MORBILLIVIRUS INFECTION IN BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS: EVIDENCE FOR RECURRENT EPIZOOTICS IN THE WESTERN ATLANTIC AND GULF OF MEXICO

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pádraig J. Duignan ◽  
Carol House ◽  
Daniel K. Odell ◽  
Randall S. Wells ◽  
Larry J. Hansen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Western Atlantic

Gonad morphology and gametogenesis in the deep-sea jellyfish Atolla wyvillei and Periphylla periphylla (Scyphozoa: Coronatae) collected from Cape Hatteras and the Gulf of Mexico

2009 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1095-1104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy H. Lucas ◽  
Adam J. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Gonad Development ◽  
Bell Diameter ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Gonad Morphology ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Cape Hatteras ◽  
Literature Evidence ◽  
Long Time ◽  
North Western

Observations on gonad morphology and the structure of ovaries and testes of the coronate scyphozoans Atolla wyvillei and Periphylla periphylla are described based on samples collected from the Gulf of Mexico and Cape Hatteras (north-western Atlantic). In A. wyvillei, gonads of distinguishable sex were observed in medusae as small as 17 mm bell diameter (BD). Spermatogenesis occurred within follicles (average 366 × 254 μm) that were evenly distributed throughout the gonad. Oocytes in different stages of development were observed in all the females with gonads. Oocytes arise from the gastrodermis and migrate into the mesoglea to develop from early-mid to late vitellogenic oocytes characterized by a large nucleus and granular (organic-rich) cytoplasm. The largest oocytes measured were 543 μm and 263 μm from the Gulf of Mexico and Cape Hatteras respectively. Possible reasons for this difference are discussed. In P. periphylla gonads were also initially observed in medusae 17 mm BD, although not all larger medusae had obvious gonads. Unlike A. wyvillei sperm follicles were arranged in long convoluted rows normally only one follicle thick. The organization of ooytes in female P. periphylla was very similar to A. wyvillei, although the gonads were small and the number of oocytes present in each gonad very low (<22). The largest oocyte measured was 777 μm in a 53 mm BD medusa. Although medusae were collected from one time period only (September) in this study, our findings appear to be in agreement with literature evidence indicating that coronate jellyfish produce few eggs continuously over a long time period. Aspects of gonad development and gametogenesis are discussed with respect to potential differences in site productivity and species identification.

scholarly journals Intertidal habitat use of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Bahía San Antonio, Argentina

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1109-1118
Author(s):  
Els Vermeulen
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
San Antonio ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Shallow Waters ◽  
Encounter Rate ◽  
Western Atlantic

Very little information is available on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) habitat use in the South-western Atlantic. It is, however, essential in understanding their ecology and to improve conservation management. In this study, habitat use of bottlenose dolphins was examined in Bahía San Antonio, an area frequented by the species. Given the large tidal amplitude and extended intertidal zone in this bay, special focus was given to the intertidal vs subtidal habitat use patterns. Bottlenose dolphins were observed in only half of the surveyed area, with on average 1 dolphin group encountered per 100 km surveyed. All dolphin groups were seen in shallow waters <10 m deep. GLM analyses showed that especially during high tide, depth had an important effect on the dolphin encounter rate, with most dolphin groups encountered in the intertidal zone. While in the intertidal zone, most dolphin groups were observed to be engaged in surface feeding activities. The presented data indicate dolphins remained in shallow waters, and moved to the intertidal zone during high tide where they appear to find feeding opportunities. This information is believed to be of high value in understanding this population's ecological needs, and essential when aiming to improve marine conservation efforts at times of increased anthropogenic pressures in the area.

scholarly journals AEROBIC MICROORGANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH FREE-RANGING BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS IN COASTAL GULF OF MEXICO AND ATLANTIC OCEAN WATERS

2006 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 536-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Buck ◽  
Randall S. Wells ◽  
Howard L. Rhinehart ◽  
Larry J. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Free Ranging

Influence of artisanal fisheries on the behaviour and social structure of Tursiops truncatus in the South-western Gulf of Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  
pp. 1841-1849
Author(s):  
Nataly Morales-Rincon ◽  
Eduardo Morteo ◽  
Christian Alejandro Delfín-Alfonso
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Tursiops Truncatus ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Vantage Point ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Artisanal Fisheries ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity

AbstractBehavioural plasticity in animals is tested whenever competitive interactions for space and/or food resources occur between wildlife and human activities. This study uses the concepts of operational and non-operational interactions between bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and artisanal fisheries in Alvarado, to search for differences in behaviour, age structure and group size. We conducted 20 surveys between 2015 and 2016, and recorded 64 groups by means of scan sampling from either a research boat or a fixed vantage point. Average dolphin group size was small (${\bar{\rm x}}$ = 3.2, SD = 2.2 individuals) and fewer individuals were commonly present when interaction with fisheries occurred. Operational interactions were defined within the first 30 m and occurred mainly with lone individuals (54% recorded from the lighthouse and 82% during surveys); this benchmark also accounted for higher frequencies in locomotion and feeding (χ2 = 83.10; df = 7; P < 0.001). We found a higher rate of new behavioural events for dolphin groups furthest from human activities, as well as a decrease in behaviours that imply greater body exposure as dolphins approach the fishing spots. Age structure and dolphin group size were not different during and in the absence of interaction with fisheries, but most interactions involved male dolphins. Behavioural variations in the dolphins' repertoire are likely a strategy to reduce the risk of injuries or death when interacting with human activities; these dolphins seem to have habituated to or at least tolerate fishing activities within the study area, possibly constituting a sex-biased pressure.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document