Host-Parasite Relationships of Spirorchis elegans Stunkard (Trematoda: Spirorchiidae)

Twenty-eight turtles collected in northwest Iowa were examined for helminth infections. Spirorchis spp. were encountered in 16 Chrysemys picta belli and 1 Emys blandingi. At least 4 species were found, namely, S. elegans, S. scripta, S. artericoln, and S. pseudemyae. Spirorchis elegans was found in 7 of the 24 painted turtles and was always recovered from the lymphatics and from the sub-mucosa of the esophagus of the host. These specimens were all sexually mature. It appears that the family diagnosis for Spirorchiidae should be extended to include these habitats. Spirorchis pseudemyae was recovered from intestinal washings of C. picta belli and E. blandingi. These represent new host records for this species