Antarctophthirus carlinii (Anoplura: Echinophthiriidae), a new species from the Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddelli

Abstract

As a part of an ongoing long-term study on the biology of pack-ice seals in Antarctica, we had the opportunity to collect lice from Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli). We did not find the original description of this host-parasite association. Antarctophthirus ogmorhini had previously been reported as a parasite for the Weddell seal, but the information is, to a certain extent, confusing. During the development of the present study, we had access to literature concerning the presence of A. ogmorhini on this host, which, to our knowledge, was not determined in any of the previous works on this species. We compared lice collected from Weddell seals with A. ogmorhini obtained from the type host, the leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), and we found that both species can be distinguished. The main differences are the characteristic pattern of chaetotaxy in the dorsal side of the head in lice from Weddell seals, the size and form of the pseudopenis, and the distribution and size of the fringe of setae surrounding the genital opening. Considering the conservative morphology, and ecological and evolutionary features of sucking lice, we proposed that lice from Weddell seals constitute a new species. In the present work, we described and illustrated adults of this new species collected from Weddell seals during the austral summer of 2014 at the Danco Coast, Antarctic Peninsula.

Checklist of marine mammal parasites in New Zealand and Australian waters

“… Remarks . Leonardi et al (2014) erected Antarctophthirius carlinii for specimens from the Weddell seal ( Leptonychotes weddelli (Lesson, 1826)). Antarctophthirius carlinii was, in turn, listed by Palma (2017) who included, as synonyms, many occurrences of A. ogmorhini in the literature. Parasite name: Lepidophthirus macrorhini Enderlein, 1904 Synonyms . Hosts .…”

Antarctophthirus microchir infestation in synanthropic South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) males diagnosed by a novel non-invasive method

“…Compared with the other six host-specific members within the genus, A. microchir infests a broader range of host species. Thus, findings on this parasite were reported from all six species of the otariid subfamily Otariinae, the sea lions, which show a wide geographical distribution and occur in both hemispheres (Kim et al 1975 ; Leonardi and Palma 2013 ; Leonardi et al 2014 ). Previous findings reported on A. microchir from free-ranging South American sea lion ( Otaria flavescens ) pups from Argentina and included re-description (Leonardi et al 2009 ), morphological studies (Leonardi et al 2012a ) and numerous publications on biology (Leonardi et al 2012b ; Leonardi and Lazzari 2014 ), transmission (Leonardi et al 2013 ), and population dynamics (Aznar et al 2009 ) of this parasite.…”

“…In past decades, most investigations on echinophthiriid lice required capturing and fixation techniques (Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Kim 1972 ; Kim 1975 ; Thompson et al 1998 ; Mehlhorn et al 2002 ; Crovetto et al 2008 ; Leonardi et al 2012b ), immobilization applying anesthetic protocols (Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Thompson et al 1998 ; Dailey et al 2005 ; Leonardi et al 2014 , 2016 ), or even death of free-ranging pinniped host species (Scherf 1963 ; Murray and Nicholls 1965 ; Murray et al 1965 ; Kim 1972 ). Furthermore, several investigations were performed during necropsies of found carcasses of O. flavescens individuals (Morgades et al 2006 ; Gomez-Puerta and Gonzales-Viera 2015 ).…”

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

“…Other semiaquatic and aquatic mammals do not host lice [1]. Within the Echinophthiriidae, ve genera (pinniped lice: Antarctophthirus, Lepidophthirus, Echinophthirius, and Proechinophthirus; river otter lice: Latagophthirus) and 13 species are described [1,2]. While many echinophthiriid species display a strict major host speci city, the seal louse Echinophthirius horridus exhibits the broadest host range among echinophthiriid lice parasitizing eight different species of Phocidae, the earless or true seals, with a geographical distribution con ned to the Northern Hemisphere, including harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) [1].…”