Search

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. Moving forward, surveillance and sampling must be expanded to better understand the extent to which Leptospira infections occur in the marine ecosystem and possible epidemiological linkages between and among marine and terrestrial host species. Generating Leptospira genomes from different host species will yield crucial information about possible transmission links, and our study highlights the power of new techniques such as DNA enrichment to illuminate the complex ecology of this important zoonotic pathogen.

Lymphoid and haematopoietic neoplasms are rare in cetaceans. This report describes intravascular lymphoma in an adult common dolphin that presented with neurological signs prior to stranding. Intravascular lymphoma is a rare neoplasm previously recorded in humans, dogs, a cat and a horse. The condition is characterized by intravascular neoplastic lymphocytic proliferation, the sequelae of which are dependent on the organ affected. Key pathological findings in this case included multifocal cerebrocortical malacia secondary to vascular occlusion associated with intravascular neoplastic lymphocytic proliferation. Immunohistochemistry supported a T-cell phenotype similar to that observed in dogs. The neurological presentation was consistent with that seen in other species in which the central nervous system is involved. The aetiology and pathogenesis have not been established in other species and although no further investigations were made in this common dolphin, this report adds to the short list of species affected by this rare neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring the nutritional health of cetaceans has become increasingly important in a changing environment, where multiple stressors impact animals. Particularly for those species that require consumption of energy‐dense prey, such as the common dolphin. Thus far, no uniform measure for monitoring body condition has been recommended across cetaceans, and species‐specific measures may need to be developed if employed as a population condition indicator under Descriptor 1 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Here, nine morphometric body condition indices were applied to long‐term common dolphin stranding data sets originating from Ireland and the UK. We report a recent decline in the nutritional health of common dolphins in the Celtic Seas ecoregion comparing animals from 2017 to 2019 to animals from 1990 to 2006, with an increase in cases of animals dying due to starvation. Using ordinal regression trees, ventral blubber thickness (VBT) was identified as the most important index to predict nutritional status, defined at necropsy, followed by the scaled mass index (SMI). Using generalised linear models, both the VBT and SMI indices differentiated individuals that died from chronic and acute causes of death (i.e., bycatch), where animals in chronic conditions had significantly thinner VBT and lower SMI. Both significant temporal and seasonal patterns in VBT were identified, with poorer body conditions observed during the autumn and better body conditions observed during the spring, as well as an overall decline detected in VBT during the study period. While VBT was positively correlated with total body length, SMI showed the opposite trend. The VBT index is recommended for monitoring nutritional health within the species when total body length and season are considered. Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes for the observed decline, including shifts in prey availability and/or quality, to inform targeted conservation management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetacean strandings are valuable sources of data about their life history, health status, population trends, and impact of threats. We examined the strandings along the Bulgarian coast of the Black Sea for a period of 13 years from 2010 to 2022. A total of 1528 cetacean strandings of all three species inhabiting the basin were recorded: 1031 harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena, 199 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 97 common dolphins Delphinus delphis, 19 delphinids and 182 unidentified. The highest numbers were observed in 2016 and 2022. Monthly peaks for harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphin were in July and August and for common dolphin in May. An unusually high mortality of porpoise neonates was recorded in 2015 and 2016. The overall sex ratio showed a slightly higher share of males at 120:100. This bias was the most pronounced for males of common dolphins. Spatial distribution varied interspecifically but was predominantly along the southern coast. Bycatch signs were detected in 80 animals including during the turbot fishing ban period, suggesting the existence of illegal fishing operations. All of this highlights the need for better reinforcement and control to ensure both the conservation of endangered cetaceans and the sustainability of fisheries. Improvement in data collection is needed to improve the quality of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in fat tissue was examined for the mammals found released ashore along the Crimean coast of the Black Sea in 2018–2022. This group of animals is positioned at the top of food chain in the local marine ecosystem. Statistically significant dependence of the accumulation on sex (males are more contaminated than females) and age (adults and juveniles are more contaminated than calves and neonates) is found. Besides, the pesticides concentration in fat from dorsal tissue is generally higher than in fat from caudal stem, but the difference is not significant. In the tissue of harbor porpoises and common dolphins, the mean OCP concentration decreased in the order: p,p′-DDE > β-HCH > p,p′-DDD > p,p′-DDT, whereas bottlenose dolphins had the order: p,p′-DDE > p,p′-DDD > β-HCH > p,p′-DDT. The most common metabolites were DDE, and their accumulation was the highest. The concentration of DDD was considerably lower, and significant accumulation of DDT was observed rarely, so the mean concentration of these group of metabolites was the lowest.

