You are here

"Tiger Stripe" Phenomena in Indian River Lagoon Dolphins

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2015
Summary:
A previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of prey. Goals of this study were to determine if tiger stripes are: (1) a marker of rapid weight loss, (2) more prevalent in post-partum females, and to (3) examine the spatial and temporal distribution in the IRL. Preliminary findings indicate that tiger striping is a useful marker suggestive of rapid weight loss. The next phase of research is to determine if the condition can be utilized as a pre-mortem marker of emaciation in IRL dolphins.
Title: "Tiger Stripe" Phenomena in Indian River Lagoon Dolphins.
523 views
39 downloads
Name(s): Stevens, Jessie
Lum, Bryanna
Blocker, Cameron
Ferch, Molly
Mazzoil, Marilyn S.
Reif, John S.
Murdoch, M. Elizabeth
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Poster
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University Libraries: Digital Library
Physical Form: pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: A previously undescribed skin abnormality, which we refer to as “tiger stripes,” has been identified in Indian River Lagoon bottlenose dolphins through photo-identification surveys. The condition presents as parallel stripes on the ventral and lateral aspects on the torso of the dolphin with varying length and depth. The condition may be indicative of rapid weight loss, similar to human "stretch marks”, debilitating illnesses resulting in emaciation or a result of starvation due to lack of prey. Goals of this study were to determine if tiger stripes are: (1) a marker of rapid weight loss, (2) more prevalent in post-partum females, and to (3) examine the spatial and temporal distribution in the IRL. Preliminary findings indicate that tiger striping is a useful marker suggestive of rapid weight loss. The next phase of research is to determine if the condition can be utilized as a pre-mortem marker of emaciation in IRL dolphins.
Identifier: FA00005212 (IID)
Subject(s): College students --Research --United States.
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005212
Host Institution: FAU