Author: Sea Rogers Williams
Parasitologist Dr. Murray Dailey visits center
World renound parasitologist, marine mammal parasitology expert, and author Dr. Murray Dailey visited the NMLC for a full week of meetings and laboratory instruction. Resident veterinarian Dr. Sea Rogers Williams, who has a special interest in parasitology and is currently identifying and evaluating cases of parasitism in marine mammals with a multi-year federal grant, was […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Answer Oct 2012
These are seal lice, or Echinophthrius horridus. They are lice, sucking lice, or Anoplurans to be more precise. Lice are insects within the hexapods with 6 legs, as opposed to mites which are arachnids with 8 legs (some parasite mites may have fewer; impress your friends!). Echinophthrius horridus are found on many phocids such as […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Oct. 2012
Here is an easy one. These parasites were found attached to the fur of a seal. What are they (scientific name and general taxon please) ? Name three risks associated with infection.
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month-Answer March 2012
Answers: These are “Phillobothrium delphini” What is interesting concerning these parasites is that cestodes, like most animals, are named for their adult form (the tape worm) which has never been described, or more likely is well know, but not related to their other earlier life stages. This means that the two parasites Phyllobothrium delphini and […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – March 2012
This month’s Parasite of the Month represents a finding so common during cetacean necropsies that its effect and significance can be overlooked. These parasites are found in the blubber layer and, while they can be found almost anywhere, have the greatest concentrations surrounding the ventral genital area. When presented with a blubber layer the […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Answer February 2012
The parasite is Nasitrema attenuata.
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Case February 2012
Our second case is another marine mammal classic. I was surprised when I first started looking at these parasites how much I had heard about them and how little I knew about their biology, pathology, and natural history. Speaking of history…. A common dolphin was found dead on beach with no external injuries. On necropsy, […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Answer January 2012
Answer month 1: Anisakis species These are roundworms or nematodes. The first clue was obscured in the original post (didn’t think I was going to make this too easy did you?) and required you to look at the oral opening and the three lips (covered in this case by the capsule). This and the marine […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month – Case January 2012
Around 100 of these specimens were found in the blow hole and stomach of a Pygmy Sperm Whale (Kogia breviceps) that stranded on Cape Cod, MA. The whale died but the worms were still alive at necropsy. Take a look at the pictures and answer the following questions. What are they ? Is there any […]
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month
As part of our grant to study the parasites of marine mammals, we are committed to educating the stranding network about the identity and significance of common marine mammal parasites. Dictionary.com defines a parasite this way. par·a·site noun 1. an organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, known as the host, from which body it obtains nutrients. Not too shabby, and to make this interesting I will be […]
National Marine Life Center
🍦New Patient Alert 🍦 Meet Mud Pie! Mud Pie is a female grey seal weanling who was rescued by our friends Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket
National Marine Life Center
Happy #VolunteerAppreciationWeek!! This week is meant to celebrate the selfless individuals who generously give their time and energy to something greater than themselves. NMLC is
National Marine Life Center
Happy #sealSaturday from Neapolitan! Neapolitan is making strides in his rehabilitation, eating fish on his own and has full water access- though he especially enjoys