Life Cycle and Pathology of Spirorchis scripta Stunkard, 1923 (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in Chrysemys picta picta

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Abstract
The adult of S. scripta has been found in the turtle, C. picta picta from Sinking Creek, Giles County, Virginia. A new species of spirorchid cercaria from Helisoma anceps Menke was also recovered from the same area. Exposure of parasite-free turtles to this cercaria in the laboratory produced mature S. scripta in 66 days, with eggs appearing in the feces after 107 days. Worms were found in the arteries, heart, veins, esophagus, pericardial cavity, abdominal coelom, and in connective tissues. Heavy worm and egg burdens caused varying degrees of debilitation and, in 5 cases, death of the host. Eggs were recovered from macerated tissues and fecal specimens. Miracidial development was temperature dependent with the majority of tissue eggs hatching in 4 to 7 days, a few requiring 2 weeks. Sporocyst development and cercarial maturation were temperature dependent, requiring 27 to 34 days.

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