Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(8):403-407 | DOI: 10.17221/7661-VETMED

First report of infestation by a parasitic copepod (Pennella balaenopterae) in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from the Aegean Sea: a case reportCase Report

E. Danyer1,2,3, A.M. Tonay3,4, I. Aytemiz1,3,5, A. Dede3,4, F. Yildirim1, A. Gurel1
1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Kocaeli Food Control Laboratory, Kocaeli, Turkey
3 Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), Istanbul, Turkey
4 Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
5 Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock, Ankara, Turkey

An adult, female harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) was found stranded on the southern Aegean Sea coast of Turkey. Thirteen holes made by copepods were observed on the lateral sides of the porpoise. The copepods were identified as Pennella balaenopterae, based on the morphological characteristics and measurement. Tissue samples were collected from embedded parts of parasites, histopathologically examined and panniculitis findings were observed. Although this parasite copepod had been reported on several marine mammals, this is the first report in the harbour porpoise, and in the Aegean Sea.

Keywords: copepod; Pennella balaenopterae; harbour porpoise; ectoparasite; southern Aegean Sea

Published: August 31, 2014  Show citation

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Danyer E, Tonay AM, Aytemiz I, Dede A, Yildirim F, Gurel A. First report of infestation by a parasitic copepod (Pennella balaenopterae) in a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from the Aegean Sea: a case report. Vet Med - Czech. 2014;59(8):403-407. doi: 10.17221/7661-VETMED.
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