Pathological study of a traumatic anthropogenic injury in the skeleton of a spiny butterfly ray ().

Introduction: External injuries in elasmobranchs are frequent findings, either due to inter- or intraspecific interactions or as a result of interaction with human activities. However, the resilience of these species to traumatic injury remains poorly understood. This work provides an insight into the clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and pathological features of a severe traumatic injury to the cartilaginous skeleton of a spiny butterfly ray ().

Infection due to Buteo buteo herpesvirus in a common buzzard ().

This study aimed to document the pathological findings observed in a common buzzard () from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Atlantic Ocean), naturally infected with Buteo buteo herpesvirus (HV). Local authorities found the common buzzard alive, but it died after 10 days of specialized veterinary care. Postmortem investigation, including complete gross and histologic examination, immunohistochemistry, microbiology, and PCR, was performed.

Bacteremia and Aortic Valvular Endocarditis in a Eurasian Stone-Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus) due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae.

Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus is an endemic subspecies of Eurasian Stone-curlew present in the Canary Islands. Their populations are rapidly declining, mainly because of anthropogenic impacts. This report describes valvular endocarditis and septicemia in a Eurasian Stone-Curlew with left foot loss and severe contralateral bumblefoot.

Microscopic Findings in the Cardiac Muscle of Stranded Extreme Deep-Diving Cuvier's Beaked Whales ().

Considerable information has been gained over the last few decades on several disease processes afflicting free-ranging cetaceans from a pathologist's point of view. Nonetheless, there is still a dearth of studies on the hearts of these species. For this reason, we aimed to improve our understanding of cardiac histological lesions occurring in free-ranging stranded cetaceans and, more specifically, in deep-diving Cuvier's beaked whales.

Molecular Diagnosis of Cetacean Morbillivirus in Beaked Whales Stranded in the Canary Islands (1999-2017).

A retrospective survey for detecting the cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) was carried out in beaked whales (BWs) stranded in the Canary Islands (1999-2017). CeMV is responsible for causing worldwide epizootic events with the highest mass die-offs in cetaceans, although the epidemic status of the Canarian Archipelago seems to be that of an endemic situation. A total of 319 tissue samples from 55 BWs (35 Cuvier's BWs and 20 specimens belonging to the genus) were subjected to the amplification of a fragment of the fusion protein (F) and/or phosphoprotein (P) genes of CeMV by means of one or more of three polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

Retrospective Study of Fishery Interactions in Stranded Cetaceans, Canary Islands.

Estimating cetacean interactions with fishery activities is challenging. Bycatch and chronic entanglements are responsible for thousands of cetacean deaths per year globally. This study represents the first systematic approach to the postmortem investigation of fishery interactions in stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands.

Skeletal and Cardiac Rhabdomyolysis in a Live-Stranded Neonatal Bryde's Whale With Fetal Distress.

The main objective of wildlife forensic investigation is to recognize pathologic changes and cause of death. Even though it may not always be possible to determine the specific illness and/or etiology, the description and subsequent interpretation of the injuries provide an invaluable understanding of pathology in cetacean post-mortem investigations. Although pathological studies have been previously reported in various cetacean species, such descriptions of the infraorder remain rare.

Comparative morphology, histology, and cytology of odontocete cetaceans prostates.

The prostate is the only male accessory gland in cetaceans. However, little is known about this organ in these species. Anatomical and histological characteristics of the prostate have been described in only a few cetacean species, further, one study reported a high incidence of prostatic pathologies in cetaceans that may impair reproduction.

Prostatic Lesions in Odontocete Cetaceans.

The prostate is the only accessory male genital gland described in cetaceans. Although few studies describe the gross and histologic anatomy of the prostate in cetaceans, there is no information on pathological findings involving this organ. The prostate glands of 45 cetaceans, including 8 different odontocete species ( n = 44) and 1 mysticete, were evaluated.

Pulmonary carcinoma with metastasis in a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas).

Background: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in humans, however this does not apply to other animal species. Living in an aquatic environment the respiratory system of cetaceans had to undergo unique adaptations in order to them to survive and cope with totally different respiratory pathogens and potentially carcinogens from those affecting humans.

Case Presentation: This article discusses not only macroscopical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features of a pulmonary carcinoma with disseminated metastases in a long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas), as well as the immunohistochemical analysis performed on various tissues of cetaceans belonging to the genus Globicephala.