Abstract
Fifty-six speckled rattlesnakes, Crotalus mitchellii, from western North America were examined for helminths. One species of Cestoda (tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp.) and 5 species of Nematoda (gravid adults of Abbreviata terrapenis, Physaloptera abjecta, Thubunaea cnemidophorus, and Travassoascaris araujoi and larvae ofPhysocephalus sp.) were found. Travassoascaris araujoi had the highest prevalence and greatest mean intensity of helminths infecting C. mitchellii. Three new host records forC. mitchellii are reported. As has been reported for other North American rattlesnakes,C. mitchellii is parasitized by “generalist” helminths.
Cincuenta y seis Viboras de Cascabel (Cascabeles Pintítas, Crotalus mitchellii) del oeste de América del Norte fueron examínadas para determiner la presencia de helmintos. Se encontró una especie de Cestoda (larvas de Mesocestoides sp.) y cinco especíes de Nematoda (adultos grávidos de Abbreviata terrapenis, Physaloptera abjecta, Thubunaea cnemidophorus y Travassoascaris araujoi y larvas de Physocephalus sp.).Travassoascaris araujoi tuvo la prevalencia más alta y la intensidad promedio mayor de helmintos que infectan a C. mitchellii. Se documentan tres nuevos records de C. mitchellii. Como ha sido reportado para otras Viboras de Cascabel de América del Norte, C. mitchellii es infectada por parásitos helmintos “generalistas.”
Recommended Citation
Goldberg, Stephen R.; Bursey, Charles R.; and Glaudas, Xavier
(2013)
"Helminths of the speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchellii (Squamata: Viperidae),"
Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 73:
No.
4, Article 14.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol73/iss4/14