ABSTRACT
Variations in hematological profile in reptiles can be caused by multiple factors, including parasites presence. Our goals were to identify and morphologically describe blood cells of Liolaemus pacha and analyze their relationship with sex, body condition, individual reproductive/post-reproductive period and mite infestation. Blood smear analyses do not indicate the presence of hemoparasites, suggesting that the mites Neopterygosoma do not serve as vectors for these organisms, as has been proposed for other genera of ectoparasitic mites. In post-reproductive period, there was a reduction in specimens' body condition and a higher leukocyte count in uninfected lizards. This could be a consequence of the testosterone effects, in higher concentration during the reproductive season, which can increase the metabolic rate, decreasing feeding rate. Infested and non-infested lizards showed no differences in body condition, as well as in leukocyte count, hence the host's immune system could be developing infestation tolerance. Infested specimens had a higher count of monocytes, thrombocytes, heterophils and lymphocytes. Based on cells function, mites' effect could be associated with inflammatory processes, allergic reactions or infectious diseases. These results suggested a complex interaction between lizards' hematological parameters and factors associated to ectoparasites or body conditions. We consider this work as a diagnostic tool for genus Liolaemus, to evaluate health quality, with relevance to the conservation or management of this lizard's genus.
Subject(s)
Mite Infestations , Reproduction , Animals , Mite Infestations/veterinary , Mite Infestations/parasitology , Male , Female , Reproduction/physiology , Seasons , Iguanas/physiology , Iguanas/parasitology , Iguanas/blood , Mites/physiology , Mites/classification , Lizards/parasitology , Lizards/blood , Lizards/physiologyABSTRACT
This study aimed to redescribe two species of Ozolaimus, parasites of free-living green iguanas native to Marajó Island. The gastrointestinal system of four iguana specimens was evaluated for the presence of helminths. Altogether, 12,028 nematodes were found, with a prevalence of 100%, an infection range of 780 to 7,736 nematodes, an infection intensity of 3.007, and a mean abundance of 3,007. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the species of nematodes found. The cecum was the site of infection that had the highest parasitic load. Morphologically, the nematodes were compatible with the genus Ozolaimus Dujardin, 1844, with the species Ozolaimus megatyphlon (Rudolphi, 1819) Dujardin, 1845, and Ozolaimus cirratus Linstow, 1906. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of small structures (serrated in Ozolaimus cirratus and rounded in Ozolaimus megatyphlon) located below the esophageal leaves. We also evidenced the phasmids in both species; this is the first record of these structures in nematodes of the genus Ozolaimus. In addition, this work expands the records on the geographic distribution of these parasites.
Subject(s)
Iguanas , Nematoda , Oxyuroidea , Animals , Iguanas/parasitology , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary , BrazilABSTRACT
Feces (n = 226; 2004-2015) from healthy captive and wild blue iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, were examined for endoparasites. Parasites identified included Nyctotherus sp. and Entamoeba sp. cysts and trophozoites, trichomonad trophozoites, and oxyurid and trichostrongylid eggs. Endoparasites from postmortem examinations (n = 13) included adult and larval nematodes: Ozolaimus megatyphlon, Ozolaimus monhystera, Alaeuris travassosi, Atractis mega, and an unidentified species of Oswaldocruzia. Entamoeba spp. were more likely in captive juveniles of both sexes than captive or wild adults of either sex; Entamoeba spp. were more likely in captive adult females than captive adult males; trichomonad trophozoites were more likely in adult captive and wild iguanas of both sexes than in captive juveniles of either sex; and Nyctotherus spp. were more likely in juvenile captive males than captive adult males or females and more likely in adult wild males than captive juvenile males. Trichostrongylid eggs were more likely in adult wild females than adult captive females and more likely in captive and wild adults of both sexes than in captive juveniles of both sexes. Oxyurid eggs were more likely in adult captive and wild iguanas of both sexes than captive juveniles of either sex. Blue iguanas have a variety of endoparasites regardless of age, sex, or captive vs wild status, with no type found exclusively in either captive or wild populations. Ectoparasites from wild adults included adult ticks (Amblyomma torrei) and a single adult mite (Hirstiella trombidiformis). All are new host records for this species and Grand Cayman. Knowledge of parasite status of captive and wild populations is important to evaluate the relative risk of introduction of captive animals into wild populations.
