First multicenter coprological survey on helminth parasite communities of free-living loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Adriatic Sea and Northern Ionian Sea

Marangi, Marianna; Carlino, Piero; Profico, Chiara; Olivieri, Vincenzo; Totaro, Giovanni; Furii, Giovanni; Marzano, Giacomo; Papini, Roberto Amerigo

doi:10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.02.006

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Here, a modified MINI-FLOTAC technique in combination with FILL-FLOTAC were used for parasitological detection of the cysts in the faecal samples of fin and sperm whales. Although this technique has never been used before for whale faecal samples, it has successfully been used in previous coprological surveys for the detection of gastrointestinal parasites in other marine animals as the loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ) 23 , 24 . The MINI-FLOTAC can be considered as one of the most accurate methods for coprological diagnosis of endoparasite infections and cysts/eggs counting nowadays available in veterinary medicine 25 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact

Marangi

Airoldi

Beneduce

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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The occurrence of protozoan parasite, bacterial communities, organic pollutants and heavy metals was investigated in free-ranging species of fin (Balaenoptera physalus, n. 2) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus, n. 2) whales from the Pelagos Sanctuary, Corsican-Ligurian Provencal Basin (Northern-Western Mediterranean Sea). Out of four faecal samples investigated, two from fin whales and one from sperm whale were found positive to Blastocystis sp. A higher number of sequences related to Synergistetes and Spirochaetae were found in sperm whales if compared with fin whales. Moreover, As, Co and Hg were found exclusively in sperm whale faecal samples, while Pb was found only in fin whale faecal samples. The concentration of both PAH and PCB was always below the limit of detection. This is the first report in which the presence of these opportunistic pathogens, bacteria and chemical pollutants have been investigated in faecal samples of free-ranging whale species and the first record of Blastocystis in fin and sperm whales. Thus, this study may provide baseline data on new anthropozoonotic parasite, bacterial records and heavy metals in free-ranging fin and sperm whales, probably as a result of an increasing anthropogenic activity. This survey calls for more integrated research to perform regular monitoring programs supported by national and/or international authorities responsible for preservation of these still vulnerable and threatened whale species in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each faecal sample was subjected to microscopic investigation by using a flotation solution of ZnSO 4 (specific gravity 1360) and a MINI-FLOTAC technique in combination with FILL-FLOTAC slightly modified as reported elsewhere 24 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact

Marangi

Airoldi

Beneduce

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…Dolphin fecal samples were collected in the framework of an ecology research project cetaceans; during the winter and summer boat survey, photo identification and floating feces of the individuals were collected, when possible, from free ranging striped (n. 11) and Risso's (n. 7) dolphins using a fine nylon mesh net, which was changed between each sample, avoiding direct contact with animals as also described in Marangi et al 2021. Sea turtle fecal samples were collected from 20 loggerhead and 3 green sea turtles found stranded along the Ionian Sea coast, but still alive or caught by fisherman, in three different sampling zones (1, 2 and 3) within the Gulf of Taranto and kept at two Sea Turtle Rescue Centres (Calimera and Policoro), according to the methodology reported in Marangi et al 2020. Sample ID, collected species, time of sample collecting, cause of finding and sampling zone are reported in Table 1. The survey data collected, including photo identification, guaranteed that the sampled animals were unique and sampled only once during the monitoring.…”

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Dolphins and sea turtles may host zoonotic parasites and pathogenic bacteria as indicators of anthropic pressure in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central-Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

et al. 2022

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The occurrence of protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. such as the pathogenic bacteria Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli was molecularly investigated in the following free ranging species of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) as well as loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles living in the Gulf of Taranto (Mediterranean Sea). Out of forty-one investigated individuals belonging to the 4 species, 13 (31.7%) were positive to one or more pathogens and zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblage A, Cryptosporidium parvum and S. enterica were identified in striped dolphins, loggerhead and green sea turtles. In this work, the presence of these opportunistic pathogens has been investigated in fecal samples of free ranging dolphin and sea turtle species for the first time. Moreover, this is the first record of C. parvum in loggerhead sea turtles. These results may provide baseline data for the potential role of cetaceans and sea turtles as potential sentinel species for zoonotic and terrestrial pathogens in the marine environment.

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“…El diagnóstico de helmintiasis en tortugas marinas generalmente se realiza durante la necropsia a través de la recolección y el estudio de parásitos adultos (Greiner y Mader 2006, Chapman et al 2019; no es común realizar exámenes coproparasitológicos, aunque es posible y justificado su uso como método no invasivo (Greiner y Mader 2006). Considerando que el principal método para diagnosticar endoparásitos en estos animales es a través del examen fecal para la detección de huevos, Marangi et al (2020) realizaron el primer estudio coprológico multicéntrico de comunidades de helmintos de tortugas marinas (Caretta caretta) de vida libre.…”

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Morphological characterization of fluke eggs in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) found on the coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

et al. 2022

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Although some studies have identified parasites in green turtles (Chelonia mydas), little is known about the morphology of helminth eggs in the feces of these animals. The aim of this study was to morphologically characterize helminth eggs recovered in coproparasitological exams by sedimentation and to analyze their relationship with helminth species recovered during necropsy of juvenile specimens of C. mydas. Four different egg morphotypes were found, identified, and classified as digenetic trematodes of the families Microscaphidiidae, Cladorchiidae, and Spirorchiidae. There was morphological diversity in the size of the eggs measured directly in adult parasites, with sizes ranging from 19.07 to 99.28 μm in length and from 11.35 to 45.66 μm in width. The observation of eggs on coproparasitological exams is important for studying the ecology of sea turtle parasites, since the life cycle of some species is not yet fully understood.

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First multicenter coprological survey on helminth parasite communities of free-living loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Adriatic Sea and Northern Ionian Sea

Cited by 5 publications

References 24 publications

Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact

Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact

Dolphins and sea turtles may host zoonotic parasites and pathogenic bacteria as indicators of anthropic pressure in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central-Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

Morphological characterization of fluke eggs in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) found on the coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

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