Review of Stress and the Measurement of Stress in Marine Mammals

• Main Authors: Crocker, Daniel E, Houser, Dorian S, Janz, David, Kellar, Nick, Cockrem, John F
• Other Authors: NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE LA JOLLA CA SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Stress Physiology; Biological Oceanography; *HORMONES; *SEALS(MAMMALS); *STRESS(PHYSIOLOGY); ALDOSTERONE; DEMOGRAPHY; SENSITIVITY; VARIATIONS; *HORMONAL STRESS MARKERS; *ELEPHANT SEALS; GC(GLUCOCORTICOID HORMONES); TH(THYROID HORMONES); CATECHOLAMINES; ACTH(ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONES); TSH(THYROID STIMULATING HORMONES); HPA(HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-ADRENAL); HPT(HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY-THYROID); New Zealand; Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA598675; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA598675

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. Prepared in cooperation with Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, the National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, and Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.