C. T. McAllister

Helminth and Arthropod Parasites of the Ground Skink, Scincella lateralis (Sauria: Scincidae), from Arkansas and Oklahoma, U.S.A

ABSTRACT: Seventy-five ground skinks, Scincella lateralis from 13 counties in Arkansas (n u200a=u200a 55) and McCurtain County, Oklahoma (n u200a=u200a 20) were collected and examined for helminth and arthropod parasites. Thirty-nine (52%) harbored 1 or more helminth or ectoparasite, including 3 (4%) with the trematode Brachycoelium salamandrae, 2 (3%) with the cestode Oochoristica eumecis, 2 (3%) with acuariid nematode larvae, 15 (20%) with the nematode Oswaldocruzia pipiens, 26 (35%) with the spirurid nematode Physaloptera squamatae, and 2 (3%) with ticks, Ixodes scapularis. Eleven (15%) were concurrently infected with P. squamatae and O. pipiens; O. eumecis and O. pipiens; B. salamandrae and larval acuariids; B. salamandrae and P. squamatae or O. pipiens; or I. scapularis and O. pipiens and/or P. squamatae. We document new host records for O. eumecis and acuariid larvae, and new distributional records are reported for O. eumecis, acuariid larvae, and P. squamatae. In addition, a summary of the helminth and arthropod parasites of S. lateralis is reported.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF ISOSPORA (APICOMPLEXA: EIMERIIDAE) FROM SKINKS, EMOIA SPP. (SAURIA: SCINCIDAE), FROM FIJI AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Abstract:u2003 Between September and October 1991 and again during September 1992, skinks (Emoia spp.) were collected from various localities on Fiji and Papua New Guinea (PNG) and examined for coccidians. One of 4 (25%) De Vis emo skinks (Emoia pallidiceps) from PNG harbored an undescribed species of Isospora in its feces. Oocysts of Isospora grinbikpelapalai n. sp. were ellipsoidal to subspheroidal, 18.1 × 14.9 (17–20 × 14–16) μm, with a bilayered wall and a length/width index (L/W) of 1.2. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a prominent polar granule was present. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 10.7 × 7.6 (10–11 × 7–8) μm, with a L/W index of 1.4. Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies were present, but para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum consisted of large scattered globules dispersed between sporozoites. Sporozoites were elongate with spheroidal anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Isospora grinbikpelapalai was also found in 1 of 2 (50%) Popes emo skinks (Emoia popei) from PNG. One of 13 (8%) white-bellied copper-striped skinks (Emoia cyanura), from Fiji, was passing another undescribed species of Isospora in its feces. Oocysts of Isospora casei n. sp. were elongate, 31.8 × 21.3 (28–35 × 18–24) μm, with a bilayered wall and a L/W index of 1.5. Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule were all absent. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 15.3 × 10.6 (14–16 × 10–12) μm, with a L/W index of 1.4. Stieda and sub-Stieda bodies were present, but para-Stieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum consisted of scattered globules among sporozoites or as a cluster surrounding sporozoites. Sporozoites were elongate with spheroidal anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Isospora casei was also found in 1 of 2 (50%) Fiji slender treeskinks (Emoia concolor) from Fiji. This represents the first report of coccidia from Emoia spp. and, to our knowledge, the initial documentation of reptilian coccidia from herpetofauna from Papua New Guinea.

Three new species of coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from skinks, Lipinia spp. (Sauria: Scincidae), from Oceania.

Abstract:u2003 Between September 1991 and March 1993, 25 moth skinks (Lipinia noctua) were collected from various localities on the Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and Vanuatu and examined for coccidians. In addition, a single Rouxs lipinia skink (Lipinia rouxi) was collected from PNG and examined for coccidia. Sixteen (64%) L. noctua were found to harbor 2 new eimerians, and L. rouxi harbored another new Eimeria sp. Oocysts of Eimeria lipinia n. sp. from 9 (36%) L. noctua from the Cook Islands, Fiji, and PNG were subspherical with a bilayered wall and measured (L × W) 18.6 × 16.9 μm, with a L/W ratio of 1.1. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar granule was present. Oocysts of Eimeria melanesia n. sp. from 6 (24%) L. noctua from Fiji and Vanuatu and a single L. rouxi from PNG were subspherical to ellipsoidal with a bilayered wall and measured 19.8 × 17.5 μm, and L/W was 1.1. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a single or fragmented polar granule was present. Oocysts of Eimeria lessoni n. sp. from 1 (4%) L. noctua from PNG were cylindroidal with a bilayered wall and measured 28.1 × 15.7 μm, and L/W was 1.8. Both micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a single polar granule was present. These represent the third report of Eimeria spp. reported from any host on PNG and the only coccidians, to our knowledge, ever described from L. noctua and L. rouxi and from the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

Endoparasites of the Spotted Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus conanti (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from Southern Arkansas, U.S.A

Twenty-six spotted dusky salamanders (Desmognathus conanti) were collected from 2 counties of south-central Arkansas and examined for endoparasites. Only 3 (12%) were infected; 1 with the digene Brachycoelium salamandrae, 1 with a tetrathyridium of the cestode Mesocestoides sp., and 1 with a larval nematode, Porrocaecum sp., and an acanthocephalan cystacanth. The prevalence of infection for each helminth species was 4%. We document new host records for Mesocestoides sp., Porrocaecum sp., and an echinorhynchid acanthocephalan cystacanth. This is also the first time that Porrocaecum sp. has been reported from a salamander, and only the fourth time Mesocestoides sp. has been reported from salamanders.

Parasites of the Ozark Zig-Zag Salamander, Plethodon angusticlavius (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from Northern Arkansas

ABSTRACT: Fifty-one Ozark zig-zag salamanders (Plethodon angusticlavius) were collected from 6 counties of northern Arkansas and examined for parasites. Eighteen (35%) were infected with 1 or more helminth or ectoparasite, including 6 (12%) with the cestode Cylindrotaenia americana, 1 (2%) with the capillarid nematode Amphibiocapillaria tritonispunctati, 12 (24%) with the oxyurid nematode Batracholandros magnavulvaris, and 1 (2%) with chiggers, Hannemania dunni. Three (6%) were multiply infected with C. americana and B. magnavulvaris or C. americana and H. dunni. We document new host records for C. americana, B. magnavulvaris, A. tritonispunctati, and H. dunni.

A new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the eastern pipistrelle, Perimyotis subflavus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in Arkansas.

abstract:u2003 During November 2009 and March 2010, 20 adult eastern pipistrelles, Perimyotis (u200a=u200aPipistrellus) subflavus, were collected from Polk County, Arkansas, and their feces were examined for coccidian parasites. Two (10%) of the bats were found to be passing oocysts of an undescribed species of Eimeria. Oocysts of Eimeria heidti n. sp. were ovoidal to ellipsoidal, 26.1 × 20.5 µm (23–31 × 18–23 µm), with a bilayered wall, externally rough, internally smooth, and with a shape index of 1.3. Micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a subspherical polar granule was often present. Sporocysts were ovoidal, 13.0 × 8.8 µm (11–15 × 7–13 µm), the shape index was 1.6, a Stieda body was present and sub-Stieda and para-Stieda bodies were absent. A sporocyst residuum consisting of multiple globules dispersed along the perimeter of the sporocyst and between the sporozoites were present, sporozoites were elongate, with a subspherical anterior refractile body and elongate posterior refractile body; a nucleus not discernible. This is the second coccidian reported from this host and the fourth instance of a coccidian species reported from an Arkansas bat.

Endoparasites (Cestoidea, Nematoda, Pentastomida) of Reptiles (Sauria, Ophidia) from the Republic of Namibia

Abstract Two hundred twenty-two individual reptiles (11 families, 45 species) from 17 districts of Namibia were examined for endoparasites. Thirty-three (31 lizards, 2 snakes) individuals (15%) were found to harbor at least 1 species of helminth; 4 lizards harbored a multiple infection of 2 helminths, 1 lizard was infected with 3 species, and 1 lizard harbored a multiple infection of 5 species. One species of linstowiid cestode, 12 species of nematodes representing 6 families, and 1 species of cephalobaenid pentastomid were found in the herpetofauna surveyed. Twenty-seven new host and 8 new geographic records are documented for helminths of Namibian reptiles.

A new caryosporan and eimerian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from green anoles, Anolis carolinensis (Sauria: Dactyloidae), from Arkansas and Louisiana, with a summary of the coccidia of Dactyloidae.

Abstract: Between April 2012 and September 2013, feces from 18 green anoles, Anolis carolinensis from Arkansas (n = 14), Louisiana (n = 1), and Oklahoma (n = 3) were examined for coccidia. Two species of coccidians were found, including a new caryosporan and a new eimerian. Oocysts of Caryospora natchitochesensis n. sp. from a single A. carolinensis from Louisiana were subspheroidal to ovoidal with a smooth, yellow-to-brown–pigmented, bilayered wall of equal thickness (∼0.3–0.7) and measured (L × W) 13.1 × 12.3 μm, with a length/width (L/W) ratio of 1.1. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but a polar granule was present. Sporocysts were ovoidal and measured 10.1 × 7.4 μm, L/W was 1.4. A Stieda body (∼1.0 μm) was present, but substieda and parastieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of dispersed granules or globules among sporozoites. Oocysts of Eimeria robisoni n. sp. from 1 of 12 (8%) green anoles from Arkansas were ellipsoidal with a smooth, unilayered wall (∼0.4–0.5) and measured (L × W) 14.5 × 10.5 μm, with L/W ratio of 1.4. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent, but 1–4 (usually 2) polar granules were present. Sporocysts were subspheroidal to ovoidal and measured 5.8 × 4.9 μm, L/W was 1.2. Stieda, substieda, and parastieda bodies were absent. The sporocyst residuum was composed of dispersed granules between sporozoites. None of the anoles from Oklahoma was found to be passing oocysts. This is the second time an eimerian and a caryosporan have been reported from green anoles. A summary of the coccidians of lizards of the family Dactyloidae is provided, with special emphasis on the Anolis of the United States.

A New Host and Three New Geographic Distribution Records for Trematodes (Digenea: Lecithodendriidae) from the Eastern Pipistrelle, Perimyotis subflavus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in Arkansas, U.S.A.

Abstract Twenty eastern pipistrelles (Perimyotis subflavus) were collected in November 2009 and March 2010 from an abandoned mine in Polk County, Arkansas, U.S.A., and examined for helminths. Fifteen (75%) were infected with 1 or more lecithodendriid trematodes, including 2 (10%) with Acanthatrium eptesici, 13 (65%) with Acanthatrium pipistrelli, 5 (25%) with Ochoterenatrema breckenridgei, and 2 (10%) with Paralecithodendrium naviculum; 7 (35%) were multiply infected with 2 trematode species. We document a new host record for P. naviculum, and A. eptesici, O. breckenridgei, and P. naviculum are reported from Arkansas for the first time. We also include a summation of the endoparasites of Perimyotis subflavus.

New Host and Distributional Records for Cryptosporidium sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) from Lizards (Sauria: Gekkonidae, Scincidae) from the Cook Islands and Vanuatu, South Pacific

ABSTRACT: Between 1991 and 1993, 295 lizards, comprising 21 species in 2 families (Gekkonidae, Scincidae) from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Palau, Takapoto, and Vanuatu in the South Pacific, were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Only 6 lizards (2%) were found to be passing Cryptosporidium oocysts in their feces, including 2 of 30 (7%) Oceania geckos, Gehyra oceanica, from Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and 4 of 26 (15%) Pacific blue-tailed skinks, Emoia caeruleocauda, from Efate Island, Vanuatu. This represents the largest survey for Cryptosporidium in Pacific island lizards, and we document 2 new host and 2 new locality records for this parasite genus.