Banca de DEFESA: SAUL MOTA BEZERRA

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : SAUL MOTA BEZERRA
DATE: 22/12/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Sala da Pós graduação do PPGBIOEF
TITLE:

Histopathological and Laboratory Evaluation in Globicephala macrorhynchus (Odontoceti) Following a Mass Stranding Event

KEY WORDS:

Contaminants; Marine Conservation; Pathology; Cetaceans

PAGES: 96
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Morfologia
SUMMARY:

 

The stranding of cetaceans is a critical event for marine conservation and an important indicator of the health of coastal ecosystems, often associated with environmental, pathological, and anthropogenic factors. This study aimed to analyze the anatomopathological, biochemical, hematological, and toxicological alterations in a female short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that died during a mass stranding of 21 individuals on Pititinga Beach, Rio Grande do Norte. The analyses were conducted in collaboration with different specialized laboratories.
The necropsy examination enabled macro- and microscopic descriptions, revealing skin lesions, mucosal congestion, and the presence of parasites in the tympanic bullae. Histopathological evaluation identified renal tubular degeneration, thickening of the glomerular capsule, multifocal areas of hepatic necrosis, moderate periportal fibrosis, and acute pulmonary inflammation. Supporting the systemic condition, the blood count showed leukopenia, while the biochemical tests indicated elevated creatinine, urea, ALT, and phosphorus levels.
Toxicological analysis revealed high levels of mercury and cadmium, suggesting chronic exposure to environmental contaminants. These heavy metals are known for their immunosuppressive and neurotoxic effects. The tympanic bullae contained nematodes belonging to the species Stenurus globicephalae.
The findings suggest that the animal presented a severe and multifactorial systemic condition, marked by intense parasitism, chronic inflammation, and signs of immunosuppression. This study provides an unprecedented contribution to the understanding of general macro- and microscopic morphological aspects of this specimen, which—combined with the results of clinical and toxicological analyses—supports the monitoring of the health of odontocete cetaceans along the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. It also reinforces the need to incorporate toxicological, parasitological, histopathological, and hematological approaches in stranding investigations, especially in gregarious, top-trophic-level species such as G. macrorhy

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1672446 - SIMONE ALMEIDA GAVILAN
Interno - ***.362.394-** - DANIEL SOLON DIAS DE FARIAS - UFRN
Externo à Instituição - ELIANE REIKO MATUSHIMA - USP