The relationship between dietary trophic level, parasites and the microbiome of Pacific walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens )

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
• Main Authors: Couch, Claire, Sanders, Justin, Sweitzer, Danielle, Deignan, Kristen, Cohen, Lesley, Broughton, Heather, Steingass, Sheanna, Beechler, Brianna
• Other Authors: National Geographic, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: The Royal Society 2022
• Subjects: Arctic; Lawrence Island; Pacific; Climate change; Odobenus rosmarus; Savoonga; St Lawrence Island; Alaska; walrus*
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.0079; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rspb.2022.0079; https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full-xml/10.1098/rspb.2022.0079

Arctic species are likely to experience rapid shifts in prey availability under climate change, which may alter their exposure to microbes and parasites. Here, we describe fecal bacterial and macroparasite communities and assess correlations with diet trophic level in Pacific walruses harvested duri...