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Parasitic Mastitis in the Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin, <i>Lagenorhynchus acutus</i>, as a Probable Factor in Herd Productivity

31

Citations

0

References

1978

Year

Abstract

In a survey of 30 female Atlantic white-sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus acutus, taken from a mass stranded herd of approximately 150 animals, 47% were found to be infected with Crassicauda grampicola (Nematoda: Spiruridae) in the mammary glands. Associated lesions included verminous cysts, fibrosis, necrosis and inflammation, and destruction or replacement of normal parenchyma by nonsecretory tissue. The high incidence and severity of these lesions are viewed as potentially compromising the reproductive success of the herd. The life cycle of C. grampicola is discussed in relation to its presence in the mammary gland. Key words: cetacean, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, pathology, nematodes, mastitis, population, nutrition