Additional records of metazoan parasites from Caribbean marine mammals, including genetically identified anisakid nematodes

Studies of marine mammal parasites in the Caribbean are scarce. An assessment for marine mammal endo- and ectoparasites from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but extending to other areas of the Caribbean, was conducted between 1989 and 1994. The present study complements the latter and enhances identification of anisakid nematodes using molecular markers. Parasites were collected from 59 carcasses of stranded cetaceans and manatees from 1994 to 2006, including Globicephala macrorhynchus, Kogia breviceps, Kogia sima, Lagenodelphis hosei, Mesoplodon densirostris, Peponocephala electra, Stenella longirostris, Steno bredanensis, Trichechus manatus. Tursiops truncatus, and Ziphius cavirostris. Sixteen species of endoparasitic helminthes were morphologically identified, including two species of acanthocephalans (Bolbosoma capitatum, Bolbosoma vasculosum), nine species of nematodes (Anisakis sp., Anisakis brevispiculata, Anisakis paggiae, Anisakis simplex, Anisakis typica, Anisakis ziphidarium, Crassicauda anthonyi, Heterocheilus tunicatus, Pseudoterranova ceticola), two species of cestodes (Monorygma grimaldi, Phyllobothrium delphini), and three species of trematodes (Chiorchis groschafti, Pulmonicola cochleotrema, Monoligerum blairi). The nematodes belonging to the genus Anisakis recovered in some stranded animals were genetically identified to species level based on their sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (629 bp of mtDNA cox 2). A total of five new host records and six new geographic records are presented.L'articolo è disponibile sul sito dell'editore http://www.springerlink.com

Biogeography in the deep : hierarchical population genomic structure of two beaked whale species

Funding for this research was provided by the Office of Naval Research, Award numbers N000141613017 and N000142112712. ABO was supported by a partial studentship from the University of St Andrews, School of Biology; OEG by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (Scottish Funding Council grant HR09011); ELC by a Rutherford Discovery Fellowship from the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Aparangi; NAS by a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Innovation; MLM by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant 801199); CR by the Marine Institute (Cetaceans on the Frontier) and the Irish Research Council; and MTO by the Hartmann Foundation.The deep sea is the largest ecosystem on Earth, yet little is known about the processes driving patterns of genetic diversity in its inhabitants. Here, we investigated the macro- and microevolutionary processes shaping genomic population structure and diversity in two poorly understood, globally distributed, deep-sea predators: Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) and Blainville’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris). We used double-digest restriction associated DNA (ddRAD) and whole mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequencing to characterise genetic patterns using phylogenetic trees, cluster analysis, isolation-by-distance, genetic diversity and differentiation statistics. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; Blainville’s n = 43 samples, SNPs=13988; Cuvier’s n = 123, SNPs= 30479) and mitogenomes (Blainville’s n = 27; Cuvier’s n = 35) revealed substantial hierarchical structure at a global scale. Both species display significant genetic structure between the Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and in Cuvier’s, the Mediterranean Sea. Within major ocean basins, clear differentiation is found between genetic clusters on the east and west sides of the North Atlantic, and some distinct patterns of structure in the Indo-Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. We infer that macroevolutionary processes shaping patterns of genetic diversity include biogeographical barriers, highlighting the importance of such barriers even to highly mobile, deep-diving taxa. The barriers likely differ between the species due to their thermal tolerances and evolutionary histories. On a microevolutionary scale, it seems likely that the balance between resident populations displaying site fidelity, and transient individuals facilitating gene flow, shapes patterns of connectivity and genetic drift in beaked whales. Based on these results, we propose management units to facilitate improved conservation measures for these elusive species.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Conservation challenges and emerging threats to the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) in Florida and Puerto Rico

