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

• 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

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