Mediterranean Fin Whales (Balaenoptera physalus) Threatened by Dolphin MorbilliVirus

Abstract

During 2011–2013, dolphin morbillivirus was molecularly identified in 4 stranded fin whales from the Mediterranean Sea. Nucleoprotein, phosphoprotein, and hemagglutinin gene sequences of the identified strain were highly homologous with those of a morbillivirus that caused a 2006–2007 epidemic in the Mediterranean. Dolphin morbillivirus represents a serious threat for fin whales.

Keywords

• Morbillivirus
• dolphin morbillivirus
• Balaenoptera physalus
• viruses
• Mediterranean Sea
• fin whales