1Department
of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, National Chiayi
University, No. 580, Xinmin Rd, Chiayi, Taiwan;2Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology,
College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, No.1, Sec. 4,
Roosevelt Rd, Taipei, Taiwan *Corresponding author: chouls@ntu.edu.tw
Abstract
The prevalence of epidermal conditions in a small
critically endangered population (<100 individuals) of coastal Indo-Pacific
humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis)
from the waters of western Taiwan was assessed during a photo-identification study
conducted between 2006 and 2010. Of 97 individuals photographically examined, at
least 37%
were affected by at least one or multiple conditions. Besides,
mature individuals had significantly higher prevalence than immature ones did.Five different skin
condition categories were considered, including pox-like lesion, pale lesion, orange film, prolonged
ulcer lesion, and nodule on body. This
first study to investigate epidermal conditions on
S. chinensis in the world offers data for comparison with other
studies in the future and new ground for discussion on the health of these
animals and the potential impact of anthropogenic activities.