Bite injuries of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) on harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena).

ABSTRACT: Bite-like skin lesions on harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) have been suspected to be caused by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), and a few field observations have been reported. Bite-like skin lesions observed on stranded animals were characterized by two main components: large flaps of loose or missing skin and blubber with frayed edges and puncture lesions. Definitive demonstration of predation by a grey seal was not reported so far in those stranded animals. In this study, five stranded porpoises with bite-like skin lesions were swabbed for genetic investigations. In addition, the head of a recently dead grey seal was used to mimic bite-like skin injuries on a porpoise carcass. Subsequently, the artificial skin injuries were swabbed, along with the gum of the seal used for inflictin

SUBMITTER: Jauniaux T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4251829 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature