Diseases and lesions in the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) from the Southeast Pacific. Scientific Committee Document SC/56/SM3, International Whaling Commission, July 2004, Sorrento, Italy
Van Bressem, M.-F.; Van Waerebeek, K.; Montes, D.; Kennedy, S.; Reyes, J.; García-Godos, I.; Ontón, K.; Alfaro-Shigueto, J. (2004). Diseases and lesions in the long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus capensis) from the Southeast Pacific. Scientific Committee Document SC/56/SM3, International Whaling Commission, July 2004, Sorrento, Italy. International Whaling Commission: Sorrento. 11 + tables pp.
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| Keywords |
Crassicauda Leiper & Atkinson, 1914 [WoRMS]; Delphinus capensis
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
LONG-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN, DISEASES, SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN, OVARIAN CYSTS, ORCHITIS, SKULL LYSIS, CRASSICAUDA SP., SKIN LESIONS, MALFORMATIONS, TRAUMAS. |
| Authors | | Top |
- Van Bressem, M.-F.
- Van Waerebeek, K., more
- Montes, D.
- Kennedy, S.
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- Reyes, J.
- García-Godos, I., more
- Ontón, K.
- Alfaro-Shigueto, J.
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| Abstract |
Miscellaneous lesions of the head, skull, teeth, trunk, appendages, skin and genital tract were observed in 94 out of 931 long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) caught off Peru in 1985-2000. Several study subsamples were defined, depending on field sampling protocol, whether opportunistic or dedicated. Fourty dolphins showed at least two types of injuries or disease, affecting one or more organs. Some of the lesions were extensive and probably caused severe stress to the individuals. Violent, fisheries-related interactions were thought to have caused most of the traumas encountered. Prevalences of malformations and traumas of the skull were 2.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Lytic cranial lesions were present in 31.1% of dolphins (n= 103) and accounted for 84.2% of all skull injuries. Prevalence of Crassicauda sp. bone damage was 25.7% (n= 101) and was similar in both sexes and age classes. Infestation by Crassicauda sp. and tooth infections were responsible for, respectively, 78.8% and 6.1% of the lytic lesions. Adult dolphins showed a high prevalence of worn and broken teeth (36.8%, n= 19) as well as damaged alveoli (20%, n= 70). Prevalence of a condition referred to as ‘paired teeth’ varied between 4.5% (n= 22) and 20% (n= 10). Lesions of the head, body and appendages were observed in 11 dolphins and included traumas, congenital and acquired deformations, chronic fibrotic reaction of the subcutaneous tissue of the tailstock and chronic mastitis. Ovarian cysts suggestive of Graafian follicle cysts were observed in a lactating female. Prevalence of ovarian cysts was 4.2% (n= 24). Chronic orchitis with severe fibroplasia affected a mature dolphin which also had lysis in at least one caudal vertebra. Prevalence of orchitis was 1.3% (n= 78). Two immature dolphins suffered vesicular lesions of the penis, suggestive of herpesvirus (prevalence 16.7%, n= 12). Prevalence of cutaneous lesions, including punctiform-, coronet- and rounded marks, as well as dark circles and scars, depending on the sample varied between 3.6% (n= 56) and 44.4% (n= 27). One dolphin showed an abnormal pigmentation on one flipper, reminiscent of partial albinism. |
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