Parasites of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) and gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) from the eastern high plains of New Mexico.

Three prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) and two gopher snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus sayi) from the eastern high plains of New Mexico (USA) were examined for parasites. One cestode (Oochoristica osheroffi), and two nematode (Kalicephalus inermis and Physoloptera retusa) species were recovered from two infected rattlesnakes. One female gopher snake was infected with two nematode (K. inermis and Rhabdias spp.) and one mite (Entonyssus halli) species.

Ectoparasites of sympatric cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii Nelson) and jack rabbits (Lepus californicus Mearns) from the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

Eight species of ectoparasites were recovered from 35 Sylvilagus audubonii and 35 Lepus californicus occurring sympatrically near the Clovis-Portales area of eastern New Mexico. Recovered were Anoplura (Haemodipsus setoni), Diptera (Cuterebra lepusculi and Cuterebra ruficrus), Siphonaptera (Echidnophaga gallinacea and Euhoplopsyllus glacialis), and Acari (Ornithodoros parkeri, Dermacentor parumapertus, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris). Jaccard's index showed a 50% ectoparasitic overlap with H. setoni, E. glacialis, D. parumapertus, and H. leporispalustris present on both host species. Cuterebra lepusculi, E. gallinacea, and Ornithodoros parkeri were taken only from S. audubonii, whereas C. ruficrus occurred only on jack rabbits. Euhoplopsyllus glacialis was the only species to demonstrate a preference for sex of host, occurring more abundantly on females.

Helminths of sympatric black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californicus) and desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) from the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

Thirty-five desert cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii) and 35 black-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus californicus), occurring sympatrically near the Clovis-Portales area of eastern New Mexico were infected with four species of Eucestoda (adults of Raillietina salmoni and Raillietina selfi, larvae of Taenia pisiformis and Taenia serialis). Raillietina salmoni and T. pisiformis more commonly infected S. audubonii. Raillietina selfi was found in near equal prevalence in both host species. Taenia serialis was recovered only from L. californicus. Thus, three of the four helminth species were shared by both lagomorphs (Jaccard's coefficient = 75). Female hosts were most heavily infected with R. selfi and Taenia serialis.

Systematics and evolution of the genus Paraceroglyphus and related taxa (Acari: Acaridae) associated with fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera).

Collections of fleas from terrestrial Sciuridae from New Mexico and Montana yielded 2 species of acarid mites: Acarus monopsyllus from Ceratophyllus ciliatus and Paraceroglyphus cynomydis n. sp. from 4 species of Oropsylla. The genera Acarus, Paraceroglyphus, and Trichopsyllopus form a clade distinct from other genera of flea-associated mites, with Paraceroglyphus the sister group of the other 2 genera. Paraceroglyphus cynomydis is the sister group of a clade comprising P. xenopsylla and possibly P. californicus, with P. meles as the nearest outgroup.

Helminths of sympatric populations of kangaroo rats (Dipodomys ordii) and grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) from the high plains of eastern New Mexico.

During a 1-yr period 124 Dipodomys ordii and 92 Onychomys leucogaster were trapped from the same locality and were examined for helminths. Only 1 cestode species (Catenotaenia linsdalei) was recovered from D. ordii, whereas O. leucogaster was infected with 2 nematoda (Litomosoides carinii, Mastophorus muris), 2 cestoda (Hymenolepis citelli, and 1 unknown), and 1 acanthocephalan (Moniliformis clarki) species. All represent new host and distribution records.

New host record and notes on mallophaga from the white-necked raven (Corvus cryptoleucus Couch).

Fifty-eight white-necked ravens (Corvus cryptoleucus) were examined for ectoparasites. Brueelia afzali and Philopterus ocellatus osborni were the most abundant mallophagans while Colpocephalum fregili and Myrsidea interruptus were the least common. The white-necked raven is listed as a new host for P. ocellatus osborni. Host sexual selection is indicated by statistical treatment of data obtained from ecologically distinct host populations.