Larval nematodes found in amphibians from northeastern Argentina

Abstract

Five species of amphibians, Leptodactylus podicipinus, Scinax acuminatus, S. nasicus, Rhinella fernandezae and Pseudis paradoxa, were collected in Corrientes province, Argentina and searched for larval nematodes. All larval nematodes were found as cysts in the serous of the stomach of hosts. Were identified one superfamily, Seuratoidea; one genus, Spiroxys (Superfamily Gnathostomatoidea) and one family, Rhabdochonidae (Superfamily Thelazioidea). We present a description and illustrations of these taxa. These nematodes have an indirect life cycle and amphibians are infected by consuming invertebrate, the intermediate hosts. The genus Spiroxys and superfamily Seuratoidea were reported for the first time for Argentinean amphibians.

The first case of Spiroxys contortus in European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the wild in Poland

“…According to Hedrick (1935) , in life cycle of S. contortus there are two intermediate hosts, firstly - cyclops and secondly - tadpoles or fish ( Hedrick, 1935 ). Other authors mention here other amphibians, mollusks, and also dragonfly nymphs ( Moravec et al, 1995 ; Anderson, 2000 ; González and Hamann, 2010 ; Santos et al, 2019 ). However, due to the possibility of the development of an invasive larval stage in body cavities of cyclops, as well as effective infection of the final host with them, it gives the conclusion that it is most likely that nematode requires only a cyclop to close the life cycle.…”

Study of Helminth Parasites of Amphibians by Scanning Electron Microscopy

“…76). Lavilla et al (2000) reported a total of 271 amphibian species for Argentina (167 anurans and 4 gymnophions); of these, only 32 (11.8%) have been cited as hosts for helminth parasites (González and Hamann, 2004, 2009, 2010a, 2010b, 2011Hamann and Pérez, 1999;Hamann et al, 2006aHamann et al, , 2006bHamann et al, , 2009aHamann et al, , 2009bHamann et al, , 2010Lajmanovich and Martinez de Ferrato, 1995;Lunaschi and Drago, 2007;Ramallo et al, 2007aRamallo et al, , 2007bRamallo et al, , 2008. Of all the anuran families, the most studied for helminth parasites are Hylidae, Bufonidae, Leiuperidae and Leptodactylidae.…”

Severe granulomatous gastric lesions following migration of Spiroxys contortus larvae (Nematoda: Spirurida) in European pond turtles, Emys orbicularis

“…insects or crustaceans) as intermediate hosts for the initial larval stages and adults develop usually in the upper digestive system of vertebrates (Anderson, 2000). Species of genus Spiroxys live in the stomach mucosa of fresh water turtles and use aquatic crustaceans as intermediate hosts (Mader, 2006 (Edwards et al, 1974;Baker, 1987;McAllister et al, 1993;Anderson, 2000;Platt, 2000;Gonzales, 2010). Hedrick (1935) provided detailed information on development of larval S. contortus encapsulated in the stomach of the painted turtle, C. picta.…”