Abstract 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. Moving forward, surveillance and sampling must be expanded to better understand the extent to which Leptospira infections occur in the marine ecosystem and possible epidemiological linkages between and among marine and terrestrial host species. Generating Leptospira genomes from different host species will yield crucial information about possible transmission links, and our study highlights the power of new techniques such as DNA enrichment to illuminate the complex ecology of this important zoonotic pathogen.

The article performs a comparative analysis of the underwater sounds of two sympatric dolphin species living in the Black Sea: bottlenose and common dolphins. During sound processing and analysis, the special program nanoCAD 22 was used. Both the similarity of the physical parameters of the sounds of the two species and a number of specific features of whistles characteristic of each were demonstrated. Common dolphin production of some types of whistles with significant similarities (sometimes almost identical) to the signature whistles of bottlenose dolphins was detected and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of reliable information on the abundance and distribution of threatened species is fundamental to evaluating their conservation status and taking the necessary measures to implement effective management. The seasonal abundance and distribution of cetaceans in the Sinop region, one of the essential fishing areas of the Black Sea, were estimated with line‐transect data. Dedicated boat‐based visual observations were conducted in four seasons between May 2019 and March 2020. Average estimates of abundance in the region over all seasons were 1,058 individuals for Black Sea harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena relicta; CV = 19.25%, 95% CI[725, 1,542]), 188 individuals for Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ponticus; CV = 21.67%, 95% CI[123, 289]), and 311 individuals for Black Sea common dolphin (Delphinus delphis ponticus; CV = 16.77%, 95% CI[123, 427]). The highest estimates for all three species were obtained in the spring. Harbor porpoises and bottlenose dolphins were present in the study area throughout the year, while common dolphins left the region in winter. These findings offer valuable insights that can guide and inform future conservation strategies, aligning with national and international frameworks for the protection of these cetacean species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the characteristics of temporal changes in bycatch per unit effort (BPUE) as an index of the relative density of the common dolphin around their widest hotspot in the East Sea/Sea of Japan were examined from 2011 to 2021. BPUE rapidly increased from 2017 to 2019. The annual changes in BPUE were due to changes during March–April, which is the most abundant season for common dolphins. The annual relationship between BPUE and four variables (Pacific herring, common squid catches, chlorophyll-a concentration, and sea surface temperature) around their main hotspot for March–April was investigated using generalized linear models (GLMs) for gamma distribution. A stepwise Bayesian information criterion for the gamma GLM yielded significant retention of two variables, Pacific herring catch and chlorophyll-a concentration, over the study period, indicating that the rapid increase of the relative density of the common dolphin in the early spring during 2017–2019 could be due to the increase of their prey abundance caused by higher primary productivity. Therefore, ecosystem productivity altered by nutrient conditions could be a key biological process that enhances habitat use of cetaceans in highly productive seasons and regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetaceans are considered bioindicators of the health state of marine ecosystems owing to their wide distribution across the different aquatic ecosystems in the world and their significant top‐down control role in the food chain, despite their low biomass. At the same time, effective management of wild cetacean populations severely affected by human pressure requires extensive knowledge on species distribution, habitat use, and associated threats. In this context, defining the factors that directly influence the local occurrence and distribution of cetaceans is one of the underlying challenges and is essential for their conservation and long‐term survival.Delphinus delphis sightings data, collected between 2017 and 2021 during 284 standardized vessel‐based surveys, were used to set up a presence–absence distribution model in the eastern Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean Sea. Binomial generalized additive models with logit as link function were run using the R package mgcv (restricted maximum likelihood method) and different biogeochemical explanatory variables collected from different sources.Longitude, latitude, salinity, chlorophyll a, dissolved ammonium, and dissolved phosphate were selected as non‐collinear predictive variables. Through a model validation based on a 10‐fold cross‐validation approach and a random data splitting procedure of 70%/30% (train/test dataset), a model formula has been selected with an explained deviance of 38.10%, an Akaike information criterion value of 1,661.3, and an area under curve of 0.91.The study confirms that long‐term time series of satellite‐derived data are useful to assess the occurrence and the spatial distribution of D. delphis, suggesting the need for a better understanding of the influence of these environmental factors especially in the framework of climate changes.Outcomes highlight the need to test further variables and further methods in order to provide increasingly reliable results in view of the conservation measures that must be adopted to stop or reduce the degree of pressure to which these species are subjected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation of wildlife is one of the most pressing issues in the current times, but wildlife conservation economic values have often been largely ignored due to an absence of market prices, as setting an economic value on biodiversity or whole ecosystems can be challenging. Nevertheless, valuing wildlife can be of great significance to improve decision-making in the conservation field, as it can provide a complementary perspective based on economic principles. Whale-watching provides an opportunity for the economic valuation of wildlife. Specifically, it offers a framework in which the economic revenue allows the economic valuation of the targeted cetaceans to be estimated through the direct and indirect expenditure of the tourists who purchase whale-watching tours. Here, we performed an economic analysis based on population abundances of the three main species targeted by the whale-watching companies in the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain): long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). These species generated a total annual income of €4,089,056, €1,876,833, and €505,389, respectively, and each individual would generate an average of €14,048, €951, and €36,099 each year, respectively. Incorporating life expectancy, this corresponded to a total population value of €112,426,185, €16,685,147, and €19,171,107, respectively, over their lifetime. These values provide an idea of the potential contribution of cetaceans to the local economy but only represent their non-consumptive value based on tourism. Our results reinforce the idea that a sustainable, high-quality whale-watching culture, under ACCOBAMS High-Quality Whale-Watching requirements, should be promoted to ensure a sustainable industry, stable economic income and the viability of cetacean populations in the Strait of Gibraltar.

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the second-most bycaught species in Korean waters. To provide key information about their habitat boundaries and hotspots for spatial conservation and management, the spatial use of this species was examined using data obtained from sighting and bycatch surveys of cetaceans in the past 20 years. The 95% minimum convex polygon and 95% density contour of fixed-kernel analysis suggested that the boundary of the home range of common dolphins is limited to the coastal region (Busan–Sokcho) of the East Sea/Sea of Japan. From 50% density contours drawn by kernel density estimation, it was suggested that their hotspots are around the coast of Ulsan–Pohang, Doghae, and Sokcho within the home range. Common dolphins were not observed in the Yellow Sea. Hence, shallow waters in the geographic area of the coastal region of the Yellow Sea are likely not a suitable habitat for common dolphins in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the characteristics of temporal changes in bycatch per unit effort (BPUE) as an index of the relative density of the common dolphin around their widest hotspot in the East Sea/Sea of Japan were examined from 2011 to 2021. BPUE rapidly increased from 2017 to 2019. The annual changes in BPUE were due to changes during March–April, which is the most abundant season for common dolphins. The annual relationship between BPUE and four variables (Pacific herring, common squid catches, chlorophyll-a concentration, and sea surface temperature) around their main hotspot for March–April was investigated using generalized linear models (GLMs) for gamma distribution. A stepwise Bayesian information criterion for the gamma GLM yielded significant retention of two variables, Pacific herring catch and chlorophyll-a concentration, over the study period, indicating that the rapid increase of the relative density of the common dolphin in the early spring during 2017–2019 could be due to the increase of their prey abundance caused by higher primary productivity. Therefore, ecosystem productivity altered by nutrient conditions could be a key biological process that enhances habitat use of cetaceans in highly productive seasons and regions.

The semi-enclosed environment of the St Vincent Gulf Bioregion and its fauna are impacted by many human activities. Long-term monitoring of cetaceans is vital. Records of collected specimens (173) and those not examined by the South Australian Museum (98 non-specimens) from 2009–2020 were analyzed. Necropsies were carried out on most carcasses using gross, histopathological, and diagnostic assessment of pathogens, organs, and skin lesions. The relative age and circumstance of death were assigned. Baleen whales (five species) and odontocetes (eight species) were studied. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were frequently recorded and analyzed in detail. Anthropogenic cases were prevalent (21%). Many dolphins (62%) were immature males. Disease (73%) was the most frequently recorded circumstance of death. The most common pathological change was inflammatory disease, including infectious pneumonia. In Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, infectious disease was more prevalent in the greater St Vincent Gulf Bioregion than in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Microbe testing confirmed 32 species of bacteria, 2 fungi, and 1 virus. Nematodes and trematodes were recorded throughout the study, sometimes in association with microbes. Toxoplasma gondii was observed in an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Severe traumatic injury was recorded in many dolphins, including anthropogenic cases. A tumor (leiomyoma) was described from a single common dolphin. This study provides an important baseline for the future monitoring of emerging infectious and chronic diseases, and anthropogenic threats in the region.

Measurements from 106 stranded short‐beaked common dolphins along the Irish coast were taken between March 2017 and March 2023. Data were collected from the Irish Necropsy Project and Irish Cetacean Stranding Scheme. Total length measurements were gathered from 103 individuals where the tail flukes were still attached. These ranged between 96-238cm, mean 185.7cm, SD 31.43cm. Males (n = 58) ranged from 96-238cm, averaging 189cm, SD 34.64cm. Females (n = 40) measured 117.5-231cm, averaging 181cm, SD 25.80cm. Scaled dorsal fin photos were taken from stranded dolphins to formulate an equation to estimate the total length of live dolphins. The total lengths of 29 live common dolphins were estimated off the southwest coast of Ireland using laser photogrammetry and dorsal fin dimensions between March 2018-April 2019. Total lengths for three stranded dolphins with amputated tail flukes were also estimated. Dorsal fin base lengths were the most accurate predictor of total length R2 = 0.78. Total length estimates ranged between 143.77-242.25cm, averaging 194.78cm, SD 20.05cm. The adoption of laser photogrammetry as a measurement tool warrants further exploration as a means to reduce potential disruption from aerial systems and enhance the utility of behavioural and photo‐ID images. This study describes a non‐invasive technique with a range of possible applications for understanding pod size structure and seasonality due to this species’ approachable behaviour and inquisitive nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the use of diazepam (Valium®) during the rehabilitation of odontocetes (dolphins and porpoises) to facilitate husbandry and for veterinary purposes, by analyzing detailed records from a period of 14 years of the treatment of 16 stranded individuals: harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris), a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), and a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). Diazepam was used occasionally (once per case or for a few days at a time) to facilitate husbandry, including for managing stressful and transitional circumstances and during transport. It was also used occasionally (once per case) for veterinary purposes, such as to reduce stress or to facilitate x-ray scanning, gastroscopy, blood sampling, or wound treatment. Diazepam was found to be effective as an anti-anxiety drug, to cause drowsiness (i.e., reduce activity levels), as a muscle relaxant, and as an appetite stimulant. The doses used were similar for husbandry and veterinary purposes (0.03 to 0.44 mg/kg body weight), and the drug was administered almost exclusively orally (via fish) or via intramuscular injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The semi-enclosed environment of the St Vincent Gulf Bioregion and its fauna are impacted by many human activities. Long-term monitoring of cetaceans is vital. Records of collected specimens (173) and those not examined by the South Australian Museum (98 non-specimens) from 2009–2020 were analyzed. Necropsies were carried out on most carcasses using gross, histopathological, and diagnostic assessment of pathogens, organs, and skin lesions. The relative age and circumstance of death were assigned. Baleen whales (five species) and odontocetes (eight species) were studied. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were frequently recorded and analyzed in detail. Anthropogenic cases were prevalent (21%). Many dolphins (62%) were immature males. Disease (73%) was the most frequently recorded circumstance of death. The most common pathological change was inflammatory disease, including infectious pneumonia. In Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, infectious disease was more prevalent in the greater St Vincent Gulf Bioregion than in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Microbe testing confirmed 32 species of bacteria, 2 fungi, and 1 virus. Nematodes and trematodes were recorded throughout the study, sometimes in association with microbes. Toxoplasma gondii was observed in an Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin. Severe traumatic injury was recorded in many dolphins, including anthropogenic cases. A tumor (leiomyoma) was described from a single common dolphin. This study provides an important baseline for the future monitoring of emerging infectious and chronic diseases, and anthropogenic threats in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean are subject to incidental mortality in fishing gear. However, no information on trends in abundance or estimates of bycatch mortality are available to evaluate the impact of this threat on the population. This study presents estimates of life history parameters using postmortem data obtained over a 17‐year period in Argentina. Ages were determined for 93 specimens, and reproductive organ samples were examined (n = 89). Immature animals ranged from 0 to 6 years in females and from 0 to 9 years in males. Mature animals ranged from 7 to 21 years in females and from 6 to 23 years in males. The asymptotic body length (L∞) described by a Gompertz model fit to age‐length data was 196 cm, 95% CI [192.45, 199.76] for females and 210.75 cm, 95% CI [206.64, 215.30] for males and was attained at 14 years in females and 15 years in males. Comparison to other populations showed that L∞ were shorter than estimates from New Zealand, similar to L∞ from eastern North Atlantic, and longer than estimates from North Pacific common dolphins. Lmax reported here were shorter than New Zealand ones but similar to those previously reported from other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is the second-most bycaught species in Korean waters. To provide key information about their habitat boundaries and hotspots for spatial conservation and management, the spatial use of this species was examined using data obtained from sighting and bycatch surveys of cetaceans in the past 20 years. The 95% minimum convex polygon and 95% density contour of fixed-kernel analysis suggested that the boundary of the home range of common dolphins is limited to the coastal region (Busan–Sokcho) of the East Sea/Sea of Japan. From 50% density contours drawn by kernel density estimation, it was suggested that their hotspots are around the coast of Ulsan–Pohang, Doghae, and Sokcho within the home range. Common dolphins were not observed in the Yellow Sea. Hence, shallow waters in the geographic area of the coastal region of the Yellow Sea are likely not a suitable habitat for common dolphins in this region.

