Publisher's Synopsis
Encyclopaedia of New Approaches to Marine Mammals is compendium of articles by prominent contributors in field of marine mammals and their general biology. Marine mammals form a diverse group of 129 species that rely on the ocean for their existence. They do not represent a distinct taxon or systematic grouping, but instead have a paraphyletic relationship. They are also unified by their reliance on the marine environ- ment for feeding. The level of dependence on the marine environment for existence varies considerably with species. For example, dolphins and whales are completely dependent on the marine environment for all stages of their life, seals feed in the ocean but breed on land, and polar bears must feed on land. Twenty three percent of marine mammal species are threatened. Marine mammals kept in the extremes of their temperature tolerance range are more susceptible to environmental and infectious disease. In general, cetaceans and pinnipeds are better adapted to cold than to heat, but species-specific tolerances differ. In- appropriately combining different species for display purposes can result in compromises that jeopardize the well-being of some species. Good air quality, especially in indoor facilities (10-20 air changes/hr) is as important as good water quality. Photoperiods, light spectral and intensity requirements, sound toler- ances, and flight distance requirements are not well established for any cetacean. Extremes in any of these factors should be considered detrimental in the absence of specific data. Environmental requirements of pinnipeds are similar to those of cetaceans except that pinnipeds can "haul out" on land. Although captive pinnipeds can be kept in freshwater, saltwater pools that meet the specifications listed above for cetaceans are preferred. Most pinnipeds obtain their metabolic water requirements in food and do not require access to freshwater if provided fish with a high fat content. However, it is common practice to allow pinnipeds access to potable water.
