Search results for "striped dolphin"
showing 5 items of 5 documents
Evaluating the presence of microplastics in striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
2020
Litter is a well-known problem for marine species; however, we still know little about the extent to which they're affected by microplastics. In this study, we analyse the presence of this type of debris in Western Mediterranean striped dolphins' intestinal contents over three decades. Results indicated that frequency was high, as 90.5% of dolphins contained microplastics. Of these microplastics, 73.6% were fibres, 23.87% were fragments and 2.53% were primary pellets. In spite of the high frequency of occurrence, microplastic amount per dolphin was relatively low and highly variable (mean ± SD = 14.9 ± 22.3; 95% CI: 9.58–23.4). Through FT-IR spectrometry, we found that polyacrylamide, typic…
Are epizoites biological indicators of a western Mediterranean striped dolphin die-off?
1994
During a die-off of Mediterranean striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba in 1990-91, 82 individuals stranded on the Spanish coast were examined for crustacean ectoparasites and epizoites. Six species were detected: Syncyarnus aequus, PenneUa sp., Xenobalanus globicipitis, Conchoderma virgatum, Lepas pectinata and Lepas cf. hillii. The barnacles L. pectinata and L. cf. hillii are reported here for the first time on cetaceans; they were attached to the teeth. C. virgaturn was also found on the teeth; this is an unusual attachment on cetaceans. X. globicipitis showed a higher prevalence on the dolphins studied than on those stranded in the same months before (1980 to 1990) and after (1991 to 1…
An insight into the status of the striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, of the southern Tyrrenian Sea
2007
Drift-nets are known to result in high incidental catches of some cetacean species. Despite a UN moratorium on their use in the high seas and a ban in the Mediterranean by all European Union countries, including Italy (EC Reg. 1239/98), some fisheries continue to operate illegally. In 2002 and 2003 three line-transect surveys were conducted in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea around the Aeolian archipelago. These transects were designed to assess the presence, distribution and population size of cetacean species likely to be affected by accidental captures in this area. Data were only sufficient to estimate abundance for the striped dolphin. The best estimate (and first such estimate for this ar…
Assessment of microplastics and other contaminants in marine vertebrates from the Western Mediterranean Sea
2023
Mediterranean marine biodiversity is under threat by pollution. For this reason, the main objective of this thesis was to analyse the presence of pollutants of concern in Mediterranean marine species. These studies are located in the Valencian Community (Spain), where we find loggerhead turtles, striped dolphins, and jewel lanternfish. Hence, we: 1. Analysed pesticides, heavy metals and phthalates in tissues of loggerhead turtles. 2. Studied microdebris present in beaches that are sporadically used as nesting grounds by loggerhead turtles. 3. Analysed striped dolphins# exposure to microplastics. 4. Quantified jewel lanternfish exposure to microplastics and tested their role as bioindicators…
Stranding patterns of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, Meyen 1833, Delphinidae) along the Sicilian coast (Mediterranean Sea)
2019
Along the coasts of Sicily, 73 striped dolphins strandings were recorded from 2013 to 2016. The specimens were collected at the Centro di Monitoraggio e Controllo per Tartarughe marine e Cetacei [Monitoring and Control Centre for Marine Turtles and Cetaceans] at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia. Subsequent necropsies were performed to determine the cause of death. The date and stranding location were recorded for each specimen. Total body length, weight, sex, and other key biometric measurements were also recorded for fresh and moderately decomposed specimens. The individuals were divided into three life stage categories on the basis of total body length: (1) newborns…