Prey, Parasites and Pathology Associated with the Mortality of a Juvenile Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Stranded Along the Northern California Coast
Dailey MD, Gulland FM, Lowenstine LI, Silvagni P, Howard D. 2000. Prey, Parasites and Pathology Associated with the Mortality of a Juvenile Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Stranded Along the Northern California Coast. Diseases Of Aquatic Organisms. 42(2):111-117
An eastern Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded off Pelican Point, Tomales Bay, California, USA, was examined for physiological parameters, prey, parasites and associated pathology. The whale was emaciated, and hematological examination revealed an elevation in hematocrit, serum sodium, potassium, electrolyte values and hypoglycemia. Parasites recovered included 5 species, 1 ectoparasite (Cyamus scammoni), and 4 helminths (Anisakis simplex, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Bolbosoma balanae) with the latter causing multifocal transmural abscesses. Histological examination indicated severe acute lung congestion, minimal, multifocal, lymphocytic, interstitial myocarditis, and mild hepatocellular and Kupffer cell hemosiderosis. The prey taxa present in the stomach indicated the whale was feeding on hard bottom communities prior to death.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Dailey, M; Gulland, F; Lowenstine, L; Silvagni, P; Howard, D
- Units
- PORE
- Keywords
- Anisakis simplex, Bolbosoma balanae, Cephalochordates, Cyamus scammoni, Eschrichtius robustus, Feeding Habits, Food organisms, Grey whale stranding, INE, Marine Mammals, Mortality causes, Nutrition, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Parasites, parasites and diseases, Pathology, species interactions, stomach content, Urochordates, Vertebrates