On her deep-sea dives, wildlife biologist Angela Ziltener of the College of Zurich usually seen Indo-Pacific bottlenosed dolphins doing one thing intriguing. The dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) would line as much as take turns brushing their our bodies towards corals or sea sponges lining the seafloor. After greater than a decade as an “adopted” member of the pod — a standing that allow Ziltener stand up shut with out disturbing the animals — she and her crew might have discovered why the animals behave this manner: The dolphins might use corals and sea sponges as their very own non-public pharmacies.
The invertebrates make antibacterial compounds — in addition to others with antioxidant or hormonal properties — which are most likely launched into the waters of the Northern Purple Sea when dolphins make contact, Ziltener and colleagues report Could 19 in iScience. So the rubbing may assist dolphins preserve wholesome pores and skin.
Ziltener captured video exhibiting members of the pod utilizing corals as in the event that they had been a shower brush, swimming by way of to rub numerous elements of their our bodies. Oftentimes it’s a peaceable social gathering. “It’s not like they’re combating one another for the flip,” Ziltener says. “No, they wait after which they undergo.” Different occasions, a person dolphin will arrive at a patch of coral by itself.
However the dolphins gained’t buff their our bodies towards simply any corals, Ziltener says. They’re choosy, primarily rubbing up towards gorgonian corals (Rumphella aggregata) and leather-based corals (Sarcophyton sp.), in addition to a sort of sea sponge (Ircinia sp.).
Ziltener and colleagues analyzed one-centimeter slices taken from wild corals and sponges. The crew recognized 17 compounds total, together with 10 with antibacterial or antimicrobial exercise. It’s attainable that because the dolphins swim by way of the corals, the compounds assist shield the animals from pores and skin irritations or infections, says coauthor Gertrud Morlock, an analytical chemist at Justus Liebig College Giessen in Germany.
Different animals, together with chimpanzees, can self-medicate (SN: 11/3/90). Marine biologist Jeremy Kiszka of Florida Worldwide College in Miami says the brand new examine convinces him that the dolphins are utilizing corals and sea sponges for that function. However, he says, extra experiments are essential to show the hyperlink. Lab assessments, as an example, may assist determine the kinds of micro organism that the compounds would possibly work towards.
Ziltener agrees there’s extra to be performed. As an illustration, it’s additionally attainable that along with prevention, dolphins use corals and sea sponges to deal with lively pores and skin infections, she says, however the crew has but to see proof of a coral remedy. Subsequent up although, Ziltener says, is determining whether or not dolphins favor to rub particular physique elements on particular corals in such an “underwater spa.”
