Report of the presence of Hapalotrema synorchis and H. postorchis (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in marine turtles (Reptilia: Cheloniidae) in Northern Territory waters

The spirorchiid digenean Hapalotrema synorchis was recovered from the heart of a juvenile Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) found deceased on a local Darwin beach. The turtle was in poor condition, showing many characteristics associated with spirorchiid infection. A second necropsied turtle showed signs of infection with spirorchiids but adult specimens were not recovered. Examination of specimens held at the Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory found another E. imbricata infected with H. synorchis and a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) infected with the related H. postorchis. Despite previous reports of infected turtles, this is the first confirmed identification of H. synorchis and H. postorchis from Northern Territory waters.