Nematodes associated with Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata, Iguanidae) in Semi-arid areas of Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Nematodes were analyzed in Iguana iguana, a large lizard Iguanidae that is widely distributed throughout the Americas. The aims of the study were investigate the helminths associated with the lizard, I. iguana in semi-arid areas of northeastern Brazil and analyze the parasitological indices (prevalence, and mean intensity of infection). A total of 18 specimens of I. iguana were examined (8 males and 10 females). The overall prevalence of infection was 66.6% (12/18), while in males, it was 75% (6/8) and in females, 60% (6/10). Iguana iguana was identified as a new host for Physaloptera sp., Atractis sp., Piratuba sp. and Subulura sp. This registered contributes to the knowledge of helminth diversity associated with this host.Keywords: helminths, Green Iguana, parasitism, Caatinga domain. Nematoda associados a Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Iguanidae) em áreas do semi-árido do nordeste do Brasil ResumoForam analisados os nematóides em Iguana iguana, um grande lagarto Iguanidae que possui ampla distribuição pelas Américas. Os objetivos do estudo foram investigar os helmintos associados ao lagarto I. iguana e seus índices parasitológicos (prevalência e intensidade média de infecção). Foram examinados 18 espécimes (oito machos e 10 fêmeas). A prevalência total foi de 66,6% (12/18), nos machos foi de 75% (6/8) e nas fêmeas 60% (6/10). Iguana iguana foi identificado como um novo hospedeiro para Physaloptera sp., Atractis sp., Piratuba sp., e Subulura sp. Este registro contribui para o conhecimento da diversidade de helmintos associados a este hospedeiro.Palavras-chave: helmintos, Iguana Verde, parasitismo, domínio de Caatinga.

Using lizards to evaluate the influence of average abundance on the variance of endoparasites in semiarid areas: dispersion and assemblage structure

“…However, foraging mode, contact between susceptible hosts and population density may also contribute to increases observed within this category. Pharyngodon were prevalent within lizards (Gupta et al ., 2009; Anjos et al ., 2012; Brito et al ., 2014a; Teles et al ., 2017). The genus is composed of monoxenic species, which are parasites of vertebrates, with a wide global distribution pattern (Ávila & Silva, 2010; Campião et al ., 2014; Goldberg et al ., 2016).…”

“…Alaeuris caudatus and A. vogelsangi are, however, specific parasites of iguanas, and Gynaecometra bahiensis specifically parasitizes Polycrhus acutirostris . These specificities are probably related to arboreal habits and the herbivorous and omnivorous diets of hosts, respectively (Ávila & Silva, 2010; Araujo Filho et al ., 2014; Teles et al ., 2017).…”

“…This does not necessarily indicate a low degree of richness, competitive exclusion or lack of interaction among species (Brooks et al ., 2006). For the Caatinga domain, historical and ecological factors, and seasonality and geographic variations have a greater influence on the establishment of endoparasite communities (Brito et al ., 2014a, b; Araujo Filho et al ., 2017; Lima et al ., 2017; Teixeira et al ., 2017; Teles et al ., 2017).…”

“…In the present study, we evaluate the influence of average abundance on the variance of endoparasites observed within lizards living in semiarid areas of the Caatinga in north-eastern Brazil. Studies on lizard endoparasites from Caatinga have become more frequently produced in recent years (Ávila et al ., 2012; Brito et al ., 2014a; Araujo Filho et al ., 2017; Teixeira et al ., 2017; Teles et al ., 2017), but our understanding of endoparasite community structures with regard to both the abundance and aggregation patterns of parasites is lacking (Ávila et al ., 2012; Araujo Filho et al ., 2014). The endoparasitic fauna of Caatinga lizards is composed mainly of generalists, where parasite abundances are positively related to the size, sex and reproductive period of the hosts, as well as with the rainy season, which indicate that multiple factors determine the patterns of resource use by parasitic species (Anjos et al ., 2007; Almeida et al ., 2008; Ávila et al ., 2012; Lima et al ., 2017; Oliveira et al ., 2017; Teixeira et al ., 2017; Teles et al ., 2017).…”

Helminths infecting Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic Forest, northeastern Brazil

“…This can easily be perceived for nematodes of the genus Physaloptera , since they infect a wide range of lizards in South America (Ávila & Silva, 2010; Teixeira et al ., 2017), however, almost always followed by low prevalence of infection: P. lutzi (0.9 % ) parasitizing Ameivula ocellifera (Spix, 1825) (Ribas et al ., 1995); P. lutzi (2 % ) and P. retusa Rudolphi, 1819 (3.9 % ) in Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ribas et al ., 1998); P. retusa (5.3 % ) and P. lutzi (19.3 % ) in the lizard Tropidurus hispidus (Spix, 1825) (Anjos et al ., 2012); P. retusa (9 % ) registered in Polychrus acutirostris Spix, 1825 (Araujo Filho et al ., 2014); P. retusa in the sympatric lizards Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnès, 1818) (3.94 % ) and Phyllopezus pollicaris (Spix, 1825) (2.54 % ) (Sousa et al ., 2014); Physalopreta sp. (5 % ) in the stomach of Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Teles et al ., 2017) and more recently, P. lutzi registered by Lima (2017) parasitizing the gecko lizards P. pollicaris (3 % ), Hemidactylus brasilianus (Amara, 1935) (4.1 % ), Hemidactylus agrius Vanzolini, 1978 (1.6 % ), Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (12.6 % ), and Lygodactylus klugei (Smith, Martin e Swain, 1977) (1.5 % ), from northeastern Brazil. Thus, the low infection rates presented here by the generalist nematode P. lutzi apparently obey the standard cited above.…”