Okeanis, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.
Ambio. 2010 Nov;39(7):455-62. doi: 10.1007/s13280-010-0066-8.
The prevalence of epidermal conditions in a small population of coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Monterey Bay was evaluated between 2006 and 2008. Five different skin condition categories were considered, including Pox-Like Lesions, Discoloration, Orange Film, Polygon Lesions, and Miscellaneous Markings. Of 147 adults and 42 calves photographically examined, at least 90 and 71%, respectively, were affected by at least one or multiple conditions. Pox-Like Lesions were the most prevalent, affecting 80% of the population, including adults and calves. This condition warrants the most urgent investigation being possibly indicative of the widespread presence of poxvirus or a similar pathogen in the population. In view of the high number of individuals affected, standard monitoring of the health status of Monterey Bay bottlenose dolphins is considered imperative. Discoloration was strongly associated with Pox-Like lesions. Orange Films were likely an epifaunal infestation caused by diatoms, which have been documented in other cetacean species. Polygon Lesions, a newly described category, could be the result of infestation by barnacles of the genus Cryptolepas. Miscellaneous Markings were variable in appearance and may not have the same causative factor. Although none of the proposed etiologies can be confirmed without appropriate clinical tests, recognizing common visible characteristics of the conditions could aid in preliminary comparisons across populations and individuals.
在 2006 年至 2008 年期间，评估了蒙特雷湾一小部分沿海宽吻海豚（Tursiops truncatus）中表皮状况的流行情况。考虑了五种不同的皮肤状况类别，包括痘状病变、变色、橙色膜、多边形病变和杂类标记。在拍摄照片检查的 147 头成体和 42 头幼豚中，分别至少有 90%和 71%受到一种或多种状况的影响。痘状病变最为普遍，影响了 80%的群体，包括成体和幼豚。这种状况最需要紧急调查，可能表明该群体中广泛存在痘病毒或类似病原体。鉴于受影响的个体数量众多，被认为有必要对蒙特雷湾宽吻海豚的健康状况进行标准监测。变色与痘状病变密切相关。橙色膜可能是由硅藻引起的附生感染，在其他鲸目动物物种中已有记录。新描述的多边形病变可能是藤壶属（Cryptolepas）藤壶寄生的结果。杂类标记外观多变，可能没有相同的致病因素。虽然没有适当的临床测试就无法确认任何提出的病因，但识别这些状况的常见可见特征可以有助于在种群和个体之间进行初步比较。
