Coral slime helps dolphins to have clear skin


Skin blemishes or medical skin problems are not only a problem for many people – dolphins are not spared either. Some of them have found a way to self-treat their skin problems by rubbing against selected corals and sponges. This is indicated by the study results of an international research team led by Gertrud Morlock from the University of Gießen, which have been published in the specialist journal “iScience”.

The scientists have Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, they have been spotted scrubbing their skin on certain corals and sponges, even lining up to do it. Some sea creatures like the gorgonian coral or the leather coral were particularly popular with the dolphins. The researchers examined these in more detail. They found out that the tiny coral polyps release mucus when the marine mammals rub against them repeatedly. An analysis of the mucus samples revealed that it contains 17 biologically active substances that have an antimicrobial effect, among other things.

The researchers therefore suspect that the coral slime regulates the microbiome of the dolphin skin and probably prevents or even fights infections. One cannot prove a cure, says Morlock. But the conclusion is obvious “that rubbing on the marine organisms, which are rich in active substances and were specially selected by the dolphins, can make a difference because they have direct contact with the dolphin skin”. (dpa/esm)



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