Helminths of the Lizard Salvator merianae (Squamata, Teiidae) in the Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The lizard Salvator merianae is a widely distributed species in South America, occurring from southern Amazonia to the eastern Andes and northern Patagonia. Studies on the parasitic fauna of this lizard have revealed that it is a host for helminths in various Brazilian biomes. The present work provides new parasitological data on the gastrointestinal nematodes associated with the lizard S. merianae. Sixteen specimens were analyzed from nine different locations in a semi-arid region in northeastern Brazil. Five species of nematodes were identified. Oswaldofilaria petersi was first recorded as a parasite of the S. merianae, thus increasing the knowledge of the fauna of parasites that infect large Neotropical lizards.Keywords: parasitism, nematode, Oswaldofilaria petersi, Brazilian semiarid. Helmintos do lagarto

Helminths infecting Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil

“…Poulin (1998) states that there is a trade-off between the performance and range of host species that a parasite can exploit. This can easily be perceived for nematodes of the genus Physaloptera , since they infect a wide range of lizards in South America (Ávila & Silva, 2010; Teixeira et al ., 2017), however, almost always followed by low prevalence of infection: P. lutzi (0.9 % ) parasitizing Ameivula ocellifera (Spix, 1825) (Ribas et al ., 1995); P. lutzi (2 % ) and P. retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (3.9 % ) in Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ribas et al ., 1998); P. retusa (5.3 % ) and P. lutzi (19.3 % ) in the lizard Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) (Anjos et al ., 2012); P. retusa (9 % ) registered in Polychrus acutirostris Spix, 1825 (Araujo Filho et al ., 2014); P. retusa in the sympatric lizards Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnès, 1818) (3.94 % ) and Phyllopezus pollicaris (Spix, 1825) (2.54 % ) (Sousa et al ., 2014); Physalopreta sp. (5 % ) in the stomach of Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teles et al ., 2017) and more recently, P. lutzi registered by Lima (2017) parasitizing the gecko lizards P. pollicaris (3 % ), Hemidactylus brasilianus (Amara, 1935) (4.1 % ), Hemidactylus agrius Vanzolini, 1978 (1.6 % ), Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (12.6 % ), and Lygodactylus klugei (Smith, Martin e Swain, 1977) (1.5 % ), from northeastern Brazil.…”

Raillietiella mottae (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) parasitizing four species of Gekkota lizards (Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae) in the Brazilian Caatinga

“…In addition the range might be influenced other factors not tested in the present study, possibly humidity, seasonality, temperature, among others. However, the same does not apply to larger lizards such as Salvator merianae and Ameivula ocellifera (Brito et al, 2014a; Ramalho et al, 2009; Teixeira et al, 2017).…”

Diaphanocephalus galeatus (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae), a poorly known parasite of lizards: redescription, first genetic characterization and a revision of its congeners from Brazil

“…Diaphanocephalus galeatus has a broad occurrence in South America, from northern to southern Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina (Ávila and Silva, 2010; Vieira et al ., 2016; Teixeira et al ., 2017). The species is considered specific of S .…”

“…Diaphanocephalus galeatus (Rudolphi, 1819) has broad occurrence in South America, parasitizing teiid lizards (Teiidae), more often in Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bibron, 1839) and Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758) (Freitas and Lent, 1938; Ávila and Silva, 2010; Vieira et al ., 2016; Teixeira et al ., 2017). However, the morphological descriptions of the species are incomplete and there is no genetic characterization.…”