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Morick D, Davidovich N, Zemah-Shamir Z, Kroin Y, Bigal E, Sierra E, Segura-Göthlin S, Wosnick N, Hauser-Davis RA, Tchernov D, Scheinin AP. First description of a Gammaherpesvirus in a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:2253-2258. [PMID: 37088865 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10125-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
In September 2020, a male common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was found dead on a beach near Bat-Yam, Israel. A small, raised, well circumscribed penile lesion (i.e., mass) was identified and removed for histology and molecular characterizations. By histology, the penile mass presented focal keratinization of the squamous epithelium and a mild ballooning of acanthocytes in lower epithelium levels, as well as features compatible with viral plaques, and tested positive for a gammaherpesvirus through molecular characterization analyses. Tissue samples from the lungs, liver, and spleen, however, tested negative for herpesvirus infection. The gammaherpesvirus detected herein is similar to other isolates found in several areas worldwide in different cetacean species. This is the first reported case of gammaherpesvirus infection in dolphins from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, indicative of the need for long-term assessments to create viral infections databases in cetaceans, especially in a climate change context, which is likely to intensify infectious disease outbreaks in marine mammals in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danny Morick
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
- Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering, Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China.
| | - Nadav Davidovich
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Israeli Veterinary Services, 20250, Bet Dagan, Israel
| | - Ziv Zemah-Shamir
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yael Kroin
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eyal Bigal
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - 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 (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, s/n, 35413, Las Palmas, 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 (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, s/n, 35413, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Natascha Wosnick
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, 81531-980, Brazil
| | - Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
- Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4.365Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Dan Tchernov
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering, Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Aviad P Scheinin
- Morris Kahn Marine Research Station, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
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Segura-Göthlin S, Fernández A, Arbelo M, Andrada Borzollino MA, Felipe-Jiménez I, Colom-Rivero A, Fiorito C, Sierra E. Viral skin diseases in odontocete cetaceans: gross, histopathological, and molecular characterization of selected pathogens. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1188105. [PMID: 37745220 PMCID: PMC10514499 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1188105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Fifty-five skin lesions from 31 stranded cetaceans along the Canary coasts (2011-2021) were submitted to macroscopic, histological, and molecular analyses to confirm infection by cetacean poxvirus, herpesvirus and cetacean morbillivirus. They were macroscopically categorized into eight categories with respective subcategories according to their color, shape, size, and consistency. Cetacean poxvirus was detected in 54.54% of the skin lesions through real-time and conventional PCRs based on the DNA polymerase gene. Additionally, herpesvirus and morbillivirus were currently detected from 43.63 and 1.82% of the cutaneous lesions, respectively. Coinfection of poxvirus and herpesvirus was detected in nine of them (16.36%), which makes the present study the first to report coinfection by both pathogens in skin lesions in cetaceans. A plausible approach to histopathological characterization of poxvirus-and herpesvirus-positive skin lesions was established. Hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, ballooning degeneration, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in vacuolized keratinocytes through the stratum spinosum were common findings in poxvirus skin lesions. Alphaherpesvirus was associated with a prominent acanthotic epidermis, moderate necrosis, multifocal dyskeratosis, and irregular keratinocytes with both cellular and nuclei pleomorphism. The common histopathological findings of both pathogens were observed in coinfection lesions. However, those associated with herpesvirus were considerably more remarkable. Relationships between molecular and microscopic findings were observed for the lesions that showed tattoo-like and tortuous patterns. Further multidisciplinary diagnostic studies of infected skin lesions are needed to understand the epidemiology of these emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Marisa Ana Andrada Borzollino
- 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Ana Colom-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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Carla Fiorito
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - 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 (ULPGC), Las Palmas, Spain
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3
