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BACKGROUND: Pathogenic Leptospira species are globally important zoonotic pathogens capable of infecting a wide range of host species. In marine mammals, reports of Leptospira have predominantly been in pinnipeds, with isolated reports of infections in cetaceans. CASE PRESENTATION: On 28 June 2021, a 150.5 cm long female, short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis delphis) stranded alive on the coast of southern California and subsequently died. Gross necropsy revealed multifocal cortical pallor within the reniculi of the kidney, and lymphoplasmacytic tubulointerstitial nephritis was observed histologically. Immunohistochemistry confirmed Leptospira infection, and PCR followed by lfb1 gene amplicon sequencing suggested that the infecting organism was L.kirschneri. Leptospira DNA capture and enrichment allowed for whole-genome sequencing to be conducted. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the causative agent was a previously undescribed, divergent lineage of L.kirschneri. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first detection of pathogenic Leptospira in a short-beaked common dolphin, and the first detection in any cetacean in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Renal lesions were consistent with leptospirosis in other host species, including marine mammals, and were the most significant lesions detected overall, suggesting leptospirosis as the likely cause of death. We identified the cause of the infection as L.kirschneri, a species detected only once before in a marine mammal - a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) of the northeastern Pacific. These findings raise questions about the mechanism of transmission, given the obligate marine lifestyle of cetaceans (in contrast to pinnipeds, which spend time on land) and the commonly accepted view that Leptospira are quickly killed by salt water. They also raise important questions regarding the source of infection, and whether it arose from transmission among marine mammals or from terrestrial-to-marine spillover. Movi

A classic issue in ecology is to understand how similar species coexist in a given area (i.e., sympatry). The situation of dolphins in the Western Mediterranean Sea may represent a special case of sympatry in that three similar species (the short-beaked common dolphin [Delphinus delphis], the striped dolphin [Stenella coeruleoalba], and the bottlenose dolphin [Tursiops truncatus) are under strong human impacts in the same area. From the viewpoint of ecology and conservation biology, it is challenging to determine how these three dolphin species live together and avoid competitive exclusion in the setting of such impacts. The Spanish Institute of Oceanography has a dataset of dolphin species opportunistic sightings. Using these data, we constructed three binary variables, comprising the sighting of one species versus the sighting of either of the other two species. We obtained three significant probability models after performing logistic regression of these binary variables on a set of spatio-temporal explanatory variables. We analysed these models from the perspective of fuzzy set theory by applying the favourability function to the probability models, fuzzy operations overlap, and entropy. The results show that common dolphins are differentially favoured in the eastern part of the study area and far away from main shipping routes. The striped dolphin was differentially favoured in the western part of the study area, above deep waters, near main shipping routes, and in summer and spring. Finally, bottlenose dolphins were differentially favoured in the mid-western part of the study area, in winter, and over shallow waters.

Dolphins are marine mammals that often live in coastal habitats. Common causes of severe skeletal disorders among wild dolphins are congenital vertebral anomalities, collisions with sea vessels, trauma, hunting-related injury, infectious diseases, environmental pollution, and tumors. A free-ranging male, 3-year-old common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was found dead in the coast of Asturias in northern Spain. Postmortem examination revealed lordosis in the caudal vertebral column, while X-ray imaging and computer tomography showed well-organized palisade-like periosteal proliferation, appearing as florid-like accretions, along the spinous apophysis of 26 lumbar-caudal vertebrae. The transverse apophysis was affected on only a few caudal vertebrae. The cortical layer remained intact. Histology of vertebra tissue showed periosteal proliferation of cancellous bone. The animal was diagnosed with hypertrophic osteopathy. The lungs showed diffuse parasitic granulomatous bronchointerstitial pneumonia caused by Halocercus delphini, consolidation of the pulmonary tissue, congestion, and alveolar edema. The animal was also afflicted by parasitic granulomatous gastritis caused by Anisakis simplex sensu lato and tattoo skin disease. The dolphin suffered from hypertrophic osteopathy associated with pulmonary Halocercus delphini infestation. This syndrome, known as hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy, has been described in diverse terrestrial mammals, including domestic animals, wildlife and humans, but not in dolphins. This case reports the first description of hypertrophic osteopathy associated to a pulmonary disorder in dolphin, and it provides insights into factors that can induce column malformation in dolphins, suggesting the importance of taking thoracic lesions into account during differential diagnosis.

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - NUVC-2693 - male - 2.22 m - Pelvic location - University of Georgia

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - CCSN-03-043 - female - 1.83 m - Pelvic location - Tom French

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - CCSN-01-110 - male - 1.22 m - Pelvic location - unknown

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - NUVC-5044 - male - 2.15 m - Pelvic location - University of Georgia

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - CCSN-03-208 - male - 2.3 m - Pelvic location - Harvard University

Delphinus delphis (common dolphin) - NBM-005737 - male - 2.1 m - Pelvic location - New Brunswick Museum

Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are top predators, feeding on a wide variety of prey species, several of which are also targeted by fisheries. The last remaining healthy group of the endangered Mediterranean common dolphin subpopulation is located in the Alboran Sea. Their feeding grounds overlap with the fishing grounds of trawlers targeting European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and blue whiting (Micromessistius poutassou) as well as purse seiners targeting small pelagic species such as European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.) and mackerel (Scomber spp.). In the present study, we estimated that individual common dolphins in the Alboran Sea have a food consumption of 3.35 ± 0.67 kg/day, based on scaling equations applied to stranded animals. This figure is similar to the ones reported for other European populations. Although common dolphins mainly feed on mesopelagic species of none or little commercial interest, they also feed on commercial species, which could lead to a potential conflict with fisheries in the area. We estimated common dolphins in the Alboran Sea could consume more than 16,000 tonnes of fish annually, including ca 7365 (95% CI: 3838–11,639) tonnes of Madeira lanternfish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis), 2,888 (1123–5223) tonnes of bogue (Boops boops), 2770 (879–5270) tonnes of European sardine, 1,850 (170–4116) tonnes of gobies (Gobiidae), and 1497 (65–3352) tonnes of European hake (reference period 2006-2011). Estimated sardine, anchovy and blue whiting consumption was low when compared to the landings in the area, however estimated hake consumption was above the reported hake landings in recent years (393.4 ± 146 tonnes landed annually between 2006 and 2011). Additionally, direct interactions between common dolphins and main fisheries were evaluated in a total of 111 observed fishing trips (70 in trawlers and 41 in purse seiners) in the area. Although no bycatch of common do

The Mediterranean subpopulation of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is classified as endangered by the IUCN. Still, information about their diet in the Mediterranean is scarce. Stomach contents of 37 common dolphins stranded in the Alboran Sea and Strait of Gibraltar were analyzed. A total of 13,634 individual prey of 28 different taxa were identified. For fish, Myctophidae was the most important family as indicated by the highest index of relative importance (IRI = 8,470), followed by the family Sparidae (IRI = 609). The most important Myctophidae species was Madeira lantern fish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis) and for Sparids, the bogue (Boops boops). Cephalopods, instead, were found in low quantities only with 31 prey from the Loliginidae, Ommastrephidae, and Sepiolidae families. Overall, our results indicate that common dolphins are mainly piscivorous (99.77%N, 94.59%O, 99.73%W), feeding mostly on mesopelagic prey. Although common dolphins inhabit mainly coastal waters in the study area, the narrow continental shelf seems to facilitate the availability of Myctophids and other members of the mesopelagic assemblage to dolphins when the assemblage migrates to the surface at night. Our results represent the first attempt at quantifying the diet of this predator in the Alboran Sea and Strait of Gibraltar

[ES] Galicia es una región importante en cuanto a la presencia de cetáceos en sus aguas, siendo el delfín común (Delphinus delphis) una de las especies más abundantes. Debido a esta abundancia la costa gallega registra un elevado número de varamientos, por lo que es fundamental obtener el máximo de información posible de los ejemplares varados para averiguar la causa de muerte o enfermedad y ampliar los conocimientos de que disponemos sobre su biología. En este estudio se ha utilizado la técnica radiológica para identificar y describir los elementos óseos y la secuencia de desarrollo de la aleta pectoral del delfín común. Para ello se han empleado un total de 33 ejemplares (18 machos y 15 hembras) de diferentes longitudes corporales varados entre marzo de 2014 y marzo de 2017. Se observó que la configuración esquelética de la aleta pectoral en esta especie coincide con el patrón general que muestran los odontocetos de la familia Delphinidae. En cuanto a su desarrollo, se observó que la secuencia de maduración de los huesos largos procede en dirección proximodistal, mientras que la de los huesos planos del carpo es craneocaudal. Finalmente, cabe destacar que las hembras alcanzan la maduración esquelética de la aleta pectoral antes que los machos, [GA] Galicia é unha rexión importante en canto á presenza de cetáceos nas súas augas, sendo o golfiño común (Delphinus delphis) unha das especies máis abundantes. Debido a esta abundancia a costa galega rexistra un elevado número de varamentos, polo que é fundamental obter o máximo de información posible dos exemplares varados para pescudar a causa de morte ou enfermidade e ampliar os coñecementos dos que dispoñemos sobre a súa bioloxía. Neste estudo utilizouse a técnica radiolóxica para identificar e describir os elementos óseos e a secuencia de desenvolvemento da aleta pectoral do golfiño común. Para iso empregáronse un total de 33 exemplares (18 machos e 15 femias) de diferentes lonxitudes corporais varados entre marzo de 2014 e marzo de 2017. Observouse que a configuración esquelética da aleta pectoral nesta especie coincide co patrón xeral que mostran os odontocetos da familia Delphinidae. En canto ao seu desenvolvemento, observouse que a secuencia de maduración dos ósos longos procede en dirección proximodistal, mentres que a dos ósos planos do carpo é craneocaudal. Finalmente, cabe destacar que as femias alcanzan a maduración esquelética da aleta pectoral antes que os machos., [EN] Galicia is an important region as regards the presence of cetaceans in its waters, being the common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) one of the most abundant species. Due to this abundance, the Galician coast registers a large number of strandings, so it is essential to get as much information as possible of the stranded specimens to find out the cause of death or disease and to broaden the knowledge that we have on their biology. In this study the radiological technique has been used to identify and describe the skeleton and the sequence of development of the bones of the flipper of the common dolphin. We have used a total of 33 specimens (18 males and 15 females) of different corporal lengths stranded between March of 2014 and March of 2017. Our results showed that the skeletal configuration of the flipper in this species coincides with the general pattern shown by other odontocetes of the Delphinidae family. As for its development, it was observed that the sequence of maturation of the long bones proceeds in proximodistal direction, whereas that of the flat bones of the carpo is craneocaudal. Finally, it is noteworthy that the females reach the skeletal maturation of the pectoral fin before the males.

© The Author(s), 2015. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Marine Mammal Science 32 (2016): 161–180, doi:10.1111/mms.12255., The viability of healthy single stranded dolphins as immediate release candidates has received little attention. Responders have been reluctant to release lone delphinids due to their social needs, even when they pass the same health evaluations as mass stranded animals. This study tracked postrelease success of 34 relocated and released satellite tagged delphinids from single and mass strandings. Three postrelease survival parameters (transmission duration, swim speed, and daily distance) were examined to evaluate whether they differed among single stranded/single released (SS/SR), mass stranded/single released (MS/SR), or mass stranded/mass released (MS/MR) dolphin groups. Comparisons were also made between healthy and borderline release candidates. Satellite tags transmitted for a mean of 21.2 d (SD = 19.2, range = 1–79), daily distance traveled was 42.0 km/d (11.25, 20.96–70.72), and swim speed was 4.3 km/h (1.1, 2.15–8.54). Postrelease parameters did not differ between health status groups, however, SS/SR dolphins transmitted for a shorter mean duration than MS/MR and MS/SR groups. Postrelease vessel-based surveys confirmed conspecific group location for two healthy, MS/SR dolphins. Overall, these results support the potential to release healthy stranded single delphinids; however, further refinement of health assessment protocols for these challenging cases is needed., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA NMFS); John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Program Grant Numbers: NA11NMF4390078, NA11NMF4390079, NA11NMF4390093

Playback recorder/filter type, settings in kHz: Crown/K-H L28.0. Cut size: 52.139 seconds. Sample rate: 60606. Number of channels recorded: 11B. See Code descriptions document for descriptions of codes used in Text header document., Recording of three or more Common dolphins made by AX58 hydrophone, WHOI Suitcase Amp, Magnecorder. Whistles, clicks. Water splash.

