The relationship between nematode infections and ontogeny and diet of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from the Atlantic Rainforest in south-eastern Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between nematode infection and the ontogeny and diet of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus from a rocky outcrop in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Eighty-nine of 110 lizards examined (81.9%) harboured nematodes. Two nemat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of helminthology 2013-09, Vol.87 (3), p.364-370
Main Authors: Pereira, F.B., Gomides, S.C., Sousa, B.M., de Souza Lima, S., Luque, J.L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Body Size
Brazil
Diet
Intestines - parasitology
Lizards - parasitology
Lizards - physiology
Nematoda - classification
Nematoda - isolation & purification
Nematode Infections - parasitology
Nematode Infections - veterinary
Research Papers
Stomach - parasitology
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between nematode infection and the ontogeny and diet of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus from a rocky outcrop in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. Eighty-nine of 110 lizards examined (81.9%) harboured nematodes. Two nematode species were identified, namely, Physaloptera lutzi in the stomach and Parapharyngodon bainae in the intestine, with prevalence values of 67.3 and 60.0%, respectively. The lizard diet was composed mainly of ants, other hymenopterans, beetles and flowers of the species Centrosema coriaceum (Fabaceae). Host body size was positively correlated with nematode abundance, with adults more heavily parasitized than juveniles. The consumption of C. coriaceum had a negative effect on the abundance of both nematode species, suggesting that this plant may possess anthelmintic properties. The probability of a higher worm burden in adult hosts is likely linked with a longer exposure time to infective stages. Beetles, ants and hymenopterans appear to be the main intermediate hosts for P. lutzi. In general, ontogeny and diet composition determine the structure of the helminth community in this species of lizard.
ISSN:0022-149X
1475-2697
DOI:10.1017/S0022149X12000466