Marine mammals
Marine Mammals Research
North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database
Walrus Research
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Polar Bear Research
Tracking Data for Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
Aerial Seabird and Marine Mammal Surveys
Health Effects and Behavioral Response of Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) to Persistent Algal Bloom and Associated Loss of Seagrass Resources in Brevard County, Florida
Population Ecology of Florida Manatees
Quantitative Framework to Model Risk of Collisions between Marine Wildlife and Boats
Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Recovery Studies
Science Informing Endangered Species Act Decisions and Recovery Planning
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS marine mammal research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS marine mammal data is available from the button below.
Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Occurrences Interpreted from Satellite Imagery
Metabolic Rates Measured in Three Captive Adult Female Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) While Resting and Diving
Sea Otter Spraint Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound
Tracking Data for Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Intertidal and Subtidal Sea Otter Prey Sampling in Mixed Sediment Habitat in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1998 to 2011
Data Used to Assess the Acute Physiological Response of Polar Bears to Helicopter Capture
Morphological measurements of Antillean manatees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Sea Otter Aerial Survey Data from Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2017
Behavior of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) Hauled Out on Sea Ice During UAS Overflights, Eastern Chukchi Sea, 2015
Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013
Sea Otter Aerial Survey Data from Western Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2017
Sea Otter Aerial Survey Data from the outer Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2019
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS marine mammal research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS marine mammal publications is available from the button below.
Manatee population traits elucidated through photo-identification
Manatee population traits elucidated through photo-identification
Decadal-scale phenology and seasonal climate drivers of migratory baleen whales in a rapidly warming marine ecosystem
Revised taxonomy of rhabdoviruses infecting fish and marine mammals
Marine mammal hotspots across the circumpolar Arctic
Diving and foraging behaviors
Diving and foraging behaviors
Social and reproductive behaviors
Novel insights on aquatic mammal MHC evolution: Evidence from manatee DQB diversity
Novel insights on aquatic mammal MHC evolution: Evidence from manatee DQB diversity
Evidence of a dietary shift by the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in the Indian River Lagoon inferred from stomach content analyses
Characterizing the oral and distal gut microbiota of the threatened southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) to enhance conservation practice
Software related to USGS marine mammal research is listed below.
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
- Overview
Marine mammals
Marine Mammals ResearchFilter Total Items: 41North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database
The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The NPPSD includes more than 486,000 transect segments and includes observations of over 20 million birds of 258 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022).Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.Polar Bear Research
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...Tracking Data for Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Available here are tracking data of Pacific walrus, a marine mammal that ranges between the Alaska Peninsula, up through the Bering and Chukchi seas, and over to Russia. These data were collected from animals marked in the northern Bering and Chuckchi sea to understand seasonal movement patterns, use of coastal haulouts in northwestern Alaska, and determine estimates of abundance in autumn.USGS Alaska Science Center Wildlife Tracking Data Collection
Understanding the short- and long-distance movements of wildlife is critical for a wide variety of ecological research questions and management decisions. Since the mid-1980s, the USGS Alaska Science Center has used information from telemetry devices on wildlife species to determine locations of animals throughout their annual cycles, understand patterns of habitat use, quantify time spent on...Aerial Seabird and Marine Mammal Surveys
The Seabird Studies Team at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center is conducting aerial photographic surveys of the ocean off central and southern California to create comprehensive maps of seabird and marine mammal distributions. The project is supported by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and will inform planning in advance of potential offshore wind energy development along the...Health Effects and Behavioral Response of Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) to Persistent Algal Bloom and Associated Loss of Seagrass Resources in Brevard County, Florida
