The Living Seas Research Team
From sea turtles to sand tiger sharks, The Living Seas research team supports Walt Disney World Animal Programs in expanding the understanding of marine animals and their environments. By planning, conducting and reporting the results of their scientific studies, The Living Seas team enhance the health and welfare of aquatic animals in aquarium settings and contributes to conservation efforts in the wild.
Current Projects
Diets for Rehabilitating Sea Turtle
As part of The Living Seas' efforts to enhance the health and survival rate of rehabilitated sea turtles, the research team in partnership with The Living Seas staff is investigating a new diet for cold-stunned stranded juvenile turtles that are currently undergoing rehabilitation at The Living Seas. The goal of this study is to better understand the dietary requirements of young sea turtles. In the past many facilities fed cold stunned turtles a diet based on a percentage of their body weight. Unfortunately, this practice that often led to obesity problems. The new diet is based on caloric intake. Growth rates are then measured and compared to sea turtles in the wild. The results of this study will allow The Living Seas and other facilities to provide better care for rehabilitating sea turtles and increase their chances of survival once they are released back into the ocean.
Spotted Eagle Ray & Sand Tiger Shark Behavior
To better understand the behaviors and factors that could affect breeding of rays and sharks, the research team in partnership with the aquarium, marine mammal and education teams are studying the behaviors of the eagle rays and sand tiger sharks currently at The Living Seas. This includes observations and documentation of the animals' social interactions, movement and activity patterns and breeding displays.
Water Chemistry Parameters Contributing to Head and Lateral Line Erosion Syndrome
The goal of this project, conducted in partnership with The Living Seas Aquarium and Veterinary Services teams, is to determine possible causes of Head and Lateral Line Erosion Syndrome. This condition causes skin, scale and tissue loss in the head region and/or along the lateral line sensory system or flanks of fish. This work is being done in conjunction with the University of Florida's Fisheries Department, which is examining the nutritional aspects of the disease. This multi-year study includes the maintenance of approximately ninety ocean surgeonfish, a species that is commonly afflicted with the disease. Two water chemistry components that are suspected of causing the disease are studied at a time. Additionally the team is studying the effectiveness of the topical drug, becalpermin. This drug is currently being used on humans to treat chronic skin ulcers associated with severe diabetes.
Dolphin Rhythm Representation
Understanding how dolphin produce, receive and interpret sensory signals is important for the long-term health of the species and leads to better understanding of how human activities, such as ship traffic and undersea noise, can affect their behavior and ultimately their survival. In partnership with Sarasota's New College of Florida and The Living Seas Marine Mammal team, the research team is studying how dolphins hear and interpret acoustic rhythms. Past studies have determined that one dolphin at The Living Seas can distinguish between six rhythms, despite changes in frequency and tempo. Currently the team is working with another dolphin to respond to a specific object, by vocalizing or by tapping one of 6 rhythms on a tone-generating device. This study allows the team to measure specific features of the vocals as well as consistencies and variables. This type of information can provide greater insight into wild dolphin communication.
Dolphin Spatial Memory
At The Living Seas, matching activities have been used to investigate different topics regarding dolphin behavior and abilities. In partnership with the Marine Mammal team and New College of Florida, researchers are currently investigating spatial memory in dolphins by asking them to remember where a matching object was last seen and training them in matching activities that will prepare him for upcoming behavioral studies.
Validation of Hearing Measurements in Wild Dolphins
In partnership with The Living Seas Marine Mammal team, University of South Florida and New College of Florida, the research team is studying a new method to test hearing in dolphins. Previous testing methods have had extensive training requirements limiting its use to small groups of animals in zoological settings. However, a new, training-free method has been developed and is currently being used to measure hearing in a large population of wild dolphins. The Living Seas' dolphins are undergoing testing with both the traditional, behavioral method and also the new non-invasive method (called Auditory Brainstem Response or ABR) in order to better understand how the results of one method compare to those of the other.
Manatee Trained Behavior Extinguishing Project
Animals in zoo and aquariums are often trained in behaviors that allow staff to provide enhanced medical care. Examples include shifting to different areas of their enclosure, presenting tails, fins and other body parts for examination and opening their mouth on cue for dental check-ups. Unfortunately, once rehabilitated animals are released into the wild, responding to humans can be detrimental to the animal's safety. The goal of this study is to determine if short-term captive rehabilitated animals can be trained in animal care or research behavior and later "un-trained" so these behaviors disappear. The team has already had success with two manatees that were rehabilitated at The Living Seas. Upon release the animals were monitored in the wild for three months. During that time they did not respond to any of the previously trained signals. The results of this study conducted in partnerships with The Living Seas Marine Mammal Team, the University of Florida, US Fish and Wildlife Service and The Wildlife Trust will allow rehabilitation facilities to continue providing excellent care for rehabilitating manatee while enhancing their survival upon release.
