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IEVELcTHE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Technica~,,R~p~~/ umber 18

Submitted to the Offic~9...g,~ Naval Research under

Contract Numbe’~~~~~714-75-C-,~7,$ ~

J ABS1~ ACTS OF ~APERS J~RESENTED AT SUS1IT~ 9ONPERENCE JON THE BIOLOGY OF MARINE MA2IM&LS SAN DIEGO , Ck

12—15 pEcENBER 1977,

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By f~j 7,~4

~~1’

~~~~~r1eton

/~~Y, Doug1as/~ artzok~ and other8

~J_*Lfl~ tV.~~~ ) JRø dney V, /S:1n~, Jame s A. /Dobbin-~~~~~~~~~

(Dis tribution of this document is unlimited) D D C

iL’’ : Ea1tin~ re, Maryland D— - —~

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Second Conference on the Biologyof Marine Mammals, San Diego ,CA, 12—15 Dec. 1977, p. 22

ECOLO GY SECTION 1

I1~SICHTS INTO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PACIFIC WALRUS. C. Carleton— j~ y* and Douglas Wartzok, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,

Md. 21205.A team from Johns Hopkins conducted integrated behavioral and

ecological studies of walrus during 10—31 July Chukchi Sea cruise ofthe icebreaker USCCC Glacier. We remained with one “focal” group(1000-2000 animals) continuously for 12 days.

Repeated counts and observation of group movements elucidated apattern of dispersal and reassociation in accordance with both seaice configuration and walrus behavior. The group moved in a NEdirection with the sea ice “front.” Wind stress is the major driv—1mg force for sea ice movement. Thus an analysis of wind stress pat-terns is a prerequisite for understanding walrus habitat dynamics.

Ship position data and walrus dispersal patterns allow a calcula-tion of 500 nmi2 for the benthic feeding areas utilized by our group.This allows a preliminary model for the impact of this group in termsof its food supply. We observed several cases of polar bear preda-tory interactions , including kills, and estimate predation by polarbears to be important in the population dynamics of walrus, possiblyaccounting for a significant portion of young-of-year mortality.

Integrated, synoptic and site-specific studies of behavioral andecological relationships, can provide process-related data on im-pact of walrus in their habitat and the possible perturbations ofman. Such studies are necessary not only for management of walrus,but for other sea ice-inhabiting marine ma~mnats as well.

AN APPROACH TO ANALYSIS OF CRITICAL HABITAT OF TILE PACIFIC WALRUSODOBEN1JS ROSMARUS DIVERGENS. Rodney v. Saim,(1) C. Carletonand James A. Dobbin .(2) (1) The Johns Hopkins University~ Balti-more, Nd. 21205; (2) James Bobbin Associates, Toronto, Onta~~o,M6R 1Z8, Canada.

Walrus management exemp lifies dynamic complexity: critical breed-ing, pupping and feeding habitat boundaries change with season andbetween years; ranges of the sexes are partially seasonally andspatially separated; the bulk of the population has sunnier-winterranges within 2 distinct jurisdictions (U.S. & USSR); and manage-tnent involves great socio-economic problems.

Overlay mapping techniques are presented and defended as a toolfor the collation of ecological and socio-economic parameters intofunctional units, and the consequent formulation of a managementprogram . individual thematic maps dep ict legal jurisdictions ,present and historic walrus distributions , locations of food ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~isms, bathyrnetry, seasonal ice distribution , currents, system pro-ceases such as nutrient inputs, exploitation sites such as fishery £S GR~A&Igrounds and Eskimo villages, and proposed development or protec-tion areas. These are selectively combined to form composite maps xmouncedhighlighting priority research or management areas (includ ing wal- •tjfjcation___________rus critical habitat) and illustrating present and potential walrus-human conflicts. This approach also presents a model for conserva-tion problem-solving for other marine mannuls. _____________________