The short-beaked, Delphinus delphis, and long-beaked, D. capensis, common dolphin, two morphotypes of the Delphinus genus, are recognized as different species. However, to date, species status of the New Zealand common dolphin, among other geographic populations, remains unclear, owing to morphometric and genetic uncertainty. This lack of taxonomic knowledge is one of the reasons preventing adequate threat status assessment. The main objective of the current skull morphometric study, the first to solely focus on New Zealand Delphinus sp., was therefore, to obtain further information regarding taxonomy and life history for conservation purposes. In particular, the study aimed (1) to determine age at cranial maturity through the computation of a suture index; and (2) to assess the validity of several cranial parameters as cranial maturity indicators through the determination of a misclassification index. Furthermore, (3) presence of cranial sexual dimorphism was investigated in (i) metric characters through ANOVA and ANCOVA analyses and in (ii) non-metric characters through Chi-Square tests. (4) The taxonomic status was assessed based on the rostrum length to zygomatic width (RL/ZW) ratio, tooth counts, and the Kalya Index. Moreover, (5) Potential regional differences between Hauraki Gulf (HG) and non-HG specimens were investigated through MANOVA analyses (metric characters), Chi-Square tests, and the computation of the mean measure of divergence (non-metric characters). In addition, (6) measurement error of two metric data acquisition methods (callipers versus microscribe) was compared through the computation of three precision estimates (variance, mean absolute difference (MAD), and relative error magnitude (REM)). A total of 67 common dolphin skulls from stranded and by-caught individuals were available for analyses. The majority of skeletal material (73.1%, n = 49), had been archived frozen as intact heads following necropsies at Massey University. Those heads wer

Sommige ‘verdwaalde’, solitaire dolfijnen hechten zich aan markeringsboeien.

Short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the eastern North Atlantic (ENA) are subject to mortality due to entanglement in various types of fishing gear. However, for this region, there is no population-level information available on trends in abundance, (incidental) mortality rates or even the actual distributional range. Working under the assumption that only 1 population exists in ENA waters, the current study presents basic life history data and investigates whether biological information obtained from postmortem data is, in itself, useful for managing this population. Life history parameters were estimated by analysing postmortem data obtained over a 16 yr period by UK, Irish, French, Galician (northwest Spain) and Portuguese stranding and bycatch observer programmes. An annual pregnancy rate of 26%, a calving interval of 3.79 yr, an average age attained at sexual maturity of 8.22 yr and an average length at sexual maturity of 188 cm were determined. With respect to the findings based solely on mortality data, significance testing failed to detect differences that could be construed as evidence of the population exhibiting what might be density-dependent compensatory responses. The low annual pregnancy rate reported throughout the sampling period may suggest either that the level of anthropogenic mortality did not cause a substantial population level decline, or a prey base declining at approximately the same rate as the dolphin population. However, this approach alone does not facilitate an assessment of the current state of the D. delphis population in the ENA. Population abundance estimates, trends in abundance and knowledge of factors that affect the dynamics of the population, such as annual mortality rates in fisheries, temporal variations in prey abundance and effects of contaminants on reproductive activity, are required not only to set management objectives, but also to give context to cross-sectional life history information

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blubber of female common dolphins and harbour porpoises from the Atlantic coast of Europe were frequently above the threshold at which effects on reproduction could be expected, in 40% and 47% of cases respectively. This rose to 74% for porpoises from the Southern North Sea. PCB concentrations were also high in southern North Sea fish. The average pregnancy rate recorded in porpoises (42%) in the study area was lower than in the western Atlantic but that in common dolphins (25%) was similar to that of the western Atlantic population. Porpoises that died from disease or parasitic infection had higher concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) than animals dying from other causes. Few of the common dolphins sampled had died from disease or parasitic infection. POP profiles in common dolphin blubber were related to individual feeding history while those in porpoises were more strongly related to condition. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blubber of female common dolphins and harbour porpoises from the Atlantic coast of Europe were frequently above the threshold at which effects on reproduction could be expected, in 40% and 47% of cases respectively. This rose to 74% for porpoises from the southern North Sea. PCB concentrations were also high in southern North Sea fish. The average pregnancy rate recorded in porpoises (42%) in the study area was lower than in the western Atlantic but that in common dolphins (25%) was similar to that of the western Atlantic population. Porpoises that died from disease or parasitic infection had higher concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) than animals dying from other causes. Few of the common dolphins sampled had died from disease or parasitic infection. POP profiles in common dolphin blubber were related to individual feeding history while those in porpoises were more strongly related to condition.

