Dear Paul,
The name "Sea Lice" is used for a number of marine animals. If
Salmon-growers are speaking about Sea Lice then they mean a crustacean
Lepeophtheirus salmonis, a serious parasite of salmons.
However, when swimers/divers speak about Sea Lice then they are usually
dealing with either juvenile stages of jellyfish or sea-anemones. Especially
the larval stage of the sea anemone Edwardsiella lineata is known as a Sea
Lice. When it get trapped between a bathing suit and the skin it releases a
toxin, which creates a burning/stinging reaction. Good information you will
find at:
http://www.fairharbor.com/fhca_beach_safety_sea_lice.htm

Best regards,
Henk K. Mienis
----- Original Message -----
From: Monfils, Paul <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: sting protection


> OK, I have to ask this.  During the course of this thread, several people
> have mentioned "sea lice".  My undergrad degree was in zoology, but I
cannot
> recall running across anything called "sea lice", especially anything that
> stings people??  The name suggests some kind of minute arthropod, but
within
> the context of this thread it sounds more like some kind of jellyfish??
> Just what are "sea lice"?
>
> Paul M.