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Sin duda alguna John Henry Newman (1801-1890) fue una figura importante y relevante dentro del mundo religioso y universitario, no en vano se trata de una autoridad eclesial y académica y de perenne referencia cuando se quiere hablar de educación superior. Todas y cada una de sus ideas han ido jalonando el ideario de lo que ha de ser una universidad que se precie en llamarse católica, pues supo darle el toque de calidad que una universidad de este nivel ha de poseer en sus estudios. Para Newman la unidad de vida es algo sustantivo de la cultura católica y esta línea de actuación fue la que guio sus pasos cuando recibió en encargo en 1851 de fundar la Universidad Católica en Dublín. El mundo universitario representa para el cardenal Newman la totalidad del saber sin exclusión alguna. Su legado no muere y se presenta en pleno siglo XXI como una de las perspectivas más adecuadas para entender el quehacer universitario en todos sus ámbitos, sea de ideario católico o de otro tipo de inspiraciones.

Within the cetacean lungworm family Pseudaliidae Raillet & Henry, 1909, the distinction between the two genera of the subfamily Halocercinae Delamure, 1952, i.e. Halocercus Baylis & Daubney, 1925 and Skrjabinalius Delyamure, 1942, is principally based on the structure and shape of the male copulatory bursa. In species of Halocercus, the bursa is unlobed, whereas in the two species included in Skrjabinalius, S. cryptocephalus Delyamure, 1942 and Skrjabinalius guevarai Gallego & Selva, 1979, the bursa is described as clearly lobed. During a parasitological analysis of cetaceans from the Spanish Mediterranean, we collected a number of specimens of S. guevarai with variable levels of bursal lobulation, including individuals with unlobed bursae. Examination of voucher specimens of the type-species of Halocercus, H. delphini Baylis & Daubney, 1925, collected from cetaceans in the North-East Atlantic revealed the same variations in bursal shape, and the same arrangement of bursal rays and papillae. A morphometric comparison did not reveal substantial differences between both species. Moreover, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) sequences of 11 specimens of S. guevarai and one of H. delphini grouped both species together, regardless of bursal shape, in a highly supported clade within the Pseudaliidae. Accordingly, we consider S. guevarai as a junior synonym of H. delphini. The great variability found in bursal lobulation in the type-species of Halocercus invalidates the use of this trait as a genus-level diagnostic character and, therefore, Skrjabinalius should also be considered synonymous with Halocercus.

Avian pox is a disease caused by Avipoxvirus spp. that is known to produce self-limiting, proliferative epithelial lesions in over 275 bird species from 70 families. Although generally benign, this emerging disease can sometimes provoke significant outbreaks of mortality. In rallids, there is a single serological record of Avipoxvirus. In this study, we report on field evidence for two avian pox-like outbreaks in Eurasian coots, Fulica atra. In Utterslev Mose, Denmark, 17 birds were found in the winter and early spring of 2006 with putative signs of pox-like lesions on the frontal shield and bill. Similar lesions were detected in a population of c. 30 Eurasian coots from a small wetland in eastern Spain in the winter of 2018. Birds with active lesions were detected up to 73 days after first finding, and percentage of birds with lesions also increased in this period (from 9.1% to 69.6%), then declined. Lesions of individual birds were observed to heal in 2 weeks. Three young coots exhibited severe lesions that hampered breathing. In other 17 wetlands from the same region, pox-like lesions were detected in 8 out of 843 Eurasian coots from three localities (maximum prevalence: 18.8%) and 1 of 8 Crested coots, Fulica cristata, in one locality. Reports from European birdwatchers describing coots with abnormal frontal shields suggest that some of these birds likely suffered also from avian pox. This disease, unnoticed thus far, could be geographically widespread, thus its potential population impact should not be underestimated, especially in Crested coots.

