A Survey of Metazoan Parasites Infecting the California (Zalophus califorianus) and Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) Sea Lion

Abstract

Twenty three sea lions (14 Zalophus californianus, 9 Eumetopias jubatus) from the coast of southern and central California were examined for metazoan parasites, Z. californianus was found infected with eight species of helminths (Parafilaroides decorus, Contracaecum oscidatum, Uncinaria sp., Dipetalonema odendhali, Pricetrema zalophi, Stictodora ubelakeri, Diphyllobothrium glaciate and Corynosoma obtuscens), two species of acarines (Orthohalarachne diminuata and Orthohalarachne attenuata), and one species of anopluran (Antarctophthiriiis microchir), E. jubatus contained five species of helminths (Parafilaroides sp., Contracaecum osculatum, Pricetrema zalophi, Diphyllobothrium glaciale, Corynosoma strumosum), two species of acari (Orthohalorachne diminuata, O. attenuata) and one species of anopluran (Antarctophthirius microchir).