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Lesions associated with drowning in bycaught penguins
Ralph Eric Vanstreels1, Renata Hurtado, Ana Carolina Ewbank
1Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, 05508-270 SP, Brazil.
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms
|October 28, 2016
Summary
Fisheries bycatch is a major threat to seabirds. Necropsies of Magellanic penguins reveal specific lesions, like lung distension and muscle damage, aiding in bycatch and drowning diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Wildlife Pathology
- Conservation Science
Background:
- Fisheries bycatch poses a significant conservation threat to penguins and other seabirds.
- Accurately identifying entanglement and drowning in deceased seabirds is challenging due to unclear diagnostic lesions.
Observation:
- Two Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) entangled and drowned in gillnets were necropsied.
- Prominent lesions included lung distension with foamy fluid and visceral pleural edema, consistent with 'wet drowning'.
- Minimal fluid in air sacs was noted, questioning its reliability in excluding drowning.
Findings:
- Cutaneous lacerations and bruising were observed in one penguin.
- Cervical and pectoral rhabdomyolysis were present in both birds.
- While external signs like net-patterned bruising can indicate bycatch, their absence does not rule out entanglement.
Implications:
- Histological examination of skeletal muscles, especially the neck, may offer additional evidence for diagnosing drowning in penguins.
- Understanding these specific lesions improves the ability to diagnose bycatch mortality in seabird populations.
- This research contributes to better conservation strategies for seabirds impacted by fisheries interactions.
