Presence of Porocephalus clavatus (Arthropoda: Porocephalidae) in Peruvian Boidae snakes

Vet Parasitol. 2011 Sep 27;181(2-4):379-81. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.04.005. Epub 2011 Apr 13.

Abstract

The pentastome species, Porocephalus clavatus, has been found to infect the lungs of two species of snakes in the family Boidae family (Boa constrictor and Epicrates cenchria). The individual of B. constrictor was collected in the Amazonian rainforest of Departamento Loreto, Peru. The E. cenchria was recovered from the pet trade in Lima, Peru's capital city. A total of 22 P. clavatus were collected and examined from these two snakes. This is the first report of P. clavatus in Peru. The morphology of the parasites and the possible importance in public and animal health are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boidae*
  • Female
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary
  • Male
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / epidemiology
  • Parasitic Diseases, Animal / parasitology*
  • Pentastomida*
  • Peru / epidemiology
  • Species Specificity