Interactions between cetaceans and the purse seine fishery in coastal waters of mainland Portugal were investigated using onboard observations over a period of 15 years (2003–2018). In 10% of the fishing sets, there were interactions with one of three species of cetaceans: common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The common dolphin was the most frequently observed species, occurring in 89% of all interaction events, and the only species with observed mortality. Therefore, this study focused only on the interactions with common dolphins.A generalized additive model (GAM) was applied to observer data to investigate how the fishing activity and the abundance of small pelagic fish influenced the probability of occurrence of interactions between the common dolphin and the purse seine fishery between 2003 and 2018. The results revealed significant annual and geographic variation in the occurrence of interactions, and a significant influence of fishing effort and catch per unit effort of sardine (Sardina pilchardus).A second GAM in a hurdle model was used to model the number of common dolphins that interacted with the fishing activity as a function of fishing seasonality and the local abundance of pelagic fish. There was a significant effect of the seasonality of the fishing activity and catch per unit effort of sardine and chub mackerel (Scomber colias) on the number of common dolphins interacting with the fishery.The results of this study suggest that the probability of interactions and the number of common dolphins interacting with the fishery were affected by the local abundance of sardine and chub mackerel.As the common dolphin population appears to be increasing in the study area, the risk of by‐catch also increases, thus the monitoring of the Portuguese purse seine fishery is important to inform the implementation of management plans, and also as a response to global efforts for sustainable fisheries and marine mammal conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatial and temporal occurrence of cetaceans in the Black Sea and particularly along its southwestern coastline is poorly studied. Based on a total of 609 encounters, we present the analysis of monthly dynamics of (1) the numbers of cetacean sightings and (2) their group size for all three Black Sea cetacean species: the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) over a continuous period of 29 months (January 2018 - May 2020) from two fixed coastal observation points near the city of Zonguldak, Turkey. Seasonal fluctuations were found in the occurrence of all three species, with peaks in April-May (spring). Similarly, the largest groups of P. phocoena and T. truncatus were recorded in the late spring and early summer period, while D. delphis had a peak in July (summer). In case of the harbour porpoise, we speculate that these variations can be explained by the annual migrations from the northwestern to southern waters of the Black Sea, while the seasonal dynamics of the two Delphinidae species might depend on fish prey availability. While our data were collected locally, the results provide better insight into the ecology of cetaceans within the entire Black Sea.

Streptococcosis is an infectious bacterial disease of both homeotherms and poikilotherms. Among the Streptococcus species that infect marine animals, Streptococcus agalactiae has the broadest host spectrum, including different aquatic organisms in freshwater and marine environments. The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is categorized as Endangered in the Mediterranean Sea. There are few reports of a streptococcal infection of D. delphis, caused by Streptococcus phocae and Streptococcus iniae. Here we report the isolation and identification of S. agalactiae in a stranded, wild male common dolphin that was found dead in September 2020 on the seashore next to the city of Bat-Yam, Israel. The carcass was fresh with a moderate nutritional status and with no apparent fishing gear or other anthropogenic-related signs. A post-mortem examination did not reveal an apparent cause of death, but further laboratory analysis demonstrated a S. agalactiae bacterial presence in urine, lungs and pericardial fluid that was characterized as type Ia-ST7 by whole genome sequencing. Interestingly, this isolate was found to be almost identical to another isolate recently recovered from a wild sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) in the same area in Israel, the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Marine mammals have been proposed as ecosystem sentinels due to their conspicuous nature, wide ranging distribution, and capacity to respond to changes in ecosystem structure and functioning. In southern European Atlantic waters, their response to climate variability has been little explored, partly because of the inherent difficulty of investigating higher trophic levels and long lifespan animals. Here, we analyzed spatio-temporal patterns from 1994 to 2018 of one of the most abundant cetaceans in the area, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), in order to (1) explore changes in its abundance and distribution, and (2) identify the underlying drivers. For that, we estimated the density of the species and the center of gravity of its distribution in the Bay of Biscay (BoB) and tested the effect of three sets of potential drivers (climate indices, oceanographic conditions, and prey biomasses) with a Vector Autoregressive Spatio Temporal (VAST) model that accounts for changes in sampling effort resulting from the combination of multiple datasets. Our results showed that the common dolphin significantly increased in abundance in the BoB during the study period. These changes were best explained by climate indices such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and by prey species biomass. Oceanographic variables such as chlorophyll a concentration and temperature were less useful or not related. In addition, we found high variability in the geographic center of gravity of the species within the study region, with shifts between the inner (southeast) and the outer (northwest) part of the BoB, although the majority of this variability could not be attributed to the drivers considered in the study. Overall, these findings indicate that considering temperature alone for projecting spatio-temporal patterns of highly mobile predators is insufficient in this region and suggest important influences from prey and climate indices that integrate multiple ecological influences. Further integration of existing observational datasets to understand the causes of past shifts will be important for making accurate projections into the future.

