title: Parasitological examination for presence of hookworms (Uncinaria spp.) in northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) at Año Nuevo State Reserve, California (2012).
abstract: Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris Gill, 1866), inhabiting rookeries on the mainland of Año Nuevo State Reserve in central California, were investigated in 2012 for presence of hookworms (Uncinaria spp.). Material collected and examined for hookworms included: blubber (n = 15), stomach and intestines (n = 21) from dead pups; feces from the rectum of weaned pups (n = 23); sand containing apparent feces in areas of weaned pups (n = 28) and sand without apparent feces in areas of weaned pups (n = 54); milk from females (n =23) at 5 days and about 23 to 26 days postpartum; and placenta from one female. Evidence of hookworm presence was not detected in any of the samples examined. Possible reasons why hookworms were not found in northern elephant seals on the mainland of Año Nuevo State Reserve are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Gluck Equine Research Center, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA. elyons1@uky.edu
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kuzmina
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Spraker
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jaggi
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Crocker
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tolliver
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tift
mesh_terms: D000723:Ancylostomatoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006725:Hookworm Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000469:parasitology; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000469:parasitology*; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil