I am currently writing a paper on plastic ingestion and i failed to sketch the GI tract of the specimen during the necropsy.
Depends on which species we're talking about, and what exactly you'll be using the diagram for. The GI does differ between species of beaked whales, but not all and obviously not by much. If you haven't seen it, the attached might help.
Thanks Andre!
Anyways, I will be using the diagram to show where the plastic was found during the necropsy of a Mesoplodon hotaula
M. hotaula! I will be interested in seeing your publication. Was a full necropsy performed?
Just a recommendation...do you have this paper?
If not I can send it to you.
Mead, J.G. 2007. Stomach Anatomy and Use in Defining Systemic Relationships of the Cetacean Family Ziphiidae (Beaked Whales). The Anatomical Record. 290:581-595.
Kirsten,
Sadly, we were not able to perform gross necropsy on it. It is part of an on going assessment of plastic ingestion here in the philippines that we do in our personal time with the objective of recording plastic ingestion, so when a cetacean carcass becomes available, we go for the guts to check for plastic. Anyways, do you have procedures for gross necropsy so that when another carcass tuins up.. then we can follow the procedure .
Frederick,
I would appreciate it if you can send me a copy of the article.
Thanks!
Neil
If you are attempting to show where the plastic was found during the necropsy of a Mesoplodon hotaula ... I would cite the two Mead papers (2003 and 2007) to describe the similarities and differences, with the M. hotaula GI tract...and other Ziphiidae. Your intent is to describe the location of the plastic in the GI tract, and not describe the GI tract of M. hotaula.
Good luck. Let me know if this paper opens for you.
Frederick
Thank you very much Frederick. If by chance we come across another hotaula (since we already encountered two), what would be the data that you would suggest we get to have a good description of the species?
Dear Neil,
Congratulations in managing to carry out this difficult sampling, and very important work. I would certainly agree with Frederick that it would be good to cite both of the above papers, recognising differences in the GI tracts between species. Then if you use a diagram showing the location of the plastic, you can specify that this is based on another species.
I am afraid that I am not a veterinary pathologist so do not personally have any knowledge of full necropsy protocols. However, this is often done, when possible, in New Zealand and I am sure that some assistance can be offered by, e.g. Massey University:
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=302530
I am wondering whether you routinely collect and store skin samples during your work? This is especially important in such rare species such as the beaked whales, where I am sure you are aware, there are only a few records globally.
Good luck with you work and the publication!
All the best,
Kirsten
Neil question "what would be the data that you would suggest we get to have a good description of the species?"
This is where a good Natural history museum would be your best collaborator.
The U.S. Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (Where Jim Mead and Charley Potter [email protected] both worked for decades on marine mammals) would give you a better response. However, you need genetics samples, voucher specimen of jaw, skull or better a complete skeleton. morphometrics and good set of photos. Drop Charley an email...he is also on Researchgate...you can tell him, that I gave you his email address.
You want a voucher specimen to be preserved for decades, and for generations. Which is why a good musuem is important. Maybe Smithsonian would be interested
Hope that helps.
Frederick
Neil,
Please also see the species description below, which both Charley and Jim were involved in. The voucher specimen was found in Sri Lanka.
I am adding another recent publication that I am sure you have, but in case you don't it might also be informative.
Good luck, very exciting news that you are finding these specimens more regularly!
Kirsten
Dear Kirsten,
Thank you for the articles that you have sent. I was just wondering if the PSRG paper a published one? how can this be cited?
Thanks!
Neil
Dear Frederick,
Thank you for your suggestions. I will try to contact Dr. Potter the soonest!
Neil
Dear Neil
I think I contacted the first author to obtain this paper, perhaps you can ask them how to cite it appropriately?
All the best,
Kirsten
Neil,
Here is Lacsmana et al. 2015 - now published in Marine Biodiversity Records, 2015. This will help you with your citation question!
Kind regards,
Kirsten
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