Abstract
Aruba, located close to the coasts of Colombia and Venezuela, is one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean and supports a wide range of marine-related socio-economic activities. However, little is known about the impacts of human activities on the marine environment. Injuries in marine mammals can be used to examine interactions with human activities and identify potential threats to the survival of populations. The prevalence of external injuries and tooth rake marks were examined in Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) (n = 179), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) (n = 76) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) (n = 71) in Aruban waters using photo identification techniques. Eleven injury categories were defined and linked to either human-related activities or natural causes. All injury categories were observed. In total, 18.7% of all individuals had at least one injury. Almost half (41.7%) of the injuries could be attributed to human interactions, of which fishing gear was the most common cause (53.3%) followed by propeller hits (13.3%). Major disfigurements were observed in all three species and could be attributed to interactions with fishing gear. The results of this study indicate that fishing gear and propeller hits may pose threats to small and medium-sized cetaceans in Aruban waters. Thus, long-term monitoring of population trends is warranted. Shark-inflicted bite wounds were observed in Atlantic spotted dolphin and bottlenose dolphin. Bite wounds of cookie cutter sharks (Isistius sp.) were recorded in all three species, and include the first documented record of a cookie cutter shark bite in Atlantic spotted dolphin. This is one of the few studies which investigates the prevalence of injuries in cetaceans in the Caribbean. Further study is necessary to determine to which extent the injuries observed in Aruba affect the health and survival of local populations.
Highlights
In most parts of the world, marine mammals are exposed to various threats caused by interaction with human activities, including fisheries, boat traffic, contaminants and pathogens [1,2,3,4]
The conservation status of many species of marine mammals is of great concern [7]
Marine mammals are subjected to natural threats, including predators such as killer whale Orcinus orca, false killer whale Pseudorca crassidens and a variety of shark species [8,9]
Summary
In most parts of the world, marine mammals are exposed to various threats caused by interaction with human activities, including fisheries, boat traffic, contaminants and pathogens [1,2,3,4]. These human activities are increasing worldwide, especially in coastal areas [5,6]. External injuries of marine mammals have provided useful information for a wide range of studies in ecology and conservation biology [13,14]. The presence of such wounds and scars helps to establish to which human activities marine mammals are exposed. Because individual dolphins and whales often can be identified from their external markings [13,26], it is possible to quantify the prevalence of injuries within a local population
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
