Table 1.
Macroscopical classification of skin lesions from the present study with their corresponding gross findings.
| Category | Description | Gross-findings | Incidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesions (n = 55) | Percentage (%) | ||||
| 1. Tattoo-like | a. Oval-shaped | Round to irregular well-marked lesions with dark margins and stippled pattern in the centre. |
 Case 16 (CET 995) Grampus macrorhynchus Lesion A1 |
12 | 21.81 |
| b. Coalesced (49)* | Oval-shaped lesions that have coalesced between each other. |
 Case 2 (CET 601) Stenella frontalis Lesion A1 |
3 | 5.45 | |
| c. Serpiginous | Multiple small stippled black lesions very closely located between each other or even coalesced. Their unification and distribution resulted into a serpiginous appearance. |
 Case 3 (CET 642) Stenella frontalis Lesion A1 |
5 | 9.09 | |
| 2. Black-fringed (19)* | This category refers to those round lighter patches in contrast to the average coloration of the skin, with blurred black margins. Occasionally, they presented a slightly dark pinhole or irregular jagged pattern in the centre. |
 Case 21 (CET 1056) Stenella frontalis Lesion A1 |
9 | 16.36 | |
| 3. White-fringed (19)* | This category comprised those round black blemishes or normally colored skin with fade whitish margins. In some cases, an irregular pattern can be present in the centre of the lesions. |
 Case 26 (CET 1138) Stenella frontalis Lesion A1 |
8 | 14.54 | |
| 4. Pale (19)* | This category refers to pale in color and irregular in shape lesions. |
 Case 25 (CET 1103) Tursiops truncatus Lesion A2 |
1 | 1.81 | |
| 5. Ulcerative (11)* | Irregular shaped open skin lesions with completely loss of the epidermis. |
 Case 20 (CET 1045) Delphinus delphis Lesion A4 |
4 | 7.27 | |
| 6. Target-like (16)* | This category presented oval lesions with dark margins and depressed centre that occasionally could be eroded or ulcerated. |
 Case 26 (CET 1138) Stenella frontalis Lesion A4 |
3 | 5.45 | |
| 7. Ring (11)* | Included in this category were oval flat lesions with uniform divergent colors from black, grey, to white, and even almost imperceptible blemishes that have acquired the color of the normal skin. |
 Case 28 (CET 1152) Stenella frontalis Lesion A1 |
6 | 10.90 | |
| 8. Tortuous | This category refers to black or white linear lesions setting out tortuous tracts. Additionally, they can show depressed or raised pattern. |
 Case 23 (CET 1067); Lesion A3 |
4 | 7.27 | |
*N, number of lesions. Asterisks indicate references from which these categories have been previously established.