Biomaterial Database

Helminth parasites of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) from southern Indiana, USA. 2012

P Moraga, and J M Kinsella, and M S Sepúlveda

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.

Very little is known about parasitic diseases of eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina). The objective of this study was to examine the parasitic fauna of eastern box turtles collected from southern Indiana, USA. Turtles (n = 40) were salvaged mostly as road kills from southern Indiana between May and October 2009. Seven species of helminths in total were found parasitizing the gastrointestinal tract, including two digenean trematodes (Brachycoelium salamandrae and Telorchis robustus) and five nematodes (Oswaldocruzia pipiens, Cosmocercoides dukae, Falcaustra affinis, F. chelydrae and Serpinema trispinosus). We report prevalence, abundance and mean intensity of infection for all helminths. Helminths were not found in any other organs examined (heart, gonads, liver, heart, kidney and urinary bladder) and no ectoparasites were found. Overall, mean intensity of infections was low (1-14 parasites/host), suggesting that these parasites are unlikely to be associated with negative health impacts. This constitutes the first study of this kind for Indiana.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007196	Indiana	State bounded on the north by Lake Michigan and Michigan, on the east by Ohio, on the south by Kentucky, and on the west by Illinois.
D006374	Helminthiasis, Animal	Infestation of animals with parasitic worms of the helminth class. The infestation may be experimental or veterinary.	Animal Helminthiases,Animal Helminthiasis,Helminthiases, Animal
D006376	Helminths	Commonly known as parasitic worms, this group includes the ACANTHOCEPHALA; NEMATODA; and PLATYHELMINTHS. Some authors consider certain species of LEECHES that can become temporarily parasitic as helminths.	Aschelminthes,Gordius,Nematomorpha,Parasitic Worms,Worms, Parasitic,Aschelminthe,Helminth,Nematomorphas,Parasitic Worm,Worm, Parasitic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014426	Turtles	Any reptile including tortoises, fresh water, and marine species of the order Testudines with a body encased in a bony or cartilaginous shell consisting of a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron) derived from the ribs.	Sea Turtles,Terrapins,Tortoises,Sea Turtle,Terrapin,Tortoise,Turtle,Turtle, Sea,Turtles, Sea