Mandibular osteomyelitis in the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) (Odontoceti: Cetacea): first case in the Mexican Caribbean

Abstract

Oral pathological conditions are common in mammals and have been relatively well documented for some wild groups, but are rarely reported in marine mammals. Here, we report for the Mexican Caribbean the first case of mandibular osteomyelitis in a free-ranging dolphin. A bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus adult male (256.5 cm total length) was found stranded dead in the west coast of the State Reserve “Chetumal Bay Manatee Sanctuary”. Herein, we discuss some plausible explanations about the origin of this lesion to improve the knowledge about the species biology.

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

“…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).…”