Prevalence and relative abundance of barnacles xenobalanus globicipitis of the bottlenose dolphin tursiops truncatus populations in the southern gulf of mexico

Abstract

Xenobalanus globicipitis is a commensal barnacle located on cetacean fin edges. The commensal-host interaction between Xenobalanus globicipitis and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) has been poorly studied in Mexico. The main objective was to estimate the relative barnacle prevalence and abundance in bottlenose dolphins in three areas and seasons of the Gulf of Mexico. Tamiahua zone showed the higher prevalence (42.4%) and relative abundance (0.60 barnacles/individual/hr-1) compared to Tuxpan and Nautla zones. Whereas, in dry season there were higher prevalence (55.6%) and relative abundance (0.53 barnacles/ individual/hr-1) than rainy and winter storm seasons. Therefore, zones and seasons of the Gulf of Mexico influence the barnacle-dolphin interactions.