Anthropic Pressure on Cetaceans Stranded Along the Ligurian Coast Within the Pelagos Sanctuary: A Case Series
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Data collected by C. Re. Di. Ma over a 3-year period (2020–2022) were considered to assess anthropic pressure on cetaceans living in the Ligurian sea. Out of a total of 37 stranded cetaceans, a complete post mortem examination was performed on 23 cases. Of these, 14 were further selected considering at least one of these conditions: (i) confirmed, probable, or suspected interaction with fishing activities through the application of a standardized diagnostic framework (7/14; 50%), (ii) toxicological stress through the evaluation of OCs hazardous levels (14/14; 100%), and (iii) terrestrial pathogen-associated disease (systemic infection and/or associated lesions) (7/14; 50%). For 9 animals out of a total of 14 selected, the cause of death was classified as natural (6/14; 42,8%), anthropic (3/14; 21,4%), or not determined (5/14; 35,7%) based on gross and histological pathology and ancillary testing. These findings extend our knowledge of the anthropic pressure to which cetaceans stranded along the Ligurian coastline are subjected from a multidisciplinary point of view.
Source: Animals
DOI: 10.3390/ani14223207
Authors: Virginia Mattioda, Federica Giorda, Guia Consales, Camilla Testori, Simona Zoppi, Maria Goria, Maria Ines Crescio, Laura Serracca, Katia Varello, Valerio Carta, Letizia Marsili, Matteo Baini, Matteo Galli, Cristina Cristina Fossi, Elena Fontanesi, Fulvio Garibaldi, Guido Pietroluongo, Sandro Mazzariol, Francesco Brunelli, Cristina Casalone, Carla Grattarola
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,728
Funder: Ministero della Salute
OpenAlex ID: W4404186981