Biological Variation and Reference Change Value of Routine Hematology Measurands in a Population of Managed Bottlenose Dolphins ().

Hematological analyses are particularly useful in assessing a dolphin's health status. However, the creation of appropriate reference intervals for this species is difficult due to the low number of reference individuals. The implementation of individual reference intervals (iRIs) allows researchers to overcome this limitation and, moreover, also consider the within-individual variability.

Comparative Study of the Gastric Mucosa of Risso's Dolphin () and Bottlenose Dolphin (): A Key to Manage the Diet in Captive Conditions.

To histologically evaluate the gastric compartments of Risso’s (Grampus griseus) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and provide suggestions for the diet of Risso’s dolphins in captivity, we examined 12 stomachs from both species. While slight differences in keratinization were observed in the forestomach, significant differences came to light in the second stomach’s mucosa. At this level, in Risso’s dolphin, the principal cells are markedly reduced in size and located externally to the parietal cells, not interspersed between them, compared to bottlenose dolphins; differences were also observed in the structure and concentration of the parietal and principal cells of the gastric body glands (p < 0.

Trace and rare earth element bioaccumulation in the spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris).

Metals (trace elements and rare earth elements, REEs) were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in blood, the liver, the kidney and muscle of ex situ spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus stellaris). The controlled environment in which these elasmobranchs were hosted allowed to assess a baseline level of metals in the different organs since exposure via water and food can be easily monitored. The highest arsenic, chromium, copper, and iron values were found in the liver, cobalt in the kidney, and cadmium and rubidium in muscle.

Milk composition, fatty acids profile and fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu 1821) milk at early lactation.

Research data on milk composition in cetaceans are scattered and fragmentary. This paper analyses the gross and mineral composition, the fatty acids profile and the fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) colostrum and milk at early lactation. The milk samplings were carried out on three lactating female of bottlenose dolphins at the 1st, 4-5 and 20- 42 day post partum.

Physiological Parameters Monitored on Bottlenose Dolphin Neonates (, Montagu 1821) over the First 30 Days of Life.

Bottlenose dolphins () have been bred under human care for more than 60 years. Calves up to 30 days of life have presented the highest mortality rate, although comparable data for free-ranging neonates within this age group is not available. Husbandry measures to increase survivability have therefore been constantly improved.

Differential Bioaccumulation of Trace Elements and Rare Earth Elements in the Muscle, Kidneys, and Liver of the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish (Pterois spp.) from Cuba.

The Indo-Pacific lionfish is a saltwater fish that inhabits the Red Sea waters and the Indian and Pacific oceans; it is an invasive species in the western Atlantic and was recently introduced into the local diet in the USA, Central and South America, and the Caribbean with the aim of controlling the invasion of this species. Due to its predatory nature, it tends to bioaccumulate metals and other contaminants via the marine food web and could thus constitute a suitable species for monitoring aquatic ecosystems. The presence and distribution of 23 trace elements and 16 rare earth elements (REEs) were investigated by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the muscle, liver, and kidneys of lionfish from Cuba.

Isolation and phenotyping of potential stem cells from the umbilical cord of the bottlenose dolphin(Tursiops truncatus).

We have successfully isolated cells with stem-like properties from bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) umbilical cord. Our results show that this cetacean species has embryonic fetal and adult stem cells as do humans and other studied mammals. This accomplishment allows to eventually investigate whether dolphins, due to their unique adaptations to aquatic environments, have special stem cell lineages or distinctive mechanisms of cell programming.

Death Associated to Methicillin Resistant ST8 Infection in Two Dolphins Maintained Under Human Care, Italy.

The present study describes the isolation of Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) from respiratory tract of 2 dolphins of different origin, a stranded juvenile Risso's dolphin () and a captive born common bottlenose dolphin () calf, which died in the same institution at 1-month distance from the other. A complete microbiological and genetic investigation confirmed the presence of MRSA clone-complex 8, sequence type (ST) 8, type t008 in both individuals. This strain differs from the one previously reported in walruses and dolphins and has never been described in dolphins before, but it is randomly isolated from Italian human patients.

The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) faecal microbiota.

Cetaceans have evolved from herbivorous terrestrial artiodactyls closely related to ruminants and hippopotamuses. Delphinidae, a family included in this order, represent an extreme and successful re-adaptation of mammalian physiology to the marine habitat and piscivorous diet. The anatomical aspects of Delphinidae success are well understood, whereas some physiological aspects of their environmental fitness are less defined, such as the gut microbiota composition and its adaptation to their dietary niche.

Hiatal hernia in a harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pup.

A 2-wk-old stranded harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) rescued by Mystic Aquarium showed signs of the presence of a hiatal hernia during rehabilitation. Contrast radiographs of esophagus and stomach revealed an intrathoracic radiodensity that contains filling defects typical of stomach, consistent with gastric rugal folds. Mural thickening was observed at the level of the cardia consistent with a diagnosis of a hiatal hernia.

Ovarian interstitial cell tumor in a South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens).

A case of an ovarian tumor is reported in an 8-yr-old South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) kept in a marine park in Malta (35.57 degrees N, 14.25 degrees E).

Squamous cell carcinoma with presence of poxvirus-like inclusions in the foot of a pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens).

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or avian keratoacanthoma is a neoplastic skin lesion of unknown aetiology that has been well described in birds. Some studies have reported that poxviruses may contribute to the onset of SCC. Here we describe a case of SCC on the underside of a pelican's foot.