Browsing by Subject "Striped dolphin"

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    Distribution and behaviour of striped dolphins in the southwestern Mediterranean Sea based on whale-watching data
    (Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2023-10-31) Canales Cáceres, Rosa; Gomariz Castillo, Francisco; Alonso Sarria, Francisco; Abel, Isabel; Gimenez Casalduero, Francisca; Geografía
    The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is a cosmopolitan cetacean and the most commonly sighted dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea. It usually appears in groups of very different sizes, ranging from less than ten to more than 500 individuals, although it is usually found in groups of between 21 and 50 individuals. In the western Mediterranean, and more specifically in the Gulf of Mazarrón, S. coeruleoalba was the most frequently sighted cetacean during the 1042 whale-watching trips. The goal of this study was to establish the spatial and temporal distribution of striped dolphin sightings along the Gulf of Mazarrón between 2004 and 2014. Spatial patterns were analysed using a Random Forest based Species Distribution Model to estimate the presence of the species. Twentythree variables (three geographic, one temporal, eight geomorphometric and twelve oceanographic) were used as predictors. Out of the 1042 cruises, 872 records of striped dolphins were obtained. Some variations in the grouping patterns of these mammals were observed during the years 2006–2007, with an average shift in the size of the groups to fewer individuals (3−10). This variation is probably related to an epizootic event of morbillivirus occurring during those years, which was responsible for an abnormal rate of strandings of striped dolphins and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas). The Random Forest model allowed to select 6 predictors related to morphometry and sea currents, suggesting the importance of specific habitat in offshore areas between 1000 and 3000 m depth in the continental slope
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    Endoscopic study of the oral and pharyngeal cavities in the Common dolphin, Striped dolphin, Risso’s dolphin, Harbour porpoise and Pilot whale: reinforced with other diagnostic and anatomic techniques
    (MDPI, 2021-05-22) García de los Ríos y Loshuertos, Álvaro; Soler Laguía, Marta; Arencibia Espinosa, Alberto; Martínez Gomariz, Francisco; Sánchez Collado, Cayetano; López Fernández, Alfredo; Gil Cano, Francisco; Seva Alcaraz, Juan; Ramírez Zarzosa, Gregorio José; Anatomía y Anatomía Patológica Comparadas
    In this work, the fetal and newborn anatomical structures of the dolphin oropharyngeal cavities were studied. The main technique used was endoscopy, as these cavities are narrow tubular spaces and the oral cavity is difficult to photograph without moving the specimen. The endoscope was used to study the mucosal features of the oral and pharyngeal cavities. Two pharyngeal diverticula of the auditory tubes were discovered on either side of the choanae and larynx. These spaces begin close to the musculotubaric channel of the middle ear, are linked to the pterygopalatine recesses (pterygoid sinus) and they extend to the maxillopalatine fossa. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), osteological analysis, sectional anatomy, dissections, and histology were also used to better understand the function of the pharyngeal diverticula of the auditory tubes. These data were then compared with the horse’s pharyngeal diverticula of the auditory tubes. The histology revealed that a vascular plexus inside these diverticula could help to expel the air from this space to the nasopharynx. In the oral cavity, teeth remain inside the alveolus and covered by gums. The marginal papillae of the tongue differ in extension depending on the fetal specimen studied. The histology reveals that the incisive papilla is vestigial and contain abundant innervation. No ducts were observed inside lateral sublingual folds in the oral cavity proper and caruncles were not seen in the prefrenular space.
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    Trace metals in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Murcia coastline, Mediterranean Sea, during the period 2009-2015.
    (Elsevier, 2019-08) Martínez-López, Emma; Peñalver, J.; Escriña, A.; Lara, L.; Gens, M.J.; María Dolores, Emilio; Alcaraz, A.; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
    Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and arsenic (As) concentrations in internal tissues of 72 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Murcia Region (Mediterranean coastline) have been investigated for the first time. Hg showed the highest concentration, followed by Se, Cd, As and Pb. In general, the levels of metal found in this study were similar to those described in similar studies in the Mediterranean Sea. However, in some adult specimens, Hg liver concentrations were related with toxic effects in cetacean. A significant correlation was observed with age, likewise between Se and Hg and Cd in tissues, which agree with detoxify effect attributed to Se through inert complex formation. Molar ratio Hg:Se in liver was close to 1:1 in some specimens, which would indicate overload of the Hg-Se detoxify function and compromised health. These results could contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution of these persistent pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea