Surface temperature patterns in seals and sea lions: A validation of temporal and spatial consistency

Authors/Editors

Research Areas

Publication Details

Output type: Journal article

Author list: Nienaber J, Thomton J, Horning M, Polasek L, Mellish JA

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication year: 2010

Journal: Journal of Thermal Biology (0306-4565)

Volume number: 35

Issue number: 8

Start page: 435

End page: 440

Number of pages: 6

ISSN: 0306-4565

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

Unpaywall Data

Open access status: closed

Abstract

We assessed infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for evaluating spatial and temporal surface temperature patterns in juvenile female harbor seals (Phoca vitulina, n=6) and adult female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, n=2). Following a technical assessment of the influence of environmental parameters on the specific camera to be used, we identified regional and seasonal variability of surface temperatures. Variation was observed in several seasonal transitions (winter, reproductive, molt) in ten monitored body regions. Spatially and temporally consistent thermal patterns in the shoulder, axillae, foreflipper and hindflipper suggest thermal windows in both species. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Eumetopias jubatus, Harbor seals, Infrared thermography (IRT), Phoca vitulina, Steller sea lions, Thermal windows, Thermoregulation

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