Journal article

Publication year: 1996

Pages: 254-257

Journal: Veterinary Record

Volume number: 139

Issue number: 11

ISSN: 0042-4900

eISSN: 2042-7670

Open access status: Green

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.139.11.254

Publisher: Wiley

Abstract: 
Between February 1990 and July 1991, 15 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and 248 common guillemots (Uria aalge) found dead along the Belgian and German coasts, were examined for their burden of helminths. A total of three species were found in the guillemots (one cestode, one nematode and one pentastomid), and six species in the porpoises (one trematode, one cestode and four nematodes). Among the guillemots the burden of helminths was not statistically different between juvenile and adult birds. The deaths of the birds were apparently not related to the parasite infections. In contrast, the adult porpoises were more heavily parasitised than the juveniles, except for one young porpoise stranded on the Belgian coast. In the porpoises, four species of parasites had a pathological effect and Torynurus convolutus was responsible for the death of one animal from the Belgian coast and three from the German coast.

Harvard Citation style: Brosens, L., Jauniaux, T., Siebert, U., Benke, H. and Coignoul, F. (1996) Observations on the helminths of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and common guillemots (Uria aalge) from the Belgian and German coasts, Veterinary Record, 139(11), pp. 254-257. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.139.11.254

APA Citation style: Brosens, L., Jauniaux, T., Siebert, U., Benke, H., & Coignoul, F. (1996). Observations on the helminths of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and common guillemots (Uria aalge) from the Belgian and German coasts. Veterinary Record. 139(11), 254-257. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.139.11.254