Members of the Torpedinidae (torpedoes) and Hypnidae (coffin ray) use electric organ discharges (EOD) to stun or kill their prey before consumption. We investigated whether EOD could also negatively affect the helminth larvae infecting these preys through a surrogate model: we applied electric discharges to individuals of blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou, that harbored live larvae of Anisakis. Larval mortality throughout a 6-h period was significantly higher in the treatment group, suggesting that EODs could significantly hamper helminth recruitment. We then tested whether torpedinids and hypnids ("strong-EOD" families) harbored species-poor helminth (cestode) assemblages compared with "weak-EOD" Torpediniformes (Narcidae and Narkidae) and other Batoidea. Based on comparisons on estimated species diversity and mean species richness of tapeworms at host individual level we found that (i) Torpediniformes had the lowest tapeworm diversity of all Batoidea orders; (ii) Torpedo spp. consistently had the lowest mean cestode richness at host individual level, and this could not be related to other host factors influencing cestode diversity in chondrichthyans, that is body size, trophic level or dietary breath. However, a preliminary comparison between "strong-EOD" and "weak-EOD" Torpediniformes did not detect clear differences of cestode richness. Thus, evidence supporting an unambiguous contribution of EODs to depauperate cestode assemblages requires further research.

En este artículo también participan los siguientes autores: J.M. Sánchez-Vizcaíno, P. Gozalbes y D. García-Párraga. Este artículo se encuentra disponible en la página web de la revista en la siguiente URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-00867-6 Aggressive behavior of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) towards conspecifics is widely described, but they have also often been reported attacking and killing harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) around the world. However, very few reports exist of aggressive interactions between bottlenose dolphins and other cetacean species. Here, we provide the first evidence that bottlenose dolphins in the western Mediterranean exhibit aggressive behavior towards both striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus). Necropsies and visual examination of stranded striped (14) and Risso’s (2) dolphins showed numerous lesions (external rake marks and different bone fractures or internal organ damage by blunt trauma). Indicatively, these lessons matched the inter-tooth distance and features of bottlenose dolphins. In all instances, these traumatic interactions were presumed to be the leading cause of the death. We discuss how habitat changes, dietary shifts, and/or human colonization of marine areas may be promoting these interactions.

Background Current data about Pseudaliidae show contrasting patterns of host specificity between congeneric species. We investigated how both contact and compatibility between hosts and parasites contributed to the patterns of lungworm infection observed in a community of five species of cetaceans in the western Mediterranean. Methods The lungs of 119 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba, 18 bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, 7 Risso’s dolphins Grampus griseus, 7 long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas, and 6 common dolphins Delphinus delphis were analysed for lungworms. Parasites were identified by morphology and analysis of ITS2 sequences using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. Body length was used as a proxy for lungworm species fitness in different hosts and compared with Kruskal-Wallis tests. Infection parameters were compared between cetacean species using Fisher’s exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Phylogenetic specificity was explored by collating the overall lungworm species prevalence values in hosts from previous surveys in various localities. To explore the relative importance of vertical and horizontal transmission, Spearman’s rank correlation was used to look for an association between host size and lungworm burden. A Mantel test was used to explore the association between lungworm species similarity and prey overlap using dietary data. Results Halocercus delphini had higher infection levels in striped dolphins and common dolphins; Stenurus ovatus had higher infection levels in bottlenose dolphins; and Stenurus globicephalae had higher infection levels in long-finned pilot whales. These results are congruent with findings on a global scale. Morphometric comparison showed that the larger nematodes were found in the same host species that had the highest parasite burden. Lungworms were found in neonatal striped dolphins and a Risso’s dolphin, and there was a weak but significant correlation between host size and parasite burden in striped dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. There was also a weak but significant association between prey overlap and lungworm species similarity. Conclusions Data indicate that phylogenetic specificity has an important role in governing host–parasite associations, as indicated by the higher infection levels and larger nematode size in certain hosts. However, diet can also influence infection patterns in these preferred hosts and contribute to less severe infections in other hosts. Graphical Abstract

