EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL FOR NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER (<em>Lontra canadensis</em>) TO SERVE AS A COASTAL INDICATOR SPECIES; COMPARISON OF TRACE METAL DATA TO BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (<em>Tursiops truncatus</em>)
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Klingsick, Jenna
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Abstract
Climate driven events including precipitation and coastal/tidal flooding, along with coastal development, continue to increase across the Southeast region of the United States. These factors facilitate the accumulation of trace elements via non-point source runoff into coastal waterways. Sentinel species, such as the bottlenose dolphin, are utilized in order to study environmental health of coastal ecosystems. This study aims to determine if North American river otters can also be used as a sentinel species due to their comparable traits with dolphins. Liver and hair (from otters) were collected and analyzed for trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn). Between otter and dolphin liver samples trace elements Co, Hg, Ni, Se, and Zn were found to be significantly different. Average concentrations of Hg, Ni, Se, and Zn were higher in dolphins than in otters while Co was higher in otters. A significant positive correlation was found for Hg and Mn between otter liver and hair samples. For dolphins, a significant positive relationship was determined between length and Hg (R<sup>2</sup>=0.509) and Se (R<sup>2</sup>=0.478) concentrations. Significant differences were found for Cu and Fe between male and female otter liver samples. Males were found to have higher average Fe concentrations while females were found to have higher average Cu concentrations. The differences of trace element concentrations between otters and dolphins could be explained by differences in physiological concentrations required for cellular functions and the possibility that otters excrete trace elements through molting mechanisms. These findings indicate that river otters should be considered a sentinel species that can be studied in order to monitor environmental health and provide assessments to humans living near coastal ecosystems.