Sealed in a lake — Biology and conservation of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal: A review

Kunnasranta, Mervi; Niemi, Marja; Auttila, Miina; Valtonen, Mia; Kammonen, Juhana; Nyman, Tommi

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108908

Cited by 28 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…In contrast to inferred migration events, one case of migration is empirically known as an adult female was translocated from the central Haukivesi (north-western part of Lake Saimaa) to the southern part of the lake in 1992 (29). No tissue sample was taken at the time, but the female is known to have reproduced in the area since 1994 (29) and was identified from the pelage pattern (30) to be still alive in 2020 (10). Interestingly, the PCA shows the seals around her living area to be genetically intermediate while the most distinctively “southern” seals are from the narrow entry through which the possible natural migration has to enter that part of the lake (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Saimaa ringed seals seem to be a success story of conservation biology and the population size of the subspecies once listed as “Critically Endangered” (35) has grown from 100-160 individuals in the early 1980s to over 400 in 2020 (10). Despite the recent growth, the population is still highly vulnerable and especially the warmer winters and the shorter ice and snow cover pose a serious risk to breeding and early life of the pups (10).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fragmented habitat compensates for the adverse effects of genetic bottleneck

Löytynoja

Rastas

Valtonen

et al. 2022

Preprint

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According to the population genetics theory, population subdivision helps organisms retain genetic diversity, crucial for adaptation in a changing environment. Habitat shape is thought to be important for generating and maintaining population subdivision, but empirical cases are needed to test this assumption. We studied Saimaa ringed seals, land-locked in a labyrinthine lake and recovering from a drastic bottleneck, by whole-genome sequencing 105 individuals and additional individuals from three other ringed seal subspecies. We analyzed the distribution of variation and the genetic relatedness among the individuals in relation to the habitat shape. Despite a severe history of a genetic bottleneck with prevalent homozygosity in Saimaa ringed seals, we found evidence for population structure mirroring the subregions of the lake. Highlighting the significance of habitat connectivity in conservation biology and the power of genomic tools in understanding its impact, the genome wide analyses showed the subpopulations to have retained unique variation and largely complementary patterns of homozygosity, giving hope to this endangered species.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fragmented habitat compensates for the adverse effects of genetic bottleneck

Löytynoja

Rastas

Valtonen

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…The purpose of this study was to describe the hip and stifle joint architecture of the Saimaa ringed seal ( Pusa hispida saimensis ) and compare it with that of the Baltic ringed seal ( Pusa hispida botnica ) living in the brackish water of the Baltic Sea. The Saimaa ringed seal is an endangered subspecies of the Holarctic ringed seal ( Pusa hispida ) with an estimated population size of circa 420 individuals (Kunnasranta et al, 2021; Metsähallitus, 2021). The Saimaa ringed seal is well adapted to aquatic life and, similar to other phocids, its aquatic method of locomotion is hind‐flipper propulsion (Berta & Ray, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In all phocids, there is no external appearance of the knee (or elbow) as much of the limbs are incorporated within the body contour delimited by the skin (Tarasoff, 1972). The Saimaa ringed seal uses its forelimbs for creating breathing holes and digging subnivean snow lairs for resting and breeding, as well as for moving on ice (Kunnasranta et al, 2021; Laakkonen & Nihtilä, 2021). Besides a brief description of the findings based on magnetic resonance imaging of the entire animal (Usenius et al, 2007), very little is known on the hindlimb anatomy of Saimaa ringed seals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides a brief description of the findings based on magnetic resonance imaging of the entire animal (Usenius et al, 2007), very little is known on the hindlimb anatomy of Saimaa ringed seals. Besides academic and clinical interest, information on the musculoskeletal anatomy of the ringed seals is important for conservation purposes as these seals are facing a future of mild winters (Kunnasranta et al, 2021) and an increasing need to be able to move on dry land during breeding.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hip and stifle joint anatomy of the Saimaa (Pusa hispida saimensis) and Baltic ringed seals (Pusa hispida botnica)

Laakkonen

Vedrines

2021

Anat Histol Embryol

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The anatomical architecture of the hip and stifle joints of the Saimaa ringed seal was determined by dissection to be similar to that of the Baltic ringed seal. There was no ligament of the femoral head in the hip joint. The lateral side of the stifle joint lacked a collateral ligament but the collateral ligament on the medial side was of considerable size. The medial meniscus was larger and thicker than the lateral meniscus. The asymmetrical anatomical architecture allows for much lateral movement during aquatic motion, but it is poorly adapted to terrestrial locomotion.

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Developing artificial nest boxes for a large aquatic mammal

Kunnasranta

Niemi

Auttila

2022

Aquatic Conservation

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1. Nest boxes and other human-made constructions have been widely and successfully used as conservation tools to increase nest-availability for hollowdependent fauna, especially birds and some small and medium mammals.2. This study applies, for the first time, this recovery technique to a large aquatic mammal, aiming to improve resting, birthing and nursing sites of endangered Saimaa ringed seals (Pusa hispida saimensis) by developing artificial nest boxes. This landlocked subspecies' breeding habitat is severely affected by climate change. Because of mild winters, sufficient ice and snow habitat for subnivean lairs is lacking.3. In this study, floating nest boxes were developed. It was found that free-ranging ringed seals accept nest boxes as sites for resting, birthing and nursing. Thirtyfour boxes in total were offered during six successive breeding seasons. Almost half (47%) of the available boxes were used by seals, and two pups were born and reared in the boxes during the 6-year study. 4. Our study indicates that this innovative technique can be a valuable tool for the Saimaa ringed seal conservation in the changing climate.

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Sealed in a lake — Biology and conservation of the endangered Saimaa ringed seal: A review

Cited by 28 publications

References 80 publications

Fragmented habitat compensates for the adverse effects of genetic bottleneck

Fragmented habitat compensates for the adverse effects of genetic bottleneck

Hip and stifle joint anatomy of the Saimaa (Pusa hispida saimensis) and Baltic ringed seals (Pusa hispida botnica)

Developing artificial nest boxes for a large aquatic mammal

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