A new parasite in the western long-necked turtle

The western long-necked turtle is found in metropolitan Perth and across south-west WA. When some of the turtles had to be rescued from car accidents,  pet attacks and habitat destruction it was discovered that the oblong turtle (Chelodina colliei) hosts an entirely new species of Eimeria parasite. All 25 turtles had the spore-like oocysts parasites in their faecal samples. None of the turtles displayed clinical signs of coccidiosis—disease caused by parasites including Eimeria collieie.  This is "a first for Australian turtles."

Coccidiosis is commonly found in cattle where it destroys the cells of the intestinal lining.

The interest here is the concern about the Bellinger River turtles ((Emydura macquarii) which have been made extinct through a 'mystery' bug in the Bellinger river environment. The river is flanked by a bovine and livestock milieu.


400 Bellinger River turtles have been found dead or dying 

Eimeria collieie n. sp. (Apicomplexa:Eimeriidae) from the western long-necked turtle (Chelodina colliei). 07.2015
Rescued turtles turn up new parasite 30.07.2015 ScienceWA

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