Fatty Acid Composition of Polar Bear Adipose Tissue and Ringed and Bearded Seal Blubber Collected in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2017

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center, Polar Bear Research Program
Publication_Date: 20210120
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, 2021, Fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose tissue and ringed and bearded seal blubber collected in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2017: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P92CRWOP

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P92CRWOP
Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Publication_Date: 2010
Title:

USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Enhancing forecasts of polar bear and walrus population response to a rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: website
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Alaska Science Portal
Issue_Identification: 444

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=444

Description:

Abstract:

These data are the fatty acid compositions (in %) of adipose tissue samples collected from polar bears and of blubber samples collected from ringed and bearded seal killed by polar bears in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2017. The dataset includes sex, age, and age class of the bears that were sampled. The data are provided as % of each fatty acid identified via nomenclature that describes the structure of each fatty acid.

Purpose:

These data were used to estimate polar bear diets using quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA).

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 2008
Ending_Date: 2017

Currentness_Reference: Observed

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent: Chukchi Sea
Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: 155.3
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -111.1
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 82.5
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 66.9

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:ASC343

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: Trophic Dynamics

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Marine mammals
Theme_Keyword: Age composition
Theme_Keyword: Diets
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife food habits

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Wildlife
Theme_Keyword: Marine ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Coastal ecosystems

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis
Theme_Keyword: QFASA
Theme_Keyword: Polar Bears
Theme_Keyword: Ursus maritimus
Theme_Keyword: Ringed Seal
Theme_Keyword: Pusa hispida
Theme_Keyword: Bearded Seal
Theme_Keyword: Erignathus barbatus

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Alaska
Place_Keyword: Chukchi 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 October 16, 2022 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 and their marine mammal prey are not easily confused with other species. One exception is that prey remains from polar bear kills can sometimes not be identified. In those cases, we confirmed species identification via genetic analysis.

Taxonomic_Completeness:

Taxonomy is complete for all samples. No vouchers 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: Phocidae
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pusa
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pusa hispida
Applicable_Common_Name: Ringed Seal
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 622018

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Erignathus
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Erignathus barbatus
Applicable_Common_Name: Bearded Seal
Applicable_Common_Name: ugruk
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 180655

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:

Fatty acid composition of samples was determined in the Marine Lipids lab of Suzanne Budge at Dalhousie University.

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Rode, K.D.
Originator: Regehr, E.V.
Originator: Douglas, D.C.
Originator: Durner, G.
Originator: Derocher, A.E.
Originator: Thiemann, G.W.
Originator: Budge, S.M.
Publication_Date: 2014
Title:

Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Global Change Biology
Issue_Identification: 20(1):76-88

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Rode, K.D., Regehr, E.V., Douglas, D.C., Durner, G., Derocher, A.E., Thiemann, G.W., Budge, S.M. 2014. Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations. Global Change Biology 20(1):76-88 doi:10.1111/gcb.12339

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12339

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Rode, K.D.
Originator: Regehr, E.V.
Originator: Bromaghin, J.F.
Originator: Wilson, R.R.
Originator: St. Martin, M.
Originator: Crawford, J.A.
Originator: Quakenbush, L.T.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:

Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns in the Chukchi Sea influence polar bear body condition, recruitment, and feeding ecology

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Global Change Biology
Issue_Identification: 27(12):2684-2701

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Rode, K.D., Regehr, E.V., Bromaghin, J.F., Wilson, R.R., St. Martin, M., Crawford, J.A., Quakenbush, L.T. 2021. Seal body condition and atmospheric circulation patterns in the Chukchi Sea influence polar bear body condition, recruitment and feeding ecology. Global Change Biology 27(12):2684-2701 doi:10.1111/gcb.15572

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15572

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Seal species was confirmed genetically if there was uncertainty in the field identification since samples were collected from polar bear kill sites rather than whole animals. The percentage of fatty acids in each sample may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Logical_Consistency_Report: Attribute values fall within expected ranges.
Completeness_Report:

Data set is complete. No data were omitted and there are no missing data.

Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Polar bears were captured in the area and via the methods described in Rode et al. (2014). Adipose tissue samples were collected from sedated polar bears using a 6 mm biopsy punch on either side of the tail. Blubber of ringed and bearded seals were collected at fresh polar bear kill sites encountered during annual spring polar bear capture efforts. All samples were collected in March or April 2008-2017.

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Lab
Methodology_Description:

Lipid was extracted from each polar bear adipose tissue sample and seal blubber sample, and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared following Budge et al. (2006). FAME were analyzed in duplicate using temperature-programmed gas chromatography on a Perkin Elmer Autosystem II capillary gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID), using a polar column (Agilent Technologies, DB-23; 30 m x 0.25 mm ID; Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada). Additional details about laboratory analysis can be found in Budge et al. (2006).

