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Biology and ecology of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded and sighted at 25°S in the south-western Atlantic Ocean during 1989–2016

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2018

Camila Domit Open the ORCID record for Camila Domit [Opens in a new window] ,
Isabela G. Domiciano ,
Matt K. Broadhurst ,
Ana Paula F. R. Bracarense ,
Liana Rosa ,
Gustavo Cechin  and
Paula Nassar
Camila Domit*
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil
Isabela G. Domiciano
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
Matt K. Broadhurst
Affiliation:
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit, National Marine Science Centre, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia Marine and Estuarine Ecology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Ana Paula F. R. Bracarense
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Patologia Animal, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brasil
Liana Rosa
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil
Gustavo Cechin
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil
Paula Nassar
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Camila Domit Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação, Centro de Estudos do Mar (CEM/UFPR), Universidade Federal do Paraná, Cx. Postal 61, CEP. 83.255-000, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brasil email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Historical strandings and sightings (1989–2016) of Tursiops truncatus at 25oS in the south-western Atlantic Ocean (Paraná, Brazil) were assessed to (1) investigate temporal fluctuations; and (2) quantify biological, ecological and health parameters of regional populations. In total, 57 T. truncatus carcasses in mostly advanced stages of decomposition (~80% of all specimens) were recorded. Standardized temporal strandings (per observational effort) varied considerably and with no clear annual relationship beyond a peak in 2007, but there were consistently more strandings in winter/spring (74%) than summer/autumn (26%). While there was uncertainty over age estimation (i.e. not available for the population), individuals classified as juveniles/subadults were more frequent (80%) than calves (14%) and adults (6%). Of 28 carcasses assessed, 27 showed a positive linear relationship between TL and condyle-basal length, while one specimen had a clear southern skull morphotype. Suggestive lesions of Crassicauda sp. were recorded in 77% of assessed skulls and four types of tooth pathologies were observed. Nine individuals were more closely investigated for gross and histopathological alterations and had clear evidence of fishery interactions and various health issues associated with disease and oedema accompanied by alveolar fibrosis. While the regional frequency of T. truncatus strandings was lower than other more vulnerable cetaceans, the absolute numbers (e.g. 15 individuals in 2016) and some uncertainty concerning regional taxonomy are noteworthy, and justify ongoing spatio-temporal monitoring. Further, given the evidence of disease in some specimens, future work should not only encompass rigorous taxonomic assessments, but also health to comprehensively evaluate regional stocks. Small cetacean species are sentinels and their condition could inform ongoing environmental assessments.

Keywords

opportunistic surveysstrandingsskull morphologypathologiesSouth Atlantic Ocean
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 98 , Special Issue 5: Marine Mammals , August 2018 , pp. 1129 - 1140
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2018 

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