Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca: Veterinary Medicine (Jun 2020)

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

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

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15835/buasvmcn-vm:2020.0001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 77, no. 1
pp. 61 – 69

Abstract

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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.

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