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Corner RD, Cribb TH, Cutmore SC. Rich but morphologically problematic: an integrative approach to taxonomic resolution of the genus Neospirorchis (Trematoda: Schistosomatoidea). Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:363-380. [PMID: 37075879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Neospirorchis Price, 1934 is a genus of blood flukes that infect the cardiovascular system, including vessels surrounding the nervous systems of marine turtles. Although the genus comprises just two named species, the available molecular data suggest substantial richness which has not yet been formally described. The lack of description of species of Neospirorchis is probably explained by their small, slender, elongate bodies, which allow them to infect numerous organs and vessels in their hosts, such as the heart and peripheral vessels of nervous system, endocrine organs, thymus, mesenteric vessels, and gastrointestinal submucosa. This morphology and site of infection means that collecting good quality, intact specimens is generally difficult, ultimately hampering the formal description of species. Here we supplement limited morphological samples with multi-locus genetic data to formally describe four new species of Neospirorchis infecting marine turtles from Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA; Neospirorchis goodmanorum n. sp. and Neospirorchis deburonae n. sp. are described from Chelonia mydas, Neospirorchis stacyi n. sp. is described from Caretta caretta, and Neospirorchis chapmanae n. sp. from Ch. mydas and Ca. caretta. The four new species are delineated from each other and the two known species based on the arrangement of the male and female reproductive organs, on the basis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) molecular data, site of infection, and host species. Molecular evidence for three further putative, presently undescribable, species is also reported. We propose that this integrated characterisation of species of Neospirorchis, based on careful consideration of host, molecular and key morphological data, offers a valuable solution to the slow rate of descriptions for this important genus. We provide the first known life cycle data for Neospirorchis in Australian waters, from Moreton Bay, Queensland; consistent with reports from the Atlantic, sporocysts were collected from a terebellid polychaete and genetically matched to an unnamed species of Neospirorchis infecting Ch. mydas from Queensland and Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Corner
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Thomas H Cribb
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Scott C Cutmore
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
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Mariani G, Bellucci F, Cocumelli C, Raso C, Hochscheid S, Roncari C, Nerone E, Recchi S, Di Giacinto F, Olivieri V, Pulsoni S, Matiddi M, Silvestri C, Ferri N, Renzo LD. Dietary Preferences of Loggerhead Sea Turtles ( Caretta caretta) in Two Mediterranean Feeding Grounds: Does Prey Selection Change with Habitat Use throughout Their Life Cycle? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040654. [PMID: 36830441 PMCID: PMC9951698 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
According to their life stage, the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is found in a wide range of habitats, from neritic to more oceanic areas. Their feeding habits are expected to change as they develop, along with habitat use. Juvenile sea turtles are hypothesized to feed on pelagic species in oceanic areas, shifting to more benthic prey during the subadult and adult stages. We analyzed the gastrointestinal content from 150 loggerhead sea turtles stranded and/or bycaught along the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzo and Molise regions (n = 89) and the Tyrrhenian coast of the Lazio and Campania regions (n = 61) from 2018 to 2021. Food items were identified to the lowest taxonomic level, and the frequency of occurrence was calculated for each taxon and most recurrent species to assess changes in prey selection during the development. The marine litter was categorized, and the frequency of occurrence was calculated for the ingestion of litter. The most recurrent taxonomic prey group recorded in the Adriatic sample was Arthropoda (94%), followed by Mollusca (63%) and Chordata (34%). In the Tyrrhenian sample, loggerhead sea turtles fed mostly on Mollusca (84%), Arthropoda (38%), and Chordata (26%). Surprisingly, the Adriatic-Tyrrhenian sample groups showed similar feeding behavior between juveniles, subadults, and adults. A similar correlation has been observed concerning the ingestion of litter. Moreover, this study confirms the opportunistic feeding behavior of loggerhead sea turtles and their high adaptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Mariani
- Faculty of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Fabio Bellucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Ministry of Health, Directorate General for Animal Health and Veterinary Medicinal Products, Via G. Ribotta 5, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Cristiano Cocumelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Roma, Italy
| | - Caterina Raso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Roma, Italy
| | - Sandra Hochscheid
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Nuova Macello 16, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Chiara Roncari