Anthropogenic marine debris is one of the major worldwide threats to marine ecosystems. The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) has established a protocol for data collection on marine debris from the gut contents of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and for determining assessment values of plastics for Good Environmental Status (GES). GES values are calculated as percent turtles having more than average plastic weight per turtle. In the present study, we quantify marine debris ingestion in 155 loggerhead sea turtles collected in the period 1995–2016 in waters of western Mediterranean (North-east Spain). The study aims (1) to update and standardize debris ingestion data available from this area, (2) to analyse this issue over two decades using Zero-altered (hurdle) models and (3) to provide new data to compare the only GES value available (off Italian waters). The composition of marine debris (occurrence and amounts of different categories) was similar to that found in other studies for the western Mediterranean and their amounts seem not to be an important threat to turtle survival in the region. Model results suggest that, in the study area, (a) period of stranding or capture, (b) turtle size and (c) latitude are significant predictors of anthropogenic debris ingestion (occurrence and amount) in turtles. The GES value for late juvenile turtles (CCL>40 cm) has decreased in the last ten years in the study area, and this is very similar to that obtained in Italian waters. We also provide a GES value for early juvenile turtles (CCL≤40 cm) for the first time. Recommendations arising from this study include ensuring use of (1) the standardized protocol proposed by the MSFD for assessing marine debris ingestion by loggerhead sea turtles and (2) the ecology of the turtles (neritic vs oceanic), rather than their size, to obtain GES values.

The impact of inbreeding on fitness has been widely studied and provides consequential inference about adaptive potential and the impact on survival for reduced and fragmented natural populations. Correlations between heterozygosity and fitness are common in the literature, but they rarely inform about the likely mechanisms. Here, we investigate a pathology with a clear impact on health in striped dolphin hosts (a nematode infection that compromises lung function). Dolphins varied with respect to their parasite burden of this highly pathogenic lung nematode (Skrjabinalius guevarai). Genetic diversity revealed by high-resolution restriction-associated DNA (43 018 RADseq single nucleotide polymorphisms) analyses showed a clear association between heterozygosity and pathogen load, but only for female dolphins, for which the more heterozygous individuals had lowerSk. guevaraiburden. One locus identified by RADseq was a strong outlier in association with parasite load (heterozygous in all uninfected females, homozygous for 94% of infected females), found in an intron of the citron rho-interacting serine/threonine kinase locus (associated with milk production in mammals). Allelic variation at the Class II major histocompatability complex DQB locus was also assessed and found to be associated with both regional variation and with pathogen load. Both sex specificity and the identification of associating functional loci provide insight into the mechanisms by which more inbred individuals may be more susceptible to the infection of this parasite. This provides important insight towards our understanding of the impact of inbreeding in natural populations, relevant to both evolutionary and practical conservation considerations.

Data on geographic distribution and life cycles of parasitic nematodes of the genus Anisakis in tropical oceanic regions are extremely scarce. Myctophids (lantern fishes) are a key component of mesopelagic trophic webs and could play a significant role in the transmission of Anisakis spp. in these regions. We examined Anisakis infections in a sample of 160 myctophids collected in three localities from the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (Arabian Sea) in 2015–16. Due to the poor condition of fish, a combination of morphological data and molecular barcoding was used to identify myctophids. Of the 104 specimens that could be identified at least to genus level, 75 (72.1%) were assigned to Diaphus spp. A total of 131 Anisakis larvae were collected from the fish sample (prevalence: 52.5%). One larva was identified as type I, 114 as type II, and 16 larvae could not be assigned to either type. The morphology of all type II larvae conformed to the recent diagnosis of Anisakis brevispiculata. DNA could be obtained only from four larvae, and phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNAcox2 confirmed the identification. Anisakis brevispiculata is specific to dwarf and pygmy sperm whales (Kogiidae), which feed on mesopelagic cephalopods and marginally on myctophids. Therefore, myctophids could play a dual role in the transmission of A. brevispiculata, as direct prey of kogiids and/or as prey of cephalopods that consume myctophids. The prevalence of A. brevispiculata varied significantly in myctophid samples that were just ~ 265 km apart, suggesting potential local effects on transmission rates.

