CAN FUNGAL PATCHES ON STELLER SEA LIONS BE USED AS IDENTIFYING MARKS?
Julie Wright, Karen Blejwas. 2002. ABSTRACT Mark-recapture experiments have been done with Steller sea lions by tagging, branding, or dyeing the animals, but these methods are invasive, potentially harmful, and require physically capturing the animals. One alternative to marking animals is to identify individuals based on their natural markings, such as pelage patterns, flipper shape, and scars. The most distinct marks on Steller sea lions are fungal patches. These patches are believed to be “scars” left by active fungal infections, although the species of the fungus at work is still unknown. Based on a survey of veterinary reports of skin fungal infections in captive sea lions, I determined that the most probable cause of the skin infections is the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In order to use fungal patches for identification purposes, it is important to determine when fungal patches appear in an individual’s lifespan, how long they last, if they are affected by molting, and if
