Kiricephalus coarctatus (Pentastomida: Porocephalidae) from Orange-Striped Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis proximus proximus (Serpentes: Colubridae), from Arkansas, U.S.A., with a Summary of Ophidian Hosts of the Western Hemisphere

Abstract

Two adult orange-striped ribbonsnakes, Thamnophis proximus proximus, were collected from northern Arkansas and examined for helminths. A single snake harbored 4 specimens of the pentastomid, Kiricephalus coarctatus. We document a new host as well as a new distributional record for the parasite. This is only the second time a species of pentastomid has been reported from the state in any host. A summary of ophidian hosts of K. coarctatus from the Western Hemisphere is included.