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Putative intranuclear coccidium in Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger) from Morocco
El-Mustapha Laghzaoui1, Ana Perera2, D Harris2
1Laboratory of Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco.
Folia Parasitologica
|October 13, 2021
Summary
Intranuclear coccidiosis is an emerging disease in turtles. Researchers identified a new coccidium species in Moroccan Mauremys leprosa turtles using molecular methods.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Herpetology
Background:
- Intranuclear coccidiosis is an emerging disease in chelonians (turtles and tortoises).
- Symptoms include anorexia, weakness, weight loss, and potential mortality.
- Molecular tools have improved diagnosis and identified new host species.
Observation:
- A putative intranuclear coccidium was identified in Mauremys leprosa (freshwater terrapin) from Morocco.
- Identification was based on 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequence analysis.
Findings:
- The study reports the first known occurrence of intranuclear coccidiosis in a freshwater terrapin species.
- 18S rDNA sequencing confirmed the presence of a novel coccidium species.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known host range for intranuclear coccidiosis.
- Highlights the importance of molecular diagnostics in identifying emerging parasitic diseases in wildlife.
- Contributes to understanding coccidiosis in chelonian populations, particularly in North Africa.
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