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Sea Otter Mortality

Recent increases in the frequency and variety of infectious diseases in the southern sea otter may jeopardize the population recovery of this threatened species. This information sheet includes a list of selected publications.

  • sea otter with its head poking out of the ocean

Sea Otter Studies at WERC

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are keystone predators in the nearshore environment of the eastern Pacific Ocean, in a food web composed of sea otter, sea urchin, and kelp forest. Without sea otters, the kelp forest can be overgrazed by sea urchins, which in turn can affect other species that depend on this ecosystem. This resource provides links to More...

  • A sea otter floats on its back while grooming

Environmental Endocrine Disrupters: Effects and Possible Mechanism(s) in Young Male River Otters

The river otter (Lontra canadensis) is a top predator of most aquatic food chains. The goal of this study is to further evaluate the relationship among the contaminants and observed reproductive organ hypoplasia in young male river otters, their occurrence, and mode of action or mechanism that causes hypoplasia with a larger series of data from More...

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Manatee Research (Sirenia Project)

Web page for the Sirenia Project, a USGS Florida Integrated Science Center project that conducts studies on the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). Includes links to manatee research in the news, international research, publications and presentations, and project staff contact information.

  • close up of a manatee

Retrospective evaluation of Exxon Valdez oil spill Trustee Council sponsored sea otter studies

An extensive and diverse array of studies were implemented concurrent with and for several years following the Exxon Valdez oil spill to determine the acute and chronic effects to sea otters. In part, this paper describes what activities relative to sea otters should take place prior to, during, and following another spill similar to the Exxon More...

  • sea otter in ocean at time of oil spill

Sea otter population status and changes in Alaska

A web page to introduce research by the USGS Alaska Science Center on sea otter population status and changes in Alaska. Provides some background on why the research is needed, research objectives, and a listing of publications by project staff.

  • full body view of sea otter under water

Process structuring coastal marine communities in Alaska: DOI trust resources

An overview of research that looks at the interactions between sea otters and prey species, allowing an assessment of the effects that sea otters have on composition and productivity of coastal marine communities. Includes links to USGS publications resulting from this research.

  • two people with binoculars looking out onto a body of water from the shore