The lungworm, Halocercus spp. (Nematoda: Pseudaliidae) in cetaceans from California.
Three cetaceans from Monterey Bay, California (USA), were infected with lung nematodes. A beaked whale calf, Mesoplodon sp. was infected with adult Halocercus sp. This represents a new host record for this nematode. The lungs of a northern right whale dolphin calf, Lissodelphis borealis, contained an unidentified nematode similar in size to Halocercus sp. The presence of Phyllobothrium delphini-type cestode larvae in its blubber is evidence that the calf was feeding on invertebrates. A pregnant harbor porpoise, Phocoena phocoena was infected with the lung nematode H. invaginatus, but the fetus was uninfected. We found no direct evidence of a transplacental mode of transmission for Halocercus sp.
Moser
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Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz 95060.
Rhinehart
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H
D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D004289:Dolphins / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015597:Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014907:Whales / Q000469:parasitology*