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Teratological anomalies are congenital abnormalities manifested in the body structure of an organism because of developmental aberrations. These congenital abnormalities, also known as teratological forms, are rare in ticks (Ixodida) and include cases of asymmetries, atrophies, gynandromorphs, and schizomelies. Such teratological anomalies are underreported in Asia, as evidenced by the relatively few published works on this subject. Here, we describe five cases of teratological anomalies in the ixodid ticks Amblyomma cordiferum Neumann, Amblyomma helvolum Koch, and Dermacentor taiwanensis Sugimoto from Taiwan and the Philippines. These are the first records of teratologies in D. taiwanensis and A. cordiferum and only the second report for A. helvolum. Additionally, these are the first published accounts of teratological anomalies in ixodid species from Taiwan and the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research article, published in the journal Mitochondrial DNA Part B, discusses the discovery of the first recorded instance of an ixodid tick parasitizing the snake genus Pseudagkistrodon in Taiwan. The tick species, Amblyomma cordiferum, is commonly found on snakes but has also been observed on other reptiles and some mammals. This report highlights the first known case of A. cordiferum parasitizing P. rudis and the Pseudagkistrodon genus. The article suggests further research to determine if there are additional tick species associated with P. rudis. [Extracted from the article]

Amblyomma helvolum Koch is an Asiatic reptile-associated tick that usually inhabits tropical forests and is primarily parasitic on varanids, skinks, and snakes. In Taiwan, A. helvolum has been reported on Elaphe carinata (Taiwan stink snake) and Ptyas mucosa (Oriental rat snake). Herein, we report new host records of A. helvolum in Taiwan from the following squamate species: Diploderma swinhonis (Swinhoe's japalure), Eutropis longicaudata (Long-tailed sun skink), Oligodon formosanus (Taiwan kukri), Sphenomorphus incognitus (Brown forest skink), and Trimeresurus stejnegeri (Chinese green tree viper). In addition, we present an overview of the distribution of A. helvolum across its range and its association with reptilian microbial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on investigating ectoparasites found on Cyclemys dentata (Asian Leaf Turtle), a freshwater turtle native to Southeast Asia, to understand potential threats to its population across its range due to factors like habitat destruction and illegal trade.

The article focuses on ticks as ectoparasites of reptiles, specifically Elaphe taeniura, and highlights the typical locations where ticks are found on lizards and snakes.

The article documents the first records of the Kalinga Narrowmouth Toad (Kaloula kalingensis) from Pampanga Province, Philippines, with observations made on July 5 and 6, 2023, at Mt. Arayat National Park, marking a significant addition to the species' known range.

The article reports the first published record of the endemic Luzon Stream Frog, Anguirana luzonensis, in Pampanga Province and Mt. Arayat National Park, observed on boulders near stream banks at night, marking a new addition to its previously known range across the Greater Luzon faunal region.

The article focuses on the discovery of a DENDRELAPHIS LUZONENSIS (Luzon Bronzeback Tree Snake) in Mt. Arayat National Park, Philippines, near the forest edge, marking the first provincial record for Pampanga province.

Polyctenidae Westwood, also known as bat bugs, is a haematophagous group of hemipterans exclusively ectoparasitic on bats and is closely related to Cimicidae Latreille. These bugs are dorsoventrally flattened with conspicuous ctenidia, apterous, anophthalmus, possess well-developed legs, and reproduce via pseudoplacental viviparity. They are rare compared to other insect taxa ectoparasitic on bats as evinced by a relatively small number of museum collections and described taxa. Worldwide, it is represented by 2 subfamilies, 5 genera, and 32 species. In the Philippines, it is only represented by two species from the genus Eoctenes Kirkaldy: E. spasmae (Waterhouse) and E. intermedius (Speiser). The first Philippine record for the genus was reported in 1961 from Northern Luzon. This paper presents the first record of Eoctenes in Southern Luzon, with key to the Cimicoidea ectoparasitic on bats in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous and ethanolic seed extracts of Annona squamosa L. and Mangifera altissima B. were evaluated in the laboratory on adult coconut leaf beetles, Brontispa longissima G. Direct-spray method was employed in delivering the treatments to the test beetles. On the other hand, dip method was used in exposing parasitized pupae to different treatments. Laboratory results revealed that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of M. altissima at 15% w/v and 10% w/v, respectively and A. squamosa at 2%w/v and 10%w/v, correspondingly were comparable to Thiametoxam™. Percentage mortalities observed for all seed extracts used except the aqueous form of M. altissima exhibited a dose-dependent manner. Probit analysis revealed that the trend for LC50 for each seed extracts is M. altissima aqueous extracts (MAAE) >A. squamosa aqueous extracts(ASAE) >M. altissima ethanolic extracts (MAEE) >A. squamosa ethanolic extracts (ASEE). It was also found that based on recorded mean parasitoid emergence, Thiametoxam™ had greater sub-lethal effect than the botanicals on the natural enemy of coconut leaf beetle, Tetrastichus brontispae F. (5.00 ± 3.00). The chemical groups such as phenols, saponins and tannins might be possibly responsible for the observed bioactivities against the hispid beetle. UV-vis analyses of ethanolic fractions further revealed presence of secondary metabolite known to have several biological activities; annonasquacin for A. squamosa and mangiferin for M. altissima. Proper formulation of these materials can be developed as alternative control to B. longissima as they may offer selectivity than conventional insecticide and contain mixture of phytochemicals that can deter development of insect resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]