Survey of Helminth Parasites in Reptiles under Captivity

Parasitic infections are widespread among reptiles and may cause serious problems. Any data on its prevalence may be useful for their health management in captivity. Hence, a survey through faecal sample examination was conducted to assess the helminth fauna in captive reptiles [Caiman crocodile (Caiman latirostris), Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) and Stared tortoise (Geochelone elegans)], maintained at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru, Karnataka. A total of 23 faecal samples from apparently healthy Caiman crocodiles, 6 Bengal monitor lizards and 240 stared tortoises were collected over a period of 12 months during 2015–2016 and were screened using prescribed floatation and sedimentation technique followed by microscopic identification of eggs. We could detect ova of 6 (26.08%) Physaloptera sp. in Caiman crocodile, 3 (50%) Physaloptera sp. in Bengal monitor lizard and 157 (65.41%) oxyurid pinworms in stared tortoise. Upon necropsy, Physaloptera worms were recovered from the stomach of Bengal monitor lizard and pinworms from the stomach and intestine of stared tortoise. This study contributes to our knowledge on prevalence of parasites in the said reptiles in captivity.