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García-Cegarra AM, Hall A, Martínez-López E. Bycatch and pollution are the main threats for Burmeister's porpoises inhabiting a high-industrialized bay in the Humboldt Current System. Environ Res 2024; 251:118621. [PMID: 38492834 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Pollution and bycatch are two of the main threats for cetaceans worldwide. These threats are exacerbated for nearshore species particularly for those in regions with intense industrial and fishing activities. Burmeister's porpoise is endemic to South America, has a Near Threatened conservation status because of long-term mortality in fisheries. Burmeister's porpoise occur in Mejillones Bay, northern Chile, a hot spot for heavy metals pollution from the mining industry and an intense industrial and artisanal purse-seine fishing area. From 2018 to 2021, we conducted systematic marine surveys to assess the abundance, distribution and habitat use of Burmeister's porpoises. We responded to stranding reports from 2018 to 2022, and necropsied nine individuals. From five of these, we analyzed the metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Se and Zn) in muscle and skin tissues. Results showed an abundance of 76.17 individuals (CV = 25.9%) and an average density of 0.45 individuals/km2 (CV = 26%). Burmeister's porpoises were observed year round, 22.2% were mother-calf pairs present in austral summer at an average of 90.6 m depth in the southwestern bound of the bay. Two-thirds of stranded specimens died due to bycatch and one died due to bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) attack. We report a dead Burmeister's porpoise positive for avian flu virus A (H5N1). Metals analyzed were found in muscle and skin tissues of stranded Burmeister's porpoises in the following order (Zn > Cu > Cr > As > Hg > Pb > Cd). Although we could not assess pollution as a cause of mortality, Cr, As and Pb concentrations exceeded the concentrations found in other porpoises species worldwide. We conclude that bycatch and pollution as the main threats for Burmeister's porpoise survival in northern Chile. Future studies should investigate the use of acoustic deterrent alarms to mitigate the bycatch in the bay and consider the Burmeister's porpoise as a sentinel species of pollution in northern Chilean coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M García-Cegarra
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, 1240000, Antofagasta, Chile; CETALAB, Laboratorio de Estudio de Megafauna Marina, 1240000, Antofagasta, Chile.
| | - Anna Hall
- Porpoise Conservation Society, British Columbia (S-63931), Canada; Sea View Marine Sciences, Victoria, V9C 4C5, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emma Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Oceanosphera group. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain
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2
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Torres-Pereira A, Araújo H, Monteiro SS, Ferreira M, Bastos-Santos J, Sá S, Nicolau L, Marçalo A, Marques C, Tavares AS, De Bonis M, Covelo P, Martínez-Cedeira J, López A, Sequeira M, Vingada J, Eira C. Assessment of Harbour Porpoise Bycatch along the Portuguese and Galician Coast: Insights from Strandings over Two Decades. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2632. [PMID: 37627422 PMCID: PMC10451651 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The Iberian harbour porpoise population is small and fisheries bycatch has been described as one of its most important threats. Data on harbour porpoise strandings collected by the Portuguese and Galician stranding networks between 2000 and 2020 are indicative of a recent mortality increase in the western Iberian coast (particularly in northern Portugal). Overall, in Portugal and Galicia, individuals stranded due to confirmed fishery interaction represented 46.98% of all analysed porpoises, and individuals stranded due to probable fishery interaction represented another 10.99% of all analysed porpoises. Considering the Portuguese annual abundance estimates available between 2011 and 2015, it was possible to calculate that an annual average of 207 individuals was removed from the population in Portuguese waters alone, which largely surpasses the potential biological removal (PBR) estimates (22 porpoises, CI: 12-43) for the same period. These results are conservative and bycatch values from strandings are likely underestimated. A structured action plan accounting for new activities at sea is needed to limit the Iberian porpoise population decline. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need for a fishing effort reorganization to directly decrease porpoise mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Torres-Pereira
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Hélder Araújo
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
| | - Silvia Silva Monteiro
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marisa Ferreira
- Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS), Estação de Campo de Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal; (M.F.); (J.B.-S.); (L.N.); (C.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Jorge Bastos-Santos
- Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS), Estação de Campo de Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal; (M.F.); (J.B.-S.); (L.N.); (C.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Sara Sá
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lídia Nicolau
- Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS), Estação de Campo de Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal; (M.F.); (J.B.-S.); (L.N.); (C.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Ana Marçalo
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, FCT Ed. 7, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
| | - Carina Marques
- Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS), Estação de Campo de Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal; (M.F.); (J.B.-S.); (L.N.); (C.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Ana Sofia Tavares
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Myriam De Bonis
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
| | - Pablo Covelo
- Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo., 15-36380 Gondomar, Spain; (P.C.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - José Martínez-Cedeira
- Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo., 15-36380 Gondomar, Spain; (P.C.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - Alfredo López
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
- Coordinadora para o Estudio dos Mamíferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo., 15-36380 Gondomar, Spain; (P.C.); (J.M.-C.)