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Gaydos JK, St Leger J, Raverty S, Nollens H, Haulena M, Ward EJ, Emmons CK, Hanson MB, Balcomb K, Ellifrit D, Weiss MN, Giles D. Epidemiology of skin changes in endangered Southern Resident killer whales (Orcinus orca). PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286551. [PMID: 37379317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Photographic identification catalogs of individual killer whales (Orcinus orca) over time provide a tool for remote health assessment. We retrospectively examined digital photographs of Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea to characterize skin changes and to determine if they could be an indicator of individual, pod, or population health. Using photographs collected from 2004 through 2016 from 18,697 individual whale sightings, we identified six lesions (cephalopod, erosions, gray patches, gray targets, orange on gray, and pinpoint black discoloration). Of 141 whales that were alive at some point during the study, 99% had photographic evidence of skin lesions. Using a multivariate model including age, sex, pod, and matriline across time, the point prevalence of the two most prevalent lesions, gray patches and gray targets, varied between pods and between years and showed small differences between stage classes. Despite minor differences, we document a strong increase in point prevalence of both lesion types in all three pods from 2004 through 2016. The health significance of this is not clear, but the possible relationship between these lesions and decreasing body condition and immunocompetence in an endangered, non-recovering population is a concern. Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of these lesions is important to better understand the health significance of these skin changes that are increasing in prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Gaydos
- The SeaDoc Society, Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center - Orcas Island Office, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Eastsound, Washington, United States of America
| | - Judy St Leger
- SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Stephen Raverty
- Animal Health Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hendrik Nollens
- SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | | | - Eric J Ward
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Candice K Emmons
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - M Bradley Hanson
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Ken Balcomb
- Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington, United States of America
| | - Dave Ellifrit
- Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington, United States of America
| | - Michael N Weiss
- Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington, United States of America
| | - Deborah Giles
- Center for Whale Research, Friday Harbor, Washington, United States of America
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Skin Marks in Critically Endangered Taiwanese Humpback Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis taiwanensis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040608. [PMID: 36830394 PMCID: PMC9951759 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
As long-lived apex predators, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) are key indicators of marine coastal environmental health. Skin marks can be observed on dorsal body surfaces that are visible during mark-recapture studies that rely on photo-identification (photo-ID) methods. Skin mark prevalence may be an indicator of environmental or anthropogenic stressors in the ecosystem, which may lead to individual and/or population-level health concerns. The prevalence of marks of anthropogenic origin was assessed in the Critically Endangered S. chinensis taiwanensis population along the coasts of central Taiwan. Fifty, twenty-eight, and thirty-four individuals were identified in 2018, 2019, and 2021, respectively. At least one category of injuries was observed in 47 of 57 distinctive individuals (82%), and adults showed a higher prevalence of deep injuries than the other coloration stages. At least one category of skin lesion was observed in 33 of 57 distinctive individuals (58%), and high prevalence of skin lesions was found in mature individuals. Given the difficulty in taking direct observations, skin mark prevalence is proposed as a proxy for estimating habitat health and anthropogenic stressors upon S. chinensis taiwanensis. The moderate-to-high prevalence of skin marks in this study was designated as a warning of risks. This study provides important updated information for the assessment of the health and survival of this population. More effective management measures are urgently needed to reverse the observed population decline.
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Van Bressem MF, Van Waerebeek K, Duignan PJ. Tattoo Skin Disease in Cetacea: A Review, with New Cases for the Northeast Pacific. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243581. [PMID: 36552501 PMCID: PMC9774126 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tattoo skin disease (TSD) is a poxviral dermatopathy diagnosed in cetaceans. We review the literature on TSD aetiology, clinical characteristics, pathology and epidemiology and evaluate immune responses against the virus. In addition, necropsy reports for fifty-five harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), twenty-two Delphinidae and four Kogiidae stranded in northern California in 2018-2021 were checked for diagnostic tattoo lesions. TSD occurs in the Mediterranean, North and Barents Seas, as well as in the Atlantic, eastern Pacific and Indian Oceans in at least 21 cetacean species, with varying prevalence. Two cetacean poxvirus (CePV) clades are recognised: CePV-1 in odontocetes and CePV-2 in mysticetes. CePV-1 isolates were recovered from six Delphinidae and one Phocoenidae in the Americas, Europe and Hong Kong. Strains from Delphinidae are closely related. Among Phocoenidae, poxviruses were sampled only in harbour porpoises around the British Isles. CePV-2 isolates were obtained from southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) and a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). In healthy animals, an immune response develops over time, with young calves protected by maternal immunity. Salinity and sea surface temperature do not seem to influence TSD prevalence in free-ranging cetaceans. High concentrations of immunotoxic halogenated organochlorines may cause a more severe clinical disease. Substitution and loss of genes involved in anti-viral immunity may favour CePV entry, replication and persistence in the epidermis. Off California, Delphinidae were less often (26.3%) affected by TSD than harbour porpoises (43.6%). Male porpoises were significantly more prone (58.1%) to show clinical disease than females (25%). Among males, TSD affected a high proportion of juveniles and subadults. TSD was not detected in the Kogiidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Françoise Van Bressem
- Cetacean Conservation Medicine Group, Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research, Museo de Delfines, Lima 20, Peru
- Correspondence:
| | - Koen Van Waerebeek
- Cetacean Conservation Medicine Group, Peruvian Centre for Cetacean Research, Museo de Delfines, Lima 20, Peru
