We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Using infrared thermography to assess seasonal trends in dorsal fin surface temperatures of free-swimming bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida.
- Authors
Barbieri, M. M.; McLellan, W. A.; Wells, R. S.; Blum, J. E.; Hofmann, S.; Gannon, J.; Pabst, D. A.
- Abstract
The temperature differential (Δ T) between a body surface and the environment influences an organism's heat balance. In Sarasota Bay, FL, where ambient water temperature ( Tw) ranges annually from 11° to 33°C, Δ T was investigated in a resident community of bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus). Dorsal fin surface temperatures ( Tdfin) were measured on wild, free-swimming dolphins using infrared thermography. Field and laboratory calibration studies were also undertaken to assess the efficacy of this non-invasive technology in the marine environment. The portability of infrared thermography permitted measurements of Tdfin across the entire range of environmental temperatures experienced by animals in this region. Results indicated a positive, linear relationship between Tdfin and Tw ( r2= 0.978, P < 0.001). On average, Tdfin was 0.9°C warmer than Tw across seasons, despite the 22°C annual range in Tw. Changes in integumentary and vascular insulation likely account for the stability of Δ Tdfin − w and the protection of core temperature ( Tcore) across seasons. The high thermal conductivity of water may also influence this Δ T. The use of infrared thermography is an effective, non-invasive method of assessing dorsal fin skin surface temperatures (±1°C) across large numbers of wild, free-swimming dolphins throughout their thermally dynamic aquatic environment.
- Subjects
SARASOTA Bay (Fla.); FLORIDA; BOTTLENOSE dolphin; THERMOGRAPHY; BODY temperature; VITAL signs; WATER temperature
- Publication
Marine Mammal Science, 2010, Vol 26, Issue 1, p53
- ISSN
0824-0469
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00319.x