The Distribution and Abundance of Enteric Helminths in Chrysemys s. scripta from Various Habitats on the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The American Society of Parasitologists is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Journal of Parasitology. ABSTRACT:Nine species of enteric parasites were recovered from 357 Chrysemys scripta in a variety of habitats located on the Savannah River Plant near Aiken, South Carolina. Camallanus trispinosus was the most common nematode, present in more than 90% of the hosts; Spinoroura chelydrae was observed less frequently (73%). Mean infrapopulation densities of C. trispinosus were substantially higher than S. chelydrae (130.7 vs. 22.3). Two trematodes, Telorchis medius and Macravestibulum sp. were present in low densities and were relatively low in prevalence (27.1% and 10.3%, respectively). Four species of Neoechinorhynchus were recovered (N. pseudemydis, N. emyditoides, N. chrysemydis, and N. chelonus), with N. pseudemydis being most common (50%) and having the highest mean density (22.0/host). An unidentified species of acanthocephalan was also recovered from several turtles. Significant, but low, positive correlations were observed between mean densities of the two nematodes and plastron length, small intestine length and host weight. Mean infrapopulation densities of Neoechinorhynchus spp. were significantly correlated with plastron length, host weight, and small intestine length. Camallanus trispinosus was heavily recruited in September and October and lost in mid to late summer; S. chelydrae was lost during hibernation and rapidly recruited in early spring. Neoechinorhynchus spp. were recruited heavily at least twice each year, with greatest loss occurring just prior to, or simultaneously with, recruitment. There was substantial variability in abundance and distribution of all enteric helminths among the ecologically diverse habitats on the SRP. Some of the variability was attributed to substantive perturbation, i.e., thermal effluent, as well as immigration and emigration of infected and uninfected turtles.

Helminth communities of the exotic introduced turtle, Trachemys scripta elegans in southwestern Spain: Transmission from native turtles

“…Thus, the higher prevalence, abundance and intensity of infection of turtles from Portil may be related to the higher frequency of plant matter in the diet of these turtles than in those from Acebuche (N. Perez-Santigosa, unpublished PhD.). Infection intensities could be also related with the abundance of intermediate hosts in each locality as has been previously described (Esch and Gibbons, 1979a;Esch et al, 1979b).…”

Population Dynamics of the Parasites in Fundulus zebrinus in the Platte River of Nebraska

“…The literature contains numerous studies of parasite population dynamics, most of which address questions of population regulation (e.g., Holmes et aI., 1977;Granath and Esch, 1983;Lemly and Esch, 1984). Others, e.g., Cone and Anderson (1977), Esch et al (1979), Price (1983), and Kennedy et aI. (1986), deal with parasite assemblages as a function of host age, species, or habitat.…”

Helminths from the red-eared slider Trachemys scripta elegans (Chelonia: Emydidae) in marshes from the eastern Iberian Peninsula: first report of Telorchis attenuata (Digenea: Telorchiidae)

“…In our study, the fact that all but one of the parasitized animals were captured in the same area might suggest a stronger relation to dietary habits than to age or sex. According to other authors, T. scripta can accidentally ingest intermediate hosts of trematodes, like snails, when feeding on vegetables (ESCH et al, 1979;KENNEDY et al, 1986). Intensity 1 12 1 11 18 6 33 8 Sex Female Male Female Male Female Female Female Female Table 1: Sex, weight (in grams) and number of trematodes (Intensity) detected on the T. scripta elegans specimens included in this study.…”

“…In 2008 this number decreased to eight, as a consequence of invasive species control programs (BATALLER et al, 2008). Previous studies reported the presence of nematodes of the genera Falcaustra, Serpinema, Physaloptera, Aplectana and trematodes of the genus Patagium in T. scripta and native turtles in Spain (ESCH et al, 1979;ROCA et al, 2005;HIDALGO-VILA et al, 2006VILLARÁN & DOMÍNGUEZ, 2009;ALARCOS et al, 2010).…”