Sealing the Deal

 Hawaiian Monk Seal

  Jenna Dockray 

Adult Hawaiian monk seal basking in the sun. Image from marine conservation. 

Description and Ecology of the Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal, Monachus schauinslandi, is one of the most rare marine mammals, as well as the second most endangered seal species in the world. These endemic species to the Hawaiian Islands spend most of their time at sea, but come ashore to rest or breed on uninhabited, isolated beaches. 

The lifespan of these tropical mammals range from 25-30 years old. Full-size adult monk seals have an average weight of  375-450 pounds and length of 7-7.5 feet long, although females are typically larger than males. The Hawaiian monk seal has a grey, silver, or brown coat with a lighter underbelly. However, newborns have a black body, weighting around 35 pounds and measuring three-feet in length. 

Pup monk seal cuddles with mother.
Image from NOAA.

Newborns are bred between February to July on protected beaches in shallow water. After birth, the female ventures out for food, forcing the pup to survive on its own. Once the newborns enter the marine habitat, they will spend almost two-thirds of their life in the ocean searching for prey. Hawaiian monk seals are "benthic foragers" and will feed off bottom-dwelling organisms at any depth. Their diets consist of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. (NOAA)

Geographic and Population Changes

This pinniped species inhabits the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The majority of monk seals live in six main breeding subpopulations; Kure Atoll, Midway Islands, Pearl and Hermes Reef, Lisianski Island, Laysan Island, and the French Frigate Shoals. It is crucial to protect these subpopulations because the Hawaiian monk seal is one of the last monk seal populations. 

The Hawaiian monk seal is found on the beaches and in the waters 

of the northwestern Hawaiian islands, or Leeward Chain.Image from the Recovery Plan.   

They are also critical because Hawaiian monk seals do not migrate, and are extremely localized and endemic. Their population ranges from 1,200 to 1,400 individuals. Since 1965, the Monachus schauinslandi population has decreased by 60%, an alarming record low.

This graph shows the negative correlation between time and population abundance since 1998.
Image from National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Listing Date and Type of Listing

On November 23, 1976, the Hawaiian monk seal was officially listed under the Endangered Species Act as an endangered species with a priority number of one, for immense and extensive threats. Since then, two pervious recovery plans have been implemented to research and recover the Hawaiian monk seal. Although the recovery plans did not result in an increase in population, new scientific research has helped study and manage the seals while preventing a loss in genetic diversity amongst the subpopulations. The current Recovery Plan was put into action on August 22,2007. 

The recovery plan protects beaches for Hawaiian Monk Seals. Image from Conservation Hawaii. 

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to Continued Existence

Dead Hawaiian monk seal drifted ashore. Image from NOAA.

The Hawaiian monk seal is a highly endemic, localized species and therefore is constantly threatened by outside disturbances. Natural factors threatening the Hawaiian monk seal include low juvenile rates, male aggression, disease, increase in predators, food limitation, environmental erosion, and climate changes. Anthropogenic factors encompass all human disturbance, marine debris, destruction of habitat, and overexploitation. 

The Recovery Plan

The recovery plan for the Hawaiian monk seal includes four steps in order to assure long-term viability and the removal from the Endangered Species List. 

1. Improve the survival rate of juvenile and adult females by protecting habitats, intervening shark predators, reducing exposure to male aggression, and avoiding entanglement. 
2. Monitoring and maintaining an observatory and active role in the breeding process for Hawaiian monk seals. 
3. Increased collaboration and support from federal, state, and local governments, nonprofits, and volunteers to educate tourists and local citizens. Through funding and awareness, there will be a decline in human disturbances, exposure to diseases, and fatal entanglements for Hawaiian monk seals. 
4. All action to prevent invasive and infectious diseases, toxins, and parasites.   

Once there is a total population over 2,900, subpopulations with over 100 individuals, and a reproductive rate exceeding mortality rate, then Hawaiian monk seals will be considered "threatened" and no longer endangered. 

Click Picture for a video on Monk Seals!! Image from Wikimedia. 

