Implantation of subcutaneous heart rate data loggers in southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina)

International audience Unlike most phocid species (Phocidae), Miroungaleonina (southern elephant seals) experience acatastrophic moult where they not only replace their hairbut also their epidermis when ashore for approximately1 month. Few studies have investigated behavioural andphysiological adapt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Biology
Main Authors: Chaise, Laureline, Paterson, William, Laske, Timothy G., Gallon, Susan L., Mccafferty, Dominic J., Thery, Marc, Ancel, André, Gilbert, Caroline
Other Authors: Mécanismes Adaptatifs et Evolution (MECADEV), Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews Scotland, University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMN), University of Minnesota System (UMN), Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie (DEPE-IPHC), Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar (Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA))-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA)-Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) Mulhouse - Colmar (Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA))-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA), IPEV (program 1037 HEner gES)
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: HAL CCSD 2017
Subjects:
Marine mammals
Pinnipeds
Surgery
[SDE]Environmental Sciences
Elephant Seals
Mirounga leonina
Polar Biology
Southern Elephant Seals
Online Access:https://hal.science/hal-01643765
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2144-x
Description
Summary:International audience Unlike most phocid species (Phocidae), Miroungaleonina (southern elephant seals) experience acatastrophic moult where they not only replace their hairbut also their epidermis when ashore for approximately1 month. Few studies have investigated behavioural andphysiological adaptations of southern elephant seals duringthe moult fast, a particularly energetically costly lifecycle’s phase. Recording heart rate is a reliable techniquefor estimating energy expenditure in the field. For the firsttime, subcutaneous heart rate data loggers were successfullyimplanted during the moult in two free-rangingsouthern elephant seals over 3–6 days. No substantialpostoperative complications were encountered and consistentheart rate data were obtained. This promising surgicaltechnique opens new opportunities for monitoring heartrate in phocid seals

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