Dear MARMAM subscribers, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following paper in the current issue of Marine Mammal Science: Dental erosion in South Atlantic dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae): A macro and microscopic approach Carolina Loch, Liliane J. Grando, Donald R. Schwass, Jules A. Kieser, R. Ewan Fordyce and Paulo C. Simões-Lopes doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00562.x Volume 29, Issue 2, April 2013, Pages 338-347 Abstract Dental erosion is the demineralization of dental tissues independent of bacterial action, being related to ingestion of acidic substances or regurgitation of physiological acids. This condition has been documented and studied in humans and few other mammals, but only recently diagnosed in cetaceans. We analyzed teeth of 350 individuals from 10 species of South Atlantic delphinids. Specimens diagnosed with dental erosion were evaluated macroscopically and with light microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Micro-CT. Macroscopic characteristics and microscopic analysis revealed similar features as observed in humans. The overall low prevalence of erosion and higher incidence in the lingual faces of teeth is consistent with intrinsic acid reflux rather than dietary or environmental acids. Upper gastrointestinal tract disorders such as peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis are known to promote gastric reflux to the oral cavity. Dolphins reportedly may have severe parasite infection leading to gastric lesions, and may show positive biopsies for Helicobacter, bacteria related to occurrence of gastritis. Cetaceans present upper gastrointestinal disorders with potential to promote gastric reflux and generate dental erosion, but a clear connection among these factors requires further investigation. Keywords: Acid reflux, dolphin teeth, gastric lesions, Micro-CT, SEM. Full text is available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2012.00562.x/full Or alternatively, a pdf can be requested at: carolinaloch@yahoo.com.br Best regards, MSc. Carolina Loch Silva PhD Candidate Geology Department, University of Otago Dunedin 9054, New Zealand http://www.otago.ac.nz/geology/people/students/loch/index.html & Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos UFSCFlorianópolis, SC - Brasil