Observations on Nematodes From West and Central Australian Snakes.

Abstract

Host and distribution records are presented of Spironoura fordoniae (Oxyuroidea), Camallanides cerberi (Camallanoidea) and Heliconema longissima (Physalopteroidea) in aquatic colubrid snakes, and of Ophidascaris pyrrhus (Ascaridoidea) in elapid snakes in Western Australia. In the case of O. pyrrhus highest prevalence of infection, and largest worms, were in the south-west part of the State, and the epidemiological evidence presented suggests that amphibians and reptiles may be intermediate hosts. Concurrent infection of O. pyrrhus and Abbreviata spp. was moderately significant in Notechis ater (P = 0.038) and in Echiopsis curta (P = 0.099). Hastospiculum drysdaliae, sp. nov. (Diplotriaenoidea) is described from Drysdalia coronata. It differs from other species in the genus in the absence of papillae at the anterior end, and in the number and conformation of pedunculate papillae at the posterior end in the male. A key to the species of Hastospiculum is provided.