- Marine Turtle Research Group, Department of Marine Animal Conservation and Public Engagement, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Nuova Macello 16, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Eliana Nerone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Sara Recchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Di Giacinto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Simone Pulsoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Marco Matiddi
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Cecilia Silvestri
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Ludovica Di Renzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Centro Studi Cetacei Onlus (CSC), 65125 Pescara, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0861-3321
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Serious lesions in Green turtles ( Chelonia mydas) afflicted by fatal Spirorchiidiasis found stranded in south and southeastern Brazil. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 20:73-78. [PMID: 36691453 PMCID: PMC9860056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Several diseases have been reported as affecting endangered wild sea turtle population worldwide, including spirorchiidiasis. This parasitic infection results in serious circulatory disorders in sea turtles, as well as tissue damage due to the presence of spirorchiids eggs. However, few reports of organs severely affected by tissue replacement caused by granulomatous inflammatory processes due to spirorchiidiasis in sea turtles are available. In this regard, this study describes massive lesions in 16 juvenile green turtles from southeastern Brazil presenting no other detectable diseases or injuries, associated to parasitic compression of air spaces, parasitic thyroid atrophy, parasitic encephalic compression and parasitic splenic lymphoid depletion. These rare injuries were categorized as extremely severe, affecting most spirorchiidiasis-infected organs. Spirorchiidiasis was, thus, noted herein as capable of causing a variety of lethal injuries to vital or extremely important organs in sea turtles. Spirorchiidiasis should, therefore, also be considered a potential cause of death in stranded green sea turtle monitoring efforts.
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Silva MADA, Medina RM, Leandro HJ, Ribeiro RB, Petronilha MBRG, Carvalho ECQDE, Silveira RL, Werneck MR, Shimoda E. Pathological changes by spirorchiid eggs in hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) stranded off brazilian coast. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20201107. [PMID: 35830069 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220201107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Eretmochelys imbricata (hawksbill turtle) is classified as a critically endangered species at world level; in Brazil, it is listed among the threatened species. Spirorchiids are parasites of the circulatory system of chelonians which may cause serious lesions in the various tissues of the host due to deposition of eggs in the bloodstream. In this context, the aim of the present study was to describe the pathology caused by spirorchiid eggs in E. imbricata from the Brazilian over a five year period. A total of 29 animals were analyzed, of which nine (31%) presented lesions associated to spirorchiids eggs. The lesions were: granulomatous enteritis in six (66.66%), granulomatous splenitis in five (55.55%), granulomatous hepatitis in three (33.33%), granulomatous pneumonia in three (33.33%), granulomatous pancreatitis in two (22.22%), and granulomatous adrenalitis in one specimen (11.11%). Concluded the main lesion in Eretmochelys imbricata was giant-cell granulomatous inflammatory reaction to the parasite's eggs. Animals exhibiting poor physical health were more susceptible to presenting such lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Aparecida DA Silva
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo/UFES, Departamento de Biologia, Programa de Pós garaduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Alto Universitário, sn, Guararema, 29500-000 Alegre, ES, Brazil
| | - Raphael M Medina
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/UENF, Setor de Patologia Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Hassan J Leandro
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/UENF, Setor de Patologia Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rachel B Ribeiro
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/UENF, Setor de Patologia Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariah B R G Petronilha
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/UENF, Setor de Patologia Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eulógio Carlos Q DE Carvalho
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro/UENF, Setor de Patologia Animal, Avenida Alberto Lamego, 2000, Parque Califórnia, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - Renato Luiz Silveira
- , Centro de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Morfologia, Rua Professor Hernani Mello, 101, Centro, 24210-130 Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Max R Werneck
- BW Consultoria Veterinária, Rua Sueli Brazil Flores, 88, Praia Seca, 28970-000 Araruama, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Shimoda
- Universidade Cândido Mendes, Rua Anita Peçanha, 100, Parque São Caetano. 28030-335 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
