Journal article
New locality record for the parasitic leech Pterobdella amara, and two new host stingrays at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Marine Biodiversity Records, Vol.3
2010
Abstract
An individual of the cowtail stingray (Pastinachus sephen) was identified at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia as having a high number of parasitic leeches and gnathiid isopods primarily inhabiting its mouth, jaw and gills. It was underweight for its length and disc width when compared with other individuals of this species and its stomach was bloated and empty. It is proposed that the high density of these parasites directly led to the physical degradation and bodyweight of this individual. In addition to observing two previously undescribed hosts from this location, this is also a new locality record for this species of parasitic leech in Western Australia.
Details
- Title
- New locality record for the parasitic leech Pterobdella amara, and two new host stingrays at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- O.R. O'Shea (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Marine Biodiversity Records, Vol.3
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005545015807891
- Copyright
- © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2010
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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