USGS researchers are working with partners to assess the health and foraging behavior of Florida manatees in the northern Indian River Lagoon and Banana River, areas that have experienced declining seagrasses due to an extended phytoplankton bloom.Population Ecology of Florida Manatees
USGS is working with partners to understand how the federally protected Florida manatee population changes over time and responds to threats.Quantitative Framework to Model Risk of Collisions between Marine Wildlife and Boats
Collisons between wildlife and vehicles threaten many species, and can lead to human loss of life, injuries, and loss of property. USGS is developing models to help evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife protection zones and optimize the design of these protected areas.Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Recovery Studies
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern.Science Informing Endangered Species Act Decisions and Recovery Planning
Through the Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) Initiative, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is informing key resource management decisions by better understanding how wildlife populations of special interest to the Department of the Interior (DOI) are responding to rapid physical changes in the Arctic. Below are some examples of how CAE research is informing Endangered Species Act decisions and... - Data
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS marine mammal research is listed below. A complete listing of USGS marine mammal data is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 56Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Occurrences Interpreted from Satellite Imagery
This data release contains maps, geospatial files, and a table of the satellite imagery types with the dates when they were collected and examined to interpret the presence of, and area occupied by, walruses at terrestrial haulouts. Estimates of the land area occupied by walruses are provided based on interpretation by experienced image reviewers. The images are from a variety of Earth observing sMetabolic Rates Measured in Three Captive Adult Female Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) While Resting and Diving
This dataset contains measurements of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of 3 adult female walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) while resting and diving at the Oceanografic Aquarium in Valencia, Spain. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production was measured for walruses via a respiratory dome while resting at the water surface and after swimming and diving.Sea Otter Spraint Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program. This dataset consist of observations of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) fecal samples (spraint). Observers examined fresh spraint piles to identify major prey classes in the samples and to determine sea otter diets in the Gulf of Alaska region.Tracking Data for Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "processedData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 921 satellite transmitters attached to adult Pacific walruses in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, in U.S. and Russian waters, 1988-2019. The raw data were processed to accomplish two goals: flag implausible location estimates andIntertidal and Subtidal Sea Otter Prey Sampling in Mixed Sediment Habitat in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1998 to 2011
This dataset provides clam species abundance and size data from intertidal and subtidal mixed sediment habitats in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GBNPP). Data are provided for all observed clams, horse mussels, or urchins 14 mm or larger. Sampling involved excavating 25 cm of substrate from quadrats (approximately 0.25 sq meter) along transects at random and selected sites, 10 quadrats atData Used to Assess the Acute Physiological Response of Polar Bears to Helicopter Capture
This dataset is in five tables with data from ecophysiological studies of free-ranging polar bears of the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation. They were equipped with high-resolution activity sensors, body temperature loggers, and GPS satellite-telemetry collars, to compare physiological state and activity of bears during natural behavior with that experienced by bears during helicopter recaptureMorphological measurements of Antillean manatees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
The data were collected by U.S.G.S. biologists and their partners during several field trips from March 2013 to April 2014 in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Data were collected during the manatee health assessments. The U.S. Geological Survey's Sirenia Project is a federal research effort focusing on manatee biology and ecology with a long history of studies in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the internationalSea Otter Aerial Survey Data from Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2017
This dataset consists of three tables related to abundance and distribution of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, based on data collected during a series of population-wide aerial surveys in May 2017. The dataset consists of: (1) sea otter counts along strip transects, (2) sea otter counts in Intensive Search Unit (ISU) within the transects, and (3) TransectBehavior of Pacific Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) Hauled Out on Sea Ice During UAS Overflights, Eastern Chukchi Sea, 2015
This dataset is comprised of three tables showing the reaction of walruses hauled out on sea ice of the Chukchi Sea to overflights by rotary wing Unoccupied Aircraft Systems (UAS). Data include behavior of walruses before, during, and after overflights, and environmental conditions during flights.Polar Bear Fall Coastal Survey Data from the Southern Beaufort Sea of Alaska, 2010-2013
This data set is one table with observations of polar bears located during aerial surveys along the coast and barrier islands of the southern Beaufort Seas during fall, 2010-2013. Survey flights were conducted using A-Star B2 and Bell 206 helicopters at an average altitude of 300 feet AGL and an average speed of 50 miles per hour. Survey crews searched for polar bears using coastal and inland tranSea Otter Aerial Survey Data from Western Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2017
This dataset consists of three tables related to abundance and distribution of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) in western Prince William Sound, Alaska, based on data collected during a series of population-wide aerial surveys in June 2017. The dataset consists of: (1) sea otter counts along strip transects, (2) sea otter counts in Intensive Search Unit (ISU) within the transects, andSea Otter Aerial Survey Data from the outer Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, 2019
This dataset consists of three tables related to abundance and distribution of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) near the outer Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, based on data collected during a series of population-wide aerial surveys in June 2019. The dataset consists of: (1) sea otter counts along strip transects, (2) sea otter counts in Intensive Search Unit (ISU) within the transects, and ( - Publications
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS marine mammal research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS marine mammal publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 61Manatee population traits elucidated through photo-identification
Data on the demography and distribution of wildlife populations are important for informing conservation and management decisions; however, determination of life history traits and population trends often are elusive. All four extant species in the order Sirenia are deemed vulnerable to extinction; therefore, determining the demography and distribution for populations worldwide is crucial. AerialAuthorsCathy BeckManatee population traits elucidated through photo-identification
Data on the demography and distribution of wildlife populations are important for informing conservation and management decisions; however, determination of life history traits and population trends often are elusive. All four extant species in the order Sirenia are deemed vulnerable to extinction; therefore, determining the demography and distribution for populations worldwide is crucial. AerialAuthorsCathy BeckDecadal-scale phenology and seasonal climate drivers of migratory baleen whales in a rapidly warming marine ecosystem
Species' response to rapid climate change can be measured through shifts in timing of recurring biological events, known as phenology. The Gulf of Maine is one of the most rapidly warming regions of the ocean, and thus an ideal system to study phenological and biological responses to climate change. A better understanding of climate-induced changes in phenology is needed to effectively and adaptivAuthorsDan Pendleton, Morgan Tingley, Laura Ganley, Kevin Friedland, Charlie Mayo, Moria Brown, Brigid McKenna, Adrian Jordaan, Michelle StaudingerRevised taxonomy of rhabdoviruses infecting fish and marine mammals
Rhabdoviridae is a large family of negative-sense (-) RNA viruses that includes important pathogens of ray-finned fish and marine mammals. As for all viruses, the taxonomic assignment of rhabdoviruses occurs through a process implemented by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). A recent revision of taxonomy conducted in conjunction with the ICTV Rhabdoviridae Study Group has rAuthorsPeter J. Walker, Laurent Bigarré, Gael Kurath, Laurent Dacheux, Laurane PallandreMarine mammal hotspots across the circumpolar Arctic
AimIdentify hotspots and areas of high species richness for Arctic marine mammals.LocationCircumpolar Arctic.MethodsA total of 2115 biologging devices were deployed on marine mammals from 13 species in the Arctic from 2005 to 2019. Getis-Ord Gi* hotspots were calculated based on the number of individuals in grid cells for each species and for phylogenetic groups (nine pinnipeds, three cetaceans, aAuthorsCharmain Hamilton, Christian Lydersen, Jon Aars, Mario Acquarone, Todd C. Atwood, Alastair Baylis, Martin Biuw, Andrei N. Boltunov, Erik W. Born, Peter L. Boveng, Tanya M. Brown, Michael Cameron, John J. Citta, Justin A. Crawford, Rune Dietz, Jim Elias, Steven H. Ferguson, Aaron T. Fisk, Lars P. Folkow, Kathryn J. Frost, Dmitri M. Glazov, Sandra M. Granquist, Rowenna Gryba, Lois A. Harwood, Tore Haug, Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen, Nigel E. Hussey, Jimmy Kalinek, Kristin L. Laidre, Dennis I. Litovka, Josh M. London, Lisa Loseto, Shannon MacPhee, Marianne Marcoux, Cory J. D. Matthews, Kjell J Nilssen, Erling S. Nordøy, Greg O’Corry-Crowe, Nils Øien, Morten Tange Olsen, Lori T. Quakenbush, Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid, Varvara Semenova, Kim E. W. Shelden, Olga V. Shpak, Garry Stenson, Luke Storrie, Signe Sveegaard, Jonas Teilmann, Fernando Ugarte, Andrew L. Von Duyke, Cortney Watt, Øystein Wiig, Ryan R. Wilson, David J. Yurkowski, Kit M. KovacsDiving and foraging behaviors
