Helminth fauna of a turtle species introduced in Japan, the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Oi, Masaaki; Araki, Jun; Matsumoto, Jun; Nogami, Shinnosuke

doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.10.001

Cited by 19 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Although the taxonomy of Spirorchis species is still controversial and should probably be revised, the number of testes (never < 7), the relatively short distance between anterior testis and caecal bifurcation, the apparent absence of a median oesophageal pouch, and the presence of a small Manter's organ not extending into the intercaecal space confirm that the specimens from E. orbicularis belong to the species Spirorchis elegans Stunkard, 1923(Platt 1992. This species has been reported to infect the vascular system of Trachemys scripta (type host) as well as Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783) and Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte, 1830) in North America (Platt 1992) and most recently in the lung vasculature of T. s. elegans introduced in Japan (Oi et al 2012). Our findings therefore are alarming since Spirorchis spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

First reported outbreak of severe spirorchiidiasis in Emys orbicularis, probably resulting from a parasite spillover event

Iglesias¹,

Estévez²,

Ayres³

et al. 2015

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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The importance of disease-mediated invasions and the role of parasite spillover as a substantial threat to the conservation of global biodiversity are now well known. Although competition between invasive sliders Trachemys scripta elegans and indigenous European turtles has been extensively studied, the impact of this invasive species on diseases affecting native populations is poorly known. During winter 2012−2013 an unusual event was detected in a population of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) inhabiting a pond system in Galicia (NW Spain). Most turtles were lethargic and some had lost mobility of limbs and tail. Necropsies were performed on 11 turtles that were found dead or dying at this site. Blood flukes belonging to the species Spirorchis elegans were found inhabiting the vascular system of 3 turtles, while numerous fluke eggs were trapped in the vascular system, brain, lung, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and/or gastrointestinal tissues of all necropsied animals. Characteristic lesions included miliary egg granulomas, which were mostly found on serosal surfaces, particularly of the small intestine, as well as endocarditis, arteritis, and thrombosis. The most probable cause of death in the 3 turtle specimens which were also examined histologically was a necrotic enteritis with secondary bacterial infection associated with a massive egg embolism. The North American origin of S. elegans, the absence of prior recorded epizootics in the outbreak area, and the habitual presence of its type host, the highly invasive red-eared slider, in this area suggest a new case of parasite spillover resulting in a severe emerging disease. KEY WORDS: Emys orbicularis · Blood flukes · Spirorchis · Spirorchidiiasis · Mortality · Parasite spillover · Trachemys scripta Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisherDis Aquat Org 113: [75][76][77][78][79][80] 2015 In this sense, competition between the red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied, 1838), which is included in the 20 worst invasive species in Spain (GEIB 2006), and the autochthonous turtles Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) has been extensively studied (Cadi & Joly 2003, 2004, Polo-Cavia 2009). In contrast, although the importance of disease-mediated invasions and the role of parasite spillover/spillback as a substantial threat to the conservation of global biodiversity have recently been highlighted (Smith et al. 2006, Peeler et al. 2011, McCallum 2012, Strauss et al. 2012, the impact of alien sliders on diseases affecting indigenous European turtles is poorly known.E. orbicularis is found in East and Central Europe, the Mediterranean countries (including some islands), and North Africa (Fritz 2001(Fritz , 2003. At present, this species is threatened and declining in several regions of its range, mainly due to habitat destruction. It is therefore included in the Bern Convention and protected by European Union laws. However, it is still listed as a lower risk/near threatened ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

First reported outbreak of severe spirorchiidiasis in Emys orbicularis, probably resulting from a parasite spillover event

Iglesias¹,

Estévez²,

Ayres³

et al. 2015

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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“…Numerous reports on their introduction to natural environments in different locations, e.g. France, Italy, Switzerland, and Japan have been published and cases of successful reproduction have been confirmed [ 20 , 21 ]. The pond sliders (including three subspecies, namely the red-eared slider ( T .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-living and captive turtles and tortoises as carriers of new Chlamydia spp.

