A population study of the dicrocoeliid trematode <i>Paradistomum orientalis</i> in the garden lizard <i>Calotes versicolor</i>

Madhavi, R.; Nirmala, E.; Subbalakshmi, C.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00054.x

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 19 publications

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“…For example, rainfall is a major factor in determining trematode abundance in the garden lizard Calotes versicolor as it regulates the population of snails that serve as the first intermediate host and produce infectious stages (Madhavi, Nirmala, & Subbalakshmi, 1998). Biserkov and Kostadinova (1998) found that Lacerta viridis (European green lizard) living in habitats with permanent water bodies harboured trematodes, whereas those living in drier habitats did not.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Your infections are what you eat: How host ecology shapes the helminth parasite communities of lizards

Leung

Koprivnikar

2019

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Understanding how parasite communities are assembled, and the factors that influence their richness, can improve our knowledge of parasite–host interactions and help to predict the spread of infectious diseases. Previous comparative analyses have found significant influences of host ecology and life history, but focused on a few select host taxa. Host diet and habitat use play key roles in the acquisition of parasitic helminths as many are trophically transmitted, making these attributes potentially key indicators of infection risk. Given the paucity of comparative studies with non‐piscine, non‐avian or non‐mammalian hosts, it is critical to examine the degree to which host ecology influences parasite communities in other host taxa in order to identify common drivers. We examined helminth diversity in over 350 species of lizards in relation to their body mass, ecology (diet and habitat use) and life history (clutch size, and ovo‐ or viviparity) using previously published data. Overall, lizard species with herbivorous diets harboured fewer types of helminths (especially larval stages), with similar results for traits that were ultimately strongly associated with diet (host mass and habitat use). Large hosts tended to be herbivores with few helminth types, whereas species utilizing arboreal habitats typically consumed some animal matter and hosted more helminths. Understanding how host ecology and life history are related to their parasite assemblages has significant implications for the risk of acquiring novel parasites. Our results indicate an overwhelming influence of host diet such that many helminths may be relatively easily acquired by hosts in new ranges, or through dietary shifts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Your infections are what you eat: How host ecology shapes the helminth parasite communities of lizards

Leung

Koprivnikar

2019

Journal of Animal Ecology

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The impact of introduced hosts on parasite transmission: opisthorchiid infections in American mink (Neovison vison)

2014

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Introduced animals may be considered at an advantage over native competitors because they have escaped natural parasites. In some cases however, generalist parasites in a novel environment can use introduced species as an alternative or reservoir host. This can change the dynamics of parasite populations, with implications for epidemiology. The key factor determining the impact of an alternative host is its ability to maintain a reproductively successful parasite and contribute to the transmission potential of that parasite. The digenean Pseudamphistomum truncatum is found in native otters Lutra lutra in Britain and has been reported in introduced American mink Neovison vison. To investigate whether introduced mink are competent hosts and to ask how mink compare with otters as hosts, we compared parasite prevalence, intensity and fecundity between the two host species in a region where both are common. Although prevalence was not statistically different between otters and mink (48 %, n = 27, compared to 33 %, n = 21 respectively), mean parasite intensity was higher in mink (253 ± 145 standard error parasites/infected host, compared to 46 ± 18 in otters). Parasite fecundity was lower in mink (mean egg count/parasite/ host = 622 ± 64) than in otters (1,204 ± 108), and this difference was not confounded by host or parasite size or by intraspecific competition among parasites. Assuming the parasite eggs are equally viable from otters or mink, mink are not only a competent host for P. truncatum, but because of the higher parasite intensity in mink, they can potentially spread c.3 times as many parasite eggs to intermediate hosts, than otters. The naturalisation of mink to new habitats may therefore contribute to trematode infections in native fauna.

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Endoparasites of three species of house geckoes in Lampung, Indonesia

Matsuo

Oku

2002

J. Helminthol.

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Thirty-four house geckoes (21 Cosymbotus platyurus, four Gehyra mutilata and nine Hemidactylus frenatus) in December, 1997 (rainy season) and 26 geckos (16 C. platyurus, six G. mutilata and four H. frenatus) in July, 2000 (dry season) were captured in Lampung, Indonesia. Some species of geckoes have been inadvertently introduced to many tropical regions from their native region, but the three species of geckoes in this study are native to Indonesia. Six species of endoparasites were recovered: Oochoristica javanensis (Cestoda) from the small intestine, Paradistomum geckonum (Digenea) from the small intestine and gallbladder, Postorchigenes ovatus (Digenea) from the small intestine, Spauligodon hemidactylus (Nematoda) from the large intestine, and Raillietiella gehyra and R. frenatus (Pentastomida) from the lungs. The prevalence and mean intensity of infection in each species of geckoes are also presented. The prevalence of S. hemidactylus from C. platyurus and H. frenatus in the rainy season was significantly higher than in the dry season. The low prevalence of S. hemidactylus in G. mutilata in the present study corresponded to a previous report from a non-native area. According to the original description, the male of S. hemidactylus lacked a spicule, but in the present study, one male was found with a spicule. The present study suggests male dimorphism occurs in Spauligodon. The number of endoparasite species and snout vent length of geckoes were positively correlated. Geckoes with high worm burdens may be more easily captured by predators.

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A population study of the dicrocoeliid trematode Paradistomum orientalis in the garden lizard Calotes versicolor

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Your infections are what you eat: How host ecology shapes the helminth parasite communities of lizards

Your infections are what you eat: How host ecology shapes the helminth parasite communities of lizards

The impact of introduced hosts on parasite transmission: opisthorchiid infections in American mink (Neovison vison)

Endoparasites of three species of house geckoes in Lampung, Indonesia

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