Polycystic kidney disease in rough toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) found in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil

Background: Renal cystic diseases (RCD) are characterized by cystic structures on renal parenchyma associated withobstructive lesions, membranous disruptions, and/or growth disturbances. The polycystic kidney disease (PKD) showsspecific pathological characteristics, related to mutations on PKD1 and/or PKD2 chromosome locus on humans. In Persiancats and bull terriers the condition is like the human “adult-onset” PKD, while in Perendale sheep the “childhood”-like isdescribed. In cetaceans, RCD are reported, however the characterization of PKD is scarcely described. This report aimsto describe two cases of PKD and one of RCD in stranded Steno bredanensis, and to discuss the disease associated factors.Cases: Four rough-toothed-dolphins were found stranded in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil between 2016 to 2018,through the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), one of the systematic monitoring programs required byBrazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for the environmental licensing processof oil production and transport by Petrobras in the presalt province. In three animals histological sampling was performed.One of them (animal 3) was found alive, presenting altered buoyancy with lateralization to the right and signs of pneumonia. The blood analysis showed anemia and leukocytosis. The animal showed poor clinical prognosis, and even withsupportive treatment, come to death four days after the rescue. Routine autopsies were performed on all animals. Animals1 and 2 presented macroscopically enlarged kidneys containing disseminated cystic...

Polycystic kidney disease in rough toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) found in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil

Background: Renal cystic diseases (RCD) are characterized by cystic structures on renal parenchyma associated withobstructive lesions, membranous disruptions, and/or growth disturbances. The polycystic kidney disease (PKD) showsspecific pathological characteristics, related to mutations on PKD1 and/or PKD2 chromosome locus on humans. In Persiancats and bull terriers the condition is like the human “adult-onset” PKD, while in Perendale sheep the “childhood”-like isdescribed. In cetaceans, RCD are reported, however the characterization of PKD is scarcely described. This report aimsto describe two cases of PKD and one of RCD in stranded Steno bredanensis, and to discuss the disease associated factors.Cases: Four rough-toothed-dolphins were found stranded in the Paraná coast, southern Brazil between 2016 to 2018,through the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS), one of the systematic monitoring programs required byBrazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) for the environmental licensing processof oil production and transport by Petrobras in the presalt province. In three animals histological sampling was performed.One of them (animal 3) was found alive, presenting altered buoyancy with lateralization to the right and signs of pneumonia. The blood analysis showed anemia and leukocytosis. The animal showed poor clinical prognosis, and even withsupportive treatment, come to death four days after the rescue. Routine autopsies were performed on all animals. Animals1 and 2 presented macroscopically enlarged kidneys containing disseminated cystic...(AU)

Fatal asphyxia due to laryngeal displacement by large-sized prey in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), Brazil / Asfixia por deslocamento laríngeo associado a consumo de presa de grande tamanho em boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis), Brasil

The Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) is a small odontocete distributed from Santa Catarina state, Brazil, to Honduras. Although it is currently considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, considerable knowledge on health and disease aspects of this species has been gained over the last decade. The main threats for the species are represented by multiple anthropic factors. Guiana dolphins feed on a variety of taxa, primarily teleosts, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Herein, we reported a case of severe laryngeal displacement and esophageal impaction with ulceration associated with a deglutted adult leatherjacket (Oligoplites sp.). This fish species is not a common prey item of Guiana dolphins diet. Severe upper aerodigestive compromise likely led to death by mechanical asphyxia (choke) in this dolphin. This report attested the occurrence of upper aerodigestive dysfunction due to overzealous feeding in Guiana dolphin and contributed to general knowledge on pathology of the species.(AU)

O boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis) é um pequeno odontoceto que ocorre desde o estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, até Honduras. Embora esta espécie seja considerada “quase ameaçada” pela União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza, um considerável conhecimento sobre diversos aspectos de saúde e doença nesta espécie foi adquirido na última década. As principais ameaças para a espécie são representadas por múltiplos fatores antrópicos. Os botos-cinza se alimentam de uma variedade de táxons, incluindo principalmente teleósteos, crustáceos e cefalópodes. No presente estudo relatamos um caso de deslocamento laríngeo grave e impactação esofágica com ulceração pela deglutição de um peixe adulto do gênero Oligoplites. Esta espécie de peixe não é um elemento comum da dieta dos botos-cinza. É possível que o comprometimento aerodigestivo grave tenha levado o animal à morte por asfixia mecânica. Este relato atesta a ocorrência de disfunção aerodigestiva superior devido à alimentação de tamanho excessivo por um boto-cinza, e contribui para o conhecimento geral de patologias na espécie.(AU)

Ontogeny of the skull of Sotalia guianensis (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) on the Northern coast of Brazil

This study aimed to investigate the ontogenetic development of the skull in the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis Van Bénéden, 1864 ) through the comparison of 29 morphological non-metrical characters together with the estimated age of 54 specimens derived from four areas on the northern coast of Brazil. The state of each character was associated with the age of each specimen to assess the formation of bone structures, and the degree of fusion of the sutures in each state of the character studied. Nineteen qualitative morphological characters presenting state ontogenetic variations have been analyzed statistically. The analysis depicted that the characters associated with the parietal-frontal suture, parietosupraoccipital, parietoexoccipital, supraoccipital-exoccipital and basioccipital-pterygoid varied according with the age. The results suggest that the physical maturity of the cranium was more premature in the specimens from the Northern Coast, suggesting a geographical adjustment of the species, or a biological response to an intense pressure of by-catch in fisheries over decades on the populations.(AU)

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o desenvolvimento ontogenético craniano do boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis Van Bénéden, 1864), comparando 29 caracteres morfológicos não métricos aliados às estimativas de idade de 54 espécimes provenientes de quatro áreas da Costa Norte do Brasil. Cada estado de caráter foi associado à idade de cada espécime para avaliar a formação de estruturas ósseas e o grau de fusionamento das suturas em cada estado de caráter analisado. Foram analisados estatisticamente 19 caracteres morfológicos qualitativos que apresentaram variação nos estados de caráter. A análise revelou que os caracteres que diferiram de acordo com a idade foram aqueles ligados à sutura parietal-frontal, parietal-supraoccipital, parietal-exoccipital, supraoccipital-exoccipital e basioccipital-pterigóide. Os resultados indicaram que a maturidade física do crânio foi mais precoce nos espécimes da Costa Norte, sugerindo uma estruturação geográfica da espécie ou uma resposta biológica a uma intensa pressão de captura acidental em redes de pesca sobre as populações.(AU)

Ontogeny of the skull of Sotalia guianensis (Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) on the Northern coast of Brazil

This study aimed to investigate the ontogenetic development of the skull in the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis Van Bénéden, 1864 ) through the comparison of 29 morphological non-metrical characters together with the estimated age of 54 specimens derived from four areas on the northern coast of Brazil. The state of each character was associated with the age of each specimen to assess the formation of bone structures, and the degree of fusion of the sutures in each state of the character studied. Nineteen qualitative morphological characters presenting state ontogenetic variations have been analyzed statistically. The analysis depicted that the characters associated with the parietal-frontal suture, parietosupraoccipital, parietoexoccipital, supraoccipital-exoccipital and basioccipital-pterygoid varied according with the age. The results suggest that the physical maturity of the cranium was more premature in the specimens from the Northern Coast, suggesting a geographical adjustment of the species, or a biological response to an intense pressure of by-catch in fisheries over decades on the populations.

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar o desenvolvimento ontogenético craniano do boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis Van Bénéden, 1864), comparando 29 caracteres morfológicos não métricos aliados às estimativas de idade de 54 espécimes provenientes de quatro áreas da Costa Norte do Brasil. Cada estado de caráter foi associado à idade de cada espécime para avaliar a formação de estruturas ósseas e o grau de fusionamento das suturas em cada estado de caráter analisado. Foram analisados estatisticamente 19 caracteres morfológicos qualitativos que apresentaram variação nos estados de caráter. A análise revelou que os caracteres que diferiram de acordo com a idade foram aqueles ligados à sutura parietal-frontal, parietal-supraoccipital, parietal-exoccipital, supraoccipital-exoccipital e basioccipital-pterigóide. Os resultados indicaram que a maturidade física do crânio foi mais precoce nos espécimes da Costa Norte, sugerindo uma estruturação geográfica da espécie ou uma resposta biológica a uma intensa pressão de captura acidental em redes de pesca sobre as populações.

Lectin spatial immunolocalization during in vitro capacitation in Tursiops truncatus spermatozoa

Spermatozoa interactions with the female reproductive tract and oocyte are regulated by surface molecules such as glycocalyx. The capacitation process comprises molecular and structural modifications which increase zona pellucida binding affinity. Lectins allowed us to describe glycocalyx changes during maturation, capacitation and acrosome reaction. This study had as its aim to identify lectin binding patterns using four lectins with different carbohydrate affinity in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) spermatozoa both before and after in vitro capacitation. Two semen samples from the same dolphin obtained on consecutive days were used, with four different lectin binding patterns becoming visible in both samples before and after capacitation. A highly stained equatorial segment with prolongations at the edges appeared as the most frequent pattern with Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in uncapacitated spermatozoa. However, it was homogeneously distributed over the acrosomal region after capacitation. Instead, the use of Peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in most spermatozoa showing high labelling in the acrosomal periphery region before capacitation and a homogeneous staining in the acrosomal region within the population of capacitated spermatozoa. Nevertheless, the most representative patterns with Concavalin A (ConA) and Aleuria aurantia agglutinin (AAA) lectins did not change before and after capacitation, labelling the acrosomal region periphery. These findings could contribute to the understanding of the reproductive biology of cetaceans and the improvement of sperm selection techniques.(AU)

Lectin spatial immunolocalization during in vitro capacitation in Tursiops truncatus spermatozoa

Spermatozoa interactions with the female reproductive tract and oocyte are regulated by surface molecules such as glycocalyx. The capacitation process comprises molecular and structural modifications which increase zona pellucida binding affinity. Lectins allowed us to describe glycocalyx changes during maturation, capacitation and acrosome reaction. This study had as its aim to identify lectin binding patterns using four lectins with different carbohydrate affinity in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) spermatozoa both before and after in vitro capacitation. Two semen samples from the same dolphin obtained on consecutive days were used, with four different lectin binding patterns becoming visible in both samples before and after capacitation. A highly stained equatorial segment with prolongations at the edges appeared as the most frequent pattern with Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) in uncapacitated spermatozoa. However, it was homogeneously distributed over the acrosomal region after capacitation. Instead, the use of Peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in most spermatozoa showing high labelling in the acrosomal periphery region before capacitation and a homogeneous staining in the acrosomal region within the population of capacitated spermatozoa. Nevertheless, the most representative patterns with Concavalin A (ConA) and Aleuria aurantia agglutinin (AAA) lectins did not change before and after capacitation, labelling the acrosomal region periphery. These findings could contribute to the understanding of the reproductive biology of cetaceans and the improvement of sperm selection techniques.

Pulmonary Aspergillis in the dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)

Fungal infections that affect marine mammals, like most fungal infections, can be secondary to environmental stress or other infectious diseases. This article describes a case of pulmonary infection by Aspergillus spp. in a specimen of Pontoporia blainvillei found dead near the town of San Clemente de Tuyu and near the bay of Samborombón, BuenosAires, Argentina. The lung was collapsed with necrotic foci, fragments were collected, fixed in 10% formalin and submitted to histopathological examination. Microscopically, a marked change of the pulmonary architecture was observed, with total alveolar collapse, extensive necrotic areas, where septal hyphae were observed weakly, when stained with H-E and clearly evidenced with Grocott staining. Since the potential causes of immunosuppression were not evident, the authors consider it probable that infection by Aspergillus spp. was established in the lungs that presented a primary, possibly bacterial pneumonia, as a result of some degree of immunosuppression.(AU)

Pulmonary Aspergillis in the dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)

