Osteological alterations in the tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis (cetacea, delphinidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. We present a description of osteological alterations observed in the tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853) from a sample of 43 specimens. Fractures were the most frequent alterations in the sample (16%), occurring in various regions of the skeleton such as the ribs, hyoid apparatus, transverse and neural processes of vertebrae and scapula. We observed three individuals with ankylosis between the cervical vertebrae and two individuals with morphological changes (cranio-caudally elongated hemal arch and flattened cranial margin of the scapula). The only observed pathology was a case of osteomyelitis in the left dentary, which caused the loss of teeth, deformation of the associated alveoli and the formation of a medial fistula (lingual) for drainage of purulent material. This represents the first record of osteomyelitis in S. fluviatilis.

Osteo-pathological analysis provides evidence for a survived historical ship strike in a Southern Hemisphere fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

“…This motion and the continued forward motion of the ship may have brought the lumbar region of the whale into contact with the keel (Figs 17 and 18 ) or, less likely, the propeller of the ship resulting in fractures in the processus spinosi of lumbar vertebrae L8-10. However, fractures of the processus of the vertebrae cannot be easily attributed to external trauma, since these bones are protected by a thick layer of blubber and muscle [ 24 – 26 ]. Stress fractures of the processus may however be caused by excessive tension on the osteo-articular tendon structures, because the most potent locomotor muscles of cetaceans have their origins in these processus, especially in the thoracic region and lumbar region [ 25 ].…”

Pathology in skeletons of Peale’s dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis from southern South America

“…de Smet 1977, Peterson 1984, Alexander et al 1989, Kompanje 1999, Fragoso 2001, Montes et al 2004, Van Bressem et al 2006, Laeta et al 2010a. The great majority of the research on cetacean skeletal abnormalities has been conducted on species from the Northern Hemisphere (Peterson 1984, Kinze 1986, Alexander et al 1989, Kompanje 1996, 1999, Van Bressem et al 2006, Galatius et al 2009, Fettuccia et al 2013 and some on species of northern South America (Ramos et al 2001, Montes et al 2004, Van Bressem et al 2007, Laeta et al 2010a.…”

Skull and mandible alterations in Amazon river dolphins (de Blainville, 1817) (Cetacea, Iniidae, Inia spp.)

“…Dental infection is an important gateway for the development of osteomyelitis in these pathologic processes (Bonar et al, 2007). Osteomyelitis related to dental infections has already been reported in the jaws of several cetaceans (da Silva, 1994; Fettuccia et al, 2013; Kompanje, 1995; Loch et al, 2011; Montes et al, 2004; Sweeney & Ridgway, 1975; Van Bressem et al, 2006, 2007). This condition is likely to occur in Amazon river dolphins considering the frequency of dental lesions in these species.…”

“…The occurrence of morphological, traumatic, and pathological changes has been reported for cetaceans of different age group and sex. Changes are related to environmental, behavioral, or anthropic factors (Costa et al, 2016; Denuncio et al, 2016; Félix et al, 2007; Fettuccia et al, 2013; Kompanje, 1999; Montes et al, 2004; Niño‐Torres et al, 2019; San Martin et al, 2016; Sweeny et al, 2005; Tomo et al, 2018; Van Bressem et al, 2006, 2007).…”

“…The skulls were classified into four age groups, using as reference the degree of fusion of skull sutures parietalfrontal, parietal-supraoccipital, and parietal-squamosal bones (Figure 1; adapted from Galatius &Gol'din, 2011 andFettuccia et al, 2013):…”