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Budge, S.M.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Koopman, H.N.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:

Studying trophic ecology in marine ecosystems using fatty acids: a primer on analysis and interpretation

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Marine Mammal Science
Issue_Identification: 22(4):759-801

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Budge, S.M., Iverson, S.J., Koopman, H.N. 2006. Studying trophic ecology in marine ecosystems using fatty acids: a primer on analysis and interpretation. Marine Mammal Science 22(4):759-801 doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00079.x

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00079.x

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2006

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Budge et al 2006
Source_Contribution: Provides details on lipid sample processing methods

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Variation in the response of an Arctic top predator experiencing habitat loss: feeding and reproductive ecology of two polar bear populations

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Global Change Biology
Issue_Identification: 20(1):76-88

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.12339

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2014

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Rode et al 2014
Source_Contribution: Provides details on sampling and processing methods

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Rode, K.D.
Originator: Wilson, R.R.
Originator: Douglas, D.C.
Originator: Muhlenbruch, V.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Regehr, E.V.
Originator: Richardson, E.S.
Originator: Pilfold, N.W.
Originator: Derocher, A.E.
Originator: Durner, G.M.
Originator: Stirling, I.
Originator: Amstrup, S.C.
Originator: St. Martin, M.
Originator: Pagano, A.M.
Originator: Simac, K.
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:

Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Global Change Biology
Issue_Identification: 24(1):410-423

Other_Citation_Details:

Rode, K.D., Wilson, R.R., Douglas, D.C., Muhlenbruch, V., Atwood, T.C., Regehr, E.V., Richardson, E.S., Pilfold, N.W., Derocher, A.E., Durner, G.M., Stirling, I., Amstrup, S.C., St. Martin, M., Pagano, A.M., Simac, K. 2018. Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity. Global Change Biology 24(1):410-423 doi:10.1111/gcb.13933

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13933

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2018

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Rode et al. 2018
Source_Contribution: Provides details on sampling and processing methods

Process_Step:

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

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: ChukchiPolarBearAndSealFattyAcidData
Entity_Type_Definition:

Fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose tissue and ringed and bearded seal blubber collected in the Alaskan portion of the Chukchi Sea 2008-2017. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Year
Attribute_Definition: The year in which the sample was collected.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2008
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2017
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Year (YYYY)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: SamplingDate
Attribute_Definition: Date when the animal was sampled
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2008-03-27
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2017-04-20
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: unknown
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The exact date in which the sample was collected is not known.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Species
Attribute_Definition:

The common name of the animal species sampled. Taxonomic details are provided in the Taxonomy section of this metadata record.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Polar bear
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sample from a polar bear.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Ringed seal
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sample from a ringed seal.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: Bearded seal
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Sample from a bearded seal
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: AgeClass
Attribute_Definition:

Age class of sampled animal based on the estimated or known age. Known age bears were determined from teeth cementum. Estimated ages were from field observations.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: A
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Adult polar bear
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: S
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Subadult polar bear
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: nonpup
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

The seal was non a pup (i.e. born that spring). It was an older seal.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: author defined.

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: pup
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The seal was a pup.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sex
Attribute_Definition: Sex of the sampled bear. Sex of seal was not determined.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: F
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Female
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: M
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Male
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: unknown
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The sex of the animal sampled is unknown
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Age
Attribute_Definition: The age of the animal sampled.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 3
Range_Domain_Maximum: 27
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: years

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: unknown
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: The exact age of the animal was unknown.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: 12:00 through 24:01:00
Attribute_Definition:

These 62 columns represent the percentage of mass of 62 different fatty acids identified from each adipose tissue or blubber sample. The percentage of fatty acids in each sample may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Fatty acids consist of a chain of 14-24 carbons with 0-6 double bonds and a methyl terminus at one end (CH3) and an acid (carboxyl) at the other. Fatty acids are named with shorthand notation A:Bn-x where A indicates the number of carbon atoms, B is the number of double bonds, and x indicates the position of the first double bond relative to the terminal methyl group (Budge et al. 2006). A methyl branch at the second carbon is indicated by prefacing the FA name with an “i” representing “iso” or “ai” (anti-iso) which indicates a methyl branch at the third carbon. More details on fatty acid nomenclature and structures are provided in Budge et al. (2006).

Fatty acid names and order of presentation: 12:00, 13:00, i-14:0, 14:00, 14:1n-9, 14:1n-7, 14:1n-5, i-15:0, ai-15:0, 15:00, 16:00, 16:1n-11, 16:1n-9, 16:1n-7, 16:1n-5, 17:1(a), 16:2n-6, ai-17:0, 17:1(b), 16:2n-4, 17:00, 16:3n-4, 17:01, 16:4n-3, 16:4n-1, 18:00, 18:1n-13, 18:1n-11, 18:1n-9, 18:1n-7, 18:1n-5, 18:2d5,11, 18:2n-7, 18:2n-6, 18:2n-4, 18:3n-6, 18:3n-4, 18:3n-3, 18:3n-1, 18:4n-3, 18:4n-1, 20:00, 20:1n-11, 20:1n-9, 20:1n-7, 20:2n-9, 20:2n-6, 20:3n-6, 20:4n-6, 20:3n-3, 20:4n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:1n-11, 22:1n-9, 22:1n-7, 21:5n-3, 22:4n-6, 22:5n-6, 22:4n-3, 22:5n-3, 22:6n-3, 24:01:00

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 0.00
Range_Domain_Maximum: 41.64
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Percentage of each fatty acid in each sample

Fatty Acid Composition of Polar Bear Adipose Tissue and Ringed and Bearded Seal Blubber Collected in the Chukchi Sea, 2008-2017

Metadata: