Atractis thapari (Nematoda, Atractidae) parasitizing Chelonoidis carbonarius and C. denticulatus (Testudinidae) in the state of Piauí, Brazil

Abstract

Atractis thapari Petter, 1966, an atractid nematode, was collected parasitizing the large intestine of tortoises of the species Chelonoidis carbonarius (Spix, 1824) (Cc) and C. denticulatus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Cd) (Testudinidae) in the Zoobotanical Park of the municipality of Teresina, state of Piauí, Brazil. Taxonomic identification was based on morphological and morphometrical features, and using bright-field and scanning electron microscopy. The present study adds new observations on the morphology of A. thapari, mainly relating to mouth papillae, the excretory pore, deirids, and male and female posterior ends. The parasitic indices of prevalence (P), mean intensity (MI), mean abundance (MA) and range of infection (RI) for A. thapari in these two tortoise species were: P = 100%, MI = 154,667, MA = 154,667, RI = 5,500-588,500 (Cc); P = 100%, MI = 93,639, MA = 93,639, RI = 1,000-224,500 (Cd). This report confirms the occurrence of A. thapari in Neotropical region, South America, Brazil, and extends its occurrences to a new host, the tortoise C. carbonarius. Adjustment of host management with the aim of improving hygiene and health conditions is suggested.

Gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes in pet red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) from Grenada, West Indies

“…of the Gal apagos islands (Fourni e et al, 2015), and in C. denticulatus from Peru (Ch avez et al, 2015). Atractis thapari has been found parasitizing red-footed tortoises in the state of Piauí, Brazil (Leal et al, 2018). A species of Atractis identified only to the generic level was reported from Red footed tortoises in Venezuela (P erez Mata et al, 2014).…”

“…Helminth infections in chelonians have also been reported in Italy (Papini et al, 2011), Spain (Ch avarri et al, 2012 and the United Kingdom (Hedley et al, 2013). Gastrointestinal parasites in red-footed tortoises have been reported in Venezuela (P erez Mata et al, 2014), Brazil (Leal et al, 2018), and the USA (Rideout et al, 1987), however is a paucity of literature on parasites of red-footed tortoises in the Caribbean region including Grenada.…”