Subject(s)
Iguanas/parasitology , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology , Aging , Animals , Female , Male , Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology , West Indies/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Co-invasion of naïve ecosystems by non-native parasites is a serious threat to global biodiversity, though such events are difficult to detect early in the invasion process. Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are an emerging invasive species and have colonised several countries in the Asia-Pacific. A survey was undertaken to determine whether parasites of the green iguana had co-invaded naïve ecosystems with their introduced host. METHODS: Over a 10-month period, wild green iguanas were trapped and euthanised in Singapore. All animals were necropsied and sampled for parasites. Parasites were then identified morphologically and subsequently characterised molecularly at the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) locus. RESULTS: The reptile nematode Ozolaimus megatyphlon was found in 38% of the sampled green iguanas, with burdens of 100 + worms in all infected animals. This represents the first recorded co-invasion of this species with wild green iguanas in the Asia-Pacific. Based on the molecular characterisation of the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) locus, the first DNA barcode is provided for O. megatyphlon. CONCLUSION: For the first time, the reptile nematode Ozolaimus megatyphlon is shown to be invasive and to have colonised the Asia-Pacific region with its introduced host, the green iguana. The DNA barcode provided here will facilitate future monitoring programmes as O. megatyphlon invades new habitats and countries.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Iguanas/parasitology , Introduced Species , Nematoda/classification , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Animals , DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic , Electron Transport Complex IV/genetics , Female , Male , Nematoda/anatomy & histology , SingaporeABSTRACT
Reptiles are becoming popular pets in many parts of the world. They are also known to harbor numerous gastrointestinal parasites. We used faecal smears to examine 748 stool samples from 14 different agamid lizard species. In addition, we used coproantigen ELISA tests (11 samples) and immunofluorescence assays (IFA) (19 samples) to detect reptile Cryptosporidium infections. In 28 cases, veterinarians requested therapy to treat oxyurid- and/or Isospora amphiboluri-infections and resent fecal samples after proposed therapy and anti-parasitic treatments had been applied. We also performed complete dissections of 24 deceased agamas in order to specify protozoan and helminth parasite infections. Overall, the examined fecal samples contained 6 different taxa. Oxyurids (Pharyngodonidae) were the most prevalent nematodes (41.2%), followed by I. amphiboluri (17.0%), Entamoeba spp. (0.8%), Choleoeimeria spp. (0.5%), Trichomonas spp. (0.3%), Cryptosporidium spp. (0.3%) and Strongyloides-like nematodes (0.1%). I. amphiboluri infections were significantly more prevalent (Chi-square test: χ2 = 21,5, df = 1, P < 0.001) in juvenile agamid lizards (31.9%) than in adults (14.2%). One of 11 (9.1%) coproantigen ELISA-examined samples was positive for Cryptosporidium. In 10.5% of the samples we found oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Thirteen (54.2%) of necropsied agamid lizards were infected with endoparasites and it is likely that three (12.5%) of them died due to severe parasitic infections. 74.0% of the samples that were submitted after therapy had been applied were negative. The high prevalences and pathological findings of several clinical parasitoses observed in these exotic reptiles calls for more detailed investigations on agamid gastrointestinal parasite fauna.
Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Diseases/epidemiology , Gastrointestinal Diseases/parasitology , Iguanas/parasitology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Protozoan Infections, Animal/epidemiology , Animals , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Entamoeba/isolation & purification , Feces/parasitology , Gastrointestinal Tract/parasitology , Germany/epidemiology , Isospora/isolation & purification , Oxyurida/isolation & purification , Pets/parasitology , Trichomonas/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
There are no standard guidelines for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in reptiles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two cryptosporidiosis therapies in captive green iguanas. Eight green iguanas aged 2-6 years, including 6 (1 â and 5 â) animals with chronic diarrhea, received treatment for cryptosporidiosis. The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was determined in 8 iguanas (100%), Isospora sp. oocysts were detected in 3 animals (37.5%), and Oxyuridae eggs were observed in 5 iguanas (62.5%). The animals were divided into two therapeutic groups (A and B). Group A iguanas were administered halofuginone (Halocur, 0,50â¯mg/ml Intervet Productions S.A., France) at a dose of 110â¯mg/kg body weight (BW) every 7â¯days for 5 weeks. Group B animals were administered sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Norodine Vet Oral Paste sulfadiazine 288,3â¯mg/g, trimethoprim 58â¯mg/g, ScanVet Animal Health A/S, Denmark) at 75â¯mg/kg BW per os every 5â¯days for 5 weeks and spiramycin and metronidazole (Stomorgyl, spiramycin 1500000 IU, metronidazole 250â¯mg, Merial, France) at 200â¯mg/kg BW every 5â¯days for 5 weeks. Both groups received hyperimmune bovine colostrum and subcutaneous fluids. Before treatment, the average number of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in 1â¯g of feces was determined at 1.71â¯*â¯105 (±313,262.44) in group A and 1.56â¯*â¯105 (±262,908.53) in group B; the average number of Isospora sp. oocysts was determined at 3.53â¯*â¯103 (±1747.38), and the average number of Oxyuridae eggs was determined at 810 (±496.74). Blood tests were performed once before treatment. The results of blood morphology and biochemistry tests before treatment revealed leukocytosis with a significant increase in heterophile and monocyte counts in all animals. Dehydration, elevated hematocrit values and low levels of Na+, Ca2+, PO4- and Cl- ions were observed in 6 iguanas. Two iguanas died during treatment. The gross necropsy revealed acute inflammation of gastric and duodenal mucosa, mucosal ecchymoses in the gastrointestinal tract, hepatomegaly and liver congestion, cholecystitis, enlarged kidneys and renal edema and congestion, cystitis, and an absence of fat bodies. Parasites were not detected in any developmental form after 40â¯days of therapy and during an monthly 18-month follow-up period. Effective treatment of cryptosporidiosis in reptiles minimizes the adverse consequences of disease, improves the animals' well-being and decreases euthanasia rates.
Subject(s)
Coccidiostats/administration & dosage , Coccidiostats/therapeutic use , Cryptosporidiosis/drug therapy , Cryptosporidium/drug effects , Iguanas/parasitology , Animals , Coccidiostats/adverse effects , Cryptosporidiosis/blood , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Feces/parasitology , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/parasitology , Oocysts/drug effects , Piperidines/administration & dosage , Piperidines/adverse effects , Piperidines/therapeutic use , Poland/epidemiology , Quinazolinones/administration & dosage , Quinazolinones/adverse effects , Quinazolinones/therapeutic use , Sulfadiazine/administration & dosage , Sulfadiazine/adverse effects , Sulfadiazine/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome , Trimethoprim/administration & dosage , Trimethoprim/adverse effects , Trimethoprim/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Ticks were collected or recorded from 522 individual reptiles on Dominica and from 658 reptiles from the Bahamas. Two species of ticks were collected on Dominica: Amblyomma antillorum and Amblyomma rotundatum. Similarly, 2 species were collected in the Bahamas: Amblyomma albopictum and Amblyomma torrei. On Dominica, A. antillorum was recorded from 517 Lesser Antillean iguanas (Iguana delicatissima), 2 boa constrictors (Boa nebulosa), 1 Antilles snake (Alsophis sibonius), and 1 Dominican ground lizard (Ameiva fuscata), whereas A. rotundatum was recorded from 1 Lesser Antillean skink (Mabuya mabouya). In the Bahamas, A. albopictum was recorded from 131 Andros iguanas (Cyclura cychlura cychlura), 271 Exuma Island iguanas (Cyclura cychlura figginsi), and 1 Andros curlytail lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus coryi), whereas A. torrei was recorded from 255 Exuma Island iguanas. In the Bahamas, A. albopictum parasitized iguanas on Andros Island and the central Exuma Islands, and A. torrei parasitized iguanas in the southern Exumas. An exception to this trend was that A. torrei was collected from iguanas on Pasture Cay in the central Exumas, an anomaly that is explained by the fact that iguanas (with attached ticks) on Pasture Cay were introduced by humans in the past from islands further south. External hyperparasitic larval erythraeid mites ( Leptus sp.) were recorded from A. torrei in the Bahamas.
