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Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Spermatozoa: Collection, Cryopreservation, and Heterologous In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: August 21, 2017
Thermal tolerance in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)
Laura C Yeates1, Dorian S Houser
1US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, CA 92152, USA. yeates@biology.ucsc.edu
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|October 9, 2008
Summary
Water temperature significantly impacts bottlenose dolphin thermoregulation, with larger dolphins tolerating colder conditions. Smaller dolphins may face thermal stress limiting their poleward distribution.
Area of Science:
- Marine Mammal Physiology
- Thermoregulation Biology
- Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics
Background:
- Coastal bottlenose dolphin distribution may be limited by water and air temperatures.
- Understanding thermal tolerance is crucial for predicting species' range shifts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the lower critical temperature (LCT) for captive bottlenose dolphins in both water (LCT(w)) and air (LCT(a)).
- To assess the impact of water and air temperatures on dolphin thermoregulation.
Main Methods:
- Open flow respirometry used to measure metabolic rates.
- Controlled exposure of five bottlenose dolphins to varying water and air temperatures.
- Monitoring of core body temperature in relation to environmental conditions.
Main Results:
- Lower critical water temperature (LCT(w)) ranged from 5.5 to 10.6°C, decreasing with increased body mass.
- For dolphins over 187 kg, LCT(w) was 5.5–5.7°C.
- Water temperature was the primary factor influencing dolphin thermoregulation, with minimal synergistic effect from air temperature.
Conclusions:
- Water temperature alone is unlikely to restrict large bottlenose dolphins from expanding into northern coastal habitats.
- Thermal stress may affect smaller dolphins, influencing their habitat use and population structure in conjunction with other ecological factors.
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