Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
In 2013-2014, bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) experienced unusually
high mortality along the East Coast of the US. Many deaths were attributed to Cetacean
Morbillivirus (CeMV). My thesis research examined whether this high mortality could be
attributed to the virus spreading more easily due to pollution, being picked up from a
specific location, or unusual weather events. I found no evidence that pollutants or
location corresponded with CeMV. There was the expected percentage of strandings
based on the percentage of coastline therefore ruling out any linkage to location. Weather
patterns appeared to have an effect on CeMV. When the temperatures were low, there
were minimal strandings due to CeMV. Whereas, when temperatures were at their
highest, there were also record numbers of CeMV. Thus, I concluded that high
temperatures may have allowed increased spread of CeMV, which was compounded by
increased movement of dolphins when waters are warmer.
high mortality along the East Coast of the US. Many deaths were attributed to Cetacean
Morbillivirus (CeMV). My thesis research examined whether this high mortality could be
attributed to the virus spreading more easily due to pollution, being picked up from a
specific location, or unusual weather events. I found no evidence that pollutants or
location corresponded with CeMV. There was the expected percentage of strandings
based on the percentage of coastline therefore ruling out any linkage to location. Weather
patterns appeared to have an effect on CeMV. When the temperatures were low, there
were minimal strandings due to CeMV. Whereas, when temperatures were at their
highest, there were also record numbers of CeMV. Thus, I concluded that high
temperatures may have allowed increased spread of CeMV, which was compounded by
increased movement of dolphins when waters are warmer.
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