Epidermal diseases in bottlenose dolphins: impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors

Wilson, Ben; Arnold, Henry R.; Bearzi, Giovanni; Fortuna, Caterina Maria; Gaspar, Raquel; Ingram, Simon; Liret, Céline; Pribanic, Sandra; Read, Andrew J.; Ridoux, Vincent; Schneider, Karsten; Urian, Kim W.; Wells, Randall S.; Wood, C.; Thompson, Paul M.; Hammond, Philip S.

doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0746

Cited by 95 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Nonetheless, the general appearance of some skin conditions can be used to assess the likelihood that they are indicative of a particular etiology. Although Wilson et al (1999) used different categorizations to evaluate skin conditions, their results indicated a similarly high incidence within geographically separated bottlenose dolphin populations, incidence ranging between 67% in Florida and 100% in England. Our study population falls within the higher values (90%) found by Wilson and colleagues, supporting the hypothesis that skin conditions are a geographically widespread phenomenon in bottlenose dolphins.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our study population falls within the higher values (90%) found by Wilson and colleagues, supporting the hypothesis that skin conditions are a geographically widespread phenomenon in bottlenose dolphins. The variability in prevalence and appearance of these conditions may depend on local environmental variables such as water temperature and salinity, and/or the presence of other 'stressors' such as water contamination (Wilson et al 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The wide variety of skin conditions which affect bottlenose dolphin populations worldwide has been linked to environmental factors such as water salinity and temperature, and to anthropogenic factors such as pollution and contaminants (Wilson et al 1999). Contaminants in particular, through the process of bio-magnification, can accumulate at levels highly toxic to cetaceans and depress the immune system, exacerbating the severity of clinical signs (DeGuise et al 1995;Levin et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

Maldini¹,

Riggin

Cecchetti³

et al. 2010

AMBIO

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The prevalence of epidermal conditions in a small population of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay was evaluated between 2006 and 2008. Five different skin condition categories were considered, including Pox-Like Lesions, Discoloration, Orange Film, Polygon Lesions, and Miscellaneous Markings. Of 147 adults and 42 calves photographically examined, at least 90 and 71%, respectively, were affected by at least one or multiple conditions. Pox-Like Lesions were the most prevalent, affecting 80% of the population, including adults and calves. This condition warrants the most urgent investigation being possibly indicative of the widespread presence of poxvirus or a similar pathogen in the population. In view of the high number of individuals affected, standard monitoring of the health status of Monterey Bay bottlenose dolphins is considered imperative. Discoloration was strongly associated with Pox-Like lesions. Orange Films were likely an epifaunal infestation caused by diatoms, which have been documented in other cetacean species. Polygon Lesions, a newly described category, could be the result of infestation by barnacles of the genus Cryptolepas. Miscellaneous Markings were variable in appearance and may not have the same causative factor. Although none of the proposed etiologies can be confirmed without appropriate clinical tests, recognizing common visible characteristics of the conditions could aid in preliminary comparisons across populations and individuals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

Maldini¹,

Riggin

Cecchetti³

et al. 2010

AMBIO

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“…They may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoans and appear to be occurring more frequently in recent years . Their emergence and severity seem, in some cases, to be related to natural and anthropogenic factors such as water quality degradation and inland water inputs (Wilson et al 1999, Reif et al 2006, Van Bressem et al 2007, 2009.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lobomycosis-like disease and other skin conditions in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus from the Indian Ocean

Kiszka¹,

Bressem²,

Pusineri³

2009

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Lobomycosis is a chronic mycotic disease of the skin and subdermal tissues caused by the yeast-like organism Lacazia loboi, which affects humans and Delphinidae. Cases of lobomycosis and lobomycosis-like disease (LLD), a disease very similar to lobomycosis but for which a histological diagnostic is missing, have been reported in small cetaceans from the Americas and Europe. Here we report on LLD in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus from the tropical lagoon of Mayotte, between Mozambique and Madagascar. From July 2004 to June 2008, boat surveys were conducted in Mayotte waters. At least 71 adult dolphins were photo-identified. Six (5 males, 1 female) had multiple raised, greyish nodules on the dorsal fin, head, flanks, belly, back and tailstock that suggested LLD. The lesions were extensive in some cases. The calf of the positive female was also affected. LLD has been present in this community since at least 1999. As sampling was not possible, the aetiology of the disease could not be explored. The emergence of LLD in Mayotte may be related to degradation of the coastal environment associated with rapid urbanization, expanding agriculture and increased release of untreated freshwater runoffs. Other skin lesions included scars, healing wounds, whitish lesions and lumps.KEY WORDS: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin · Tursiops aduncus · Skin diseases · Lobomycosis · Mayotte · Indian Ocean Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 84: [151][152][153][154][155][156][157] 2009 sion (Migaki et al. 1971. In South America, a disease very similar to lobomycosis, but for which a histological diagnostic is missing, was recently reported in coastal T. truncatus from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil as well as in S. guianensis from the Paranaguá estuary, Brazil (Van Bressem et al. 2007, 2009, Moreno et al. 2008). Lobomycosis and lobomycosis-like disease (LLD) have been mostly observed in tropical and equatorial areas, such as Florida and Texas in the US and Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Surinam and Brazil in South America. The habitat of the pathogen is believed to be aquatic or associated with soil and vegetation. T. truncatus from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, affected by lobomycosis, were found to have a significant impairment in adaptive immunity possibly related to chronic exposure to environmental stressors ). The T. truncatus communities from South America presenting LLD inhabited biologically and chemically polluted waters surrounding large ports and cities (Van Bressem et al. 2007).The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus is only found in the warm temperate to tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean, from South Africa in the west to southern Japan and central Australia in the east (Jefferson et al. 2008). It is the second most common cetacean species in the coastal waters of the inner lagoon of Mayotte (Comoros archipelago, northeast Mozambique Channel, SW Indian Ocean; Kiszka et al. 2007). Recent investigations have indicated that...

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“…Ten coastal populations of bottlenose dolphins served in a photographic study that compared levels of epidermal disease among populations exposed to a wide range of natural and anthropogenic conditions [33]. It was found that epidermal lesions were common in all populations.…”

Section: Case Studies Of Skin Lesions In Cetaceans -The Signs?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cutaneous Lesions in Cetaceans: An Indicator of Ecosystem Status?

Mouton¹,

Botha²

2012

New Approaches to the Study of Marine Mammals

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Epidermal diseases in bottlenose dolphins: impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors

Cited by 95 publications

References 27 publications

Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

Lobomycosis-like disease and other skin conditions in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus from the Indian Ocean

Cutaneous Lesions in Cetaceans: An Indicator of Ecosystem Status?

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