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- Title
Pathology and causes of death in stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Brazil.
- Authors
Groch, Kátia Regina; Díaz-Delgado, Josué; Marcondes, Milton C. C.; Colosio, Adriana Castaldo; Santos-Neto, Elitieri B.; Carvalho, Vítor Luz; Boos, Gisele Silva; Oliveira de Meirelles, Ana Carolina; Ramos, Hernani Gomes da Cunha; Guimarães, Juliana Plácido; Borges, João Carlos Gomes; Vergara-Parente, Jociery Einhardt; St. Leger, Judy A.; Fernández, Antonio; Catão-Dias, José Luiz
- Abstract
This study describes the pathologic findings of 24 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) found stranded along the Brazilian coast from 2004 to 2016. Eighteen (75%) animals evaluated were found stranded alive. From these, 13 died naturally on shore and five were euthanized. Six died at sea and were washed ashore. Of the 24, 19 (79.2%) were calves, four (16.7%) were juveniles, and one (4.2%) was an adult. The most probable cause of stranding and/or death (CSD) was determined in 23/24 (95.8%) individuals. In calves, CSD included neonatal respiratory distress (13/19; 68.4%), infectious disease (septicemia, omphaloarteritis and urachocystitis; 3/19; 15.8%), trauma of unknown origin (2/19; 10.5%), and vehicular trauma (vessel strike; 1/19; 5.3%). In juveniles and adult individuals, CSD was: emaciation (2/5; 40%), sunlight-thermal burn shock (1/5; 20%); and discospondylitis (1/5; 20%). In one juvenile, the CSD was undetermined (1/5; 20%). This study integrates novel findings and published case reports to delineate the pathology of a South-western Atlantic population of humpback whales. This foundation will aid in the assessment of the population health and establish a baseline for development of conservation policies.
- Subjects
HUMPBACK whale; CAUSES of death; STRANDING of fish; RESPIRATORY distress syndrome; SEPSIS
- Publication
PLoS ONE, 2018, Vol 13, Issue 5, p1
- ISSN
1932-6203
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0194872