The seal louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: investigation of vector-borne pathogens.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Belonging to the anopluran family Echinophthiriidae, Echinophthirius horridus, the seal louse, has been reported to parasitise a broad range of representatives of phocid seals. So far, only a few studies have focused on the vector function of echinophthiriid lice, and knowledge about their role in pathogen transmission is still scarce. The current study aims to investigate the possible vector role of E. horridus parasitising seals in the Dutch Wadden Sea.

Methods

E. horridus seal lice were collected from 54 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and one grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) during their rehabilitation period at the Sealcentre Pieterburen, The Netherlands. DNA was extracted from pooled seal lice of individual seals for molecular detection of the seal heartworm Ac

SUBMITTER: Hirzmann J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7863525 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature