title: Haemogregarine infections of three species of aquatic freshwater turtles from two sites in Costa Rica.
abstract: Twenty-five black river turtles (Rhinoclemmys funerea) and eight white-lipped mud turtles (Kinosternon leucostomum) from Selva Verde, Costa Rica were examined for haemoparasites. Leeches identified as Placobdella multilineata were detected on individuals from both species. All turtles sampled were positive for intraerythrocytic haemogregarines (Apicomplexa:Adeleorina) and the average parasitemia of black river turtles (0.34% ± 0.07) was significantly higher compared to white-lipped mud turtles (0.05% ± 0.006). No correlation was found between parasitemia and relative body mass of either species or between black river turtles from the two habitats. In addition, one scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) examined from La Pacifica, Costa Rica, was positive for haemogregarines (0.01% parasitemia). Interestingly, parasites of the scorpion mud turtle were significantly smaller than those from the other two species and did not displace the erythrocyte nucleus, whereas parasites from the other two species consistently displaced host cell nuclei and often distorted size and shape of erythrocytes. This is the first report of haemogregarines in turtles from Central America and of haemogregarines in K. leucostomum, K. scorpioides, and any Rhinoclemmys species. Additional studies are needed to better characterise and understand the ecology of these parasites.
authors.affiliation: Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rossow
authors.affiliation: Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States ; Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Sonia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Scarlett M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sumner
authors.affiliation: Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Bridget R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Caroline G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Crider
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Dairy Science, College of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Mallory B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Gammage
authors.affiliation: Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Kristy M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States ; Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yabsley
keywords: Haemogregarine; Haemoparasite; Leech; Protozoa; Turtle; Vector-borne