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

Abstract

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.

Şişe Burunlu Bir Yunusta (Tursiops truncatus) Patolojik ve Parazitolojik İncelemeler

“…Lernaeolophus sultanus (in the mouth of Black Sea bream, Diplodus vulgaris) [9] , Pennella instructa (in the anal/ pectoral fins and abdominal muscle of swordfish) [10] , P. balaenopterae (in the skin of fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus) [11] , Peniculus fistula (in the ventral fin of a dolphin species, which is called lambuka, Coryphaena hippurus) [12] and P. filose (in the fins, body surface and gills of the fishes known as yellowtail, Seriola dumerili) [3] were found in the Turkey. P. balaenopterae was also found in a harbor dolphin (Phocoena phocoena) on the southern Aegean Sea coast of Turkey [6] . Although the parasites in this case could not be characterized at the species level, morphological characteristics and histological appearance of the parasite show similarities with those of Pennellidae family [6,7] .…”

“…P. balaenopterae was also found in a harbor dolphin (Phocoena phocoena) on the southern Aegean Sea coast of Turkey [6] . Although the parasites in this case could not be characterized at the species level, morphological characteristics and histological appearance of the parasite show similarities with those of Pennellidae family [6,7] . Besides detecting lesions and parasites, it is very important to highlight that the presence of this parasite has never been reported earlier to this case, and this is the first report of the presence of ectoparasites that belonging to the family Pennellidae from Bottlenose Dolphin (T. truncatus) in Turkey.…”

“…However, since the tissues were not extracted from deeper layers (localized just above the head and anterior thorax of the parasite), the parasite could be characterized only at the family level and morphological characteristics and histological appearance of the parasite show similarities with those of Pennellidae family [6,7] . The parasitological examinations of the lungs showed the presence of one male nematode, and the morphological characteristics were found compatible with those of S. minor in the light of previous studies [2,8] (Fig.…”

Clínica y sanidad de odontocetos y pinnípedos en cautividad y vida libre

“…El diagnóstico histológico determina que las lesiones consisten en inflamación linfohistiocítica y granulomatosa acompañada de un infiltrado eosinofílico, hemorragias en dermis y tejido subcutáneo [20].…”

New records of parasitic copepod (Crustacea, Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae) found on the body surface of two cetacean species in China

“…Amongst them, Pennella balaenoptera Koren & Danielssen, 1877 is known as the largest species and has only been found on marine mammals, including cetaceans (both baleen whales and toothed whales) (e.g. Ciçek et al (2007) ; Danyer et al (2014) ) and pinnipeds ( Dailey et al 2002 ). P. balaenoptera is sexually dimorphic, the male is known as free-swimming and does not attach to hosts ( Turner 1905 ), while female needs to attach to hosts for reproduction ( Danyer et al 2014 ).…”