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Corner RD, Cribb TH, Cutmore SC. Vermetid gastropods as key intermediate hosts for a lineage of marine turtle blood flukes (Digenea: Spirorchiidae), with evidence of transmission at a turtle rookery. Int J Parasitol 2021; 52:225-241. [PMID: 34742720 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Blood flukes of the family Spirorchiidae Stunkard, 1921 are significant pathogens of marine turtles, both in the wild and in captivity. Despite causing considerable disease and mortality, little is known about the life cycles of marine species, with just four reports globally. No complete life cycle has been elucidated for any named species of marine spirorchiid, but the group is reported to use vermetid and fissurellid gastropods, and terebelliform polychaetes as intermediate hosts. Here we report molecular evidence that nine related spirorchiid species infect vermetid gastropods as first intermediate hosts from four localities along the coast of Queensland, Australia. ITS2 rDNA and cox1 mtDNA sequence data generated from vermetid infections provides the first definitive identifications for the intermediate hosts for the four species of Hapalotrema Looss, 1899 and Learedius learedi Price, 1934. Additionally, we provide a new locality report for larval stages of Amphiorchis sp., and evidence of three additional unidentified spirorchiid species in Australian waters. Based on the wealth of infections from vermetids during this study, we conclude that the previous preliminary report of a fissurellid limpet as the intermediate host for L. learedi was likely mistaken. The nine species found infecting vermetids during this study form a strongly supported clade exclusive of species of the other two marine spirorchiid genera for which sequence data are available; Carettacola Manter & Larson, 1950 which falls sister to the vermetid-infecting clade + a small clade of freshwater spirorchiids, and Neospirorchis Price, 1934 which is distantly related to the vermetid-infecting clade. We provide further evidence that spirorchiid transmission can occur in closed system aquaria and show that spirorchiid transmission occurs at both an important turtle rookery (Heron Island, southern Great Barrier Reef, Australia) and foraging ground (Moreton Bay, Australia). We discuss the implications of our findings for the epidemiology of the disease, control in captivity, and the evolution of vermetid exploitation by the Spirorchiidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Corner
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Thomas H Cribb
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Scott C Cutmore
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Helminth Infection of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta along the Coasts of Sicily and the North West Adriatic Sea. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11051408. [PMID: 34069158 PMCID: PMC8156711 DOI: 10.3390/ani11051408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We report new data on the presence of trematode and nematode parasites species in stranded specimens of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). These parasites can potentially cause severe damage to internal organs, endangering the lives of the animals. The results showed a greater presence of digeneans. Abstract We provide new data on the presence of helminth parasites in 64 individual loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta stranded along the coasts of Sicily and the northwest Adriatic Sea between June 2014 and August 2016. The necropsy examination revealed 31 individuals (48.4%) positive for endoparasites, showing a greater prevalence of trematodes than nematodes. In particular, seven species and a single genus of Trematoda (Hapalotrema) and a single species and genus of Nematoda (Kathlania) were identified. Among the Digenea flukes the species with the highest prevalence of infection were Rhytidodes gelatinosus (34.6%) and Hapalotrema sp. (33.3%), while among the Nematoda they were Kathlania sp. (33.3%) and Sulcascaris sulcata (33.3%). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied among the recovery sites of the stranded loggerhead sea turtles and prevalence of endoparasites was used to highlight any relationship between the parasites and the origin of the hosts. ANOVA showed significant differences (p < 0.001) among the data used.
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Molecular evidence of new freshwater turtle blood flukes (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in the intermediate snail host Biomphalaria occidentalis Paraense, 1981 in an urban aquatic ecosystem in Brazil. Parasitol Res 2020; 120:133-143. [PMID: 33164155 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study, two potentially new species of turtle blood flukes (TBFs) (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) have been recorded from South Brazil. The spirorchiid parasites infect the vascular system of turtles, thereby compromising their health. The life cycle of these parasites is not well studied. The larval stage of cercaria is found in intermediate gastropod hosts, with some species presenting similar morphological characteristics, which can result in misinterpretations when using only morphological taxonomy for species identification. In this study, we recorded a single morphotype belonging to the family Spirorchiidae in Biomphalaria occidentalis in an urban aquatic ecosystem in Brazil. However, molecular data (28S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I) confirmed the presence of two species of Spirorchiidae in the sampled environment; both phylogenetically close to genera previously studied in freshwater turtles from the Peruvian Amazon. In this study, species characterization was possible because of molecular tools. We recommend using more than one molecular marker in future studies focusing on TBFs, which need attention about their evolutionary history and ecology to understand their distribution in South America.
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