This article presents an annotated list of all known strandings of common dolphins Delphinus delphis Linnaeus, 1758 and striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) from the coast of The Netherlands. Between circa 1850 and 2005, 50 well documented reports and 36 insufficiently documented reports of a dead common dolphin and five well-documented reports of a dead, and two records of a living striped dolphin have become known. All well documented cases are either documented by skeletons and/or skulls or other remains kept in natural history collections, or by photographs or drawings of the stranded dolphin. The insufficiently documented cases are only known from verbal or written description by the finder. All skeletal material, specimens preserved in spirit, drawings, autopsy reports and photographs were examined by the author.

A controlled experiment was carried out in 19961997 to determine whether acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) reduce marine mammal bycatch in the California drift gill net fishery for swordfish and sharks. Using Fisher's exact test, bycatch rates with pingers were significantly less for all cetacean species combined (P <0.001) and for all pinniped species combined (P = 0.003). For species tested separately with this test, bycatch reduction was statistically significant for shortbeaked common dolphins (P = 0.001) and California sea lions (P = 0.02). Bycatch reduction is not statistically significant for the other species tested separately, but sample sizes and statistical power were low, and bycatch rates were lower in pingered nets for six of the eight other cetacean and pinniped species. A log-linear model relating the mean rate of entanglement to the number of pingers deployed was fit to the data for three groups: short-beaked common dolphins, other cetaceans, and pinnipeds. For a net with 40 pingers, the models predict approximately a 12- fold decrease in entanglement for short-beaked common dolphins, a 4-fold decrease for other cetaceans, and a 3-fold decrease for pinnipeds. No other variables were found that could explain this effect. The pinger experiment ended when regulations were enacted to make pingers mandatory in this fishery.

Rates of cetacean by-catch were investigated in Galician waters (NW Spain) using a combination of observer trips on fishing vessels, a carcase recovery scheme and an interview survey of fishermen, carried out over two years (1998–1999). All these data sources are suspected of underestimating by-catch due to the sample of co-operating fishermen being, necessarily, self-selecting. No by-catches were seen during observer trips, although not all sectors of the fishery could be covered. The carcass recovery scheme yielded seventeen cetacean carcases over two years, which compares to around 35 by-caught cetaceans recorded annually by the Galician strandings network. Analysis of interview data suggested that around 200 cetaceans might be caught annually in inshore waters and around 1500 in offshore waters. Confidence limits were wide for all estimates. The highest by-catch rates were estimated for gillnets and offshore trawling. The majority of by-catches are small dolphins, probably mainly Delphinus delphis. Smaller numbers of Tursiops truncatus and Globicephala melas are also reported. Comparing the interview estimates of by-catch rates with minimum estimates of population size, it is suggested that by-catches of D. delphis and T. truncatus may be unsustainably high and that routine monitoring of fishery by-catches in Galician fisheries is required

This thesis provides new insights into the behavioural ecology of free-ranging short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), in New Zealand. A preliminary assessment of common dolphin-human interactions was also carried out as part of this 3-yr field study (1998-2001). 166 surveys were conducted in the greater Mercury Bay area, on the east coast of Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand. These led to 105 focal group follows, with a total of 118.2 h spent following common dolphins. Seasonal movements of common dolphins were uncovered, and are apparently tied to fluctuations in sea surface temperature. Common dolphins appear to live in a fission-fusion society. Groups frequently merged and split again. The merging of groups was often accompanied by either sexual, or feeding activity. 408 individual dolphins were identified from photographs of their dorsal fins. No evidence of long-term associations between individuals was found. Resightings of identifiable dolphins indicate movement of individuals between Mercury Bay and the Hauraki Gulf, as well as between Mercury Bay and Whakatane. This study provides the first activity budget for common dolphins in the wild. Common dolphins spent 55.6% of their time traveling, 20.4% milling, 16.2% feeding, 7.1% socialising, and 0.7% resting. This proportion did not change significantly by season, or from year to year. Common dolphins were found to feed on at least six different fish species. A number of different feeding strategies were employed to capture these fish. Some of these techniques had previously been observed in bottlenose dolphins and orca, but have never before been described for common dolphins. The results of this study suggest that common dolphins can potentially be negatively affected by interactions with humans. Boat traffic appears to disturb some dolphin groups, especially those containing few individuals. However, commercial tourism appeared to have little impact on the dolphins, at this study sit

