Parasites of Selected Reptiles of the National Zoological Garden, Sri Lanka

The National Zoological Garden plays a vital role in conservation of reptiles in Sri Lanka. Since parasitic infestations of captive reptiles can impact their health, a survey for intestinal parasites and ectoparasites was conducted on 19 selected reptilian species (14 snakes, four chelonians, and on...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine 2009-06, Vol.40 (2), p.272-275
Main Authors: Fernando, Saminda P, Udagama-Randeniya, Preethi V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alligators and Crocodiles - parasitology
Animals
Animals, Zoo - parasitology
Cestoda
Conservation of Natural Resources
Ectoparasites
Ectoparasitic Infestations - epidemiology
Ectoparasitic Infestations - veterinary
Helminthiasis, Animal - epidemiology
Host-Parasite Interactions
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology
Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - veterinary
intestinal parasites
Ixodidae
National Zoological Garden
Nematoda
Nematodes
Parasite hosts
Parasites
Protozoan Infections, Animal - epidemiology
reptile conservation
Reptiles
Reptiles - parasitology
reptilian hosts
s
Snakes - parasitology
Species
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka - epidemiology
Ticks
Wildlife conservation
Zoos
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Summary:The National Zoological Garden plays a vital role in conservation of reptiles in Sri Lanka. Since parasitic infestations of captive reptiles can impact their health, a survey for intestinal parasites and ectoparasites was conducted on 19 selected reptilian species (14 snakes, four chelonians, and one crocodilian) housed at the National Zoological Garden, Sri Lanka. Of the reptiles screened, 62% (N = 139) were infected with parasites; 66% and 24% exclusively harbored intestinal and ecto parasites, respectively, while 10% carried both types of parasites. Three ticks (Ixodidae), two adult cestodes, plerocercoid larvae, and four nematode species were recovered during this survey. Three types of nematode ova and a single type of digenian ova, protozoan cysts, L3 nematode larvae, and a protozoan were detected in the feces. In this first systematic survey of reptilian parasites in Sri Lanka, four new host–parasite records are documented.
ISSN:1042-7260
1937-2825
DOI:10.1638/2008-0052.1