Evidence of prenatal infection in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with the lungworm Halocercus lagenorhynchi (Nematoda: Pseudaliidae)

J Wildl Dis. 1991 Jan;27(1):164-5. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-27.1.164.

Abstract

Adult lung nematodes identified as Halocercus lagenorhynchi were collected from the lungs of four Tursiops truncatus calves. The calves ranged in age from newborn to 3-wk-old and were found on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida (USA). This finding suggests the possibility of a more cosmopolitan distribution of prenatal infection with lung nematodes in cetaceans than previously suspected.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dolphins / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Fetal Diseases / parasitology
  • Fetal Diseases / veterinary*
  • Lung / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Nematode Infections / parasitology
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary*