Shubber et al (2020): Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of Caspian turtle August 2020 Vol. 23 Issue 12 Intestinal Helminth Parasites of Caspian Turtle Mauremys Caspica (Gmelin, 1774) (Testudines, Geoemydidae) From Al-Diwaniya Province, Iraq Habeeb W. Kadhum Shubber * Ali B. Mohsen Alwaaly* and Mohammad K. Mohammad** *Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Al Qadisiyah **Department of Medical Lab Science, College of Health and Medical Technology, Uruk Private University, Baghdad, Iraq *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract: The caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) is a medium-sized semi aquatic freshwater turtle. It is widely distributed in suitable areas throughout Iraq. A total of 28 road-killed specimens have been examined for their intestinal helminthic parasites. Results have been showed that 78.6% of this turtle were infected with one or more of following parasite species of Telorchis assula (Trematoda), Falcaustra araxiana, Serpinema microcephalus, and Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda).The statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in prevalence between male and female turtles in parasitic infections (P<0.05) as the percentage of females was higher than males. Morphometric and meristic description for the helminthes have been provided. Reporting the nematode F. araxiana from M. caspica in this study constitutes a new record for Iraqi parasitic fauna as well as a new host record. It also expands the geographical distribution of this parasite to include Armenia, Iran and Iraq. A description based on measurements and number of these worms was given. Keywords: Al-Diwaniya, Caspian turtle, Contracaecum sp., Falcaustra araxiana, Iraq How to cite this article: Shubber HWK, Alwaaly ABM, Mohamed MK (2020): Intestinal helminth parasites of Caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) (Testudines, Geomydidae) from Al-Dawaniya Province, Iraq, Ann Trop Med & Public Health; 23(S12): SP231237. DOI: http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2020.231237 1. Introduction The caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) was recorded from Iraq by Khalaf (1959) as Clemmys caspica caspica. Al-Barazengy et al. [1] reported two subspecies for Iraq M. c. caspica and M. c. siebenrocki without mentioning the local distribution. It is a medium-sized freshwater turtle in the eastern Mediterranean region [2,3] ; it is widely distributed in suitable areas especially in permanent water bodies throughout Iraq in considerable numbers in central and southern parts. This turtle tolerates moderate salinity level of water since it presents in large numbers in marshy areas with brackish water such as Al-Huwaiza marsh (south) and Al-Dalmaj Marsh (central) [4].Only few works carried out in Iraq in regard to parasites of this turtle; [4] examined 30 specimens collected in Erbil, Sulaimaniya and Kirkuk provinces in the north of Iraq. They found three species of nematodes, Atractis dactyluris, Camallanusmicrocephalus and Tachygone trianicollei. [5] isolated Telorchis cyclemmidis from this turtle in Al-Ramadi city, Al-Anbar Province, Western Iraq. [6] examined 30 specimens of this turtle in the north of Iraq and recorded both the nematode Camallanus microcephalus and the trematode Telorchis stunkardi. [7] reported Chabaudinema americana from turtles collected in Basrah city in the south.The aim of the present work is to detect identification, prevalence, and intensity of the intestinal parasitic helminthes in the caspian turtle collected in Al-Diwaniya Province, central Iraq. 2. Materials and Methods Study area: Al-Diwaniya Province is located in the middle-Euphrates region (Map 1). It is known to be a very well irrigated and is considered to be one of the most fertile parts of Iraq which maintains a wide range of ecological areas, including wetlands, arid zones, agricultural areas, as well as semi-desert regions. The average high temperature is 30°C and the average low temperature is 17°C with a total area of 8,153 km2 represents about 1.9% of Iraq [8]. Sampling: A total of 28 (11 males and 17 females) road-killed specimens were collected from the period April to September 2015 in suitable aquatic areas in Al-Diwaniya Province, middle of Iraq including the marshy areas of Al- Dalmaj and Al-Sanniya areas. The turtles were transferred to the lab in the College of Science, Al-Qadisiya University in Al-Diwaniya city as soon as possible, dissected and their intestines were carefully searched for helminth parasites. The recovered helminthes were treated following [9]. Trematodes were cleaned by washing thoroughly with normal saline, killed and kept in 70% alcohol. Some trematodes were stained with acetocarmine and passed through a series of concentrations of 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% alcohol