First Report of Haemogregarina sp. (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) from Razor-Backed Musk Turtle, Sternotherus carinatus (Testudines: Kinosternidae), from Oklahoma, with a Summary of Hematozoans from the Family Kinosternidae

Abstract

Generally, little is known regarding the hematozoan parasites of turtles in Oklahoma. Here, we report a Haemogregarina sp. from one of two razor-backed musk turtles, Sternotherus carinatus, collected from McCurtain County. The host possessed a single infected erythrocyte containing a bean to ovoidal-shaped gamont. Although S. carinatus has been previously reported, albeit with very limited information with a Haemogregarina sp. from Texas, this is the first time a S. carinatus from Oklahoma has been reported with a hematozoan to include a photomicrograph and information about the infection. We also provide a summary of the hematozoans known from the family Kinosternidae, to date.