MyMedR

The original description and date of publication of emCylindrophis/em emlineatus/em and remarks on its type locality (Reptilia: Squamata: Cylindrophiidae)

Figueroa A, Low MEY

Zootaxa, 2021 Apr 01;4951(1):zootaxa.4951.1.10.

PMID: 33903421 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4951.1.10

The snake genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 belongs to the monogeneric family Cylindrophiidae comprising 15 species distributed predominately throughout SE Asia, with one extralimital species occurring in Sri Lanka (Bernstein et al. 2020: 535). Cylindrophis lineatus is a rare species known from only eight museum specimens (discussed herein), and a photograph of one live individual from Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Stuebing et al. 2014: 63). Despite being originally described with Singapore as the type-locality (Blanford 1881: 217, 218), it is currently understood that C. lineatus is endemic to western Sarawak, East Malaysia (Stuebing et al. 2014: 63). Wallach et al. (2014: 204) stated that C. lineatus is also found in Kalimantan, but did not provide any references. This appears to have been followed by Bernstein et al. (2020: 537), who provide a map indicating C. lineatus occurrences in Kalimantan. The original description of Cylindrophis lineatus is conventionally cited as Blanford (1881: 217, 218, pl. 20). Herein, we demonstrate that the authorship and date of publication of this taxon should correctly be Cylindrophis lineatus Dennys, 1880b, and discuss that the type locality should be changed to "Borneo".

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/classification*

The rediscovery of Schaefer's Spine-jawed Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi Günther Manthey, 1995) (Serpentes, Xenophidiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with notes on its variation and the first record of the genus from Sumatra, Indonesia

Quah ESH, Grismer LL, Jetten T, Wood PLJ, Miralles A, Sah SAM, et al.

Zootaxa, 2018 Jun 27;4441(2):366-378.

PMID: 30314015 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.10

The family Xenophidiidae is an extremely rare and little-known family of snakes that contains only two species, Xenophidion acanthognathus Günther Manthey and X. schaeferi Günther Manthey that are each known only from their holotypes. We report on the rediscovery of X. schaeferi from two new locations in southern Peninsular Malaysia. The new specimens differ markedly from the holotype of X. schaeferi in colour pattern and are more akin to the patterning of X. acanthognathus from Borneo. However, molecular analyses of one of the new specimens reveal that it only differs from the holotype of X. schaeferi by a minimum sequence divergence of 0.27%. An expanded description of the species based on these specimens is provided and phenotypic variation within the species is discussed. We also report the first record of the genus Xenophidion from West Sumatra, Indonesia. These sensational discoveries continue to underscore the fact that southern Peninsular Malaysia and upland areas of Southeast Asia in general still harbour unrealized herpetological diversity and are still in need of field research-based taxonomic studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

Expanded morphological description of the Drogons False Garden Lizard, Pseudocalotes drogon (Squamata: Agamidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Hong Z, Anuar MSS, Grismer LL, Quah ESH

Zootaxa, 2024 Feb 15;5410(4):519-532.

PMID: 38480228 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5410.4.3

Species in the genus Pseudocalotes are generally rare and known only from a few specimens. Pseudocalotes drogon was described based on a single male from Frasers Hill, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. During a recent field survey at Frasers Hill, a female specimen was collected and identified as P. drogon based on morphological characters and a molecular phylogenetic analysis. The morphological description of P. drogon is expanded here, based on the male holotype and the newly collected female specimen.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

Light and electron microscopic observations of the life cycle of Sarcocystis orientalis sp. n. in the rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the Malaysian reticulated python (Python reticulatus)

Zaman V, Colley FC

Z Parasitenkd, 1975 Oct 16;47(3):169-85.

PMID: 810990

A light and electron microscopic study of Sarcocystis orientalis sp. n. was made. The life cycle of this parasite is in two hosts. Gametogony is in the intestinal epithelial cells of a predator, Python reticulatus. Isospora-like oocysts developed. Sporocysts average 9.1 by 7.7 mum. Rats (Rattus norvegicus) were infected with sporocysts and asexual stages developed. Ten days after infection large zoites (average 7.85 by 2.48 mum) were observed free in peripheral blood and within white blood cells. Small schizonts producing merozoites 2-3 mum long were seen in lung tissue. Tissue cysts developed in skeletal muscle and produced numerous cystozoites (average 5.53 by 1.38 mum). Fine structure was similar to previously described Sarcocystis spp.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology*

In vitro isolation and molecular identification of reptarenavirus in Malaysia

Abba Y, Hassim H, Hamzah H, Ibrahim OE, Ilyasu Y, Bande F, et al.

Virus Genes, 2016 Oct;52(5):640-50.

PMID: 27142080 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-016-1345-7

Boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) is a viral disease of boids caused by reptarenavirus. In this study, tissue from naturally infected boid snakes were homogenized and propagated in African Monkey kidney (Vero) and rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells. Virus replication was determined by the presence of cytopathic effect, while viral morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Viral RNA was amplified using RT-PCR with primers specific for the L-segment of reptarenavirus; similarly, quantification of viral replication was done using qPCR at 24-144 h postinfection. Viral cytopathology was characterized by cell rounding and detachment in both Vero and REF cells. The viral morphology showed round-to-pleomorphic particles ranging from 105 to 150 nm which had sand-like granules. Sanger sequencing identified four closely associated reptarenavirus species from 15 (37.5 %) of the total samples tested, and these were named as follows: reptarenavirus UPM-MY 01, 02, 03, and 04. These isolates were phylogenetically closely related to the University Helsinki virus (UHV), Boa Arenavirus NL (ROUTV; BAV), and unidentified reptarenavirus L20 (URAV-L20). Comparison of deduced amino acid sequences further confirmed identities to L-protein of UHV, L-polymerase of BAV and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of URAV-L20. Viral replication in Vero cells increased steadily from 24 to 72 h and peaked at 144 h. This is the first study in South East Asia to isolate and characterize reptarenavirus in boid snakes with BIBD.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/virology*

Fulltext Herpetofauna of gunung panti forest reserve, johor, peninsular malaysia

Onn CK, Grismer LL, Matsui M, Nishikawa K, Wood PL, Grismer JL, et al.

Trop Life Sci Res, 2010 Aug;21(1):71-82.

PMID: 24575191 MyJurnal

A survey was carried out at Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Johor from 3-7 August 2006, 2-5 June 2008, and 28-31 July 2008 to inventory the herpetofauna therein. An updated checklist for the area which incorporates findings from previous studies is provided. In total, 37 species of frogs, 1 turtle, 27 lizards, and 11 snakes have been recorded from Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Johor.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

An annotated checklist of the herpetofauna of Beris Valley, Kedah, Malaysia

Shahrudin S, Jaafar IH, Rahim ND, Akil MA

Trop Life Sci Res, 2011 May;22(1):13-24.

PMID: 24575206

The herpetofauna of Beris Valley, Kedah, Malaysia, was studied using a rapid assessment survey during a scientific expedition organised by the School of Biological Sciences at the Universiti Sains Malaysia, from 14-17 August 2009. All amphibians and reptiles were observed and captured during the four-day survey along the ditches, roads, dam areas, swamps, forest trails and streams. The results showed that 14 species of amphibians from 9 genera and 5 families inhabit the area, and 7 species of lizards, 5 species of snakes and 2 species of freshwater turtles were also present in the area. Fejervarya limnocharis and Microhyla butleri seemed to be the most common amphibians, while Hemidactylus frenatus and Varanus salvator were the most common reptiles in the area. This report constitutes a preliminary checklist and first record of amphibians and reptiles in Beris Valley, Kedah. The number of specimens was less than expected because of the very short survey period, but we hope to record more species in future studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Fulltext Preliminary checklist of the herpetofauna of Pulau Besar, Melaka, Malaysia

Chan KO, Grismer LL, Wood, PL, Grismer JL, Ahmad N

Trop Life Sci Res, 2009;20(1):-.

