Respiratory Changes In Stranded Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus)

Lung function (breath duration, respiratory flow [(V) over dot], and tidal volume [V-T]), and end-expiratory O-2 were measured in 19 adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) while at rest in water or beached for up to 10 min. The results show that inspiratory V-T, expiratory V-T, or inspiratory (V) over dot did not differ on land or in water. The average expiratory (V) over dot for all dolphins on land decreased by 16%, and the expiratory and total breath durations increased by 5% and 4%, respectively, compared with in water. There were temporal changes observed during beaching, where expired and inspired V-T and inspired (V) over dot decreased by 13%, 16%, and 9%, respectively, after 10 min on land. These data suggest that dolphins compensate for the effect of gravity by adjusting respiration to maintain alveolar ventilation and gas exchange, but during extended durations, the increased work of breathing may impede ventilation and gas exchange. Continuous monitoring of lung function and gas exchange may help prevent long-term damage during out-of-water medical procedures, optimize animal transport conditions, and improve survival during stranding events.