Sirenians are experiencing unprecedented anthropogenic threats around the globe due to habitat destruction, interaction with fisheries, collisions with watercrafts, and climate change. Although the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) has been protected by law for the past five decades, significant threats persist in the United States. In 2017, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) downlisted the West Indian manatee from Endangered to Threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). Here, we provide an overview of the current conservation status of manatees in US waters, particularly in Florida and Puerto Rico. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in manatee mortalities in the US. The sources of these mortalities are relatively well known, particularly collisions with watercrafts. However, other sources have recently emerged and constitute threats of increasing concern, particularly resource depletion due to seagrass loss and emerging diseases. Recommendations for future research are proposed to improve our understanding of the magnitude of the threats affecting manatees in the US, and support management decisions and conservation actions

Metazoan Parasites and Other Symbionts of Cetaceans in the Caribbean

The parasite fauna in cetaceans from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the larger Caribbean region is poorly known. We provide the first records for parasite biodiversity among a diverse assemblage of cetaceans from the Caribbean Sea. Internal and external parasites and commensals were collected from stranded whales and dolphins salvaged in Puerto Rico, the United States and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Venezuela between 1989 and 1997. A total of 47 individuals of 16 species of whales and dolphins (15 odontocetes and one mysticete) were examined. Overall, parasites and commensals were found in 34 (72.3%) animals, representing 13 species of odontocetes and one mysticete. Eighteen species of endoparasitic helminths were found, including eight species of nematodes, two digeneans, six cestodes, and two acanthocephalans. Three species of whale-lice and two species of barnacles were also collected

Internal parasites of the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus

The West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus is divided into 2 subspecies: the Antillean (T. m. manatus) and Florida (T. m. latirostris) manatees. This study reports sample prevalence of manatee parasites from populations of these 2 subspecies in different geographical locations. Although necropsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for parasite infections, the need for antemortem diagnostic techniques is important. Fecal samples collected during necropsies of Antillean manatees (n = 3) in Puerto Rico and Florida manatees (n = 10) in Crystal River, Florida, as well as from live-captured Florida manatees (n = 11) were evaluated using centrifugal flotation with sucrose and ethyl acetate sedimentation to compare parasites from each of the populations. Although both fecal examination methods provided similar results, the centrifugal flotation method required less time for diagnosis. The most common parasite eggs found in both populations included the trematodes Pulmonicola cochleotrema and Nudacotyle undicola, oocysts of the coccidian Eimeria spp., and eggs of the ascarid Heterocheilus tunicatus. Eggs of the trematode Chiorchis groschafti were found in both populations of manatees; however, eggs of a related species, Chiorchis fabaceus, were abundant in the Florida samples, but not found in Puerto Rico popu lations. Trematode eggs of Moniligerum blairi were found in both populations, but were more common in the Florida manatee (42%) than the Antillean manatee (33%). To our knowledge, this is the first report of both Eimeria manatus and Eimeria nodulosa oocysts in Antillean manatees from Puerto Rico

First stranding record of a Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) on the island of Barbuda, Eastern Caribbean

Cuvier's beaked whale is the most cosmopolitan of the beaked whales and is found in all oceans except in the high polar waters. This species is known from over 1800 strandings. In the Caribbean strandings are rare, and we present a first record from Antigua and Barbuda

Initial description of the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity of Atlantic spotted dolphins from Brazil and the Caribbean, inferred from analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

We provide initial information regarding the population structure and genetic diversity of Stenella frontalis from the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil from analyses of mitochondrial control region sequences and sequences from the first intron of the α-lactalbumin gene. Comparisons with previously described S. frontalis sequences showed a high number of haplotypes shared between populations throughout their distribution range. High diversity was found for southeastern Brazil and Caribbean samples, and population structure analyses indicate significant differentiation among population units at the FST level, but not at the ΦST level. Significant differentiation at the FST level was found between the Caribbean population unit and all other populations units. These results suggest historical or present connectivity between the Azores and Madeira and the southeastern Brazil groups and population differentiation between the Caribbean and southeastern Brazil, supporting the notion of two separate stocks in the waters around the Atlantic coast of South America.Instituto EarthwatchW. Rossiter and Cetacean Society InternationalCNPq - 308331/2010-9FAPESP - 05/59439-5CNPq - 05/54149-9Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade - 15572-