  

Spreading Cheer as they Disappear: The California Tiger Salamander

This post was written by Patrick Douglas for Bio 227

nice to meet you! :)

      Located in the grasslands of Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties where it makes its home, the California Tiger Salamander could be found nestled in vernal pools and ponds, which it uses as mating grounds.  A whopping 7 to 8 inches of length in adulthood makes this Salamander enough to take any unsuspecting traveler aback if not prepared for its size.  Fortunately, this creature wears a cute smile upon its face, and most of its adult life is spent underground, inhabiting pre-existing holes made by small mammals.  However, unfortunately, the California Tiger Salamander was listed as an endangered species in 2003.  Previously categorized as a subspecies of Tiger Salamander, the California Tiger Salamander was differentiated as its own population by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the loss of their seasonal wetlands, and thus, decline in population.  Its endangered status was assigned in 2000 in Santa Barbara County and in 2002 in Sonoma County.  Additionally, it has been listed as threatened throughout Central California since 2004. 

 

MORE ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER

     Female salamanders lay anywhere from 1 to 14 eggs, which can be larvae for as long as 6 months, before developing lungs and leaving their drying habitats in exahange for an underground burrow.  This journey can be perilous, and take up several days and span an entire mile.  This subterranean destination was previously thought of as estivation (the summertime equivalent of hibernation) but thanks to the modern wonder of tiny fiber optic cameras, we’ve actually been able to observe the salamander foraging for worms and other insects underground. 

RECOVERY PLAN

The purpose and ultimate goal of a recovery plan is to de-list a species and return their population to a stable level.  The recovery plan of the California Tiger Salamander is primarily about restoring habitat conditions, protecting and managing those habitats, as well as maintaining population diversity.  The goal of this diversity is to ensure that the populations will be less vulnerable to disease or genetic dangers.  This recovery plan also addresses the need to save the comprehensive ecosystem that the salamander calls home, rather than just working on a single aspect or area of conservation.  Restoring the environment and habitat itself results in a trickle down effect in which the salamander will hopefully be able to make its comeback in the wild.  This plan necessitates the restoration of the current geographical distributions of the species, which may prove difficult due to the fact that its original destruction and degradation occurred from human developments. 

     Movements from the Center For Biological Diversity have lead to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposing a designation of around 50,000 acres of habitat for Sonoma county salamanders.  None of the populations in California had recovery plans prior to a 2012 law suit, which demanded a plan for each California salamander population, that we can now view today.   For more on the history of the salamander’s struggle, read here: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/amphibians/California_tiger_salamander/

looks like a nice place to raise your kids!  (if you're a California Tiger Salamander)

The Last of the Apache

By Dan Davies

The diversity of trout found in the western United States is remarkable and a valuable gift of biodiversity.  The Apache trout (Oncorhynchus apache) are an endemic species of salmonid recognized as the state fish of Arizona. This native trout is distributed exclusively among a relatively small region of watersheds in east-central Arizona and has undergone a significant population decline prior to federal protection.  The Apache trout is closely related to the Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae) however is uniquely characterized by yellow coloration, uniform spotting above and below the lateral line, and cream-colored fin tips (Miller 1972). These opportunistic feeders reside in cold-water streams and rivers above 6000 ft elevation where spawning occurs in gravel beds.

The historic range of the Apache trout is known to have included approximately 600 miles of rivers and streams within Arizona's White Mountains. The White, Black and Little Colorado River Basins comprise the waterways within the region (Rinne 1985, Loundenslager et al. 1986, Carmichael et al. 1993). Current distribution of the Apache trout includes only a fraction of their original range at 119 miles and only 28 natural populations of Apache trout remain within their historic range.

                    Original native range of Apache trout. (nativeflyfishing.com, Data: Behnke 2002 and Propst et al 1992.

The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1967 (a precursor to the Endangered Species Act of 1973) first listed the Apache trout as endangered, however a reclassification to athreatened listing occurred in 1975 following successful reintroductions and reevaluations of population size (USFWS 2009)

Habitat alterations and negative interactions with non-native trout species have been the primary causes of a decline in Apache trout numbers. Critical riparian habitats within the Apache trout range have been heavily disrupted by logging, livestock grazing, reservoir construction, agriculture, and road construction (USFWS 1983). Competition with non-native trout species such as the brown and brook trout have dramatically affected the native populations of Apache trout. Although current federal protection regulates the harvest of Apache trout, overharvesting in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a major factor for the decline in their population.

The original recovery plan for the Apache trout was established in 1983 in order to address the major threats to the species.  The recovery plan mandated that natural and artificial fish barriers be created and or maintained in order to ensure isolation of the natural Apache populations.  Non-native trout species were also chemically or mechanically removed from waterways critical to the endemic Apache and the stocking of non-native trout species has been dramatically reduced. Sport fishing has been banned or closely regulated in streams known to possess relict Apache trout and hatchery produced Apache have been introduced to assist populations or to allow for anglers to catch Apache in designated areas. Fencing erected along streams to control livestock grazing was also established and has shown varying degrees of success. The stream fencing is intended to reduce erosion and sedimentation along these critical riparian habitats (USFWS 2009). A recovery goal of establishing 30 self-sustaining distinct populations has been suggested and appears likely with sound management and restoration efforts. 