| | - Marina Sequeira
- Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e Florestas (ICNF), Av. da República 16, 1050-191 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - José Vingada
- Portuguese Wildlife Society (SPVS), Estação de Campo de Quiaios, 3081-101 Figueira da Foz, Portugal; (M.F.); (J.B.-S.); (L.N.); (C.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Catarina Eira
- Department of Biology & ECOMARE/CPRAM, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (H.A.); (S.S.M.); (S.S.); (A.S.T.); (M.D.B.); (A.L.); (C.E.)
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Shil SK, Zahangir MM, Rahman MM, Kibria MM, Das BC, Yadav SK, Siddiki AMAMZ. Postmortem of a juvenile male Ganges River dolphin (
Platanista gangetica
spp.
gangetica
) in Bangladesh. Vet Record Case Reports 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Kumar Shil
- Department of Anatomy and Histology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - Md. Mahiuddin Zahangir
- Department of Fish Biology and Biotechnology Faculty of Fisheries Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - Md. Manzoorul Kibria
- Halda River Research Laboratory Department of Zoology Faculty of Biological Sciences University of Chittagong Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - Bhajan Chandra Das
- Department of Medicine and Surgery Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - Saroj Kumar Yadav
- Department of Medicine and Surgery Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
| | - AMAM Zonaed Siddiki
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Chattogram Bangladesh
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Klemens L, Neven CJ, Bär T, Krumme U, Dähne M. In vitro forestomach digestion experiments give less-biased estimates of food composition in odontocetes. Biol Open 2022; 11:277948. [DOI: 10.1242/bio.059440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Diet composition of odontocetes is usually inferred from stomach content analyses and accounts for digestion rates derived from in vitro digestion experiments based on seal physiology. However, pinnipeds, being carnivores, have only one stomach compartment, while odontocetes, being cetartiodactyla, have up to four. Inappropriate extrapolation from digestion processes in simulated seal stomachs may result in biased estimates of odontocete diets. We simulated a forestomach accounting for muscle contractions and a pH=4 using in vitro experiments with three fish species. Whiting (Merlangius merlangus), black goby (Gobius niger) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) showed highly variable exponential, sigmoid or linear digestion functions, and high digestion rates, taking between 50 and 230 min for completed digestion. Previous pinniped models (pH=2, lacking simulated muscular digestion) showed much slower and more similar digestion process. Our results suggest that present biomass intake estimates of odontocetes are biased towards bigger and fattier fish and need to be revised in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Klemens
- Deutsches Meeresmuseum 1 , Katharinenberg 14-20, 18439 Stralsund
| | | | - Tom Bär
- Deutsches Meeresmuseum 1 , Katharinenberg 14-20, 18439 Stralsund
| | - Uwe Krumme
- Thünen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries 2 , Alter Hafen Süd 2, 18069 Rostock
| | - Michael Dähne
- Deutsches Meeresmuseum 1 , Katharinenberg 14-20, 18439 Stralsund
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5
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Desclos-Dukes L, Butterworth A, Cogan T. Using a non-invasive technique to identify suspected microplastics in grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) living in the western North Sea. Vet Rec 2022; 190:e1484. [PMID: 35233772 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.1484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plastic pollution is of growing concern in marine ecosystems worldwide. Specifically, microplastics (<5 mm) may interact with a variety of biota with the potential to cause harm to organism health. Studies investigating microplastics are increasing, yet their occurrence within free-ranging and living marine mammals remains largely unexplored. METHODS By using a protocol involving enzymatic digestion, filtration and microscopic identification, faecal samples collected from a grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) haul-out site in the North Sea were investigated for microplastic presence. RESULTS Altogether, 71 suspected microplastic particles, consisting of both fibres and fragments in a variety of colours and sizes, were identified across 66 analysed faecal subsamples. CONCLUSION The present study indicates that marine mammals are ingesting microplastics and that faecal material can be used to indirectly and non-invasively record microplastic uptake data in pinnipeds. Since the current paper is the first to document potential microplastic exposure among wild, living and free-ranging grey seals of the western North Sea, further research is needed to begin to understand the biological significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tristan Cogan
- University of Bristol, Bristol Veterinary School, Langford, Bristol, UK
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6
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Exposto Novoselecki H, Catão-Dias JL, Ewbank AC, Navas-Suárez PE, Duarte-Benvenuto A, Lial HC, Costa Silva S, Sánchez-Sarmiento AM, Gravena W, da Silva VMF, Carvalho VL, Marmontel M, Bertozzi CP, Lanes Ribeiro V, Del Rio do Valle R, Marigo J, das Neves CG, Esperón F, Sacristán C. Highly divergent herpesviruses in threatened river dolphins from Brazil. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24528. [PMID: 34972839 PMCID: PMC8720088 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04059-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
