Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122519
Title: | The first report of Pennella (Crustacea : Copepoda) infesting Stenella coeruleoalba stranded in Malta : morphological and genetic analyses |
Authors: | Vella, Adriana Vella, Noel |
Keywords: | Pennella -- Malta -- Case studies Stenella (Mammals) Striped dolphin -- Diseases -- Case studies Mitochondrial DNA Parasitology |
Issue Date: | 2024 |
Publisher: | MDPI AG |
Citation: | Vella, A., & Vella, N. (2024). The first report of Pennella (Crustacea: Copepoda) infesting Stenella coeruleoalba stranded in Malta: morphological and genetic analyses. Animals, 14(7), 1107. |
Abstract: | Here, we document the stranding of a striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833) (Mammalia: Delphinidae), which was found dead in Maltese waters in July 2020. The stranded dolphin exhibited a severe infestation of the mesoparasitic copepod, Pennella balaenoptera Koren and Danielssen, 1877 (Copepoda: Pennelidae). Parasites of this genus represent the largest known mesoparasites to infest cetaceans. Under normal circumstances, cetaceans may have a few P. balaenoptera individuals attached to them, but cetaceans with compromised health are more prone to heavy infestations. The identification of the parasite was accomplished through morphological and genetic analyses. This incident highlights the significance of monitoring mesoparasitic infestations, offering valuable insights into the health of cetacean populations and emphasizing the potential implications for conservation efforts in the region. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/122519 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacSciBio |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
The first report of Pennella Crustacea Copepoda infesting Stenella coeruleoalba stranded in Malta morphological and genetic analyses 2024.pdf | 3.46 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in OAR@UM are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.