#Common bottlenose dolphin skin

This study provides an important baseline for the future monitoring of emerging infectious and chronic diseases, and anthropogenic threats in the region. A tumor (leiomyoma) was described from a single common dolphin. Severe traumatic injury was recorded in many dolphins, including anthropogenic cases. Toxoplasma gondii was observed in an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Nematodes and trematodes were recorded throughout the study, sometimes in association with microbes. Microbe testing confirmed 32 species of bacteria, 2 fungi, and 1 virus. In Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, infectious disease was more prevalent in the greater St Vincent Gulf Bioregion than in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The most common pathological change was inflammatory disease, including infectious pneumonia. Disease (73%) was the most frequently recorded circumstance of death. Anthropogenic cases were prevalent (21%).

Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops aduncus) and common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis) were frequently recorded and analyzed in detail. Baleen whales (five species) and odontocetes (eight species) were studied.

The relative age and circumstance of death were assigned.

#Common bottlenose dolphin skin

Necropsies were carried out on most carcasses using gross, histopathological, and diagnostic assessment of pathogens, organs, and skin lesions. Records of collected specimens (173) and those not examined by the South Australian Museum (98 non-specimens) from 2009–2020 were analyzed. Long-term monitoring of cetaceans is vital. The semi-enclosed environment of the St Vincent Gulf Bioregion and its fauna are impacted by many human activities.