Rako, N., Holcer, D. & Fortuna, C. M.: Long-term inshore observation of a solitary striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba, in the Vinodol Channel, Northern Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Nat. Croat., Vol. 18, No. 2., 427–436, 2009, Zagreb. The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is not a common cetacean species in the northern Adriatic Sea. Its presence is generally related to deeper offshore area...

Various studies have revealed high concentrations of contaminants such as organochlorines (OCs) and heavy metals in Mediterranean cetaceans. A geographical trend of contamination (PCBs and DDTs) has been found for striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). In this study we used a non-lethal approach (skin biopsy) to investigate bioaccumulation of OCs, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, p...

Striped bass Morone saxatilis were studied in order to characterize their immune responses over the short term following challenge with Mycobacterium marinum. The expression of immunity-related genes (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, Nramp and TGF-beta) quickly increased following infection with M. marinum, but these genes were subsequently down-regulated despite the fact that bacterial counts remained hig...

Decisions about joining social groups are often contingent on one’s own phenotypic characteristics and those of existing group members. Zebrafish and their allies (genus Danio) vary substantially in the expression of conspicuous lateral stripes. We presented wild-type zebrafish (D. rerio), two artificially selected D. rerio strains with reduced stripe expression, as well as the stripeless D. al...

Twenty-eight hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus leuconotus), 23 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and nine spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis) from an area of sympatry in west-central Texas were examined for helminth parasites. Shared helminth species among all three host species were one nematode (Physaloptera maxillaris), two acanthocephalans (Pachysentis canicola, Macracanthorhynchus ingens), and...

The objective of the present study was to identify the effect of osmolality, ions (K+, H+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and cAMP on the initiation of sperm motility in striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Striped bass spermatozoa remained motile in solutions isotonic to seminal plasma (350 mOsm/kg) until osmolality reached 600 mOsm/kg. K+ (0-100 mM) had no effect ( p>0.05 ) on sperm motility, and sperm displayed a ...

Surveys to assess cetacean presence were conducted in July 1995 and 1997 in the Gulf of Corinth, which is an almost-enclosed sea in Greece, Eastern Mediterranean. The dolphin sighting frequencies were high (0.043 sightings/km). Four dolphin species were encountered: striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) and...

1. Swimming patterns of striped bass and bluefish were monitored using a miniature accelerometer to record instantaneous acceleration and instantaneous deceleration during tail-thrusts over a wide range of swimming speeds. In addition, ventilatory excurrent flow patterns were visualized in swimming striped bass by injecting milk via a buccal catheter. 2. Both species accomplish steady swimming ...

Understanding environmental drivers of spatial patterns is an enduring ecological problem that is critical for effective biological conservation. Discontinuities (ecologically meaningful habitat breaks), both naturally occurring (e.g., river confluence, forest edge, dropoff) and anthropogenic (e.g., dams, roads), can influence the distribution of highly mobile organisms that have landor seascap...

In the animal kingdom, camouflage refers to patterns that help potential prey avoid detection. Mostly camouflage is thought of as helping prey blend in with their background. In contrast, disruptive or dazzle patterns protect moving targets and have been suggested as an evolutionary force in shaping the dorsal patterns of animals. Dazzle patterns, such as stripes and zigzags, are thought to red...