Fungal infections that affect marine mammals, like most fungal infections, can be secondary to environmental stress or other infectious diseases. This article describes a case of pulmonary infection by Aspergillus spp. in a specimen of Pontoporia blainvillei found dead near the town of San Clemente de Tuyu and near the bay of Samborombón, BuenosAires, Argentina. The lung was collapsed with necrotic foci, fragments were collected, fixed in 10% formalin and submitted to histopathological examination. Microscopically, a marked change of the pulmonary architecture was observed, with total alveolar collapse, extensive necrotic areas, where septal hyphae were observed weakly, when stained with H-E and clearly evidenced with Grocott staining. Since the potential causes of immunosuppression were not evident, the authors consider it probable that infection by Aspergillus spp. was established in the lungs that presented a primary, possibly bacterial pneumonia, as a result of some degree of immunosuppression.

Gastric Braunina cordiformis and a review of helminth parasitism in the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)

A pregnant adult female finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded off the coast of Phuket, Thailand and died during attempted rehabilitation. The cadaver was frozen for use in a Marine mammal stranding training event. During necropsy, the animal was observed to have approximately 60% of the gastric mucosa embedded with exophytic, heart shaped digenean trematodes interpreted to be Braunina cordiformis. Tissue samples were collected from the stomach to include the embedded parasites and these were evaluated histopathologically, confirming the diagnosis. This is the first report of Braunina cordiformis trematodes in Asian waters and the first report of the parasite in a finless porpoise.

Gastric Braunina cordiformis and a review of helminth parasitism in the finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides)

A pregnant adult female finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded off the coast of Phuket, Thailand and died during attempted rehabilitation. The cadaver was frozen for use in a Marine mammal stranding training event. During necropsy, the animal was observed to have approximately 60% of the gastric mucosa embedded with exophytic, heart shaped digenean trematodes interpreted to be Braunina cordiformis. Tissue samples were collected from the stomach to include the embedded parasites and these were evaluated histopathologically, confirming the diagnosis. This is the first report of Braunina cordiformis trematodes in Asian waters and the first report of the parasite in a finless porpoise.(AU)

Ferramentas da reprodução na conservação dos mamíferos aquáticos da Amazônia / Reproductive tools in the conservation of Amazonian aquatic mammals

O peixe-boi da Amazônia (Trichechus inunguis) e o boto-vermelho (Inia geoffrensis) são os mamíferos aquáticos da Amazônia com maior risco de extinção. Deste modo, esta revisão apresenta os avanços no conhecimento sobre a biologia reprodutiva destas espécies, bem como as lacunas no conhecimento existentes, podendo estas ser, de grande importância, para futura aplicação de biotecnologias como aliada na conservação destas espécies.(AU)

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) and the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) are the most threatened aquatic mammals of the Amazon. Therefore, this review highlights the advances on knowledge about reproductive biology of these species, as well as the information gaps, which is of great importance to the future use of biotechnologies as a tool for the conservation of those species.(AU)

Ferramentas da reprodução na conservação dos mamíferos aquáticos da Amazônia / Reproductive tools in the conservation of Amazonian aquatic mammals

O peixe-boi da Amazônia (Trichechus inunguis) e o boto-vermelho (Inia geoffrensis) são os mamíferos aquáticos da Amazônia com maior risco de extinção. Deste modo, esta revisão apresenta os avanços no conhecimento sobre a biologia reprodutiva destas espécies, bem como as lacunas no conhecimento existentes, podendo estas ser, de grande importância, para futura aplicação de biotecnologias como aliada na conservação destas espécies.

The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) and the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) are the most threatened aquatic mammals of the Amazon. Therefore, this review highlights the advances on knowledge about reproductive biology of these species, as well as the information gaps, which is of great importance to the future use of biotechnologies as a tool for the conservation of those species.

