Ecology of the Louse Lepidophthirus macrorhini Enderlein 1904 on the Elephant Seal Mirounga leonina (L.)

Abstract

THE Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions have maintained a station since 1948 on Macquarie Island, which is situated in the South Pacific, 54° 30′ S., 159° E. Through the courtesy of the director, Mr. P. G. Law, a visit was paid to the island in December 1957. This afforded an opportunity to obtain some information on the ecology of the louse Lepidophthirus macrorhini Enderlein 1904 which infests the elephant seal, Mirounga leonina (L.). Living lice were brought back to the laboratory for study by keeping infested hind flippers in a refrigerator.