Solving a sea otter mystery: Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers track down origin of deadly disease

"AP has taken the lives of nearly a quarter of southern sea otters over the past three decades. But the chances for this otter's survival were not shrouded in fear and uncertainty as they were for countless earlier otters. Knowledge about this deadly disease where it comes from, how it spreads, and ultimately, how to treat it has come a long way in the past few years."

"AP is a disease caused by parasitic worms. A seabird or shorebird consumes the parasite, which matures and lays eggs inside of it. The birds expel those eggs in their fecal matter over the ocean. Mole crabs, when filter feeding, will ingest these eggs. A sea otter then eats that crab and becomes infected with AP. The problem is that otters are more vulnerable to the disease, Grewelle says. Because the sea otter is not the right type of host for the parasite, for rea"

On-call staff rescued a six-month-old southern sea otter found emaciated, dehydrated and lethargic on San Carlos Beach. Veterinary examination revealed intense stomach inflammation and sand crab fragments in feces, prompting diagnosis of acanthocephalan peritonitis (AP). AP is caused by parasitic worms that cycle from infected seabirds to mole crabs and then to otters that eat the crabs. Southern sea otter pups in sandy habitats with abundant Pacific mole crabs are particularly at risk. AP has killed nearly a quarter of southern sea otters over three decades. Recent studies confirmed seasonal and geographic patterns of infection and improved understanding supports more effective treatment and prognosis.

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