for dehydration, cleared in xylene and mounted in Canada balsam. The nematodes were first put in worm saline and then transferred to a mixture of 70% alcohol (95%) and glycerol (5%) for fixation and preservation. On examination, they were cleared with lactophenol. Photomicrographs were taken with Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2020.231237 Shubber et al (2020): Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of Caspian turtle August 2020 Vol. 23 Issue 12 the aid of HDCE-X5 digital camera. Scale bar equal to 1 mm (exception plate 9, the scale bar equal 0.25 mm.). Measurements in millimeter (mm) and presented as mean followed by standard deviation and range between parentheses. Map (1): The map of Iraq showing situation of Al-Diwaniya Province, Central Iraq. (Iraq-Administrative Maps, GlobalSecurity.org). 2.1 Statistical analysis: The results from male and female turtles were analyzed with Chi Square test at (P<0.05) level. 3. Results and Discussion The inspection of caspian turtle Mauremys caspica revealed their infection with four species of parasites. The number and sex of parasitic helminthes recovered from the infected Mauremys caspica specimens are summarized in Table (1).The results revealed that 22 (78.6%) of M. caspica were infected with either Telorchis assula (Trematoda), Falcaustra araxiana, Serpinema microcephalus or Contracaecum sp. (Nematodes). Females acquired general infection rate of 82.4% while males acquired general infection rate of 72.7% and showed significant differences in prevalence between male and female turtles (P<0.05). The percentage of infection for females was higher than those of males (X2=13.876). This result agreed with the findings of Youssefi et al. [10] who found a significant variation in the infection rate between the two mates emphasizing that females had higher parasitic prevalence than males. However, the percentages of infection in the two studies are quite different reflecting the environmental potentiality differences between the two studied areas. In Brazil, Pereira et al. [11] found the same case with the freshwater turtle Phrynops geoffroanus (Chelidae) and attributed their results to the differences in sexual dimorphism related to body stating that this must have contributed to a higher parasite load in female hosts; pattern of infection in females reveals that the single mode were 63.6%, double 27.3% and triple 9.1%, while in males the single and double mode was 50% each. Table (1): Number and sex of parasitic helminthes recovered from the infected Mauremys caspica specimens. Hosts (n=28) Mean of Number Helminthes Number of Number of Total percent intensity of infected infected (range) infected Telorchis assula 8 3 (27.27) 5 (29.41) 28.57 7.75 (1-22) Falcaustra araxiana 16 7 (63.63) 9 (52.94) 57.14 15.81 (1-55) Serpinema 10 2 (18.18) 8 (47.06) 35.71 4.3 (1-6) microcephalus Contracaecum sp. 1 X 1 (5.88) 3.57 1 (1) Total * 22 72.72 82.35 78.57 X2=13.876 *This number represents the number of hosts that have single infection regardless the specie of parasite The following is an account on the description and measurements of these parasites: Telorchis assula (Dujardin, 1845) (Digenea, Telorchiidae) (Pls. 1-3). This helminth infects 28.57% of the total sample of hosts with an intensity and range 7.75 (1-22) (Tab. 1). Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2020.231237 Shubber et al (2020): Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of Caspian turtle August 2020 Vol. 23 Issue 12 Description: Body elongate, 9.96±2.3 (7.74-13.62) long by 0.685±0.147 (0.56-0.98) width at acetabulum level; tegument has minute spines along the whole body. This helminthes has oral sucker subterminal, circular to subcircular, without lappets, 0.164±0.013 (0.154-0.180) long by 0.146±0.018 (0.116-0.180) width. Pharynx is muscular, compact and short 0.133±0.028 (0.075-0.150) X 0.112±0.018 (0.072-0.128), esophagus 0.268±0.043 (0.178-0.312) long, caeca extending to 0.115±0.028 (0.050-0.163) near posterior end of the body. The acetabulum is weakly developed, almost circular,0.133±0.011 (0.118-0.163).Testes are two, oval, tandem, contiguous, intercaecal, anterior testis 0.383±0.103 (0.252-0.528) long by 0.293±0.078 (0.152-0.404) width, posterior testis 0.472±0.153 (0.276-0.652) long by 0.298±0.077 (0.176-0.404) width; cirrus sac is 2.868±0.272 (2.604-3.478) in length with coiled seminal vesicle; genital pore situated between acetabulum and bifurcation; ovary situated slightly behind the middle of the body, almost rounded 0.258±0.053 (0.206-0.354) in diameter; descending and ascending loops of uterus confined to intercaecal space; vitellaria lateral, extracaecal, between anterior testis and midway between anterior extremity of uterus and acetabulum; eggs are oval 0.0293±0.0023 (0.0250-0.0325) long by 0.0143±0.0022 (0.0100-0.0175) width.