The most flexible communication systems are those of open-ended vocal learners that can acquire new signals throughout their lifetimes. While acoustic signals carry information in general voice features that affect all of an individual's vocalizations, vocal learners can also introduce novel call types to their repertoires. Delphinids are known for using such learned call types in individual recognition, but their role in other contexts is less clear. We investigated the whistles of two closely related, sympatric common dolphin species, Delphinus delphis and Delphinus bairdii, to evaluate species differences in whistle contours. Acoustic recordings of single-species groups were obtained from the Southern California Bight. We used an unsupervised neural network to categorize whistles and compared the resulting whistle types between species. Of the whistle types recorded in more than one encounter, 169 were shared between species and 60 were species-specific (32 D. delphis types, 28 D. bairdii types). Delphinus delphis used 15 whistle types with an oscillatory frequency contour while only one such type was found in D. bairdii. Given the role of vocal learning in delphinid vocalizations, we argue that these differences in whistle production are probably culturally driven and could help facilitate species recognition between Delphinus species. This article is part of the theme issue 'Vocal learning in animals and humans'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a social species inhabits disparate environments with different requirements, it presents an ideal study framework for investigating plasticity in social structure. Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are wide‐ranging offshore delphinids that generally form societies with fission‐fusion dynamics within large schools and exhibit weak social bonds. In Port Phillip, southeastern Australia, common dolphins of the same species are, against expectations, resident to an embayment. Residency in this species provides a unique opportunity to investigate whether their social structure resembles that of their offshore conspecifics with weak social bonds, or whether bay living leads to stronger social bonds. We investigated the social structure of 12 resident adult common dolphins, between 2007 and 2014, in Port Phillip. Network analyses revealed nonrandom associations and several strong bonds, a social structure unusual for this species. The study shows that the social structure of a wide‐ranging gregarious species in Port Phillip reflects the requirements of a confined environment with limited but predictable resources. Their social structure in the bay resembles that of inshore delphinids, rather than of its own species. Our study highlights the extreme plasticity in social structure that common dolphins are capable of and the importance of the environment for social bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proper management of cetacean populations requires life history and demographic parameters to be estimated at population level. In this study we focus on a reproductive pathology that has the potential to alter reproductive rate: the vaginal calculi or stones. The present work documents vaginal calculi prevalence and structure in the eastern North Atlantic common dolphin Delphinus delphis in order to infer their likely mechanisms of induction and possible effects on fecundity. The work is based on routine examinations and necropsies of stranded marine mammals reported by the French stranding scheme from 1972 to 2012. Vaginal calculi were described and measured, and their composition was analyzed by Fourrier-Transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy. Necropsies and reproductive tract examinations were performed on 435 female common dolphins since 1972 along the French coasts, of which 14 showed vaginal calculi, representing 3.2% of the examined females. All females with calculi were older than 7, and there was no relationship of calculus size with age. Histopathology revealed lesions due to an inflammatory response to the presence of the calculi: chronicle vaginitis, variable endometritis and cystitis. Calculus size varied from 1 to 21 cm in maximum dimension and 4–1,460 g in mass. Their internal structure was homogeneous, particularly due to the absence of core material, hence corresponding to the definition of primary calculi. All calculus spectra showed almost identical compositions, with struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) representing on average 87% of calculus mass. Dysfunction of the uro-genital tract, such as vesico-vaginal fistulae, would be the likely initial pathological condition that led to the formation of these stones. Both the initial chemical condition in the vagina and the resulting formation of a calculi are obstacles to successful reproduction.

Preservation of endangered species is now recognized as a relevant component of regional and global conservation actions achieved through the maintenance of the remaining populations in a favourable conservation status. The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is listed as an Endangered subpopulation in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, with declining numbers in some of the areas where it has been studied for numerous years. Prey depletion, fisheries bycatch, pollution, health risks, and climate change are among the recognized threats that the species is facing in the region.The existing national, regional, and international legislation pertinent to Mediterranean countries should aid greater science–policy–management integration and support innovative research and monitoring towards effective conservation. The challenges inherent in studying the pelagic D. delphis should not preclude the use of long‐term, year‐round, multiplatform surveys, side by side with the latest molecular tools, which aid our understanding of its populations' genetic diversity, resistance to diseases, and resilience in a semi‐enclosed fast‐changing sea.Addressing the multiplicity of problems confronting the species requires collaborative effort at all levels to share and merge resources, data, and expertise more efficiently. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the Mediterranean common dolphin, the main threats, and knowledge gaps that are priorities for addressing its conservation, while providing clear recommendations for effectively safeguarding the species and its habitat at both local and regional levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), considered to have been very common in the past, had undergone a dramatic decline across most of the basin by the end of 1970s. In the northern Adriatic Sea, one of the regions with most available historical information, the common dolphin is thought to have been the most common and abundant cetacean throughout most of the 20th century. However, by the end of 1970s, it had virtually disappeared from the region and is now considered generally absent from the entire Adriatic Sea.This contribution summarizes the occurrence of common dolphins in the Gulf of Trieste and provides a brief review of published records in other parts of the Adriatic Sea.Systematic boat surveys in the wider area of the Gulf of Trieste between 2002 and 2019 confirmed that the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the only regularly occurring cetacean species in this area. Despite this, several records of common dolphins were documented in the Gulf of Trieste between 2009 and 2012, through sightings of live animals or recovery of dead stranded animals.Dorsal fin markings allowed the photo‐identification of some of these, suggesting that at least four different live individuals (three adults and one calf) occurred here in recent times. Most cases involved single adult individuals, but one included a mother‐calf pair that was temporarily resident in a port for several months, a behaviour atypical for this species. Photo‐identification showed that the presumed mother had previously been sighted in the Ionian Sea in Greece, over 1,000 km from the Gulf of Trieste, making this the longest documented movement for this species worldwide.At present, the common dolphin continues to be rare in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine mammals stranding data provide valuable information on causes of mortality for cetacean populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the stranding events of common dolphins along the Algerian west coast, and estimate the proportion of human vs. non‐human induced mortality of the population.Between 2008 and 2012, out of the 52 cetacean stranding records along the Algerian west coast, common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were recorded in 14 cases. All recorded strandings were of individual cases with no mass strandings registered during the reported period.To examine the proportion of human and non‐human induced mortality affecting this population, necropsies were conducted. In 10 cases, an interaction with some type of fishing gear had occurred; in three, there was no link with human activity; and in one case, it was not possible to determine the cause of death due to the condition of the carcass (severely decomposed). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common dolphin distribution in the western Mediterranean is still poorly known, with the exception of the Alboran Sea. In French waters, the species occurrence is suspected to have strongly decreased during the 20th century.Small boat dedicated surveys from 1988 to 2012 were undertaken to describe common dolphin distribution in five regions of French waters and three southern regions of the western basin. A total survey effort of 38,561 km resulted in sightings of 25 common dolphin groups in the western basin.Common dolphins were rarely observed off the French continental coast, more frequently around Corsica, and were quite frequent in waters off western Sardinia. Their most favoured habitat was found to be in neritic or upper slope waters.The analysis of stranding records suggested that common dolphins were more abundant in French inshore waters prior to 1980.A major increase of pelagic fish landings occurred from the beginning of the 1960s in the western part of French waters. Local populations of common dolphins may have declined as a consequence of prey depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional populations ("subpopulations") of globally abundant species can be exposed to human impacts that threaten their viability. Given the value of cetacean subpopulations as evolutionary significant units, keystone and umbrella species, it is important to assess their conservation status separately and propose area‐specific conservation measures.We used a threat assessment process and applied IUCN Red List criteria to a regional population of common dolphins Delphinus delphis in the semi‐enclosed Gulf of Corinth, Greece. We compiled subpopulation‐specific information about abundance and trends, estimated the geographic range of the subpopulation (area of occupancy and extent of occurrence), and calculated the probability of extinction through stochastic modelling.The subpopulation qualified as Endangered according to criteria A (population size reduction over three generations) and B (geographic range), and as Critically Endangered under criteria C (population size and decline) and D (very small or restricted population). The probability of extinction was estimated to be ≥50% in three generations, qualifying the subpopulation as Critically Endangered under criterion E (quantitative analysis). We concluded that the subpopulation should be classified as Critically Endangered.Considering the high extinction risk faced by common dolphins in the Gulf of Corinth, we recommend that: (a) immediate action is taken to mitigate anthropogenic activities known or suspected to have a negative impact on cetaceans in the area (particularly commercial fishing); and (b) a marine protected area is established in the Gulf of Corinth as a management tool for enforcing conservation action and facilitating the recovery of common dolphins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlations between surface behavior and concurrent underwater vocalizations were modeled for common dolphins (Delphinus spp.) in the Southern California Bight (SCB) over multiple field seasons. Clicks, pulsed calls, and whistles were examined, with a total of 50 call features identified. Call features were used to classify behavior using random forest decision trees, with rates of correct classification reaching 80.6% for fast travel, 84.6% for moderate travel, 59.8% for slow travel, and 58% for foraging behavior. Common dolphins spent most of their time traveling. The highest number of clicks, pulsed calls, and complex whistles were produced during fast travel. In contrast, during foraging there were few pulsed calls and whistles produced, and the whistles were simple with narrow bandwidths and few harmonics. Behavior and vocalization patterns suggest nocturnal foraging in offshore waters as the primary feeding strategy. Group size and spacing were strongly correlated with behavior and rates of calling, with higher call rates in dispersed traveling groups and lower call rates in loosely aggregated foraging groups. These results demonstrate that surface behavior can be classified using vocalization data, which builds the framework for behavioral studies of common dolphins using passive acoustic monitoring techniques. © 2011 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy.

The common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) is one of the most common cetaceans in Venezuela. This study aims to describe habitat use in the Mochima National Park, a protected area under high anthropogenic pressure. Opportunistic surveys were conducted following a pre‐defined route from September 2009 to August 2010. Data such as the geographical position, group size, composition, behaviour were recorded at 5min intervals. A focal group‐follow methodology was used. A grid of 500 × 500m was constructed and each cell was characterised by environmental features and a Coefficient of Area Use (CAU) was calculated. A logistic regression model was applied to identify factors that explain use pattern. Seventy opportunistic surveys were conducted during which 86 groups of dolphins were observed. Dolphins occupied an area of 36km², but Tigrillo inlet and to the northeast of the Caracas Islands were the areas most used. The common dolphins exhibited differential use, using shallow inshore waters most intensively and with probability of occurrence decreasing with increasing water depth and distance to the coast. They spent most of their time in feeding (40%) and socialising (24%) activities. Feeding and travelling behaviours were observed throughout the area studied, whereas socialising and resting activities were mainly concentrated in Tigrillo inlet, the Manare peninsula and the Caracas islands. Behaviour was mostly determined by season, depth, distance to the coast, group size and group composition. Throughout the year, the Park provided areas for refuge, feeding, and resting. It is therefore imperative to promote management and conservation policies that prevent any negative impacts from the increasing tourism and fishing activities we observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how animals use the space in which they are distributed is important for guiding management decisions in conservation, especially where human disturbance can be spatially managed. Here we applied distribution modelling to examine common dolphin (Delphinus sp.) habitat use in the Hauraki Gulf (36°S, 175°E), New Zealand. Given the known importance of the area for foraging and nursing, we assessed which variables affect Delphinus occurrence based on generalised additive models (GAMs), and modelled probability of encounter. Behavioural information was included to assess habitat use by feeding and nursing groups and determine whether persistent hotspots for such activities could be identified and meaningfully used as a spatial management tool. Using data collected from dedicated boat surveys during 2010–2012, depth and sea surface temperature (SST) were frequently identified as important variables. Overall, seasonal predictive occurrence maps for the larger population resembled predictive maps of feeding groups more than nursery groups, suggesting prey availability has important implications for the distribution of Delphinus in this region. In this case, static spatial exclusions would not be the best management option as the core areas of use identified for these activities were large and shifted temporally. It appears that at the scale examined, most of the Hauraki Gulf is important for feeding and nursing rather than specific smaller regions being used for these functions. In cases where static management is not the optimal tool, as suggested here for a highly mobile species, a dynamic approach requires more than a boundary line on a map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the dolphins populating the water between Gibraltar and Algeciras in the south Iberian Peninsula, an area subjected to pressure due to high human activity. The area is considered an important feeding and breeding ground for common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). Due to the degree of residence of some specimens, and the large gap in knowledge about the evolution of wounds in D. delphis specimens with lacerations, this work sought to perform the following analyses: identify lacerated individuals; characterize sequences of 'before – during – after' with respect to the occurrence of lacerations; and associate the type of injury with its severity. This work will inform future studies by expanding a database on injured individuals and contribute to periodical monitoring of specimens that frequent these geographic areas. Between 2013 and 2017, we were able to track the healing process of five injured individuals of common dolphins from a whale-watching platform thanks to photo identification. The animals exhibited fresh external wounds from different sources. In the majority of individuals, the wound-healing processes lasted 3–21 weeks. The frequency with which sightings are made and knowledge about the local population will help track injured animals, follow their wound evolution, and document their survival rates. The documented injuries inflicted by human interactions described in this paper may include fishing interactions and propeller strikes, probably as a consequence of the high intensity of recreational fishing and whale-watching activities in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether there is evidence of widespread niche partitioning based on environmental factors in the Black Sea and tested the hypothesis that physiographic factors may be employed as predictors. It addresses poorly researched areas with good habitat potential for the only three cetacean subspecies living in this area: the Black Sea short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis spp. ponticus), the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus spp. ponticus) and the Black Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena spp. relicta). Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to analyse data collected from multiple sources. In total, 745 sightings of the three species between 1998 and 2010 throughout the Black Sea were included. The analysis found depth and sea surface temperature to be the most important variables for separating the occurrence of the three species. Common dolphins occurred mainly in deep waters and in areas where the sea surface temperature was low, bottlenose dolphins were distributed primarily in shallower and warmer waters than common dolphins, and harbour porpoises were distributed in shallower waters with lower sea surface temperature than bottlenose dolphins. This study suggests strong niche segregation among the three cetacean species. The study is also the first contribution to the basic information of cetacean species distribution and habitat preferences in the Black Sea as a whole. Knowledge of the distribution of the three dolphin species in the study area is essential to establish conservation measures for these populations.