First report of a Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski, 1781) (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) stranding in the Gulf of Venezuela

On February 04th, 2009, we recorded a male humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) in the Gulf of Venezuela. This animal was found stranded alive by a few neighboring fishermen and died minutes later in Kazuzain village (11°36'08.5” N - 71°55'42.7” W), located in Venezuelan portion of the Güajira Peninsula at Zulia state. The specimen was a sub-adult male, with total length of 10.5 m and width of 3.04 ± 0.27 m. This is the first record of this species in the Gulf of Venezuela. This study allows us contributing to insight of biology and ecology to marine mammals across Gulf of Venezuela, where details of large cetaceans remain somewhat opaque

Fibropapillomatosis in immature Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from the Gulf of Venezuela / Fibropapilomatosis en juveniles de Tortuga Verde (Chelonia mydas) del Golfo de Venezuela

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is affecting multiple marine turtle (MT) species worldwide. In Venezuela, the understanding about this neoplastic condition is still in early stage. Hence, this paper aims to assess the occurrence and frequency of FP in green turtles (GT) in the Gulf of Venezuela (GV). Herein, it was compiled and analyzed the reports in the database of the NGO ‘Grupo de Trabajo en Tortugas Marinas del Golfo de Venezuela’, which includes all records of stranded MT in the GV from 2000 to 2011. Between 2000 and 2006, in the GV only 2 cases of FP in MT had been reported (1.71 % of total records). Subsequently, between 2008 and 2011, encounters of FP were more frequent; resulting in a total of 7 immature GT (2.93 % of the records) documented showing large masses or skin tumors in various parts of the body. The most affected area of the MT’s body was neck and venous sinus (37.50 %), followed by the anterior flippers (18.75 %), plastron (18.75 %), posterior region (cloaca 18.75 %) and lastly, the eyes (6.25 %). All individuals presented two or more body areas with FP. Although a correlation between the presence of FP and environmental factors observed in the study area was not assessed, the turtles evaluated came from coastal waters with high levels of eutrophication, habitat degradation, and pollution. It is necessary to monitor the occurrence of this disease and the environmental factors that may negatively affect the survival of MT populations in the GV

Las tortugas marinas y los pueblos Wayuú: una historia de ritos, creencias y usos tradicionales

Las tortugas marinas juegan un rol fundamental en diversas culturas a nivel mundial. En Venezuela existe nutrida evidencia de esta relación, en donde desde tiempos pre-coloniales se han evidenciado este nexo tortuga-hombre. Sin embargo, hoy en día el uso no-tradicional solapa de manera notoria al uso tradicional. La presente nota tiene como objetivo destacar algunas evidencias recientes que pudiesen considerarse a futuro para desarrollar planes de co-manejo y conservación del recurso tortuga marina. Además, de abrir un debate necesario sobre las implicaciones de conservación y manejo a corto, mediano y largo plazo que se deben considerar para garantizar la supervivencia de las tortugas marinas en aguas territoriales venezolanas; sin el menoscabo de las tradiciones y ritos ancestrales llevados a cabo por los indígenas Wayuú en la Península de la Guajira

Strandings of Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) along the western and southern coast of the Gulf of Venezuela

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) strandings in the Gulf of Venezuela (GV) were evaluated to estimate: (1) the area of most frequent strandings; (2) the period of greatest strandings; and (3) the number of strandings that exhibit evidence of human interaction. We gathered data from three sources: (1) scientific patrols; (2) Opportune Information Network (in Spanish Red de Aviso Oportuno – RAO); and (3) contact with local non-governmental organization. At each stranding site, we collected information about the location, date, specimen condition, and, when possible, the midline curved carapace length (CCL) and curved carapace width (CCW). We categorized the cause of strandings as either interaction with human activities or an unknown cause. We recorded 57 Leatherback Turtle strandings along the GV coast during 2001–2007. The mean CCL was 126.2 cm ± 16.5 (range 86–168 cm, n = 47) and the mean CCW was 99.1cm ± 12.6 (range 83–109 cm, n = 47). Strandings were mainly distributed along the North and South coast (49% and 46%, respectively), and were mostly concentrated between February and March (51%). Over half (55%) of the strandings showed signs of interaction with human activities. Establishing a relationship between fisheries and strandings in the GV remains difficult. Although the stranding number reported is low when compared to other localities, our results represent a minimum estimate of mortality. A management plan is crucial for mitigating possible impacts of artisanal fisheries in the region

Echinoderms from the Gulf of Venezuela, north-western coast of Venezuela

Echinoderms are a major group of marine invertebrates that often play integral roles within the marine ecosystem. Studies about their occurrence, abundance, and distribution in Venezuela are focused in the central-eastern coasts; hence the aim of this study is to describe the echinoderm community in the north-western coast of the Gulf of Venezuela. Samples were collected from three sites in the Venezuelan Guajira Peninsula (Castilletes, Porshoure, and Kazuzain) where patchy coral reefs and seagrass meadows are abundant. According to the substrate, two methods were performed using quantitative (1 m² quadrates), and qualitative free-diving observations. All organisms were counted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level; finally, diversity (Shannon diversity index), richness (number of species), and dominance in the different sampled substrates were recorded. The updated list of echinoderms of the Gulf of Venezuela reported in this research, includes 20 genera, 15 families, 10 orders, four classes, and 28 species. The richest class was Ophiuroidea, with 18 species, followed by Asteroidea, Echinoidea and Holothuroidea, with three species each. Castilletes was the sampling site with the higher number of species (18 species), followed by Porshoure (15 species), and lastly Kazuzain (12 species). Our observations indicate that the number of species and abundance were higher when found in coral reefs (21 species, 80.69% of the total collected individuals) in contrast to the species found in seagrass beds (16 species, 19.31% of the total of individuals collected). This updated list of echinoderms represents 11.54% of the total diversity of the phylum in the marine areas from the coast of Venezuela; it is suggested that this percentage is greatly influenced by the differences of habitats and substrates alongside the north-western coast in the Gulf of Venezuela

Guiana Dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) in the Maracaibo Lake System, Venezuela: conservation, threats, and population overview

The Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) home range is located among Central and South American countries, in coastal habitats in the Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean. Its distribution is scattered, with multiple population centres which are under threats that vary based on local realities. We compiled and assessed biological data from multiple sources (published and unpublished data) to improve our understanding regarding the Maracaibo Lake Management Unit, which is an isolated and unique population core of this species. We identified at least two distinguishable population centres throughout the Maracaibo Lake System, one in the northern portion – in the Gulf of Venezuela, and another in the southern portion of the Maracaibo Lake itself. Both centres have differences in some biological aspects (e.g. group size and habitat use), but similarities in the human-induced pressures (e.g. intentional take, habitat degradation, and traditional use). We detailed the uses of Guiana dolphin (consumptive and non-consumptive) by community members, including the use as talismans for indigenous fishers and consumption of its meat as a religious belief (Easter period), and dolphin watching tours carried out by local companies. In one artisanal port, at least 15 animas are intentionally taken annually to be used for local consumption, shark-bait, or trade; however, we acknowledge that this annual take is likely an underestimate. Further research is needed to clarify how and at what magnitude mentioned and other key-threats are impacting over Guiana dolphin MU in the Maracaibo Lake System

Comunidades de macroinvertebrados asociadas a piscinas de marea del litoral rocoso Punta Perret, estado Zulia, Venezuela // Macroinvertebrates community's structure associated to tide pools in the rocky shore of Punta Perret, Zulia State, Venezuela

