First record of cestodes cysts in coastal dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) off southwestern Atlantic Ocean

LOIZAGA DE CASTRO; FERNANDEZ MERCEDES; VALES DAMIÁN GUILLERMO; DEGRATI MARIANA; GARCÍA NÉSTOR ANÍBAL; CRESPO ENRIQUE ALBERTO

HIDROBIOLóGICA

UNIV AUTONOMA METROPOLITANA-IZTAPALAPA

Lugar: México D.F.; Año: 2014 vol. 24 p. 307 - 310

0188-8897

The dusky dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obscurus, is a coastal smallcetacean widespread in the southern hemisphere. Here, we presentthe first record of cestode parasites present in the blubberof dusky dolphin off Argentine coast. The host examined, correspondedto a 15 years old mature female and measured 171 cmlong. Cysts of helminths belonging to Cestoda were found on thesubcutaneous blubber of the ventral surface; parasites were determinedas Phyllobothrium delphini (Phyllobothriidae). Probablythe presence of this parasite is related to deep pelagic foraginghabitats where the most important prey are the squids. In thestomach contents 25 Type II larvae of Anisakis were found and 12cephalopod beaks, belonging to argentine shortfin squid, Illex argentinus.Nematodes were found in the intestines, Type II larvaeof Anisakis, and another from the genus Stenurus (family, Pseudaliidae).Here a new record of cestodes cysts is described, enrichingthe parasite-host record for dusky dolphins, enlarging thescarce parasitological information for cetaceans of Argentina.Key words: Argentine, cestodes, dusky dolphins, Phyllobothriumdelphini.