- ProDelphinus, Miraflores, Lima 18, Peru
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Prevalence and spatio-temporal variation of epidermal conditions, deformities and injuries in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Welsh waters. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00300-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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7
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Cutaneous conditions and injuries in Ziphius cavirostris and Mesoplodon peruvianus from Mexican Pacific and Southern California waters. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00273-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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8
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Boys RM, Beausoleil NJ, Pawley MDM, Betty EL, Stockin KA. Evaluating Potential Cetacean Welfare Indicators from Video of Live Stranded Long-Finned Pilot Whales ( Globicephala melas edwardii). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1861. [PMID: 35883407 PMCID: PMC9312325 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the known benefit of considering welfare within wildlife conservation and management, there remains a lack of data to inform such evaluations. To assess animal welfare, relevant information must be captured scientifically and systematically. A key first step is identifying potential indicators of welfare and the practicality of their measurement. We assessed the feasibility of evaluating potential welfare indicators from opportunistically gathered video footage of four stranded odontocete species (n = 53) at 14 stranding events around New Zealand. The first stranded cetacean ethogram was compiled, including 30 different behaviours, 20 of which were observed in all four species. Additionally, thirteen types of human intervention were classified. A subset of 49 live stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas edwardii) were assessed to determine indicator prevalence and to quantify behaviours. Four ‘welfare status’ and six ‘welfare alerting’ non-behavioural indicators could be consistently evaluated from the footage. Additionally, two composite behavioural indicators were feasible. Three human intervention types (present, watering, and touching) and five animal behaviours (tail flutter, dorsal fin flutter, head lift, tail lift, and head side-to-side) were prevalent (>40% of individuals). Our study highlights the potential for non-invasive, remote assessments via video footage and represents an initial step towards developing a systematic, holistic welfare assessment framework for stranded cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Boys
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Ngaio J. Beausoleil
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Matthew D. M. Pawley
- School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Emma L. Betty
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
| | - Karen A. Stockin
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102-904, Auckland 1142, New Zealand;
- Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, School of Veterinary Science, College of Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
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Morlock GE, Ziltener A, Geyer S, Tersteegen J, Mehl A, Schreiner T, Kamel T, Brümmer F. Evidence that Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins self-medicate with invertebrates in coral reefs. iScience 2022; 25:104271. [PMID: 35774533 PMCID: PMC9236899 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) have been observed queueing up in natural environments to rub particular body parts against selected corals (Rumphella aggregata, Sarcophyton sp.) and sponges (Ircinia sp.) in the Egyptian Northern Red Sea. It was hypothesized that the presence of bioactive metabolites accounts for this selective rubbing behavior. The three invertebrates preferentially accessed by the dolphins, collected and analyzed by hyphenated high-performance thin-layer chromatography contained seventeen active metabolites, providing evidence of potential self-medication. Repeated rubbing allows these active metabolites to come into contact with the skin of the dolphins, which in turn could help them achieve skin homeostasis and be useful for prophylaxis or auxiliary treatment against microbial infections. This interdisciplinary research in behavior, separation science, and effect-directed analysis highlighted the importance of particular invertebrates in coral reefs, the urgent need to protect coral reefs for dolphins and other species, and calls for further vertebrate-invertebrate interaction studies. Dolphins rubbed body parts against specifically selected corals and sponges Behavioral studies were linked with hyphenated bioanalytical technique Vertebrate-invertebrate interaction in coral reefs may serve self-medication Molecular formulae were assigned to known and unknown bioactive molecules
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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: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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11
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Vargas-Castro I, Melero M, Crespo-Picazo JL, Jiménez MDLÁ, Sierra E, Rubio-Guerri C, Arbelo M, Fernández A, García-Párraga D, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Systematic Determination of Herpesvirus in Free-Ranging Cetaceans Stranded in the Western Mediterranean: Tissue Tropism and Associated Lesions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112180. [PMID: 34834986 PMCID: PMC8621769 DOI: 10.3390/v13112180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The monitoring of herpesvirus infection provides useful information when assessing marine mammals’ health. This paper shows the prevalence of herpesvirus infection (80.85%) in 47 cetaceans stranded on the coast of the Valencian Community, Spain. Of the 966 tissues evaluated, 121 tested positive when employing nested-PCR (12.53%). The largest proportion of herpesvirus-positive tissue samples was in the reproductive system, nervous system, and tegument. Herpesvirus was more prevalent in females, juveniles, and calves. More than half the DNA PCR positive tissues contained herpesvirus RNA, indicating the presence of actively replicating virus. This RNA was most frequently found in neonates. Fourteen unique sequences were identified. Most amplified sequences belonged to the Gammaherpesvirinae subfamily, but a greater variation was found in Alphaherpesvirinae sequences. This is the first report of systematic herpesvirus DNA and RNA determination in free-ranging cetaceans. Nine (19.14%) were infected with cetacean morbillivirus and all of them (100%) were coinfected with herpesvirus. Lesions similar to those caused by herpesvirus in other species were observed, mainly in the skin, upper digestive tract, genitalia, and central nervous system. Other lesions were also attributable to concomitant etiologies or were nonspecific. It is necessary to investigate the possible role of herpesvirus infection in those cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Vargas-Castro
