Raillietiella orientalis
is an obligate, crustacean parasite that resides in the respiratory tract of definitive snake hosts. Common throughout southeastern Asia and Australia,
R. orientalis
is believed to have been introduced into southern Florida, United States along with Burmese pythons (
Python bivittatus
) in the 1990s. While the invasive range of Burmese pythons is restricted to southern Florida,
R. orientalis
has advanced north in the state in native snake species.
R. orientalis
were recovered from the lungs, trachea, oral cavity, and esophagus of an emaciated adult female free-ranging banded water snake (
Nerodia fasciata
) in north central (Alachua County), Florida, USA. Concurrent findings included the recovery of
Ochetosoma
sp. trematodes from the oral cavity, and multifocal dermal lesions consistent with snake fungal disease (
Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola
). This is the first report of
R. orientalis
in north central Florida, well outside the invasive range of the Burmese python, documenting the substantial northward expansion of the known geographical range of this invasive pentastome in Florida.
Raillietiella orientalis is established in Florida and rapidly spreading both geographically and in known host species. A banded water snake ( Nerodia fasciata), purchased in Michigan at a regional reptile show, expectorated a pentastome whose morphology and DNA sequence indicated that it was R. orientalis. This event indicates that, through the pet trade, R. orientalis has been spread 1,500 km from its previously known distribution limit. Fecal sample analyses indicated that the snake was shedding large numbers of embryonated eggs for at least several months. The diversity of reptile species that are both known hosts of R. orientalis in Florida and are commonly sold in the pet trade indicates that this invasive pentastome may become a widespread health concern for pet owners and veterinarians.
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