Parasite Spillover from Alien Turtles (Trachemys scripta) to European Pond Turtles

[Cowboy_Ken]

Dear All,
FYI, we´ve just published our work about the parasite spillover from alien turtles (Trachemys scripta) to European pond turtles.
http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/dao/v113/n1/p75-80/
This is not just a exchange of parasites between both species, blood fluke infestation caused mortality of around 30% of the population, and there´s no treatment.
Here we have the evidence that there´s no need of thousands of alien turtles to have a deep impact on native ones. Just a couple of infected turtles can decimate a small population of pond turtles.
So, check your populations for any mortality event. And keep in mind that blood flukes can be carried by Trachemys, but also by Pseudemys, Chrysemys, Chelydra and more..
Time for changes in the EU legislation?
Cesar

 

[Anthony P]

Very interesting, since die off of Emys was previously thought to have been due to over competition for resources by the stronger sliders. This adds a whole other level of validity to the concerns. Not surprising, but surely interesting.

 

[Tom]

Oh no Ken. This study must be flawed. According to the people on this site who think mixing species is fine, there is little to no risk from CB animals like those Trachemys in the study, and its perfectly fine to mix them all up anyway we see fit.

That awful Tom just goes on and on about it for no reason... {End facetious rant.}

Seriously. Thanks for posting this. Not good news, but maybe it will convince some people about what some of us already know goes on.

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

This study must be flawed. {End facetious rant.}

The sad part is real money and resources were used on this no brainer study.

 

[jaizei]

Oh no Ken. This study must be flawed. According to the people on this site who think mixing species is fine, there is little to no risk from CB animals like those Trachemys in the study, and its perfectly fine to mix them all up anyway we see fit.

That awful Tom just goes on and on about it for no reason... {End facetious rant.}

Seriously. Thanks for posting this. Not good news, but maybe it will convince some people about what some of us already know goes on.

The abstract makes no mention of captive bred animals so perhaps you could expand on that portion of your rant. A 'wild' population of an invasive species is hardly CB.

 

[jaizei]

The sad part is real money and resources were used on this no brainer study.

I know. Like when they tested the influence that dietary protein had on pyramiding in sulcatas. But some people just have to have proof to show what we all know. Or don't

 

[Tom]

The abstract makes no mention of captive bred animals so perhaps you could expand on that portion of your rant. A 'wild' population of an invasive species is hardly CB.

You don't think that population of feral RES are from CB stock?