Subject(s)
Ixodidae/classification , Reptiles/parasitology , Tick Infestations/veterinary , Animals , Bahamas/epidemiology , Dominica/epidemiology , Female , Iguanas/parasitology , Islands/epidemiology , Lizards/parasitology , Male , Mite Infestations/epidemiology , Mite Infestations/parasitology , Mite Infestations/veterinary , Mites/classification , Snakes/parasitology , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/parasitologyABSTRACT
Hirstiella spp. are common ectoparasites of captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Suggested treatments are empirical and some of them are of low efficacy and potentially toxic. The objective of this open-label study was to investigate the short-term efficacy and safety of a single application of 0·25% fipronil solution for the treatment of hirstiellosis. The skin of 50 green iguanas was thoroughly examined with the aid of bright light and magnifying lenses. A total of 21 iguanas were found to be infested, harbouring 1-24 mites (median: 5). All 35 mites collected from 17 iguanas were identified as Hirstiella sp. Both infested and non-infested lizards, sharing the same enclosure, were carefully wiped with 0·25% fipronil solution. The safety and the efficacy of the treatment were evaluated after 2 days in 47/50 (94%) and 7 days in 29/50 (58%) iguanas. Compared with pre-treatment levels, the parasitic load did not changed significantly on the second day but was significantly lower on day 7 (P = 0·006). No adverse reactions were noticed. Based on these results a single whole-body application of 0·25% fipronil solution can be considered a safe and effective treatment for the reduction of parasitic burden in captive green iguanas infested by Hirstiella sp. mites.
Subject(s)
Acaricides/administration & dosage , Antiparasitic Agents/administration & dosage , Iguanas/parasitology , Mite Infestations/drug therapy , Mites/physiology , Pyrazoles/administration & dosage , Animals , Mite Infestations/parasitology , SolutionsABSTRACT
From January to December 2009, 55 Amblyomma dissimile (Koch) ticks removed from iguanas in the municipality of Monteria and 3,114 ticks [458 Amblyomma sp. larvae, 2,636 Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) larvae and 20 Amblyomma sp. nymphs] collected over vegetation in Los Cordobas were included in the study. The ticks were pooled into groups from which DNA was extracted. For initial screening of Rickettsia sp., each pool was analyzed by gltA real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive pools were further studied using gltA, ompA, and ompB conventional PCR assays. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were also conducted. Rickettsial DNA was found in 28 pools of ticks (16 A. dissimile pools and 12 free-living larvae pools) out of 113 (24.7%) using real-time PCR. The same 28 pools were also positive using conventional PCR assays aimed to amplify gltA, ompA, and ompB. For each gene analyzed, PCR products obtained from 4/28 pools (two pools of A. dissimile, one pool of Amblyomma sp. larvae and one pool of Rh. microplus larvae) were randomly chosen and sequenced twice. Nucleotide sequences generated were identical to each other for each of the rickettsial genes gltA, ompA, and ompB, and showed 99.4, 95.6, and 96.4% identity with those of Rickettsia tamurae. They were deposited in the GenBank database under accession numbers JF905456, JF905458, and JF905457, respectively. In conclusion, we present the first molecular evidence of a novel Rickettsia (Rickettsia sp. strain Colombianensi) infecting A. dissimile ticks collected from iguanas, and also Rh. microplus and unspeciated Amblyomma larvae from vegetation in Colombia.
Subject(s)
Iguanas/parasitology , Rickettsia/isolation & purification , Ticks/microbiology , Animals , Colombia , Phylogeny , Rickettsia/classification , Rickettsia/geneticsABSTRACT
We collected ectoparasites from 27 of 51 wild-caught, free-ranging exotic reptiles examined in Florida from 2003 to 2008. Sampled animals represented eight species, five of which yielded ectoparasites. Reported new parasite distribution records for the United States include the following: the first collection of the African tick Amblyomma latum (Koch) from a wild-caught animal [ball python, Python regius (Shaw)] in the United States; the first collection of the lizard scale mite Hirstiella stamii (Jack) from any wild-caught animal [green iguana, Iguana iguana (L.)]; and the first collection of the lizard scale mite Geckobia hemidactyli (Lawrence) in the continental United States from a wild-caught tropical house gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnès). We also report the first collections of the Neotropical ticks Amblyomma rotundatum (Koch) and Amblyomma dissimile (Koch) from wild-caught Burmese pythons, Python molurus bivittatus (Kuhl); the first collections of A. dissimile from a wild-caught African savannah monitor, Varanus exanthematicus (Bosc); and from wild-caught green iguanas in the United States; and the first collections of the native chiggers Eutrombicula splendens (Ewing) and Eutrombicula cinnabaris (Ewing) from wild-caught Burmese pythons. These reports may only suggest the diversity of reptile ectoparasites introduced and established in Florida and the new host-parasite relationships that have developed among exotic and native ectoparasites and established exotic reptiles.
Subject(s)
Boidae/parasitology , Iguanas/parasitology , Introduced Species , Mites , Ticks , Animals , Female , Florida , MaleABSTRACT
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle and a large bowel diarrheal disease of cats caused by Tritrichomonas foetus. Recently, other species of trichomonads have been identified from the prepuce of virgin bulls. It is not clear whether these non-T. foetus isolates are common (nor) or is it clear whether they are also present on the prepuce of breeding bulls. To answer these questions, we first developed an immunofluorescent assay (IFA) with T. foetus-specific monoclonal antibodies for comparison with a T. foetus-specific PCR assay. Results showed that all PCR positive isolates were also IFA positive, whether the isolates were from cats or cattle and PCR negative isolates were IFA negative. Bovine non-T. foetus (non-Tf) trichomonad isolates were detected by both assays in 14 virgin bulls, 10 breeding bulls, 21 bulls of undetermined breeding status (presumably breeding bulls) and 2 cows. These isolates from virgin bulls were mostly Tetratrichomonas spp. whereas the non-Tf isolates from most breeding bulls and the two cows were Pentatrichomonas hominis. All T. foetus isolates were from breeding bulls or bulls of undetermined breeding status. This IFA test which discriminates between T. foetus and non-Tf may be useful as a diagnostic assay, since no effective legal treatment is available, bulls positive for T. foetus are culled. With increasing reports of T. foetus large bowel infection in cats, these monoclonal antibodies may also be useful for diagnosis of feline infection. Since two isolates of non-Tf trichomonads were obtained vaginas of breeding cows, it may be that these parasites are sexually transmitted like pathogenic T. foetus.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/parasitology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/veterinary , Trichomonas Infections/veterinary , Trichomonas/isolation & purification , Animals , Birds/parasitology , Cats/parasitology , Cattle , Female , Fluorescent Antibody Technique/veterinary , Iguanas/parasitology , Male , Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/parasitology , Trichomonas Infections/diagnosisABSTRACT
Skrjabinodon dixoni n. sp. from the large intestine of Uracentron flaviceps (Squamata: Iguanidae) from Peru is described and illustrated. It is also reported in the same host from Ecuador. Skrjabinodon dixoni n. sp. differs from other species assigned to Skrjabinodon by morphology of tail filament and number of tail filament spines.
Subject(s)
Iguanas/parasitology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary , Oxyuriasis/veterinary , Oxyuroidea/classification , Animals , Ecuador , Female , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology , Intestine, Large/parasitology , Male , Oxyuriasis/parasitology , Oxyuroidea/anatomy & histology , PeruABSTRACT
An imported 2.5-yr-old female green iguana (Iguana iguana rhinolopa) kept in Greece was presented with a history of anorexia and allotriophagy of 1 mo duration. Upon clinical examination, it was cachectic and had severe abdominal distension and fibrous osteodystrophy. Despite treatment, it died a month later. On necropsy, massive accumulations of threadlike nematode parasites were observed in the large intestine, identified as Ozolaimus megatyphlon, a member of the Oxyuridae family of Pharyngodonidae, a usually nonpathogenic intestinal parasite of iguanas. To the authors' knowledge, its presence has not been reported previously in Europe, although one pathogenic infection has been reported previously in Japan. The animal was presumably infected before importation. Although death was attributed to the heavy parasitic overload, the poor diet and terrarium hygiene, and absence of an anthelminthic regime further contributed to the deterioration of the animal's condition. Recognition of this condition, which may be recently introduced or underdiagnosed, may help improve medical and trade standards concerning this species in practice.
Subject(s)
Iguanas/parasitology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Animals , Fatal Outcome , Female , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/diagnosis , Nematoda/growth & development , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Nematode Infections/diagnosisABSTRACT
Oochoristica whitfieldi n. sp., parasitizing the intestine of the Oaxacan black iguana Ctenosaura oaxacana (Kohler and Hasbun, 2001), in Ruinas de Guiengola, Oaxaca state, Mexico, is described. The new species can be distinguished from all 4 congenera infecting Iguanidae in the neotropical realm in possessing a lower mean number of testes (122 in O. acapulcoensis Brooks, Pérez-Ponce de León, and García-Prieto, 1999; 62 in O. guanacastensis Brooks, Pérez-Ponce de León, and García-Prieto, 1999, and 95 in O. leonregagnonae Arizmendi-Espinosa, García-Prieto, and Guillén-Hernández, 2005, vs. 35 in O. whitfieldi), and a wider scolex (0.450-0.600, 0.475-0.537, 0.5-0.8, vs. 0.25-0.26, respectively). Oochoristica iguanae Bursey and Goldberg, 1996 differs from the new Mexican species in having a longer strobila (60-110 mm vs. 14.4-33.7 mm, respectively), fewer ovarian sublobes (6 vs. 11-17), and a cirrus pouch that hardly reaches excretory canals (whereas in O. whitfieldi the cirrus pouch widely overpasses these canals).
Subject(s)
Cestoda/classification , Cestode Infections/veterinary , Iguanas/parasitology , Animals , Cestoda/anatomy & histology , Cestoda/isolation & purification , Cestode Infections/parasitology , Intestines/parasitology , Mexico , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Little is known regarding the ultrastructure of the genus Fallisia (Apicomplexa: Haemosporina: Garniidae). This report describes the fine structure of some developmental stages of Fallisia audaciosa that infect neutrophils in the peripheral blood of the Amazonian lizard Plica umbra (Reptilia: Iguanidae). The parasites lie within a parasitophorous vacuole and exhibit the basic structures of members of the Apicomplexa, such as the pellicle and the cytostome. Invaginations of the inner membrane complex were seen in the gametocytes and may be concerned with nutrition. The meronts were irregularly shaped before division, a feature unusual among members of the Apicomplexa. The unusual presence of a parasitic protozoan within neutrophils, in some way interfering with or modulating the microbicidal activity of such cells, is discussed.
Subject(s)
Haemosporida/growth & development , Haemosporida/ultrastructure , Iguanas/parasitology , Neutrophils/parasitology , Protozoan Infections, Animal/parasitology , Animals , Life Cycle Stages , Microscopy, Electron, TransmissionABSTRACT
Seven species of Centrorhynchus Lühe, 1911 are present in the Parasitic Worms Collection of The Natural History Museum, London: C. aluconis (Müller, 1780) Lühe, 1911 from Strix aluco Linnaeus in Great Britain; C. buteonis (Schrank, 1788) Kostylev, 1914 from Accipiter virgatus (Temminck) (new host record) in Sri Lanka (new geographical record); C. clitorideus (Meyer, 1931) Golvan, 1956 from Athene brama (Temminck) (new host record) in India; C. crotophagicola Schmidt and Neiland, 1966 (encysted juveniles in the stomach wall) from Anolis lineatopus Grey (new host record) and A. sagrei Duméril and Bibron (new host record) from Jamaica (new geographical record); C. falconis (Johnston and Best, 1943) Golvan, 1956 from Spilornis cheela (Latham) in Sri Lanka (new geographical record); C. globocaudatus (Zeder, 1800) Lühe, 1911 from Falco ardosiaceus Vieillot (new host record) in West Africa; and C. milvus Ward, 1956 from Milvus migrans (Boddaert) in India. The species are described and figured on the basis of this material.