River dolphins are a highly threatened polyphyletic group comprised of four odontocete families: Iniidae, Pontoporiidae, Lipotidae, and Platanistidae, the first two endemic to South America. To address the knowledge gap regarding infectious agents in this cetacean group, we surveyed the presence of herpesviruses by PCR in skin and/or blood samples of live-captured Amazon (Inia geoffrensis, n = 25) and Bolivian (Inia boliviensis, n = 22) river dolphins of the Amazon basin and in selected tissue samples of franciscanas (Pontoporia blainvillei, n = 27) stranded or bycaught in southeastern Brazil. Additionally, available franciscana tissue samples were examined by histopathology. Herpesvirus DNA was amplified in 13 Bolivian river dolphins (59.1%, 95% CI 38.5–79.6%) and 14 franciscanas (51.9%, 95% CI 33.0–70.7%). All Amazon river dolphins were herpesvirus-negative. Two different herpesviruses were found in Bolivian river dolphins: a previously known gammaherpesvirus detected in blood and/or skin samples of all positive individuals and a novel alphaherpesvirus in the skin of one animal. A new gammaherpesvirus was found in several franciscana samples—the first herpesvirus recorded in Pontoporiidae. Intranuclear inclusion bodies consistent with herpesvirus were observed in the lymph node of one franciscana. The high divergence among the obtained herpesviruses and those previously described can be explained by viral-host coevolution, and by the fact that these populations are fairly isolated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Exposto Novoselecki
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - José Luiz Catão-Dias
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Ewbank
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Pedro Enrique Navas-Suárez
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Aricia Duarte-Benvenuto
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Henrique Christino Lial
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Samira Costa Silva
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Angélica María Sánchez-Sarmiento
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | - Waleska Gravena
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, 69067-375, Brazil.,Instituto de Saúde e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Coari, AM, 69460-000, Brazil
| | | | - Vitor L Carvalho
- Associação de Pesquisa e Preservação de Ecossistemas Aquáticos, Caucaia, CE, 61627-210, Brazil
| | - Miriam Marmontel
- Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá, Tefé, AM, 69553-225, Brazil
| | - Carolina P Bertozzi
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Campus do Litoral Paulista, São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Lanes Ribeiro
- Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Campus do Litoral Paulista, São Vicente, SP, Brazil.,Instituto Biopesca, Praia Grande, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Marigo
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando Esperón
- Veterinary Department, School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo S/N, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Sacristán
- Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.
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Duarte-Benvenuto A, Sacristán C, Reisfeld L, Santos-Costa PC, Fernandes NCCD, Ressio RA, Mello DMD, Favero C, Groch KR, Diaz-Delgado J, Catão-Dias JL. CLINICO-PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS AND PATHOGEN SCREENING IN FUR SEALS (ARCTOCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS AND ARCTOCEPHALUS TROPICALIS) STRANDED IN SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL, 2018. J Wildl Dis 2021. [PMID: 34724048 DOI: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Among pinnipeds, four Otariidae species (eared seals) have been reported as occasional or frequent vagrants along the coast of Brazil, mainly in the southern region. These animals usually arrive debilitated during winter and are directed to rehabilitation. Nevertheless, available information on sanitary aspects of stranded pinnipeds in Brazil is limited. Increased fur seal strandings (n=23) were recorded during the 2018 winter season in southeast Brazil (Iguape, Ilha Comprida, and Ilha do Cardoso, Sao Paulo State) compared to 2017 (n=2). Of these 23 fur seals, two were found dead and were in a good postmortem condition, and four died during rehabilitation and were subsequently necropsied. The remaining fur seals were not analyzed due to advanced decomposition (9/23) or successful rehabilitation (8/23). Herein, we report the antemortem hematology (n=4) and postmortem pathologic, parasitologic, and molecular analysis results as well as the most likely cause of stranding and/or death (CSD) in five free-ranging juvenile South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and one free-ranging juvenile subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis). All animals were males, and all but one had poor body condition. Pathologic examinations revealed a variety of lesions, predominantly hemodynamic disturbances, endoparasitism, and inflammatory disease processes of suspected infectious nature. Molecular analyses detected gammaherpesvirus infections in two South American seals and one subantarctic fur seal, Sarcocystis sp. in one subantarctic fur seal, and Neospora sp. in two South American fur seals. All seals were PCR-negative for morbillivirus, flavivirus, and Toxoplasma gondii. The most likely CSDs were: starvation (2), aspiration pneumonia (1), asphyxia (1), predator attack (1), and presumed systemic infectious disease (1). These findings expand the geographic range of various pathogens of pinnipeds and may be of value to first responders, clinicians, and diagnosticians.