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mar Melero
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Division of External Health, Government Delegation in the Community of Madrid, Ministry of Territorial Policy, 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Crespo-Picazo
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (J.L.C.-P.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - María de los Ángeles Jiménez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Eva Sierra
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Consuelo Rubio-Guerri
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Facultad de CC de la Salud, UCH-CEU University, 46113 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Arbelo
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Antonio Fernández
- Division of Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35416 Canary Islands, Spain; (E.S.); (M.A.); (A.F.)
| | - Daniel García-Párraga
- Research Department, Fundación Oceanogràfic de la Comunitat Valenciana, 46013 Valencia, Spain; (J.L.C.-P.); (D.G.-P.)
| | - José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Centre and Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.); (C.R.-G.); (J.M.S.-V.)
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12
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Toms CN, Stone T, Och T. Skin lesion and mortality rate estimates for common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Florida Panhandle following a historic flood. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257526. [PMID: 34618826 PMCID: PMC8496785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence links prolonged freshwater exposure to adverse health conditions, immune deficiencies, and mortality in delphinids. Pensacola, Florida, experienced a record-breaking flood event in April 2014, after which, skin lesions evident of freshwater exposure were observed on common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Here we assess the potential consequences of the flood on bottlenose dolphin health and mortality. Data from an ongoing study were used to evaluate the relationship between skin lesions (progression, prevalence, and extent) and the flood with respect to changing environmental conditions (salinity). Annual stranding records (2012–2016) from Alabama to the eastern Florida Panhandle were used as an indicator of dolphin health to test the hypothesis that the flood event resulted in increased annual mortality rates. Although salinities remained low for several months, results suggest that there was not the widespread skin lesion outbreak anticipated. Of the 333 unique individuals detected only 20% were seen with skin lesions. There was a significant increase in the proportion of dolphins seen post-flood with lesion extent above background levels (≥ 5%; p = 0.001), however, there were only 11 cases with lesion extent greater than 20%. Skin lesion prevalence increased overall following the flood (p < 0.001), but pairwise comparisons revealed a delayed response with significant increases not detected until the following fall (p = 0.01), several months after salinities returned to expected levels. Regression modeling revealed no significant effects of year, region, or year x region on mortality rates, except in Alabama, where increased mortality rates were likely due to residual impacts from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. This study takes advantage of a natural experiment, highlighting how little is understood about the conditions in which prolonged freshwater exposure leads to negative impacts on dolphin health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina N. Toms
- Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
- Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Tori Stone
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, United States of America
| | - Traci Och
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, United States of America
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13
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Fresh water skin disease in dolphins: a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors in Australia. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21979. [PMID: 33319842 PMCID: PMC7738556 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78858-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A distinct ulcerative dermatitis known as “freshwater skin disease” is an emerging clinical and pathological presentation in coastal cetaceans worldwide. In Australia, two remarkably similar mortality events enabled the creation of a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors. The first affected a community of endemic Tursiops australis in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, while the second occurred among T. aduncus resident in the Swan-Canning River system, Western Australia. The common features of both events were (1) an abrupt and marked decrease in salinity (from > 30ppt to < 5ppt) due to rainfall in the catchments, with hypo-salinity persisting weeks to months, and (2) dermatitis characterized grossly by patchy skin pallor that progressed to variable circular or targetoid, often raised, and centrally ulcerated lesions covering up to 70% of the body surface. The affected skin was often colonized by a variety of fungal, bacterial and algal species that imparted variable yellow, green or orange discoloration. Histologic lesions consisted of epidermal hydropic change leading to vesiculation and erosion; alternately, or in addition, the formation of intra-epithelial pustules resulting in ulceration and hypodermal necrosis. Thus, the environmental factors and characteristic pathologic lesions, are necessary components of the case definition for freshwater skin disease.
