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A total of 64 stranded cetaceans from the northeast USA and southeast Florida Gulf coastlines were sampled for bacteria during the period 1984 to 1990. Thirty-six individuals were dead when examined and 27 were alive but died shortly after stranding; one was released. Cultures were recovered from a variety of external and internal surfaces. Species of Vibrio were isolated from all Florida strandings; V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. damsela represented 35% of the total number of isolates (382). Vibrios were recovered from 10 individuals from the northeast; the 3 species above accounted for 17 % of the total (139) and were most common from strandings between May and September. Other bacteria which represented 2 5 " A of the total number of isolates in one or both areas included Edwardsiella tarda, A4organella/Proteus/Provjdencja spp., Pseudornonas putrefaciens, and other pseudomonads. Some geographical differences were noted.

Ray spines were found associated with various tissues on necropsy of seven Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). In at least six cases they were considered a major factor in the death of the animal. Three mature Tursiops had ray spines located in the lung parenchyma. In two other dolphins the ray spine punctured the lateral chest wall without entering the lung tissue. A sixth Tursiops contained a ray spine located in the liver tissue, while a seventh animal had a ray spine lodged in the pancreas. Five of the dolphins were wild individuals and two had been in captivity for more than one year. These findings indicate that beached dolphins and dolphins in captivity with a chronic history of illness should be examined for the presence of ray spines. Caution should be used in maintaining mixed exhibits of dolphins with stingray species.