Leech Parasitism of the Gulf Coast Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina major (Testudines:Emydidae) in Mississippi, USA

Authors

Dennis J. Richardson, Quinnipiac UniversityFollow
C. I. Hammond, Quinnipiac UniversityFollow
W. E. Moser, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural HistoryFollow
A. J. Heaton, Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, MS
C. T. McAllister, Eastern Oklahoma State UniversityFollow

Keywords

Parasites, leeches

Abstract

Ten leeches were collected from a Gulf Coast box turtle, Terrapene carolina major, found crossing a road in Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, USA. Eight of the leeches were identified as Placobdella multilineata and 2 were identified as Helobdella europaea. This represents the second vouchered report of leeches from a box turtle. Helobdella europaea is reported for the first time associated with a turtle and for the second time from the New World.

Recommended Citation

Richardson, Dennis J.; Hammond, C. I.; Moser, W. E.; Heaton, A. J.; and McAllister, C. T. (2017) "Leech Parasitism of the Gulf Coast Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina major (Testudines:Emydidae) in Mississippi, USA," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 71, Article 21.
https://doi.org/10.54119/jaas.2017.7122
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol71/iss1/21