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14
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Croft LA, Laughlin R, Manley M, Nollens HH. Water temperature fluctuations as a key driver of cetacean pox (tattoo) lesions in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2020; 139:69-79. [PMID: 32351237 DOI: 10.3354/dao03472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Dolphin tattoo lesions are superficial non-raised skin lesions caused by poxviruses. Their presentation can vary but typical lesions in bottlenose dolphins are circular to ovoid with concentric rings of black stippling. These lesions have at times been suggested as an indicator of overall dolphin health and welfare. This study explored the effect of water temperature on the extent of tattoo lesions in 25 dolphins, along with established hematological health parameters and food consumption. Study animals consisted of 9 males and 16 females with dolphin tattoo lesions ranging in age from 2 to 45 yr. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) in extent and appearance of tattoo lesions was documented following increase in water temperature from 21-24°C (70-75°F) to 25.5-26.5°C (78-80°F). Reduction in tattoo lesions could be noted as early as 2-3 wk following water temperature increase. Marked reduction to complete resolution of tattoo lesions was reproducibly seen 5-6 wk post temperature increase. Food consumption following temperature increase was variable: decrease in intake was noted in 48% of dolphins, increase in intake in 52%. Routine blood parameters (complete blood count, serum chemistry panel, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) remained within normal limits. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in extent and appearance of tattoo lesions was documented in 3 dolphins as early as 4-5 wk following a decrease in water temperature from 26.1°C (79°F) to 21°C (70°F). Water temperature is a key environmental parameter affecting cetacean pox ('tattoo') lesions in bottlenose dolphins. The absence of changes in hematological parameters along with lack of correlation between extent of pox lesions and food intake indicates that dolphin tattoo lesions are not an appropriate indicator of overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara A Croft
- SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821, USA
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15
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Powell SN, Wallen MM, Miketa ML, Krzyszczyk E, Foroughirad V, Bansal S, Mann J. Sociality and tattoo skin disease among bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Social behavior is an important driver of infection dynamics, though identifying the social interactions that foster infectious disease transmission is challenging. Here we examine how social behavior impacts disease transmission in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) using an easily identifiable skin disease and social network data. We analyzed tattoo skin disease (TSD) lesions based on photographs collected as part of a 34-year longitudinal study in relation to the sociality of T. aduncus using three metrics (degree, time spent socializing, and time in groups) and network structure, using the k-test. We show that calves with TSD in the second year of life associated more with TSD-positive individuals in the first year of life compared with calves that did not have TSD. Additionally, the network k-test showed that the social network links are epidemiologically relevant for transmission. However, degree, time spent in groups, and time spent socializing were not significantly different between infected and uninfected groups. Our findings indicate that association with infected individuals is predictive of an individual’s risk for TSD and that the social association network can serve as a proxy for studying the epidemiology of skin diseases in bottlenose dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Powell
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Megan M Wallen
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Madison L Miketa
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Ewa Krzyszczyk
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Shweta Bansal
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Janet Mann
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
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16
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Leone AB, Bonanno Ferraro G, Boitani L, Blasi MF. Skin marks in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with artisanal fishery in the central Mediterranean Sea. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211767. [PMID: 30721248 PMCID: PMC6363217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin marks occur frequently in many cetacean species across the globe revealing a broad spectrum of causes, including social interactions, infectious diseases and injuries produced by anthropogenic factors. The current study used photo-id data from 2005-2014 to estimate the skin mark pattern on resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Aeolian Archipelago (Italy). Thirteen skin mark types were identified and their origin, prevalence and permanence time were examined. The pattern of skin marks was assessed for the abundance, richness, distribution and severity in six body regions and compared among age classes, sex and degree of dolphins' interaction with trammel nets (DIN). Our results showed higher prevalence, abundance, richness and distribution of skin marks in adults than in the younger age classes, with the exception of black marks and white ring lesions. The prevalence and abundance of skin marks were higher in males than females, with the exception of scratches and white patches. Moreover, gunshot wounds, mutilations and irregular dorsal