Diagnosis of Hypothermia in Seabirds from Coastal California

Authors

Nancy L. Anderson, University of California, DavisFollow

Abstract

This study established cloacal temperature (TCl) cut-off values to diagnose hypothermia in near shore seabirds rescued along the coast of California. All birds died when TCl was < 38.2 °C. When Aechmophorus grebes were excluded, 100% died when TCl was < 38.4 °C. Mortality increased 2–3× when TCl was lower than receiver operating curve-determined criteria for diagnosing hypothermia based on attitude: < 38.8 °C for mixed species, < 39.1 °C for Common Murres Uria aalge, and < 38.2 °C for Aechmophorus grebes. Reductions in TCl as small as 1.0 °C had significant physiologic effects.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.49.2.1442

Creative Commons License

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Recommended Citation

Anderson, Nancy L. (2021) "Diagnosis of Hypothermia in Seabirds from Coastal California," Marine Ornithology: Vol. 49 : Iss. 2 , Article 26.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.49.2.1442
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/marine_ornithology/vol49/iss2/26