Recurrent sightings of a Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) on the southeast coast of Brazil, 2012 – 2017

Authors

  • Luis Felipe Silva Pereira Mayorga Instituto de Pesquisa e Reabilitação de Animais Marinhos Rodovia BR 262 Km 0 s/n CEP 29140-130 Cariacica, ES
  • Renata Cristina Campos Bhering Instituto de Pesquisa e Reabilitação de Animais Marinhos Rodovia BR 262 Km 0 s/n CEP 29140-130 Cariacica, ES
  • Renata Hurtado Instituto de Pesquisa e Reabilitação de Animais Marinhos Rodovia BR 262 Km 0 s/n CEP 29140-130 Cariacica, ES
  • Ralph Eric Thijl Vanstreels Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (Laboratório de Patologia Comparada de Animais Selvagens – LAPCOM), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5597/00237

Keywords:

Phocidae, recurrent visit, South America

Abstract

We report four years (2012-2015) of consecutive observations of the same juvenile male Southern elephant seal along the coast Espírito Santo (ES), Brazil, identified based on scars of cookiecutter shark bites. In 2015 three bacteries were isolated from a recent lesion using routine methods of bacterial culture and identification, and a large number of barnacles were seen attached to the fur of other body regions, especially on the pelvic limbs and lower back. We collected 12 barnacles from different body areas, and identified all of them as Eared barnacles (Conchoderma aurita). Additionally, a sample of feces was obtained and analyzed through simple-flotation, revealing helminth eggs compatible with Contracaecum sp.

References

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Published

2018-03-02

How to Cite

Mayorga, L. F. S. P., Bhering, R. C. C., Hurtado, R., & Vanstreels, R. E. T. (2018). Recurrent sightings of a Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) on the southeast coast of Brazil, 2012 – 2017. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals, 12(1-2), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.5597/00237

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Short Communications