Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminths of the cetaceans Cephalorhynchus eutropia and Phocoena spinipinnis accidentally entangled in gill-nets off the coast of Queule, Chile, were identified from 1989 to 1990. Pseudoterranova sp., Polymorphus (Polymorphus) cetaceum and Synthesium tursionis occurred in both cetaceans. Additionally, Anisakis sp. and Braunina cordiformis were found in C. eutropia, and Anisakis simplex was identified from P. spinipinnis. The species with the highest prevalence and mean intensity of infection in P. spinipinnis and C. eutropia were P. (P.) cetaceum and B. cordiformis, respectively. The diet of both cetaceans consists mainly of fishes.