Data from: The influence of carbon dioxide accumulation on integrative physiological recovery timelines in diving odontocetes
Data files
Mar 31, 2026 version files 265.63 KB
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DL_Blood_Data.csv
6.06 KB
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DL_Metabolics_Data.csv
1.98 KB
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DL_Vasc_Data.csv
20.70 KB
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DL_Vent_Data.csv
54.36 KB
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README.md
5.75 KB
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TT_Blood_Data.csv
5.69 KB
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TT_Metabolics_Data.csv
8.75 KB
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TT_Vasc_Data.csv
40.68 KB
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TT_Vent_Data.csv
121.67 KB
Abstract
Substantial research has examined the use and limits of oxygen (O2) stores by marine mammals during exercise (e.g., diving and foraging). In comparison, far less is known about the system-wide effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation during submergence and subsequent depletion while breathing at the surface. Traditionally, the primary emphasis of surface recovery periods in diving marine mammals has focused on the time required to restore O2 stores. This is despite suggestions that CO2 readjustment may be the limiting factor determining when diving can resume. Here, we conduct a comparative assessment of post-exercise recovery timelines for both O2 and CO2 in two odontocetes, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), following varying repetitions of sequential submerged swims. We identified select system-wide impacts associated with changes in onboard O2 and CO2 levels and explored the integrated recovery dynamics of respiratory and blood gases, blood pH, ventilation, and peripheral vasodilation. We found that for both species, respiratory O2 and CO2 levels returned to resting levels within 3 to 8 minutes following submerged exercise, depending on the species. In comparison, blood O2 and CO2 concentrations required longer durations (< 10–15 min) to return to resting levels. Blood acidity, best explained by changes in pCO2, remained elevated throughout the 10-15 min recovery period, possibly serving as the bottleneck for complete recovery. Post-exercise changes in ventilatory and vascular patterns were also observed, likely driven by increasing blood acidity associated with increased swim effort and CO2 accumulation. The magnitude of these responses differed between the species. Given the sensitivity of mammalian systems to minor variations in CO2 and its influence on acid-base balance and respiratory function, this metabolite appears to play a dominant role in cetacean dive recovery. Documenting this role will be increasingly relevant as we try to understand the short- and long-term impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on wild cetacean populations as they avoid human activities on and in the seas.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.02v6wwqg9
Description of the data and file structure
Data are separated by metric (metabolics, blood, ventilation, and vasculature) and species (DL = beluga, TT = dolphin). Accelerometer data used to generate supplemental figure S1 can be made available upon request. Note for "NA" entries: cells where an NA is present indicate instances where data is not available.
Files and variables
Metabolics data (DL/TT_Metabolics_Data.csv)
Animal = Animal name
Date = mmddyy
Trial = trial type (rest, repetitive swims, surface-active behaviors (SAB))
VO2 = oxygen consumption rate (ml O2/kg*min) during the exercise cost phase of the surface recovery period.
VCO2 = carbon dioxide production rate (ml CO2/kg*min) during the exercise cost phase of the surface recovery period.
VO2_r = resting oxygen consumption rate (ml O2/kg*min) during the returned to rest phase of the surface recovery period.
VCO2_r = resting carbon dioxide production rate (ml CO2/kg*min) during the returned to rest phase of the surface recovery period.
O2_dc_L = oxygen consumption during exercise cost phase (L).
CO2_dc_L = carbon dioxide production during exercise cost phase (L).
Speed S1:S5 = average speed (m/s) of lap swims during the 1st swim (S1) through the 5th swim (S5).
Bow_rate = number of bows (#) completed during the 1 min SAB.
O2_tobase = duration (s) for oxygen consumption to return to resting levels.
CO2_tobase = duration (s) for carbon dioxide production to return to resting levels.
Test (TT only) = ignore.
