Mercury Concentrations, Diet, and Gut Microbiota Diversity of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2019

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program
Publication_Date: 20230905
Title:

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

Suggested Citation: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program, 2023, Mercury concentrations, diet, and gut microbiota diversity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears, 2008-2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P92XAUH9

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P92XAUH9
Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Publication_Date: 1984
Title:

Response of Polar Bear Populations to a Rapidly Diminishing Sea Ice Environment

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: website
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Alaska Science Portal
Issue_Identification: 16

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

This is a link to the broader USGS Alaska Science Center research project supported by these data. Users will find a description of the research project and links to associated reports, publications, and data products.

Online_Linkage: https://alaska.usgs.gov/portal/project.php?project_id=16

Description:

Abstract:

This dataset is two tables with data collected and derived from polar bears sampled in Alaska’s southern Beaufort Sea during 2008-2019. Collected data includes demographic and morphometric information and derived data includes mercury concentrations in hair samples. Ancillary data includes gut microbiome abundances, diversity indices, calculated body condition, and the proportions of prey species detected in individual bear diets. These data were used to determine whether gut microbiota community richness and diversity were associated with diet-acquired mercury.

Purpose:

To characterize the effect of diet-acquired mercury on gut microbiota communities of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 2008
Ending_Date: 2019

Currentness_Reference: observed

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Southern Beaufort Sea
Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -155.0792
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -135.0796
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 75.1821
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 69.0491

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:ASC555

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: Biota
Theme_Keyword: Environment

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Animals/Vertebrates
Theme_Keyword: Mammals
Theme_Keyword: Carnivores
Theme_Keyword: Bears
Theme_Keyword: Species life history

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Marine mammals
Theme_Keyword: Body composition
Theme_Keyword: Diets
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife food habits
Theme_Keyword: Mercury levels
Theme_Keyword: Bioaccumulation

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife
Theme_Keyword: Keystone species
Theme_Keyword: Marine ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Coastal ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Terrestrial ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Health and disease

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NIH MeSH Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Gut microbiota
Theme_Keyword: Gastrointestinal microbiome

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Polar bear
Theme_Keyword: Ursus maritimus

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Alaska
Place_Keyword: Beaufort Sea

Taxonomy:

Keywords/Taxon:

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Taxonomic_Keywords: Mammals
Taxonomic_Keywords: Carnivore

Taxonomic_System:

Classification_System/Authority:

Classification_System_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: online database
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: ITIS-North America

Other_Citation_Details:

Taxonomic details retrieved September 2, 2023 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database: https://www.itis.gov

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK

Taxonomic_Procedures:

Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on general appearance. Polar bears are easily distinguishable from other species by physical characteristics and habitat use patterns. In most cases, species was confirmed genetically.

Taxonomic_Completeness:

Taxonomy is complete for all samples. No voucher specimens were collected.

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subkingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Bilateria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infrakingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Deuterostomia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chordata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Vertebrata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Gnathostomata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Superclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Tetrapoda
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Mammalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Theria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Eutheria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Carnivora
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder
Taxon_Rank_Value: Caniformia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursidae
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus maritimus
Applicable_Common_Name: Polar bear
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 180542

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

It is requested that the authors and the USGS Alaska Science Center be cited for any subsequent publications that reference this dataset.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

Mercury concentrations of samples were determined in the McKinney Laboratory at the University of Connecticut, and the laboratory of Dr. Niladri Basu at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Fatty acid estimates were derived in the McKinney Laboratory at the University of Connecticut and McGill University.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Watson, S.E.
Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Pindo, M.
Originator: Bull, M.J.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Hauffe, H.C.
Originator: Perkins, S E.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:

Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Scientific Reports
Issue_Identification: 11:23372

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Nature

Other_Citation_Details:

Watson, S.E., McKinney, M.A., Pindo, M., Bull, M.J., Atwood, T.C., Hauffe, H.C., Perkins, S.E. 2021. Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota. Scientific Reports 11:23372 doi:10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Mercury concentrations in hair samples and fatty acid based estimates of polar bear diets were derived at the McKinney (laboratory of Dr. Niladri Basu) at the University of Connecticut and McGill University using well established methods including various laboratory quality control and assurance testing protocols as discussed in McKinney et al. (2017a,b). Characterization of gut microbiota communities were conducted at the Fondazione Edmund March using 16s rRNA gene amplification and sequencing protocols as detailed in Watson et al. (2019).

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Attribute values fall within expected ranges. Blank cells indicate the sample was not assayed and/or the data were not collected or recorded.

Completeness_Report: Data set is complete. No data were omitted.
Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Adipose tissues samples were collected from subadult and adult polar bears from Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea region in spring, 2004-2016. Adipose tissue samples were placed in a glass vial and into a cooler immediately after collection and later transferred to a -80 degree Fahrenheit freezer for long-term storage.

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Fecal, adipose tissues, and hair samples were collected from subadult and adult polar bears from Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea region in spring and fall, 2008-2019. Fecal and adipose tissue samples were placed in a cooler immediately after collection and later transferred to a -80 degree freezer for long-term storage. Hair samples were placed in plastic whirlpack bags, stored at room temperature initially, and later transferred to a -80 freezer for long-term storage. Body condition was calculated using the body mass index formula based on standard body length and mass as described in Molnar et al. (2009).

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Laboratory
Methodology_Description:

Fatty acid analysis was performed on polar bear adipose tissues. Diet estimates based on fatty acid signatures were determined via quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA; Iverson et al. 2004) using the QFASA package in R (McKinney et al. 2017a,b, R Core Team 2018). Estimates from QFASA were adjusted using calibration coefficients (CC) from mink (Mustela vison) fed a marine diet. CC-corrected polar bear signatures were analyzed using the Kullback-Liebler distance measure (McKinney et al. 2017a,b).

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Laboratory
Methodology_Description:

Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA bacterial DNA amplification and sequencing protocols as described in Watson et al. (2019) to charactertize gut microbiome communities. Shannon and inverse Simpson indices of bacterial alpha diversity were calculated as described in Watson et al. (2019).

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Laboratory
Methodology_Description:

Total mercury (THg) concentrations were determined in hair samples following the protocol described in McKinney et al (2017a). In brief, surface contamination was removed from each hair sample using standard protocols and then samples were acid digested, followed by THg analysis conducted by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Diet-driven mercury contamination is associated with polar bear gut microbiota

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Scientific Reports
Issue_Identification: 11:23372

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Nature

Other_Citation_Details:

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02657-6

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2021

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Watson et al 2021
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: characterization of mercury concentration, diet, and microbiome.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Watson, S.E.
Originator: Hauffe, H.C.
Originator: Bull, M.J.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Pindo, M.
Originator: Perkins, S.E.
Publication_Date: 2019
Title:

Global change-driven use of onshore habitat impacts polar bear faecal microbiota.

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: The ISME Journal
Issue_Identification: 13(12):2916-2926

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Nature

Other_Citation_Details:

Watson, S.E., Hauffe, H.C., Bull, M.J., Atwood, T.C., McKinney, M.A., Pindo, M., Perkins, S.E. 2019. Global change-driven use of onshore habitat impacts polar bear faecal microbiota. The ISME journal 13(12):2916-2926 doi:10.1038/s41396-019-0480-2

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-019-0480-2

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2019

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Watson et al 2019
Source_Contribution: Laboratory Technique Citation: microbiome characterization

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Pedro, S.
Originator: Peacock, E.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:

Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears.

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Environmental Science and Technology
Issue_Identification: 51(14):7814-7822

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: American Chemical Society

Other_Citation_Details:

McKinney, M.A., Atwood, T.C., Pedro, S., Peacock, E. 2017. Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears. Environmental Science and Technology 51(14):7814-7822 doi:10.1021/acs.est.7b00812

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00812

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2017

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: McKinney et al 2017a
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: quantification of mercury concentrations in hair

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Peacock, E.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:

Temporal complexity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets during a period of increasing land use.

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecosphere
Issue_Identification: 8(1):e01633

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

McKinney, M.A., Atwood, T.C., Iverson, S.J., Peacock, E. 2017. Temporal complexity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets during a period of increasing land use. Ecosphere 8(1):e01633 doi:10.1002/ecs2.1633

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1633

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2017

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: McKinney et al 2017b
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: quantification of prey species in polar bear diets determine via fatty acid signatures

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Molnar, P.K.
Originator: Klanjscek, T.
Originator: Derocher, A.E.
Originator: Obbard, M.E.
Originator: Lewis, M.A.
Publication_Date: 2009
Title:

A body composition model to estimate mammalian energy stores and metabolic rates from body mass and body length, with application to polar bears

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Journal Experimental Biology
Issue_Identification: 212(15):2313–2323

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: The Company of Biologists

Other_Citation_Details:

Molnar, P.K., Klanjscek, T., Derocher, A.E., Obbard, M.E., Lewis, M.A. 2009. A body composition model to estimate mammalian energy stores and metabolic rates from body mass and body length, with application to polar bears. Journal Experimental Biology 212(15):2313–2323 doi:10.1242/jeb.026146

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.026146

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2009

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Molnar et al 2009
Source_Contribution: Laboratory Technique Citation: metabolic measures

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Field, C.
Originator: Bowen, W.D.
Originator: Blanchard, W.
Publication_Date: 2004
Title:

Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis: a new method of estimating predator diets.

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecological Monographs
Issue_Identification: 74(2):211-235

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Iverson, S.J., Field, C., Bowen, W.D., Blanchard, W. 2004. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis: a new method of estimating predator diets. Ecological Monographs 74(2):211-235. doi:10.1890/02-4105

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1890/02-4105

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2004

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Iverson et al 2004
Source_Contribution:

Laboratory Technique Citation: quantification of prey species in polar bear diets determined via fatty acid signatures.