l&.~~~ut ion/

‘~~~~ r~~~ 1j ’ v Codesand/or

22

Second Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, San Diego, CA,12—15 December, 1977, page 26.

BEHAVIOR StCTION 1

MATING BEHAVIOR OF CAPTIVE SPOTTED SEALS (PHOCA LARGHA). John C.Beier* and Douglas Wartzok, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,Md. 21205.

We observed underwater mating behavior of a pair of spotted sealsduring April and early May in each of five years, 1973-1977. Pre-and post-copulatory behaviors and vocalizations are drawn from therepertoire which we observed throughout the year. We monitoredseven types of behavioral interactions bi-weekly for a one-year

- period. The rate of occurrence of these interactions increasessignificantly at least five’ days prior to copulation and progress-ively increases up to the day of attempted mating. The rate ofoccurrence of six vocalization types also increases significantlyduring mating season. Analysis of a total of 101 mating attemptsin 1976 and 1977 indicates there are several behavioral pathwaysleading to mating .

Second Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals, page 80.

HUSBAN DR Y — PATHOLOGY — STRAN D ING SECT IO N II

NECR OPSY FINDINGS IN A BEARDED SEAL , ERIGNATIIUS BARBATIJS. Lynn Bishop*and Douglas Wartzok, The Johns Hopk ins University, Baltimore, Md. 21205 .

We obtained an adult mate bearded seal , partially eaten by a polarbear, from sea ice during a cruise of the USCGC Glacier in the ChukchiSea in Ju ly, 1977. The thoracic and abdominal cavities and brain wereessentially intact.

Most significant lesions resulted from parasite infestation. Vary-ing degrees of hyperplasia and f ibros is of bile ductu les throughoutthe liver suggest reantion to injury by flukes although we saw noparasites. Numerous fibrotic nodules in the pancreas contained areasof ductular hyperp lasia , acinar atrophy, chronic inf1~mmation andnests of trematode eggs; we found no adult flukes. Both trematodesand cestodes were present in the lumen an4 attached to the inucosaof the small intestine. Multiple foci of chronic ulcerative gastri-tis in the forestomach were sometimes associated with clusters ofnematodes attached to the nucosa. Cysts of Sarcocystis ~~~~~~. werepresent in skeletal muscle fibers. Parasite identification is inprogress.

Other findings included pulmonary and aortic arteriosclerosis,nodular adrenal cortical hyperplasia and aspermatogenesis.

SecoztlConf. on Biology of MarineMammals , San Diego , CA, 12-15 Dec.1977 , p. 68.

ACONISTIC BEHAVIOR OF WALRUS IN THE CH1JKCHI SEA IN SUMNER. DouglasWartzok* and G. Carleton Ray, The Johns Hopkins University, Balti-more , Md. 21205

We classified a total of 335 agonistic interactions during 467minutes of observation of 31 groups of walrus totalling 393 animals.Twenty female/sub-adult groups averaged 0.00077 agonistic acts!animal/mm . Four female/sub-adult groups, with animals enteringthe group , showed significantly higher rates of agonistic actsaveraging 0.026/animal/mm . Seven male groups displayed the high-

est ra tes, averaging 0.068 agonistic acts/anitnal/min. Strikes withthe tusks comprised 207. of the agonistic acts in female/sub-adult

• groups, compared to 27% in male groups. Tusk feints comprised a

• significantly smaller percentage of agonistic acts (7%) in female/sub-adult groups than in male groups (19%). A circular tusk thrustwas the only agonistic interaction in female/sub-adult groups inthe Chukchi Sea which had not been previously reported for malesduring the summer in Bristol Bay.

2nd Coaf. on Biology of MarineMammals , S. Diego, CA, 12-15 Dec.1977. p. 78.

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THERNOREGULATION OF HAULED-OUT WALRUS IN THE CHUKCHI SEA IN SUMNER./ Douglas Wartzok* and G. Carleton Ray, The Johns Hopkins University,Baltimore, Nd. 21205

We measured surface temperatures of walrus hauled out in air tern-peratures between 2.2 and 6.2°C, with corresponding black bodytemperatures of 3.9 and 16.00C. Relative humidity varied from 78%to 92% and wind speed from 0 to 3.2 m/sec, 30 cm off the ice surface.Radiation thermometer temperatures of hauled-out walrus suggestthat this range of microclirnates is within the thermal neutralzone of the walrus. Body surface temperatures ranged from 16-30°Cwith rear flipper temperatures 2-8°C warmer than the rest of thebody. An example of probable circulatory control for thermorc~u-tation was one animal with a dorsal surface temperaturu of 23CC ,

• rear f l ipper temperature of 300C, and a belly temperature of 6°C.The belly had been in contact with the ice ittruediately beforemeas~.rcment.

p

• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~L øi~~i..• ~~, -• IJNCtk~~:~%(CUf ~ITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE (Wh.n Data

EnIer..d)

REPORT t~ori I L1~ kr~ AT IAW DAGE READ INSTRUCTIONS. . u BEFORE COMPLETING FORM

I REPORT NUMBER /j 2. GOVT ACCESSIO N NO. 3. R E CI P I E N TS C A T A L O G NUMBER

Technical Report No. 18

4. TITLE (an d S u bS I U .) S. TYPE OF REPORT 4 PERIOD COVERED

f ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS PRESENTED AT SECOND Technical Reportj CONFERENCE ON THE BIOLOG~1 OF MARINE MA~NMALS,

SAN DIEGO , CA . 12—15 DECEMBE R 1977 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER

7. AUTPIOR(.) B. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(.) —

C. C. Ray, D. Wartzok , J. Beier, R. Salm, J.-Dobbin, and L. Bishop N00014 75 C 0701 /

9. PERFORMING ORGANIZA T ION NAM E AND ADDR ESS ~O• PROGRAM £LE M ENT ,PROJEC T . T A 5 XAREA 6 WORK UNIT NUMBERSThe Johns Hopkins University ,,615 North Wolfe Street NR 104 676Baltimore, Maryland 21205

II. CO NTROLL INGOF F ICE NAME AND ADD RESS • 12. REPORT DATE

Oceanic Biology Program 29 June 1979Offi ce of Naval Research I S . NUMBER OF PAGESArlington, Virginia 22217 3

1 4 MONITORING AGENCY NAME & AODRESS(II different fro m ConiroIlln~ Offic.) IS. SECURITY CLASS. (of thu r.pore)

ONR Resident RepresentativeGeorge Washington University Unclassified

2110 G Street, NW ISa . ~~~~~~ICATI ON/ DOWNGRA DIHGWashington, D. C. 20037 _____________________________

16. DISTRiBUTION STATEMENT (of th ia Repor t)

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

17. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT (of th. ab.traci .nt.r.d in Block 20, ii dlff.rant from R.pori)

IS. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

19. KEY WORDS (Conhinu. on ‘ever., aid. If n.c..aary a,d identify by block numb.r)

Walrus, Odobenus roamarus, spotted seals, Phoca Largha, agonistic behavior,

mating behavior , thertnoregulation, bearded seal , Erignathus barbatus,necropsy.

ABSTRACT (Continue on rev.,.. .Id. Ii n.c.aury ,d Identify by block numbe r)

“The titles of the abstracts included are as follows:(i~ $SIGHTS INTO THE NA~ JRAL ~~

STORY OF TIlE PACIFIC ~~LRUS• ~~~ ~A.PPROACH TO ~ANALYSIS OF~~RITICAL BITX~t OP TI~~

PACt1~’IC WALRUS ,(~~~BENU S ROSMARTYS DIVERGENS~~

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~) ~~ TING VIOR OF CAPTIVE 1~5~rTED ~~ALS ~PI~OCA LARGH~); j

(4) XCONISTtC ~~IIAVIOR ~F WALRUg IN mE~dHUKdur ~ EA IN suMNER ;

~) ~~~CROPSY FfNDINGS IN A EEARDED SFJL~~F.RICNA1iiUS BAR~ATUSt’

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DD ~~~ 1473 EDITIO: OY 1 NOV 65 IS OBSOL ETE

t I!~’~!FI1D.SECURITY CLASSI FICATION OF THIS PAGE (IPl,.~ flat. lni.r.d)‘a -