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8
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Corazzola G, Baini M, Grattarola C, Panti C, Marcer F, Garibaldi F, Berio E, Mancusi C, Galli M, Mazzariol S, Fossi MC, Centelleghe C, Casalone C. Analysis of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract of Marine Mammals: A Multidisciplinary Approach with a New Multi-Sieves Tool. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1824. [PMID: 34207302 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Currently procedures used to obtain samples from the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) and protocols used to perform their respective analyses do not allow a multidisciplinary approach of this system. In fact, the investigations applied on the GIT, when performed singularly, could impair or limit the other analyses, because the currently procedures do not consider the needs of other disciplines. This means that the analyses to perform must be selected a priori, sacrificing the collection of other types of data and leads to the risk of losing important information, especially for wildlife species. To solve this conflict, we implement and standardize a new methodological approach to the GIT of marine mammals, which allow the collection of samples for different disciplines at the same time, performing the respective analyses, interpret and compare their results in a multidisciplinary way. The compatibility of multiple analyses allows the gaining of more information about the cause of death of stranded marine mammals and to enhance the knowledge of their biology and ecology. Abstract Organs and content of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of marine mammals are relevant for a variety of investigations and provide data to researchers from different fields. Currently used protocols applied to the GIT for specific analysis limit the possibility to execute other investigations and important information could be lost. To ensure a proper sample collection and a multidisciplinary investigation of the GIT of marine mammals, a new multi-sieves tool and a specific protocol have been developed. This new device and approach allowed the simultaneous sampling of the GIT and its content for the main investigations concerned. The samples collected during these preliminary trials were suitable to perform all the different research procedures considered in this work. The obtained results show that with a few and easy procedural adjustments, a multidisciplinary sampling and evaluation of the GIT of marine mammals is possible. This will reduce the risk of losing important data aimed at understanding the cause of death of the animal, but also biology and ecology of marine mammals, and other important data for their conservation and habitats management.
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IJsseldijk LL, Scheidat M, Siemensma ML, Couperus B, Leopold MF, Morell M, Gröne A, Kik MJL. Challenges in the Assessment of Bycatch: Postmortem Findings in Harbor Porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) Retrieved From Gillnets. Vet Pathol 2021; 58:405-415. [PMID: 33272139 PMCID: PMC7961740 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820972454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bycatch is considered one of the most significant threats affecting cetaceans worldwide. In the North Sea, bottom-set gillnets are a specific risk for harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Methods to estimate bycatch rates include on-board observers, remote electronic monitoring, and fishermen voluntarily reporting; none of these are systematically conducted. Additionally, necropsies of stranded animals can provide insights into bycatch occurrence and health status of individuals. There are, however, uncertainties when it comes to the assessment of bycatch in stranded animals, mainly due to the lack of diagnostic tools specific for underwater entrapment. We conducted a literature review to establish criteria that aid in the assessment of bycatch in small cetaceans, and we tested which of these criteria applied to harbor porpoises retrieved from gillnets in the Netherlands (n = 12). Twenty-five criteria were gathered from literature. Of these, "superficial incisions," "encircling imprints," and "recent ingestion of prey" were observed in the vast majority of our confirmed bycatch cases. Criteria like "pulmonary edema," "pulmonary emphysema," and "organ congestion" were also frequently observed, although considered unspecific as an indicator of bycatch. Notably, previously mentioned criteria as "favorable health status," "absence of disease," or "good nutritional condition" did not apply to the majority of our bycaught porpoises. This may reflect an overall reduced fitness of harbor porpoises inhabiting the southern North Sea or a higher chance of a debilitated porpoise being bycaught, and could result in an underestimation of bycatch rates when assessing stranded animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lonneke L. IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Bram Couperus
- Wageningen Marine Research, Ijmuiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Maria Morell
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Marja J. L. Kik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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Nelms SE, Duncan EM, Patel S, Badola R, Bhola S, Chakma S, Chowdhury GW, Godley BJ, Haque AB, Johnson JA, Khatoon H, Kumar S, Napper IE, Niloy MNH, Akter T, Badola S, Dev A, Rawat S, Santillo D, Sarker S, Sharma E, Koldewey H. Riverine plastic pollution from fisheries: Insights from the Ganges River system. Sci Total Environ 2021; 756:143305. [PMID: 33199004 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear represents a substantial proportion of global marine plastic pollution and can cause significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. Yet little is known about its presence in, and implications for, freshwater ecosystems or its downstream contribution to plastic pollution in the ocean. This study documents fishing gear-related debris in one of the world's largest plastic pollution