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As in the present, whale-stranding events in the past have received their own shares of fear and curiosity, as shown by various whale-stranding images (i.e., paintings, etchings, and engravings) produced by artists from countries bordering the North Sea. However, production of these images was not equal among these countries or regions. We catalogued the North Sea regions that produced whale-stranding images between 1500–1900. Possible factors contributing to some countries producing more whale-stranding images than others are examined, and the images’ evolution is assessed. A qualitative anthropological thematic analysis of the images shows that themes shifted over time. Religion, fear or repulsion, public curiosity, spectacles, and scientific inquiries are dominant themes found within the images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debilitated stranded cetaceans with low survival likelihood, may require euthanasia to avoid further suffering. Euthanasia can involve chemical or physical methods, including ballistics. Ballistics should cause instantaneous, permanent insensibility through brainstem disruption. Despite wide application, there is limited understanding of ballistics-related welfare outcomes. We opportunistically examined behaviour of three maternally-dependent cetaceans following shooting and the related cranial disruption post-mortem using computed tomography (PMCT). Our aim was to understand whether a 'humane death', i.e., euthanasia, was achieved. Each animal was shot using different projectile types: soft non-bonded, solid, and soft bonded. In two animals, insensibility was not immediately assessed following shooting, although both were reported as 'instantaneously insensible'. From our analysis, all animals displayed musculoskeletal responses to shooting, including peduncle stiffening and slack lower jaw, followed by musculature relaxation 24-, 10.3- and 20.8-seconds post-ballistics, respectively. The animal shot with a soft non-bonded projectile also displayed agonal convulsions and tail-lifting for 16-seconds post-shot; these were not observed for solid or soft bonded projectiles. PMCT findings indicated projectile disruption to the brainstem and/or spinal cord likely to cause near-instantaneous insensibility. However, extra-cranial wounding was also evident for the soft non-bonded projectile, highlighting potential for additional welfare compromise. Our results demonstrate that ballistics can achieve a relatively rapid death in young, stranded cetaceans, but careful equipment selection is required. To ensure a humane death, verification of insensibility must be undertaken immediately following shooting. Further studies should be undertaken to improve knowledge of appropriate procedures and equipment for euthanasia, ensuring humane deaths for compromised cetaceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunistic records can provide valuable information on certain species, including the critically endangered porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus). This note documents the occurrence of three juveniles, with approximate 120‐, 88‐, and 85‐cm fork lengths respectively, observed along the coast of Asturias, Spain, in 2024. Given the three distinct scenarios in which these records respectively occurred (incidental capture, washed ashore and stranding), they emphasize the role of citizen science in identifying potential threats to this species, particularly in early stages of life, in a region that may be important and previously overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka, a stranded spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was recovered, and the cause of death was investigated. Post-mortem examinations revealed evidence of by-catch, but a natural coinfection with dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and gammaherpesvirus was detected by further analyses, marking the first documented case of a dual viral infection in this species within the region. Molecular diagnostics, including PCR and sequencing, were performed on tissue imprints collected on FTA® cards, confirming the presence of DMV in the prescapular lymph node and gammaherpesvirus in the lesions in the oral cavity. The concurrent detection of DMV and gammaherpesvirus raises significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of environmental stressors, such as chemical pollutants from the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, on exacerbating susceptibility to viral infections in marine mammals. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of cetacean populations in the Indian Ocean to better understand pathogen circulation and health and conservation implications of anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Kogia includes two extant species, the dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) and the pygmy sperm whales (K. breviceps). Due to their elusive behavior at the surface, which limits opportunities for observation, they are amongst the least known species of cetaceans and knowledge of their ecology mostly comes from stranded individuals. Although they have overlapping ranges, dwarf sperm whales seem to be distributed preferentially in warmer tropical and subtropical waters, while pygmy sperm whales tend to be associated with more temperate waters. Both species have previously been recorded in the western Indian Ocean, but little is known about their distribution patterns. Data from different sources, including vessel-based and aerial surveys, environmental DNA and strandings were compiled to report on the occurrence of Kogia around the remote oceanic island of Reunion. The combination of sightings data, eDNA detections and stranding events indicated that the dwarf sperm whale was more common than the pygmy sperm whale and seems to use the territorial waters of Reunion on a regular basis. The northern part of the island in particular might provide suitable habitats for the species. Groups of 1-5 individuals were sighted and occurred mainly over the insular slope, in 1310 m deep waters and 8.2 km from the shore on average; no clear seasonality pattern could be determined. Stranding data were consistent with a calving period during the austral summer and highlighted the vulnerability of these species to human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetaceans are a critical component of marine ecosystems, acting as top predators in mesopelagic trophic webs. In the Macaronesian biogeographical region, cetacean populations face threats from various anthropogenic activities. Evaluating cryptic oceanic species like kogiids whales is challenging due to insufficient biological and ecological data, making conservation assessments and management efforts harder to achieve. Kogia breviceps and K. sima comprising the family Kogiidae, are morphologically similar, widely distributed, and elusive, with most information originating from stranded specimens and few at sea observations. This study examines data from Kogia species stranded in the Canary Islands between 1977 and 2024 and analyzes sighting data obtained between 1999 and 2024. Between 1977 and May 2024, there were 111 stranding events involving 114 kogiid individuals along the Canary Islands' coasts: 86 events (88 individuals) were pygmy sperm whales, 14 events (15 individuals) were dwarf sperm whales, and 11 events with 11 individuals, were unidentified Kogia species. Additionally, 36 kogiid sightings were recorded, of which 34 originated from dedicated surveys and 2 from opportunistic sightings. Of these sightings, 14 (39%) were K. breviceps, 9 (25%) were K. sima, and 13 (36%) were unidentified Kogia. Twenty-nine sightings (80.5%) of kogiids were recorded in the waters off the eastern coast of the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The data indicate that the waters around the Canary Islands are an important habitat for Kogia whales. The findings establish a baseline for future research and underscore the necessity of accurately assessing conservation pressures on pygmy and dwarf sperm whales in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sperm whales spatially segregate by sex and social behavior as they mature. In the North Atlantic, male whales move to higher latitudes as far as Svalbard at 80° N, while females and young whales typically remain around lower latitudes below 40–45° N. The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands constitute important nursery grounds for female and young sperm whales. Irish waters represent a midpoint for this species' spatial segregation in the Northeast Atlantic, where the species occurs along the submarine canyon systems to the west of the country. Historically, just male whales were thought to be found in this region between 51 and 55° N, but one adult female was caught by commercial whalers in 1910, and a 5.49 m calf was found stranded in 1916. Between 1995 and 2023, 10 female sperm whales have been stranded around the coast of Ireland. Eight of these whales have been stranded since 2013, and there has been at least one stranding per year between 2019 and 2023. Four of these strandings have occurred in Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, indicating the presence of female whales along the continental shelf off this region. Two females were stranded within a day of each other and were found in similar states of