Skin blemishes or medical skin problems not only cause problems for many people – dolphins are not spared either. Some of them have found a way to self-treat their skin problems by rubbing themselves on 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 journal »iScience«.
The scientists observed Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt scrubbing their skin on certain corals and sponges and even lining up for it in a row. Some sea creatures such as 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 several times. An analysis of the mucus samples showed that it contains 17 biologically active substances, which, among other things, have antimicrobial activity.
The researchers therefore suspect that the coral mucus regulates the microbioma of the dolphin skin and probably prevents or even combat infections. One cannot lead to proof of healing, says Morlock. But the conclusion is obvious that "the rubbing on the marine organisms that are rich in active ingredients and have been specially selected by the dolphins can cause a little because they have direct contact with the dolphin skin".
