Publications by authors named "Martina Duras"

In tissues of toothed whales from the Adriatic Sea (muscle, liver, kidney, lung, spleen, adipose tissue and skin) the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) were analysed. In total, 186 dolphins were analysed; 155 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), 25 striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and 6 Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus). Cadmium concentrations in tissue samples ranged from 0.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Intentional harm to marine mammals involves deliberate actions by humans that cause injury or death, primarily motivated by retaliation from fishermen, and is illegal in many countries.
  • - A study documented 13 cases of attacked marine mammals, primarily bottlenose dolphins, in Croatia between 1990 and 2023, with findings indicating that most targeted individuals were adult males and that shotgun pellets and speargun spearheads were commonly found in their remains.
  • - The report highlights a lack of effective enforcement to protect marine mammals and calls for educational programs, increased sea patrols, weapon inspections, and stronger penalties to address this harmful behavior.
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subsp. is pathogenic mainly to birds, although cases of mycobacteriosis caused by these bacteria have also been reported in other animals and humans. Not much is known about the effects of this pathogen on otters.

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The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) includes highly polymorphic genes involved in antigen presentation, which is crucial for adaptive immune response. They represent fitness related genetic markers particularly informative for populations exposed to environmental challenges. Here we analyse the diversity and evolutionary traits of MHC class II DQA and DQB genes in the dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba and Grampus griseus from the Mediterranean Sea.

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A special part of archaeology, so-called archaeozoopathology or veterinary paleopathology is dedicated to studies of paleopathological changes in animal remains and contributes to the knowledge of ancient veterinary medicine and the history of diseases. In our study, we analyze paleopathological changes determined by gross observation and diagnostic imaging in the animal material originating from eight archaeological sites in Croatia. A standard archaeozoological analysis was carried out and specimens with visually detected macrostructural changes were radiographed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Marine predators, like dolphins, accumulate high mercury levels through a process called biomagnification within the food chain.
  • A study analyzed mercury and selenium concentrations in various dolphin species stranded in the Croatian Adriatic Sea, revealing significant tissue differences and concerning toxicity levels, particularly in Risso's dolphins.
  • The study found positive correlations between age and mercury levels, with some dolphins exceeding toxic thresholds for liver damage, highlighting environmental health concerns in marine ecosystems.
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Anatomical variations can be frequently found in the lymphatic system, which is also true for the shape and course of the thoracic duct (ductus thoracicus), the biggest lymph vessel in the body. From 2012 to 2019, the thoracic duct was successfully dissected in 43 dog carcasses that were used in the anatomy course at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. The thoracic duct originated from the cranial border of the cisterna chyli as one lymph vessel in 36 dogs (83.

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Background: Inferring the microbiota diversity of helminths enables depiction of evolutionarily established ecological and pathological traits that characterize a particular parasite-host interaction. In turn, these traits could provide valuable information for the development of parasitosis control and mitigation strategy. The parasite Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) realizes the final stage of its life-cycle within gastric chambers of aquatic mammals, causing mild-to-moderate granulomatous gastritis with eosinophilic infiltrate, to severe ulcerative gastritis with mixed inflammatory infiltrate, often associated with bacterial colonies.

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Manganese concentrations were determined in muscle, kidney, liver, spleen, lung and fat tissues and skin of three cetacean species, the bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso's (Grampus griseus) dolphins, stranded along the Croatian Adriatic coast between 1995 and 2013. Mean ranges determined in tissues were (mg/kg, ww): muscle 0.23-0.

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spp. that cause marine brucellosis are becoming more important, as the disease appears to be more widespread than originally thought. Here, we report a whole and annotated genome sequence of CRO350, a sequence type 27 strain isolated from a bottlenose dolphin carcass found in the Croatian part of the northern Adriatic Sea.

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Stranded cetaceans are often found with gastric lesions associated with the presence of parasites; most frequently, nematodes of the genus Anisakis and the heterophyd digenean trematode Pholeter gastrophilus. In this study, we present histopathology mainly (but not exclusively) related to these 2 parasite species. Macroscopically, lesions associated with the presence of Anisakis spp.

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Marine mammal brucellosis has been known for more than 20 years, but recent work suggests it is more widespread than originally thought. Brucella (B.) pinnipedialis has been isolated from pinnipeds, while B.

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Copper concentrations were determined in muscle, liver, kidney, spleen and lung tissues of three dolphin species. Dolphins of Tursiops truncatus (young and adult), Stenella coeruleoalba and Grampus griseus were stranded along the Croatian coast. Concentrations in tissues of all three dolphin species were highest in the liver (4.

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Knowledge concerning cetacean ecology in the Mediterranean is limited but important for sustainable planning and enforcement of appropriate conservation measures. Any information that might help to elucidate their ecology is essential. We explored the population and genetic structures of Anisakis spp.

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