scholarly journals Tough life: the case of a young coastal common bottlenose dolphin repeatedly entangled

10.5597/00243 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Fernando Félix ◽  
Oscar Vázcones ◽  
Ruby Centeno ◽  
Juan Romero

We report the case of a young coastal bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) hooked and entangled in artisanal fishing gear on two occasions in a period of six months. In both occasions the animal managed to get rid of the gear by itself. The case occurred in the inner estuary of Gulf of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The animal survived both events, but scars remained in various parts of the body and missed fluke tips. Photographs of the individual after the events allowed to evaluate the healing process. This case demonstrated that longlines represents a threat for this population.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Deniz Ayas ◽  
Deniz Ergüden ◽  
Nuray Çiftçi ◽  
Mustafa Dogangün ◽  
Hasan Deniz Akbora ◽  
...  

On 10 November 2017, a young male common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821), 185 cm in total length (TL), was found dead on the Mersin Marina (36°46'065"N, 34°34'212"E) in Northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Measurements of the sample performed and documented. The specimen buried to obtain the skeleton of the individual. At the end of this process, the sample was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University, (Catalogue no: MEUMC-17- 11-001). The morphometric measurements can contribute to ongoing fisheries biology and taxonomic studies of T. truncatus from Mediterranean Sea waters. During routine fishing activities, common bottlenose dolphins can be caught in fishing nets and drowned. This issue leads to an extra population loss in addition to environmental factors that cause dolphin deaths. At the national level, measures should be implemented to protect dolphins and other marine species caught off -target.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa de los Ángeles Bayas-Rea ◽  
Fernando Félix ◽  
Rommel Montufar

The common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, is widely distributed along the western coast of South America. In Ecuador, a resident population of bottlenose dolphins inhabits the inner estuarine area of the Gulf of Guayaquil located in the southwestern part of the country and is under threat from different human activities in the area. Only one genetic study on South American common bottlenose dolphins has been carried out to date, and understanding genetic variation of wildlife populations, especially species that are identified as threatened, is crucial for defining conservation units and developing appropriate conservation strategies. In order to evaluate the evolutionary link of this population, we assessed the phylogenetic relationships, phylogeographic patterns, and population structure using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The sampling comprised: (i) 31 skin samples collected from free-ranging dolphins at three locations in the Gulf of Guayaquil inner estuary, (ii) 38 samples from stranded dolphins available at the collection of the “Museo de Ballenas de Salinas,” (iii) 549 mtDNA control region (mtDNA CR) sequences from GenBank, and (iv) 66 concatenated sequences from 7-mtDNA regions (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, NADH dehydrogenase subunit I–II, cytochrome oxidase I and II, cytochrome b, and CR) obtained from mitogenomes available in GenBank. Our analyses indicated population structure between both inner and outer estuary dolphin populations as well as with distinct populations of T. truncatus using mtDNA CR. Moreover, the inner estuary bottlenose dolphin (estuarine bottlenose dolphin) population exhibited lower levels of genetic diversity than the outer estuary dolphin population according to the mtDNA CR. Finally, the estuarine bottlenose dolphin population was genetically distinct from other T. truncatus populations based on mtDNA CR and 7-mtDNA regions. From these results, we suggest that the estuarine bottlenose dolphin population should be considered a distinct lineage. This dolphin population faces a variety of anthropogenic threats in this area; thus, we highlight its fragility and urge authorities to issue prompt management and conservation measures.


Author(s):  
ANTONELLA ARCANGELI ◽  
ROBERTO CROSTI ◽  
ILARIA CAMPANA ◽  
LARA CAROSSO ◽  
MARTINA GREGORIETTI ◽  
...  

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. 


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 465-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hendrik H. Nollens ◽  
Linda G. Green ◽  
Diane Duke ◽  
Michael T. Walsh ◽  
Beth Chittick ◽  
...  

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.


2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 834-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alon M. Levy ◽  
Ori Brenner ◽  
Aviad Scheinin ◽  
Dan Morick ◽  
Eliana Ratner ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Balmer ◽  
Eric Zolman ◽  
Jennie Bolton ◽  
Deborah Fauquier ◽  
Erin Fougeres ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-114
Author(s):  
Asami TAKENAKA ◽  
Nobuyuki KASHIWAGI ◽  
Yuko MAEZONO ◽  
Tatsuko NAKAO ◽  
Yuka WANO ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Helle Johannesen

The numerous conceptions of the body exposed in alternative therapies challenge traditional, Western, biomedically dictated conceptions of the body, disease and healing. The apparent heterogenity could lead to a discharge of alternative body concepts and related therapeutic interventions, but as a large portion of patients experience effect of a variety of alternative treatments, the need for a conceptual framework encompassing heterogenity at several logical levels emerges. For this purpose the author proposes the concept of “the complex body”, in which cultural, social, and natural features are recognized as integral aspects of the individual body, treatment, and the healing process. The body is conceptualized as a complex field of potentials, to be explicated and unfolded in interaction with specific therapeutic concepts and techniques. Underlying the obvious variety within alternative therapies, a common focus on the body as structure, disease as de-structuration, and treatment as re-structuration is revealed. Treatments are rarely aimed at destruction of disease agents or pathologies, but most often aim at a general strengthening - re-structuring - of the patient, biochemically, physiologically, mentally, culturally or socially. Examples from reflexology, biopathy and kinesiology support the validity of a concept of the complex body, which leads to a reconsideration of scientific and scholarly approaches to evaluation of effects of alternative therapies.


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