Hill et al., 1997: 

"Cryptosporidium is a small apicomplexan protozoan inhabiting the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of a wide range of vertebrates.

Infection of marine mammals has not been reported. This study describes infection of the small intestine in a dugong (Dugong dugon) by a species of Cryptosporidium.

Maturing trophozoite and schizont forms showed a complex system of membrane folds which rested above the electrondense band. These folds were not present in early trophozoite forms. These features are consistent with descriptions of Cryptosporidium.

Whether the Cryptosporidium infection in this animal was sufficient to explain the clinical signs observed is uncertain. Since no oocysts were found in the specimens available for this study, it is not known whether the organism can complete its life cycle in the dugong. However, if the infection is patent then the social nature of this species will increase the likelihood of other animals in the herd becoming infected. Whether the infection cycles within the herd or the animals are infected from an external source is unknown."

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Citation and/or URL

Hill, B.D., Fraser, I.R. & Prior, H.C. 1997, Cryptosporidium infection in a dugong (Dugong dugon). Australian Veterinary Journal, 75: (9) 670-671

Spatial Coverage

Hervey Bay, Queensland 

Temporal Coverage

1996 

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

None