Procedures for the Salvage and Necropsy of the Dugong (Dugong dugon)

by C Eros, H Marsh
School of Tropical Environment Studies and Geography
James Cook University and CRC Reef Research Centre

R Bonde, C Beck
U.S. Geological Survey
Florida Caribbean Science Centre

T O'Shea
U.S. Geological Survey
Midcontinent Ecological Science Centre

C Recchia, K, Dobbs
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

April 2000
First edition

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION [Adobe Acrobat Format 29 Kb]

1.1 Objectives

1.2 Purpose of Necropsies

1.3 Summary of Status and Life History of the Dugong

2 ELEMENTS OF A STRANDING NETWORK [Adobe Acrobat Format 25 Kb]

2.1 The Stranding Network in Queensland, Australia

2.1.1 Agencies and Organisations Involved

2.1.2 Reporting Procedures

2.2 Stranding Database

3 INCIDENT RESPONSE PROCEDURES [Adobe Acrobat Format 37 Kb]

3.1 Safety

3.2 Documentation

3.2.1 Record Keeping

3.2.1.1 Datasheets

3.2.2 Photographs

3.2.2.1 Stranding Location

3.2.2.2 Necropsy

3.2.3 Measurements

3.3 Initial Assessment

3.4 Transporting a Carcass

4 NECROPSY TECHNIQUE [Adobe Acrobat Format 3316 Kb]

4.1 Summary of Dissection Process

4.1.1 Samples

4.2 External Examination and Initial Incisions

4.3 Gastrointestinal Tract

4.4 Liver and Gall Bladder

4.5 Pericardial Cavity, Heart, Major Blood Vessels and Mammary Glands

4.5.1 Blood Sample

4.6 Respiratory System

4.7 Urinary System

4.8 Female Reproductive System

4.9 Male Reproductive System

4.10 Head and Neck Region

4.11 The Skeleton

4.11.1 Forensic Examination of Bones

5 SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION [Adobe Acrobat Format 30 Kb]

5.1 Fixatives and Preservatives

5.1.1 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin

5.1.2 Bouin’s Solution

5.1.3 Ethyl Alcohol EtOH (100%)

5.1.4 Acetic Acid

5.1.5 Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)

5.1.6 Frozen Samples

5.2 Specimen Collection Techniques

5.2.1 Ingesta

5.2.2 Parasites

5.2.3 Genetics

5.2.4 Toxic Element and Organohalogen Analysis

5.2.5 Urine

5.2.6 Haemolysed Blood

5.2.7 Microbiology

6 TRANSPORTATION OF SPECIMENS [Adobe Acrobat Format 24 Kb]

7 DETERMINATION OF CAUSES OF DEATH [Adobe Acrobat Format 42 Kb]

7.1 Disease

7.2 Predation

7.3 Dependent Calves

7.4 Starvation

7.5 Vessel Strikes

7.6 Incidental Catch

7.7 Other Human-related Causes

7.8 Undetermined

8 GLOSSARY [Adobe Acrobat Format 25 Kb]

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 15 Kb]

REFERENCES [Adobe Acrobat Format 28 Kb]

FIGURES

1. Incisions recommended for dugong necropsy from the ventral surface
2. First incision of a dugong necropsy
3. Cross-section of tissue layers near the ventral mid-line
4. Removing the left slab of tissue layers after initial incisions
5. Exposed organs in situ following initial incisions and removal of dermal layers
6. Stomach and intestines of the dugong
7. Carcass with liver and intestines displaced outside the abdominal cavity
8. Pleural cavity showing location of major internal organs after removal of liver, stomach and intestines
9. Opening the stomach of a dugong
10. Ventral view of the dugong heart after removal of epicardium, fat, veins and nerves
11. Dorsal surface of the dugong ovary
12. The right testis and epididymis of a male dugong
13. Ventral view of the reproductive tract of the male dugong
14. Lateral view of the dugong head
15. Lateral view of the dugong skeleton
16. Recommended sites for collecting tissue samples from liver, kidney and blubber for contaminants analysis
17. Dugong carcass diagnosed as dying from bacterial peritonitis
18. Propeller strike marks on a dugong head
19. Numerous markings on the back and sides of the body are common
20. Dugong suspected of being entangled in a net

TABLES

1. Suggested list of items to be used during necropsy procedures
2. Key roles and responsibilities at dugong necropsies in Queensland, Australia

ATTACHMENTS

1. Marine Wildlife Stranding and Mortality Report [Adobe Acrobat Format 123 Kb]
2. Dugong Stranding and Necropsy Datasheet [Adobe Acrobat Format 91 Kb]
3. Dugong Morphometrics [Adobe Acrobat Format 31 Kb]

Related Links

• Find out more about Dugongs