Gastrointestinal Helminths in Amietia sp. (Anura: Pyxicephalidae) from the Albertine Rift of Central Africa.

Fourteen Amietia sp. (Pyxicephalidae), from the Albertine Rift of Democratic Republic of the Congo were examined for helminths. Five species of Nematoda were found: Amphibiophilus chabaudi, Aplectana praeputialis, Falcaustra congoensis, Foleyellides duboisi and Orneoascaris chrysanthemoides. Amphibiophilus chabaudi was the most numerous nematode (n = 40) with the highest prevalence (57 %). Five new host records are reported.

A Contribution to the Nematode Fauna of Two Agamid Lizards from Afghanistan.

Information on the recent herpetological and related parasitological collections are very rarely available for Afghanistan. We examined two species of the family Agamidae, Laudakia nuristanica and Paralaudakia caucasia for the presence of the intestinal helminth fauna. Overall, we examined 13 specimens of these lizards and found three species of helminths (Abbreviata achari, Thelandros masaae, T. taylori) in a single specimen of L. nuristanica and four species (A. achari, T. baylisi, T. taylori, P. kasauli) in three specimens of P. caucasia. Here in, we present the first report on the helminth fauna from L. nuristanica, record a new helminth host for P. caucasia and three new country records for the helminth fauna of Afghanistan.

A new species of Parapharyngodon (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) and other helminths in Typhlosaurus lineatus (Squamata: Scincidae), from southern Africa.

Parapharyngodon baueri n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestine of the legless skink, Typhlosaurus lineatus, is described and illustrated. Parapharyngodon baueri is the 42nd species assigned to the genus and differs from other species in the genus by possessing four pairs of caudal papillae, no cloacal lip adornment, and a sharply pointed spicule of 79-98 microm. The cestode, Oochoristica truncata, the nematode, Thubunaea fitzsimonsi, third-stage nematode larvae and acanthocephalan cystacanths were also present.

Helminths in Mesaspis monticola (Squamata: Anguidae) from Costa Rica, with the description of a new species of Entomelas (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) and a new species of Skrjabinodon (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae).

Entomelas duellmani n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) from the lungs and Skrjabinodon cortagoensis n. sp. (Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae) from the intestines of Mesaspis monticola (Sauria: Anguidae) are described and illustrated. E. duellmani is the sixth species assigned to the genus and is the third species described from the Western Hemisphere. It is easily separated from other neotropical species in the genus by pre-equatorial position of its vulva. Skrjabinodon cartagoensis is the 24th species assigned to the genus and differs from other neotropical species in the genus by female tail morphology.

Metacercariae of Clinostomum attenuatum in Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium, Bufo cognatus and Spea multiplicata from west Texas.

Tissues from barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium), Great Plains toads (Bufo cognatus) and New Mexico spadefoots (Spea multiplicata) collected from 16 playa wetlands in Texas during 1999 and 2000 were examined by light microscopy. Digenean cysts were primarily distributed subcutaneously throughout the specimens and occasionally coelomic invasion was noted. The parasites within the cysts were 1.5-2 mm in diameter, with a thin (c. 10 microm wide) eosinophilic-staining tegument, two suckers (oral and ventral), posteriorly located primordial genitalia and paired digestive caeca. These digeneans were identified as the metacercariae of Clinostomum attenuatum. This is the first record of Clinostomum attenuatum in these amphibian species.

Helminth communities of two sympatric skinks (Mabuya agilis and Mabuya macrorhyncha) from two "restinga" habitats in southeastern Brazil.

The helminth fauna of two sympatric congeneric skinks (Mabuya agilis and M. macrorhyncha) from two distinct "restinga" habitats (Praia das Neves and Grussaí) in southeastern Brazil were studied, totalling four data sets (sample sizes ranging from 11 to 28). A total of ten helminth species were associated with the skinks: Raillietiella sp., Paradistomum parvissimum, Pulchrosomoides elegans, Oochoristica ameivae, Hexametra boddaertii, Parapharyngodon sceleratus, Physalopteroides venancioi, Physaloptera sp., an unidentified acuariid nematode and an unidentified centrorhynchid acanthocephalan. Except for Hexametra boddaertii (found only in Grussaí) and Pulchrosomoides elegans (found only in Praia das Neves), all helminth species were present at both localities. Half of the helminth species were present only as larvae and, in most cases, appear to represent paratenic parasitism. Overall prevalences of infection were high for both host species in both localities. Mabuya agilis tended to have richer and more diverse infracommunities than M. macrorhyncha. Some parameters of infection by individual helminth species seem to be related to the ecology of each Mabuya species. The parasite faunas were qualitatively very similar among species and/or localities, but quantitative similarities were more varied, due to differential representativeness of individual helminth species among host populations. The helminth communities of both skink species can be classified as non-interactive, being composed of site-specialists and immature stages of non-lizard parasites.

Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum (Caudata: Ambystomatidae) from Washington State, USA.

Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from the intestine of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum melanostictum is described and illustrated. Falcaustra washingtonensis n. sp. represents the 14th nearctic species assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other nearctic species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae and number of posterior muscle groups of the male: 10 pairs of sessile caudal papillae--3 pairs precloacal, 1 pair adcloacal, 6 pairs postcloacal--and 5 posterior muscle groups.

Intestinal helminths of four species of skinks (Mabuya) (Sauria: Scincidae) from southern Africa.

Intestinal helminths are reported from four species of scincid lizards from southern Africa: Mabuya occidentalis, Mabuya spilogaster, Mabuya striata and Mabuya variegata. The helminth fauna consisted of one species of Cestoda, Oochoristica truncata and five species of Nematoda, Abbreviata paradoxa, Maxvachonia dimorpha, Parapharyngodon rotundatus, Spauligodon petersi and Thubunaea fitzsimonsi. All findings represent new host records. Ascarid larvae were also found. It appears that Mabuya is infected by generalist helminths that occur in other species of African lizards.

Helminths of the horned leaf frog, Proceratophrys appendiculata, from southeastern Brazil.

The helminth fauna of the horned leaf frog, Proceratophrys appendiculata (Anura: Leptodactylidae), was studied from 17 adult individuals from an island in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. A total of five nematode species (Aplectana delirae, Cosmocerca brasiliense, Schulzia travassosi, Rhabdias androgyna and Physaloptera sp.) and an unidentified cestode were recovered from the digestive tract, lungs and gall bladder of P. appendiculata and all the nematode species are new host records. Aplectana delirae had the highest values for the prevalence and intensity of infection and can thus be considered a core species in the helminth community of P. appendiculata. Aplectana crossodactyli Baker, 1980 is synonymized with Aplectana delirae (Fabio, 1971). The helminth fauna of P. appendiculata presents characteristics typical of those in amphibians.

Falcaustra lowei n. sp. and other helminths from the Tarahumara frog, Rana tarahumarae (Anura: Ranidae), from Sonora, Mexico.

Seventy-four specimens of Falcaustra lowei n. sp. were recovered from the intestines of 9 of 42 (21%) Tarahumara frogs. Rana tarahumarae, from Sonora, Mexico. F. lowei is the 14th Nearctic species to be described and belongs to that group of species possessing a pseudosucker, namely F. catesbeianae, F. chabaudi, F. chelydrae, F. mexicana, and F. wardi. The new species can be readily differentiated from these by the arrangement of caudal papillae and length of spicules. Priority description of F. affinis is established and F. concinnae is removed from synonymy with F. affinis. In addition to F. lowei, 3 species of Digenea, Glypthelmins quieta, Haematoloechus breviplexus, Langeronia macrocirra; 1 species of Eucestoda, Ophiotaenia magna; 7 species of Nematoda, F. inglisi, Foleyellides striatus, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, Rhabdias ranae, Subulascaris falcaustriformis, Physaloptera sp. (larvae): and 1 species of Acanthocephala, an unidentified oligacanthorhynchid cystacanth, were found.

Physalopteroides arnoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteroidea) and other intestinal helminths of the mourning gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris (Sauria: Gekkonidae), from Arno Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Oceania.

Physalopteroides arnoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Physalopteroidea) from the intestinal tract of the gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris is described and illustrated. Physalopteroides arnoensis is the 18th species to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 22 posterior subventral pedunculated papillae; 8 precloacal papillae in symmetrical pairs; 14 postcloacal papillae, 6 papillae immediately postcloacal in symmetrial pairs and remaining 8 papillae asymmetrically placed, 3 on right, 5 on left. Other helminths found include Pharyngodon lepidodactylus, Hedruris hanleyae, Maxvachonia chabaudi, and larvae of Ascarops sp. Our review of Physalopteroides removes all subspecies designations; Physalopteroides minor Caballero, 1969 n. comb is proposed.

Thubunaea dactyluris Sensu Fabio and Rolas, a synonym of Physalopteroides venancioi (Spirurida, Physalopteridae).

Specimens of Thubunaea dactyluris Karve, 1938 sensu Fabio and Rolas, 1974 from the lizard Ameiva ameiva of Brazil and types of Physalopteroides venancioi (Lent, Freitas, and Proença, 1946) from the toad Bufo paracnemis of Paraguay were re-examined. The male caudal papillae and the tooth arrangement demonstrated that these specimens were conspecific and are all assigned to P. venancioi. The occurrence of Physalopteroides dactyluris (Karve, 1938), a nematode parasite of lizards of India and Turkmenistan, is invalidated for Brazil.

Transport of helminths to Hawaii via the brown anole, Anolis sagrei (Polychrotidae).

