Skin marks in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) interacting with artisanal fishery in the central Mediterranean Sea.

摘要: Skin marks occur frequently in many cetacean species across the globe revealing a broad spectrum of causes, including social interactions, infectious diseases and injuries produced by anthropogenic factors. The current study used photo-id data from 2005-2014 to estimate skin mark pattern on resident bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) Aeolian Archipelago (Italy). Thirteen types were identified their origin, prevalence permanence time examined. was assessed for abundance, richness, distribution severity six body regions compared among age classes, sex degree dolphins' interaction with trammel nets (DIN). Our results showed higher prevalence, richness adults than younger exception black white ring lesions. abundance males females, scratches patches. Moreover, gunshot wounds, mutilations irregular dorsal fin edges found only adult males. Since DIN females and, DIN, more abundant distributed different regions, regard seems be sex-related. severe observed adults, namely disorder, tooth rake marks, small shallow indentations, deep indentations mutilations. On contrary, scratches, patches dark lesions males, but not significantly related individuals. that provide an efficient cost-effective approach document occurrence free-ranging dolphin populations, critical step toward understanding cause supporting conservation strategies.