Skin lesion and mortality rate estimates for common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in the Florida Panhandle following a historic flood

Increasing evidence links prolonged freshwater exposure to adverse health conditions, immune deficiencies, and mortality in delphinids. Pensacola, Florida, experienced a record-breaking flood event in April 2014, after which, skin lesions evident of freshwater exposure were observed on common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Here we assess the potential consequences of the flood on bottlenose dolphin health and mortality. Data from an ongoing study were used to evaluate the relationship between skin lesions (progression, prevalence, and extent) and the flood with respect to changing environmental conditions (salinity). Annual stranding records (2012–2016) from Alabama to the eastern Florida Panhandle were used as an indicator of dolphin health to test the hypothesis that the flood event resulted in increased annual mortality rates. Although salinities remained low for several months, results suggest that there was not the widespread skin lesion outbreak anticipated. Of the 333 unique individuals detected only 20% were seen with skin lesions. There was a significant increase in the proportion of dolphins seen post-flood with lesion extent above background levels (≥ 5%; p = 0.001), however, there were only 11 cases with lesion extent greater than 20%. Skin lesion prevalence increased overall following the flood (p < 0.001), but pairwise comparisons revealed a delayed response with significant increases not detected until the following fall (p = 0.01), several months after salinities returned to expected levels. Regression modeling revealed no significant effects of year, region, or year x region on mortality rates, except in Alabama, where increased mortality rates were likely due to residual impacts from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. This study takes advantage of a natural experiment, highlighting how little is understood about the conditions in which prolonged freshwater exposure leads to negative impacts on dolphin health.

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Persistent Effects of Begging on Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Behavior in an Estuarine Population

Aquatic Mammals ◽

10.1578/am.42.4.2016.531 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 531-541 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rebeccah A. Hazelkorn ◽

Bruce A. Schulte ◽

Tara M. Cox

Keyword(s):

Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Common Bottlenose Dolphin

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Long-term monitoring for the surveillance of the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus in an EU Natura2000 site in the Mediterranean Sea. A pilot study in the Tuscan Archipelago

Mediterranean Marine Science ◽

10.12681/mms.24562 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽

ROBERTO CROSTI ◽

ILARIA CAMPANA ◽

LARA CAROSSO ◽

MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Research Network ◽

Habitats Directive ◽

Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

The Mediterranean

A pilot study, using the dataset from the research network ‘FLT Med Net’, which regularly monitors transborder regions in the Mediterranean Sea using ferries as platform for systematic surveys, was undertaken to assess common bottlenose dolphin range and population trends within the Natura 2000 EU marine site “Tutela del Tursiops truncatus”. The site was recently designated by the Tuscany Region (Italy) within the requirement of the EU Habitats Directive. In order to evaluate the conservation status of bottlenose dolphin according to the surveillance scheme of the Directive, two six-year periods (2007-2012; 2013-2018) were compared to assess trends in distribution-occurrence (range); Sightings Per Unit of Effort and Density (population). In total, 18146 NM were surveyed along two fixed transects, recording 90 sightings of Tursiops truncatus and a total of 268 specimens. Between the two periods, slight but not statistically significant differences were assessed, with decreasing trend in range and population of the species; no variation was detected in mean group sizes. Travelling was the most common behaviour, and juveniles were present in 20% of the sightings, concentrated during spring and summer. The consistent FLT Med Net dataset was found to be appropriate to evaluate important parameters for the assessment of trends in the conservation status of Tursiops truncatus at the Natura2000 site scale.

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Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) problem solving strategies in response to a novel interactive apparatus

Behavioural Processes ◽

10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103990 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 169 ◽

pp. 103990

Author(s):

L.K. Lauderdale ◽

L.J. Miller

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Problem Solving Strategies

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Development and Validation of Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies for the Detection of Immunoglobulin G of Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus)

Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation ◽

10.1177/104063870701900502 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 465-470 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Hendrik H. Nollens ◽

Linda G. Green ◽

Diane Duke ◽

Michael T. Walsh ◽

Beth Chittick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Polyclonal Antibody ◽

Immunoglobulin G ◽

Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Tursiops Truncatus ◽

Bottlenose Dolphins ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Common Bottlenose Dolphin ◽

Circulating Antibodies ◽

The Common

Antibodies directed against species-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) have a broad range of applications in serologic and immunologic research and in the development of clinical assays. Validated anti-IgG antibodies for marine mammal species are in short supply. The objective of this study was to produce and validate antibodies with specificity for IgG of the common bottlenose dolphin ( Tursiops truncatus). Bottlenose dolphin IgG was purified using protein G. Two mouse monoclonal antibodies and a rabbit polyclonal antibody were developed from mice and rabbits immunized with bottlenose dolphin IgG. The specificity of the monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody for bottlenose dolphin IgG was first verified by Western blot analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For further validation, both monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody were incorporated in an indirect ELISA for the detection of the immune response of bottlenose dolphins to a vaccine antigen. Three bottlenose dolphins were immunized with a commercial Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae vaccine, and serial blood samples were collected from all dolphins for measurement of levels of circulating antibodies. Seroconversion was observed in all 3 dolphins by use of both monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody. Circulating antibodies were detectable as early as 6 days after immunization in 1 dolphin. Peak antibody levels were detected 14 days after the immunization. The ability to detect seroconversion in all 3 immunized bottlenose dolphins firmly establishes the specificity of the monoclonal antibodies and the polyclonal antibody for IgG of the common bottlenose dolphin.

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