Dear MARMAM community, On behalf of my coauthors, I am thrilled to share our new publication in Animals titled: Nature or Nurture: Is the Digestive System of the *Pontoporia blainvillei* Influenced or Determined by Its Diet?
Abstract: The Franciscana (also known as the La Plata River Dolphin) is a small dolphin that lives in the coastal waters of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This species is considered the most endangered marine mammal in the western South Atlantic Ocean. Anatomic dissection of the digestive system of 19 animals of different ages, including 2 neonates, 12 juveniles, and 5 adults, was performed. Parameters related to length, breadth, weight, and diameter of the digestive viscera were considered in each case. Our results show that the Franciscana dolphin presents differential characteristics in relation to several parts of the digestive system, including, specifically, the tongue, the teeth, the stomach, and the small intestine. Thus, this paper add precious information to the actual knowledge of this vulnerable marine mammal species in order to improve conservation efforts. Tostado-Marcos C, Olocco Diz MJ, Martín-Orti R, Loureiro JP, Molpeceres-Diego I, Tendillo-Domínguez E, Pérez-Lloret P, Santos-Álvarez I, González-Soriano J. Nature or Nurture: Is the Digestive System of the Pontoporia blainvillei Influenced or Determined by Its Diet? Animals (Basel). 2024 Feb 20;14(5):661. doi: 10.3390/ani14050661. PMID: 38473047; PMCID: PMC10931072. The paper is open access and can be downloaded here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/661 Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our work! Cheers, Ignacio Molpeceres de Diego DVM, PhD Candidate University Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
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