Comparative anatomical description of brain hemisphere surfaces in toninha dolphin and humans

Pontoporia blainvillei (cetacean order and odontoceti suborder), popularly known in Brazil as Toninha, is a small dolphin with a long, thin beak found on the southern shore waters of the western Atlantic. The brain development of dolphins (expressed by the encephalization coefficient) in relation to body size is quite high, and is second only to humans. This high correlation in brain development between dolphins and humans was targeted in this research to describe and compare the morphology of cerebral hemisphere surfaces of these two species. Five brains of Pontoporia blainvillei donated by the BioPesca Project (a non-governmental organization) were analyzed. The brains were fixed in 20% formaldehyde solution for further description and comparison to human brains described in books of neuroanatomy. The telencephalon of Pontoporia blainvillei is rostrally tapered and expanded at the caudal end and it has a greater number of folds/gyrus when compared to human species. Some encephalic grooves/sulcus are similar to grooves found in the human species, such as the cruciate sulcus (central sulcus), lateral fissure (Sylvian cleft), cingulate sulcus and calcarine sulcus. The same encephalic lobes are seen in both species; however the parietal and temporal lobes are highly developed in the Pontoporia blainvillei. These differences are associated with specific function of the species, as the presence of the an efficient auditive system in dolphins.

Comparative anatomical description of brain hemisphere surfaces in toninha dolphin and humans

Pontoporia blainvillei (cetacean order and odontoceti suborder), popularly known in Brazil as Toninha, is a small dolphin with a long, thin beak found on the southern shore waters of the western Atlantic. The brain development of dolphins (expressed by the encephalization coefficient) in relation to body size is quite high, and is second only to humans. This high correlation in brain development between dolphins and humans was targeted in this research to describe and compare the morphology of cerebral hemisphere surfaces of these two species. Five brains of Pontoporia blainvillei donated by the BioPesca Project (a non-governmental organization) were analyzed. The brains were fixed in 20% formaldehyde solution for further description and comparison to human brains described in books of neuroanatomy. The telencephalon of Pontoporia blainvillei is rostrally tapered and expanded at the caudal end and it has a greater number of folds/gyrus when compared to human species. Some encephalic grooves/sulcus are similar to grooves found in the human species, such as the cruciate sulcus (central sulcus), lateral fissure (Sylvian cleft), cingulate sulcus and calcarine sulcus. The same encephalic lobes are seen in both species; however the parietal and temporal lobes are highly developed in the Pontoporia blainvillei. These differences are associated with specific function of the species, as the presence of the an efficient auditive system in dolphins.(AU)

Behavioral event occurrence differs between behavioral states in Sotalia guianensis (Cetarctiodactyla: Delphinidae) dolphins: a multivariate approach

Difficulties in quantifying behavioral events can cause loss of information about cetacean behavior, especially behaviors whose functions are still debated. The lack of knowledge is greater for South American species such as Sotalia guianensis (Van Benédén, 1864). Our objective was to contextualize the behavioral events inside behavioral states using a Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Three events occurred in the Feeding, Socio-Sexual and Travelling states (Porpoising, Side flop, Tail out dive), and five events occurred in the Feeding and Travelling states (Back flop, Horizontal jump, Lobtail, Spy-hop, Partial flop ahead). Three events (Belly exposure, Club, and Heading) occurred exclusively in the Socio-sexual state. Partial Back flop and Head flop occurred exclusively in the Feeding state. For the events that occurred in multiple states, we observed that some events occurred more frequently in one of the states (p 0.001), such as Lobtail, Tail out dive horizontal Jump, Partial flop ahead and Side flop. Our multivariate analysis, which separated Socio-sexual behavior from Feeding and Travelling, showed that the abundance of behavioral events differs between states. This differentiation indicates that some events are associated with specific behavioral states. Almost 40% of the events observed were exclusively performed in one state, which indicates a high specialization for some events. Proper discrimination and contextualization of behavioral events may be efficient tools to better understand dolphin behaviors. Similar studies in other habitats and with other species, will help build a broader scenario to aid our understanding of the functions of dolphin behavioral events.

