Form, function and pathology in the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata)

"The pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) is found worldwide, primarily in tropical waters (Perrin et al. 1987, Perrin 2009) but has received the most attention in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) where mortality due to the yellowfin tuna purse-seine fishery between about 1960 and 1980 reduced one population to depleted status ( Smith 1983 ) , leading to decades of research directed toward population recovery. Subsequent to 1990, changes in fishery operations dramatically decreased fishery - related mortality , but spotted dolphin abundance has not recovered as expected (Wade et al. 2007). In an effort to determine whether factors related to form, function and or pathology in spotted dolphins may be contributing to this apparent lack of population recovery in the ETP, we reviewed spotted dolphin literature available through 2012. We relate the results of this literature review to potential interactions with the ETP tuna purse-seine fishery. Although the majority of the data were collected from specimens killed in tuna purse-seine nets in the ETP, we reviewed and include results of studies without regard to geographic origin"--Introduction. Elizabeth F. Edwards, Nicholas M. Kellar, William F. Perrin. "August 2013." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Includes bibliographical references (pages 61-76).