Age and growth of some delphinids in south-eastern Brazil

This study provides the first compilation on age and growth of some delphinids in south-eastern Brazil (18°25′S–25°45′S). A total of 154 delphinids were reported: 44 Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis; 36 bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus; 26 ‘Brazilian’ common dolphin Delphinus sp.; 20 rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis; 16 Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei; 3 false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens; 3 unidentified Stenella sp.; 2 pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata; 2 short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus; 1 spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris; and 1 striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba. Age was estimated by counting the number of growth layer groups present in the dentine in 74.5% of the sample. The growth of 92 individuals of the first five species was determined by the Gompertz model to length-at-age data. Stenella frontalis—the oldest specimen was 23 y and the asymptotic length of 224.4 cm predicted by growth curve occurred at about 20 y; T. truncatus—the oldest specimen was 26 y and the asymptotic length of 301.3 cm predicted by growth curve occurred at about 20 y; Delphinus sp.—the oldest dolphin was 18 y and the asymptotic length of 215.9 cm predicted by growth curve occurred at about 5–6 y; S. bredanensis—the oldest specimen was 24 y and the asymptotic length of 258.1 cm predicted by growth curve occurred at about 10 y; L. hosei—the oldest specimen was 19 y and the asymptotic length of 231.2 cm predicted by growth curve occurred at about 7–8 y. Only age was estimated for the other species. The age-at-length data for S. frontalis, Delphinus sp., S. bredanensis and L. hosei were consistent, suggesting a good agreement with previous work on these species. For T. truncatus, the age at asymptotic length obtained in this study might be confirmed by increasing the sample size. The information currently presented will contribute to further life history research of delphinids on the western south Atlantic coast.

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The cetaceans of Aruba, southern Caribbean

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315413000337 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 94 (6) ◽

pp. 1161-1174 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jolanda A. Luksenburg

Keyword(s):

Killer Whale ◽

Sperm Whale ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Physeter Macrocephalus ◽

Cetacean Species ◽

Additional Species ◽

Pilot Whale ◽

Stenella Frontalis ◽

Spotted Dolphin ◽

Delphinus Capensis

Aruba is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. However, very little is known about its cetaceans. In 2010 and 2011, a total of 19721 km (1686 h) boat-based surveys over nearshore transects resulted in 117 positively-identified sightings comprising eight species. New records are also added for one of three previously-documented species. Five additional species were documented from strandings or reports by others. This brings the total number of cetacean species identified in Aruban waters to 16, of which nine are authenticated here for the first time. Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis (N = 59) and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (N = 33) were the most frequently observed species, with sightings of both year-round, followed by spinner dolphin (S. longirostris) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens). Additional species recorded are pantropical spotted dolphin (S. attenuata), striped dolphin (S. coeruleoalba), common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis), short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus), killer whale (Orcinus orca), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Bryde's/Eden's whale (Balaenoptera brydei/edeni), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) and an unidentified beaked whale (Mesoplodon sp.). All cetaceans were sighted within 22 km of the coast in relatively shallow waters. Sighting rate was low (0.69 cetacean sightings per 100 km). Sightings of calves and neonates indicate that Aruba may be a nursing or breeding area for some species. The presence of several species of cetaceans in Aruba's coastal waters year-round indicates that status and threat assessments are needed to protect them.

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Age and growth of the snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus, off the Brazilian coast

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315411000142 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 633-641 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Paulo A.S. Costa ◽

Adriana C. Braga ◽

Juan P. Rubinich ◽

Antônio Olinto Ávila-da-Silva ◽

Cassiano M. Neto

Keyword(s):

Life Span ◽

Positive Relationship ◽

Growth Parameters ◽

Age And Growth ◽

Brazilian Coast ◽

Von Bertalanffy ◽

South Eastern ◽

Otolith Analysis ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Marginal Increment

The age and growth of the snowy grouper, Epinephelus niveatus, from central and south-eastern Brazil were studied by otolith analysis from a sample of 341 specimens, ranging from 325 to 1216 mm in total length (TL) caught with bottom longlines between 1996 and 1998. Otolith length grew proportionally with the increasing TL of the fish. Marginal increment analysis indicated that a single opaque band forms each year during autumn–winter. The maximum estimated age was 54 years, which significantly extends the previously estimated life-span of 21–29 years for this species. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for both sexes were estimated as L∞ = 1098.4 mm TL, K = 0.062 year −1 and t0 = –2.68. The study revealed differences in mean length-at-age and size at recruitment, as well as in growth parameters between the central and the south-eastern Brazilian coast, which can be attributed mainly to different fishing pressures. The snowy grouper was found at depths of 82–492 m, and showed a positive relationship between age and depth, suggesting differential movements of older fish to deeper waters.

