Fatal asphyxia due to laryngeal displacement by large-sized prey in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), Brazil

ABSTRACT: The Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) is a small odontocete distributed from Santa Catarina state, Brazil, to Honduras. Although it is currently considered “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, considerable knowledge on health and disease aspects of this species has been gained over the last decade. The main threats for the species are represented by multiple anthropic factors. Guiana dolphins feed on a variety of taxa, primarily teleosts, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Herein, we reported a case of severe laryngeal displacement and esophageal impaction with ulceration associated with a deglutted adult leatherjacket (Oligoplites sp.). This fish species is not a common prey item of Guiana dolphins’ diet. Severe upper aerodigestive compromise likely led to death by mechanical asphyxia (choke) in this dolphin. This report attested the occurrence of upper aerodigestive dysfunction due to overzealous feeding in Guiana dolphin and contributed to general knowledge on pathology of the species.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Mariani,Daniela Bueno, Guimarães,Juliana Plácido, Batista,Renata Guedes, Brum,Andrei, Groch,Kátia Regina, Díaz-Delgado,Josué, Parente,Jociery Einhardt Vergara
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2020
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782020000200550
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