Blood data (DL/TT_Blood_Data.csv)
Animal = Animal name
Date = mmddyy
Fasted = indicates if the trial was completed under fasted conditions. Only those that have "Yes" were included in the present study's analysis. All trials for belugas (DL_Blood_Data) were completed under fasted conditions, thus this column was omitted.
Weight = mass (kg) of animal
Trial = trial type (rest, repetitive swims, surface-active behaviors (SAB))
Dur_S1:S5 = duration (s) of 1st swim (S1) through 5th swim (S5).
Dist_S1:S5 (DL only) = distance (m) covered during 1st swim (S1) through 5th swim (S5).
Speed_S1:S5 (DL only) = average speed (m/s) of 1st swim (S1) through 5th swim (S5).
SAB_num (TT only) = number of bows (#) completed in 1 min.
Bow_rate (DL only) = duration of SAB period (s).
Draw_time = elapsed duration (s) from end of final exercise to when the blood draw was collected. For resting trials, draw time is NA as no activity was completed.
Lactate = lactic acid (mmol/L)
pH = pH units
PCO2 = partial pressure of carbon dioxide (mmHg)
PO2 = partial pressure of oxygen (mmHg)
TCO2 = total carbon dioxide (mmol/L)
HCO3 = bicarbonate (mmol/L)
BE = base excess (mmol/L)
sO2 = oxygen saturation (%)
Ventilation data (DL/TT_Vent_Data.csv)
Animal = Animal name
Date = mmddyy
Trial = trial type (rest, repetitive swims, surface-active behaviors (SAB))
Surface_Number = Indicates the surface repetition that was completed (#). For repetitive swims, captures the 1 min surface and dome periods. Surface number will equal 1 for rest, x1 swims, and SABs as there was only one surface period completed.
Breath Number = breath number (#) per surface period. Restarts when multiple surface periods were completed.
Start_Time = Elapsed start time (s) into the surface recovery period when the breath started.
End_Time = Elapsed end time (s) into the surface recovery period when breath ended.
Breath_Duration = Elapsed time (s) from breath start (Start_Time) to breath end (End_Time).
IBI = Inter-breath interval. Elapsed time (s) from end of breath (breath_n) to start of subsequent breath* *(breath_n+1).
Vasculature data (DL/TT_Vasc_Data.csv)
dolphin (TT only)/Animal (DL only) = Animal ID
weight = Mass (kg) of animal
Fasted = Indicates if the trial was completed under fasted conditions.
Trial = Trial type (rest, repetitive swims, surface-active behaviors (SAB))
swim_dur1:dur5 = Duration (s) of 1st swim (dur1) through 5th swim (dur5).
n_SAB (TT only) = Number of bows (#) completed in 1 min.
bow_dur (DL only) = Duration of SAB period (s).
Date = mmddyy
water_temp = Water temperature (C) of pool.
air_temp = Air temperature (C).
humidity = Percent humidity (%).
cloud_level = Height of clouds (ft). Only recorded for dolphins because outdoor facility.
wind_speed = Speed of wind (mph). Only recorded for dolphins becuase outdoor facility.
solar_raditiation = Solar radiation (W/m^2).
time = Time (hh:mm:ss) image was collected.
img_num = Elapsed time (min) into surface recovery period we aimed to collect image.
img_sec = Elapsed duration (s) into surface recovery period image was collected.
temp1:temp3 = Point measurements along central vein of fluke. Not included in study analysis (C).
point_mean = Mean of temp 1:temp 3 (C). Not included in study analysis.
surface1:surface5 = Mean temperature along replicate line measurements across the surface of the fluke (C). Surface 1 was closer to the trailing edge, while surface 5 was closer to the leading edge.
surf_mean = Mean of surface1:surface5. Included as "mean temperature" in study analysis (C).
max1:max5 = Max temperature (C) along replicate line measurements across the surface of the fluke. Max1 was closer to the trailing edge, while max5 was closer to the leading edge.
vasc_area = Area (px) where blood flow was observed from FLIR images.
fluke area = Area (px) of fluke in corresponding vasc_area image.