Variación en la distribución del manatí antillano (Trichechus manatus manatus) en la costa sur de Puerto Rico a través de censos aéreos en helicóptero

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) is endangered due to anthropogenic activities, which affect both the manatee’s health and use of habitats required for their survival. The spatial distribution and use of the manatee habitat on the southern coast of Puerto Rico was obtained using helicopter aerial surveys and was related to zoogeographic, environmental and oceanographic factors. A total of 33 surveys were conducted along the southern coast from 2001 to 2015. There was a total of 488 sightings and 914 individuals, which represents 13 manatees per hour of effort, 12.4% being calves. No correlation was found between their presence and seasons, sea surface temperature, or currents. The use of freshwater and seagrass bed resources did not present a statistical relationship, but it is clear that they are part of their nature and necessary for their survival. However, the depth and degree of protection offered by the bays is decisive to predict the presence of manatees. A marked increase in the number of manatees per hour of effort between 2007 and 2015 represents a possible population growth. Given that the survival of manatees in Puerto Rico is threatened by different natural and anthropogenic factors, this study, together with studies on telemetry and habitat use, should help designate future protected areas critical for their survival.O peixe-boi-marinho (Trichechus manatus manatus) está em perigo de extinção devido a atividades antrópicas, que afetam tanto sua saúde como o uso de hábitats requeridos para sua sobrevivência. O presente estudo detalha a distribuição espacial e o uso do hábitat do peixe-boi na costa sul de Porto Rico ao realizar censos aéreos de helicóptero e relacioná-los com aspectos zoogeográficos, ambientais e oceanográficos. Foram realizados 33 censos aéreos de helicóptero, paralelos à costa sul, desde o ano 2001 ao ano 2015. Houve um total de 488 descobrimentos e 914 indivíduos, que representam 13 peixes-bois por hora de esforço e 12,4% de crias. Não se observou que fatores de temporada, temperatura superficial do mar ou as correntes afetem sua presença. O uso de recursos de água doce e pradarias de fanerógamas marinhas não apresentou estatisticamente uma relação, mas sim é claro que são parte de sua natureza e necessários para sua sobrevivência. Porém, a profundidade e o grau de proteção que oferecem as bahias sim é determinante para prever a presença de peixes-bois. Um marcado aumento no número de peixes-bois por hora de esforço entre o ano 2007 e o ano 2015 representa um possível aumento populacional. Dado que a sobrevivência dos peixes-bois em Porto Rico está ameaçada por diferentes fatores naturais e antrópicos, este estudo, junto aos da telemetria e o uso de hábitat, devem ajudar a designar, no futuro, áreas protegidas críticas para sua sobrevivência.El manatí antillano (Trichechus manatus manatus) está en peligro de extinción debido a actividades antrópicas, las cuales afectan tanto su salud como el uso de hábitats requeridos para su supervivencia. El presente estudio detalla la distribución espacial y uso de hábitat del manatí en la costa sur de Puerto Rico al hacer censos aéreos en helicóptero y relacionarlos con aspectos zoogeográficos, ambientales y oceanográficas. Se realizaron 33 censos aéreos en helicóptero, paralelos a la costa sur, desde el año 2001 al año 2015. Hubo un total de 488 avistamientos y 914 individuos, lo cual representa 13 manatíes por hora de esfuerzo y 12.4% de crías. No se encontró que factores de temporada, temperatura superficial del mar o las corrientes afecten su presencia. El uso de recursos de agua dulce y praderas de yerbas no presentó estadísticamente una relación, pero si es claro que son parte de su naturaleza y necesarios para su sobrevivencia. Sin embargo, la profundidad y el grado de protección que ofrecen las bahías si es determinante para predecir la presencia de manatíes. Un marcado incremento en el número de manatíes por hora de esfuerzo entre el año 2007 y año 2015 representa un posible aumento poblacional. Dado que la supervivencia de los manatíes en Puerto Rico está amenazada por diferentes factores naturales y antrópicos, este estudio, junto a los de telemetría y uso de hábitat, deben ayudar a designar en el futuro áreas protegidas críticas para su supervivencia