Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins take skin care seriously. Marine mammals treat her,
For the first time, scientists have seen how animals rubabout gorgonian corals (Rumphella aggregata) in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt. Researchers suspected that dolphins might use them to medicate themselves, since gorgonians are known to secrete mucus with antimicrobial properties. Later, scientists noticed that bottlenose dolphins also use Sarcophyton corals and Ircinia sponges. These other invertebrate organisms also produce biologically active substances.
In a new study, scientists have identified more than a dozen bioactive compounds produced by these corals and sponges that help maintain healthy skin in dolphins.
Also, as part of the new work, scientists observed the life of bottlenose dolphins and filmed them. As a result, the team drew conclusions about the typical behavior patterns of dolphins.
Animals often lined up one after another inturn to rub against the coral. When the dolphins did this particularly vigorously, their skin sometimes turned a “catchy” yellowish or greenish color due to compounds released by the invertebrates, the study authors wrote.
The researchers not only collected photographs andvideos of bottlenose dolphins, but also took samples of corals and sponges that the animals preferred. Back in the lab, they studied them using high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Chemists assessed the bioactive properties of eachcompounds in corals and sponges. It turned out that some of them have an antibacterial effect against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Some of the substances acted as antioxidants, while others exhibited estrogen-like effects. This helped moisturize the dolphins' skin and make it elastic.
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