Lousy big guys: Lepidophthirus macrorhini infesting seals from Antarctica

• Published in: Polar Biology
• Main Authors: Leonardi, María Soledad, Soto, Florencia Anabella, Negrete, Javier
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer
• Subjects: 25 de Mayo/King George Island; Echinophthiriidae; Elephant Seal; Lice; Weddell Seal; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.6; https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; Antarctica; Dirección Nacional del Antártico; Elephant Seals; Instituto Antártico Argentino; King George Island; Leptonychotes weddelli; Mirounga leonina; Polar Biology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11336/36967

The present work represents a contribution to the ecology of a little known host parasite association, i.e. sucking lice and Antarctic seals. The information available regarding the health status of Antarctic seals is limited and little is known about the ecology and effect of parasites on these hosts. Particularly, data regarding Antarctic louse infestation are scarce. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to report the results of a survey of the louse infestation of Lepidophthirus macrorhini (Anoplura, Echinophthiriidae) on 26 elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) and on a Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) from eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Fil: Leonardi, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; Argentina Fil: Soto, Florencia Anabella. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; Argentina Fil: Negrete, Javier. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Interno y Culto. Dirección Nacional del Antártico. Instituto Antártico Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina