1st Edition

Hemoparasites of the Reptilia Color Atlas and Text

By Sam R. Telford, Jr. Copyright 2009
    392 Pages 83 Color & 83 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Every researcher or diagnostician working with reptiles has faced the challenge of identifying reptile hemoparasites and then determining whether they are of importance or merely incidental. Another challenge is how to easily find the information required to make the proper identification. A distillation of knowledge from world-renowned expert Sam R. Telford, Jr, Hemoparasites of the Reptilia: Color Atlas and Text provides a comprehensive compilation of information on how to differentiate between the myriad species of reptile hemoparasites.

    The atlas provides diagnoses for 262 species of plasmodiids, hemogregarines, hemococcidians, trypansosomes, and leishmanias, including descriptions of eight new species or new taxonomic designations. It also discusses lesser known groups, such as piroplasms, rickettsiae, chlamydia, and erythrocytic viruses. Each genus and many species are represented among the 166 taxa illustrated in color. The species accounts contain host and geographic distribution, with precise localities when possible, prevalence, life cycles and vectors when known, effects upon the host, and ecology of the host-parasite relationship, morphological variation, and an exhaustive bibliography. The book also includes an illustrated key showing diagnostic characters.

    Telford draws on his 45 years of experience and his personal collection, considered the world’s most complete, to provide information on the morphology of the unicellular parasites of reptilian blood. He includes information from hard-to-find original papers and articles from sources throughout the world. The illustrated key and photomicrographs from Telford’s collection make identifying species quicker and easier.

    The Plasmodiid Parasites
    Morphology and Life Cycles
    Ultrastructure of Reptilian Plasmodiids
    Taxonomic Characters
    Species Accounts

    The Hemogregarines
    Haemogregarina
    Hepatozoon
    Karyolysus
    Hemolivia
    Species Accounts
    Haemogregarinidae
    Karyolysidae

    The Hemococcidia of Lizards
    Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina
    Species Accounts

    Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae
    Trypanosoma
    Species Accounts
    Sauroleishmania Parasites of Reptiles
    Species Accounts

    Piroplasmorida
    Sauroplasma
    Species Accounts
    Parasites of Uncertain Relationship

    Prokaryotic Parasites of Reptilian Blood Cells
    Rickettsiales: Aegyptianella
    Chlamydial Infection of Reptilian Leukocytes

    Viral Infections of Circulating Blood Cells
    Poxvirus Infection of Leukocytes
    Iridovirus Infections of Erythrocytes

    Literature Cited
    Appendix: The Identification of Reptilian Hemoparasites
    Index

    Biography

    Jr. Telford, Sam R.

    "Why should Copeia’s readers view Telford’s monograph as a must-have for their private or university library? … there is a commotion in the blood when parasite species compete and conspecific genotypes interact in complex ways, so reptiles provide useful models for studies of the ecology of parasites. The first step to enter this world is to identify the parasites. I have been asked many times how to do this and now Hemoparasites of the Reptilia provides a place for anyone to get started.
    The quality of this volume is superb, with the highest quality paper and printing. It is a pleasure to hold and peruse. … With the publication of
    Hemoparasites of the Reptilia, herpetologists can readily identify the parasites and get started on new and intriguing research projects. The lifetime of research by Dr. Telford on display in this monograph should inspire generations of scholars to do just that."
    —Jos. J. Schall, Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Copeia, December 2012

    "Reptile blood parasites and Sam Telford are synonymous. After more than 45 years dedicated research in numerous countries on three continents the author has collated all his knowledge and expertise from over 10,000 positive blood smears in producing a reference book in this specialised area which will be the standard source of taxonomic data for decades…. Overall the volume describes more than 260 taxons (including descriptions of 8 new species) of which almost 170 are illustrated…. Sam Telford has produced a reference volume that will be the standard for decades to come and is unlikely to be surpassed. Every veterinarian, biologist, parasitologist and institution involved with reptile conservation, health and disease should have a copy available. This is an investment that no reference book-shelf can afford to be without."
    —Michael A Peirce, MP International Consultancy, East Sussex, UK