Loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudines, Cheloniidae), as a new host of Monticellius indicum Mehra, 1939 (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) and associated lesiond to spirorchiid eggs

The present note describes the occurrence of Mehra, 1939 (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) in an adult loggerhead turtle, (Linnaeus, 1758), found on the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Pathological changes due to spirorchiid eggs (type 1 and 3) were found in gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, and heart. This parasite has previously been described in the green turtle, (Linnaeus, 1758), from Pakistan, Brazil and Costa Rica as well as in the hawksbill sea turtle, (Linnaeus, 1766), in Brazil. This note reports the loggerhead turtle as a new host for