Parasitic Helminths and Arthropods from Pinnipedia of the Canadian Pacific Coast

Abstract

From Phoca vitulina richardi the following parasites are recorded: Corynosoma strumosum (Acanthocephala); Terranova decipiens and Contracaecum osculatum (Nematoda); Halarachne sp. (Acarina); Echinophthirius horridus (Anoplura). From Eumetopias jubata are recorded Diphyllobothrium pacificum, Diplogonoporus tetrapterus and Abothrium gadi (Cestoda); T. decipiens, C. osculatum and Parafilaroides sp. (Nematoda); Corynosoma villosum (Acanthocephala); Orthohalarachne diminuata (Acarina): Antarctophthirus microchir (Anoplura). E. jubata is probably not a true host of A. gadi, the parasite apparently being introduced by ingestion of infected fishes of the family Gadidae, the normal definitive hosts. Notes on host and geographical distribution, nomenclature and morphology of the parasites are included. Diphyllobothrium pacificum is a new combination for Adenocephalus pacificus. E. jubata is a new host record for D. pacificum, D. tetrapterus and O. diminuata. Several new geographical records are reported. The occurrence of larval stages of T. decipiens and C. strumosum in fishes is noted.