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Pathology of Marine Mammals
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Pathology of Marine Mammals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 27056

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Eva Sierra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA), Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Interests: marine mammals; dolphin; cetaceans; animal physiology; animal pathology; veterinary medicine; veterinary microbiology; veterinary epidemiology; veterinary histology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Earth is already in the midst of the historic moment of Holocene extinction (also referred as the sixth mass extinction or Anthropocene extinction). As a result of human activity, the degradation of highly biodiverse habitats is widespread, leading to species extinction. Human impacts on the marine environment have rapidly devastated populations, species, and ecosystems, as exemplified by declined populations of the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) and the Tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) in Brazil or the Vaquita (Phocoena sinus) in Mexico. The latter, a small porpoise endemic to the northern part of the Gulf of California, is on the edge of extinction partly due to illegal fishing operations in protected marine areas within Mexico's Gulf of California. In addition, the rapid degradation of the marine environment is leading to an increased risk of infection, as demonstrated by the increasing number of large-scale die-offs, such as morbillivirus diseases, in marine organisms.

The protection of marine ecosystems, through maintaining a lasting balance between human activities and the conservation of the seas, is a global priority. Marine mammals, homeothermal mammals, at the top of the trophic chain and a long life span, constitute excellent bioindicators of marine environment, providing valuable information on the degree of degradation or conservation of this habitat through the biosanitary study of these species.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a series of original research and review articles using pathology as a tool for cetacean and other marine mammals’ health and conservation, and assessment of the ecological integrity of marine ecosystem. Advances in marine mammal's pathology, including field and laboratory diagnosis, new methodologies, and tools, are welcome.

Dr. Eva Sierra
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pathology
  • marine mammals
  • cetacean
  • pinniped
  • sirenians
  • marine fissipeds
  • conservation

Published Papers (10 papers)

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12 pages, 1947 KiB  
Communication
A Virtual Necropsy: Applications of 3D Scanning for Marine Mammal Pathology and Education
by Ellen M. Chenoweth, Josh Houston, Kathy Burek Huntington and Jan M. Straley
Animals 2022, 12(4), 527; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12040527 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3338
Abstract
Stranded large whales represent an opportunity to learn about the anatomy and health of these cryptic free-ranging animals. However, where time and access is frequently limited, law enforcement and management priorities often take precedence over research, outreach, and educational uses. On 14 March [...] Read more.
Stranded large whales represent an opportunity to learn about the anatomy and health of these cryptic free-ranging animals. However, where time and access is frequently limited, law enforcement and management priorities often take precedence over research, outreach, and educational uses. On 14 March 2021, a dead female adult humpback whale was reported stranded on an uninhabited island 15 miles west of Sitka, Alaska. The whale was three-dimensionally scanned using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and photogrammetry before, during, and at multiple time points after a necropsy, including full decomposition 17 days later (NOAA Fisheries permit 18786-01). These scans were organized and displayed on the site Sketchfab with annotations and made publically available as a “4D virtual necropsy” (the fourth dimension is time). After one month, our user survey indicated widespread interest in the platform by both the local community and worldwide by stranding professionals, researchers, and educators. We are unaware of another 3D scan involving a large whale with soft tissue for teaching, research, or public display, despite the ease of 3D scanning with current technologies and the wide-ranging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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22 pages, 7800 KiB  
Article
Neuropathological Characterization of Dolphin Morbillivirus Infection in Cetaceans Stranded in Italy
by Federica Giorda, Paola Crociara, Barbara Iulini, Paola Gazzuola, Alessandra Favole, Maria Goria, Laura Serracca, Alessandro Dondo, Maria Ines Crescio, Tania Audino, Simone Peletto, Cristina Esmeralda Di Francesco, Maria Caramelli, Eva Sierra, Fabio Di Nocera, Giuseppe Lucifora, Antonio Petrella, Roberto Puleio, Sandro Mazzariol, Giovanni Di Guardo, Cristina Casalone and Carla Grattarolaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Animals 2022, 12(4), 452; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12040452 - 12 Feb 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2724
Abstract
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is responsible for epidemic and endemic fatalities in free-ranging cetaceans. Neuro-inflammation sustained by CeMV is a leading cause of death in stranded cetaceans. A novel dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain of Atlantic origin circulating in Italian waters since early 2016 has [...] Read more.
Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) is responsible for epidemic and endemic fatalities in free-ranging cetaceans. Neuro-inflammation sustained by CeMV is a leading cause of death in stranded cetaceans. A novel dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) strain of Atlantic origin circulating in Italian waters since early 2016 has caused acute/subacute lesions associated with positive immunolabelling of the virus. To date, myelin damage has not been fully documented and investigated in cetaceans. This study describes neuropathological findings in the brain tissue of 31 cetaceans found stranded along the Italian coastline and positive for DMV infection on molecular testing. Cell changes in the areas of myelinopathy were revealed by double indirect immunofluorescence. The most frequent DMV-associated lesions were astro-microgliosis, neuronal necrosis, spongiosis, malacia, and non-suppurative meningoencephalitis. Myelin reduction and areas of demyelination were revealed by means of a specific myelin biomarker. Morbilliviral antigen immunolabelling was mainly observed in neurons and microglial cells, in association with a marked activation of microglia and astrocytes. These findings extend our knowledge of DMV-associated brain lesions and shed light on their pathogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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11 pages, 43472 KiB  
Article
Nocardiosis in Free-Ranging Cetaceans from the Central-Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Contiguous Mediterranean Sea
by Pablo Díaz-Santana, Antonio Fernández, Josue Díaz-Delgado, Ana Isabel Vela, Lucas Domínguez, Cristian Suárez-Santana, Raquel Puig-Lozano, Carolina Fernández-Maldonado, Eva Sierra and Manuel Arbelo
Animals 2022, 12(4), 434; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12040434 - 11 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2771
Abstract
We report the pathologic features of nocardiosis in five free-ranging delphinids from the Canary Islands and Andalusia, namely four striped dolphins (Stenella coerulealba) and one bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). All animals had a multiorgan (disseminated) pattern of infection involving [...] Read more.
We report the pathologic features of nocardiosis in five free-ranging delphinids from the Canary Islands and Andalusia, namely four striped dolphins (Stenella coerulealba) and one bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). All animals had a multiorgan (disseminated) pattern of infection involving suppurative to pyogranulomatous and thromboembolic lesions in two or more organs. Most affected organs were (by decreasing order) lung, pulmonary lymph nodes, liver, kidney, adrenal glands, and central nervous system. Typical intralesional and intravascular branched and filamentous bacteria were highlighted by Grocott’s methenamine silver and Gram stains. Bacterial analysis including 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified Nocardia farcinica in two striped dolphins and Nocardia otitidiscaviarum in one striped dolphin and the bottlenose dolphin. All dolphins tested (n = 4) for cetacean morbillivirus were negative; one dolphin had concurrent cutaneous herpesvirosis. These results provide the first record of N. otitidiscaviarum in cetaceans, the first account of N. farcinica in free-ranging dolphins, and confirmation of nocardiosis in central eastern Atlantic Ocean. These results expand the known geographic range of nocardiosis in cetaceans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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16 pages, 2070 KiB  
Article
Causes of Death and Pathological Findings in Stranded Harbour Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Swedish Waters
by Aleksija Neimanis, Jasmine Stavenow, Erik Olof Ågren, Emil Wikström-Lassa and Anna Maria Roos
Animals 2022, 12(3), 369; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12030369 - 03 Feb 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2596
Abstract
Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are useful indicators of the health of their wild populations and marine ecosystems, yet their elusive nature makes studying them in their natural environment challenging. Stranded porpoises provide an excellent source of data to study the health [...] Read more.
Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are useful indicators of the health of their wild populations and marine ecosystems, yet their elusive nature makes studying them in their natural environment challenging. Stranded porpoises provide an excellent source of data to study the health and biology of these animals and identify causes of death, diseases and other threats. The aim of this study was to document pathology, and where possible, cause of death in porpoises from Swedish waters. Post-mortem examinations were performed on 128 stranded porpoises collected from 2006 to 2020. Overall, bycatch including definitive and probable cases was the most common cause of death (31.4%), followed by disease (21.3%), predominantly pneumonia. In adults, infectious disease was the most common cause of death. Bacteria with zoonotic potential such as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Brucella sp. were documented for the first time in porpoises from Swedish waters, as was the porpoise-adapted group B Salmonella enterica ST416/ST417. Three of four deaths from non-infectious diseases involved parturition complications. Four cases of suspected predation were documented, but further analyses are required to confirm these findings. Our results are consistent with those from other regions in Europe and serve as a reference for future monitoring for changing patterns of health and disease of porpoises and their environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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10 pages, 1132 KiB  
Article
Selective Inner Hair Cell Loss in a Neonate Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)
by Maria Morell, Laura Rojas, Martin Haulena, Björn Busse, Ursula Siebert, Robert E. Shadwick and Stephen A. Raverty
Animals 2022, 12(2), 180; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12020180 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2265
Abstract
Congenital hearing loss is recognized in humans and other terrestrial species. However, there is a lack of information on its prevalence or pathophysiology in pinnipeds. It is important to have baseline knowledge on marine mammal malformations in the inner ear, to differentiate between [...] Read more.
Congenital hearing loss is recognized in humans and other terrestrial species. However, there is a lack of information on its prevalence or pathophysiology in pinnipeds. It is important to have baseline knowledge on marine mammal malformations in the inner ear, to differentiate between congenital and acquired abnormalities, which may be caused by infectious pathogens, age, or anthropogenic interactions, such as noise exposure. Ultrastructural evaluation of the cochlea of a neonate harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) by scanning electron microscopy revealed bilateral loss of inner hair cells with intact outer hair cells. The selective inner hair cell loss was more severe in the basal turn, where high-frequency sounds are encoded. The loss of inner hair cells started around 40% away from the apex or tip of the spiral, reaching a maximum loss of 84.6% of hair cells at 80–85% of the length from the apex. Potential etiologies and consequences are discussed. This is believed to be the first case report of selective inner hair cell loss in a marine mammal neonate, likely congenital. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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15 pages, 6787 KiB  
Article
Evidence of Hearing Loss and Unrelated Toxoplasmosis in a Free-Ranging Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
by Maria Morell, Lonneke L. IJsseldijk, Alinda J. Berends, Andrea Gröne, Ursula Siebert, Stephen A. Raverty, Robert E. Shadwick and Marja J. L. Kik
Animals 2021, 11(11), 3058; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11113058 - 26 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2244
Abstract
Evidence of hearing impairment was identified in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) on the basis of scanning electron microscopy. In addition, based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry, there were signs of unrelated cerebral toxoplasmosis. The six-year old individual live stranded on the [...] Read more.
Evidence of hearing impairment was identified in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) on the basis of scanning electron microscopy. In addition, based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry, there were signs of unrelated cerebral toxoplasmosis. The six-year old individual live stranded on the Dutch coast at Domburg in 2016 and died a few hours later. The most significant gross lesion was multifocal necrosis and haemorrhage of the cerebrum. Histopathology of the brain revealed extensive necrosis and haemorrhage in the cerebrum with multifocal accumulations of degenerated neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, and perivascular lymphocytic cuffing. The diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis was confirmed by positive staining of protozoa with anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Tachyzoites were not observed histologically in any of the examined tissues. Ultrastructural evaluation of the inner ear revealed evidence of scattered loss of outer hair cells in a 290 µm long segment of the apical turn of the cochlea, and in a focal region of ~ 1.5 mm from the apex of the cochlea, which was compatible with noise-induced hearing loss. This is the first case of concurrent presumptive noise-induced hearing loss and toxoplasmosis in a free-ranging harbour porpoise from the North Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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19 pages, 6074 KiB  
Article
Temporal and Geographical Variation of Intestinal Ulcers in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) and Environmental Contaminants in Baltic Biota during Four Decades
by Bäcklin Britt-Marie, Persson Sara, Faxneld Suzanne, Rigét F. Frank and Roos M. Anna
Animals 2021, 11(10), 2968; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11102968 - 15 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1598
Abstract
The prevalence of intestinal ulcers and parasites was investigated in 2172 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) collected in the Baltic Sea and 49 grey seals collected outside the Baltic Sea (i.e., the Atlantic). An increase in frequency of ileocaeco-colonic ulcers was observed [...] Read more.
The prevalence of intestinal ulcers and parasites was investigated in 2172 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) collected in the Baltic Sea and 49 grey seals collected outside the Baltic Sea (i.e., the Atlantic). An increase in frequency of ileocaeco-colonic ulcers was observed in the early 1980s, followed by a decrease in the mid-1990s. At the same time, there was an increase followed by a decrease in brominated flame retardants, Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and cadmium levels in herring (Clupea harengus), the most common prey item in Baltic grey seal diet, as well as in another top predator in the Baltic, the common guillemot (Uria aalge). The frequency of intestinal ulcers was significantly related to the intensity of acanthocephalan parasites, the age of the seal and the region of the Baltic Sea. Perforation of the intestinal wall was the cause of death in 26 of the investigated Baltic grey seals. In contrast, none of the investigated Atlantic grey seals had intestinal ulcers. They showed a thin colonic wall and very few acanthocephalan parasites. The high prevalence of intestinal ulcers and the high parasite intensity appear to be unique to the Baltic population of grey seals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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19 pages, 6389 KiB  
Article
Contribution to Herpesvirus Surveillance in Beaked Whales Stranded in the Canary Islands
by Idaira Felipe-Jiménez, Antonio Fernández, Marisa Andrada, Manuel Arbelo, Simone Segura-Göthlin, Ana Colom-Rivero and Eva Sierra
Animals 2021, 11(7), 1923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani11071923 - 28 Jun 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2391
Abstract
Herpesviruses (HVs) (Alpha- and Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies) have been detected in several species of cetaceans with different pathological implications. However, available information on their presence in beaked whales (BWs) is still scarce. In this study, a total of 55 BWs (35 Ziphius cavirostris [...] Read more.