[Spanish] En el presente trabajo se describieron estas comunidades de macroinvertebrados asociados a las piscinas de mareas en el litoral rocoso de Punta Perret, en la Guajira venezolana. En los meses de marzo, septiembre y diciembre (2011), se realizaron tres muestreos, se dividió el litoral en tres zonas: supralitoral, mesolitoral e infralitoral. En cada zona de muestreo se seleccionaron aleatoriamente tres piscinas de marea en cada muestreo, se contaron todos los individuos asociados a estos ambientes para calcular los índices de diversidad, equidad, riqueza, dominancia y constancia, los factores abióticos salinidad,temperatura, altura con respecto a la plataforma basal y volumen en cada piscina fueron evaluados. Se contabilizaron un total de 4.421 individuos (en las 27 piscinas de marea estudiadas), la zona que presentó la mayor cantidad de especies constantes fue la supralitoral. La diversidad del litoral con respecto a todas las piscinas estudiadas fue de 1,001, el índice de equidad para todo el litoral fue de 0,2628, un valor de 1,526 riqueza total y la dominancia 0,71. Se encontró una correlación significativa entre el resultado del índice de riqueza de Margalef y la altura de la piscina en el litoral (r=0,0267), los gradientes de salinidad, altura y temperatura diferencian a las piscinas de las tres zonas y modelan la estructura fisicoquímica. Los patrones de distribución de los macroinvertebrados evidenciaron a los Littorinidos como dominantes,pero con una estructura comunitaria marcada en la zona supralitoral, Mytilus en las zonas mesolitoral e infralitoral y una alta diversidad de especies en la zona infralitoral muy fluctuante. La contaminación y extracción de especies clave pudiese estar jugando un papel importante en la modificación de los patrones de zonación. [English] In the present work, these communities of macroinvertebrates associated with the tidal pools on the rocky coast of Punta Perret, in the Venezuelan Guajira, were described. In the months of March, September and December (2011), three samplings were carried out, the coast was divided into three zones: supralittoral, mesolitoral and infralittoral. In each sampling area, three tidal pools were randomly selected in each sampling, all the individuals associated with these environments were counted to calculate the indices of diversity, equity, richness, dominance and constancy, abiotic factors salinity, temperature, height with respect to to the basal platform and volume in each pool were evaluated. A total of 4,421 individuals were counted (in the 27 tidal pools studied), the area that presented the highest number of constant species was the supralittoral. The diversity of the littoral with respect to all the pools studied was 1.001, the equity index for the entire coastline was 0.2628, a value of 1.526 total wealth and dominance 0.71. A significant correlation was found between the result of the Margalef wealth index and the height of the pool in the littoral (r = 0.0267), the gradients of salinity, height and temperature differentiate the pools of the three zones and model the physicochemical structure. The distribution patterns of the macroinvertebrates showed the Littorinids as dominant, but with a marked community structure in the supralittoral zone, Mytilus in the mesolitoral and infralittoral zones and a high diversity of species in the very fluctuating infralittoral zone. Pollution and extraction of key species may be playing an important role in modifying zoning patterns

Prevalence of fibropapillomatosis on stranded sea turtles in the Venezuelan coast

The Venezuelan coast supports a variety of critical habitats for foraging, development and reproduction to five species of sea turtles. The aim of this paper is to inform about the presence of fibropapillomatosis in some of the sea turtle populations in the Venezuelan waters, and to record the presence of this pathology in the species Eretmochelys imbricata in the country. Between 1999 and 2014, 391 records of sea turtles stranding/sightings were recorded alongside the coast of Venezuela, from which, 20 cases of animals presented external tumors on their soft tissues, likely to fibropapillomatosis. This pathology was confirmed due to the presence of fibroepithelial lesions (papilloma tumors), and it was registered in two species: Chelonia mydas (n=19) and Eretmochelys imbricata (n=1). The region with the largest number of turtles with fibropapillomas was Zulia state with 45 % (n=9), then Sucre state (35 %, n= 7), Vargas state (10 %, n= 2), and one report (5 %) in Falcon state, and one in the “Archipielago de Los Roques” National Park (Miranda Insular Territory). More than half of the animals (n=11), ten individuals of C. mydas and the only one of E. imbricata, were found alive and they were released. Finally, we recommended increasing the training and active participation of veterinarians within the conservation programs of these species in the country

Descripción craneométrica de cinco individuos del delfín nariz de botella Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821 (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) presentes en las costas del Golfo de Venezuela / Craniometrical descriptions of five specimens for the Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus Montagu, 1821 (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) from the Gulf of Venezuela coasts.

