Ecology of the Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella) in Southern Arkansas

We conducted an ecological study of the Squirrel Treefrog, Hyla squirella near El Dorado, Union Co., Arkansas from May-Oct. 2013. We extended the known distribution by ~2 km and documented the first breeding occurring on 28 May and the first transformation of juveniles on 27 Aug. Three endoparasites were documented: Opalina sp., Nyctotherus cordiformis, and Physaloptera sp. larvae. We also provide information on endoparasites of Florida H. squirella as well as a summary of helminths of this frog

Abnormalities in the Ozark Hellbender, (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) in Arkansas: A Comparison Between Two Rivers with a Historical Perspective

We documented abnormalities of Ozark hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) populations in the Eleven Point River (Randolph County, Arkansas) and the Spring River (Fulton County, Arkansas) as part of ongoing monitoring efforts in this species. We found abnormalities in 90% (9 of 10) and 40% (36 of 97) of hellbenders in the Spring River and Eleven Point River, respectively, during the 2003-2004 field seasons. Most abnormalities found in Eleven Point hellbenders were generally less invasive and seemed to be more intrinsic to the species\u27 natural history (i.e., vicissitudes of living), whereas those found in Spring River hellbenders were gross morphological aberrations. We compared the type and rate of observed abnormalities with those found in museum vouchers collected from the Spring River between 1970 and 1975. Abnormalities were found in 12.5% of the museum specimens from our Spring River localities. This rate is much higher than previously reported for hellbenders. The increase in the abnormality rate appears to be concurrent with the documented population decline observed in the Spring River. Our study illustrates an increasing trend of hellbenders exhibiting unusual morphological problems (e.g., epidermal papillomas, extreme abrasions/lacerations, fungal infections, etc.) and also stresses the need for inclusion of abnormalities observed in field data. The causes of hellbender abnormalities remain speculative; however, plausible explanations may be related to intraspecific interactions, anthropogenic interactions with the microhabitat, viral infections, non-point/point source pollution, and the preponderance of older individuals. These findings emphasize the need for a proactive conservation effort within this species

Hematozoan Parasites (Apicomplexa, Kinetoplastida) of Seven Arkansas Reptiles (Testudines, Ophidia)

Little is known concerning the hematozoan parasites of Arkansas reptiles. Although there are previous reports in the state of these intraerythrocytic parasites infecting various reptiles, additional research is sorely needed. Here, we attempt to augment that void by providing additional hosts infected by these apicomplexans, including the first report of a trypomastigote of a Trypanosoma sp. from an Arkansas turtle

Decadal-centennial scale monsoon variations in the Arabian Sea during the Early Holocene

An essential prerequisite for the prediction of future climate change due to anthropogenic input is an understanding of the natural processes that control Earth's climate on timescales comparable to human-lifespan. The Early Holocene period was chosen to study the natural climate variability in a warm interval when solar insolation was at its maximum. The monsoonal system of the Tropics is highly sensitive to seasonal variations in solar insolation, and consequently marine sediments from the region are a potential monitor of past climate change. Here we show that during the Early Holocene period rapid