HELMINTHS OF THE SPOTTED SEAL, Phoca largha, FROM THE BERING SEA

Abstract

Fifty-five spotted seals, Phoca largha, from the seasonal pack ice of the Bering Sea were examined for helminth parasites. Twelve species of helminths were found: Anophryocephalus ochotensis, Diplogonoporus tetrapterus, Diphyllobothrium cordatum, Phocanema decipiens, Contracaecum osculatum, Dipetalonema spirocauda, Phocitrema fusiforme, Corynosoma semerme, C. strumosum, C. validum, C. villosum, and Bolbosoma sp. Six species are new host records (A. ochotensis, D. tetrapterus, D. cordatum, D. spirocauda, C. validum, and C. villosum).