Abstract

A relatively high incidence of neuropathology has been found during the course of a five-year study of brain disease in stranded cetaceans.  Cerebrovascular, parasitic and non-parasitic infectious processes have been found in a variety of species.  The role that such disease plays in causing strandings is difficult to ascertain without knowing the incidence of these disorders in the normal, non-stranded population.  Furthermore, whether or not certain types of lesions even result in serious impairment is not resolved.  To gain a better understanding of the incidence of parasitic infections involving the brain and auditory system of non-stranded cetaceans, the survey has been expanded to include animals that are caught as a result of the small scale whaling industry continued in St. Vincent by tradition and necessity.

Supported in part by grants from the National Geographic Society and from St. Georges University College of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies.

Notes

Lost in volcanic eruption. The study will have to be re-done. Lesions noted in many cetacean brains were cerebral hematomas, meningitis and parasitic damage.