New host and geographic records for coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from North American turtles

Two-hundred-fifty-three turtles, representing 26 species within 5 families (Chelydridae, Emydidae, Kinosternidae, Testudinidae, Trionychidae) were examined for coccidia. Of these, 127 (50%) were found to harbor 1 or more of 28 species of eimerians, or isosporan, or both. One-hundred-thirteen (89%) of the infected turtles were aquatic species, whereas only 14 (11%) of the infected turtles were terrestrial species. Two-fold more aquatic turtles were infected with coccidia (113 of 200, 57%) compared to only 26% (14 of 53) of the terrestrial species. This report documents 14 new host and 8 new geographic records for eimerians from turtles in Arkansas and Texas.