Eimeria lancasterensis (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), Three Nematodes (Heligmosomoidea: Boehmiellidae, Heligmonellidae), and a Flea (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae) from the Eastern Fox Squirrel, Sciurus niger (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Arkansas

Abstract

In Arkansas, the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a common inhabitant of the state. Although information is available on ectoparasites of this host in Arkansas, little is known about the endoparasites of this squirrel. A single specimen from Montgomery County was examined and found to harbor the following: a coccidian (Eimeria lancasterensis), three nematodes, Boehmiella wilsoni, Citellinema bifurcatum, and Sciurodendrium hassalli, and a flea, Orchopeas howardi. We document these nematodes from an Arkansas S. niger for the first time, and add mensural and molecular information on E. lancasterensis from this host.