Liver Lesions in Estuarine Dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: Does Microcystin Play a Role?

Microcystin (MC), a hepatotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, was introduced into the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida, in 2005 through freshwater outflows. Since then, MC has been detected in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife in the lagoon. Potential public health effects associated with MC exposure along the IRL include an increased risk of non-alcoholic liver disease among area residents.

Rise in Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of established evidence-based treatment protocols led healthcare professionals and the public to explore experimental treatments, including high doses of vitamin D supplements. This study aimed to assess changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels during the pandemic, employing a retrospective cohort analysis of data from Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). The study analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in a cohort of 35,556 patients treated at CAMC in 2019, a representative pre-pandemic period, to 2021, a representative pandemic period.

MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY PATTERNS OF INDIAN RIVER LAGOON COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS TRUNCATUS) 2002-2020.

Mortality patterns in cetaceans are critical to understanding population health. Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida have been subjected to four unusual mortality events (UMEs), highlighting the need to evaluate morbidity and mortality patterns. Complete gross examinations were conducted on 392 stranded dolphins and histopathological analyses were conducted for 178 animals (2002-2020).

Fatal Blowhole Obstruction by Eel in Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Florida, USA.

Esophageal and pharyngeal obstruction are commonly reported in marine mammals, but asphyxiation from blowhole and nasal cavity obstruction has been reported only rarely: in two long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), several harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and one common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). We describe two cases of blowhole obstruction and subsequent asphyxiation in bottlenose dolphins caused by eels. A whip eel (Bascanichthys scuticaris) was found obstructing the blowhole of a deceased dolphin from the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, US (2011) and a shrimp eel (Ophichthus gomesii) was found obstructing the blowhole of a deceased dolphin from Tampa Bay, Florida (2020).

Abundance and demography of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: A robust design capture-recapture analysis.

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuarine system along the east coast of Florida are impacted by anthropogenic activities and have had multiple unexplained mortality events. Given this, managers need precise estimates of demographic and abundance parameters. Mark-recapture photo-identification boat-based surveys following a Robust Design were used to estimate abundance, adult survival, and temporary emigration for the IRL estuarine system stock of bottlenose dolphins.