Variability of Hormonal Stress Markers and Stress Responses in a Large Cross-Sectional Sample of Elephant Seals

• Main Authors: Crocker, Daniel E, Houser, Dorian S, Janz, David, Kellar, Nick, Cockrem, John F
• Other Authors: SONOMA STATE UNIV ROHNERT PARK CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Stress Physiology; Biological Oceanography; *RESPONSE(BIOLOGY); *SEALS(MAMMALS); *STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY); ALDOSTERONE; CATECHOLAMINES; CORTISOL; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT; FUR; MARINE BIOLOGY; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; SEX; THYROID HORMONES; BLUBBER; DAILY VARIATIONS; ELEPHANT SEALS; GLUCOCORTICOID HORMONES; PHYSIOLOGICAL AGE; Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA573471; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA573471

Physiological indicators of stress in wild marine mammals, the interrelationships between different stress markers and assessment of the biological effects of stress can be used to estimate the impact of anthropogenic stressors on marine mammal populations. Currently, there are no large cross-sectional datasets of stress markers in free ranging marine mammal populations. Without these data there is no context with which to interpret the biological significance of variation in stress markers in individuals. The United States Navy, as part of its environmental stewardship, can utilize stress markers to assess the acute and chronic impacts that its actions might have on marine mammals. This approach would permit better mitigation of potential impacts and ensure that Navy activities do not come at a deleterious cost to marine mammal populations.