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  • This bibliography contains references to diseases, health, clinical biochemistry and pathology of captive and wild sea birds. The definition of a sea bird is broad and includes all species that feed within the marine environment and others which are related but inhabit other aquatic environments e.g. cormorants. The bibliography is comprehensive but not exhaustive. The compilers would appreciate lists of missed and new items for inclusion. These should be sent to the data officer at the Australian Antarctic Data Centre at the contact details listed below.

  • 2000/2001 season 31 quad based surveys were conducted along the pack-ice edge to identify where leopard seals could be accessed. 31 one hour aerial surveys were also conducted to identify the position and number of seals in the region. 36 boat based surveys were conducted to identify the size and sex of leopard seals, whether they were a resight and the possibility of sedating seals. There were a total of 23 leopard seal captures. Resights from the 1999/2000 season were made of 5 known seals. Samples were collected from a total of 19 known and 20 unknown leopards seals. Samples were also collected from 14 known weddell seals. All blood, fur, whisker, scat, and morphmetric measurements were collected. Three satellite tracking units were deployed following the moult on adult leopard seals, and one crittercam unit. 14 blood samples were taken from leopard seals, 13 blood samples from weddell seals. 6 blubber samples from leopard seals, 17 fur samples from leopard seals and 7 whiskers from leopard seals and 2 from weddell seals 32 scats from leopard seals, 50 urine and 30 scat samples from weddell seals. Voucher samples for stable isotope analysis from 2 weddell seals, 26 penguins and 64 fish were collected. Spatial movements and haul out data from 11 leopard seals has been analysed. The blood, skin muscle, whisker, fat and fur has been prepared for later analysis. 42 separate scats have been analysed to determine diet composition. The captive feeding trials have been performed using two captive leopard seals. For each seal the following tests have been conducted, biochemical analysis of fresh serum, manual packed cell volme and white cell counts and differential white cell counts from blood smears and all haematological analysis. The refinement of the anaesthetic protocol of Zolazepam/ Tiletamine in leopard seals has been continued and this combination appears to provide a deeper and more reliable level of immobilisation compared with other anaesthetic combinations to date. 2001/2002 season In the Prydz Bay area, 28 one-hour aerial surveys were conducted by Squirrel helicopter, 23 quad based surveys and 12 boat based surveys were conducted between latitudes 68 degrees 20'S and 68 degrees 40'S along the fast ice edge to identify the position and number of leopard seals in the region. 110 leopard seals were sighted overall and of those 5 were positively identified as resight animals, tagged during previous seasons. Five leopard seal capture procedures were performed and postmortem samples, blood fur, blubber, skin, whiskers, scats, urine and morphometric measurements were collected from two leopard seals. 6 urine and 15 scat samples collected from known and unknown leopard seals and 7 fur samples including 2 from resight animals tagged during the previous two seasons. Three Weddell seal capture procedures were performed and blood samples were collected from each seal. 125 weddell seal urine and 112 weddell seal scat samples were also collected. For stable isotope and signature fatty acid analysis, the following samples were collected as voucher samples; 1 weddell seal muscle sample, 3 adelie penguin muscle samples, 1 elephant seal whisker, muscle and skin sample, 73 Antarctic cod muscle samples, 23 ice fish and 20 krill. Foraging Information Scats collected from 20 seals and will be analysed for diet information. Stable isotope analysis involved fur, blood and whiskers collected from 35 animals. A key to the stable isotopes is provided in the download file. Fatty acid analysis involved collection of blubber from 35 animals. The fields in this dataset are: Spatial Data Seal Id: adult female Ptt tag number Date: date data collected Time: time data collected Location Class: ARGOS location classes 3 (0-150m), 2 (150-350m) and 1 (350-1000m). South: latitude decimal degrees East: longitude decimal degrees Amphipods ID = ID of seal from which scat sample collected Length = length of amphipod Wt = weight of amphipod Species = species of amphipod broken specimens = not whole specimens. Otolith data; No = number collected Species = species of fish identified from otolith Length/breadth/width = measurements of otolith in mm Eqn = calculation used to determine Standard length of fish from otolith size Mass = mass calculation of fish from otolith measurements Age and Length classes = size of mass of fish classified into groups Fatty acids Ret Time = retention time of individual fatty acid Area counts = TBA Area % = TBA LS Scat ID refers to the Identification number we gave to each seal. U refers to a unknown seal Date = date sample collected Sex = sex of seal Age = juvenile, sub adult or adult Seal = seal fur found in scat penguin = penguin remains found in scat and so on for each other column including fish, otolith, krill rocks, amphipod and seaweed. St weight refers to stomach weight.

  • Blood samples from 35 seals have been collected for serum biochemistry analysis. Scats from 20 animals have been collected for parasitology. Estimated weights and morphometric measurements from 35 animals have been collected. The data for this project are presented in a number of excel worksheets. In addition, a word document is also included in the download file which fully explains each spreadsheet. A precis of that word document is copied below. Haematology Data from haematological analysis performed on fresh whole blood collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) Data from SPE analysis performed on serum (stored at -80 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Serum Biochemistry Data from biochemistry analysis performed on serum (stored at -80 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-22.01.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. Trace element and heavy metal analysis Data from trace element and heavy metal analysis performed on serum (-80 degrees C), fur, frozen (-20 degrees C) and formalin (10%) fixed tissues, plasma (-80 degrees C), EDTA plasma (-80 degrees C), washed red blood cells (-80 degrees C) and urine (-20 degrees C) collected from leopard seals between 27.12.1999-17.02.2002 and Weddell seals between 02.01.2001-21.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The spreadsheet is organised into six worksheets: 1.Serum (micro g/L) 2.Fur (micro g/g dry weight) 3.Frozen tissues (micro g/g dry weight) 4.Plasma and RBC (red blood cells) (micro g/L) 5.Urine (micro g/L) 6.Formalin tissues (micro g/g dry weight) Faecal Parasites Data from faecal flotation in saturated salt solution performed on fresh and frozen (- 20 degrees C) scats collected from leopard seals between 23.11.1999-17.02.2002 and Weddell seals between 06.12.2000-16.01.2002 off Davis Station in the Austral summer seasons of 1999/2000, 2000/2001 and 2001/2002. The fields in this dataset are: Glucose Urea Creatinine Fibrinogen Protein Albumin Globulin Bilirubin ALP AST ALT Creatinine Kinase Cholesterol Calcium Phosphate Sodium Potassium Chloride Bicarbonate Anion Gap Amylase Lipase Date Faeces Cestode eggs Ascarid Eggs PCV WCC Neutrophil Eosinophil Basophil Lymphocyte Monocyte Band Neutrophil Serum Magnesium Aluminium Vandium Chromium Manganese Iron Cobalt Nickel Copper Zinc Arsenic Selenium Cadmium Mercury Lead Bismuth Date