Process_Step:

Process_Description: Original field data were transcribed to digital tables.
Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
Ellipsoid_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: polarBear_mercuryDiet_southernBeaufort_atwood_2008-2019.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table containing information describing mercury exposure, diet, and gut microbiota composition of polar bears sampled in the spring and fall from Alaska's Southern Beaufort Sea, 2008-2019. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: BearID
Attribute_Definition:

Unique numerical identifier of each polar bear, assigned at the first capture or sampling occasion.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Unique numerical identifier for each polar bear.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Year
Attribute_Definition: Year in which an individual bear was captured and/or sampled.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2008
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2019
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Year (YYYY)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ageclass
Attribute_Definition: Age class of an individual bear when captured.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Adult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: An individual was determined to be 5 years of age or older.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Subadult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: An individual was determined to be 2 to 4 years of age.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: COY
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cub of the year.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Age
Attribute_Definition:

Chronological age of an individual. Blank cells indicate that age was not recorded or determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 23
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: years

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sex
Attribute_Definition: Determination of whether an individual was a male or female.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Male
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be a male based on anatomy.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Female
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to be a female based on anatomy.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: COY
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Cub of the year, sex not determined.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: BodyCondition
Attribute_Definition:

Body mass index determined using a formula based on standard length and body mass using the formula and coefficients from Molnar et al. 2009. Blank cells indicate body condition was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 33.61
Range_Domain_Maximum: 105.94

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Shannon
Attribute_Definition:

Shannon index of alpha diversity of a given individual's gut microbiota community determined using the standard Shannon index formula.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.145
Range_Domain_Maximum: 3.737

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: InvSimpson
Attribute_Definition:

Inverse Simpson index of alpha diversity of a given individual's gut microbiota community determined using the standard Simpson index formula.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.772
Range_Domain_Maximum: 25.163

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: FaithPD
Attribute_Definition:

Measure of Faith's phylogenetic diversity of a given individual's gut microbiota community determined via phylogenetic tree.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 8.132
Range_Domain_Maximum: 533.842

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OnOffshore
Attribute_Definition:

Determination of whether an individual used land during summer or fall. Blank cells indicate land use during summer or fall was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Onshore
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to use land during summer or fall.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Offshore
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Determined to not use land during summer or fall.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Length_m
Attribute_Definition:

Standard body length (m) of an individual measured as the straight-line body length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Blank cells indicate length was not determined or recorded.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 1.3
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2.4
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Meters

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Weight_kg
Attribute_Definition:

Body mass (kg) of an individual measured using a digital scale attached to a chain hoist suspended from a tripod. A bear is placed in a cargo sling and a chain hoist is used to lift the bear off the ground to measure body mass. Blank cells indicate mass was not determined or recorded.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 92.1
Range_Domain_Maximum: 568.8
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Kilograms

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Mercury
Attribute_Definition:

Concentrations of total mercury (THg) in hair samples, reported in μg/g dry weight (dw).

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.89
Range_Domain_Maximum: 22.94
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: μg/g dry weight

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bearded_seal
Attribute_Definition:

Proportion of ringed seal in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis. Blank cells indicate diet was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.98

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Ringed_seal
Attribute_Definition:

Proportion of ringed seal in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis. Blank cells indicate diet was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.89

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Beluga_whale
Attribute_Definition:

Proportion of beluga whale in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis. Blank cells indicate diet was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.83

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bowhead_whale
Attribute_Definition:

Proportion of bowhead whale in an individual's diet determined via quantitative fatty acid analysis. Blank cells indicate diet was not determined.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 0.89

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Bone_pile_use
Attribute_Definition:

Whether bear was determined to have used onshore whale bone piles near human settlements.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Yes
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Bear was determined to have used onshore whale bone piles.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: NA
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Use of whale bone piles not known
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: polarBear_microbiota_southernBeaufort_atwood_ 2008-2019.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table showing the gut microbiota (identified via extraction of bacterial DNA) composition of polar bears sampled in the spring and fall from Alaska's Southern Beaufort Sea, 2008-2019. The data are abundance counts of gut microbe taxa from individual bears. They are arranged in a matrix of BearID x microbe Operational Taxonomic Units (OTU) (Watson et al 2021). Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: OTU
Attribute_Definition:

Each row is a unique Microbe Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) identified in this study. OTUs are taxonomic 'clusters' of microorganisms grouped according to DNA sequence similarity. Values are counts of the OTU identified from each polar bear.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 3394
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: count

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: BearID
Attribute_Definition:

Each of these 91 columns represents the counts of the microbe OTUs in a individual bear. BearIDs are unique numerical identifiers of each polar bear, assigned at the first capture or sampling occasion, they correspond to the BearID attribute in other tables included with this data package.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0
Range_Domain_Maximum: 3394
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: count

Mercury Concentrations, Diet, and Gut Microbiota Diversity of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears, 2008-2019

Metadata: