Lobomycosis-like disease and other skin conditions in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus from the Indian Ocean

Lobomycosis is a chronic mycotic disease Of the skin and subdermal tissues caused by the yeast-like organism Lacazia loboi, which affects humans and Delphinidae. Cases of lobomycosis and lobomycosis-like disease (LLD), a disease very similar to lobomycosis but for which a histological diagnostic is missing, have been reported in small cetaceans from the Americans and Europe. Here we report on LLD in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tunsiops aduncus from the tropical lagoon of Mayotte, between Mozambique and Madagascar, From July 2004 to June 2008, boat surveys were conducted in Mayotte waters. At. least. 71 adult. dolphins were photo-identified. Six (5 males, 1 female) had multiple raised, greyish nodUles on the dorsal fin, head, flanks, belly, back and tailslock that suggested LLD. The lesions were extensive in some cases, The calf of the positive female wets also affected. LLD has been present. in this community since at least 1999. As sampling was not. possible, the aetiology of the disease could not be explored. The emergence of LLD in Mayotte may be related to degradation of the coastal environment associated with rapid urbanization, expanding agriculture and increased release Of Untreated freshwater runoffs. Other skin lesions included scars, healing wounds, whitish lesions and lumps.