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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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2012

F.B. Pereira*
Affiliation:
Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal 74508, CEP 23851-970, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil Laboratório de Taxonomia e Ecologia de Helmintos and
S.C. Gomides
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário s/n, CEP 36036-900, Martelos, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
B.M. Sousa
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Herpetologia, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Universitário s/n, CEP 36036-900, Martelos, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
S. de Souza Lima
Affiliation:
Laboratório de Taxonomia e Ecologia de Helmintos and
J.L. Luque
Affiliation:
Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal 74508, CEP 23851-970, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil

Abstract

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.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012 

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