LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH METAZOAN PARASITES OF WILD PLATYPUSES (ORNITHORHYNCHUS ANA TINUS)

Pathological findings associated with helminth and arthropod parasites of four wild platypuses (Orn it/nor/i ynchus anatin us) are described. Fourth-stage larval rhabditoid nematodes (?Cylmndrocorporidae) found partially embedded in the stratum corneum were associated with mild acanithosis, orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis amid inconstant subacute dermatits. A filarioid nema- tode (?Lemdaniinae) was found in hypodermal lymphoid tissue. A larval trichostrongyloid nema- tode was found in the dermis, with no evidence of host response. Ani undescribed species of tronibiculid mite ("chigger") was found in the pelage and attached to superficial stratum corneum. Focal inclusions of eosmmiophilic material within stratum corneum, interpreted as mite gel saliva produced during formationi of the "stylostome," were also observed. The tick Ixodes ornithorhynchi punctured the epidermis causing adnexal trauma, dermal haemorrhage and chronic active der- matitis. The digenean Mehlisia ornithorhynchi was present in the small intestine of one animal amid was associated with mild catarrhal enteritis.