Mediterranean Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) Threatened by Dolphin MorbilliVirus

Area of Science:

• Marine Mammal Health
• Virology
• Ecosystem Health

Background:

• Morbilliviruses are known pathogens affecting marine mammals.
• Previous morbillivirus outbreaks have impacted Mediterranean marine fauna.
• Fin whales are a significant component of the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the causative agent of mortality in stranded fin whales.
• To molecularly characterize the detected virus.
• To assess the potential threat of dolphin morbillivirus to fin whale populations.

Main Methods:

• Molecular identification of viruses in stranded fin whale tissues.
• Sequencing of Nucleoprotein, Phosphoprotein, and Hemagglutinin genes.
• Phylogenetic analysis to compare with known morbillivirus strains.

Main Results:

• Dolphin morbillivirus was molecularly identified in four stranded fin whales.
• The identified strain showed high genetic homology with a 2006-2007 Mediterranean epidemic strain.
• Gene sequences analyzed included Nucleoprotein, Phosphoprotein, and Hemagglutinin.

Conclusions:

• Dolphin morbillivirus is actively circulating in Mediterranean fin whale populations.
• The virus poses a serious and ongoing threat to fin whale survival.
• Genetic similarity suggests a persistent or re-emerging viral lineage.