title: Assessment of ultrasound imaging as a noninvasive measure of blubber thickness in pinnipeds.
abstract: Portable ultrasound imaging was examined as a noninvasive measure of skin including blubber thickness in captive subadult Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). This method was validated through comparison with blubber biopsy. Ultrasound images provided depth measurements that were accurate to 99.8% of the actual. This method allowed clear images of the epidermis, dermis, and blubber layer to be rapidly obtained, with minimal animal restraint, and allowed differentiation of phocid and otariid blubber structure.
authors.affiliation: School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska 99775, USA.
authors.forename: Jo-Ann E
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mellish
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tuomi
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horning
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000818:Animals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography