Antarctophthirus microchir infestation in synanthropic South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) males diagnosed by a novel non-invasive method

Abstract

Antarctophthirus microchir is a sucking louse species belonging to the family Echinophthiriidae and has been reported to parasitize all species of the subfamily Otariinae, the sea lions. Former studies on this ectoparasite mainly required fixation, immobilization, or death of host species and especially examinations of adult male sea lions are still very rare. Between March and May 2018, adult individuals of a unique “urban” bachelor group of South American sea lions ( Otaria flavescens ) living directly in the city of Valdivia, Chile, were studied regarding their ectoparasite infestation status. For first time, a non-invasive method in the form of a lice comb screwed on a telescopic rod and grounded with adhesive tape was used for sample taking process. Overall, during combing different stages of A. microchir were detected in 4/5 O. flavescens individuals, especially at the junction between the back and hind flippers. Our findings represent the first report of A. microchir infesting individuals of this synanthropic colony and fulfilling complete life cycle in a sea lion group despite inhabiting freshwater and in absence of females/pups. Our “telescopic lice comb apparatus” offers a new strategy to collect different stages of ectoparasites and a range of epidermal material, such as fur coat hair and superficial skin tissue for a broad spectrum of research fields in wildlife sciences in an unmolested and stress reduced manner. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00436-019-06273-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Anthropozoonotic Parasites Circulating in Synanthropic and Pacific Colonies of South American Sea Lions (Otaria flavescens): Non-invasive Techniques Data and a Review of the Literature

“…In the last years, development and application of non-invasive sampling techniques in the field of parasitology of marine mammals have impressively expanded the possibilities of examining the endo-and ectoparasite fauna of free-ranging animals in vivo, while clearly leaving the animals unmolested in their natural habitats (Kleinertz et al, 2014;Hermosilla et al, 2015;Hermosilla et al, 2016aHermosilla et al, ,b, 2018ade Vos et al, 2018;Ebmer et al, 2019;Vélez et al, 2019). Thereby, the present study exhibits advantages and usefulness of applied non-invasive scat collection methods, showing their applicability in the field of marine mammal parasitology.…”

“…They also display altered feeding habits. Interspecific interactions occur on a daily basis and are decisive for maintenance of diverse endo-and ectoparasite life cycles in this urban colony (Sepúlveda et al, 2015;Hermosilla et al, 2016a;Cornejo-Galaz, 2017;Ebmer et al, 2019).…”

The Seal Louse (Echinophthirius horridus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea: Investigation of Vector-Borne Pathogens and Morphological Adaptations

“…xation techniques with low handling times implying conservation aspects [12,59]. Ebmer et al [60] showed the successful application of a non-invasive sampling method by using a lice comb screwed on a telescopic rod for taking lice samples within a unique 'urban' colony of South American sea lions (O. avescens) in Valdivia, Chile. This technique could de nitively be applied during sampling of other synanthropic seals.…”

A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What’s New?

“…Skin samples of marine mammals can be used for trace element detection (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Pb), but only if a full biopsy is collected, which, depending on size, can actually be an invasive procedure [188]. Truly minimally invasive samples of dead superficial skin cells collected with combs can be used for ectoparasite detection, for example, Antarctophthirus microchir in American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) [189]. Skin scrapings are commonly used on several species for Sarcoptes scabiei detection.…”