La recuperación del trauma relacional complejo se apoya en dos esfuerzos principalmente, el de conferirle un sentido a la experiencia traumática en el conjunto de la biografía de las víctimas y el de restaurar en las víctimas la competencia como narradores y protagonistas de su propia experiencia, de manera que le permita volver a vincularse de manera adecuada con otras personas. El ingente desarrollo de técnicas y modelos de intervención de la última década, especialmente con el avance de las neurociencias, corre el riesgo de focalizar la técnica por encima del marco de la reconstrucción personal. En este artículo proponemos que la intervención terapéutica debe encuadrarse entre la vivencia subjetiva y la legitimación social del daño sufrido y que la narrativa es la principal herramienta para llevar adelante esta tarea.

We report on the emergence of the epibiotic barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis in Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in September 2018, six months after a lethal morbillivirus epidemic. Small boat surveys were conducted at the entrance and in the interior of the bay from January 2018 to February 2021. Dolphins were photo-identified and classified according to overall spatial use of the Bay. We examined the potential influence of the period and habitat on the prevalence of X. globicipitis. The overall prevalence of the barnacle was 38.7% in 214 dolphins. X. globicipitis was not observed in 99 individually identified dolphins from January to August 2018 (first period) but was seen on 83 of the 194 (42.8%) dolphins photographed from September 2018 to February 2021 (second period). Moreover, in 22 individuals repeatedly photographed during both periods, prevalence was 0% and 91% during the first and second period, respectively. Prevalence was the highest in the dolphins using the entrance of the Bay (55.0%, N = 140), intermediate in animals using equally both the entrance and interior area (42.9%, N = 47), and the lowest (6.4%, N = 7) in those using the interior area only. The calves of five females infested with X. globicipitis were free of barnacles. Based on repeated photographs of barnacles at different growth stage on six dolphins, the periods between first and last sight with the epibiont were (in increasing order) 29, 32, 40, 51, 68 and 78 days. A conservative estimation from the initial settlement to sexual maturity was around 40–45 days. Three individuals of X. globicipitis collected on a stranded dolphin measured 65 mm, 61 mm and 35 mm, the largest recorded size to date. The two large individuals had incubated embryos while the smaller one presented developing gonads. Poor health and an impaired immune response in the dolphins that had survived the morbillivirus epidemic may have favored the introduction of the barnacle, but biotic and abiotic factors could also had played an important role. This paper documents the colonization of an estuarine area by X. globicipitis following ecological changes.

Whale lice (Cyamidae) are ectoparasitic amphipods exclusive to cetaceans. Data on their epidemiology usually come from species infecting baleen whales, which are large, slow-moving hosts. In this study, we provide data on infection parameters, population structure and microhabitat selection in a whale louse exclusive to delphinids, Syncyamus aequus, with the aim of comparing them with those from cyamid species from large whales. A total of 176 striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba stranded along the Mediterranean coast of Spain during 1980–2016 were examined. The prevalence of S. aequus was 27.3% (95% CI: 20.9–34.3), and populations were sparse, with a mean number of whale lice per infected host of just 4.5 (3.4–6.7). The parasites were found on the head, with a clearly nested pattern, with the blowhole being the most frequently occupied site, followed by the mouth corner and eyes. Single-male or single-female populations were found on as much as 39.6% of infected dolphins. The sex ratio did not significantly depart from 1:1. Females were significantly larger than males and exhibited low fecundity (

Background Diseases associated to external parasitosis are scarcely reported in sea turtles. During the last decades several organism have been documented as a part of normal epibiont community connected to sea turtles. The copepod Balaenophilus manatorum has been cited as a part of epibiont fauna with some concern about its parasitic capacity. This study serves three purposes, i.e. (i) it sheds light on the type of life style that B. manatorum has developed with its hosts, particularly turtles; (ii) it makes a cautionary note of the potential health risks associated with B. manatorum in sea turtles under captivity conditions and in the wild, and (iii) it provides data on effective treatments against B. manatorum. Results We report for the first time a massive infestation of the copepod B. manatorum and subsequent acute mortality in a group of loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings. Four-month-old turtles from a head-starting program started exhibiting excitatory and fin rubbing behavior preceding an acute onset of lethargy, skin ulceration and death in some animals. All the individuals (n = 57) were affected by severe copepod load and presented different degrees of external macroscopic skin lesions. The ventral area of front flippers, axillar and pericloacal skin were mostly affected, and were the main parasite distribution regions. Copepods were also detected on plastron and carapace sutures. The gut contents of B. manatorum reacted positively for cytokeratin, indicating consumption of turtle skin. Severe ulcerative necrotic dermatitis and large amount of bacteria presence were the major histopathological findings. Conclusions Individual fresh water immersion for 10 min and lufenuron administration (0.1 ppm) to the water system every 2 weeks proved effective for removing turtle parasites and to control re-infestation, respectively. The results from our study clearly indicated that B. manatorum individuals consume turtle skin. The pathological effects of this agent and the potential implications in sea turtle conservation and management are discussed.

Species of Anisakis typically infect the stomach of cetaceans worldwide, often causing ulcerative lesions that may compromise the host's health. These nematodes also cause anisakiasis or allergic reactions in humans. To assess the risks of this emerging zoonosis, data on long-term changes in Anisakis infections in cetaceans are necessary. Here, we compare the prevalence and severity of ulcerative lesions caused by Anisakis spp. in five cetacean species stranded along the north-west Spanish coast in 2017–2018 with published data from 1991–1996. Open ulcers were found in 32/43 short-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus delphis; 3/5 striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba; 1/7 bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus; and 1/3 harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena meridionalis; a single individual of long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, was found uninfected. In common dolphins, the mean abundance of open ulcers per host was 1.1 (95% confidence interval: 0.8–1.3), with a maximum diameter (mean ± standard deviation) of 25.4 ± 16.9 mm. Stomachs with scars or extensive fibrosis putatively associated with Anisakis were detected in 14 and five animals, respectively. A molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase II gene using 18 worms from three cetacean species revealed single or mixed infections of Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii. Compared with the period 1991–1996, we found a strong increase of prevalence, abundance and extension of ulcerative lesions in most cetacean species. Anisakis populations could have increased in the study area over the last decades, although we cannot rule out that a higher environmental stress has also boosted the pathological effects of these parasites.

Pseudaliid lungworms infect the lungs and sinuses of cetaceans. Information on the life cycle and epidemiology of pseudaliids is very scarce and mostly concerns species that infect coastal or inshore cetaceans. Available evidence indicates that some pseudaliids are vertically transmitted to the host, whereas others are acquired via infected prey. We documented pseudaliid infections in an oceanic cetacean, the striped dolphin (

There are numerous reports of billfishes spearing objects, marine organisms, and even humans. Whether or not this behaviour is intentional and, if so, what is its functional meaning, are open questions. In 2016, an adult blue shark (Prionace glauca) was found to be killed by a juvenile swordfish (Xiphias gladius) in the western Mediterranean. Here we report on three more recent cases involving both species in the same area. In February 2017, an adult male blue shark was found stranded in Garrucha (Spain) with a fragment of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (18cm long x 2cm wide at proximal end) inserted in its cranium. In March 2017, an adult pregnant female blue shark was stranded alive on the coast of Ostia (Italy) but died shortly afterwards; a fragment of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (25x3cm) was found allocated between the eye and the cranium. Finally, in February 2018, an adult female blue shark appeared stranded in the coast of Vera (Spain), with a putative impalement injury anterior to the right eye but without an associated bill fragment. Surprisingly, X-ray and computed tomography revealed an older injury in the right nostril, with a small piece of a juvenile swordfish’s rostrum (5.3x1.2cm). These cases suggest that juvenile swordfish would drive their rostrum into blue sharks as a defensive strategy that is likely to be far from anecdotal. We suggest that no regular cases of these interactions are reported because they occur at high sea and evidence of them, when available, can easily be overlooked.

