The Haematozoa of Australian Reptiles.

Abstract

Trypanosomes are known from tortoises, a gecko, and skinks, Trypanosoma phylluri from Phyllurus platurus, and T. egerniae from Egernia striolata and E. cunninghami being new. There is an old record of a trypanosome in a snake, but the organism has not been rediscovered. Haemogregarines are common in all groups. Names had already been given to 2 from tortoises (one of which is regarded as a synonym), 4 from lizards, and 10 from snakes in Australia. Three species described from snakes in Asia have been added, and 15 new species are described from the following type hosts : Haemogregarina heteronotae from Heteronota binoei; Hg. palmeri from Physignathus lesueurii; Hg. taeniolati from Sphenomorphus taeniolatus; Hg. cunninghami, Hg, egerniae, and Hg. obscura from Egernia cunninghami; Hg. johnstoni from Varanus varius varius; Hg. breinli and Hg, gilruthi from Varanus tristis orientalis; Hg. stegonoti from Stegonotus plumbeus; Hg. boigae from Boiga fusca; Hg. australis and Hg. eidsvoldensis fom Pseudechis australis; Hg. denisoniae from Denisonia pallidiceps; Hg. aspidomorphi from Aspidomorphus harriettae. Two species of Plasmodium are known from lizards, P. egerniae from Egernia major major being new. The genus Haemocystidium is revived, one species being recognized in freshwater tortoises and one in geckos. Pirhemocyton has been found in two species of geckos and a carpet snake.