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A survey of the helminth parasites of cetaceans stranded on the coast of England and Wales during the period 1990-1994

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 1998

D. I. Gibson ,
E. A. Harris ,
R. A. Bray ,
P. D. Jepson ,
T. Kuiken ,
J. R. Baker  and
V. R. Simpson
D. I. Gibson
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K.
E. A. Harris
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K.
R. A. Bray
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, U.K.
P. D. Jepson
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, U.K.
T. Kuiken
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, U.K.
J. R. Baker
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral L64 7TE, U.K.
V. R. Simpson
Affiliation:
MAFF Veterinary Investigation Unit, Polwhele, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9AD, U.K.
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Abstract

The helminth parasites from more than 300 cetaceans stranded on the coast of England and Wales during the period 1990-1994 were identified, this being the largest organized survey of cetacean parasites yet undertaken. Thirteen species of cetaceans were examined, although the majority were common (harbour) porpoises Phocoena phocoena (n=173) and common dolphins Delphinus delphis (n=101). The parasites found included 11 species of nematode (Anisakis simplex, Pseudalius inflexus, Torynurus convolutus, Stenurus globicephalae, S. minor, Halocercus delphini, H. invaginatus, H. lagenorhynchi, H. taurica, Crassicauda boopis, Crassicauda sp.), five cestodes (Diphyllobothrium polyrugosum, D. stemmacephalum, Phyllobothrium delphini, Monorygma grimaldii, Tetrabothrius sp.), five digeneans (Campula oblonga, Oschmarinella albamarina, O. rochebruni, Lecithodesmus palliatus, Pholeter gastrophilus) and two acanthocephalans (Bolbosoma capitatum, B. physeteris). The results of this survey are tabulated and each helminth species is discussed in terms of its biology and pathogenicity.

Keywords

helminthparasiteNematodaCestodaTrematodaAcanthocephalalung-wormcetaceanwhaledolphinstrandingsurvey
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Zoology , Volume 244 , Issue 4 , April 1998 , pp. 563 - 574
Copyright
© 1998 The Zoological Society of London

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