ABSTRACT
Maintenance of the life cycle of a wide diversity of helminths depends on the aquatic environment. Freshwater turtles are considered one of the main groups in these ecosystems due to their high density and biomass. However, there is little information on the infection parameters of helminths associated with the Chelidae species Hydromedusa tectifera, Phrynops hilarii, and Acanthochelys spixii that occur in the Pampa biome. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing the gastrointestinal helminth assemblage of the three species. Analyses showed that A. spixii was associated with 11 helminth taxa while P. hilarii and H. tectifera were parasitized by eight taxa each. The gastrointestinal helminth assemblage of A. spixii and H. tectifera showed high similarity by the Morisita index. Infections suggest that the helminth fauna is directly related to the diet of the hosts, since A. spixii, P. hilarii, and H. tectifera are generalist and/or opportunistic with diets composed of various invertebrates, which, in turn, are part of the life cycles as intermediate hosts of most of the identified helminths. Thus, this study highlights not only the importance of helminthological research for the understanding of the biology of host organisms, but also the need for conservation of flooded areas characteristic of the Pampa biome, which is essential to maintain the diversity of the ecosystem.
Subject(s)
Helminthiasis, Animal , Helminths , Turtles , Animals , Brazil , Ecosystem , Fresh WaterABSTRACT
Information about helminths of Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Passeriformes: Icteridae) are scarce; in this sense the objective of this paper was to contribute to its knowledge. Five hosts of southern Brazil were examined and the helminths Prosthogonimus ovatus, Tanaisia valida (Digenea), Diplotriaena bargusinica and Synhimantus (Dispharynx) nasuta (Nematoda) were identified. The species T. valida, P. ovatus and S. (D.) nasuta are for the first time registered for the bird in Brazil. Prosthogonimus ovatus, T. valida, D. bargusinica e S. (D.) nasuta are first recorded in M. bonariensis in the southern Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul.
Subject(s)
Helminths/isolation & purification , Passeriformes/parasitology , Animals , Brazil , Nematoda/isolation & purification , Trematoda/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Abstract Information about helminths of Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Passeriformes: Icteridae) are scarce; in this sense the objective of this paper was to contribute to its knowledge. Five hosts of southern Brazil were examined and the helminths Prosthogonimus ovatus, Tanaisia valida (Digenea), Diplotriaena bargusinica and Synhimantus (Dispharynx) nasuta (Nematoda) were identified. The species T. valida, P. ovatus and S. (D.) nasuta are for the first time registered for the bird in Brazil. Prosthogonimus ovatus, T. valida, D. bargusinica e S. (D.) nasuta are first recorded in M. bonariensis in the southern Brazilian state Rio Grande do Sul.
Resumo Informações sobre helmintos de Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin, 1789) (Passeriformes: Icteridae) são escassas, nesse sentido, o objetivo do trabalho foi contribuir para esse conhecimento. Foram examinados cinco hospedeiros do extremo sul do Brasil, identificou-se os helmintos Prosthogonimus ovatus, Tanaisia valida (Digenea), Diplotriaena bargusinica e Synhimantus (Dispharynx) nasuta (Nematoda). As espécies T. valida, P. ovatus e S. (D.) nasuta são pela primeira vez registradas para a ave no Brasil. Prosthogonimus ovatus, T. valida, D. bargusinica e S. (D.) nasuta são pela primeira vez registradas em M. bonariensis no estado do Rio Grande do Sul.