Behavioral event occurrence differs between behavioral states in Sotalia guianensis (Cetarctiodactyla: Delphinidae) dolphins: a multivariate approach

Difficulties in quantifying behavioral events can cause loss of information about cetacean behavior, especially behaviors whose functions are still debated. The lack of knowledge is greater for South American species such as Sotalia guianensis (Van Benédén, 1864). Our objective was to contextualize the behavioral events inside behavioral states using a Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Three events occurred in the Feeding, Socio-Sexual and Travelling states (Porpoising, Side flop, Tail out dive), and five events occurred in the Feeding and Travelling states (Back flop, Horizontal jump, Lobtail, Spy-hop, Partial flop ahead). Three events (Belly exposure, Club, and Heading) occurred exclusively in the Socio-sexual state. Partial Back flop and Head flop occurred exclusively in the Feeding state. For the events that occurred in multiple states, we observed that some events occurred more frequently in one of the states (p 0.001), such as Lobtail, Tail out dive horizontal Jump, Partial flop ahead and Side flop. Our multivariate analysis, which separated Socio-sexual behavior from Feeding and Travelling, showed that the abundance of behavioral events differs between states. This differentiation indicates that some events are associated with specific behavioral states. Almost 40% of the events observed were exclusively performed in one state, which indicates a high specialization for some events. Proper discrimination and contextualization of behavioral events may be efficient tools to better understand dolphin behaviors. Similar studies in other habitats and with other species, will help build a broader scenario to aid our understanding of the functions of dolphin behavioral events.(AU)

Osteological alterations in the tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea, Delphinidae) / Alterações osteológicas no tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea, Delphinidae)

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.(AU)

Apresenta-se a descrição das alterações ósseas observadas no tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853) de uma amostra de 43 exemplares. As fraturas foram as alterações mais frequentes na amostra (16%), ocorrendo em diversas regiões do esqueleto como costelas, aparato hioide, processos transversos e neurais das vértebras e escápula. Foram observados três indivíduos com anquilose entre vértebras cervicais e dois com alterações morfológicas (arco hemal alongado no sentido crânio-caudal e escápula com borda cranial plana). A única patologia registrada foi um caso de osteomielite no dentário esquerdo, o que ocasionou a perda de dentes, a deformação dos alvéolos no local e a formação de uma fístula medial (lingual) para drenagem de material purulento. Este é o primeiro registro de osteomielite para a espécie.(AU)

Osteological alterations in the tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea, Delphinidae) / Alterações osteológicas no tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis (Cetacea, Delphinidae)

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.

Apresenta-se a descrição das alterações ósseas observadas no tucuxi, Sotalia fluviatilis (Gervais, 1853) de uma amostra de 43 exemplares. As fraturas foram as alterações mais frequentes na amostra (16%), ocorrendo em diversas regiões do esqueleto como costelas, aparato hioide, processos transversos e neurais das vértebras e escápula. Foram observados três indivíduos com anquilose entre vértebras cervicais e dois com alterações morfológicas (arco hemal alongado no sentido crânio-caudal e escápula com borda cranial plana). A única patologia registrada foi um caso de osteomielite no dentário esquerdo, o que ocasionou a perda de dentes, a deformação dos alvéolos no local e a formação de uma fístula medial (lingual) para drenagem de material purulento. Este é o primeiro registro de osteomielite para a espécie.

Parental care behavior in the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (Cetacea: Delphinidae), in Ilha Grande Bay, southeastern Brazil

Parental care is any form of parental behavior that increases offspring fitness. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to analyze the intensity of parental care in the Guiana dolphin, Sotalia guianensis (van Bénéden, 1864). The objectives of this study are as follows: 1) to quantify the degree of parental care in S. guianensis in Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro; 2) to investigate the influence of behavioral state and group size on the degree of parental care; and 3) to evaluate the differences between the intensity of parental care provided to calves and juveniles. Our results indicate that the intensity of parental care is high in S. guianensis and that care is more intense in larger groups. It is possible that these differences serve to maximize hydrodynamic gains and to minimize risks. Our results suggest that parental care is more intense during travel. A possible reason for this greater intensity is that the feeding dynamics show a more random pattern than other behavioral states. Moreover, the results indicate that calves receive more intense care than juveniles. These results suggest that parent-offspring conflict is possible in the study population.