title: Diagnosing domoic acid toxicosis in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) using behavioral criteria: A novel approach.
abstract: Domoic acid toxicosis in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is difficult to diagnose using presence of toxin alone because the duration of domoic acid presence in blood and urine is generally less than 48 hr following exposure. Because domoic acid toxicosis is often suggested by presentation of behavioral abnormalities, we asked whether assessment of behavior might be useful for diagnostic purposes. We developed an ethogram to categorize behavioral data collected via continuous focal animal sampling. In total, 169 subjects were observed at a rehabilitation center. Sea lions with domoic acid toxicosis displayed head weaving (P < 0.0001) and muscle fasciculations (P < 0.01) significantly more often than animals in a comparison group. Dragging hind flippers and swift scanning were observed exclusively in animals from the domoic acid toxicosis group. The data show that behavioral diagnostic criteria can be effective in the diagnosis of domoic acid toxicosis in the California sea lion.
authors.affiliation: Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittmaack
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Garet P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Lahvis
authors.affiliation: Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: Edward O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Keith
authors.affiliation: Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: Caryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Self-Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D020258:Neurotoxicity Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000502:physiology*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; C012301:domoic acid; D007608:Kainic Acid
keywords: California sea lion; HABs; Pseudonitzschia; Zalophus californianus; behavior; diagnostics; domoic acid