Detection of Helminth Parasites in Commercialized Turtles: Threats to Native Testudines in Northeast India

Abstract

approaches is poorly adopted for their proper conservation. The present study examined the commercialized turtles in northeast India and reported the presence of helminth parasites (nematodes and trematodes) in three highly threatened turtles, Nilssonia gangetica, Nilssonia nigrican , and Chitra indica. Both N. gangetica and N. nigricans have been found to be the first host records of the trematode, Astiotrema reniferum . Further, C. indica is a new host record for the trematode, Stunkardia dilymphosa , which assumed to be host specific suitability due to difference in body size. Additionally, the study highlighted the urgent need of enforcing the veterinary studi