An introduced pentastomid parasite (Raillietiella frenata) infects native cane toads (Rhinella marina) in Panama.
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.
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,Apartado 0843-03092,Balboa,Ancon,Republic of Panama.
Crystal
C
Kelehear
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,Apartado 0843-03092,Balboa,Ancon,Republic of Panama.
Kristin
K
Saltonstall
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute,Apartado 0843-03092,Balboa,Ancon,Republic of Panama.
Mark E
ME
Torchin
D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D058865:Introduced Species; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D057078:Pentastomida / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D014506:Urban Renewal
urban–rural gradient