Carmichael, G.J., J.N. Hanson, M.E. Schmidt, and D.C. Morizot. 1993. Introgression among Apache, cutthroat, and rainbow trout in Arizona. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122:121-130.

Loudenslager, E.J., J.N. Rinne, G.A.E. Gall, and R.E. David. 1986. Biochemical genetic studies of native Arizona and New Mexico trout. Southwestern Naturalist 31:221-234.

Miller, R.R. 1972. Classification of the native trouts of Arizona with the description of a new species, Salmo apache. Copeia 1972:401-422.

Rinne, J.N., and W.L. Minckley. 1985. Patterns of variation and distribution in Apache trout (Salmo apache) relative to co-occurrence with introduced salmonids. Copeia 1985:285- 292.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1983. Recovery plan for Arizona trout, Salmo apache, Miller, 1972. Apache Trout Recovery Team. USFWS, Albuquerque, NM, 38 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009. Apache Trout Recovery Plan, Second Revision. Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Biggest Are About to Become Bigger

Taken from itravel-cabo.com

The Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus
by Alex Degregori

Overview:

Taken from BBC

            One trivia question nearly everybody can answer correctly is: What is the largest living animal on Earth? The blue whale of course. Even though they can grow to the immense size of 110 feet and 200 tons, humans still have the ability to impact these beautiful creatures (COSEWIC). The blue whales feed primarily on euphausiids which are small crustaceans or krill, very similar to shrimp. On average, they will eat approximately 3 tons of food per day! Blue whales also have the largest acoustic power out of any other animal with sounds almost reaching 184 dB (COSEWIC). This loud of a noise has the power to destroy your hearing tissue, which would cause you to go deaf (GC Audio). I am sure glad blue whales don’t live on the mainland!

          The blue whale is found in almost all the oceans but is predominantly located from California to Central American Waters. Whalers nearly hunted the blue whale to extinction in the 19^th century but the whale became internationally protected in the 1966. Because of this intense whaling, sightings are very rare to this day so a recovery plan has been implemented bring the population numbers back up (COSEWIC). The blue whale has been listed as endangered since 1970. 

Restrictive Factors and Threats:

Taken from guardianlv.com

            The main threat to blue whales has been human interactions. Collisions with ships can easily kill a blue whale if the ship is large enough. Multiple dead blue whales were found to have deep gashes on their dorsal surface which are thought to have been caused by ships. Other interactions such as major shipping lanes and the noise that ships produce have a negative impact on the health of blue whales as it interferes with the whales’ ability to communicate with one another. Another factor is the plankton that the whales feed on also are accompanied with man-made contaminants that have been seen to alter blue whale behavior. And of course hinting of the whales by humans which almost depleted the whale population in the 20^th century.

Recovery Plan:

The Blue Whale Recovery Plan lists a stepdown outline of its objectives:

1. Determine Stock Structure of Blue Whale Populations Occurring in U.S. Waters and       Elsewhere.
2. Estimate the Size and Monitor Trends in Abundance of Blue Whale Populations.
3. Identify and Protect Habitat Essential to the Survival and Recovery of Blue Whale Populations.
4. Reduce or Eliminate Human-caused Injury and Mortality of Blue Whales.
5. Minimize Detrimental Effects of Directed Vessel Interactions with Blue Whales.
6. Maximize Efforts to Acquire Scientific Information from Dead, Stranded, and Entangled Blue Whales.
7. Coordinate State, Federal, and International Efforts to Implement Recovery Actions for Blue Whales.
8. Establish Criteria for Deciding Whether to Delist or Downlist Blue Whales.

               Overall, the recovery plan is difficult to implement and manage because the blue whale travels to most oceans. They reproduce at a very slow rate as well (once every 2-3 years) which makes it hard for the population to bounce back. The basis of the plan is to first obtain information on the blue whales because there is not enough research on them. Areas around the U.S. where blue whales are known to inhabit will be protected boats need to be designed so that impacts will be less harmful towards whales and the reduction of fishing lines and nets to reduce injury to the whales as well.