Black Wheatears ( Oenanthe leucura) transport to breeding territories, including the nest, a large number of stones. Currently, there is negative evidence that stones serve for nest support, thermoregulation, weather protection or anti-predation, but in males, this behaviour appears to represent a form of post-mating display. This ‘sexual selection’ hypothesis, however, does not explain why females also carry stones, and why many stones are associated with the nest. We examined stone distribution and morphology in 277 abandoned nests of Black Wheatears from an arid area of southeastern Spain. Nests were built on the ground (14.4%), or in cracks (7.2%), cavities (54.6%) and ledges (23.8%) above the ground. Over 93% of nests had stones supporting and/or surrounding them, and > 90% of nests with additional space also had stones in contact with the nest forming a ‘rampart’. In 55.6% of elevated nests, stone piles were also found on the ground. Nest stones were significantly smaller than ground and rampart stones; size also differed between the latter two types. The extensive occurrence of nest and rampart stones, with a different morphology, suggests intentional transport and selection of stones to nest sites. Behavioural observations from other wheatear species suggest that female Black Wheatears may play a significant role in these tasks. We also show several lines of evidence that nest and rampart stones play a role supporting the nest. As an example, in 40 nests found on ledges in human buildings, the degree of nest support significantly increased on narrower ledges. Stone-carrying behaviour of Black Wheatears is probably multifunctional, having co-opted several exaptive effects, some of which are yet to be discovered.

espanolAbortion analysis from a conceptual point of viewAnalise do abordo do ponto de vista conceitualEl aborto se situa como uno de los mas graves atentados contra la solidaridad intergeneracional porque ataca directamente la filiacion. La diacronia establece el amparo del mas debil y el amor entre padres e hijos. Esto se rompe desde las amenazas a la figura del hijo. Este articulo se desarrolla en el plano de los conceptos y la necesidad de contribuir a la vida en la sociedad actual. Para ello es necesario incidir en la dignidad de la vida humana en aquellos circulos academicos y de debate intelectual desde donde se crean las distintas corrientes de opinion.Para citar este articulo / To reference this article / Para citar este artigo Aznar-Sala FJ. Analisis del aborto desde un punto de vista conceptual. Pers Bioet. 2019; 23(1): 34-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5294/pebi.2019.23.1.3Recibido: 19/07/2018Aceptado: 01/11/2018 portuguesAbortion analysis from a conceptual point of viewAnalise do abordo do ponto de vista conceitualO aborto posiciona-se como um dos mais graves atentados contra a solidariedade intergeracional, porque ataca diretamente a filiacao. A diacronia estabelece o amparo do mais fraco e o amor entre pais e filhos. Isso se quebra a partir das ameacas a figura do filho. Este artigo se desenvolve no plano dos conceitos e da necessidade de contribuir para a vida na sociedade atual. Para isso, e necessario incidir na dignidade da vida humana nos circulos academicos e de debate intelectual, contextos em que sao criadas as diferentes correntes de opiniao.Para citar este articulo / To reference this article / Para citar este artigo Aznar-Sala FJ. Analisis del aborto desde un punto de vista conceptual. Pers Bioet. 2019; 23(1): 34-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5294/pebi.2019.23.1.3Recibido: 19/07/2018Aceptado: 01/11/2018 EnglishAbortion analysis from a conceptual point of viewAnalise do abordo do ponto de vista conceitualAbortion is one of the most serious attacks against intergenerational solidarity because it directly attacks filiation. The diachrony establishes the protection of the weakest and the love between parents and children. This is broken from the attacks on the figure of the child. This paper moves in the concepts and the need to contribute in favor of life in today’s society. For this, it is necessary to influence in favor of the dignity of human life in the academic and debate circles, spaces in which the different currents of opinion are created.Para citar este articulo / To reference this article / Para citar este artigo Aznar-Sala FJ. Analisis del aborto desde un punto de vista conceptual. Pers Bioet. 2019; 23(1): 34-48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5294/pebi.2019.23.1.3Recibido: 19/07/2018Aceptado: 01/11/2018

