Hematology as Related to Diving Characteristics of Elaphe obsoleta, Nerodia erythrogaster, Nerodia Fasciata and Nerodia rhombifera

The diving capabilities of Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster and Nerodia fasciata confluens were investigated and the results were compared with similar studies on Nerodia rhombifera rhombifera and Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta (Baeyens et al., 1978). In addition, morphological and hematological parameters contributing to underwater survival were examined. The duration of underwater survival for N. erythrogaster and N. fasciata was approximately one hour with no difference between the species. The lung volumes of the two species were also similar but were significantly less than lung volumes reported for E. obsoleta. There were no significant differences in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count or hematocrit between N. rhombifera, N. erythrogaster, N. fasciata, and E. obsoleta. Based on similarities in underwater tolerance, lung morphology and hematology, Nerodia more closely resembles the terrestrial E. obsoleta than those reptiles specifically adapted to an underwater existance

Additional Records of Acanthocephalan Parasites from Arkansas Fishes, with New Records from Missouri Fishes

Over the last decade, our research consortium has provided information on acanthocephalan parasites of Arkansas vertebrates, including records from some of the state’s fishes. Here, we continue to provide data on new geographic and new host records of acanthocephalans from Arkansas fishes. In addition, for the first time, we report records of acanthocephalans for some Missouri fishes. We document 2 new state records as well as 10 new host records for some fish acanthocephalans

An Annotated Checklist of the Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) of Arkansas

Prior to the present study, 56 species with 3 additional subspecies for a total of 59 different taxa of crayfishes were recognized from Arkansas. We add a single species (Carmel Crayfish, Fallicambarus schusteri) to that list, subtract a documented synonym (Procambarus ferrugenius = Procambarus liberorum), update the classification to better reflect recent phylogenetic insights, and provide an updated annotated checklist of the 59 crayfish taxa of presently known from the state. There are 8 endemic species in Arkansas, including the Bayou Bodcau Crayfish (Bouchardina robisoni), Boston Mountains Crayfish (Cambarus causeyi), Hell Creek Cave Crayfish (C. zophonastes), Jefferson County Crayfish (Creaserinus gilpini), Ouachita Burrowing Crayfish (Fallicambarus harpi), Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish (F. petilicarpus), Saline Burrowing Crayfish (F. strawni), and Redspotted Stream Crayfish (Faxonius acares). There are also 2 federally endangered species, the Benton County Cave Crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum) and the Hell Creek Cave Crayfish (C. zophonastes) that inhabit Arkansas karst habitat. We expect that additional species will be included in the list with further DNA analyses

Leech Parasitism of the Gulf Coast Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina major (Testudines:Emydidae) in Mississippi, USA

Ten leeches were collected from a Gulf Coast box turtle, Terrapene carolina major, found crossing a road in Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, USA. Eight of the leeches were identified as Placobdella multilineata and 2 were identified as Helobdella europaea. This represents the second vouchered report of leeches from a box turtle. Helobdella europaea is reported for the first time associated with a turtle and for the second time from the New World

The Ticks (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodida) of Arkansas

Although ticks are a nuisance to humans and other animals, they are an important part of the biota of North America. In addition, they are vectors of many tick-borne disease agents that can negatively affect higher vertebrates. In Arkansas, there have been no recent comprehensive summaries of the ticks (Acari: Ixodida) in the last 40+ yrs. Here, we provide a summary of the ticks of the state and note the disease agents they can transmit

Ecto- and Endoparasites of the Texas Deermouse, Peromyscus attwateri and Eastern Woodrat, Neotoma floridana (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Polk County, Arkansas

In Arkansas, the Texas deermouse (Peromyscus attwateri) occurs in the western part of the state where it is restricted to the uplands of the Interior Highlands. The eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana) is found statewide but is less common in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Very little is known about the parasites of either rodent in Arkansas, especially helminths from P. attwateri at any locality within its range. Found in/on P. attwateri were a coccidian (Eimeria langbarteli), a tapeworm (Catenotaenia peromysci), a nematode (Syphacia peromysci), 2 ticks (Dermacenter variabilis and Ixodes scapularis), and 2 mites (Androlaelaps fahrenholzi and Leptotrombidium peromysci). Eastern woodrats harbored 3 nematodes (Eucoelus sp., Longistriata neotoma, and Trichurus neotomae), a larval bot fly (Cuterebra americana), and a flea (Orchopeas pennsylvanicus). We document 6 new host and 5 new distributional records for these parasites