Parasitic Fauna of Free‐Living Chelonoidis denticulatus From the Rio Acre Ecological Station and the Municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul, Western Amazon, Brazil
Ester Nascimento da Costa, Caio Bonfanti Gomes, Rayná Girard Madeira, João José de Souza Moura, Muriele Furtado de Assis, Ana Paula Carvalho Gomes, Victória Luiza de Barros Silva, Iago de Sá Moraes, Reiner Silveira de Moraes, Richard de Campos Pacheco

TL;DR
This study examines parasites in wild tortoises in Brazil, highlighting zoonotic risks and the need for environmental monitoring.
Contribution
The study provides new data on the parasitic fauna of Chelonoidis denticulatus in the western Amazon and its public health implications.
Findings
Ticks identified as Amblyomma humerale were found on tortoises, but no Rickettsia was detected.
Fecal samples revealed helminth eggs and Entamoeba spp. cysts, indicating environmental contamination.
Helminth species like Labiduris zschokkei were found in the viscera of consumed tortoises.
Abstract
Tortoises, such as Chelonoidis denticulatus, are described as hosts of many parasites, such as helminths and ticks of the genus Amblyomma, which are important vectors of rickettsial infection in Brazil. Additionally, the high consumption of meat from these animals in Acre results in a high risk of zoonotic outbreaks due to contact with the hosts and, consequently, associated pathogens. This study aimed to describe the parasitic fauna of C. denticulatus. Two sampling efforts were conducted: the capture of a sample population of tortoises at the Rio Acre Ecological Station (active search) and the collection of viscera from animals consumed in the municipality of Cruzeiro do Sul. Following active search and incidental findings, ectoparasite searches were performed, and fecal samples were collected for coproparasitological examination. After these procedures, the animals were released back…
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Taxonomy
TopicsParasite Biology and Host Interactions · Turtle Biology and Conservation · Parasites and Host Interactions
