METAZOAN PARASITES AND OTHER SYMBIONTS OF CETACEANS IN THE CARIBBEAN

The parasite fauna in cetaceans from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the larger Caribbean region is poorly known. We provide the first records for parasite biodiversity among a diverse assemblage of cetace ans from the Caribbean Sea. Internal and external parasites and commen sals were collected from stranded whales and dolphins salvaged in Puer to Rico, the United States and British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Ve nezuela between 1989 and 1997. A total of 47 individuals of 16 species of whales and dolphins (15 odontocetes and 1 mysticete) was examined. Overall, parasites and commensals were found in 34 (72.3%) animals, r epresenting 13 species of odontocetes and 1 mysticete. Eighteen specie s of endoparasitic helminths were found, including 8 species of nemato des, 2 digeneans, 6 cestodes, and 2 acanthocephalans. Three species of whale-lice and 2 species of barnacles were also collected.