contributing river catchments, the Ganges. Riverbank surveys conducted along the length of the river, from the coast in Bangladesh to the Himalaya in India, show that derelict fishing gear density increases with proximity to the sea. Fishing nets were the main gear type by volume and all samples examined for polymer type were plastic. Illegal gear types and restricted net mesh sizes were also recorded. Socio-economic surveys of fisher communities explored the behavioural drivers of plastic waste input from one of the world's largest inland fisheries and revealed short gear lifespans and high turnover rates, lack of appropriate end-of-life gear disposal methods and ineffective fisheries regulations. A biodiversity threat assessment identified the air-breathing aquatic vertebrate species most at risk of entanglement in, and impacts from, derelict fishing gear; namely species of threatened freshwater turtle and otter, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin. This research demonstrates a need for targeted and practical interventions to limit the input of fisheries-related plastic pollution to this major river system and ultimately, the global ocean. The approach used in this study could be replicated to examine the inputs, socio-economic drivers and ecological impacts of this previously uncharacterised but important source of plastic pollution in other major rivers worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Nelms
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK; Centre for Circular Economy, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK.
| | - Emily M Duncan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Surshti Patel
- Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Ruchi Badola
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sunanda Bhola
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Surfarsha Chakma
- Isabela Foundation, Road-15 (new), Dhanmondi-R/A, Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh
| | - Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; WildTeam, 69/1 New Circular Road, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Alifa Bintha Haque
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh; Nature-based Solutions Initiative, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | | | - Hina Khatoon
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Imogen E Napper
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | | | - Tanjila Akter
- Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Srishti Badola
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Aditi Dev
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sunita Rawat
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - David Santillo
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Innovation Centre Phase 2, University of Exeter, Devon EX4 4RN, UK
| | - Subrata Sarker
- Department of Oceanography, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Ekta Sharma
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani Road, Dehradun 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Heather Koldewey
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK; Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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11
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Cuvertoret-Sanz M, López-Figueroa C, O'Byrne A, Canturri A, Martí-Garcia B, Pintado E, Pérez L, Ganges L, Cobos A, Abarca ML, Raga JA, Van Bressem MF, Domingo M. Causes of cetacean stranding and death on the Catalonian coast (western Mediterranean Sea), 2012-2019. Dis Aquat Organ 2020; 142:239-253. [PMID: 33331291 DOI: 10.3354/dao03550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The causes of cetacean stranding and death along the Catalan coast between 2012 and 2019 were systematically investigated. Necropsies and detailed pathological investigations were performed on 89 well-preserved stranded cetaceans, including 72 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 9 Risso's dolphins Grampus griseus, 5 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 1 common dolphin Delphinus delphis, 1 Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris and 1 fin whale Balaenoptera physalus. The cause of death was determined for 89.9% of the stranded cetaceans. Fisheries interaction was the most frequent cause of death in striped dolphins (27.8%) and bottlenose dolphins (60%). Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was detected on the Catalan coast from 2016 to 2017, causing systemic disease and death in 8 of the 72 (11.1%) striped dolphins. Chronic CeMV infection of the central nervous system was observed from 2018-2019 in a further 5 striped dolphins. Thus, acute and chronic CeMV disease caused mortality in 18% of striped dolphins and 14.6% of all 89 cetaceans. Brucella ceti was isolated in 6 striped dolphins and 1 bottlenose dolphin with typical brucellosis lesions and in 1 striped dolphin with systemic CeMV. Sinusitis due to severe infestation by the nematode parasite Crassicauda grampicola caused the death of 4 out of 6 adult Risso's dolphins. Maternal separation, in some cases complicated with septicemia, was a frequent cause of death in 13 of 14 calves. Other less common causes of death were encephalomalacia of unknown origin, septicemia, peritonitis due to gastric perforation by parasites and hepatitis caused by Sarcocystis spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Cuvertoret-Sanz
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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12
