25/06/2013 1 Written by Elizabeth Hawkins for the Southern Cross University Biology & Conservation of Marine Mammals Unit 2013 Adaptation Anatomy Muscular system Anatomical system that allows animal to move Specifically adapted to the marine environment E.g. Blowhole: muscular flap that provides airtight seal Myoglobin – oxygen-binding protein stores oxygen Skeletal System Light & ‘spongy’ bones Have forelimbs Remnant hind limbs Collapsible rib cages Respiratory System Cetaceans exchange 85-90% of air in one breathe (humans 15%) More red blood cells than human Oxygen rich blood (high levels of oxygen in muscles) Muscles can function anaerobically Can tolerate high levels of CO2 & can continue to dive with no oxygen
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Stranding & Necropsy Procedure & Assessment atlas: ... Species identification Behaviour before & during Single or mass stranding Time of death Level of decomposition (fresh, moderate,
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25/06/2013
1
Written by Elizabeth Hawkins for the Southern Cross University Biology & Conservation of Marine Mammals Unit 2013
Adaptation
Anatomy
Muscular system Anatomical system that allows animal to move
Specifically adapted to the marine environment
E.g. Blowhole: muscular flap that provides airtight seal
Myoglobin – oxygen-binding protein stores oxygen
Skeletal System Light & ‘spongy’ bones
Have forelimbs
Remnant hind limbs
Collapsible rib cages
Respiratory System Cetaceans exchange 85-90% of air
in one breathe (humans 15%)
More red blood cells than human
Oxygen rich blood (high levels of oxygen in muscles)
Muscles can function anaerobically
Can tolerate high levels of CO2 & can continue to dive with no oxygen
25/06/2013
2
Circulatory System Heat Exchange System (Thermoregulation)– keeping
warm in a cold sea
- Arteries in the extremities; dorsal fin, pec fins & tail flukes
- Countercurrent heat exchange maintains body heat
- Heart rate slows during a dive to lower metabolism
Diving Adaptation
Digestive System Three chambered digestive system
Fore stomach begins digestion of food
Major digestion takes place in second (main) stomach
Pyloric stomach final digestion before transferred into the intestinal system
Renal System The kidneys of dolphins are specially designed to filter
the high levels of salt
Multiple renules in kidneys that act as a separate kidneys and filer the salt
**Pugliares, K. R., Bogomolni, A., Herzig, S. M. et al. (2007) Marine Mammal Necropsy: An introductory guide for stranding responders and field biologists, Technical Report, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, USA