Leech Parasitism in a Turtle Assemblage: Effects of Host and Environmental Characteristics

Readel, Anne M.; Phillips, Christopher A.; Wetzel, Mark J.

doi:10.1643/ch-06-212

Cited by 44 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Although the sporozoites of these parasites live in invertebrate hosts, the merozoites are thought to be transmitted to turtles by leeches (Paperna 1989, Siddall andDesser 2001). Larger turtles are better targets for leech attachment because of their larger surface area (Readel et al 2008). Haemogregarine species are common and widely distributed in freshwater turtles (Segade et al 2006, Zelmer and Platt 2008, Dvořáková et al 2014.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa)

Arizza¹,

Sacco²,

Russo³

et al. 2016

FOLIA PARASIT

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Endemic Sicilian pond turtles Emys trinacris Fritz, Fattizzo, Guicking, Tripepi, Pennisi, Lenk, Joger et Wink were examined for the presence of haemogregarine parasites. The presence of haemogregarines, occurring mainly in the microgametocyte stage (13.2 ± 0.12 μm in length and 6.4 ± 0.52 μm in width), was observed in approximately 9% of the sampled E. trinacris. Based on the observed morphology and on the sequencing of nuclear 18S rDNA, we identified the parasite as Haemogregarina stepanowi Danilewsky, 1885. Morphometric study of uninfected and infected red blood cells has shown that H. stepanowi induces different changes in erythrocyte shape depending on the infective stage. The differential count of leukocytes in specimens infected with H. stepanowi showed no significant difference compared with healthy specimens. However, considering the health problems which might be induced by H. stepanowi in the closely related European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linneaus), monitoring of the health status of the infected Sicilian populations of E. trinacris is desirable. The restricted distribution of populations of Emys infected with haemogregarines in Sicily is quite puzzling and the possible human-mediated introduction of the parasite in Sicily is briefly discussed.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa)

Arizza¹,

Sacco²,

Russo³

et al. 2016

FOLIA PARASIT

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“…The presence of ectoparasites on turtles is not novel; however, studies have shown that heavy sanguivore infestations could produce anemia and significantly limit the aerobic capacity and behavior of the host (Ernst & Ernst 1977, Burridge 2005, thus reducing its viability in a population (Jacobson 1994). In addition, ticks and leeches are known vectors of hemogregarine infections in different kinds of reptiles, which could reduce hemoglobin concentrations (Burridge & Simmons 2003, Ryan & Lambert 2005, McCoy et al 2007, Readel et al 2008, and the lesions they create may serve as sites of pathogen entry and infection (Ernst & Ernst 1977). The first step in monitoring the potential threats of ectoparasite associations with a host species is to identify the ectoparasite species involved.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given that turtles have been deemed one of the most endangered groups of vertebrates (Rhodin et al 2011) and parasitism has been suggested as one of the many possible causes for their decline (Gibbons et al 2000), advancements have been made to identify ectoparasite species associated with turtles and document potential threats to the health of the animals. Numerous studies exist documenting ectoparasites associated with turtles in North America (e.g., Ernst 1971, Hulse & Routman 1982, Dodd 1988, Brooks et al 1990, Graham et al 1997, Siddall & Gaffney 2004, Ryan & Lambert 2005, McCoy et al 2007, Readel et al 2008, Ennen & Qualls 2011, but few such studies exist for tropical turtles in South America (Fairchild et al 1966, Guerrero 1996, Labruna et al 2002, de Campos-Brites & Rantin 2004, Voltzit 2007.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Turtle ectoparasites from the Pacific coastal region of Colombia

et al. 2013

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Abstract:This study provides an update on the ectoparasites (ticks and leeches) associated with Rhinoclemmys annulata and provides new accounts on the ectoparasites associated with R. nasuta, R. melanosterna and Kinosternon leucostomum from the Pacific coast of Colombia. The presence of Amblyomma sabanerae on R. nasuta and R. melanosterna provided two new host records for the tick species. Also, the documentation of A. sabanerae from the Department of Valle del Cauca represents a new department record for the species in Colombia. Placobdella ringueleti was identified from R. nasuta and K. leucostomum, which represents a new host record for the leech species, as well as a significant extension of the known range. Resumen: Este estudio proporciona nueva información sobre ectoparásitos (garrapatas y sanguijuelas) encontrados en Rhinoclemmys annulata, y aporta nuevos registros sobre ectoparásitos asociados a R. nasuta, R. melanosterna y Kinosternon leucostomum en la costa pacífica de Colombia. La presencia de Amblyomma sabanerae en R. nasuta y R. melanosterna provee dos nuevos hospederos para esta especie de garrapata. Igualmente el reporte de A. sabanerae amplía el registro de esta especie en Colombia, al departamento del Valle del Cauca. R. nasuta y K. leucostomum, se constituyen en nuevos registros de hospederos para Placobdella ringueleti, e incrementa de manera significativa el rango de distribución geográfico conocido para esta especie de sanguijuela.

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“…Helobdella papillata has been recorded from turtles (Readel et al 2008), but these leeches were excluded from that study's analyses based on the assumption that they do not feed on turtle blood. As members of the genus Helobdella are predators of invertebrates (Sawyer 1986), this was a reasonable assumption.…”

Section: (9)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Leech (Annelida: Hirudinea) Infestations on Canadian Turtles, Including the First Canadian Record of <em>Helobdella modesta</em> from Freshwater Turtles

Davy

Shim

Coombes³

2009

Can Field Nat

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We collected leeches from freshwater turtles at two sites in southwestern Ontario. Five leech species (Placobdella parasitica, P. ornata, Helobdella modesta, Erpobdella punctata and Alboglossiphonia heteroclita) were collected from five turtle species (Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, Clemmys guttata, Emydoidea blandingii and Sternotherus odoratus). We report a new leech record (P. ornata) for C. guttata. The unexpectedly high frequency of H. modesta on freshwater turtles is discussed.

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Leech Parasitism in a Turtle Assemblage: Effects of Host and Environmental Characteristics

Cited by 44 publications

References 36 publications

The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa)

The good, the bad and the ugly: Emys trinacris, Placobdella costata and Haemogregarina stepanowi in Sicily (Testudines, Annelida and Apicomplexa)

Turtle ectoparasites from the Pacific coastal region of Colombia

Leech (Annelida: Hirudinea) Infestations on Canadian Turtles, Including the First Canadian Record of <em>Helobdella modesta</em> from Freshwater Turtles

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