Sixty-two brown anoles, Anolis sagrei, from Oahu, Hawaii were examined for helminths. Anolis sagrei was introduced to Hawaii, presumably from the Caribbean. Two species of trematodes, Mesocoelium monas and Platynosomum fastosum, 3 species of nematodes, Atractis scelopori, Physaloptera squamatae, and Physocephalus sp., 1 acanthocephalan, Acanthocephalus bufonis, and 1 pentastome, Raillietiellafrenatus, were found. Atractis scelopori and P. squamatae, previously unknown in Hawaii, are widely distributed in the Caribbean and were most likely transported to Hawaii with the introduced anoles. Mesocoelium monas, P. fastosum, Physocephalus sp., A. bufonis, and R. frenatus have been previously reported from Hawaiian herptiles; A. sagrei most likely acquired infections of these parasites from Hawaiian populations. This study indicates that helminths can be transported with their introduced hosts and become established in the colonized areas and that introduced lizards may quickly acquire species of previously established helminthes.

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from Hemidactylus garnotii (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Cook Islands, Oceania.

Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. (Nematoda: Hedruridae) from the stomach of Hemidactylus garnotii collected in 1989 on Atiu, Cook Islands is described and illustrated. Hedruris hanleyae n. sp. represents the 21st species to be assigned to the genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 10 pairs posterior subventral papillae; 2 pairs precloacal and 8 pairs postcloacal.

Falcaustra kutcheri n. sP. (nematoda: kathlaniidae) from Geoemyda yuwonoi (testudines: emydidae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Falcaustra kutcheri n. sp. (Nematoda: Kathlaniidae) from feces of the turtle Geoemyda yuwonoi is described and illustrated. Falcaustra kutcheri n. sp. represents the 68th species to be assigned to this genus and is distinguished from other oriental species by the distribution pattern of caudal papillae of the male: 10 pairs of sessile caudal papillae, 4 pairs precloacal, 1 pair adcloacal, 5 pairs postcloacal.

Spauligodon ovifilus n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) and other helminths from Diplodactylus stenodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Australia.

Spauligodon ovifilus n. sp. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from the large intestines of the gecko Diplodactylus stenodactylus is described and illustrated. Prevalence of infection was 50% (mean intensity 5.9 +/- 6.3, range 1-21). Spauligodon ovifilus n. sp. represents the thirty-fifth species to be assigned to this genus and is distinguished by the extremely long filament of the egg. This is the first report of species of Spauligodon from Australia. In addition, 1 gecko harbored 1 female of Wanaristrongylus papangawurpae, a new host record; 1 gecko harbored 1 encapsulated larva of Abbreviata sp. Review of species assigned to Spauligodon caused the reclassification of Spauligodon azerbajdzanicus to Skrjabinodon azerbajdzanicus n. comb.

Reclassification of Skrjabinodon anolis (Chitwood, 1934) Inglis, 1968 as Spauligodon anolis (Chitwood, 1934) n. comb. (Nematoda: Pharyngodonidae) from Anolis lizards of the Caribbean.

Parathelandros anolis Chitwood, 1934, Pharyngodon anolis (Chitwood, 1934) sensu Acholonu (1976), and Spauligodon caymanensis Bursey and Goldberg, 1995 have been reexamined from Anolis lizards (Polychrotidae) of the Caribbean. Study of the male caudal structures and of the egg demonstrate that these names represent a single species. The specimens are assigned to Spauligodon anolis (Chitwood, 1934) n. comb. Spauligodon caymanensis is considered a junior subjective synonym of S. anolis.

Helminths of the Canadian toad, Bufo hemiophrys (Amphibia: Anura), from Alberta, Canada.

Forty adult Bufo hemiophrys from Alberta, Canada, were examined for helminths. Four species were found: a trematode, Gorgoderina simplex, and 3 nematodes, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, and Rhabdias americanus. Rhabdias americanus had the highest prevalence of helminths (73%); C. variabilis had the highest mean intensity (26+/-33 SD). Bufo hemiophrys represents a new host record for each species of helminth.

Composition and structure of helminth communities of the salamanders, Aneides lugubris, Batrachoseps nigriventris, Ensatina eschscholtzii (Plethodontidae), and Taricha torosa (Salamandridae) from California.

Component helminth communities of Aneides lugubris (N=31), Batrachoseps nigriventris (N=63), Ensatina eschscholtzii (N=30), and Taricha torosa (N=68) from California were determined. The compound helminth community consisted of 1 species of cestode, Bitegmen gerrhonoti and 6 species of nematodes, Batracholandros salamandrae, Cosmocercoides variabilis, Falcaustra pretiosa, Megalobatrachonema gigantica, Oswaldocruzia pipiens, and Rhabdias joaquinensis. The least diverse infracommunities were associated with Batrachoseps nigriventris while T. torosa had the most diverse fauna. Only B. salamandrae occurred in each of the 4 component communities. Each of the other helminth species was harbored by a single host species. New host records for B. salamandrae in B. nigriventris and T. torosa; O. pipiens in A. lugubris; C. variabilis in E. eschscholtzii; F. pretiosa and M. gigantica in T. torosa are established.