ABSTRACT: Dolphin tattoo lesions are superficial non-raised skin lesions caused by poxviruses. Their presentation can vary but typical lesions in bottlenose dolphins are circular to ovoid with concentric rings of black stippling. These lesions have at times been suggested as an indicator of overall dolphin health and welfare. This study explored the effect of water temperature on the extent of tattoo lesions in 25 dolphins, along with established hematological health parameters and food consumption. Study animals consisted of 9 males and 16 females with dolphin tattoo lesions ranging in age from 2 to 45 yr. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) in extent and appearance of tattoo lesions was documented following increase in water temperature from 21-24°C (70-75°F) to 25.5-26.5°C (78-80°F). Reduction in tattoo lesions could be noted as early as 2-3 wk following water temperature increase. Marked reduction to complete resolution of tattoo lesions was reproducibly seen 5-6 wk post temperature increase. Food consumption following temperature increase was variable: decrease in intake was noted in 48% of dolphins, increase in intake in 52%. Routine blood parameters (complete blood count, serum chemistry panel, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate) remained within normal limits. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in extent and appearance of tattoo lesions was documented in 3 dolphins as early as 4-5 wk following a decrease in water temperature from 26.1°C (79°F) to 21°C (70°F). Water temperature is a key environmental parameter affecting cetacean pox (‘tattoo’) lesions in bottlenose dolphins. The absence of changes in hematological parameters along with lack of correlation between extent of pox lesions and food intake indicates that dolphin tattoo lesions are not an appropriate indicator of overall health.

中文翻译：

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水温波动是宽吻海豚Tursiops truncatus中鲸类痘（纹身）损害的关键驱动因素。

摘要：海豚纹身病是由痘病毒引起的浅表性非隆起性皮肤病。它们的表现可以变化，但宽吻海豚的典型病变为圆形至卵圆形，并带有黑色斑点的同心环。有时已建议将这些病变作为整体海豚健康和福祉的指标。这项研究探讨了水温对25只海豚纹身损伤程度的影响，以及确定的血液健康参数和食物消耗。研究动物包括9头雄性和16头雌性，海豚纹身的损害年龄在2至45岁之间。水温从21-24°C（70-75°F）升高到25.5-26.5°C（78-80°F）后，纹身病灶的范围和外观显着减少（p <0.01）。随着水温升高，纹身病灶的减少最早可在2-3周出现。在温度升高5-6周后，可再现地看到纹身损伤完全消除的明显减少。温度升高后的食物消耗量是可变的：48％的海豚的摄食量减少，52％的摄食量增加。常规血液参数（全血细胞计数，血清化学指标，纤维蛋白原，红细胞沉降率）保持在正常范围内。在水温从26.1°C（79°F）降至21°C（70°F）之后，早在4-5周时，三只海豚发现纹身损伤的程度和外观显着增加（p <0.05）。 ）。水温是影响宽吻海豚中鲸类痘病毒（“纹身”）损害的关键环境参数。