Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Dodd, C. (1988). Patterns of distribution and seasonal use of the turtle sternotherus depressus by the leech, placobdella parasitica. Journal of Herpetology, 22(1), 74–81.
Added by: Admin (23 Aug 2008 19:58:19 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Dodd1988a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Kinosternidae, Nordamerika = North America, Parasiten = parasites, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Sternotherus, Sternotherus depressus, Veterinärmedizin = veterinary medicine Creators: Dodd Collection: Journal of Herpetology |
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| Abstract |
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Numbers of leeches and their patterns of distribution on turtles were studied from April to September 1985, at eight localities in northern Alabama, U.S.A. Only the species Placobdella parasitica was found to parasitize turtles, especially Sternotherus depressus. The level of parasitism on S. depressus was inversely correlated with the degree of habitat alteration from coal mining operations. Leeches exhibited preferences in selecting attachment sites on S. depressus with the inguinal area most often infested and the plastron the least affected. However, turtles were equally likely to have 1, 2, 3, or > 3 sites infested. Juvenile S. depressus had a significantly lower (< 50%) chance of being parasitized than adults. Adult males and females were equally likely to be parasitized. Leeches recolonized turtles at similar rates whether the turtles initially had large or relatively small numbers of leeches. However, if the turtle was initially free of leeches, or had < 5 leeches, the turtle had > 50% chance of being leech-free upon recapture. Leeches were slow to recolonize turtles early in the turtles' activity season (April through mid-May), except at one location where leeches rapidly recolonized turtles regardless of season.
Added by: Admin |