Manatees and dugongs live in tropical and semi-tropical regions around the world. Their preferred habitats are seagrass beds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Manatees live in both freshwater and marine systems although habitat preferences vary across the three species, while the dugong is entirely marine. Sirenians are shallow water divers, and their dive durations are short compared to most other mAuthorsLucy W Keith-Diagne, Margaret E Barlas, James P. Reid, Amanda J Hodgson, Helene MarshDiving and foraging behaviors
Manatees and dugongs live in tropical and semi-tropical regions around the world. Their preferred habitats are seagrass beds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Manatees live in both freshwater and marine systems although habitat preferences vary across the three species, while the dugong is entirely marine. Sirenians are shallow water divers, and their dive durations are short compared to most other mAuthorsLucy W Keith-Diagne, Margaret E Barlas, James P. Reid, Amanda J Hodgson, Helene MarshSocial and reproductive behaviors
Sirenian social and reproductive behaviors lack much complexity or diversity. Whereas sirenians are usually sighted as solitary, or as cows with single calves, aggregations of many individuals can occur. Persistent social groupings are unknown. Home ranges are widely overlapping. Mating systems of dugongs (Dugong dugon) have been variously described as leks or as scramble promiscuity (mating herdsAuthorsThomas J. O'Shea, Cathy Beck, Amanda J. Hodgson, Lucy W Keith-Diagne, Miriam MarmontelNovel insights on aquatic mammal MHC evolution: Evidence from manatee DQB diversity
The low diversity in marine mammal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) appears to support the hypothesis of reduced pathogen selective pressure in aquatic systems compared to terrestrial environments. However, the lack of characterization of the aquatic and evolutionarily distant Sirenia precludes drawing more generalized conclusions. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the MHC DQB diversity ofAuthorsAndré L.A. de Sá, Pamela K.B. Baker, Breanna Breaux, Jairo M. Oliveira, Alex G.C. de Macedo Klautau, Kristian Legatzki, Fábia de Oliveira Luna, Fernanda L.N. Attademo, Margaret Hunter, Michael F. Criscitiello, Maria P. Schneider, Leonardo SenaNovel insights on aquatic mammal MHC evolution: Evidence from manatee DQB diversity
The low diversity in marine mammal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) appears to support the hypothesis of reduced pathogen selective pressure in aquatic systems compared to terrestrial environments. However, the lack of characterization of the aquatic and evolutionarily distant Sirenia precludes drawing more generalized conclusions. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the MHC DQB diversity ofAuthorsAndré L.A. de Sá, Pamela K.B. Baker, Breanna Breaux, Jairo M. Oliveira, Alex G.C. de Macedo Klautau, Kristian Legatzki, Fábia de Oliveira Luna, Fernanda L.N. Attademo, Margaret Hunter, Michael F. Criscitiello, Maria P. Schneider, Leonardo SenaEvidence of a dietary shift by the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in the Indian River Lagoon inferred from stomach content analyses
Investigating the long-term fluctuations of the feeding ecology of megaherbivores such as sirenians is important, as any changes could be indicative of shifts in resource availability. The Indian River Lagoon (IRL), eastern Florida, USA, is a critical habitat for the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). However, the IRL has experienced a substantial decline in seagrass due to the persAuthorsAarin Conrad Allen, Cathy Beck, Danielle C. Sattelberger, Jeremy J. KiszkaCharacterizing the oral and distal gut microbiota of the threatened southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) to enhance conservation practice
The southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) is a threatened sub-species in coastal ecosystems. To understand better the role of diet, monitor health, and enhance management of this and other marine mammal species, we characterized the oral (gingival) and distal gut (rectal and fecal) microbiota of 158 wild southern sea otters living off the coast of central California, USA, and 12 captive sea oAuthorsNatasha K Dudek, Alexandra D Switzer, Elizabeth K Costello, Michael J. Murray, Joseph Tomoleoni, Michelle M. Staedler, M. Tim Tinker, David A Relman - Software
Software related to USGS marine mammal research is listed below.
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
We have archived the derived data files and R/JAGS code for our analysis as a U.S. Geological Survey data release (link ). The code is divided into three R scripts: 1) pbdens_landdens_JWM.r contains R code for fitting hierarchical Bayesian models of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution for the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) subpopulation, 1982-2015. This script requires the installation