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29 March 2021 Genetic and Morphologic Characterization of Diaschistorchis pandus (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) Trematodes Extracted from Hawksbill Turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae), in Grenada, West Indies
Daniel M. Fitzpatrick, Monica A. Tetnowski, Thomas G. Rosser, Rhonda D. Pinckney, David P. Marancik, Brian P. Butler
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Abstract

The hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata is a critically endangered species with a worldwide distribution. Limited information is available about the naturally occurring intestinal parasites of this species and what impact these parasites may have on the health of the hawksbill turtle. Diaschistorchis pandus was identified postmortem in 5 hawksbill turtles from Grenada, West Indies, using morphologic characterization. Sanger sequencing was performed for conserved ribosomal regions (5.8S, ITS2, 28S) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI). Phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA gene sequence data shows D. pandus clustering with other trematodes in the family Pronocephalidae, corroborating morphological classification. No genetic sequences have been previously reported for this trematode species, which has limited the collection of objective epidemiological data about this parasite of marine turtles.

© American Society of Parasitologists 2021
Daniel M. Fitzpatrick, Monica A. Tetnowski, Thomas G. Rosser, Rhonda D. Pinckney, David P. Marancik, and Brian P. Butler "Genetic and Morphologic Characterization of Diaschistorchis pandus (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) Trematodes Extracted from Hawksbill Turtles, Eretmochelys imbricata (Testudines: Cheloniidae), in Grenada, West Indies," Journal of Parasitology 107(2), 267-274, (29 March 2021). https://doi.org/10.1645/20-54
Published: 29 March 2021
KEYWORDS
Diaschistorchis pandus
Eretmochelys imbricata
Grenada
Pronocephalidae
trematodes
turtles
West Indies
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