Experts have identified the novel skin disease that afflicts dolphins in a modern discovery. Scientists at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, and their international colleagues said the mysterious skin disease is the result of climate change.
The team from the world’s largest marine mammal hospital discovered that some dolphins had skin diseases in 2005 that were linked to a cause that affects other dolphins around the world. . They said the salinity of the water has changed due to climate change, causing the dolphins to develop patches or sores on the skin over their bodies that cover up to 70% of their skin.
(Image: Scientific Reports)
Adult female T. australis (case 1) was found dead with severe ulcerative dermatitis in Jones Bay, Lake King North, near the mouth of the Mitchell River, October 29, 2007. Photo Credits: Mississippi State University
Secretory skin disease of dolphins
The study, published in Scientific Reports, showed that the novel skin disease has spread in Alabama, Florida, Australia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas in the past few years. They said these areas have recorded sudden and severe saline changes in the waters that may have caused the skin infection.
Dolphins are usually used for seasonal changes in the salinity level of the marine environment, but these mammals do not live in freshwater.
According to Phys.org, coastal waters are slowly turning to freshwater due to the prevalence of hurricanes, hurricanes, and cyclones, which have previously been in thirsty conditions that throw off rare water. into coastal waters.
Scientists predicted that as a result of climate change, there would be more severe storms that could cause freshwater conditions that could last for months and thus cause more frequent illnesses and worse in dolphins.
“This terrible skin disease has been killing dolphins since Hurricane Katrina, and we are happy to finally explain the problem,” said Marine Mammal Center head and study co-author Dr. Patrick Duignan.
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Impact of the study on mainstream behavior in Australia
According to Earth.com News, the study has a major impact on Australia’s current behavior that has threatened Burrunan dolphins living in the region. Researchers said their study could provide the information needed to locate and treat affected animals. Dolphins have a low survival rate, especially those exposed to freshwater for longer periods of time.
Reports say the disease was first spotted in 40 dolphins in New Orleans in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. According to Dr Dulngan, the warming temperatures of the ocean have affected cetaceans around the world. But using the data from the study, scientists can make a mitigation that could treat the dolphins and prevent more of them from getting the disease.
“This study will help shed light on growing concerns, which we hope will be the first step in mitigating the deadly disease and leading a community. the ocean to fight climate change, “said Dr Dulngan.
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Check out more Dolphin news and information in the Science Times.