Helminths infecting the black false boa Pseudoboa nigra (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge about endoparasites of snakes is essential to understand the ecology of both parasites and hosts. Herein, we present information on helminths parasitizing the black false boa Pseudoboa nigra in northeastern Brazil. We examined 32 specimens from five Brazilian states (Ceara, Piaui, Pernambuco, Maranhao and Rio Grande do Norte). We found six helminths taxa: two acanthocephalans ( Acanthocephalus sp. and Oligacanthorhychus sp.), three nematodes ( Hexametra boddaertii, Physaloptera sp. and Physalopteroides venancioi ), and one cestode ( Ophiotaenia sp . ). All parasites are reported for the first time infecting P. nigra , providing relevant information on infection patterns in this snake.