Emerging Pathogens of Concern to Arctic Marine Mammal Health as a Result of Climate Change
IAAAM 2023
Ashley Barratclough1*; Peter O. Thomas2; Steven H. Ferguson3; Christian Lydersen4; Kit M. Kovacs4
1National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA; 2Marine Mammal Commission, Bethesda, MD, USA; 3Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada; 4Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway

Abstract

The impacts of climate change on the health of marine mammals are increasingly recognized.1 Given the rapid rate of environmental change in the Arctic, the potential ramifications on the health of marine mammals in this region are a particular concern.2 There are 11 endemic Arctic marine mammal species (AMMs) comprising three cetaceans, seven pinnipeds, and the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). All of these species are dependent on Arctic sea ice for survival, particularly those requiring ice for breeding. As air and water temperatures increase, additional species previously non-resident in Arctic waters are extending their ranges northward, leading to greater species overlaps and concomitant increased risk of disease transmission. In this study, we review the literature documenting disease presence in Arctic marine mammals to understand the current causes of morbidity and mortality in these species and forecast future disease issues. Our review highlights potential pathogen occurrence in a changing Arctic environment, discussing surveillance methods for 35 specific pathogens, identifying risk factors associated with these diseases, as well as making recommendations for future monitoring for emerging pathogens. Several of the pathogens discussed have the potential to cause unusual mortality events in AMMs. Brucella, Morbillivirus, Influenza A, and Toxoplasma gondii are all of concern, particularly with the relative naivety of the immune systems of endemic Arctic species. There is a clear need for increased surveillance to understand baseline disease levels and address the gravity of the predicted impacts of climate change on marine mammal species.3,4

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Frances Gulland for her facilitation of this project. This work is funded by an Arctic Council grant to KMK and CL from the Ministry of Climate and Environment (Norway).

*Presenting author

Literature Cited

1.  Gulland FMD, Baker J, Howe M, LaBrecque E, Leach L, Moore SE, Reeves RR, Thomas PO. A review of climate change effects on marine mammals in United States waters: past predictions, observed impacts, current research and conservation imperatives. Climate Change Ecology. 2022:100054.

2.  Burek KA, Gulland FMD, O’Hara TM. Effects of climate change on Arctic marine mammal health. Ecological Applications. 2008;18:126–134.

3.  Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Overland JE, Moore SE. Impacts of changing sea-ice conditions on Arctic marine mammals. Marine Biodiversity. 2011;41:181–194.

4.  Laidre KL, Stern H, Kovacs KM, Lowry L, Moore SE, Regehr EV, Ferguson SH, Wiig Ø, Boveng P, Angliss RP, Born EW. Arctic marine mammal population status, sea ice habitat loss, and conservation recommendations for the 21st century. Conservation Biology. 2015;29:724–737.

 

Speaker Information
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Ashley Barratclough
National Marine Mammal Foundation
San Diego, CA, USA


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