Physiological and behaviour changes in common lizards parasitized by haemogregarines

The effect of haemoparasites on the physiology and behaviour traits of their hosts was examined using Haemogregarina sp., a parasite of the common lizard, Lacerta vivipara, from the south of France. Infection with haemogregarines was associated with a reduced haemoglobin concentration and an increas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Parasitology 1996-11, Vol.113 (5), p.433-438
Main Authors: Oppliger, A., Célérier, M. L., Clobert, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal protozoal diseases
Biological and medical sciences
blood parasite
common lizard
haemogregarine
Infectious diseases
Lacerta vivipara
Medical sciences
oxygen consumption
Parasitic diseases
physiology
Protozoal diseases
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Summary:The effect of haemoparasites on the physiology and behaviour traits of their hosts was examined using Haemogregarina sp., a parasite of the common lizard, Lacerta vivipara, from the south of France. Infection with haemogregarines was associated with a reduced haemoglobin concentration and an increased number of immature red blood cells. Parasitized individuals also showed a reduced oxygen consumption at rest and a lower locomotor speed. We also found that the multiplication rate of the parasite depended on the temperature at which the lizard was maintained. Between 21 and 28 °C the multiplication rate of the parasite was significantly lower than between 29 and 35 °C. This suggests that the parasites may suffer reproductive costs when hosts reduce their body temperature.
ISSN:0031-1820
1469-8161
DOI:10.1017/S003118200008149X