decomposition in February 2022, indicating that they may have been part of the same group rather than being lone vagrant individuals. Sperm whale calves and juveniles were also sighted in Irish waters in 2001, 2004, and 2010 in the Rockall Trough, along the Porcupine Bank and Goban Spur, where between 1 and 3 individuals were observed on four occasions while one calf live stranded in 2004. These records indicate a historical presence of female and young sperm whales in this region but that an apparent increase in occurrence has taken place over the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Brucella ceti is a marine bacterium that causes neurological, reproductive and skeletal disease in free-ranging cetaceans. Its zoonotic potential and importance for wild animals has prompted, over the years, the search for a reliable diagnostic method to detect antibodies and infer the level of infection. In this work, we perform an exploratory serological study on cetaceans stranded in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Antibody levels were higher in animals with confirmed Brucella disease and infection in juveniles and in animals with chronic morbilliviral infection. This provides the first seroprevalence estimation in this area and reaffirms the active circulation of Brucella in wild cetaceans. Neurobrucellosis in cetaceans, caused by Brucella ceti, is a relevant cause of death in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the Mediterranean Sea. Serological tests are not used as a routinary technique for the diagnosis of this infection. We briefly describe the pathological findings of nine free-ranging stranded cetaceans diagnosed with Brucella disease or infection in our veterinary necropsy service from 2012 to 2022. The findings included focal diskospondylitis and non-suppurative meningitis, choroiditis and radiculitis. Additionally, an exploratory serological study was conducted in sixty-six frozen sera collected in the period 2012–2022 from fifty-seven striped dolphins, five Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), two common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and one pilot whale (Globicephala melas) to compare antibody levels in Brucella-infected (n = 8) and non-infected (n = 58) animals, classified by the cause of death, sex, age class and cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) infection status. The authors hypothesized that active infection in cases of neurobrucellosis would elicit a stronger, detectable humoral response compared to subclinical infections. We performed a commercial competition ELISA (cELISA) using serial serum dilutions for each sample, considering a percentage of inhibition (PI) of ≥40% as positive. A titer of 1:160 was arbitrarily determined as the seropositivity threshold. Seropositive species included striped dolphins and Risso's dolphins. Seroprevalence was higher in animals with neurobrucellosis (87.5%) compared to the overall seroprevalence (31.8%) and to other causes of death, indicating, likely, a high sensitivity but low specificity for neurobrucellosis. Animals with chronic CeMV seemed to have higher seroprevalences, as well as juveniles, which also had a higher disease prevalence. These results indicate, as in other studies, that antibodies are not decisive against clinical brucellosis, although they may indicate a carrier state, and that CeMV may influence Brucella epidemiology. More research is required to elucidate the epidemiology and pathogenesis and to resolve the complicated host–pathogen interaction in Brucella species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cetacean ecology has been poorly studied in the Shanghai-Zhejiang waters of East China Sea, seriously hindering appropriate local conservation practices. Here stranding records from 1953 to 2023 around the Shanghai-Zhejiang waters were collated from literature, media, and social websites to clarify species composition and spatio-temporal variations of cetacean strandings. A total of 138 stranding records involving 197 individuals across 23 species were identified, comprising four Mysticeti and Odontoceti species. Cetacean stranding records occurred extensively along the Shanghai-Zhejiang coastline throughout the year and have grown swiftly since the 2000s. Narrow-ridged finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis and common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata were the most frequently stranded species. Over 84% of the stranding events involved only a single individual. Melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra predominated in mass stranding incidents. Spatially, the stranding reports showed a significant cluttering distribution pattern. Clustering of cetacean records occurred in the Yangtze River estuary, downstream region of Qiantang River, southeastern of Ningbo, and Oujiang River estuary. Seasonal analysis showed increased cetacean stranding events in spring, yet without a significant difference. Post-mortem examinations of stranded individuals showed that coastal fisheries and port activities were probably the dominant causes of local cetacean strandings. Standardizing cetacean stranding records, strengthening fisheries regulations, and rescue training programs are recommended to establish a dedicated cetacean stranding monitoring network, which is vital for cetacean conservation in this region.

On September 1st, 2023 three specimens of the blue button Porpita porpita (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) were found stranded along the store of the Genoa metropolitan area (northwest Mediterranean Sea, Ligurian Sea) as a result of a citizen science contribution. This record represents the second observation of the species in this area after the first one, occurred in 2019. The general increase in observations of P. porpita in the Mediterranean basin, from 2010 on, may suggest a higher abundance of specimens in the sea, likely due to climate change, an intensified effort in reporting sightings of citizens scientist (whose data accounts for more than 85% of total available records), or a combination of both factors. The analysis of environmental data related to this latest stranding event suggests that this occurred under specific meteorological conditions. Since monitoring the spread of non-indigenous species is fundamental to study global warming effects on marine biodiversity, the understanding of the precise environmental settings under which they may occur might reduce observational biases and contribute to the acquisition of sound data less linked to fortuitous observations.

Elasmobranchs are common, iconic species in public aquaria; their wild counterparts are key members of marine ecosystems. Post-mortem examination is a critical tool for disease monitoring of wild elasmobranchs and for management of those under human care. Careful necropsy of the head, with a focus on clinically relevant anatomy, can ensure that proper samples are collected, increasing the chance of presumptive diagnoses prior to slower diagnostic workup. Immediate feedback from a thorough head necropsy allows for faster management decisions, often identifying pathogens, routes of pathogen entry, and pathogenesis, which are current shortcomings in published literature. This article proposes a protocol for necropsy of the elasmobranch chondrocranium, emphasizing unique anatomy and careful dissection, evaluation, and sampling of the endolymphatic pores and ducts, inner ears, brain, and olfactory system as part of a complete, whole-body necropsy. Extensive use of cytology and microbiology, along with thorough sample collection for histology and molecular biology, has proven effective in identifying a wide range of pathogens and assisting with characterization of pathogenesis. The cause of mortality is often identified from a head necropsy alone, but does not replace a thorough whole-body dissection. This protocol for necropsy and ancillary diagnostic sample collection and evaluation was developed and implemented in the necropsy of 189 wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs across 18 species over 13 years (2011--2023) in California. Using this chondrocranial approach, meningoencephalitis was determined to be the primary cause of mortality in 70% (118/168) of stranded wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs. Etiology was largely bacterial or protozoal. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum bacterial meningoencephalitis occurred in salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis), shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus), and one Pacific electric ray (Tetronarce californica). Miamiensis avidus was the most common cause of protozoal meningoencephalitis and found almost exclusively in leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) and bat rays (Myliobatis californica) that stranded in San Francisco Bay. Bacterial pathogens were found to use an endolymphatic route of entry, while protozoa entered via the nares and olfactory lamellae. Trauma was the second most common cause of mortality and responsible for 14% (24/168) of wild shark strandings and deaths of aquarium-housed animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study reviews the development of the cetacean stranding response program in Taiwan from 1994 to 2018, and examines 1320 stranding events involving 1698 animals across at least 27 species. The stranding rates have increased significantly over the years, with a notable rise in annual events from 16 to over 90. Seasonal variation demonstrates higher stranding rates during the northeastern monsoon season. The study highlights the spatial distribution of strandings, with the highest frequency in northern Taiwan and mass strandings predominantly in the southwest. Additionally, live strandings accounted for 29.5% of events and 38.9% of animals. The rescue and rehabilitation of some individuals have been conducted, and 15 individuals have been released since 2000. The findings underscore the diversity and stranding patterns of cetaceans around Taiwanese waters, and provide valuable information for developing conservation strategies in the western Pacific. A national cetacean stranding response program in Taiwan has evolved significantly in the past three decades. Initially co-ordinated by National Taiwan University from 1994, the program transitioned to the Taiwan Cetacean Society in 1999, and local governments took on a more prominent role after 2009. A comprehensive stranding database (1994–2018) has been maintained, which documented 1320 stranding events involving 1698 animals from at least 27 species. The most commonly stranded species include finless porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, Kogia spp., and Risso's dolphins. The stranding rates varied annually and seasonally, with increases noted from an average of 16 events per year for the first 3 years to 44–58 events per year between 1997 and 2015, and a sharp rise to over 90 events per year for the period of the last three years. Seasonal variations were also significant, with higher stranding rates during the northeastern monsoon (NEM, October to next April) than that during southwestern monsoon (SWM, May to September). From the aspect of distribution, more frequent and even strandings occurred along the coast of northern Taiwan, while mass strandings were concentrated in the southwestern counties during NEM. Among all strandings, 390 events (29.5%) and 660 animals (38.9%) were live ones. Under great effort in rescuing and rehabilitating 52 cases, 15 cetacean individuals have been released since 2000. Additionally, there have been 56 mass strandings involving at least 11 species since 1994, predominated by pygmy killer whales, particularly during the NEM season along the southwest coast. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the stranding patterns and diversity of the cetaceans in Taiwan, but also provides valuable insights for future conservation strategies on cetaceans in the western Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ocean sunfishes are currently represented by five species within three genera: Mola mola (Linnaeus, 1758), Mola alexandrini (Ranzani, 1839), Mola tecta (Nyegaard, Sawai, Gemmell, Gillum, Loneragan, Yamanoue & Stewart, 2017) (Sawai et al., 2018), Masturus lanceolatus (Lienard, 1840), and Ranzania laevis (Pennant, 1776). Growing conservation concerns have led to an ongoing re‐examination of their classification status on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red Lists, a process requiring the latest data to best support their conservation management on a global scale. Here we report the first sighting of Masturus lanceolatus in the northeast Irish Sea, representing a new northerly range limit for this species in the northeast Atlantic. The species is more commonly reported in tropical seas, and in the Western Atlantic they occur from North Carolina in the United States to southeast Brazil. This sighting increases the most northerly range limit by 2610 km, providing additional insight into the ecology and potentially changing distribution of this generally considered tropical megafaunal species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are the only cetacean residents found year-round in Swedish waters and they are exposed to numerous natural and anthropogenic threats. Since the in situ monitoring of cetaceans can be difficult, invasive and often expensive, investigation of stranding patterns and examination of stranded animals can be used as a cost-effective source of data to study these elusive animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of harbour porpoise stranding reports and the possible underlying causes in Swedish waters over a ten-year period (2014–2023). Additionally, the Swedish stranding network plays a key role in the collection of stranded carcasses for health and disease surveillance, and geographic coverage of the network also was analysed. When making spatial comparisons, the ten-year period was divided into two five-year blocks. Data on 854 stranded harbour porpoises were analysed from the coasts of the Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Baltic Seas. Both significant spatial and temporal patterns could be identified. Strandings peaked in July through September and hotspots occurred along most of the Swedish west coast, with the most frequent hotspots located around Öresund and especially the area around the Kullen peninsula. The spatial patterns of strandings found in this study are consistent with data on porpoise abundance, prey abundance, and gillnet fisheries' efforts. The latter is known to be one of the primary causes of porpoise mortality. Furthermore, the coverage of the Swedish stranding network increased between the two periods, likely reflecting an increased awareness of the carcass-based surveillance program, and gaps requiring network expansion efforts were identified. These results also provide baseline data to enable the continued monitoring of stranding trends, as changes may indicate changes in population distribution, size or mortality rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish stranding in rivers, due to rapid shoreline dewatering, often occurs during the down‐ramping phase of hydropeaks, which enables peak energy production. Multiple hydropeaking characteristics and river morphology influence stranding, but little is known about the effects of riverbed microstructures. Our goal was to identify how the combination of hydropeaking characteristics and the occurrence of morphological microstructures (e.g., puddles and scour pools) influences fish stranding. For this purpose, we used an extensive dataset of fish stranding observations collected over 3 years in spring at 48 sites along a 50 km‐long reach of the Ain River, France. We aimed (1) to characterize stranding events and their associated fish assemblages and (2) to identify the spatial and temporal determinants of stranding. The occurrence of morphological microstructures was the main factor explaining fish stranding. Scour pools had a strong impact, followed by scour puddles, humid zones, and alluvial puddles. Then, hydropeaking characteristics interacted with morphology and modulated the intensity of stranding. Low flow ranges (low peak flow and low base flow) occurring after periods without hydropeaks induced 'salmonid fry' stranding events and 'super‐stranding' events (massive stranding of many taxa). Other flow ranges induced 'regular cyprinid fry' stranding events. Salmonids were particularly subject to stranding at the beginning of the sampling period. Recommendations are (1) to act in priority on sites where stranding is most likely, by morphological operations or by installing attractive structures in the perennial area and (2) to maintain attractive, perennial habitats in the low flow range of hydropeaks, for example, by increasing base flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are the only cetacean residents found year-round in Swedish waters and they are exposed to numerous natural and anthropogenic threats. Since the in situ monitoring of cetaceans can be difficult, invasive and often expensive, investigation of stranding patterns and examination of stranded animals can be used as a cost-effective source of data to study these elusive animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of harbour porpoise stranding reports and the possible underlying causes in Swedish waters over a ten-year period (2014–2023). Additionally, the Swedish stranding network plays a key role in the collection of stranded carcasses for health and disease surveillance, and geographic coverage of the network also was analysed. When making spatial comparisons, the ten-year period was divided into two five-year blocks. Data on 854 stranded harbour porpoises were analysed from the coasts of the Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Baltic Seas. Both significant spatial and temporal patterns could be identified. Strandings peaked in July through September and hotspots occurred along most of the Swedish west coast, with the most frequent hotspots located around Öresund and especially the area around the Kullen peninsula. The spatial patterns of strandings found in this study are consistent with data on porpoise abundance, prey abundance, and gillnet fisheries’ efforts. The latter is known to be one of the primary causes of porpoise mortality. Furthermore, the coverage of the Swedish stranding network increased between the two periods, likely reflecting an increased awareness of the carcass-based surveillance program, and gaps requiring network expansion efforts were identified. These results also provide baseline data to enable the continued monitoring of stranding trends, as changes may indicate changes in population distribution, size or mortality rates.

On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.5 kg coprolite was found obstructing the caudal colon-rectal lumen. Necro-hemorrhagic lesions were found in heart muscles and three different bacteria of intestinal origin were isolated and identified (Edwarsiella tarda, Hathewaya limosa and Clostridium perfringens). It is reported a lethal septicemia of intestinal origin associated with ambergris coprolite as cause of death in this sperm whale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Funding agencies are often unlikely to fund research on rarely-encountered species and limited time is usually spent with such species when they are not the focus of research. Thus, knowledge of these species often lags behind their encounter rates. Aims: To gain information on rarely-encountered odontocetes in Hawai'i while simultaneously studying common ones. Methods: During a long-term small-boat based study, we prioritised time spent with rarely-encountered species, collecting photos and biopsy samples, and satellite tagging. Sample sizes were augmented with photo contributions from members of the public and other researchers, and genetic samples from stranded animals and other researchers. Results from genetic and tag data analyses were interpreted in the context of social network placement and re-sighting histories. Key results: Pygmy killer whales (Feresa attenuata) represented <2% of odontocete sightings, and sighting rates varied by depth and among islands. Photo-identification shows that 318 of 443 identified individuals are linked by association in the main component of the social network. Movements among islands were limited, with individuals off O'ahu and Hawai'i exhibiting high site fidelity, although resident groups from each island share a common mitochondrial haplotype. Three groups involved in mass strandings in two different years were not linked to the main component of the social network, and did not share mitochondrial haplotypes with known resident groups. Conclusions: The approach of prioritising rarely-encountered species for additional sampling is an effective way of learning more about poorly-known species. Implications: Such an approach may be critical for filling data gaps for populations potentially at risk from human activities. Rarely-encountered species of odontocetes often get little research attention or funding to study them. We describe an approach to maximise information from these species while undertaking studies of more common ones, and illustrate this approach with information on pygmy killer whales, a poorly-known and rarely-encountered delphinid in Hawai'i. This article belongs to the Collection Marine Mammals in the Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Strandings are an important source of information for estimating marine mammal biodiversity, particularly in data-sparse ocean basins such as Oceania. Aims: Here, we report on knowledge acquired from 218 stranding events recorded in the waters of New Caledonia (1877–2022). Methods: We investigated spatio-temporal distribution, stable isotope signatures, trace element concentrations, biometry measurements, genetic diversity, and diet, for the four most commonly stranded taxa (dugongs, 35% of events; sperm whales, 19%; Delphinidae, 18%; pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, 14%). Key results: Beginning in 1991, reports of stranding events increased (183 events, 322 individuals, 20 species from seven families: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), with hotspots identified on the west coast (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) and in Prony Bay. Causes of death were not determined in 84% of stranding events, but were identified in the majority of expert-led necropsies (24 of 29 individuals from 10 species). Yet, valuable information regarding the impact of anthropogenic activities was gathered for some species of concern, such as the endangered dugong (28% human-caused). Since 2016, training and outreach have been provided to rangers, veterinarians, and various public safety officers to support their engagement in the scientific monitoring of marine mammal strandings. A website (www.rescue.ird.nc) was developed to facilitate standardised data collection and storage, and to provide public access to stranding records. Conclusion: Although the number of individuals reported here remains modest, this study provides new information on poorly documented species in New Caledonia. Implications: Long-term monitoring of strandings can help design effective conservation measures. RESUME: Contexte: Les échouages constituent une source d'informations importante pour estimer la biodiversité des mammifères marins, en particulier dans les bassins océaniques pour lesquels les données sont rares, comme l'Océanie Objectif: Nous présentons ici les connaissances acquises à partir de 218 échouages enregistrés dans les eaux de Nouvelle-Calédonie (1877–2022). Méthodes: Nous avons étudié la distribution spatio-temporelle, les signatures isotopiques, les éléments traces, les mesures biométriques, la diversité génétique et le régime alimentaire des quatre taxons les plus fréquemment échoués (dugongs, 35% des échouages; cachalots, 19%; Delphinidae, 18% ; cachalots pygmées et nains, 14%). Principaux résultats: À partir de 1991, les signalements d'échouages ont augmenté (183 événements, 322 individus, 20 espèces de sept familles: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), avec des points chauds identifiés sur la côte ouest de la Grande Terre (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) et dans la Baie de Prony. Les causes de décès n'ont pas été déterminées pour 84% des échouages, mais elles ont été identifiées dans la majorité des autopsies réalisées par des vétérinaires (24 des 29 individus de 10 espèces). Des informations précieuses concernant l'impact des activités anthropiques ont été recueillies pour certaines espèces préoccupantes, telles que le dugong, une espèce en voie de disparition (28% des échouages d'origine humaine). Depuis 2016, des formations et des activités de sensibilisation ont été dispensées aux gardes nature, aux vétérinaires et à divers agents publics pour soutenir leur engagement dans la surveillance scientifique des échouages de mammifères marins. Un site Web (www.rescue.ird.nc) a été développé pour faciliter la collecte et le stockage de données standardisées et pour fournir un accès public aux enregistrements d'échouages. Conclusion: Bien que le nombre d'individus signalés échoués ici reste modeste, cette étude apporte de nouvelles informations sur des espèces peu documentées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Implications: La surveillance à long terme des échouages peut aider à concevoir des mesures de conservation efficaces. Map of strandings in New Caledonia; people gathered around a stranded whale; four commonly stranded species. Conservation of marine mammals in Oceania is limited by a lack of understanding of these relatively rare, yet emblematic species. Here, we report on significant biological and ecological data acquired from several decades of monitoring strandings in New Caledonia. This increased knowledge may help guide management measures locally and regionally. Photograph by Marine Mammal Stranding Center. This article belongs to the Collection Marine Mammals in the Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stranding can be an important negative effect downstream of peaking power plants. Much work is put into computing indices of peaking operation based on flow data from power plant outlets or in reaches downstream of power plants. Such indices give good measures of the frequency and magnitude of hydropeaking and indirectly the potential severity of the operation. To address stranding potential local studies are needed to find measures that relate river geometry to dewatered areas and dewatering speeds and the length of river downstream that is affected by the power plant operation. In recent years, high‐precision laser scans have become available for some Norwegian rivers making it possible to do hydraulic modeling on a scale that can describe the dewatering process in detail. The new data also provides details on the river valley and areas adjacent to the rivers. Using these data, we have carried out simulations for peaking operations in several rivers and computed indices of hydraulic effects of potential shutdown hydrographs. The results show a dampening effect in all rivers and a significant relationship between river features like distance from outlet and cross section geometry and the hydraulic dependent indices ramping rate and dewatering rate. These relations could be a method for initial assessment of the effect of hydropeaking on rivers and a foundation for deciding on where more detailed studies will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchs are common, iconic species in public aquaria; their wild counterparts are key members of marine ecosystems. Post-mortem examination is a critical tool for disease monitoring of wild elasmobranchs and for management of those under human care. Careful necropsy of the head, with a focus on clinically relevant anatomy, can ensure that proper samples are collected, increasing the chance of presumptive diagnoses prior to slower diagnostic workup. Immediate feedback from a thorough head necropsy allows for faster management decisions, often identifying pathogens, routes of pathogen entry, and pathogenesis, which are current shortcomings in published literature. This article proposes a protocol for necropsy of the elasmobranch chondrocranium, emphasizing unique anatomy and careful dissection, evaluation, and sampling of the endolymphatic pores and ducts, inner ears, brain, and olfactory system as part of a complete, whole-body necropsy. Extensive use of cytology and microbiology, along with thorough sample collection for histology and molecular biology, has proven effective in identifying a wide range of pathogens and assisting with characterization of pathogenesis. The cause of mortality is often identified from a head necropsy alone, but does not replace a thorough whole-body dissection. This protocol for necropsy and ancillary diagnostic sample collection and evaluation was developed and implemented in the necropsy of 189 wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs across 18 species over 13 years (2011–2023) in California. Using this chondrocranial approach, meningoencephalitis was determined to be the primary cause of mortality in 70% (118/168) of stranded wild and aquarium-housed elasmobranchs. Etiology was largely bacterial or protozoal. Carnobacterium maltaromaticum bacterial meningoencephalitis occurred in salmon sharks (Lamna ditropis), shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus), common thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus), and one Pacific electric ray (Tetronarce californica). Miamiensis avidus was the most common cause of protozoal meningoencephalitis and found almost exclusively in leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) and bat rays (Myliobatis californica) that stranded in San Francisco Bay. Bacterial pathogens were found to use an endolymphatic route of entry, while protozoa entered via the nares and olfactory lamellae. Trauma was the second most common cause of mortality and responsible for 14% (24/168) of wild shark strandings and deaths of aquarium-housed animals.

