Trypanosoma ambystomae in Ambystoma spp. (order Caudata) in southern Ontario

Abstract

Using the haematocrit centrifuge technique, Trypanosoma ambystomae was recorded from Ambystoma jeffersonianum, Ambystoma platineum, Ambystoma laterale, Ambystoma maculatum, and Ambystoma tremblayi from five areas in southern Ontario. The percentage of infected animals varied from about 5% in A. tremblayi to 27% in A. platineum and A. maculatum. This report not only expands the host range for the trypanosome, it is also the first report of it being found outside western North America. The division process of the trypanosome in the salamander is described and it is shown that it can be maintained in salamanders in the laboratory by blood inoculation.