Parasites from Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kong

Between 1993 and 1998, 28 Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphins (Sousa chinensi s) and 32 finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kon g territorial waters were examined postmortem for parasites. The nematode H alocercus pingi was discovered in the lungs of one hump-backed dolphin and in 10 finless porpoises, typically within abscesses or granulomata. and the y were frequently accompanied by a catarrhal exudate and lesions characteri stic of pneumonia. Seven of the 10 finless porpoises were calves with subst antial lungworm infections, and three were neonates with visible fetal fold s and umbilical remnants, suggesting that H pingi is transferred to the neo nate before birth or during lactation. Electron micrographs of H pingi shou ld allow the nematode to be identified by other researchers. An ectoparasit ic stalked barnacle (Xenobalanus globicipitis) was recovered from a finless porpoise, the first time that this species of barnacle has been recorded i n Hong Kong's territorial waters.