@article {Brites:2004nx,
	title = {The influence of agricultural and urban contamination on leech infestation of freshwater turtles, Phrynops geoffroanus, taken from two areas of the Uberabinha River},
	journal = {Environmental Monitoring and Assessment},
	volume = {96},
	year = {2004},
	pages = {273-281},
	publisher = {KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL},
	address = {VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS},
	abstract = {Infestation by leeches on adult freshwater turtles Phrynops geoffroanus in two areas of the Uberabinha River, in Uberlandia, was investigated during the summer ( January 2000). Fifty eight turtles were trapped: 26 ( 12 males, 14 females) in an agricultural area and 32 ( 16 males, 16 females) in an area with a more urban environment. The females present larger length and body mass (291.77 +/- 29.18 mm; 2233.30 +/- 511.40 g) than males (259.71 +/- 33.15 mm; 1488.68 +/- 529.35 g). Blood samples were drawn from the retrorbital sinus using heparinized micro-hematocrit capillary tubes, for microscopic and direct examination for intracellular parasites. Ectoparasitism by leeches, Placobdella bistriata, on young and adult animals was observed in the limb cavities of 28.1\% of the urban area turtles. No leeches were found on the turtles in the agricultural area. Hemogregarine erythrocytic gametocytes were found in 15.4\% of the agricultural area turtles, and in 37.5\% of the urban area turtles. Concurrent parasitism by leeches and hemogregarines on the same individuals was seen on six turtles. Infections with microorganisms ( bacteria and fungus) facilitated by the bites of leeches were not observed in another study on the same sample of infested turtles. However, 19\% of the turtles collected in the agricultural area and 15\% of the turtles from the urban area presented normocytic acute anemia. The occupation of the soil apparently interfered in the aquatic ecosystem favoring parasitism in the urban area.},
	keywords = {agricultural pollution, freshwater turtles, hemogregarines, infestation, leeches, urban pollution},
	author = {Brites, VLD and Rantin, FT}
}