MyJurnal

A herpetological survey was conducted at Pulau Besar, Melaka from 10 to 12 June 2008, resulting in the discovery of five species of amphibians, nine species of lizards (including one new species of the gekkonid Cyrtodactylus) and one snake species. This report constitutes the first checklist of the herpetofauna of Pulau Besar and the Water Islands Archipelago.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Porocephaliasis in Western Malaysia

Burns-Cox CJ, Prathap K, Clark E, Gillman R

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1969;63(3):409-11.

PMID: 5815876

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Porocephaliasis: a description of two cases in Sabah

Rail GA

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 1967;61(5):715-7.

PMID: 6069733 DOI: 10.1016/0035-9203(67)90140-X

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

A confirmed bite by a Beautiful Pit Viper (Trimeresurus venustus) resulting in local symptoms

Fuchs J, Bessire K, Weiler S

Toxicon, 2019 Mar 20;163:44-47.

PMID: 30902684 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.03.019

This case report describes the effect of an envenomation by the Beautiful Pit Viper Trimeresurus venustus (or Cryptelytrops venustus), which is a green pit viper native to Thailand and Malaysia. A previously healthy 60-year-old snake breeder with no relevant medical history was bitten by his adult T. venustus in the third finger of his right hand while taking it out of the feeding box. The bite was painful and swelling progressed to include his whole hand within an hour after the bite. He was treated symptomatically with pre-emptive antibiotics and analgesics, never developed any hematological disorders such as coagulopathy and bleeding or disseminated intravascular coagulation and was discharged 26 hours after the bite. The clinical course in our patient matched two other well-documented cases reported to our Poisons Centre, and one further case presented as a conference-poster. All patients recovered with symptomatic therapy and never required antivenom. Therefore, bites by T. venustus seem to present with less severe symptoms compared to other Trimeresurus species.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Caseinolytic and esteratic activities of Malayan pit viper venom and its proteolytic and thrombin-like fractions

Soh KS, Chan KE

Toxicon, 1974 Mar;12(2):151-8.

PMID: 4859238

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

Toxicity of the venom of the sea-snake, Laticauda colubrina, with observations on a Malay "folk cure"

Levey HA

Toxicon, 1969 May;6(4):269-76.

PMID: 5805121

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes*

A comparative study of the biological properties of venoms from juvenile and adult inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) snake venoms

Tan NH, Ponnudurai G, Mirtschin PJ

Toxicon, 1993 Mar;31(3):363-7.

PMID: 8470140

The biological properties of adult and juvenile inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) snake venoms were examined. The enzymatic activities, intravenous median lethal dose and procoagulant activity of the juvenile venom samples were not significantly different from those of the adult venom samples. Also, the juvenile and adult venoms exhibited similar electrophoretic patterns, indicating that they possessed similar protein composition.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/physiology*

Electrophoretic profiles and biological activities: intraspecific variation in the venom of the Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma)

Daltry JC, Ponnudurai G, Shin CK, Tan NH, Thorpe RS, Wüster W

Toxicon, 1996 Jan;34(1):67-79.

PMID: 8835335

The Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma) is of major clinical significance both as a leading cause of snakebite and as the source of ancrod (Arvin). Although its venom has been extensively studied, the degree to which venom composition varies between individuals is poorly known. We individually analysed the venoms of over 100 C. rhodostoma using isoelectric focusing. In all populations, females produced an intense band that was absent from all males, and significant ontogenetic variation was detected. Principal components analysis of the banding profiles also revealed strong geographic variation, which was significantly congruent with variation in the biological activities of the venom (phosphodiesterase, alkalinephosphoesterase, L-amino acid oxidase, arginine ester hydrolase, 5'-nucleotidase, thrombin-like enzyme, haemorrhagic activity). Studies of captive-bred snakes indicate that the intraspecific variation in venom is genetically inherited rather than environmentally induced. The intraspecific variation in venom composition and biological activity could be of applied importance to snakebite therapy, both in correct diagnosis of the source of envenomation and in the development of a more effective antivenom. Greater attention should be given to the source of C. rhodostoma venom used in research to ensure reproducibility of results.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Fulltext Knowledge assessment of snake antivenom among healthcare practitioners involving educational intervention in northern Nigeria: a study protocol

Bala AA, Jatau AI, Yunusa I, Mohammed M, Mohammed AH, Isa AM, et al.

