On behalf of all co-authors, we are pleased to share our recent publication:
Hieb, E.E., Cloyed, C.S., DaCosta, K.P, Garelick, A., Carmichael, R.H. 2023. Thermal microrefugia and changing climate affect migratory phenology of a thermally constrained marine mammal. *Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution* doi:10.3389/fevo.2023.1211513 <https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2023.1211513/full>. Abstract: Changing climate conditions are well documented to affect species distribution patterns and migratory phenology, especially for thermally constrained species. Climate induced changes and other natural and anthropogenic factors may affect habitats heterogeneously, altering microhabitats that act as refugia. Here, we used a thermally constrained marine mammal, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), as a model species to examine how the availability of thermal microrefugia combined with climate driven increases in regional water temperatures may affect the timing and duration of occurrence at the northern margins of the species’ range. We used aerial, thermographic imaging to identify potential thermal anomalies that could act as thermal microrefugia for manatees during unfavorable cold temperatures and assessed manatee occurrence at these sites using citizen-sourced manatee sightings and stranding response data. To further understand how regional and longer-term water temperatures may affect the use of thermal microrefugia and phenology of migration, we compared spatial and temporal distributions of manatee sightings to air and sea surface temperatures on a decadal scale. Thermal anomalies were detected at various sources, and documented manatee sightings at or near these sites support use as thermal microrefugia during cold periods. Cold season manatee sightings at a known western migratory endpoint (Alabama waters) have increased during the last decade, primarily through increased sightings during the late fall and early winter (Nov–Jan) that correspond to increased regional temperatures during the same period. Manatees may use thermal microrefugia to remain at northern latitudes longer, delaying seasonal migrations or overwintering as conditions allow. Climate change is likely to have further effects on the species’ distribution and migration patterns, potentially facilitating modern range expansion that has implications for management and recovery actions for manatees across their range. Our study provides novel insight for manatees but may also be used as a model to understand how other thermally constrained species may expand their ranges into higher latitudes. [image: Dauphin Island Sea Lab Logo] Elizabeth Hieb Research Technician/Lab Manager 251-861-2141 <1-251-861-2141> ext. 7547 eh...@disl.edu https://www.disl.edu 101 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 [image: facebook logo] <https://www.facebook.com/disealab> [image: twitter logo] <https://twitter.com/disealab> [image: YouTube logo] <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphmeb5XTCoBhzk2b937_Rw> [image: Instagram logo] <https://www.instagram.com/disealab/> [image: LinkedIn logo] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/dauphin-island-sea-lab> This document, including any attachments, contains privileged and/or confidential information. You may neither use, copy, nor deliver to anyone this document or any of its contents or attachments. All data (broadly defined as but not limited to numerical, descriptive, narrative, image, biological or environmental samples, raw or summary data, or any other content herein) belong to the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network (ALMMSN) and/or the Manatee Sighting Network under the auspices of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) as an agent of the state of Alabama. Use of these data in any form must be requested and approved by contacting Dr. Ruth H. Carmichael (rcarmich...@disl.org),. ALMMSN/MSN and DISL reserve the right to review, comment and consult on all data sharing and requests for data use. All data use, including analyses and products of any kind (print, oral, visual, archival, internal or external), after approval, must acknowledge and properly cite the DISL, ALMMSN and/or MSN, and data-specific personnel (that may include but not be limited to students, staff, faculty or administrators who contributed data). Approved data users must request the most up-to-date citation from Dr. Carmichael immediately prior to each use.
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