An introduced pentastomid parasite (Raillietiella frenata) infects native cane toads (Rhinella marina) in Panama.
Parasitology
; 142(5): 675-9, 2015 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25394910
ABSTRACT
The pentastomid parasite, Raillietiella frenata, is native to Asia where it infects the Asian House gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus. This gecko has been widely introduced and recently R. frenata was found in introduced populations of cane toads (Rhinella marina) in Australia, indicating a host-switch from introduced geckos to toads. Here we report non-native adult R. frenata infecting the lungs of native cane toads in Panama. Eight of 64 toads were infected (median = 2.5, range = 1-80 pentastomids/toad) and pentastomid prevalence was positively associated with the number of buildings at a site, though further sampling is needed to confirm this pattern. We postulate that this pattern is likely due to a host shift of this parasite from an urban-associated introduced gecko. This is the first record of this parasite infecting cane toads in their native range, and the first instance of this parasite occurring in Central America.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades Parasitarias en Animales
/
Bufo marinus
/
Pentastomida
/
Especies Introducidas
/
Enfermedades Pulmonares Parasitarias
Tipo de estudio:
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
America central
/
Panama
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Parasitology
Año:
2015
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Panamá