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Puig-Lozano R, Fernández A, Sierra E, Saavedra P, Suárez-Santana CM, De la Fuente J, Díaz-Delgado J, Godinho A, García-Álvarez N, Zucca D, Xuriach A, Arregui M, Felipe-Jiménez I, Consoli F, Díaz-Santana PJ, Segura-Göthlin S, Câmara N, Rivero MA, Sacchini S, Bernaldo de Quirós Y, Arbelo M. Retrospective Study of Fishery Interactions in Stranded Cetaceans, Canary Islands. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:567258. [PMID: 33195545 PMCID: PMC7641611 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.567258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimating cetacean interactions with fishery activities is challenging. Bycatch and chronic entanglements are responsible for thousands of cetacean deaths per year globally. This study represents the first systematic approach to the postmortem investigation of fishery interactions in stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands. We retrospectively studied 586 cases necropsied between January 2000 and December 2018. Of the cases with a known cause of death, 7.4% (32/453) were due to fishery interactions, and the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) was the most affected species [46.9% (15/32)]. Three types of fishery interactions were recognized by gross findings: bycatch [65.6% (21/32)], chronic entanglements [18.8% (6/32)], and fishermen aggression [15.6% (5/32)]. Among the bycaught cases, we differentiated the dolphins that died because of ingestion of longline hooks [23.8% (5/21)] from those that died because of fishing net entrapments [76.2% (16/21)], including dolphins that presumably died at depth due to peracute underwater entrapment (PUE) [37.5% (6/16)], dolphins that were hauled out alive and suffered additional trauma during handling [43.8% (7/16)], and those that were released alive but became stranded and died because of fishery interactions [18.7% (3/16)]. Gross and histologic findings of animals in each group were presented and compared. The histological approach confirmed gross lesions and excluded other possible causes of death. Cetaceans in good-fair body condition and shallow diving species were significantly more affected by fishery interactions, in agreement with the literature. Low rates of fishery interactions have been described, compared with other regions. However, within the last few years, sightings of entangled live whales, especially the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Bryde's whale (B. edeni), have increased. This study contributes to further improvement of the evaluation of different types of fishery interactions and may facilitate the enforcement of future conservation policies to preserve cetacean populations in the Canary Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Puig-Lozano
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pedro Saavedra
- Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Cristian M Suárez-Santana
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Jesús De la Fuente
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Josué Díaz-Delgado
- TVMDL Texas A&M, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ana Godinho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Natalia García-Álvarez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Daniele Zucca
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Aina Xuriach
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Marina Arregui
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Idaira Felipe-Jiménez
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Francesco Consoli
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pablo J Díaz-Santana
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Simone Segura-Göthlin
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Nakita Câmara
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Miguel A Rivero
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Simona Sacchini
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Yara Bernaldo de Quirós
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Atlantic Center for Cetacean Research, University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
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13
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Gulland F, Danil K, Bolton J, Ylitalo G, Okrucky RS, Rebolledo F, Alexander-Beloch C, Brownell RL, Mesnick S, Lefebvre K, Smith CR, Thomas PO, Rojas-Bracho L. Vaquitas ( Phocoena sinus) continue to die from bycatch not pollutants. Vet Rec 2020; 187:e51. [PMID: 32661184 PMCID: PMC7591798 DOI: 10.1136/vr.105949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background The vaquita of Mexico is critically endangered, with a population less than 19 individuals in 2018. The population continues to decline and gillnet use continues in vaquita habitat. Methods Nine vaquita carcases were examined from 2016 to 2018 to establish cause of death. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDTs and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in blubber (n=3) were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and faeces tested for domoic acid and saxitoxin. Results Carcases were in good nutritional status and had lesions and full stomachs consistent with fisheries bycatch. PCB, DDT and PBDE concentrations ranged between 94 and 180 ng/g, 500 and 1200 ng/g and 97 and 210 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, which are low compared with other marine mammals. No saxitoxin or domoic acid was detected. Conclusion These findings support the conclusion that bycatch is the primary source of vaquita population decline and emphasise the need for stronger measures to eliminate gillnets from the Upper Gulf of California, Mexico.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kerri Danil
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jennie Bolton
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Gina Ylitalo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Roberto Sanchez Okrucky
- Asociación Mexicana de Hábitats para la Interacción y Protección de Mamíferos Marinos, Cancun, Mexico
| | | | | | | | - Sarah Mesnick
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kathi Lefebvre
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Cynthia R Smith
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, San Diego, California, USA
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14
