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Tursiops truncatus gephyreus is only found in the inshore waters of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. They are organized in small socially, structured groups, which lead to low genetic variability and high anthropogenic threats. Currently, the information about their reproductive biology and management is still insufficient. Thus, this study aims to present novel information recorded for 20 years regarding reproductive parameters in a small population of captive T. t. gephyreus. Three of the animals involved were found stranded in La Plata River estuary and, the other two were born at the oceanarium. Thirteen semen evaluations showed high-quality semen with a low percentage of sperm abnormalities. Twelve pregnancies and parturitions were observed. There was a clear calving seasonality during austral spring and summer. The duration of phase-2 of labor was approximately 80 min, being the caudal presentation the most frequent. The average inter-birth interval (IBI) was about 33 months. This is the first report that closely monitored parturition, IBI, and seminal evaluation in this species. Information gathered during this program will allow the development of adequate conservation plans for free-ranging populations.

Signature whistles are stereotyped and individually distinctive acoustic signals used as individual recognition calls, for maintaining group cohesion and during stressful situations. Here, it’s proved the occurrence of stereotyped whistles and how it changes, by an isolated adult female of short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) kept in rehabilitation. Twenty-three hours of continuous recordings were collected until the dolphin death for hepatitis. A total of 64 whistles were analyzed along the hours and only an ascending-descending frequency contour was detected. The number of whistles decreased during the rehab period. Whistles showed a mean peak frequency contour (PFC) of 9.45 ±1.09 kHz, a mean maximum frequency value of 12.0.4 ±1.65 kHz, a mean minimum frequency of 7.04 ±1.16 kHz, a mean duration of 0.75±0.27 seconds and a number of harmonics ranging from 1 to 3. The low variability of whistles parameters along the hours and the only whistle contour found in an isolated and stressed dolphin support the hypothesis of stereotyped whistles. It is the first evidence of the use of this signal by Delphinus delphis in Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWAO) and is first step to understand the sound production related to the rehabilitation process.Signature whistles are stereotyped and individually distinctive acoustic signals used as individual recognition calls, for maintaining group cohesion and during stressful situations. Here, it’s proved the occurrence of stereotyped whistles and how it changes, by an isolated adult female of short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) kept in rehabilitation. Twenty-three hours of continuous recordings were collected until the dolphin death for hepatitis. A total of 64 whistles were analyzed along the hours and only an ascending-descending frequency contour was detected. The number of whistles decreased during the rehab period. Whistles showed a mean peak frequency contour (PFC) of 9.45 ±1.09 kHz, a mean maximum frequency value of 12.0.4 ±1.65 kHz, a mean minimum frequency of 7.04 ±1.16 kHz, a mean duration of 0.75±0.27 seconds and a number of harmonics ranging from 1 to 3. The low variability of whistles parameters along the hours and the only whistle contour found in an isolated and stressed dolphin su...

Information of birth and early life history of cetaceans is scarce and generally estimated indirectly from pregnant females. Based on 91 calves of Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) stranded or by-caught in artisanal fisheries from the northern coast of Argentina, it was possible to characterize the calving season and the lactation period in the Franciscana dolphins, based in the evidence of milk into their stomach contents. The calving season is extended during four months, with a high frequency in November. The mean size at birth was 64 cm, a lower size than estimated in other areas of the species geographical distribution. The lactation have duration of at least 7 months with two stages: (a) strict lactation period with calves with exclusively traces of milk in its stomach contents and with high occurrence during November and a mean body length of 70.8 cm, and (b) beginning of predation, specimens with a mix milk-solid food and a mean body length of 87.8cm, with high individuals incidence in February. Our results show a short exclusive lactation with an early feeding predation evidences. The lactation pattern of the Franciscana dolphins found in this work is common in short lifespan small and coastal cetacean. Fil: Denuncio, Pablo Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Bastida, Ricardo Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina Fil: Danilewicz, Daniel. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz; Brasil. Instituto Aqualie; Brasil Fil: Morón, Sergio. Fundación Mundo Marino. San Clemente del Tuyú; Argentina Fil: Rodriguez Heredia, Sergio. Fundación Mundo Marino. San Clemente del Tuyú; Argentina Fil: Rodriguez, Diego Horacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina

The mammalian gastric and oral mucosa may be colonized by mixed Helicobacter and Campylobacter species, respectively, in individual animals. To better characterize the presence and distribution of Helicobacter and Campylobacter among marine mammals, we used PCR and 16S rDNA sequence analysis to examine gastric and oral samples from ten dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus), one killer whale (Orcinus orca), one false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), and three wild La Plata river dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Helicobacter spp. DNA was widely distributed in gastric and oral samples from both captive and wild cetaceans. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated two Helicobacter sequence clusters, one closely related to H. cetorum, a species isolated from dolphins and whales in North America. The second related cluster was to sequences obtained from dolphins in Australia and to gastric non-Helicobacter pylori helicobacters, and may represent a novel taxonomic group. Dental plaque sequences from four dolphins formed a third cluster within the Campylobacter genus that likely represents a novel species isolated from marine mammals. Identification of identical Helicobacter spp. DNA sequences from dental plaque, saliva and gastric fluids from the same hosts, suggests that the oral cavity may be involved in transmission. These results demonstrate that Helicobacter and Campylobacter species are commonly distributed in marine mammals, and identify taxonomic clusters that may represent novel species.

Gastrointestinal lesions have been extensively reported in wild and captive marine mammals. However, their etiology remains unclear. In humans and other animals, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers have been associated with Helicobacter sp. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the presence of Helicobacter sp. in the gastric juice, dental plaque, and saliva of marine mammals living in a controlled environment. Five dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus), one killer whale (Orcinus orca), one false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), three sea lions (Otaria flavescens), two elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and two fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) were studied. Saliva, dental plaque, and gastric juice samples were examined for Helicobacter sp. using polymerase chain reaction. None of the gastric juice or saliva samples were positive for Helicobacter sp. However, Helicobacter sp. DNA was detected in dental plaque from two dolphins, suggesting the oral cavity might be a reservoir of this bacterium. Fil: Goldman, Cinthia Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Loureiro, Julio D.. Fundación Mundo Marino; Argentina Fil: Quse, Viviana. Fundación Mundo Marino; Argentina Fil: Corach, Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Calderon, Enrique. Fundación Mundo Marino; Argentina Fil: Caro, Ricardo A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Boccio, José. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Heredia, Sergio Rodríguez. Fundación Mundo Marino; Argentina Fil: Di Carlo, Maria Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Zubillaga, Marcela Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina