Jean-Jay Mao

Origin of the Helminth Community of an Exotic Invasive Lizard, the Brown Anole, Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Polychrotidae), in Southwestern Taiwan

Abstract: Composition of the helminth community of the brown anole, Anolis sagrei, an exotic invasive species in Taiwan, was studied to identify the emigration point of this lizard. A total of 5,757 helminths was found, of which 5,734 (99.6%) were the nematode Cyrtosomum penneri. Also found were the digenean Mesocoelium monas (21, 0.4%) and one each of the nematodes Parapharyngodon sp. (female) and Acuariidae gen. sp. (larva). Cyrtosomum penneri has previously been reported in A. sagrei in Florida, supporting the contention that the Taiwan population of A. sagrei originated from Florida. This report provides a basis upon which future A. sagrei parasite studies in Taiwan can be based, and a helminth list for A. sagrei is included for future reference.

The nematode cosmocerca ornata from the ornamented pygmy frog, microhyla fissipes, and dark-sided chorus frog, microhyla heymonsi, from Taiwan (R.O.C.) and a summation of helminth records from these hosts

ABSTRACT: Microhyla fissipes and Microhyla heymonsi are common anurans in lowland plains to low montane regions in most parts of Taiwan. Five Microhyla fissipes and 7 Microhyla heymonsi from southwestern Taiwan were examined for helminths. A nematode, Cosmocerca ornata, was the only helminth species found. This report is the first record of this nematode species from Taiwan and also confirms infection of M. fissipes by C. ornata and documents M. heymonsi as a new host record for C. ornata. Herein, updated helminth lists for M. fissipes and M. heymonsi are provided.

Gastrointestinal Helminths of the Marshland Frog, Fejervarya limnocharis (Anura: Ranidae), from Taiwan, R.O.C

ABSTRACT: Eight Fejervarya limnocharis from southwestern Taiwan were examined for helminths. Two species of Nematoda, Cosmocerca ornata and Oswaldocruzia hoepplii, and 1 species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis, were found. A survey of helminths infecting other populations of F. limnocharis indicates that this frog is infected by generalist helminths that also infect a variety of other anurans. Taiwan is a new locality record for P. bufonis.

Gastrointestinal Helminths of the Hong Kong Whipping Frog, Polypedates megacephalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), from Northern Taiwan, Republic of China

ABSTRACT: Forty-five individuals of Polypedates megacephalus were collected from northern Taiwan for dietary analysis. The helminths from 10 infected sampled specimens included representatives of 1 species of Acanthocephala, Pseudoacanthocephalus bufonis, and 2 species of Nematoda, Cosmocerca ornata and Oswaldocruzia hoepplii. Polypedates megacephalus is a new host record for both C. ornata and O. hoepplii.

Oviposition and Early Growth of Unfed Neonates of the Mountain Wolf Snake Lycodon ruhstrati ruhstrati (Squamata: Colubridae)

ABSTRACT A captive female mountain wolf snake (Lycodon ruhstrati ruhstrati) from Taiwan laid ten eggs (length=35.22 mm, width=10.08 mm, and mass=2.5 g on average) on 26 August 2002. Eight of these eggs hatched after 49 days, and six hatchlings survived. During the first month, these surviving neonates (snoutvent length [SVL]= 156.8 mm, tail length [TL]=56.9 mm, and body mass [BM]=2.2 g on average at hatching), left unfed, grew in average by 10.4% in SVL and 8.5% in TL, but lost 13.8% of BM. Another Taiwanese female, collected on 18 February 2006 as a road-kill, had eight eggs in the oviducts.

Notes on Kiricephalus pattoni Nymphs Within Subcutaneous Lumps in Some Squamates from the Same Locality in Southwestern Taiwan, Republic of China

ABSTRACT: Forty-four Kiricephalus pattoni (Stephens, 1908) nymphs were recorded as subcutaneous lumps in 2 lizard and 2 snake species, collected from the wild in southwestern Taiwan. The number of nymphs collected from under the epidermis of each animal ranged in the snakes from 1 to 22, whereas in lizards it ranged from 1 to 6. The lizard Plestiodon elegans represents a new host record for K. pattoni.