Parasites of Reptiles

Mitchell, Mark A.; Baker, David G.

doi:10.1002/9780470344552.ch9

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Clinical signs and lesions associated with Strongyloides and Rhabdias infections in reptiles and amphibians are largely dependent on parasite load, host age, stress, nutritional condition, stocking density, comorbidities, and the occurrence of opportunistic/secondary infections. 5,18,21 Reptiles and amphibians may be housed on substrate suitable for nematode proliferation. In cases reported here, snakes were maintained on a cypress mulch substrate capable of supporting the homogonic life cycle, as evidenced by identification of an infective third-stage larva in used substrate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes

et al. 2023

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Strongyloides are small rhabditid nematodes primarily associated with enteric disease in a variety of animal species, including reptiles. Strongyloides spp life stages were associated with a disease outbreak in a large breeding colony of snakes. Multiple Pantherophis and Lampropeltis colubrids exhibited respiratory distress, anorexia, stomatitis, facial deformation, and waning body condition that resulted in death or necessitated euthanasia. Postmortem examinations of 13 snakes revealed epithelial hyperplasia and inflammation of the alimentary and respiratory tracts associated with varying numbers of adult and larval nematodes and embryonated or larvated ova. In a subset of snakes, aberrant nematode migration was also observed in the eye, genitourinary system, coelom, and vasculature. Histomorphology and gross examination of parasitic adult female nematodes from host tissues were consistent with a Strongyloides spp. Sedimented fecal material from 101/160 (63%) snakes housed in the affected facility was positive for nematodes and/or larvated ova. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of portions of the 18S and 28S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) genes and the internal transcribed spacer region of adult female parasites and positive fecal samples supported the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis. Strongyloides spp possess a unique life cycle capable of alternating between parasitic (homogonic) and free-living (heterogonic) stages, resulting in the production of directly infective larvae. Commonly utilized husbandry practices in reptile collections can amplify the numbers of infective larvae generated in the captive environment, increasing the risk for rhabditid hyperinfections. This report documents morbidity, mortality, and non-enteric disease manifestations due to Strongyloides hyperinfections in a captive colubrid snake colony.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes

et al. 2023

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“…Zonneveld et al-Bored tortoise and turtle shell from the Miocene of Egypt Freshwater turtles can be infected by a number of platyhelminth taxa. Although these are more commonly parasites of the intestines, several forms can occur subcutaneously (Mitchell, 2007). Both trematodes (e.g., Gyrodactylus spp.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are interpreted to be borings emplaced by an invertebrate ectoparasite. Nonaquatic terrestrial turtles such as tortoises can be colonized by a variety of arthropods, including dipterans and ixodid arachnids (e.g., Harbinson, 1937; Baker, 2007; Mitchell, 2007). Dipteran larvae have been noted on injured or abraded areas of tortoise shells (Woodbury and Hardy, 1948; Woodbury, 1952).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is worth noting that K. lakkos on tortoise shells may not have had a single tracemaker. Sarcophagid dipterans (“flesh flies”) occur on the skin and shells of terrestrial turtles and tortoises (Peters, 1948; Jackson et al, 1969; Mitchell, 2007). Although these flies have not been observed to bore through either the epidermal or dermal layer, they may opportunistically occupy a tick-created pit (Knipling, 1937; Peters, 1948; King and Griffo, 1958; Jackson et al, 1969; Greene, 1983; Jacobson, 1994; Mitchell, 2007), and bacterial infections that result may modify or expand the pit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both trematodes (e.g., Gyrodactylus spp.) and cestodes (e.g., Diphyllobothrium erinacei [Rudolphi, 1819] and Spirometra mansonoides [Mueller, 1935]) been observed on the skin and shells of aquatic turtles (Johnson et al, 1998; Harris et al, 2004; Mitchell, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ectoparasite borings, mesoparasite borings, and scavenging traces in early Miocene turtle and tortoise shell: Moghra Formation, Wadi Moghra, Egypt

2021

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Borings and bite marks on fossil turtle carapaces and plastra from the Miocene Moghra Formation, northern Egypt, are herein described. All fossil turtle material from Moghra exhibits ichnofossils. The positions of invertebrate borings on external surfaces of tortoise and turtle shell material at Moghra are consistent with the activities of ectoparasites or mesoparasites. A single invertebrate ichnotaxon, Karethraichnus lakkos Zonneveld et al., 2016, occurs on Moghra tortoise fossils. This trace fossil was likely emplaced by ixodid arthropods (ticks). Bite marks assigned to Nihilichnus occur on a carapace peripheral and are interpreted to reflect postmortem scavenging. An abundant and moderately diverse assemblage of invertebrate borings characterizes Moghra aquatic turtle shells. Karethraichnus lakkos and Thatchtelithichnus holmani Zonneveld et al., 2016 traces on aquatic turtles are interpreted to reflect leech and/or trematode parasitism. Gunnellichnus moghraensis (new ichnogenus new ichnospecies) and G. akolouthiste (n. isp.) likely reflect bacterial and/or fungal infections on aquatic turtle shells that rarely dried out. UUID: http://zoobank.org/f0a3977d-deff-4954-b196-536adc405854

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African Tortoises

Kubiak¹,

Pellett²

2020

Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine

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Parasites of Reptiles

Cited by 8 publications

References 112 publications

Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes

Proliferative strongyloidiasis in a colony of colubrid snakes

Ectoparasite borings, mesoparasite borings, and scavenging traces in early Miocene turtle and tortoise shell: Moghra Formation, Wadi Moghra, Egypt

African Tortoises

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