King, Anthony W.

McAllister, Chris T.

English

ScholarWorks@UARK

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of ScienceVolume 34 Article 431980Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider,Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) from ArkansasChris T. McAllisterNorth Texas State UniversityAnthony W. KingArkansas State UniversityFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaasPart of the Parasitology Commons, and the Zoology CommonsThis article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able toread, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking priorpermission from the publisher or the author.This General Note is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the ArkansasAcademy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu, ccmiddle@uark.edu.Recommended CitationMcAllister, Chris T. and King, Anthony W. (1980) "Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) fromArkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 34 , Article 43.Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol34/iss1/43I,II-124 Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings, Vol.XXXIV,1980Arkansas Academy of ScienceLITERATURE CITEDDOUDNEY, C. O. and F.L.HAAS, 1958. Post irradiation modifica-tionof ultraviolet light induced mutation frequency and survivalinbacteria. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 44:390-398.KURNICK,N. B. 1952. The basis for specificity of methyl greenstaining. Exptl.Cell Res. 3:650-652.PAYNE, J.D.and H.G. GRIGGS, 1977. Time course ofPR of UV.induced chromosomal aberrations and lethal damage in G|Xenopus cells. Proc. Ark.Acad. ofSci. Vol. XXXI-81-82.ERRERA,M. 1951. Actionof UV on the affinity ofDNA formethylgreen. Biochem. and Biophys. Acta. 7:605.GRIGGS, H. G. and M.A. BENDER. 1973. Photoreactivation ofultraviolet light induced chromosomal aberrations. Science.179:86-88.WITKIN,E. M. 1961. Modification of mutagenesis initiated byultra-violet light through post treatment ofbacteria withbasic dyes. ].Cellular Comp. Physiol. 58:134-143.GRIGGS, H.G. and T.V.ORR. 1979. Chromosomal aberrations re-sulting from UV exposures to Gl Xenopus cells. Phot ochem.and Photobiol. 30:363-368.KEITHE. MATHIASand H. GASTON GRIGGS, Department ofBiology, John Brown University, Siloam Springs. Arkansas 72761.HEMOGREGARINES IN THE RED-EARED SLIDER, CHRYSEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS (WIED) FROM ARKANSASTwenty-five red-eared sliders, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied), were examined for hemogregarines. Turtles were purchased inlate Octo-ber, 1979 and early May, 1980 from Anderson's Minnow Farms, Lonoke County, Arkansas (T.1N, R.9W, Sec. 35). Blood samples (2.0 ml)wereobtained by puncturing the heart witha 21 gauge needle fittedon a 10 mlsyringe. Thin bloodsmears were air dried, fixed in absolute methanol for2-3 minutes, stained with Giemsa for 25 minutes, dipped briefly inbuffered water (pH 7.0 @ 25°C) and allowed to dry. Blood smears wereexamined under oilimmersion and infected erythrocytes were located to avoid the possibility of confusing ex-erythrocytic forms of the parasitewithnormal blood cells, especially young thrombocytes. The staining characteristics, cytoplasmic characteristics, and general shape and form ofthe parasitic forms were noted. Measurements were taken withan eyepiece micrometer. No attempt was made to study the tissue stages of thehemogregarines through histological preparations.Allof the C. s. elegans examined were infected with intraerythrocytic forms. Parasitemias ranged from approximately 0.5 percent