Helminth’s assemblage of Trachemys dorbigni (Testudines: Emydidae) in southern Brazil: implications of anthropogenic environments and host’s genders

Abstract

The assemblage of helminths of Trachemys dorbigni was analyzed according two environments (rural and urban) and according to host’s gender. Thus, the helminths found were: Spiroxys contortus (Rudolphi, 1819), Falcaustra affinis (Leidy, 1856), Camallanus emydidius Mascarenhas & Müller, 2017, Dioctophyme renale (Goeze, 1782) (larvae), Eustrongylides sp. (larvae) (Nematoda), Telorchis corti (Stunkard, 1915), Telorchis achavali Mañé-Garzón & Holcman-Spector, 1973, Telorchis spp. (Digenea), Polystomoides rohdei Mañé-Garzón & Holcman-Spector,1968 and Neopolystoma sp. (Monogenoidea). Parasitological indices suggests that S. contortus, F. affinis, C. emydidius, T. corti and P. rohdei are species common in helminth assemblage of T. dorbigni in southern Brazil. Infection by Dioctophyme renale is typical of the urban area and suggest relation with eutrophication process and feedback of parasitic cycle in the freshwater urban environment. Parasitological indices of Neopolystoma sp. and T. achavali suggest to be occasional infections; whereas infection by Eustrongylides sp. could be considered accidental. About Telorchiidae, there was no co-occurrence of the species of this group for the examined hosts. In relation to host’s gender, it was observed that infections by S. contortus, F. affinis, C. emydidius and T. corti had higher rates in females, showing a more intimate association with the females of T. dorbigni. The results suggest that human impact on the environment could affect the infrapopulacional dynamics of parasite species influencing the presence and rates of infection of helminths or exacerbating heterogeneities related to host’s gender.

Dioctophimosis in a community dog from a public park in the city of Curitiba-PR: a case report from the perspective of One Health

“…The park’s biodiversity is among the factors that can directly affect the incidence of dioctophimosis. Species present in the park such as teals, fish, wild ducks, agoutis, nutria, cavies, terrapins, and capybaras can serve as paratenic hosts, considering that community and other stray dogs may prey on these animals ( Capella et al, 2018 ; Mascarenhas et al, 2021 ). In addition to the community dogs, pet dogs out for walks without the use of a leash may also prey on these animals and expose themselves to dioctophimosis, therefore, educating dog owners about responsible ownership is crucial and may prevent cases of the disease ( Capella et al, 2018 ; Domingues et al, 2015 ).…”

Characterisation of nematode larvae found in a vulnerable native Australian fish, the southern pygmy perch, Nannoperca australis Günther

“…Parasites can exert significant impacts on the health, survival and reproductive success of host populations (Habibi and Shamsi 2018;Shamsi et al 2021a). Additionally, parasites can serve as bioindicators of ecosystem health and environmental quality (Mascarenhas et al 2021;Shamsi et al 2023). By investigating parasite infections in the southern pygmy perch, valuable insights can be gained into the overall health status and ecological dynamics of this endangered fish species, and important baseline data on the prevalence, intensity and abundance of parasites infecting the southern pygmy perch will be provided.…”