Pathology and causes of death in stranded humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from Brazil

Author(s):Show less -

Groch, Katia Regina ^{[1, 2]} ; Diaz-Delgado, Josue ^{[3, 2]} ; Marcondes, Milton C. C. ^[1] ; Colosio, Adriana Castaldo ^[1] ; Santos-Neto, Elitieri B. ^[1] ; Carvalho, Vitor Luz ^[4] ; Boos, Gisela Silva ^[5] ; Oliveira de Meirelles, Ana Carolina ^[4] ; da Cunha Ramose, Hernani Gomes ^[1] ; Guimaraes, Juliana Placido ^{[6, 7]} ; Gomes Borges, Joao Carlos ^[6] ; Vergara-Parente, Jociery Einhardt ^{[6, 8]} ; St Leger, Judy A. ^[9] ; Fernandez, Antonio ^[3] ; Catao-Dias, Jose Luiz ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Baleia Jubarte, Caravelas, Ba - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Vet Med & Anim Sci, Dept Pathol, Lab Wildlife Comparat Pathol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Vet Sch, Inst Anim Hlth, Div Histol & Anim Pathol, Arucas, Canary Islands - Spain

^[4] Assoc Pesquisa & Preservacao Ecossistemas Aquat, Caucaia, Ceara - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Fac Vet, Setor Patol Vet, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil

^[6] Fundacao Mamiferos Aquat, Recife, Pe - Brazil

^[7] Univ Santa Cecilia, Posgrad Sustentabilidade Ecossistemas Costeiros &, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[8] Inst Tecnol & Pesquisa, Aracaju, Sergipe - Brazil

^[9] SeaWorld, San Diego, CA - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 13, n. 5 MAY 16 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/05043-5 - Pathology of Morbillivirus and assessment of selected co-infections in cetaceans From the Brazilian coast
• Grantee: Kátia Regina Groch
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 15/00735-6 - Research and characterization of Morbiliviruses of cetaceans in Brazil
• Grantee: Jose Luiz Catao Dias
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/00021-5 - Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of health aspects of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) with emphasis on the research of Morbillivirus sp
• Grantee: Kátia Regina Groch
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 11/08357-0 - Analysis of health aspects of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in southeastern and northeastern Brazilian coast, with special emphasis on anthropogenic interactions
• Grantee: Jose Luiz Catao Dias
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/24932-2 - Research and characterization of Morbiliviruses of cetaceans in Brazil
• Grantee: Kátia Regina Groch
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral