Elemental analysis of cetacean skull lesions associated with nematode infections.
The elemental composition of both healthy and eroded cetacean skulls associated with nematode infections was evaluated. A total of 27 samples of eroded and non-eroded prepared museum cetacean skulls were characterised by elemental (CHN), X-ray fluorescence, and X-ray diffraction methods. The inorganic composition and crystal line structure (hydroxylapatite-like minerals) were similar for both types of skull samples, but the CHN values clearly differed. The results suggest that the carbon-rich fraction is lost in eroded areas, probably as a result of glycosaminoglycan-degrading Crassicauda enzymes.
Pascual
S
S
Area de Parasitología, Grupo PB2, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Vigo, Spain. spascual@correo.uvigo.es
Abollo
E
E
López
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002591:Cetacea / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012886:Skull / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D013030:Spain; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction