Helminth infections in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species

Abstract

We analyzed parameters of parasitism by helminths in a pair of sympatric congeneric lizard species (Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus). Differences in their supracommunities (richness, composition, and abundance) and the influence of helminthic loads on minimum flight initiation distances and body temperatures were evaluated. We reported new findings of Piratuba digiticauda infecting T. hispidus and Oochoristica bresslaui infecting T. semitaeniatus. Parapharyngodon alvarengai was the most abundant helminth in both host species. Tropidurus hispidus individuals hosted a higher abundance and richness of helminths than T. semitaeniatus, with females of the former having larger helminthic loads than males. Dissimilarities between host species may be attributed to differences in their utilization of niche dimensions (time, food, and structural and thermal space), the occurrence of morphological differences that result in differential exposure to the sources and agents of infection, and/or differential immunological functions. Our data suggests that infection by P. alvarengai led to some limitations in locomotor performance of T. hispidus resulting in decreased minimum flight initiation distance as infection rates increased. Individuals opted for a prolonged period of immobility to avoid capture. There was a negative relationship between helminthic loads and body temperatures in T. semitaeniatus, possibly due to decreased activity and thermoregulation rates, and increased use of shelters by lizards with high infection levels to avoid predation.

Ecology and parasitism of the lizard Tropidurus jaguaribanus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from northeastern Brazil

“…Several aspects of the ecology of species in the Tropidurus semitaeniatus Group have been studied (e.g., Kolodiuk et al 2010, Caldas et al 2015, Pelegrin et al 2017, Xavier and Dias 2017, Maia-Carneiro et al 2018. Several aspects of members of the group are phylogenetically conserved, such as specializations to live on rocks and in rock crevices, sexual dimorphism, sit-and-wait foraging, and clutch sizes of 1 or 2 eggs (with no correlation between clutch and body size).…”

Checklist of parasites associated with ʻreptiles’ in Northeast Brazil

“…References: (1, 14) Brito et al (2014a, b); (2) Araújo Filho et al (2020); (3) Cabral et al (2018); (4, 13) Teixeira et al (2020); (5) Brito et al (2014b); (6) Anjos et al (2012); (7) Ávila et al (2012); (8) Alcantara et al (2018a), (9) Galdino et al (2014); (10) Maia-Carneiro et al (2018); (11) Araujo Filho et al (2017); (15) Pereira (1935); (16) Konh et al (1973); (17) Vicente (1978), Vicente et al (1993); (18) Silva et al (2021)…”

“…References: (1) Vicente et al (1993); (2) Ávila & Silva (2010); (3, 8, 12, 15) Brito et al (2014b), (4) Araújo Filho et al (2020); (5) Brito et al (2014a, b); (6) Dias et al (2005); (7) Teixeira et al (2018b); (9) Teixeira et al (2016); (10) Teixeira et al (2020, 2021); (11, 17) Teixeira et al (2020); (13) Lima et al (2017); (14) Teixeira et al (2018a, 2020); (16, 23) Lambertz et al (2012); (18) Anjos et al (2012); (19) Ávila et al (2012); (20) Galdino et al (2014); (21) Araujo Filho et al (2017); (22) Maia-Carneiro et al . (2018); (24) Oliveira et al (2020)…”

Infection patterns of helminths in Norops brasiliensis (Squamata, Dactyloidae) from a humid forest, Northeastern Brazil and their relation with body mass, sex, host size, and season

“…Parasites live in constant interaction with their hosts and can influence their way of life and their relationships with the environment, while using them as a source of food and shelter (Aho, 1990; Lozano, 1991; Thomas et al, 2010; Hafer & Milinski, 2016). Knowledge of the helminth fauna of a species can provide crucial information for understanding its behavior, diet, and habitat use (Lozano, 1991; Pereira et al, 2012, Cabrera-Guzmán & Garrido-Olvera, 2014; Maia-Carneiro et al, 2017).…”

“…Climatic factors, such as variation in rainfall and temperature, as well as variation in host biology and parasite life cycle, may influence the community structure of helminths (Aho, 1990; Brito et al, 2014; Araújo-Filho et al, 2016; Maia-Carneiro et al, 2017). Host size, mass, sex, and reproductive period can also influence parasitism (George-Nascimento et al, 2004; Poulin & George-Nascimento, 2007; Pereira et al, 2012; Araújo-Filho et al, 2016; Oliveira et al, 2017).…”