Lesions of morbillivirus infection in a fin whale (<i>Balaenoptera physalus</i>) stranded along the Belgian coast

Jauniaux, Thierry; Charlier, G.; Desmecht, M.; Coignoul, Freddy

doi:10.1136/vr.143.15.423

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…After the Mediterranean striped dolphin morbillivirus epizootic of 1990–92 (Aguilar & Raga, 1993), and following the report of an infected B. physalus in the North Sea (Jauniaux et al ., 1998), it was feared that the disease might spread to fin whales in the Mediterranean. Such apprehension perhaps induced unwarranted diagnoses of exanthematic infection of fin whales in this region, following the stranding of two specimens in a 2‐month period (Sept–November 1995), and the sighting of a free‐swimming individual bearing reddish marks on its back, interpreted as skin eruptions (Guibourgé et al ., 1996).…”

Section: Causes Of Mortality and Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fin whaleBalaenoptera physalus(L. 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2003

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1. The ecology and status of fin whales Balaenoptera physalus in the Mediterranean Sea is reviewed. The species’ presence, morphology, distribution, movements, population structure, ecology and behaviour in this semi‐enclosed marine region are summarized, and the review is complemented with original, previously unpublished data. 2. Although the total size of the fin whale population in the Mediterranean is unknown, an estimate for a portion of the western basin, where most of the whales are known to live, was approximately 3500 individuals. High whale densities, comparable to those found in rich oceanic habitats, were found in well‐defined areas of high productivity. Most whales concentrate in the Ligurian‐Corsican‐Provençal Basin, where their presence is particularly noticeable during summer; however, neither their movement patterns throughout the region nor their seasonal cycle are clear. 3. Based on genetic studies, fin whales from the Mediterranean Sea are distinct from North Atlantic conspecifics, and may constitute a resident population, separate from those of the North Atlantic, despite the species’ historical presence in the Strait of Gibraltar. Fin whales are known to calve in the Mediterranean, with births peaking in November but occurring at lower rates throughout the year. They feed primarily on krill Meganyctiphanes norvegica which they capture by diving to depths in excess of 470 m. It is suggested that the extensive vertical migratory behaviour of its main prey may have influenced the social ecology of this population. 4. Known causes of mortality and threats, including collisions with vessels, entanglement in fishing gear, deliberate killing, disturbance, pollution and disease, are listed and discussed in view of the implementation of appropriate conservation measures to ensure the species’ survival in the region.

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Section: Causes Of Mortality and Threatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fin whaleBalaenoptera physalus(L. 1758) in the Mediterranean Sea

et al. 2003

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“…Furthermore, the recent report of a mortality cluster associated with DMV in Mediterranean fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) stranded along the Italian coastline highlights the crucial importance of understanding the evolution of morbilliviruses 2 . Morbilliviral infection has been previously described in mysticetes from the Mediterranean basin 3 , as well as from the North Atlantic Ocean 4 and the North Sea 5 . Nevertheless, no identification nor genomic and structural characterization studies of the viral agent have been hitherto carried out.…”

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confidence: 96%

Genomic and structural investigation on dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) in Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)

Beffagna

Centelleghe

Franzo

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) has been deemed as one of the most relevant threats for fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) being responsible for a mortality outbreak in the Mediterranean Sea in the last years. Knowledge of the complete viral genome is essential to understand any structural changes that could modify virus pathogenesis and viral tissue tropism. We report the complete DMV sequence of N, P/V/C, M, F and H genes identified from a fin whale and the comparison of primary to quaternary structure of proteins between this fin whale strain and some of those isolated during the 1990–‘92 and the 2006–‘08 epidemics. Some relevant substitutions were detected, particularly Asn52Ser located on F protein and Ile21Thr on N protein. Comparing mutations found in the fin whale DMV with those occurring in viral strains of other cetacean species, some of them were proven to be the result of diversifying selection, thus allowing to speculate on their role in host adaptation and on the way they could affect the interaction between the viral attachment and fusion with the target host cells.

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“…Among pinnipeds, affected populations have been harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina) and grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus) from the North Sea and the northwestern Atlantic (Kennedy and others 1989, Duigan and others 1993, 1995), Lake Baikal seals ( Phoca sibirica) (Grachev and others 1989, Osterhaus and others 1989, Belykh and others 1997), and Caspian seals ( Phoca caspica) (Forsyth and others 1998, Kennedy and others 2000). Among cetaceans, morbillivirus lesions were reported in harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena) from the coast of Ireland (Kennedy and others 1988,1991,1992), bottlenosed dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus) from the Atlantic coast of the USA (Lipscomb and others 1994, 1996, Krafft and others 1995), striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean Sea (Domingo and others 1990, 1992, van Bressem and others 1991, Duigan and others 1992) and Atlantic fìn whales ( Balaenoptera physalus) (Jauniaux and others 1998, 2000).…”

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confidence: 99%