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Siebert U, Pawliczka I, Benke H, von Vietinghoff V, Wolf P, Pilāts V, Kesselring T, Lehnert K, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Galatius A, Anker Kyhn L, Teilmann J, Hansen MS, Sonne C, Wohlsein P. Health assessment of harbour porpoises (PHOCOENA PHOCOENA) from Baltic area of Denmark, Germany, Poland and Latvia. Environ Int 2020; 143:105904. [PMID: 32615352 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), the only resident cetacean species of the Baltic Sea is formed of two subpopulations populations, occurring in the western Baltic, Belt Seas and Kattegat and the Baltic Proper, respectively. Harbour porpoises throughout these areas are exposed to a large number of human activities causing direct and indirect effects on individuals, that might also harm this species on a population level. From Latvia, Poland, Germany and Denmark 385 out of 1769 collected dead harbour porpoises were suitable for extensive necropsy. The animals were collected between 1990 and 2015 and were either by-caught or found dead on the coastline. Following necropsies, histopathological, microbiological, virological and parasitological investigations were conducted. Females and males were equally distributed among the 385 animals. Most animals from the different countries were juveniles between 3 months and 3 years old (varying between 46.5 and 100% of 385 animals per country). The respiratory tract had the highest number of morphological lesions, including lungworms in 25 to 58% and pneumonia in 21 to 58% of the investigated animals. Of those with pneumonia 8 to 33% were moderate or severe. The alimentary, hearing, and haematopoietic systems had inflammatory lesions and parasitic infections with limited health impact. 45.5 to 100% of the animals from the different countries were known by-caught individuals, of which 20 to 100% varying between countries had netmarks. Inflammatory lesions, especially in the respiratory tract were found in higher numbers when compared to control populations in areas with less human activities such as arctic waters. The high number of morphological changes in the respiratory tract and of bycatches especially among immature animals before reaching sexual maturity is of serious concern, as well as the low number of adult animals among the material. Data on health status and the causes of death are valuable for management. A next step in this regard will combine data from health and genetic investigations in order to detect differences between the two populations of the Baltic.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany; Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - I Pawliczka
- Prof. Krzysztof Skóra Hel Marine Station, Department of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdansk, Morska 2, 84-150 Hel, Poland
| | - H Benke
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14/20, 18347 Stralsund, Germany
| | - V von Vietinghoff
- German Oceanographic Museum, Katharinenberg 14/20, 18347 Stralsund, Germany
| | - P Wolf
- Landesveterinär- und Lebensmitteluntersuchungsamt Rostock, Thierfelder Str. 18, 18059 Rostock, Germany
| | - V Pilāts
- Nature Conservation Agency, Baznīcas iela 7, Sigulda LV-2150, Latvia
| | - T Kesselring
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - K Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - E Prenger-Berninghoff
- Institute for Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 85-87, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - A Galatius
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - L Anker Kyhn
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - J Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - M S Hansen
- Section of Pathology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - C Sonne
- Marine Mammal Research, Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - P Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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15
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Schick L, IJsseldijk LL, Grilo ML, Lakemeyer J, Lehnert K, Wohlsein P, Ewers C, Prenger-Berninghoff E, Baumgärtner W, Gröne A, Kik MJL, Siebert U. Pathological Findings in White-Beaked Dolphins ( Lagenorhynchus albirostris) and Atlantic White-Sided Dolphins ( Lagenorhynchus acutus) From the South-Eastern North Sea. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:262. [PMID: 32671103 PMCID: PMC7326107 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the North Sea, white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) occur regularly and are the second most common cetacean in the area, while their close relative, the Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), prefers the deeper waters of the northern North Sea and adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Though strandings of both species have occurred regularly in the past three decades, they have decreased in the southern North Sea during the last years. Studies describing necropsy findings in stranded Lagenorhynchus spp. are, to date, still scarce, while information gained through post-mortem examinations may reveal valuable information about underlying causes of this decline, including age structure and the reproduction status. Therefore, we retrospectively assessed and compared the necropsy results from fresh Lagenorhynchus spp. stranded along the southeastern North Sea between 1990 and 2019. A full necropsy was performed on 24 white-beaked dolphins and three Atlantic white-sided dolphins from the German and Dutch coast. Samples of selected organs were taken for histopathological, bacteriological, mycological, parasitological and virological examinations. The most common post-mortem findings were emaciation, gastritis and pneumonia. Gastritis and ulceration of the stomach was often associated with an anisakid nematode infection. Pneumonia was most likely caused by bacterial infections. Encephalitis was observed in three animals and morbillivirus antigen was detected immunohistochemically in one case. Although the animal also showed pneumonic lesions, virus antigen was only found in the brain. Parasitic infections mainly affected the gastro-intestinal tract. Lungworm infections were only detected in two cases and no associations with pathological alterations were observed. Stenurus spp. were identified in two of three cases of parasitic infections of the ears. Twelve of the 26 white-beaked dolphins stranded in Germany were found between 1993 and 1994, but there was no evidence of epizootic disease events or mass strandings during the monitored period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Schick