References

"Decibel (Loudness)." Decibel (Loudness) Comparison Chart. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.

Edds, Peggy L. "Vocalizations of the Blue Whale, Balaenoptera Musculus, in the St. Lawrence                      River." Journal of Mammalogy 63.2 (1982): 345. Web.

"Endangered Species: Blue Whales Are the Largest Mammals That Ever Lived." Guardian Liberty                Voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.

Randall R. Reeves, Phillip J. Clapham,, Robert L. Brownell, Jr., And Gregory K. Silber.                                  RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE BLUE WHALE (n.d.): n. pag. Web.

It's A Little Over-Whale-Ming

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera Musculus

Alex Dowthwaite

Image from www.wallstreetotc.com

Image from www.animal-kid.com

The blue whale is the largest animal known to have existed on earth! With a heart the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, a blue whale’s heartbeat can be detected from two miles away. They dive for ten to twenty minute periods and feed in depths less than 100 meters. Their stomachs can hold one ton a krill, which is understandable considering that they need to eat about four tons each day! Blue whales are the loudest animals on Earth, including being louder than a jet engine, which is valuable when paired with their excellent hearing and the dark ocean surrounding. Although blue whales are not necessarily the blue-ish color you would expect, they “have a mottled gray color pattern which appears light blue when seen through the water” (Recovery Plan). Blue whales are fairly independent and either travel alone or in small groups of two or three. Unfortunately, this may just be our interpretation of these amazing creatures as they can communicate from very far distances due to their powerful voices and may be in constant contact without our knowledge. 

Image from www.shorecrest.org

In the summer, the blue whale migrates towards the poles and into cooler waters to feed. When these warm few months are over, they migrate back toward the equator and into warmer waters to breed in the winter. This causes the different stocks in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres not to mix due to the opposite seasons in each hemisphere. Blue whales can be found in the Arctic Sea and the Atlantic, India, and Pacific Oceans. Despite their wide geographic range, they are one of the rarest of all whales. Most of the few remaining whales are even “true” blue whales! They are merely a subspecies known as “pygmy” blue whales, which are not as enormous as the originals.

Image from www.dolphins.jump-gate.com

Blue whales were listed as endangered wherever found on June 2, 1970. They were occasionally hunted in the first half of the 19^th century but hunting was dramatically increased with the introduction of steam power in the second half of the century. Boats were now able to overtake the fast-swimming giants and when deck-mounted harpoon cannons were added, hunting was moved to a more industrial scale. Modern whaling technology including factory ships have been available since the early 1870s causing hunting to be accelerated since the turn of the century until the mid-1960s. Blue whales are also injured from collisions with the propellers of large ships that can cause serious scaring and occasionally death. Due to their large size, blue whales very rarely become tangled or trapped in fishing nets or gear.

GIF from www.giphy.com

The deliberate killing of blue whales has been prohibited for several decades and no whaling for blue whales occurs presently. Both of these steps have had such a positive effect of the conservation of such beautiful giants. Immediate objectives of the recovery plan are to “identify factors that may be limiting the populations and actions necessary to allow the populations to increase (Recovery Plan). There is a stressed importance of a multi-national approach to the rehabilitation of blue whales since they move freely across all boarders. One form of protection mentioned in the recovery plan is to limit or eliminate human caused injuries and death due to ship collisions, fishing gear, and pollution. It is also very important to collect scientific data from “dead, stranded, and entangled blue whales” (Recovery Plan) so that effective steps can be put in place to save these alluring creatures.

GIF from www.gifsoup.com

For more information, visit these awesome websites:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/blue-whale/

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/education/marine-mammal-information/cetaceans/blue-whale.html

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/blue-whale

Works Cited:

"Animals For Humpback Whale Size Comparison." Animal-Kid. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://animal-kid.com/humpback-whale-size-comparison.html>.

"Blue Whale." GifSoup. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://gifsoup.com/view/163632/blue-whale.html>.

"Blue Whale." WWF. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2015. <http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/cetaceans/about/blue_whale/>.

Fortin, Nathan. "California Blue Whale Population Rebounds." Wall Street OTC. N.p., 6 Sept. 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wallstreetotc.com%2Fcalifornia-blue-whale-population-rebounds-to-historic-97-level-in-west-coast%2F28635%2F>.

GIPHY. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fgiphy.com%2Fsearch%2Fwhale>.

"Species Profile for Blue Whale (Balaenoptera Musculus)." U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2015. <http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=A02M>.