BIOLOGIYA MORYA, 2015, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 349-360

Skin defects in the beluga whale Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas, 1776) from the Solovetsky gathering (White Sea), as revealed by photo identification analysis

© 2015 V. V. Krasnova¹, A. D. Chernetsky¹, O. V. Russkova²

¹P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117997;
²Dolphin and Me, Ltd., Moscow 119071

E-mail:

Long-term (2007-2012) photo-ID data allowed the systematization of skin defects found in beluga whales from the Solovetsky gathering (Onega Bay, White Sea). Their probable nature was determined from external appearance; the persistence of the skin marks is discussed. The dynamics of occurrence of Delphinapterus leucas with skin marks of different etiologies are analyzed over the period of 2010-2012. An attempt is made to assess the health status of Solovetsky beluga whales.

Key words: White Sea, Onega Bay, beluga whales, Solovetsky gathering, photo identification, skin defects, mechanical lesions, infectious lesions.