Rhabdias filicaudalis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from the snake Spilotes pullatus (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Brazil.

Rhabdias filicaudalis n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from the lung of Spilotes pullatus (Serpentes: Colubridae) is described. The host snake was captured in the municipality of Avaré, São Paulo State, Brazil. Rhabdias filicaudalis n. sp. differs from all other species by the combination of the following characters: straight body, truncated anterior end, six weakly developed lips arranged in two opposite groups of three, pre-equatorial vulva, oesophagus length/body length ratio (%) 4.9-7.5 (5.8 +/- 0.6), nerve ring distance from anterior end/oesophagus length ratio (%) 36.9-61.1 (49.8 +/- 6.4), tail length/body length ratio (%) 3.0-5.5 (4.0 +/- 0.5), vulva distance from anterior end/body length ratio (%) 39.9-51.7 (45.9 +/- 3.5), and a cuticular filiform tail tip.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Strongyloides ophidiae (Nematoda, Strongyloididae).

The aim of the present study is to report morphological data from parasitic female, rhabditoid and filarioid larvae, free-living female worms and eggs of Strongyloides ophidiae (Nematoda, Strongyloididae). In addition, a molecular DNA analysis was carried out using a pool of eight S. ophidiae parasitic females. Samples were obtained from the small intestine of Oxyrhopus guibei (Serpentes, Colubridae) collected in the municipality of Lençóis Paulista, State of São Paulo, Brazil. DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) resulted in a 350 bp band for samples containing S. ophidiae and Strongyloides venezuelensis DNA. Strongyloides ophidiae nucleotide sequence analysis showed 98% similarity with Strongyloides procyonis and 97% with Strongyloides cebus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni and Strongyloides sp. from snakes.

New reports on parasitism by Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in Brazilian snakes

The occurrence of Haplometroides buccicola (Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) in the esophagus of two Brazilian snakes is reported in the present study. The trematodes were collected from one Micrurus corallinus (Elapidae) and one Phalotris lativittatus (Colubridae); both snakes were found in Botucatu city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Morphological and morphometric analyses of the trematodes are presented. For the first time Micrurus corallinus has been recorded as a host for H. buccicola and this is the second time that P. lativittatus has been reported as a host for this trematode species.

Frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in wild Crotalus durissus terrificus (serpentes, viperidae) from Botucatu region, São Paulo state, Brazil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of rhabdiasid nematodes in recently captured Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes from São Paulo State, Brazil. Fifty snakes (34 males and 16 females) were studied and each one was evaluated for the presence of that nematode at the moment of receipt at the Institution and after 90 days of quarantine inside individual cages. Tracheopulmonary washeswere examined. Snakes that died during quarantine underwent necropsy and lung examination. Analysis of the results obtained at the two evaluation times (0 and 90 days), in addition to the data obtained during necropsies, showed that 44 percent (18 males and 4 females) of the C. d. terrificus snakes were naturally infected by rhabdiasid nematodes. These data demonstrate the parasitism level in natural conditions and are important for the sanitary handling of these reptiles in captivity.

Report on the occurrence of Haplometroides buccicola (trematoda, digenea, plagiorchiidae) infecting Phalotris lativittatus (serpentes, colubridae) in Brazil

Haplometroides buccicola (Trematoda, Digenea, Plagiorchiidae) was reported in the mouth and oesophagus of Phalotris lativittatus (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. This is the first report on the occurrence of H. buccicola parasitizing P. lativittatus. The Haplometroides genus was also discussed and the most important morphological characters for the identification of the species H. buccicola and H. odhneri are presented

Prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae) among recently captured Brazilian snakes

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatozoon spp. infection in recently captured snakes from Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil. Blood was collected from all snakes by ventral tail venipuncture. Blood smears were air dried, fixed with methanol, and stained with 10 percent Giemsa solution. The slides were microscopically examined for detection of hemoparasites by light microscopy at 250x magnification. A total of 238 snakes from 23 species were examined, of which 135 (56.7 percent) were venomous and 103 (43.3 percent) non-venomous snakes. The more numerous venomous species sampled were Crotalus durissus terrificus (n=108) and Bothrops jararaca (n=17) and non-venomous snakes were Oxyrhopus guibei (n=35), Boa constrictor amarali (n=18), and Waglerophis merremi (n=13). Hepatozoon spp. infection was detected in 39 (16.4 percent) snakes. The prevalence in venomous and non-venomous snakes was 20.0 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively. The highest prevalences observed were 38.9 percent for Boa constrictor amarali, 35.3 percent for Bothrops jararaca, and 19.4 percent for Crotalus durissus terrificus.

Digenetic trematodes infection in a Bothrops moojeni (Viperidae) population from a fauna rescue in Porto Primavera, Säo Paulo State

No presente estudo é descrita a infecçäo por trematódeos digenéticos parasitas da cavidade oral e esôfago em uma populaçäo de serpentes Bothrops moojeni provenientes de resgate de fauna em Porto Primavera, Estado de Säo Paulo. Foi observada prevalência de infecçäo de 68 por cento. O grau de infecçäo (número de trematódeos por serpente) variou de 2 a 51 helmintos. Os trematódeos encontrados foram Ophisthogonimus spp. e Sticholecitha serpentis. A alta prevalência de infecçäo foi associada com a drástica alteraçäo ambiental e o estresse multi-fatorial aos quais os animais foram submetidos, que poderiam ter favorecido o ciclo dos parasitas

Trichomoniasis in Bothrops jararaca (Serpentes, Viperidae)

We describe a case of trichomoniasis in a Bothrops jararaca (Serpentes, Viperidae) donated to the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals - CEVAP/UNESP. The animal had diarrhea with great quantity of flagellated protozoa in the feces. Microscopic examination of fecal smears stained with Giemsa revealed the presence of trichomonads, morphologically similar to Trichomonas acosta. Trichomonas were not detected in fecal exams after treatment with a single dose of 40 mg/kg metronidazole (Flagyl).

Death of boa constrictor amarali (serpentes, boidae) after ingestion of a tree porcupine (Rodentia)

The objective of this paper is to report the death of a Boa constrictor amarali after ingestion of a tree porcupine. The animal was donated to the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP/UNESP) - and died in captivity. At necropsy, spine-like structures were observed in the stomach serosa and vicinity, and the stomach mucosa showed an intense reddish area, suggesting inflammation. The analysis of the spine-like structure revealed that they were tree porcupine spines. The feeding habits and inexperience of this Boa constrictor amarali in selecting its prey may have been be responsible for its death.

Isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus in a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) from Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil

This study reports the isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) in sputum of a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) kept in a serpentarium located in Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were performed for the identification of the isolated virus.