METACERCARIAE IN COPROLITES OF SEALS OF THE GENUS &lt;i&gt;PACHYPHOCA&lt;/i&gt; (CYSTOPHORINAE, PHOCIDAE) FROM THE LATE MIOCENE OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS
Journal: Доклады Российской академии наук Науки о жизни
Year: 2023

Coprolites of the seal Pachyphoca volkodavi from the Upper Miocene deposits (Kherson) of the Fortepyanka locality (Republic of Adygea) were studied. Two out of five seal coprolites contained a structure resembling fish muscle tissue and included objects with morphology of trematode metacercariae. Obviously, the larvae of the parasite got into the digestive tract of seals from the fish they eat. Microscopic analysis of coprolites did not reveal helminth eggs, which indicates a possible absence of