Trace element concentrations in dolphins of south-east Australia; mercury a cause for concern in the region.

Concentrations of nine trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn) in hepatic, renal and epidermal tissues were investigated in three dolphin species (Burrunan dolphin, Tursiops australis; common bottlenose dolphin, T. truncatus; short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis) within southeast Australia. Elevated hepatic Hg was found in critically endangered Burrunan dolphins (62.

Organisation and evolution of the major histocompatibility complex class I genes in cetaceans.

A quarter of marine mammals are at risk of extinction, with disease and poor habitat quality contributing to population decline. Investigation of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) provides insight into species' capacity to respond to immune and environmental challenges. The eighteen available cetacean chromosome level genomes were used to annotate MHC Class I loci, and to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationship of the described loci.

Population distribution and drivers of habitat use for the Burrunan dolphins, Port Phillip Bay, Australia.

Bottlenose dolphin () populations, also described as the Burrunan dolphins, consist of a resident population of approximately 150 individuals in Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Victoria. Previous reports indicate distribution across a small southern region of PPB; however, little is known about their full distribution patterns across the entire PPB region. Here, we investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of the Burrunan dolphins across four zones representative of PPB benthic habitats and bathymetry to gain a better understanding of the potential drivers of the population's habitat use.

Hepatic concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in dolphins from south-east Australia: Highest reported globally.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations were investigated in hepatic tissue of four dolphin species stranded along the south-east coast of Australia between 2006 and 2021; Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Two Burrunan dolphin populations represented in the dataset have the highest reported global population concentrations of ∑PFAS (Port Phillip Bay median 9750 ng/g ww, n = 3, and Gippsland Lakes median 3560 ng/g ww, n = 8), which were 50-100 times higher than the other species reported here; common bottlenose dolphin (50 ng/g ww, n = 9), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (80 ng/g ww, n = 1), and short-beaked common dolphin (61 ng/g ww, n = 12). Also included in the results is the highest reported individual ∑PFAS (19,500 ng/g ww) and PFOS (18,700 ng/g ww) concentrations, at almost 30 % higher than any other Cetacea reported globally.

Assessment on the effectiveness of vessel-approach regulations to protect cetaceans in Australia: A review on behavioral impacts with case study on the threatened Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis).

Vessels cause considerable disturbance to cetaceans world-wide, with potential long-term impacts to population viability. Here we present a comprehensive review of vessel impacts to cetacean behavior in Australian waters (2003-2015), finding inadequate protections to be in place. The majority of these studies found trends of decreased animal travel and resting behavioral states as well as low compliance to regulations, and they recommended further regulatory action such as greater enforcement or monitoring, or passive management strategies.

Fresh water skin disease in dolphins: a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors in Australia.

A distinct ulcerative dermatitis known as "freshwater skin disease" is an emerging clinical and pathological presentation in coastal cetaceans worldwide. In Australia, two remarkably similar mortality events enabled the creation of a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors. The first affected a community of endemic Tursiops australis in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, while the second occurred among T.

Cetacean biodiversity, spatial and temporal trends based on stranding records (1920-2016), Victoria, Australia.

Cetacean stranding records can provide vital information on species richness and diversity through space and time. Here we collate stranding records from Victoria, Australia and assess them for temporal, spatial and demographic trends. Between 1920 and 2016, 424 stranding events involving 907 individuals were recorded across 31 Cetacea species from seven families, including five new species records for the state.

Role of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis and management of patients attending the rapid access chest pain clinic, The Scottish computed tomography of the heart (SCOT-HEART) trial: study protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Background: Rapid access chest pain clinics have facilitated the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with coronary heart disease and angina. Despite this important service provision, coronary heart disease continues to be under-diagnosed and many patients are left untreated and at risk. Recent advances in imaging technology have now led to the widespread use of noninvasive computed tomography, which can be used to measure coronary artery calcium scores and perform coronary angiography in one examination.