et al. 2017

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A variety of Chlamydia species belonging to the Chlamydiaceae family have been reported in reptilian hosts but scarce data about their occurrence in turtles and tortoises are available. In this study, research was conducted to acquire information on invasive alien species (IAS) of turtles and indigenous turtles and tortoises, living both free and in captivity, as possible reservoirs of Chlamydiaceae. Analysis of specimens (pharyngeal and cloacal swabs and tissues) from 204 turtles and tortoises revealed an overall Chlamydiaceae prevalence of 18.3% and 28.6% among free-living and captive animals respectively, with variable levels of shedding. Further testing conducted with a species-specific real-time PCR and microarray test was unsuccessful. Subsequently sequencing was applied to genotype the Chlamydiaceae-positive samples. Almost the full lengths of the 16S rRNA and ompA genes as well as the 16S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS) and 23S rRNA domain I were obtained for 14, 20 and 8 specimens respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA amplicons revealed two distinct branches. Group 1 (10 specimens), specific to freshwater turtles and reported here for the first time, was most closely related to Chlamydia (C.) pneumoniae strains and the newly described Candidatus C. sanzinia. Group 2 (four specimens), detected in Testudo spp. samples, showed highest homology to C. pecorum strains but formed a separate sub-branch. Finally, molecular analysis conducted on positive samples together with their geographical distribution in places distant from each other strongly suggest that Group 1 specimens correspond to a new species in the Chlamydiaceae family. In-depth studies of Chlamydia spp. from turtles and tortoises are needed to further characterise these atypical strains and address arising questions about their pathogenicity and zoonotic potential.

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“…Four species of Telorchis are reported from freshwater turtles in Japan, T. geoclemmydis, T. konoi and T. megacotyle and T. clemmydis (Oia et al 2012). We found another species, Telorchis assula.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…World geographical distribution ranges of Serpinema microcephulus remain unclear but it is common in turtles of Western Europe. It has also been reported in western U.S.S.R. 1476, North Africa (Baker 1979), in Turkey isolated from Emys orbicularis (Yildirimhan and Shahin 2005), in Spain from Mauremys leprosa as well as Emys orbicularis (Hidalgo-Vila et al 2009), and in Japan from red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) (Oia et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Endohelminths of European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Southwest Iran

et al. 2014

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Very little is known about parasitic diseases of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in Iran. The objective of this study is to examine parasitic fauna of European pond turtles collected from Fars province, southwest Iran. Carcasses of turtles (n = 52) which died during dredging procedure are collected from earthen fishery basins in Zarghan region. They have been died earlier during dredging procedure in different farms. Three species of helminths in total were found in gastrointestinal tract, including two nematodes (Serpinema microcephalus and Falcaustra araxiana) and one digenean trematod (Telorchis assula). Large intestines of all examined turtles were infected by F. araxiana (100 %, Mean intensity = 18) and this nematode were also found in gastric nodules. Nine turtles (17.3 %, 3 male, 6 female, Mean intensity = 3) were infected with Serpinema microcephalus. T. assula were found in 25 turtles (48.07 %, 5 male, 20 female, mean intensity = 5). Helminths were not found in any examined organs and no ectoparasite found eighter. F. araxiana is the most prevalent nematode in European pond turtles. Detection of Serpinema.microcephalus is in agreement with the fact which this parasite is common parasite of turtles in all over the world. T. assula might be transmitted between variety of reptiles so presence of the trematod should be considered as a risk factor for other reptiles.

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Helminth fauna of a turtle species introduced in Japan, the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Cited by 19 publications

References 23 publications

First reported outbreak of severe spirorchiidiasis in Emys orbicularis, probably resulting from a parasite spillover event

First reported outbreak of severe spirorchiidiasis in Emys orbicularis, probably resulting from a parasite spillover event

Free-living and captive turtles and tortoises as carriers of new Chlamydia spp.

Endohelminths of European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in Southwest Iran

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