Dataset Information

A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.

ABSTRACT: Gopherus polyphemus populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor habitat management. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown; despite evidence these pathogens may pose significant health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise intestinal parasites across South Florida and reports on how varying environmental and tortoise characteristics may affect intestinal parasite species prevalence and approximate loads. Tortoise fecal samples were taken from six tortoise populations across five South Florida sites. Seven species of intestinal parasites were discovered from 123 tortoises. Identified parasites include endohelminths such as cyathostomes, pinworms, ascarids, flukes, and protozoans including Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, and Amoeba species. Significant differences in parasite prevalence and loads were seen between sites, while parasitism among sex, size class, and habitat type remained relatively ubiquitous.

SUBMITTER: Huffman JN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6327265 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Survey of <i>Gopherus polyphemus</i> Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.

Huffman Jessica N JN Haizlett Kent S KS Elhassani Dana K DK Cooney Brian T BT Frazier Evelyn M EM

Journal of parasitology research 20181226

<i>Gopherus polyphemus</i> populations are diminishing throughout their range due to urbanization, fragmentation, and poor habitat management. Increased population densities, poor habitat quality, and lack of fire may influence disease transmission. Parasite roles within wild tortoise populations are largely unknown; despite evidence these pathogens may pose significant health risks. This study provides a baseline of gopher tortoise intestinal parasites across South Florida and reports on how va ...[more]

PMID: 30687545

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Project description:Nokuse Plantation, a 22,055 ha private conservation preserve in northwest Florida, is a recipient site for gopher tortoises translocated from development sites in Florida. Since 2006, Nokuse has received over 5,000 tortoises from multiple development sites. During 2013-2015, 52 tortoises were found sick (n = 14) or dead (n = 38) in multiple soft-release enclosures in which tortoises consistently exhibited clinical signs, with additional sick (n = 5) and dead (n = 5) tortoises presenting similarly during 2016-2017. When found alive, tortoises behaved abnormally (e.g., frequently out of burrows during cold weather, pacing along enclosure fencing), appeared emaciated, were lethargic, and had developed redness under plastron scutes. Similar numbers of male (n = 28) and female (n = 32) tortoises were recovered along with two of unidentified sex, including mainly adults (n = 59) and three subadults. Physical examination, blood analysis, and other diagnostics were indicative of starvation and dehydration. Most sick tortoises provided with supportive care recovered. Necropsy findings generally confirmed starvation, with no evidence of infectious pathogens or contaminants. There were no apparent differences in quality of habitat, plant community, or soil or water among affected and unaffected enclosures. Botanical surveys indicated adequate forage quality and quantity, with no poisonous exotic or native plants detected. No land management practices changed prior to this event. Analysis of epidemiological data and demographic factors from before and during this mortality event identified initial density of tortoises in the enclosures as exerting the strongest influence on detection of tortoise morbidity and mortality. We believe that the stress associated with mixing tortoises from different populations and at higher densities during translocation impacted an individual tortoise's ability to obtain or absorb adequate nutrients from foraging, ultimately leading to a wasting condition consistent with starvation. Based on our findings, we recommend a maximum of 3 gopher tortoises per ha in soft-release enclosures for translocation, but further research is warranted to investigate the complexity of stress and social pressures associated with translocation.

Project description:Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in North American tortoises (Gopherus) has been the focus of numerous laboratory and field investigations, yet the prevalence and importance of this disease remains unclear across many tortoise populations. Furthermore, much research has been focused on understanding diagnostic biomarkers of two known agents of URTD, Mycoplasma agassizii and Mycoplasma testudineum, yet the reliability and importance of these diagnostic biomarkers across populations is unclear. Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) have experienced significant declines and are currently protected range wide. Geographically, Alabama represents an important connection for Gopher Tortoise populations between the core and periphery of this species' distribution. Herein, we systematically sampled 197 Gopher Tortoises for URTD across seven sites in south-central and south-eastern Alabama. Plasma samples were assayed for antibodies to M. agassizii and M. testudineum; nasal lavage samples were assayed for the presence of viable pathogens as well as pathogen DNA. Lastly, animals were scored for the presence of external symptoms and nasal scarring consistent with URTD. External symptoms of URTD were present in G. polyphemus in all sites sampled in Alabama. There was no relationship between active symptoms of URTD and Mycoplasma antibodies, however the presence of URTD nasal scarring was positively related to M. agassizii antibodies (P = 0.032). For a single site that was sampled in three sequential years, seroprevalence to M. agassizii significantly varied among years (P < 0.0001). Mycoplasma agassizii DNA was isolated from four of the seven sites using quantitative PCR, yet none of the samples were culture positive for either of the pathogens. An analysis of disease status and condition indicated that there was a significant, positive relationship between the severity of URTD symptoms and relative body mass (P < 0.05). This study highlights the need for continued monitoring of disease in wild populations. Specifically, focus must be placed on identifying other likely pathogens and relevant biomarkers that may be important drivers of URTD in North American tortoises. Special consideration should be given to environmental contexts that may render wild populations more susceptible to disease.

Dataset Information

A Survey of Gopherus polyphemus Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.

Publications

A Survey of <i>Gopherus polyphemus</i> Intestinal Parasites in South Florida.

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