Ther Adv Drug Saf, 2020;11:2042098620935721.

PMID: 32944213 DOI: 10.1177/2042098620935721

Introduction: Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an important occupational and public health hazard especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For optimum management of SBE, adequate knowledge of Snake antivenom (SAV) is very critical among the healthcare practioners in this region. Information related to the knowledge of SAV use in the management of SBE, as well as SAV logistics is scarce among the Health Care Professionals (HCPs) in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. We therefore aimed to develop, validate and utilize a tool to assess the SAV knowlegde among HCPs in northern Nigeria. We also sought to implement and evaluate an intervention that could improve the SAV knowledge among the HCPs.

Methods: The proposed study will be conducted in three phases: Phase I will involve the development of the item-pool to be included in the tool, followed by a face, content validity and construct validity. The tool reliability, readability and difficulty index will be determined. Phase II will involve the utilization of the tool to assess baseline SAV knowledge among the HCPs followed by an educational intervention. Multiple Linear Regression analysis will be used to determine the factors associated with SAV knowledge among the HCPs. Lastly, Phase III which will be a repeat of Phase II to assess and evaluate the knowledge after the intervention.

Discussion: The study design and findings may guide future implementation and streamline the intervention of improving SAV knowledge in HCPs training and practice.

Lay Summary: Knowledge assessment and educational intervention of snake antivenom among healthcare practitioners in northern Nigeria: a study protocol Snakebite envenoming (SBE) is an important occupational and public health hazard especially in sub-Saharan Africa. For optimum management of SBE, adequate knowledge of snake antivenom (SAV) is very critical among the healthcare practitioners. The baseline knowledge SAV dosage, mode of administration, availability, and logistics is very relevant among healthcare professionals, particularly those that are directly involved in its logistics. It is paramount that SAV is handled and used appropriately. The efforts and advocacy for the availability for more SAV will be in vain if not handled appropriately before they are used. This study protocol aims to develop a tool, to assess SAV knowledge and effects of educational interventions among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in northern Nigeria. This protocol suggests conducting studies in three phases: (a) Development and validation of SAV knowledge assessment tool, (b) Baseline assessment of SAV knowledge assessment tool among HCPs, and (c) Development, implementation and evaluation of an educational intervention to improve SAV knowledge among HCPs in northern Nigeria.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Incidence, clinical manifestation and general management of snake bites

Trishnananda M

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1979 Jun;10(2):248-50.

PMID: 524149

There are regional patterns in snake-bites. Bites by cobras have a high incidence in Thailand and in the Philippines with a high case fatality rate. Among the venomous snakes of haemorrhagic nature, bites by Trimeresurus species such as green pit viper, Taiwan habu and Taiwan bamboo viper are important in Thailand and Taiwan for their high incidence of bite, although the case fatality rates are low. Bites by Malayan pit vipers are also important in Thailand and Malaysia because of their high incidence. Bites by sea snakes are more common in Malaysia than in the Philippines and Thailand.

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes

Revision of Sarcocystis orientalis Zaman and Colley, 1975

Zaman V

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Dec;6(4):603.

PMID: 818718

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology

Helminth eggs from faeces of Python reticulatus with special reference to Capillaria and its public health significance in Sabah, Malaysia

Kan SK, Hii JL

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1979 Mar;10(1):155-7.

PMID: 573500

Matched MeSH terms: Snakes/parasitology*

Entonyssus asiaticus Fain, 1960 (Acari: Entonyssidae), a lung parasite of Malaysian snakes with notes on the immature stages