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Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in Five Toothed Whale Species of the Mediterranean Sea

International Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1080/109158101753333613 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

pp. 339-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. P. Frodello ◽

B. Marchand

Keyword(s):

Stomach Contents ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Pilot Whale ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Delphinus Delphis ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Metal Levels ◽

Toothed Whale ◽

Cadmium Lead ◽

Zinc Levels

The cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc levels were measured in six organs (lung, liver, kidney, skin, muscle, and bone) from 18 specimens of toothed whales, belonging to five species, found stranded along the Corsican coast between November 1993 and December 1998. The five species examined were the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, the common dolphin Delphinus delphis, the striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba, the pilot whale Globicephala melas, and the Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus. The values obtained demonstrate that there is a great variability in the accumulation of toxic metals. A comparison of the values with those obtained in other geographical regions also demonstrates an extensive variability in metal levels. The presence of metals in the stomach contents of three of the individuals studied shows that the food source is responsible for a significant input of pollutants to the whales. Measured pollutant levels in whales are thus the result of an accumulation occurring throughout the animal's life.

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Cetacean strandings along the German North Sea coastline 1604–2017

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315421000503 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Carl Christian Kinze ◽

Richard Czeck ◽

Helena Herr ◽

Ursula Siebert

Keyword(s):

North Sea ◽

Native Species ◽

Sperm Whale ◽

Beluga Whale ◽

Delphinapterus Leucas ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Physeter Macrocephalus ◽

Pilot Whale ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Fin Whale

Abstract The occurrence of 19 cetacean species along the German North Sea coastline as well as the lower reaches of the major rivers discharging into the German Bight is reviewed for the period 1604–2017 based on records of dead animals, either stranded dead or put to death. The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is considered the most abundant and only native species in German coastal and riverine waters. Based on written sources its presence can be traced back to at least 1651, although with statistical data only available from 1990. Finds of further 18 species have been documented: white-beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), killer whale (Orcinus orca), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), narwhal (Monodon monoceros), Sowerby's beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens), northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). This review corrects several false species assignments earlier introduced in literature based on incorrect scientific or ambiguous German vernacular names and recovers lost records of beluga whale, northern bottlenose whale, sperm whale and fin whale.

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Comparative Anatomy of the Nasal Cavity in the Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis L., Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba M. and Pilot Whale Globicephala melas T.: A Developmental Study

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 441

Author(s):

Alvaro García de los Ríos y Loshuertos ◽

Marta Soler Laguía ◽

Alberto Arencibia Espinosa ◽

Alfredo López Fernández ◽

Pablo Covelo Figueiredo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nasal Cavity ◽

Nasal Mucosa ◽

Developmental Study ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Pilot Whale ◽

3D Reconstructions ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Nasal Cavities ◽

External Nose ◽

The Common

Our goal was to analyze the main anatomical structures of the dolphin external nose and nasal cavity from fetal developmental stages to adult. Endoscopy was used to study the common development of the external nose and the melon, and nasal mucosa. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and anatomical sections were correlated with anatomical sections. Computed tomography (CT) was used to generate 3D reconstructions of the nasal bones and nasal cavities to study its development. Dissections, histological and pathological studies were carried out on the nasal mucosa to understand its function. These results were compared with the horse. Endoscopy showed an external nose with two lips and the upper lip is divided by a groove due to the nasal septum and an obstruction of right nasal cavity was diagnosed in a newborn. Two diverticula (air sacs) were found in the nasal vestibule and an incisive recess (premaxillary sac) in the nasal cavity. These findings were corroborated by 3D reconstructions of the nasal cavities, MRI, anatomical sections and dissections. The presphenoid and ethmoid bones were fused at early stages of fetal development. The ethmoid is the last bone to ossify in the nasal cavity.

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Marine mammals are natural hosts of Oceanivirga salmonicida, a bacterial pathogen of Atlantic salmon

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms ◽

10.3354/dao03478 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 139 ◽

pp. 161-174

Author(s):

R Palmer ◽

GTA Fleming ◽

S Glaeser ◽

T Semmler ◽

A Flamm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

16S Rrna ◽

Atlantic Salmon ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

Marine Mammals ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Bacterial Disease ◽

Common Dolphin ◽

Stenella Coeruleoalba ◽

Striped Dolphin ◽

Natural Hosts

During 1992 and 1993, a bacterial disease occurred in a seawater Atlantic salmon Salmo salar farm, causing serious mortalities. The causative agent was subsequently named as Oceanivirga salmonicida, a member of the Leptotrichiaceae. Searches of 16S rRNA gene sequence databases have shown sequence similarities between O. salmonicida and uncultured bacterial clones from the digestive tracts of marine mammals. In the current study, oral samples were taken from stranded dolphins (common dolphin Delphinus delphis, striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba) and healthy harbour seals Phoca vitulina. A bacterium with growth characteristics consistent with O. salmonicida was isolated from a common dolphin. The isolate was confirmed as O. salmonicida, by comparisons to the type strain, using 16S rRNA gene, gyrB, groEL, and recA sequence analyses, average nucleotide identity analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Metagenomic analysis indicated that the genus Oceanivirga represented a significant component of the oral bacterial microbiomes of the dolphins and seals. However, sequences consistent with O. salmonicida were only found in the dolphin samples. Analyses of marine mammal microbiome studies in the NCBI databases showed sequences consistent with O. salmonicida from the common dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, and harbour seal. Sequences from marine environmental studies in the NCBI databases showed no sequences consistent with O. salmonicida. The findings suggest that several species of marine mammals are natural hosts of O. salmonicida.

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