Zylberberg, L. (2004). New data on bone matrix and its proteins. Comptes Rendus Palevol 3(6-7): 591-604. ISSN: 1631-0683.
Abstract: After a synthesis on some recent data on the biology of bone tissues senso lato, this paper focuses on the limits of known variability of bone regarding its amount of mineralisation (maximal and minimal) and on the underlying control mechanisms. Two models of hypermineralised bones are reviewed among cetaceans: the rostrum of the 'beaked whale' Mesoplodon and the tympanic bulla of the dolphin Delphinus. In the first case, hypermineralisation is reached lately through an ultrastructural specialization of the secondary osteons. In the second case, hypermineralisation starts at once, during foetal life, through a specialization of the primary osteons. In both cases, ultrastructural peculiarities of collagen fibrillogenesis are demonstrated. Diameter and spacing of the fibrils leave an exceptional empty space available for mineral deposition. Conversely, hypomineralisation is observed on the model of the Teleost scale. The basal plate of the scale is made of a regular 'biological plywood' of densely packed collageneous fibres. The mineral is laid down mostly in the interfibrillary spaces. All such tissue modulations seem to be rigorously controlled by details of the osteolblast biosynthetic, activities. In a given situation, osteoblasts may express only a subset of molecules from their potential complete biosynthetic repertoire. The debate now centres on how osteoblasts acquire positional information to express this subset. To cite this article: L. Zylberberg, C. R. Palevol 3 (2004). (C) 2004 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Descriptors: teleostei, inorganic substances, mineralization, scales, elasmoid scales, low level mineralization.