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Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay

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Abstract

The prevalence of epidermal conditions in a small population of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay was evaluated between 2006 and 2008. Five different skin condition categories were considered, including Pox-Like Lesions, Discoloration, Orange Film, Polygon Lesions, and Miscellaneous Markings. Of 147 adults and 42 calves photographically examined, at least 90 and 71%, respectively, were affected by at least one or multiple conditions. Pox-Like Lesions were the most prevalent, affecting 80% of the population, including adults and calves. This condition warrants the most urgent investigation being possibly indicative of the widespread presence of poxvirus or a similar pathogen in the population. In view of the high number of individuals affected, standard monitoring of the health status of Monterey Bay bottlenose dolphins is considered imperative. Discoloration was strongly associated with Pox-Like lesions. Orange Films were likely an epifaunal infestation caused by diatoms, which have been documented in other cetacean species. Polygon Lesions, a newly described category, could be the result of infestation by barnacles of the genus Cryptolepas. Miscellaneous Markings were variable in appearance and may not have the same causative factor. Although none of the proposed etiologies can be confirmed without appropriate clinical tests, recognizing common visible characteristics of the conditions could aid in preliminary comparisons across populations and individuals.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the contributions of Cyndi Browning, Alessandro Ponzo, and Gary Haskins to the completion of this manuscript. We also would like to thank all Earthwatch volunteers who participated in our project for their help with data entry. We are grateful to Dave Casper, Frances Gulland, and Hendrik Nollens for their suggestions and veterinary expertise. We thank two anonymous reviewers for their pertinent and helpful comments. Partial funding for this study was provided by Earthwatch Institute and by an anonymous donor. Jessica Riggin was supported by the National Science Foundation under the CSU-LSANP Senior Alliance Project (NSF Grant #HRD-0802628).

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Correspondence to Daniela Maldini.

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Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Data were collected under NOAA LOA 877-1831.

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Maldini, D., Riggin, J., Cecchetti, A. et al. Prevalence of Epidermal Conditions in California Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay. AMBIO 39, 455–462 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-010-0066-8

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