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Post-mortem examination on a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) reveals a potential fatal interaction with bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Italian waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2024

Davide Ascheri Open the ORCID record for Davide Ascheri [Opens in a new window] ,
Elena Fontanesi ,
Letizia Marsili ,
Enrica Berio ,
Fulvio Garibaldi ,
Maria Goria ,
Laura Serracca ,
Alessandro Dondo ,
Cristina Esmeralda di Francesco  and
Katia Varello
...Show all authors
Davide Ascheri*
Affiliation:
Delfini Del Ponente APS, Imperia, Italy
Elena Fontanesi
Affiliation:
Delfini Del Ponente APS, Imperia, Italy
Letizia Marsili
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, della Terra e dell'Ambiente, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca sui Cetacei (CIRCE), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Enrica Berio
Affiliation:
Department of Prevention, Local Veterinary Services (ASL1 Imperiese), Imperia, Italy
Fulvio Garibaldi
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università di Genova, Genova, Italy
Maria Goria
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Laura Serracca
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Alessandro Dondo
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Cristina Esmeralda di Francesco
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
Katia Varello
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Cristina Casalone
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Federica Giorda
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
Carla Grattarola
Affiliation:
Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy
*
Corresponding author: Davide Ascheri; Email: davide.ascheri@gmail.com
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Abstract

Despite attacks of bottlenose dolphins towards conspecifics and other species of dolphins being reported worldwide, inside the Mediterranean Sea these behaviours are still considered sporadic and have been, to date, only recorded in Spain and France, mostly directed to striped dolphins. In this work, we reported the necropsy outcomes of a dead striped dolphin that suggest a fatal interaction with bottlenose dolphins inside the Italian side of the Pelagos Sanctuary, Western Ligurian Sea. Results from the post-mortem examination showed multiple, multifocal external rake marks spaced 1–1.2 cm and several internal injuries, consisting of subcutaneous and muscular haematomas and haemorrhages, multiple vertebral and rib fractures, haemothorax and lung laceration. The inter-tooth distance and all the internal findings were consistent with a fatal traumatic interaction with bottlenose dolphins as reported in similar cases in other parts of the world where the same results were found. No other significant gross and microscopic findings and concurrent significant pathogens were detected. This case highlights the existence of negative interspecific interactions in an area where they have never been reported before and adds new important information to the literature for understanding their occurrence, expanding the geographical range of observation in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Keywords

aggressive behaviourbottlenose dolphininterspecific interactionsPelagos Sanctuarystriped dolphin

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 104 , 2024 , e4
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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