fin edges were found only on adult males. Since males showed higher DIN than females and, in dolphins with higher DIN, skin marks were more abundant and frequently distributed in different body regions, the skin mark pattern in regard to DIN seems to be sex-related. The more severe marks were observed on adults, males and dolphins with higher DIN, namely skin disorder, tooth rake marks, small shallow indentations, deep indentations and mutilations. On the contrary, the severity of scratches, white patches and dark ring lesions was higher in females than males, but not significantly related to DIN and age of the individuals. Our results showed that photo-id data provide an efficient and cost-effective approach to document the occurrence of skin marks in free-ranging bottlenose dolphin populations, a critical step toward understanding the cause and supporting the conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luigi Boitani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
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17
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Hart LB, Beckingham B, Wells RS, Alten Flagg M, Wischusen K, Moors A, Kucklick J, Pisarski E, Wirth E. Urinary Phthalate Metabolites in Common Bottlenose Dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) From Sarasota Bay, FL, USA. GEOHEALTH 2018; 2:313-326. [PMID: 32159004 PMCID: PMC7007154 DOI: 10.1029/2018gh000146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are chemical additives to common consumer goods including cleaning products, cosmetics, personal care products, and plastic. Because they are not chemically bound to these products and are widely used, the potential for environmental contamination is significant. Phthalates and their metabolites have been associated with endocrine disruption and reproductive impairment, among other adverse health effects, in laboratory animals and human epidemiologic studies. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are vulnerable to environmental pollutants due to their apex position in the food chain, long life spans, and habitat overlap with developed coastal areas. The objective of this study was to quantify phthalate metabolite concentrations in urine collected from bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, during May 2016 (n = 7) and May 2017 (n = 10). Screening of nine phthalate monoester metabolites in bottlenose dolphin urine was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using methods adapted from those used for analyzing human samples. At least one phthalate metabolite was detected in 71% of the dolphins sampled across both years, with the highest concentrations detected for monoethyl phthalate (MEP; GM = 5.4 ng/ml; 95%CI: 1.3-22.0 ng/ml) and mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP; GM = 1.9 ng/ml; 95%CI: 1.1-3.2 ng/ml). These data demonstrate exposure to two of the most commonly used phthalates in commercial manufacturing, diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). This study establishes methods for urinary detection of phthalate metabolites in marine mammals and provides baseline data to address a significant and growing, yet poorly understood, health threat to marine wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie B. Hart
- Department of Health and Human PerformanceCollege of CharlestonCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Barbara Beckingham
- Department of Geology and Environmental GeosciencesCollege of CharlestonCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Randall S. Wells
- Chicago Zoological Society's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, c/o Mote Marine LaboratorySarasotaFLUSA
| | - Moriah Alten Flagg
- Department of Health and Human PerformanceCollege of CharlestonCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Kerry Wischusen
- Department of Chemistry and BiochemistryCollege of CharlestonCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Amanda Moors
- National Institute of Standards and TechnologyCharlestonSCUSA
| | - John Kucklick
- National Institute of Standards and TechnologyCharlestonSCUSA
| | | | - Ed Wirth
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Ocean Service/National Center for Coastal Ocean ScienceCharlestonSCUSA
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18
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Powell SN, Wallen MM, Bansal S, Mann J. Epidemiological investigation of tattoo-like skin lesions among bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:774-780. [PMID: 29499535 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bottlenose dolphins are excellent bioindicators of ocean ecosystem health for three reasons: (a) as long-lived apex predators they accumulate biotoxins and contaminants; (b) they are visible, routinely appearing at the water's surface in coastal areas, often coming into close contact with humans; and, (c) they exhibit a range of pathogenic lesions attributable to environmental degradation. In this study, we analyzed tattoo-like skin lesions in a population of Tursiops aduncus studied for 30+years in Shark Bay, Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We provide important baseline data by documenting epidemiological patterns of tattoo-like skin lesions in a healthy, free-ranging population that builds on the previous data of tattoo skin disease (TSD) derived from free ranging, stranded, and dead dolphins. Individual dolphins were classified as symptomatic with tattoo-like skin disease if at least one photograph showed a lesion similar to TSD. The average age of infection was 26.6months (±34.8months) with the symptomatic period lasting 137±29.8days. Overall prevalence of tattoo-like skin disease in the population was 19.4%. Age, but not sex, was significant, with yearlings (1-2years) exhibiting tattoo-like lesions more than younger and older calves. Tattoo-like lesions were rare among juvenile and adult dolphins (N=68 calves, 4 juveniles, and 3 adults). We hypothesize that the lower prevalence in youngest calves (<1year) is due to maternal immunity, while older individuals (>2years) have infection-acquired immunity, as reported for other small cetaceans. The low prevalence of tattoo-like lesions in Shark Bay compared to other populations with poxvirus is consistent with reproductive and demographic viability analyses. Furthermore, by documenting the demography of the disease, we can monitor changes in the prevalence of tattoo-like lesions as a sentinel indicator of ecosystem health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Powell
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| | - Megan M Wallen
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Shweta Bansal
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Janet Mann
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA; Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, 3700 O St. NW, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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19
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Russo CD, Weller DW, Nelson KE, Chivers SJ, Torralba M, Grimes DJ. Bacterial Species Identified on the Skin of Bottlenose Dolphins Off Southern California via Next Generation Sequencing Techniques. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2018; 75:303-309. [PMID: 29080910 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-017-1071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The dermis of cetaceans is in constant contact with microbial species. Although the skin of the bottlenose dolphin provides adequate defense against most disease-causing microbes, it also provides an environment for microbial community development. Microbial community uniqueness and richness associated with bottlenose dolphin skin is a function of varying habitats and changing environmental conditions. The current study uses ribosomal DNA as a marker to identify bacteria found on the skin of coastal and offshore bottlenose dolphins off of Southern California. The unique microbial communities recovered from these dolphins suggest a greater microbial diversity on the skin of offshore ecotype bottlenose dolphins, while microbial populations associated with the coastal ecotype include species that are more closely related to each other and that suggest exposure to communities that are likely to be associated with terrestrial runoff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey D Russo
- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, USA
- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Clinical Next Gen Sequencing Division, 5781 Van Allen Way, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA
| | - David W Weller
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Karen E Nelson
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Susan J Chivers
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Manolito Torralba
- J. Craig Venter Institute, 4120 Capricorn Lane, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - D Jay Grimes
- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, USA.
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20
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Abstract
This chapter presents the pathology of cetaceans, a diverse group of mammals restricted exclusively to aquatic habitats. The taxa include the largest mammals on earth, the baleen whales, as well as marine and freshwater toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Pathologies of these species include infectious, toxic, and other disease processes, such as ship strike and entanglements in free-ranging animals. In animals under managed care, concerns include nutritional, degenerative and geriatric processes, such as formation of ammonium urate renal calculi. Due to potential population level effects and individual animal health concerns, viral agents of interest include morbilliviruses, pox virus, and herpes viruses. Both free ranging and captive animals have important neoplasms, including a variety of toxin-related tumors in beluga whales from the St. Lawrence Estuary and oral squamous cell carcinomas in bottlenose dolphins in managed care.
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21
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Mariani M, Miragliuolo A, Mussi B, Russo GF, Ardizzone G, Pace DS. Analysis of the natural markings of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in the central Mediterranean Sea. J Mammal 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyw109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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22
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Pitchford JL, Pulis EE, Evans K, Shelley JK, Serafin BJ, Solangi M. Seasonal Density Estimates of Tursiops truncatus (Bottlenose Dolphin) in the Mississippi Sound from 2011 to 2013. SOUTHEAST NAT 2016. [DOI: 10.1656/058.015.0201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Eric E. Pulis
- Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, 10801 Dolphin Lane, Gulfport, MS 39503
| | - Kristine Evans
- Geosystems Research Institute, Mississippi State University Box 9627, Mississippi State, MS 39762
| | - Jamie K. Shelley
- Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, 10801 Dolphin Lane, Gulfport, MS 39503
| | | | - Moby Solangi
- Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, 10801 Dolphin Lane, Gulfport, MS 39503
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23
