The decreasing extent of sea-ice in the arctic basin as a consequence of climatic warming is modifying the behavior and diets of pagophilic pinnipeds, including the Pacific walrus, Odobenus rosmarus divergens Illiger, the species emphasized here. Mammals such as the walrus and bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben), cannot remain associated with the sea-ice, and continue to feed on their usual diet of benthic invertebrates inhabiting coastal waters to a depth of approximately 100 m, when the northwestward retreating ice reaches deep waters beyond the margins of the continental shelf. With reduction of their customary substrate (ice), the walrus has become more pelagic and preys more often on ringed seals, Phoca hispida Schreber. Dietary changes, with modifications of helminth faunas, may be induced by various factors. Increased consumption of mammals or their remains by walruses may lead to a higher prevalence of trichinellosis in them and to more frequent occurrence in indigenous peoples inhabiting the arctic coasts. To assess predicted effects on the composition of helminth fauna of the walrus, we recommend systematic surveys of their helminths as part of research on effects of climatic warming.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
October 2007
Article Commentary|
October 01 2007
Effect of Climatic Warming on the Pacific Walrus, and Potential Modification of Its Helminth Fauna
Robert L. Rausch
;
Robert L. Rausch
aDepartment of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357190, Seattle, Washington 98195-7190;
Search for other works by this author on:
John C. George
;
John C. George
aDepartment of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357190, Seattle, Washington 98195-7190;
bDepartment of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, P.O. Box 69, Barrow, Alaska 99723. rausch@u.washington.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Harry K. Brower
Harry K. Brower
aDepartment of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357190, Seattle, Washington 98195-7190;
bDepartment of Wildlife Management, North Slope Borough, P.O. Box 69, Barrow, Alaska 99723. rausch@u.washington.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
J Parasitol (2007) 93 (5): 1247–1251.
Citation
Robert L. Rausch, John C. George, Harry K. Brower; Effect of Climatic Warming on the Pacific Walrus, and Potential Modification of Its Helminth Fauna. J Parasitol 1 October 2007; 93 (5): 1247–1251. doi: https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-3583CC.1
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
REVIEW OF PARASITES FOUND IN EXTINCT ANIMALS: WHAT CAN BE REVEALED
Paula Cascardo, Elisa Pucu, Daniela Leles
THE EFFICACY OF MARINE NATURAL PRODUCTS AGAINST PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM
Yukihiro Goto, Rie Kamihira, Yoichi Nakao, Motohiro Nonaka, Ryo Takano, Xuenan Xuan, Kentaro Kato
MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PLAGUE VECTOR XENOPSYLLA BRASILIENSIS
Saeed Mohammadi, Heike Lutermann, Sasha Hoffmann, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Heather J. Webster, Dina Fagir, Nigel C. Bennett, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
MOLECULAR INVESTIGATION AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF ANAPLASMOSIS IN DOGS
Hammad Nayyar Ghauri, Muhammad Ijaz, Arslan Ahmed, Muhammad Umair Aziz Muhammad Naveed, Yasir Nawab, Muhammad Umar Javed, Awais Ghaffar
GENETIC AND MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION OF DIASCHISTORCHIS PANDUS (DIGENEA: PRONOCEPHALIDAE) TREMATODES EXTRACTED FROM HAWKSBILL TURTLES, ERETMOCHELYS IMBRICATA (TESTUDINES: CHELONIIDAE), IN GRENADA, WEST INDIES
Daniel M. Fitzpatrick, Monica A. Tetnowski, Thomas G. Rosser, Rhonda D. Pinckney, David P. Marancik, Brian P. Butler