Steiger G H, Calambokidis J, Cubbage J C, Skilling D E, Smith A W, Gribble D H
Cascadia Research Collective, Olympia, Washington 98501.
J Wildl Dis. 1989 Jul;25(3):319-28. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-25.3.319.
We examined the mortality rates and causes of death of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups in three regions of the inland waters of Washington (USA) in 1984. One hundred eight pups were collected during 239 searches of the shoreline areas near harbor seal haulout sites or through public reports. Minimum neonatal (up to 1 mo after birth) mortality rates at these regions ranged from 12% to 26% of the pups born. Neonatal mortality was highest in the Strait of Juan de Fuca; 33 of the estimated 105 (31%) pups born at the primary site died. Causes of death varied by location. In southern Puget Sound predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) was the primary cause of death, accounting for eight of 43 (19%) of the dead pups examined; starvation was the next most common cause of death. Mortality at study sites in the Strait of Juan de Fuca was related to premature parturition; 19 of 49 (39%) of the pups found dead were born prematurely. Nine species of bacteria were identified in samples taken from 42 pups; Proteus sp. and Escherichia coli were the most common.
1984年，我们对美国华盛顿州内陆水域三个区域的港海豹幼崽的死亡率及死亡原因进行了调查。在对港海豹上岸点附近的海岸线区域进行239次搜索或通过公众报告后，共收集到108只幼崽。这些区域的最低新生（出生后1个月内）死亡率在出生幼崽的12%至26%之间。胡安·德富卡海峡的新生死亡率最高；在主要地点出生的约105只幼崽中，估计有33只（31%）死亡。死亡原因因地点而异。在普吉特海湾南部，郊狼（犬属）捕食是主要死亡原因，在所检查的43只死亡幼崽中有8只（19%）；饥饿是第二常见的死亡原因。胡安·德富卡海峡研究地点的死亡率与早产有关；发现死亡的49只幼崽中有19只（39%）早产。从42只幼崽身上采集的样本中鉴定出9种细菌；变形杆菌属和大肠杆菌最为常见。
