1 US Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA.
Published: January 2015
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Alopecia (hair loss) has been observed in several marine mammal species and has potential energetic consequences for sustaining a normal core body temperature, especially for Arctic marine mammals routinely exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) rely on a thick layer of adipose tissue and a dense pelage to ameliorate convective heat loss while moving between sea ice and open water. From 1998 to 2012, we observed an alopecia syndrome in polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska that presented as bilaterally asymmetrical loss of guard hairs and thinning of the undercoat around the head, neck, and shoulders, which, in severe cases, was accompanied by exudation and crusted skin lesions. Alopecia was observed in 49 (3.45%) of the bears sampled during 1,421 captures, and the apparent prevalence varied by years with peaks occurring in 1999 (16%) and 2012 (28%). The probability that a bear had alopecia was greatest for subadults and for bears captured in the Prudhoe Bay region, and alopecic individuals had a lower body condition score than unaffected individuals. The cause of the syndrome remains unknown and future work should focus on identifying the causative agent and potential effects on population vital rates.
Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology for Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Chengdu, 610000, Sichuan, China.
Background: Babesia is a tick-borne protozoan blood parasite that can cause hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lethargy and splenomegaly in giant pandas.
Methods: We evaluated the efficacy and safety profile of a therapeutic regimen combining atovaquone and zithromycin in the context of babesiosis in giant pandas that have been naturally infected. The examined pandas underwent clinical and laboratory analyses, including hematology, biochemistry and thyroid hormone profiles.
Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/Junta de Andalucía, Sevilla ES-41013, Spain; Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla ES-41013, Spain. Electronic address:
The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas putida bears a tuft of flagella at a single cell pole. New flagella must be assembled de novo every cell cycle to secure motility of both daughter cells. Here we show that the coordinated action of FimV, FlhF and FleN sets the location, timing and number of flagella assembled.
North Slope Borough, Department of Wildlife Management, Utqiaġvik, AK 99723, USA; Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK 99708, USA.
Ringed (Pusa hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), spotted (Phoca largha), and ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals are ice-associated seals that are important subsistence resources for coastal Alaska Native people. These seals are also mid- to upper trophic level Arctic predators and primary prey of polar bears (Ursus maritimus). We analyzed concentrations of 19 trace elements in seal liver, kidney, muscle, and blubber, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and vanadium due to their potential toxicity.
Zoological Pathology Program, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA.
Red pandas () are endangered with extinction due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Reported causes of unexpected death in managed red pandas include kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, and cardiac disease. A previously undetailed syndrome, red panda peracute mortality syndrome, may be emerging, as red pandas have died unexpectedly, with no clear cause of death identified at necropsy.
This article introduces the Generalized Analog Regression Downscaling method Large Ensemble (GARD-LENS) dataset, comprised of daily precipitation, mean temperature, and temperature range over the Contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii at 12-km, 4-km, and 1-km resolutions, respectively.
