Tag: parasite of the month


Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- June 2021

parasite

This parasite is a protozoan that infects most warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes the disease toxoplasmosis. As far as marine mammals go, this parasite has been observed in sea otters, manatees, harbor seals, northern fur seals, sea lions, and many cetacean species. Humans can become infected by several routes, including eating under-cooked meat of […]

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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- April 2021

parasite of the month

This type of parasite is common in pinnipeds and there are two different species commonly seen in the seals here at NMLC. Their life cycle remains a small mystery to researchers as there’s not much information regarding it, but patterns reveal that fish are the perfect intermediate hosts for these parasites. The adult form can […]

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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- March 2021

parasite of the month

This parasite is most commonly reported in cetaceans, but some cases has been seen in pinnipeds, fish and rarely humans. It is distinguishable thanks to their longitudinal rows of overlapping hooks on their proboscis, the hollow retractable extremity used to latch onto its host. This parasite can be as small as 1millimeter long or grow […]

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Parasite of the Month- Answer December 2020

parasite of the month

This parasite is Zalophotrema hepaticum, a species of trematode or fluke. Pinnipeds obtain this parasite through the ingestion of infected fish. Although this species is usually confined to the liver, recent studies have found evidence of this trematode migrating to the brain of sea lions, laying eggs, and causing fatal brain damage.     Posted by Meaghan […]

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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- December 2020

parasite of the month

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 sea lions, northern elephant seals, and Pacific harbor seals. This parasite is usually found in the liver or the adjacent bile duct. It can reach up to 21mm in length […]

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Parasite of the Month- Answer November 2020

parasite of the month

These ova belong to the genus Diphyllobothridea or the tapeworm. Tapeworms have a specialized scolex with suckers used to attach to the intestines of their host and are transferred to pinnipeds who eat infected fish. Using the fecal ova to identify parasites is important to seal rehabilitation at NMLC.     Posted by Meaghan K. […]

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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- November 2020

parasite of the month

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 and identify the species. These ova belong to a parasite that is found in the intestines of pinnipeds. While the ova are only 50-80 µm by 30-50 µm, the adult […]

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Parasite of the Month- Answer October 2020

parasite of the month

This parasite is Cyamus scammoni, a species of whale lice. Whale lice have hooked appendages used to latch onto the outside of whales where they scavenge for food on the whale’s body, including eating whale skin. Pictured below are Cyamus scammoni and their unique coiled gills!     Posted by Meaghan K. Meaghan is a fall intern […]

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Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- October 2020

parasite of the month

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. Juveniles of this species are not free-swimming and actually develop in a maternal pouch similar to marsupials. What is this parasite and how does it affect whales?     […]

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