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Miguel L Grilo
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany.,CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jan Lakemeyer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany
| | - Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christa Ewers
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ellen Prenger-Berninghoff
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marja J L Kik
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buesum, Germany
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16
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Denk M, Fahlman A, Dennison-Gibby S, Song Z, Moore M. Hyperbaric tracheobronchial compression in cetaceans and pinnipeds. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb217885. [PMID: 32041809 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.217885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of the compressibility of marine mammal airways at depth is crucial to understanding vital physiological processes such as gas exchange during diving. Very few studies have directly assessed changes in cetacean and pinniped tracheobronchial shape, and none have quantified changes in volume with increasing pressure. A harbor seal, gray seal, harp seal, harbor porpoise and common dolphin were imaged promptly post mortem via computed tomography in a radiolucent hyperbaric chamber. Volume reconstructions were performed of segments of the trachea and bronchi of the pinnipeds and bronchi of the cetaceans for each pressure treatment. All specimens examined demonstrated significant decreases in airway volume with increasing pressure, with those of the harbor seal and common dolphin nearing complete collapse at the highest pressures. The common dolphin bronchi demonstrated distinctly different compression dynamics between 50% and 100% lung inflation treatments, indicating the importance of air in maintaining patent airways, and collapse occurred caudally to cranially in the 50% treatment. Dynamics of the harbor seal and gray seal airways indicated that the trachea was less compliant than the bronchi. These findings indicate potential species-specific variability in airway compliance, and cessation of gas exchange may occur at greater depths than those predicted in models assuming rigid airways. This may potentially increase the likelihood of decompression sickness in these animals during diving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Denk
- Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Andreas Fahlman
- Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, Gran Vía Marqués del Turia 19, 46005 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Zhongchang Song
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Key Laboratory of Underwater Acoustic Communication and Marine Information Technology of the Ministry of Education, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Michael Moore
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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Peltier H, Authier M, Dabin W, Dars C, Demaret F, Doremus G, Canneyt OV, Laran S, Mendez-Fernandez P, Spitz J, Daniel P, Ridoux V. Can modelling the drift of bycaught dolphin stranded carcasses help identify involved fisheries? An exploratory study. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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Díaz-Delgado J, Fernández A, Sierra E, Sacchini S, Andrada M, Vela AI, Quesada-Canales Ó, Paz Y, Zucca D, Groch K, Arbelo M. Pathologic findings and causes of death of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands (2006-2012). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204444. [PMID: 30289951 PMCID: PMC6173391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the pathologic findings and most probable causes of death (CD) of 224 cetaceans stranded along the coastline of the Canary Islands (Spain) over a 7-year period, 2006-2012. Most probable CD, grouped as pathologic categories (PCs), was identified in 208/224 (92.8%) examined animals. Within natural PCs, those associated with good nutritional status represented 70/208 (33.6%), whereas, those associated with significant loss of nutritional status represented 49/208 (23.5%). Fatal intra- and interspecific traumatic interactions were 37/208 (17.8%). Vessel collisions included 24/208 (11.5%). Neonatal/perinatal pathology involved 13/208 (6.2%). Fatal interaction with fishing activities comprised 10/208 (4.8%). Within anthropogenic PCs, foreign body-associated pathology represented 5/208 (2.4%). A CD could not be determined in 16/208 (7.7%) cases. Natural PCs were dominated by infectious and parasitic disease processes. Herein, our results suggest that between 2006 and 2012, in the Canary Islands, direct human activity appeared responsible for 19% of cetaceans deaths, while natural pathologies accounted for 81%. These results, integrating novel findings and published reports, aid in delineating baseline knowledge on cetacean pathology and may be of value to rehabilitators, caregivers, diagnosticians and future conservation policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Díaz-Delgado
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
- Wildlife Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Eva Sierra
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Simona Sacchini
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Marisa Andrada
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Vela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary College, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar Quesada-Canales
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Yania Paz
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Daniele Zucca
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Kátia Groch
- Wildlife Comparative Pathology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute of Animal Health and Food Hygiene (IUSA), University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
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