First Report of Pennella balaenopterae Infestation in a Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Carcass Washed Ashore on the Israeli Coastline

This case report describes the first identification in Israel of the mesoparasitic copepod Pennella balaenoptera, in the carcass of a marine mammal. A Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) washed ashore on the Israeli coast was autopsied in contiguity to a large oil spill that occurred along Israel's coastline. At the external examination, a large number of Pennella balaenopterae were embedded within the whale's blubber on its ventral and lateral sides. Further toxicological analyses of lung and bronchus samples, revealed the presence of higher-thanacceptable levels of toluene without any evidence of other above-normal petroleum components, suggesting the inhalation of the substance. This paper proposes to consider toluene toxicity as a possible etiological factor affecting the host's immunity and consequently increasing the parasitic pressure.