Deformed Cetacea bones from the southern North Sea

摘要

This study describes the occurrence of osteological pathologies in cetacean bones from the North Sea held in the collections of Vonk and Ecomare on the island of Texel, the Netherlands. Bone pathologies are mostly a congenital condition, a result of degeneration or a bacterial infection. More severe bone malformations can have serious consequences for the health of cetaceans. Previous research indicates that lesions in a cetacean skeleton can lead to a decrease in mobility and fitness of the animal.Besides affecting the locomotion, these animals are more exposed to predation as well. In total, 37 whale bones with abnormal conditions were found. The majority originated from the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and accounted for 15 units. Vertebrae were the most common deformed bones with 24 units, mostly showing features of spondylodiscitis. As the studied collections primarily consist of fished up bone singletons instead of complete skeletons, it proved almost impossible to conclude if the observed pathologies had affected the health of the concerning cetaceans.