of theerythrocytes inone turtle to barely detectable infections inthe majority of the turtles. Following a conservative strategy, no attempt was made torelegate parasitic forms to particular life cycle stages. Rather, individual forms were assigned to one of four morphological types as follows(measurements inmicrometers \nm\, the range follows inparentheses):TypeIis crescent shaped, measuring 8.9 (9.8-7.8) X 2.3 (2.9-2.0). The parasite, as is true forall morphological types, isapparently encased by some form of cyst or vacuole. The cytoplasm is flocculated and stains a light blue. Inclusions arerarely seen, and anucleus isnotreadily discernable. The nucleus of the invaded erythrocyte isat most only slightly displacedfrom itsnormal position.Type IIis characteristically "bean shaped" 13.4 (14.1-12.7) X 4.2 (4.9-2.9), witha short recurved tail. The cytoplasm issomewhat more basophilic and appears more dense insome specimens. Acidophilic inclusions are common in the cytoplasm.Adistinct nucleus isnot generally evident, but a dark irregularly shaped structure is sometimes present instead. The parasiteusually displaces the nucleus laterally.Type IIIparasites are 13.6 (14.1-12.7) X 5.6 (6.8-3.9) and vary from "bean shaped" to nearly oval. Cytoplasmic andnuclear characteristics are similar to those of Type II.The acidophilic inclusions are prominent inthis type, and the nucleusof the invaded cell is displaced toward one end.Type IVis the most distinctive of the morphological types. The large 17.5 (19.5-15.6) X 5.9 (7.8-4.9) "banana-shaped"parasite occupies nearly all of the turtle erythrocyte. The erythrocyte nucleus is displaced to the extreme end of the cell. Theparasite appears to be formed by two arms or bodies at the ends, as a clear "canal" or "groove" extends the length of theorganism. The flocculated cytoplasm stains a lightblue. Acidophilic granules characteristically border the periphery of theparasite, including the central "canal". Adistinct nucleus 6.0 (6.8-5.9) X 2.2 (2.9-2.0) is apparent in one arm adjacent to thebend.Adetermination of the relative frequencies of the morphological types could be made for onlyone turtle. Twenty percent of the infectederythrocytes contained the TypeIparasite. Twenty-nine percent carried Type II.Type IIIoccurred in21% of the parasitized cells, and Type IVin30%. There was no statistically significant difference inthe occurrence ofmorphological types (Chisquare =3.28). Noevidence of schizogonyor other nuclear division was seen.This report represents the first published record ofahemogregarine from an Arkansas turtle species. Mohammed and Mansour (Bull.Fac.Sci. Cairo Univ. 35:39-51, 1959); Ball(J. Protozool. 18:198-210, 1967); Ball et al., (J. Parasitol. 53:897-909, 1967) have stated that the establish-ment of the taxonomic status of hemogregarines at both the generic and specific levels is dependent upon a thorough examination ofall stages ofthe life cycle inboth the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts; however, inthe absence ofsuch data, the exact determination of the taxonomic statusofhemogregarines inArkansas turtles awaits further study.The authors thank Dr.James J. Daly,University of Arkansas forMedical Sciences, forreviewing representative slides.CHRIS T. McALLISTERand ANTHONY W. KING, Department ofBiological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, Arkansas72467.(Present address ICTMh Department ofBiology,North Texas State University, Denton, Texas 76203 J124Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 34 [1980], Art. 43Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1980

Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) from Arkansas

UARK (University of Arkansas )

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science Volume 34 Article 43 1980 Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) from Arkansas Chris T. McAllister North Texas State University Anthony W. King Arkansas State University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas  Part of the Parasitology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation McAllister, Chris T. and King, Anthony W. (1980) "Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) from Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 34 , Article 43. Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol34/iss1/43 This article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able to read, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This General Note is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu. I,II-124 Arkansas Academy of Science Proceedings, Vol.XXXIV,1980Arkansas Academy of ScienceLITERATURE CITEDDOUDNEY, C. O. and F.L.HAAS, 1958. Post irradiation modifica-tionof ultraviolet light induced mutation frequency and survivalinbacteria. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 44:390-398.KURNICK,N. B. 1952. The basis for specificity of methyl greenstaining. Exptl.Cell Res. 3:650-652.PAYNE, J.D.and H.G. GRIGGS, 1977. Time course ofPR of UV.induced chromosomal aberrations and lethal damage in G|Xenopus cells. Proc. Ark.Acad. ofSci. Vol. XXXI-81-82.ERRERA,M. 1951. Actionof UV on the affinity ofDNA formethylgreen. Biochem. and Biophys. Acta. 7:605.GRIGGS, H. G. and M.A. BENDER. 1973. Photoreactivation ofultraviolet light induced chromosomal aberrations. Science.179:86-88.WITKIN,E. M. 1961. Modification of mutagenesis initiated byultra-violet light through post treatment ofbacteria withbasic dyes. ].Cellular Comp. Physiol. 58:134-143.GRIGGS, H.G. and T.V.ORR. 1979. Chromosomal aberrations re-sulting from UV exposures to Gl Xenopus cells. Phot ochem.and Photobiol. 30:363-368.KEITHE. MATHIASand H. GASTON GRIGGS, Department ofBiology, John Brown University, Siloam Springs. Arkansas 72761.HEMOGREGARINES IN THE RED-EARED SLIDER, CHRYSEMYS SCRIPTA ELEGANS (WIED) FROM ARKANSASTwenty-five red-eared sliders, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied), were examined for hemogregarines. Turtles were purchased inlate Octo-ber, 1979 and early May, 1980 from Anderson's Minnow Farms, Lonoke County, Arkansas (T.1N, R.9W, Sec. 35). Blood samples (2.0 ml)wereobtained by puncturing the heart witha 21 gauge needle fittedon a 10 mlsyringe. Thin bloodsmears were air dried, fixed in absolute methanol for2-3 minutes, stained with Giemsa for 25 minutes, dipped briefly inbuffered water (pH 7.0 @ 25°C) and allowed to dry. Blood smears wereexamined under oilimmersion and infected erythrocytes were located to avoid the possibility of confusing ex-erythrocytic forms of the parasitewithnormal blood cells, especially young thrombocytes. The staining characteristics, cytoplasmic characteristics, and general shape and form ofthe parasitic forms were noted. Measurements were taken withan eyepiece micrometer. No attempt was made to study the tissue stages of thehemogregarines through histological preparations.Allof the C. s. elegans examined were infected with intraerythrocytic forms. Parasitemias ranged from approximately 0.5 percent of theerythrocytes inone turtle to barely detectable infections inthe majority of the turtles. Following a conservative strategy, no attempt was made torelegate parasitic forms to particular life cycle stages. Rather, individual forms were assigned to one of four morphological types as follows(measurements inmicrometers \nm\, the range follows inparentheses):TypeIis crescent shaped, measuring 8.9 (9.8-7.8) X 2.3 (2.9-2.0). The parasite, as is true forall morphological types, isapparently encased by some form of cyst or vacuole. The cytoplasm is flocculated and stains a light blue. Inclusions arerarely seen, and anucleus isnotreadily discernable. The nucleus of the invaded erythrocyte isat most only slightly displacedfrom itsnormal position.Type IIis characteristically "bean shaped" 13.4 (14.1-12.7) X 4.2 (4.9-2.9), witha short recurved tail. The cytoplasm issomewhat more basophilic and appears more dense insome specimens. Acidophilic inclusions are common in the cytoplasm.Adistinct nucleus isnot generally evident, but a dark irregularly shaped structure is sometimes present instead. The parasiteusually displaces the nucleus laterally.Type IIIparasites are 13.6 (14.1-12.7) X 5.6 (6.8-3.9) and vary from "bean shaped" to nearly oval. Cytoplasmic andnuclear characteristics are similar to those of Type II.The acidophilic inclusions are prominent inthis type, and the nucleusof the invaded cell is displaced toward one end.Type IVis the most distinctive of the morphological types. The large 17.5 (19.5-15.6) X 5.9 (7.8-4.9) "banana-shaped"parasite occupies nearly all of the turtle erythrocyte. The erythrocyte nucleus is displaced to the extreme end of the cell. Theparasite appears to be formed by two arms or bodies at the ends, as a clear "canal" or "groove" extends the length of theorganism. The flocculated cytoplasm stains a lightblue. Acidophilic granules characteristically border the periphery of theparasite, including the central "canal". Adistinct nucleus 6.0 (6.8-5.9) X 2.2 (2.9-2.0) is apparent in one arm adjacent to thebend.Adetermination of the relative frequencies of the morphological types could be made for onlyone turtle. Twenty percent of the infectederythrocytes contained the TypeIparasite. Twenty-nine percent carried Type II.Type IIIoccurred in21% of the parasitized cells, and Type IVin30%. There was no statistically significant difference inthe occurrence ofmorphological types (Chisquare =3.28). Noevidence of schizogonyor other nuclear division was seen.This report represents the first published record ofahemogregarine from an Arkansas turtle species. Mohammed and Mansour (Bull.Fac.Sci. Cairo Univ. 35:39-51, 1959); Ball(J. Protozool. 18:198-210, 1967); Ball et al., (J. Parasitol. 53:897-909, 1967) have stated that the establish-ment of the taxonomic status of hemogregarines at both the generic and specific levels is dependent upon a thorough examination ofall stages ofthe life cycle inboth the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts; however, inthe absence ofsuch data, the exact determination of the taxonomic statusofhemogregarines inArkansas turtles awaits further study.The authors thank Dr.James J. Daly,University of Arkansas forMedical Sciences, forreviewing representative slides.CHRIS T. McALLISTERand ANTHONY W. KING, Department ofBiological Sciences, Arkansas State University, State University, Arkansas72467.(Present address ICTMh Department ofBiology,North Texas State University, Denton, Texas 76203 J124Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 34 [1980], Art. 43Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1980

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Hemogregarines in the Red-Eared Slider, Chrysemys scripta elegans (Wied) from Arkansas

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