Patient Update: January 21, 2021
Since our most recent blog post in November, a lot has been going on here at NMLC! We’ve been kept busy by a record-breaking sea turtle...
Read MoreParasite of the Month- Answer December 2020
This parasite is Zalophotrema hepaticum, a species of trematode or fluke. Pinnipeds obtain this parasite through the ingestion of...
Read MoreMarine Mammal Parasite of the Month- December 2020
This is a parasite we often find in pinnipeds. Although the most common host is the California sea lion, they are also found in Stellar’s...
Read MoreThe Natural History, Biology, and Conservation of Loggerhead Sea Turtles
The Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world (National Geographic). It is found in warm...
Read MoreHeartworm in Phocids
Phocids, also known as earless seals or true seals, are common coastal marine mammals. Since 1972, seals have been protected under the...
Read MorePatient Update: November 26th, 2020
A lot has happened here at NMLC since our last update in October. Montauk, a harbor seal who was recently released after restranding due to...
Read MoreParasite of the Month- Answer November 2020
These ova belong to the genus Diphyllobothridea or the tapeworm. Tapeworms have a specialized scolex with suckers used to attach to the...
Read MoreMarine Mammal Parasite of the Month- November 2020
Here at NMLC, parasites are diagnosed by examining the seal’s feces. We use a fecal float test and a statspin to isolate the parasite ova...
Read MoreParasite of the Month- Answer October 2020
This parasite is Cyamus scammoni, a species of whale lice. Whale lice have hooked appendages used to latch onto the outside of whales...
Read MoreMarine Mammal Parasite of the Month- October 2020
This parasite is actually a crustacean and is only found on gray whales. They can grow up to 27mm in length and occur in large colonies....
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