Abstract:

Histopathology was performed on 15 necropsy cases from stranded common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from 2016 - 2017. Age class ranged from perinate (114cm length) to adult (257cm length) with 6 males and 9 females included. Cause of death was established in 8/15 cases with the remaining 7 cases unable to be determined primarily due to autolysis. Brucella PCR was performed on 14/15 cases and was found to be positive on 4 cases. Causes of death included trauma, severe pneumonia, renal and vascular amyloidosis fetal distress and emaciation. Additional pathological findings included moderate endocardiosis, moderate endocardiosis and moderate lung worm. These findings aim to improve understanding of the causes of high mortality in the Barataria Bay dolphin population and to provide additional information on the potential chronic effects of oil exposure following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Suggested Citation:

Kathleen Colegrove, Forrest Gomez and Cynthia Smith. 2019. Histopathological findings for tissues collected from common bottlenose dolphins stranded in Barataria Bay, Louisiana from 2016-05-07 to 2017-05-14. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/TWVYGWJ7

Purpose:

Provide additional information regarding the causes of mortality in Barataria Bay dolphins and into the chronic health effects of oil exposure.

Data Parameters and Units:

Exam.ID Identification number for each histopathology case Strand.Date Date of carcass stranding (YYYY-mm-dd) Strand.Location Location of carcass stranding Age.Class Age class of the stranded dolphin based on length: perinate, neonate, calf, subadult, or adult Length.cm Total body length measured in cm Sex Male or Female Condition.Code Carcass condition code (1 = Fresh 2 = Mild decomposition 3 = Moderate decomposition 4 = Autolysis) Major.Findings Major pathological findings Brain.Examined Indicates whether brain tissue was available for histologic examination. Brucella.PCR Bruella PCR result: not determined, positive, or negative Tissues.tested Biological tissues sampled for Brucella Tissues.positive Biological tissue that tested positive for brucella

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