Herpesviruses (HVs) (Alpha- and Gammaherpesvirinae subfamilies) have been detected in several species of cetaceans with different pathological implications. However, available information on their presence in beaked whales (BWs) is still scarce. In this study, a total of 55 BWs (35 Ziphius cavirostris and 20 animals belonging to the Mesoplodon genus) were analyzed. Samples (n = 294) were obtained from BWs stranded along the coasts of the Canary Islands (1990–2017). Molecular detection of HV was performed by means of a conventional nested PCR based on the DNA polymerase gene. Herpesvirus was detected in 14.45% (8/55) of the analyzed BWs, including 2 positive animals from a previous survey. A percentage positivity of 8.57% was found within the Cuvier’s BW group, while the percentage of positivity rose to 25% within the Mesoplodon genus group (three M. densirostris, one M. europaeus, and one M. bidens). All the obtained sequences from this study belonged to the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, from which three are considered novel sequences, all of them within the Mesoplodon genus group. In addition, to our knowledge, this is the first description of HV infection in Gervais’ and Sowerby’s BWs. Three out of eight HV-positive BWs displayed histopathological lesions indicative of active viral replication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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12 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Fatty Acid Composition in Blubber, Liver, and Muscle of Marine Mammals in the Southern Baltic Sea
by Dirk Dannenberger, Ramona Möller, Linda Westphal, Timo Moritz, Michael Dähne and Bianka Grunow
Animals 2020, 10(9), 1509; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani10091509 - 26 Aug 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2617
Abstract
To date, only limited results on the fatty composition in different tissues of the top predators in the Baltic Sea are available. In the current study, tissue samples of blubber, skeletal muscle, and liver from 8 harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and [...] Read more.
To date, only limited results on the fatty composition in different tissues of the top predators in the Baltic Sea are available. In the current study, tissue samples of blubber, skeletal muscle, and liver from 8 harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and 17 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Baltic Sea off Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were included in the investigation. While the total fatty acid content in liver and blubber tissue revealed no differences between both species, the total fatty acid content of muscle tissue was significantly differentand showed higher concentrations in harbour porpoise muscle compared with grey seals. The most abundant fatty acids in the blubber of grey seals and harbour porpoises (18:1cis-9, 16:1cis-9, 16:0 and 22:6n-3) were present in similar quantities and ratios to each other as known from other marine top predators. If future studies can show that differences in tissue fatty acid content are caused by variation in the nutritional status, and this may lead to the development of a more objective assessment of body condition in seals and porpoises recovered via stranding schemes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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9 pages, 3993 KiB  
Case Report
Pulmonary and Systemic Skeletal Muscle Embolism in a Beaked Whale with a Massive Trauma of Unknown Aetiology
by Eva Sierra, Tania Ramírez, Yara Bernaldo de Quirós, Marina Arregui, Blanca Mompeó, Miguel A. Rivero and Antonio Fernández
Animals 2022, 12(4), 508; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12040508 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2004
Abstract
An adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale was found floating dead in Hermigua (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain) on 7 December 2016. Severe traumas of unknown aetiology were attributed, and the gross and microscopic findings are consistent with catastrophic trauma as a cause of [...] Read more.
An adult female Sowerby’s beaked whale was found floating dead in Hermigua (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain) on 7 December 2016. Severe traumas of unknown aetiology were attributed, and the gross and microscopic findings are consistent with catastrophic trauma as a cause of death. Rib fractures affected the intercostals, transverse thoracis skeletal muscles, and thoracic rete mirabile. Degenerated muscle fibres were extruded to flow into vascular and lymphatic vessels travelling to several anatomic locations into the thoracic cavity, including the lungs, where they occluded the small lumen of pulmonary microvasculature. A pulmonary and systemic skeletal muscle embolism was diagnosed, constituting the first description of this kind of embolism in an animal. The only previous description has been reported in a woman after peritoneal dialysis. Skeletal pulmonary embolism should be considered a valuable diagnostic for different types of trauma in vivo in wild animals. This is especially valuable when working with decomposed carcasses, as in those cases, it is not always feasible to assess other traumatic evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathology of Marine Mammals)
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