Atractis thapari (Nematoda, Atractidae) parasitizing Chelonoidis carbonarius and C. denticulatus (Testudinidae) in the state of Piauí, Brazil

Abstract Atractis thapari Petter, 1966, an atractid nematode, was collected parasitizing the large intestine of tortoises of the species Chelonoidis carbonarius (Spix, 1824) (Cc) and C. denticulatus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Cd) (Testudinidae) in the Zoobotanical Park of the municipality of Teresina, state of Piauí, Brazil. Taxonomic identification was based on morphological and morphometrical features, and using bright-field and scanning electron microscopy. The present study adds new observations on the morphology of A. thapari, mainly relating to mouth papillae, the excretory pore, deirids, and male and female posterior ends. The parasitic indices of prevalence (P), mean intensity (MI), mean abundance (MA) and range of infection (RI) for A. thapari in these two tortoise species were: P = 100%, MI = 154,667, MA = 154,667, RI = 5,500-588,500 (Cc); P = 100%, MI = 93,639, MA = 93,639, RI = 1,000-224,500 (Cd). This report confirms the occurrence of A. thapari in Neotropical region, South America, Brazil, and extends its occurrences to a new host, the tortoise C. carbonarius. Adjustment of host management with the aim of improving hygiene and health conditions is suggested.