Ocean currents, driven by gravity, wind, and water density, disperse marine biota worldwide, often leading species to shorelines alive or as carcasses. These carcasses provide vital information about species' health conditions and threats within their habitats. Marine animal strandings thus offer crucial insights into the ecological implications of population mortality. This research is instrumental for conservation efforts and identifying trends and threats. Scientists use human and animal forensics approaches to trace the origins of beached bodies. The capability to backtrack carcass drift and estimate death sites helps evaluate anthropogenic impacts. This information also forms the basis for legal applications and gives ecological indicators for marine megafauna conservation. Using backtracking in forensic ecology for conservation research presents expansive investigative opportunities. This paper offers a comprehensive review of: 1) Physical and environmental processes; 2) Drift applications; 3) Marine megafauna examples; 4) Forensic principles; 5) Postmortem intervals; 6) Marine megafauna backtracking. We further discuss these findings' potential conservation applications for endangered species. Our review aims to enhance understanding of coastal animal distribution, estimate mortality rates from strandings, explore seasonal variations for beach monitoring programs, and investigate anthropogenic impacts.

Following the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka, a stranded spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) was recovered, and the cause of death was investigated. Post-mortem examinations revealed evidence of by-catch, but a natural coinfection with dolphin morbillivirus (DMV) and gammaherpesvirus was detected by further analyses, marking the first documented case of a dual viral infection in this species within the region. Molecular diagnostics, including PCR and sequencing, were performed on tissue imprints collected on FTA® cards, confirming the presence of DMV in the prescapular lymph node and gammaherpesvirus in the lesions in the oral cavity. The concurrent detection of DMV and gammaherpesvirus raises significant concerns regarding the potential impacts of environmental stressors, such as chemical pollutants from the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, on exacerbating susceptibility to viral infections in marine mammals. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of cetacean populations in the Indian Ocean to better understand pathogen circulation and health and conservation implications of anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem.

On the 21st of May 2023, a dead adult male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) of 13 m in length and estimated weight of around 18,000 kg was reportedly stranded at Playa Los Nogales, La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. A necropsy was performed 48hpm. A 50 cm diameter and 9.5 kg coprolite was found obstructing the caudal colon-rectal lumen. Necro-hemorrhagic lesions were found in heart muscles and three different bacteria of intestinal origin were isolated and identified (Edwarsiella tarda, Hathewaya limosa and Clostridium perfringens). It is reported a lethal septicemia of intestinal origin associated with ambergris coprolite as cause of death in this sperm whale.

Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are endangered by anthropogenic threats. Characterizing the physiologic response of leatherback turtles under various stressors may inform conservation strategies. In this study, a commercially available enzyme immunoassay for aldosterone was validated for leatherback turtle plasma, and it was used with previously validated assays for corticosterone and free thyroxine (fT4) to evaluate the physiologic status of leatherback turtles that were entangled in fishing gear, stranded on shore, nesting or intentionally captured at sea during ecologic studies. Mean aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher in entangled turtles (156 ± 102 pg/ml), stranded turtles (274 ± 165 pg/ml) and intentionally captured turtles (457 ± 464 pg/ml) than in nesting females (23 ± 16 pg/ml). In contrast, nesting females had higher fT4 (2.9 ± 0.6 pg/ml) compared to entangled turtles (0.8 ± 0.9 pg/ml), stranded turtles (0.7 ± 0.8 pg/ml) and intentionally captured turtles (0.3 ± 0.2 pg/ml). Corticosterone concentrations were significantly higher in stranded individuals (10.9 ± 6.6 ng/ml) compared with nesting (3.8 ± 2.0 ng/ml) and intentionally captured turtles (3.6 ± 2.5 ng/ml), with intermediate levels in entangled turtles (5.1 ± 2.8 ng/ml). This study provides additional insight into the variable physiologic status of leatherback turtles under the influence of different anthropogenic and natural stressors, and it provides an additional tool to evaluate the role of aldosterone in the acute stress response and health of endangered sea turtle species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The East Asian finless porpoise is a common whale along Chinese coasts. The coast of the Shandong Peninsula is a substantial habitat for the species. However, there is relatively insufficient knowledge of and protection measures for the species population in this region. Based on public literature, media, and internet social websites, we collected and analyzed over two hundred reports on the stranding and accidental catching of finless porpoises along the coast of the Shandong Peninsula from 2000 to 2018. We found that bycatch and stranding incidents occurred widely across the peninsula throughout all seasons. The extensive use of fishing gear was the principal cause of porpoise mortalities and injuries along Shandong Peninsula. We recommend a comprehensive network consisting of an incident reporting system, fishing gear regulations, and scientific monitoring plans to protect the cetacean species in this region. The Shandong Peninsula is located on the western coast of the Pacific and is adjacent to the Bohai Sea (BS) and the Yellow Sea (YS) to the east. The East Asian finless porpoise Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri, a subspecies of the narrow-ridged finless porpoise N. asiaeorientalis, is the dominant cetacean resident along the Shandong Peninsula. However, there is insufficient monitoring data to determine the status of the cetacean species in this region. Based on the publicly available literature, media, and internet social website, this study investigated the spatial–temporal distribution of porpoise stranding and bycatch along the coast of the Shandong Peninsula. Data on over five hundred porpoises from two hundred reports between 2000 and 2018 were compiled and analyzed. Results showed that the bycatch and stranding of porpoises occurred widely across the peninsula throughout all months and increased rapidly between 2010 and 2017. The incidents were more frequent in the area where the BS and YS converged during the spring and early summer than in other seasons. The mean body length of bycaught porpoises was smaller than that of those found stranded. Fishing activities could be the principal cause of local finless porpoise incidents. However, limited data hindered a quantitative evaluation of the living conditions of finless porpoises in this area. Establishing a comprehensive monitoring system, which includes standardized reporting, rescue operations, and scientific research, is essential to finless porpoise protection along the Shandong Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Odontaspis ferox (confirmed by mtDNA barcoding) were found in the English Channel and Celtic Sea in 2023 at Lepe, UK (50.7846, −1.3508), Kilmore Quay, Ireland (52.1714, −6.5937), and Lyme Bay, UK (50.6448, −2.9302). These are the first records of O. ferox in either country, and extend the species' range by over three degrees of latitude, to >52° N. They were ~275 (female), 433 (female), and 293 cm (male) total length, respectively. These continue a series of new records, possibly indicative of a climate change−induced shift in the species' range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) is a widespread species inhabiting both hemispheres. Information on the penetration of this species into Russian waters is extremely scarce, although this is a fairly common species in adjacent waters. In this paper, we provide new data on stranding and overview the occurrence of Risso's dolphin in Russia. In 2020, a Risso's dolphin was stranded in Primorsky Region and died. The dolphin was a male, 337 cm long, surpassing the size of all known conspecifics in the western North Pacific. Histological analysis of the lung tissue showed extensive fibrosis. There were coronulid barnacles Xenobalanus globicipitis attached to the dolphin's fluke, which apparently related to the dolphin's health status. Information about the presence of Xenobalanus in Russia is almost completely absent in the literature, despite the existence of specialized works on biofouling on cetaceans. Throughout the all history of observations in Russian waters, Risso's dolphin sightings were reported at three occasions off the southern Kurils and the Commander Islands, and once in the Bering Sea. Stranded dead animals were reported at the northern Kuril Islands. Two cases of live strandings are now known for Primorsky Region. Russian waters may serve for occasional entries but are not part of Risso's dolphin's normal range due to oceanological conditions of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trauma from stingray spines (caudal barbs) has been intermittently documented as a cause of mild to fatal illness in odontocetes, particularly bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), as well as in pinnipeds, sirenians, the loggerhead sea turtle, great white shark, and cobia. Although stingray spines have been noted to cause serious injury to various organ systems, their potential involvement in cetacean reproductive tract pathology has not been previously described. In North America, published descriptions of wild cetacean strandings associated with stingray spines have all involved bottlenose dolphins in the southeastern United States, plus a bottlenose dolphin and a common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) in Mexico. In 2018, uterine rupture was observed in a gravid bottlenose dolphin found deceased in Florida with stingray spine penetration into the abdominal cavity. Gross necropsy and histopathology findings were compatible with the stingray spine being involved with the rupture. To provide fuller insight into the case, a scientific literature review was conducted, and results of an unpublished 1998 necropsy involving a coastal female bottlenose dolphin that stranded in the northeastern state of Massachusetts with stingray spine presence was reviewed. Additionally, a query of the nationwide U.S. marine mammal stranding database was conducted for stingray spine-associated cetacean strandings from 1995 to 2019. Of 61 cetacean strandings revealed in the query to involve stingray spine presence, 59 were bottlenose dolphins from the southeastern U.S. states, plus Puerto Rico and Virginia; a bottlenose dolphin in southern California and a shortfinned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) were also noted. Query results did not support a bottlenose dolphin sex predilection for stingray spine-associated strandings; most such strandings involved adults. Behavioral, environmental, anthropogenic, and climatic events may influence marine mammal-stingray interactions. Continued vigilance for stingray spine-associated pathologic changes is warranted during marine mammal stranding investigations at diverse geographic sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endemic Caspian seal Pusa caspica breeds on land-fast ice or stable drift ice in the northern Caspian Sea. Breeding has rarely been reported in the ice-free south-eastern Caspian Sea. Five carcases of white-coat Caspian seal pups were recovered from the southern Caspian Sea, Iran, during 2019–2022. From survey interviews, two white-coat Caspian seal pups were also observed in Amirabad and between Ghorogh and Rudsar. These records represent very late pupping dates compared to normal pupping periods. Coastal Iran should be surveyed annually for Caspian seal pups to determine frequency of breeding and areas of importance identified in the Iran Caspian Seal Action Plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of wood species on the performance of the strander-canting process were studied. Logs of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) were processed under two temperature conditions (-13.3 °C and 22.3 °C). The cutting and feed speeds, rake angle, cutting width, and strand thickness were kept constant. The strander-canting process was evaluated by the strand dimensions and yield, as well as by the energy requirements. The results showed that wood species significantly affected the proportions of strands and fines, maximum power, mean energy consumption, and specific cutting energy when processing the logs under frozen conditions. In unfrozen conditions, wood species only affected the strand width and the maximum power. Unfrozen logs produced higher proportions of strands and a lower volume of pin chips and fines than frozen logs. The maximum power, mean energy consumption, and specific cutting energy were, on average, 2 to 4 times higher for the processing frozen logs than for unfrozen logs.

A national cetacean stranding response program in Taiwan has evolved significantly in the past three decades. Initially co-ordinated by National Taiwan University from 1994, the program transitioned to the Taiwan Cetacean Society in 1999, and local governments took on a more prominent role after 2009. A comprehensive stranding database (1994–2018) has been maintained, which documented 1320 stranding events involving 1698 animals from at least 27 species. The most commonly stranded species include finless porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, Kogia spp., and Risso’s dolphins. The stranding rates varied annually and seasonally, with increases noted from an average of 16 events per year for the first 3 years to 44–58 events per year between 1997 and 2015, and a sharp rise to over 90 events per year for the period of the last three years. Seasonal variations were also significant, with higher stranding rates during the northeastern monsoon (NEM, October to next April) than that during southwestern monsoon (SWM, May to September). From the aspect of distribution, more frequent and even strandings occurred along the coast of northern Taiwan, while mass strandings were concentrated in the southwestern counties during NEM. Among all strandings, 390 events (29.5%) and 660 animals (38.9%) were live ones. Under great effort in rescuing and rehabilitating 52 cases, 15 cetacean individuals have been released since 2000. Additionally, there have been 56 mass strandings involving at least 11 species since 1994, predominated by pygmy killer whales, particularly during the NEM season along the southwest coast. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the stranding patterns and diversity of the cetaceans in Taiwan, but also provides valuable insights for future conservation strategies on cetaceans in the western Pacific.

Chagas disease, a significant public health concern in the Americas, is caused by a protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi. The life cycle of T. cruzi involves kissing bugs (Triatoma spp.) functioning as vectors and mammalian species serving as hosts. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) have been identified as important reservoir species in the life cycle of T. cruzi, but prevalence in both species in the southeastern US is currently understudied. We quantified T. cruzi prevalence in these two key reservoir species across our study area in South Carolina, US, and identified factors that may influence parasite detection. We collected whole blood from 183 raccoons and 126 opossums and used PCR to detect the presence of T. cruzi. We then used generalized linear models with parasite detection status as a binary response variable and predictor variables of land cover, distance to water, sex, season, and species. Our analysis indicated that raccoons experienced significantly higher parasite detection rates than Virginia opossums, with T. cruzi prevalence found to be 26.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.0-33.8) in raccoons and 10.5% (95% CI, 5.51-17.5) in opossums. Overall, our results concur with previous studies, in that T. cruzi is established in reservoir host populations in natural areas of the southeastern US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective study was conducted to categorize and describe the causes of mortality in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) along the British Columbia coast that presented to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre (MMR) for rehabilitation from 2012 to 2020. Medical records for 1,279 predominantly perinatal live-stranded harbor seals recovered in this region were reviewed. Approximately 20.0% (256 individuals; 137 males, 118 females, 1 unknown) of these animals died while at MMR. Infectious disease was the most common cause of death, accounting for 60.5% of mortality across all age classes. This was followed by nonanthropogenic trauma (7.1%), metabolic illness (5.4%), nutritional deficiency (5.0%), parasitic illness (5.0%), congenital disorders (2.5%), and human-associated trauma (0.4%). Pups were the most common age class (87.4%) amongst mortalities and predominantly died of an infectious process (62.5%). Phocid herpesvirus-1 infection was identified in 18.9% of the mortalities, with the highest prevalence occurring in 2019 (30.8%). Fungal disease was detected in six seals: three cases of pulmonary mycosis due to Cryptococcus gattii and three cases consistent with mucormycosis. In six cases, mortality was attributed to congenital disorders. Two of these cases involved axial skeletal malformities that are not currently described in the literature. This is the first study to describe the causes of mortality in harbor seals undergoing rehabilitation in British Columbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July 2022, two Risso's dolphins were reported stranded in Hrútafjörður (N65° 09,503; W21° 05,529), a fjord in northern Iceland. These events represent the first confirmed observations and strandings of Risso's dolphins in Icelandic waters. Given the uniqueness of these events, a decision was made to conduct full necropsies on these individuals. This study reports findings from viral and parasitological investigations, morphological and fitness measurements, as well as stomach and intestine content analysis for each of the Risso's dolphin specimens. The results of the necropsies do not suggest any other cause of death than lack of food and exhaustion. A large plastic fragment in one individual's stomach supports these suggestions. The presence of those specimens in the middle of the subarctic ocean illustrates ongoing changes in spatial distribution expanding northward, impacting not only Risso's dolphins but more generally marine life and biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every fall, juvenile sea turtles in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are threatened by rapidly declining water temperatures. When sea turtles become hypothermic, or cold-stunned, they lose mobility--either at the surface, subsurface, or the bottom of the water column--and eventually strand at the shoreline where rescue teams associated with the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network may search for them. Understanding the effects of ocean currents on the potential stranding locations of cold-stunned sea turtles is essential to better understand stranding hotspots and increase the probability of successful discovery and recovery of turtles before they die in the cold temperatures. Traditional oceanographic drifters--instruments used to track currents--have been used to examine relationships between current and stranding locations in Cape Cod Bay, but these drifters are not representative of sea turtle morphology and do not assess how bottom currents affect stranding locations. To address these knowledge gaps, we designed new drifters that represent the shape and dimensions of sea turtles--one that can float at the surface and one that sinks to the bottom--to track both surface and bottom currents in Cape Cod Bay. We found a marked difference between the trajectories of our new drifter models and those that were previously used for similar research. These findings bring us one step closer to identifying the transport pathways for cold-stunned sea turtles and optimizing cold-stunned sea turtle search and rescue efforts in Cape Cod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first record of a stranded specimen of Cymbulia parvidentata, a pteropod species of Atlantic origin, in the Ligurian Sea. On 27 February 2022, six C. peronii and one C. parvidentata were collected on Borgio-Verezzi Beach (Savona, Italy - 44.16° N, 8.304633° W). Specimens were examined morphologically and biometrically. Measurements (length, width, height and wet weight) separated the two taxa, C. peronii being larger than C. parvidentata. The finding of C. parvidentata, which has only occasionally been reported in southern Italy, is remarkable and may be due to ascending Atlantic water (AW) pulses that reach the Ligurian Sea. This finding adds to the previous knowledge of other pelagic species of Atlantic origin that were found in the Ligurian Sea, suggesting the possibility of major on-going changes and a general “Atlantification”. In order to determine the frequency of such events, it will be highly desirable to design specific citizen-science campaigns.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) causes illness and death in cetaceans worldwide; the CeMV strains circulating in the Southern Hemisphere are poorly known. We detected a pilot whale CeMV strain in 3 short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in Brazil during July–October 2020. Our results confirm this virus circulates in this species.

Analyses of the spatial and temporal patterns of 26 years of stranding events (1995–2011 and 2012–2021, n = 568) in Indonesia were conducted to improve the country’s stranding response. The Emerging Hot Spot Analysis was used to obtain the spatial and temporal hotspot patterns. A total of 92.4% events were single stranding, while the remaining were of mass stranding events. More stranding events were recorded between 2012 and 2021 in more dispersed locations compared to the previous period. Within the constraints of our sampling limitations, East Kalimantan and Bali were single stranding hotspots and consecutive hotspots. East Java and Sabu-Raijua in East Nusa Tenggara were mass stranding hotspots. Temporally, Raja Ampat (West Papua) experienced a significant increase in case numbers. The presence of active NGOs, individuals or government agencies in some locations might have inflated the numbers of reported cases compared to areas with less active institutions and/or individuals. However, our results still give a good understanding of the progression of Indonesia’s stranding responses and good guidance of resource allocation for the stranding network. Several locations in Indonesia that need more efforts (e.g., more training workshops on rescue and necropsies) have been identified in this paper. Suggestions to improve data collection (including georeferencing tips) have also been included.

The effects of wood species on the performance of the strander-canting process were studied. Logs of balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) were processed under two temperature conditions (-13.3 °C and 22.3 °C). The cutting and feed speeds, rake angle, cutting width, and strand thickness were kept constant. The strander-canting process was evaluated by the strand dimensions and yield, as well as by the energy requirements. The results showed that wood species significantly affected the proportions of strands and fines, maximum power, mean energy consumption, and specific cutting energy when processing the logs under frozen conditions. In unfrozen conditions, wood species only affected the strand width and the maximum power. Unfrozen logs produced higher proportions of strands and a lower volume of pin chips and fines than frozen logs. The maximum power, mean energy consumption, and specific cutting energy were, on average, 2 to 4 times higher for the processing frozen logs than for unfrozen logs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ginkgo-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) is one of the least-known cetaceans in the world, with a formerly recognised distribution that included temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters in the North and South Pacific and Indian Oceans. We report an additional specimen of this species, which also represents the northernmostknown specimen—an adult male found dead, stranded on the coast of Hokkaido, northernmost Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strandings of striped dolphins (SD) and short-finned pilot whales (PW) in Hokkaido, northern Japan, are rare but have recently increased, probably due to global warming. We quantified δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O in muscles of SD (n = 7) and PW (n = 3) stranded in Hokkaido and compared these values with those in muscles (red meat products) of hunted SD and PW in three areas of central and southern Japan. δ18O in stranded SD, except for the calf, decreased with increasing body length (BL), whereas δ13C increased, with no BL-related changes in δ15N. The variability of δ18O (range of maximum and minimum) was larger in the stranded SD (7.5 ‰) than of the hunted SD in three areas (0.9, 1.9, and 1.4 ‰), whereas that of δ15N was smaller in the stranded SD than in the hunted SD. Similarly, the variability of δ18O was larger in the stranded PW in Hokkaido (3.3 ‰) than in the hunted PW in central Japan (1.4 ‰). The larger variability of δ18O and smaller variability of δ15N in stranded SD imply long-term sojourning in coastal waters and feeding on small amounts of limited prey species at low trophic levels before death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The by-the-wind sailor Velella velella is a cosmopolitan, pleustonic colonial hydrozoan, common in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms offshore aggregations that occasionally strand on the coasts, following strong wind conditions. Colonies are frequently discovered around Janthina pallida Janthina pallida, a pleustonic gastropod that feeds on them and floats on the secretion of a bubble raft. Because of the massive occurrence of these species along the Italian coasts, and their often neglected ecological roles, it is pivotal to increase the knowledge of their genetic structure. Analyses of the genetic variability of V. velella and J. pallida, stranded on the beach in springs 2016 and 2017 at ten locations along the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas, show the existence of panmictic Mediterranean populations. Nevertheless, V. velella showed high genetic variability with a high number of singleton haplotypes, while J. pallida showed a recent population expansion. Considering the ecological and socio-economic importance of gelatinous zooplankton in today's changing marine ecosystems, these results lay the basis for a better understanding of the ecological role and population dynamics of Mediterranean pleustonic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southeast Asia is the world's most polluted area in terms of marine plastics. The Mekong River is one of the largest rivers in the area, and ranked as somewhere between the 8th- and 11th-biggest contributor to plastics in the world's oceans. Here, we investigate how microplastics drift from the Mekong river to Southeast Asia, and which coastlines are most exposed. We identify potential factors (wind drift, rivers, vertical mixing and sinking rates) that affect plastic drift in the region using the OpenDrift model with realistic wind and ocean currents for simulations between three months (summer and winter) and 15 months. We find that the seasonal drift is influenced by the monsoon systems and that most of the plastics strand in the Philippines and Indonesia. In addition, the role of wind drift is significant in strong winds. Vertical mixing and sinking rates are unknowns that affect the relative importance of wind drift (near the surface) and ocean currents. Simulations with different terminal velocities show that, unsurprisingly, the higher the terminal velocities are, the closer they deposit to the source. In light of the large uncertainties in sinking rates, we find that the plastic distribution has large uncertainties, but is clearly seasonal and influenced by wind, vertical mixing, river discharge and sinking rates. The Philippines and Indonesia are found to have the coastlines that are most exposed to plastic pollution from the Mekong river. This study shows that simulations of marine plastic drift are very variable, depending on many factors and assumptions. However, it provides more detailed information on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia, and hopefully helps authorities take more practical actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In July 2022, two Risso's dolphins were reported stranded in Hrútafjörður (N65° 09,503; W21° 05,529), a fjord in northern Iceland. These events represent the first confirmed observations and strandings of Risso's dolphins in Icelandic waters. Given the uniqueness of these events, a decision was made to conduct full necropsies on these individuals. This study reports findings from viral and parasitological investigations, morphological and fitness measurements, as well as stomach and intestine content analysis for each of the Risso's dolphin specimens. The results of the necropsies do not suggest any other cause of death than lack of food and exhaustion. A large plastic fragment in one individual's stomach supports these suggestions. The presence of those specimens in the middle of the subarctic ocean illustrates ongoing changes in spatial distribution expanding northward, impacting not only Risso's dolphins but more generally marine life and biodiversity.

Every fall, juvenile sea turtles in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean are threatened by rapidly declining water temperatures. When sea turtles become hypothermic, or cold-stunned, they lose mobility—either at the surface, subsurface, or the bottom of the water column—and eventually strand at the shoreline where rescue teams associated with the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network may search for them. Understanding the effects of ocean currents on the potential stranding locations of cold-stunned sea turtles is essential to better understand stranding hotspots and increase the probability of successful discovery and recovery of turtles before they die in the cold temperatures. Traditional oceanographic drifters—instruments used to track currents—have been used to examine relationships between current and stranding locations in Cape Cod Bay, but these drifters are not representative of sea turtle morphology and do not assess how bottom currents affect stranding locations. To address these knowledge gaps, we designed new drifters that represent the shape and dimensions of sea turtles—one that can float at the surface and one that sinks to the bottom—to track both surface and bottom currents in Cape Cod Bay. We found a marked difference between the trajectories of our new drifter models and those that were previously used for similar research. These findings bring us one step closer to identifying the transport pathways for cold-stunned sea turtles and optimizing cold-stunned sea turtle search and rescue efforts in Cape Cod.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) has caused several outbreaks, unusual mortality events, and interepidemic single-lethal disease episodes in the Mediterranean Sea. Since 2012, a new strain with a northeast (NE) Atlantic origin has been circulating among Mediterranean cetaceans, causing numerous deaths. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CeMV in cetaceans stranded in Italy between 2018 and 2021 and characterize the strain of CeMV circulating. Out of the 354 stranded cetaceans along the Italian coastlines, 113 were CeMV-positive. This prevalence (31.9%) is one of the highest reported without an associated outbreak. All marine sectors along the Italian coastlines, except for the northern Adriatic coast, reported a positive molecular diagnosis of CeMV. In one-third of the CeMV-positive cetaceans submitted to a histological evaluation, a chronic form of the infection (detectable viral antigen, the absence of associated lesions, and concomitant coinfections) was suspected. Tissues from 24 animals were used to characterize the strain, obtaining 57 sequences from phosphoprotein, nucleocapsid, and fusion protein genes, which were submitted to GenBank. Our sequences showed the highest identity with NE-Atlantic strain sequences, and in the phylogenetic study, they clustered together with them. Regarding age and species, most of these individuals were adults (17/24, 70.83%) and striped dolphins (19/24, 79.16%). This study improves our understanding on the NE-Atlantic CeMV strain in the Italian waters, supporting the hypothesis of an endemic circulation of the virus in this area; however, additional studies are necessary to deeply comprehend the epidemiology of this strain in the Mediterranean Sea.