Congenital defects and herpesvirus infection in beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas calves from the Critically Endangered Cook Inlet population

Kathleen A. Burek-Huntington; Kim E. W. Shelden; Colleen Guilfoyle; J. G. M. Thewissen; Mandy Migura; Anibal G. Armien; Carlos H. Romero

doi:10.3354/dao03690

DAO

Diseases of Aquatic Organisms

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DAO 151:29-35 (2022) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03690

NOTE
Congenital defects and herpesvirus infection in beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas calves from the Critically Endangered Cook Inlet population

Kathleen A. Burek-Huntington^1,*, Kim E. W. Shelden², Colleen Guilfoyle³, J. G. M. Thewissen⁴, Mandy Migura⁵, Anibal G. Armien⁶, Carlos H. Romero⁷

¹Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services, Eagle River, Alaska 99577, USA
²NOAA, NMFS, AFSC, Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, Washington 98115, USA
³Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741, USA
⁴Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio 44272, USA
⁵Broad Conservation, 16607 Eleonora St., Eagle River, Alaska 99577, USA
⁶California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
⁷Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA

*Corresponding author: avps.kbh@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: Cook Inlet beluga whales (CIBs) Delphinapterus leucas are Critically Endangered and genetically distinct from other beluga populations in Alaska. CIBs are exposed to numerous natural and anthropogenic sources of mortality and morbidity. This study describes congenital defects observed in 2 CIB calves. The first case, an aborted fetus, was characterized by lack of a peduncle and flukes, anorectal and genitourinary dysgenesis, and probable biliary dysplasia. The second case, a male calf, had a perineal groove defect and suspected secondary peritonitis; it also had a systemic herpesvirus infection. Further studies are needed to determine if such defects are due to genetic mutation, infectious diseases, nutritional imbalances, or contaminant exposure.

KEY WORDS: Beluga · Congenital defect · Caudal regression syndrome · Perineal groove

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Cite this article as: Burek-Huntington KA, Shelden KEW, Guilfoyle C, Thewissen JGM, Migura M, Armien AG, Romero CH (2022) Congenital defects and herpesvirus infection in beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas calves from the Critically Endangered Cook Inlet population. Dis Aquat Org 151:29-35. https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03690

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DAO 151:29-35 (2022) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03690

NOTE Congenital defects and herpesvirus infection in beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas calves from the Critically Endangered Cook Inlet population

Kathleen A. Burek-Huntington1,*, Kim E. W. Shelden2, Colleen Guilfoyle3, J. G. M. Thewissen4, Mandy Migura5, Anibal G. Armien6, Carlos H. Romero7

NOTE
Congenital defects and herpesvirus infection in beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas calves from the Critically Endangered Cook Inlet population

Kathleen A. Burek-Huntington^1,*, Kim E. W. Shelden², Colleen Guilfoyle³, J. G. M. Thewissen⁴, Mandy Migura⁵, Anibal G. Armien⁶, Carlos H. Romero⁷