Subject(s)
Acanthocephala/anatomy & histology , Acanthocephala/classification , Falconiformes/parasitology , Iguanas/parasitology , Museums , Natural History , Strigiformes/parasitology , Animals , Female , Host-Parasite Interactions , London , MaleABSTRACT
Two new species of chigger mites, Hyponeoculta monocoxalae sp. n. from bats and reptiles, and Perares nudosetosus sp. n. from bats, are described. The first finding of larvae of Tectumpilosum negreai Feider, 1983 in nature is reported from a bat collected at the type locality, and the description of this species is emended. Four species, Perates monops (Brennan et Jones, 1960), Parasecia manueli (Brennan et Jones, 1960), Beamerella acutascuta Brennan, 1958, and Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch et Fauran, 1956), are recorded for the first time in Cuba and on new host species.
Subject(s)
Chiroptera/parasitology , Mite Infestations/veterinary , Reptiles/parasitology , Trombiculidae/classification , Animals , Cuba , Iguanas/parasitology , Mite Infestations/parasitology , Trombiculidae/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium spp. infection was associated with aural-pharyngeal polyps in three iguanas (Iguana iguana). All iguanas were presented for masses protruding from the ear canal, and the disease was characterized by a chronic clinical course. The masses consisted of nests of cystic glands surrounded by abundant fibrous connective tissue and lined by hyperplastic cuboidal to pseudostratified columnar epithelium that was moderately to heavily colonized by cryptosporidial organisms. Electron microscopy revealed that the majority of organisms were trophozoites.
Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis/veterinary , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Ear Neoplasms/veterinary , Iguanas/parasitology , Pharyngeal Neoplasms/veterinary , Polyps/veterinary , Animals , Cryptosporidiosis/pathology , Ear Neoplasms/parasitology , Fatal Outcome , Histocytochemistry/veterinary , Male , Microscopy, Electron/veterinary , Pharyngeal Neoplasms/parasitology , Pharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Polyps/parasitology , Polyps/pathologyABSTRACT
A 3-year-old Basiliscus plumifrons developed a necrotic lesion on the tail resulting from nodules of unknown etiology. Investigation of necrotic tissue revealed several gram-negative bacteria as well as three different species of free-living amoebae. The amoebae were identified by morphological characters as belonging to the genera Acanthamoeba, Echinamoeba, and Naegleria, respectively. Partial sequencing of the 18S ribosomal gene was performed for reliable systematic determination. Two of the isolates showed thermotolerance. No isolate was growable in conventional liquid media, but the Acanthamoeba strain readily grew on a human cell line (HEp2). It remains unclear whether the amoebae fed on the coexisting bacteria or on host tissue.
Subject(s)
Acanthamoeba/isolation & purification , Amebiasis/veterinary , Amoeba/isolation & purification , Iguanas/parasitology , Naegleria/isolation & purification , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , Acanthamoeba/classification , Acanthamoeba/genetics , Amebiasis/parasitology , Animals , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Naegleria/classification , Naegleria/genetics , Necrosis , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
Three new species of Eimeria are described from iguanid lizards of Central and South America. The oocysts of each species have no micropyles or residua and the sporocysts lack Stieda bodies, but all have a sporocyst residuum. Eimeria sanctaluciae n.sp. was found in the St. Lucia tree lizard, Anolis luciae, collected from the Maria Islands, Lesser Antilles. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, averaging 17.3 x 16.5 microns, with a single layered colourless wall; about 60% contain polar granules. The sporocysts are ellipsoidal and average 7.7 x 5.5 microns. Eimeria liolaemi n.sp. was recovered from the blue-gold swift, Liolaemus taenius, from Chile. The oocysts are spherical to subspherical, measuring 21 x 20.1 microns with a single-layered colourless wall. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 7.4 x 6.8 microns. Eimeria caesicia n.sp. is described from the Brazilian collared iguanid, Tropidurus torquatus. The oocysts measure 27.4 x 23.7 microns, are spherical to subspherical, with a bilayered wall, the outer surface of which appears pale blue in colour, the thin, inner wall appearing brown, when viewed by direct light under the optical microscope. The sporocysts are subspherical and average 9.4 x 7.2 microns. Unnamed polysporocystid oocysts with dizoic sporocysts are reported from the faeces of the lesser St. Vincent tree lizard, Anolis trinitatis and the possibility of spurious parasitism briefly discussed. In addition, oocysts of an unnamed Isospora sp. with a smooth oocyst wall which closely resembles I. reui were recovered from A. trinitatis.