Occurrence of zoonotic parasites in free-ranging dolphins and sea turtles in the Gulf of Taranto (Northern Ionian Sea, Central-eastern Mediterranean Sea)

The occurrence of enteric protozoan parasites Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium sp. was molecularly investigated in free ranging species of striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus) and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles occurring in the Gulf of Taranto (Mediterranean Sea). Out of forty-two examined faecal samples, 2 samples of striped dolphins were found positive to G. duodenalis and 3 of loggerhead sea turtles were found positive to Cryptosporidium. Zoonotic G. duodenalis assemblage A and Cryptosporidium parvum were identified. This is the first report in which the presence of these pathogens have been investigated in free ranging species in this area and the first report of C. parvum in loggerhead sea turtles. These results extend the known host range of these water and foodborne parasites and confirm the widespread of zoonotic assemblages/species in the marine environment and their inhabitants probably as a results of an increasing in anthropogenic activities.