Analysis of health aspects of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast, with special emphasis on anthropogenic interactions

• Grant number: 11/08357-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2011
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Jose Luiz Catao Dias
• Grantee: Jose Luiz Catao Dias
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The exposure of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to anthropogenic impacts is increasing due to population recovery following the legal ban on commercial whaling, together with the increment of human activities at the species breeding grounds. The proposed research aims to investigate the health of the population of humpback whales that seasonally migrate to the southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast, as well as to quantify the occurrence of anthropogenic interactions, detrimental to the species. The evaluation will be made from images obtained for photo-identification of whales in the wild, through which skin lesions and scars will be identified, and anthropogenic marks will be quantified, providing information on individuals who survived to entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with vessels and/or interactions with predators. When possible, skin samples will be collected and processed according to routine histopathological techniques to search for possible etiologic agents and pathogenic factors in order to correlate them with skin diseases observed in the analysis of images. Special tissue staining methods as well as immunohistopathological and/or molecular techniques may be used when appropriate and feasible. It is expected that the results of this study provide important indicators of environmental conditions where the humpback whales live and contribute to guide management and conservation actions for the species. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

GROCH, KATIA R.; MARCONDES, MILTON C. C.; COLOSIO, ADRIANA C.; CATAO-DIAS, JOSE LUIZ. Skeletal abnormalities in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae stranded in the Brazilian breeding ground. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS, v. 101, n. 2, p. 145-158, NOV 8 2012. (12/00021-5, 11/08357-0)

GONZALES-VIERA, O.; MARIGO, J.; RUOPPOLO, V.; ROSAS, F. C. W.; KANAMURA, C. T.; TAKAKURA, C.; FERNANDEZ, A.; CATAO-DIAS, J. L.. Toxoplasmosis in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) from Parana, Brazil. Veterinary Parasitology, v. 191, n. 3-4, p. 358-362, JAN 31 2013. (99/12335-8, 11/08357-0)

GROCH, KATIA REGINA; DIAZ-DELGADO, JOSUE; MARCONDES, MILTON C. C.; COLOSIO, ADRIANA CASTALDO; SANTOS-NETO, ELITIERI B.; CARVALHO, VITOR LUZ; BOOS, GISELA SILVA; OLIVEIRA DE MEIRELLES, ANA CAROLINA; DA CUNHA RAMOSE, HERNANI GOMES; GUIMARAES, JULIANA PLACIDO; et al. Pathology and causes of death in stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Brazil. PLoS One, v. 13, n. 5, MAY 16 2018. (15/05043-5, 15/00735-6, 12/00021-5, 11/08357-0, 14/24932-2)