Bienvenue a mon blog.

C'est ma première entrée et non, this journal will not be in French (although if I were truly ambitious, this independent study would encompass both marine mammals and the language). Instead, this marks my first entry for my winter of 2010 independent study (my first!) in Applied Marine Mammal Anatomy. The term is rather short for what I plan to study, but essentially I will be distilling anatomical textbooks into a functional approach to necropsies. There will hopefully be a lot of blood in the next coming weeks, as I have signed on to the necropsy team (thank you Rosie), and there are some long-frozen specimens in our on-campus freezer. For now, there are no definite dates, but I should at least start introducing myself to necropsy techniques. My main source these first few weeks will be Marine Mammal Necropsy: An introductory guide for stranding responders and field biologists. (Pugliares, K.R. et al.)

Due to the stochastic nature of strandings, I should be prepared to respond to potential necropsies as soon as possible, and so for this first week I have decided to sidestep an introduction to anatomy and first delve into how to record data for necropsies as well as preliminary sample techniques and data collection. My previous necropsy experiences have introduced me to safety protocols such as utlizing protective gear, sanitizing not only myself but all areas which have come in contact with the specimen during the necropsy, and immediately reporting any cuts that may occur when handling sharp knives/other equipment. These necessary safety measures will be repeated during every necropsy, training and thus proficiency learned through repetition. After all, studying is less likely to cultivate a solid knowledge in safety protocols than practice.

The goal of any necropsy preformed in the United States is to ascertain whether or not human interaction (HI) has affected the specimen. This does not necessarily mean that HI was the direct cause of death, or that because a specimen died of natural causes HI is not present. There are many variables to look at when necropsying, pre- and postmortem injuries just one example, and so it is imperative that when I perform necropsies there is an awareness of these numerous conditions. Objectivity and a conservative eye are indispensible if I want any sort of credibility, and being a liberal college student, this is especially true. With this small but important reminder to myself I begin the more technical route of my studies. Ethics and necropsy logistics merit their own study and attention, but for this independent study I must remember my primary focus.

Morphometrics - To begin to understand how a specimen has come to lie on the necropsy table is to first look at its physical attributes. Details such as age estimations and reproductive status can be determined by examining the weight and length of the specimen and comparing it to known life history stages of each respective species. With time and experience, a clear understanding of what constitutes for example, a young of the year harp seal, emerges and identification can be efficiently correct and swift. For now, this is not something I need to worry about, as more-experienced guides such as Rosemary Seton are around to lend their expertise as I train. Cetaceans are measured from the maxilla to the fluke notch, while pinnipeds are measured from the tip of the muzzle to the end of the tail. Both pinnipeds and cetaceans should face ventral side down while these measurements are done. Pinnipeds require an additional measurement, a curvilinear total length which is measured by laying tape on the top of the dorsal midline, starting at the tip of the nose to the end of the tail while following the body's contour.

Blubber thickness can be an important health status marker for pinnipeds and cetaceans. Unlike length and weight, this measurement is taken in millimeters and is recorded from the muscle-blubber to the skin/fur-blubber interface. Three 2-3 inch long dorsal to mid-ventral cuts are made: the first is made to intersect the dorsal midline, the second to intersect the lateral midline, and the last to interesect the ventral midline which should be made along the axillary plane. Skin and fur thickness should not be included with the measurements.

Well, that marks the end of this first week's introduction to necropsies. Starting next week I will delve into pinniped necropsy techniques, anatomy and tissue sampling. This topic should hold me for about the next 3 weeks and will be accompanied by more traditional studying of anatomy with topics such as the skeletal and muscular system. Until next time, au revoir!