The Study of Ectoparasites and Mesoparasites in Turtles (Testudo Graeca Graeca) in the Region of Laghouat (South of Algeria)

oleh: Kheira LAKEHAL, Radhwane SAIDI, Nora MIMOUNE, Farouk BENACEUR, Ratiba BAAZIZI, Rachid CHAIBI, Oum Keltoum ADJEB, Khadidja SOUIEHI

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: AcademicPres 2020-06-01

Deskripsi

This study was carried out in order to identify the different parasites (ecto and mesoparasites) infesting the tortoise Testudo graeca graeca. For this, a population of 24 tortoises was studied from mid-March to May 2018, in the region of Aflou-Laghouat, within two sites: Djellel and Oued Sebgag. The turtles were captured at the time of their activity; sex, age, body weight, total length of the shell and body height were determined. A careful search for parasites has been carried out using various recommended techniques. A total of 126 Hyalomma aegyptium ticks were identified, with an overall prevalence of 71%, an average intensity of 7.4 and an abundance of 5 ticks per individual. The stool examination identified six mesoparasites, namely: Angusticaecum holopterum, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongylus sp, Nematodirus sp, Trichostrongylus sp, Fasciola hepatica. The sex of the host showed a significant influence on the parasitic infestation: the females were four times more infested than the males.