El delfín nariz de botella (Tursiops truncatus) es la tercera especie con mayor frecuencia de avistamiento en el Golfo de Venezuela (GV). Debido a que la mayoría de las investigaciones sobre esta especie se han limitado únicamente a registrar la presencia de animales varados en estas costas, actualmente continúan existiendo importantes vacíos de información al respecto de su biología, anatomía y ecología. En este estudio se realizó la descripción preliminar de la morfología craneal de cinco individuos (un adulto, tres sub-adultos y un juvenil) varados durante los años 1998-2001 en las costas del GV. Todas las medidas craneométricas fueron registradas utilizando un calibrador digital y una cinta métrica flexible, además se determinó el ‘Número de Alvéolos Maxilares Derecha e Izquierda’ como carácter merístico e importancia taxonómica. Se utilizó la relación entre las medidas de los pterigoides a partir del Ancho de las Narinas Internas para la identificación de los morfotipos (costero vs. oceánico) en los individuos. Se observó un número de alvéolos maxilares promedio de 22 dientes para cada hemi-maxila, siendo identificados cuatro especímenes como de hábitat costero y solo uno como oceánico. Los resultados corroboran la presencia de ambos morfotipos de T. truncatus en las adyacencias del GV, así como la necesidad de continuar el desarrollo de estudios en aguas abiertas para incrementar los conocimientos al respecto de la ecología de la especie y sus poblaciones en la región occidental de Venezuela. The Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the third most frequently observed species in the Gulf of Venezuela (GV). Because most of the studies on this species have been focused only to records of the presence of individuals stranded across the Gulf of Venezuela coasts, there are important information gaps regarding the biology, anatomy, and ecology of this population. In this study, we performed the preliminary description of the cranial morphology of five individuals (one adult, three sub-adults and one juvenile) stranded during the years 1998-2001 in the coast of the GV. Craniometrical measurements were recorded using a caliper and a flexible measuring tape, determining also the ‘Number of Right and Left Maxillary Alveoli’ such as meristic and taxonomic importance feature for this species. The identification of the morphotypes (coastal vs. oceanic) of the individuals was carried out through the ratios between measurements of the pterygoids was based on the ‘Width of the Internal Narines’. We observed, on average, 22 teeth as number of maxillary alveoli for each hemi-maxilla. The specimens corresponded to four individuals with coastal habitats and only one from population with likely oceanic habits. These results corroborate the presence for both morphotypes of T. truncatus across the GV, as well as the need to carry out sighting surveys at the open sea of this ecosystem increasing our knowledge about the ecology of the species and its populations in the western region of Venezuela

Nuevos registros del camarón tigre Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Penaeidae) en el Sistema del Lago de Maracaibo, Venezuela [New records of Giant Tiger Prawn, Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda: Panaeidae) in the Maracaibo Lake System, Venezuela]

The Asian tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Decapoda: Penaidae), is an Asian species considered as alien in the Atlantic Ocean waters. This paper confirms the presence of P. monodon along the coasts of the Maracaibo Lake System. We evaluated multiple artisanal ports in the following localities: Castilletes, Porshoure, Kazuzain, Caño Sagua, Zapara Island, and Santa Rosa de Agua. We collected five adult individuals from Castilletes, Zapara Island, and Santa Rosa de Agua, the specimens were deposited in the Museum of Biology of the University of Zulia (Experimental Faculty of Sciences), within the section of aquatic invertebrates under the following museum catalogue numbers: MBLUZ-2503, MBLUZ-2515, MBLUZ-2516, and MBLUZ2517. These records confirmed the presence of P. monodon along the four aquatic environments that form the Maracaibo Lake System (Gulf of Venezuela, El Tablazo Bay, Maracaibo Strait, and Maracaibo Lake), indicating a possible increase in the species’ populations across region. Future researches must be focused to evaluate the population status of P. monodon in the Maracaibo Lake System, as well as for the design of effective strategies for the effective management of this resource. El camarón tigre, Penaeus monodon (Decapoda: Penaeidae), es una especie asiática considerada como exótica en el Océano Atlántico. En este trabajo se confirma la presencia de P. monodon a lo largo de las costas del Sistema del Lago de Maracaibo. Fueron evaluados los puertos pesqueros artesanales de las localidades de Castilletes, Porshoure, Kazuzain, Caño Sagua, Isla Zapara y Santa Rosa de Agua. Se capturaron cinco ejemplares adultos provenientes de las localidades de Castilletes, Isla Zapara y Santa Rosa de Agua, estos fueron depositados en la colección de Invertebrados acuáticos de la Facultad Experimental de Ciencias, Universidad del Zulia, bajo los números de catálogos: MBLUZ2503, MBLUZ-2515, MBLUZ-2516 y MBLUZ-2517. Estos registros confirman la presencia de P. monodon en los cuatro sectores que conforman el Sistema Lago de Maracaibo (Golfo de Venezuela, Bahía El Tablazo, Estrecho del Lago y el Lago de Maracaibo), indicando un posible aumento de las poblaciones de esta especie en la región. Se requieren futuras investigaciones enfocadas a evaluar si el estado poblacional del camarón tigre en el Sistema del Lago de Maracaibo, así como para el diseño de estrategias efectivas para el manejo de este recurso