Gelatinous zooplankton, including jellyfish, ctenophores and pelagic tunicates, constitutes fragile marine animals that live in the water column, and represent an important resource for marine food webs through their seasonal pulses. Although there is scarce evidence on the occurrence of gelatinous zooplankton in stomach contents of apex, endothermic predators such as cetaceans, the ecological significance of such observations requires consideration. In this study, we report on the occurrence of pelagic tunicates in the stomach of three individual calves of two cetacean species from the western Mediterranean, and collate all previous reports of gelatinous zooplankton in cetacean diets. We then briefly discuss the possible dietary significance of these observations. This study was financially supported by projects CGL/2012/39545 and AGL2015/68405/R (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) and PROMETEO II/2015/018 (Generalitat Valenciana, Spain).

Acanthocephalans display a two-host life cycle that involves arthropods as intermediate hosts and vertebrates as definitive hosts. Some species also use paratenic hosts to bridge the trophic gap between both obligatory hosts. However, the relative role of these paratenic hosts in the transmission to definitive hosts has seldom been assessed quantitatively. We report on infection patterns of cystacanths of Corynosoma australe Johnston, 1937 in 20 common teleost species and the Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus (Castellanos) from the Patagonian shelf of Argentina. We also explore the role of different fish species in the transmission of C. australe to the most important definitive host in the area, i.e. the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens Shaw. Cystacanths of C. australe were found in all host species except Heliconus lahillei Norman, Merluccius hubbsi Marini and I. argentinus. In eight fish species, the prevalence of C. australe was > 50% and mean intensity > 4, i.e. Acanthistius patachonicus (Jenyns), Nemadactylus bergi (Norman), Paralichthys isosceles Jordan, Percophis brasiliensis Quoy & Gaimard, Prionotus nudigula Ginsburg, Scomber colias Gmelin, Raneya brasiliensis (Kaup) and Xystreurys rasile (Jordan). Two surveys on the trophic ecology of South American sea lions in the study area consistently found a generalist diet dominated by M. hubbsi, and data on the frequency of occurrence and number of other fish and cephalopod species in stomach contents strongly suggest that only R. brasiliensis may play a prominent role in the transmission of C. australe. This result raises interesting questions on the costs of paratenicity. Fil: Hernández Orts, Jesús Servando. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni". - Provincia de Río Negro. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni". Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro de Investigación Aplicada y Transferencia Tecnológica en Recursos Marinos "Almirante Storni"; Argentina Fil: Montero, Francisco E.. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: Garcia, Nestor Anibal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina Fil: Crespo, Enrique Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina Fil: Raga, Juan A.. Universidad de Valencia; España Fil: García-Varela, Martín. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México Fil: Aznar, Francisco J.. Universidad de Valencia; España

Pennella balaenoptera is a mesoparasitic copepod that has been reported in at least 17 cetacean species. Subtle morphological differences in the first antennae of adult females have been used to discriminate this species from P. filosa, a species infecting fishes. Other morphological traits are unreliable because of their high plasticity, and no molecular data are available to confirm the taxonomic status of P. balaenoptera as an independent species. We found no consistent morphological differences of the first antennae between P. balaenoptera and P. filosa collected from cetaceans and fish in the western Mediterranean. Molecular data on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I failed to show reciprocal monophyly for the 2 species, and nucleotide divergence between them was low (mean ± SD [range]: 4.1 ± 0.006% [0.5-8.9]). Thus, P. balaenoptera and P. filosa are considered conspecific. We also obtained data on infection parameters of P. balaenoptera based on 450 individuals of 6 cetacean species stranded on the Spanish Mediterranean coast between 1980 and 2017. Prevalence was significantly lowest in the most coastal species, the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus (3.6%) and highest in the most oceanic species, Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris (100%). This suggests that the life cycle of P. balaenoptera is primarily oceanic. Interestingly, P. filosa also occurs in the oceanic realm infecting large fishes. This ecological similarity further supports the hypothesis that P. balaenoptera and P. filosa are conspecific.