In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 16, No. 1 ( 2021-1-6), p. e0243570-
Abstract:
Despite a long-documented history of severe harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New England coastal waters, corresponding HAB-associated marine mammal mortality events in this region are far less frequent or severe relative to other regions where HABs are common. This long-term survey of the HAB toxins saxitoxin (STX) and domoic acid (DA) demonstrates significant and widespread exposure of these toxins in New England marine mammals, across multiple geographic, temporal and taxonomic groups. Overall, 19% of the 458 animals tested positive for one or more toxins, with 15% and 7% testing positive for STX and DA, respectively. 74% of the 23 different species analyzed demonstrated evidence of toxin exposure. STX was most prevalent in Maine coastal waters, most frequently detected in common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis ), and most often detected during July and October. DA was most prevalent in animals sampled in offshore locations and in bycaught animals, and most frequently detected in mysticetes, with humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) testing positive at the highest rates. Feces and urine appeared to be the sample matrices most useful for determining the presence of toxins in an exposed animal, with feces samples having the highest concentrations of STX or DA. No relationship was found between the bloom season of toxin-producing phytoplankton and toxin detection rates, however STX was more likely to be present in July and October. No relationship between marine mammal dietary preference and frequency of toxin detection was observed. These findings are an important part of a framework for assessing future marine mammal morbidity and mortality events, as well as monitoring ecosystem health using marine mammals as sentinel organisms for predicting coastal ocean changes.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.g009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.t009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0243570.s001
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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