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van Beurden SJ, IJsseldijk LL, Ordonez SR, Förster C, de Vrieze G, Gröne A, Verheije MH, Kik M. Identification of a novel gammaherpesvirus associated with (muco)cutaneous lesions in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Arch Virol 2015; 160:3115-20. [PMID: 26370791 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2607-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Herpesviruses infect a wide range of vertebrates, including toothed whales of the order Cetacea. One of the smallest toothed whales is the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), which is widespread in the coastal waters of the northern hemisphere, including the North Sea. Here, we describe the detection and phylogenetic analysis of a novel gammaherpesvirus associated with mucocutaneous and skin lesions in stranded harbour porpoises along the Dutch coast, tentatively designated phocoenid herpesvirus 1 (PhoHV1). Phylogenetically, PhoHV1 forms a monophyletic clade with all other gammaherpesviruses described in toothed whales (Odontoceti) to date, suggesting a common evolutionary origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J van Beurden
- Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Soledad R Ordonez
- Molecular Host Defence Division, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christine Förster
- Institut für Virologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Frankfurter Str. 109, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Geert de Vrieze
- Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M Hélène Verheije
- Pathology Division, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marja Kik
- Dutch Wildlife Health Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.158, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Bossart GD, Schaefer AM, McCulloch S, Goldstein J, Fair PA, Reif JS. Mucocutaneous lesions in free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from the southeastern USA. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2015; 115:175-184. [PMID: 26290502 DOI: 10.3354/dao02895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mucocutaneous lesions were biopsied from free-ranging Atlantic bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, and estuarine waters of Charleston (CHS), South Carolina, USA, between 2003 and 2013. A total of 78 incisional biopsies from 58 dolphins (n=43 IRL, n=15 CHS) were examined. Thirteen dolphins had 2 lesions biopsied at the same examination, and 6 dolphins were re-examined and re-biopsied at time intervals varying from 1 to 8 yr. Biopsy sites included the skin (n=47), tongue (n=2), and genital mucosa (n=29). Pathologic diagnoses were: orogenital sessile papilloma (39.7%), cutaneous lobomycosis (16.7%), tattoo skin disease (TSD; 15.4%), nonspecific chronic to chronic-active dermatitis (15.4%), and epidermal hyperplasia (12.8%). Pathologic diagnoses from dolphins with 2 lesions were predominately orogenital sessile papillomas (n=9) with nonspecific chronic to chronic-active dermatitis (n=4), TSD (n=3), lobomycosis (n=1), and epidermal hyperplasia (n=1). Persistent pathologic diagnoses from the same dolphins re-examined and re-biopsied at different times included genital sessile papillomas (n=3), lobomycosis (n=2), and nonspecific dermatitis (n=2). This is the first study documenting the various types, combined prevalence, and progression of mucocutaneous lesions in dolphins from the southeastern USA. The data support other published findings describing the health patterns in dolphins from these geographic regions. Potential health impacts related to the observed suite of lesions are important for the IRL and CHS dolphin populations, since previous studies have indicated that both populations are affected by complex infectious diseases often associated with immunologic disturbances and anthropogenic contaminants.
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Bessesen BL, Oviedo L, Burdett Hart L, Herra-Miranda D, Pacheco-Polanco JD, Baker L, Saborío-Rodriguez G, Bermúdez-Villapol L, Acevedo-Gutiérrez A. Lacaziosis-like disease among bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus photographed in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2014; 107:173-180. [PMID: 24429468 DOI: 10.3354/dao02692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Lacaziosis (also known as lobomycosis) is a chronic dermal disease caused by the fungal agent Lacazia loboi, which affects both humans and dolphins. Photographic data have been used to identify lacaziosis-like disease (LLD) among dolphins in the waters of North and South America, and here we report LLD in bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus off the coast of Costa Rica, the first reporting in Central American waters. During the periods of 1991 to 1992 and 2010 to 2011, 3 research teams conducted separate dolphin surveys in the Pacific tropical fiord Golfo Dulce, and each documented skin lesions in the resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Photo-ID records were used to identify LLD-affected bottlenose dolphins and to assess their lesions. Findings showed between 13.2 and 16.1% of the identified dolphins exhibited lesions grossly resembling lacaziosis. By combining efforts and cross-referencing photographic data, the teams explored the presence of LLD in Golfo Dulce over a time gap of approximately 20 yr. Our findings expand the geographical range of the disease and offer insight into its longevity within a given population of dolphins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke L Bessesen
- Joyce Corrigan Memorial Care Center, Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, Arizona 85008, USA
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Social Structure and Life History of Bottlenose Dolphins Near Sarasota Bay, Florida: Insights from Four Decades and Five Generations. PRIMATES AND CETACEANS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-4-431-54523-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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