The dolphin and its environment is sculpted by blubber - a complex, structural biomaterial. I have investigated the functional design of blubber by (1) measuring its 3-D architecture and its physical connections to other locomotor tissues, and (2) testing its dynamic biaxial stress/strain behavior. Blubber can be biomechanically modeled as an adipose hydrostat: thorax blubber is designed to maximize body volume and tailstock blubber is designed to resist torsion and to store strain energy during swimming. Blubber is directly connected to the axial skeleton in the caudal tailstock, permitting force transmission and limiting shear deformation. Dynamic and pseudostatic mechanical tests have demonstrated that blubber is both a resilient tensile and compressive spring with an elastic modulus similar to that of high-quality biological and synthetic rubbers. Preliminary data demonstrate that blubber resists stress-relaxation. Blubber is morphologically and mechanically well-suited to (1) limit large scale shear deformation that might occur across the skin's thickness and (2) function as a biological spring. This study is the first to present data that support the hypothesis that blubber may function as a spring to decrease the metabolic cost of swimming in dolphins.

Aerial surveys were conducted from November 1991 to June 1992 in an 81.5 x 110 km area approximately 50 km south of Mobile, AL. Line transect methods were used to estimate abundance of sea turtles and cetaceans over a 6- month period (November to April). Sonograms and spectrograms of cetacean vocalizations proved useful for species identification. Passive acoustical methods were employed to determine the presence of cetaceans beneath the surface. Three species of sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea, Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas) and at least four species of toothed whales (Gobicephela macrorhynchu, Delphinus delphis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella spp.) were observed and/or recorded in the area. In addition, sperm whales (Physeter catodon were recorded south of the area. A total of 83 sea turtle sightings and 116 cetacean sightings were made in the area during the 6-month study. Most sea turtles were observed as singles, whereas dolphins were generally found in groups of 2 to over 100. Sea turtle density was estimated to be 0.01 turtles/ kM2; cetacean density was estimated at 0.78 odontocetes/km2. Densities of both sea turtles and cetaceans were less than what has been reported for other areas of the northern Gulf of Mexico. An adjustment factor, based upon acoustic data, of 1.3 is suggested as a correction factor for submerged cetaceans.... Acoustics, Marine mammals, Marine turtles, Biota, EMPRESS., Original contains color plates: All DTIC/NTIS reproductions will be in black and white. Prepared in collaboration with Mississippi State University Research Center and Michigan Technological University.

Contamination of Delphinidae's fetuses and newborn has been determined from the organochlorine levels found in the fetuses and pregnant female organs, and in the milk of lactating females, for 4 dolphins and 3 porpoises. High levels of these components show an important transference of mother's contamination to their fetuses and new-born. The examination of 69 ulcerative cutaneous lesions allowed to determine 5 main types of ulcerations with pyocytary necrosis and granulomatous reaction., La contamination foetale et néo-natale des Delphinidés a été évaluée à partir de déterminations d'organochlorés dans les organes foetaux et maternels et dans le lait de quatre dauphins et trois marsouins. Des niveaux de présence élevés mettent en évidence un important transfert de la contamination maternelle au foetus et au nourrisson : le rôle des glandes mammaires dans la répartition des différents organochlorés dans le lait maternel est discuté. Les examens histologiques pratiqués sur 69 lésions cutanées ulcératives ont permis de distinguer cinq grands types d'ulcérations à partir de critères topographiques et cytologiques. Trois ulcérations cutanées, sans réaction inflammatoire cellulaire, avec nécrose pyocytaire et avec réaction granulomateuse, représentent la quasi-totalité (90%) des lésions observées.