Physiological Correlates of Multiple Parasitic Infections in Side-Blotched Lizards

Spence, Austin R.; Durso, Andrew M.; Smith, Geoffrey D.; Skinner, Heather M.; French, Susannah S.

doi:10.1086/691059

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Stronger adaptive immune responses were observed among younger iguanas, especially when hemoparasite coinfections were present (Figure 3c,e). This is consistent with the findings from a previous study that also observed stronger adaptive immune responses in reptiles coinfected with hemoparasites and ectoparasites (Spence et al, 2017).…”

Section: Hematological Parameters and Hemoparasitismsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Previous studies evaluating the effects of tick burden on glucocorticoid levels of lizards have yielded conflicting results. For example, as in this study, tick burden did not correlate with corticosterone levels in side‐blotched lizards ( U. stansburiana ; Spence et al, ) or in two iguana species, Conolophus marthae and C. subcristatus (Onorati et al, ). However, Hanley and Stamps () have reported a negative correlation between the intensity of ectoparasite burden and glucocorticoid plasma concentrations in black spiny‐tailed iguanas ( Ctenosaura similis ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 48%

“…For example, Galápagos marine iguanas ( Amblyrhynchus cristatus ) modify sleep locations, presumably as an ectoparasite avoidance strategy (Wikelski, ). Ectoparasite resistance in sand lizards ( Lacerta agilis ) has been linked to genetics (Olsson et al, ) and higher immunocompetence in side‐blotched lizards ( Uta stansburiana ; Spence, Durso, Smith, Skinner, & French, ), while tolerance has been documented in other lizard species (Bull & Burzacott, ; Gutsche, Mutschmann, Streich, & Kampen, ; Rivas, ). Fewer studies, however, have examined in detail the intraspecific responses to ectoparasitic burdens in lizards (Bull & Burzacott, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Blood-borne apicomplexan endoparasites (hereafter referred as hemoparasites) are also found in many reptiles (Spence et al, 2017) and can have variable effects on their hosts. Brown, Shilton, and Shine (2006) failed to find empirical links between hemoparasite numbers and measures of fitness in keelback snakes (Tropidonophis mairii) including body condition, growth and feeding rates, and reproductive output.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…with high hemoparasite loads from the Galápagos show significant alterations in heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (Onorati et al, 2017), while hemoparasites are uncorrelated with survival in the common lizard, (Lacerta vivipara; Sorci, Clobert, & Michalakis, 1996). In some reptile species, immunocompetence (i.e., bacterial killing ability) is only higher in individuals infected with both hemoparasites and ectoparasites (Spence et al, 2017).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Host sex, size, and hemoparasite infection influence the effects of ectoparasitic burdens on free‐ranging iguanas

Knapp

Perez-Heydrich

Zachariah³

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Investigations focusing on host–ectoparasite interactions in animals have revealed asymptomatic to severe health and fitness consequences suggesting that species mobilize different interspecific response mechanisms. Fewer studies, however, have examined intraspecific responses to ectoparasitic burdens. In this study, we analyzed host health and fitness responses to increasing ectoparasite burdens along with the presence/absence of hemoparasites of free‐ranging insular rock iguanas ( Cyclura cychlura ) in The Bahamas. Using hematology, plasma biochemistry, as well as body condition and growth rate comparisons, we failed to find significant associations of tick burdens with annual growth rate, corticosterone, packed cell volume, total white blood cell, and heterophil, monocyte, eosinophil or hemoglobin measures. We did, however, find mixed and significant associations of tick burdens with lymphocyte and basophil counts, heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratios, and body condition indices. These associations varied by sex, size, and hemoparasite infection status suggesting that different life stages of iguanas may invest differently in immune responses, and impacts may be modulated based on size and sex of hosts, and coinfection status.

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Section: Hematological Parameters and Hemoparasitismsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 48%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Host sex, size, and hemoparasite infection influence the effects of ectoparasitic burdens on free‐ranging iguanas

Knapp

Perez-Heydrich

Zachariah³

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Chigger mite (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) ectoparasitism does not contribute to sex differences in growth rate in eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus)

Conrad,

Pollock,

John‐Alder

2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Parasitism is nearly ubiquitous in animals and is frequently associated with fitness costs in host organisms, including reduced growth, foraging, and reproduction. In many species, males tend to be more heavily parasitized than females and thus may bear greater costs of parasitism. Sceloporus undulatus is a female‐larger, sexually size dimorphic lizard species that is heavily parasitized by chigger mites (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi). In particular, the intensity of mite parasitism is higher in male than in female juveniles during the period of time when sex differences in growth rate lead to the development of sexual size dimorphism (SSD). Sex‐biased differences in fitness costs of parasitism have been documented in other species. We investigated whether there are growth costs of mite ectoparasitism, at a time coinciding with sex differences in growth rate and the onset of SSD. If there are sex‐biased growth costs of parasitism, then this could suggest a contribution to the development of SSD in S. undulatus. We measured growth and mite loads in two cohorts of unmanipulated, field‐active yearlings by conducting descriptive mark‐recapture studies during the activity seasons of 2016 and 2019. Yearling males had consistently higher mid‐summer mite loads and consistently lower growth rates than females. However, we found that growth rate and body condition were independent of mite load in both sexes. Furthermore, growth rates and mite loads were higher in 2019 than in 2016. Our findings suggest that juveniles of S. undulatus are highly tolerant of chigger mites and that any costs imposed by mites may be at the expense of functions other than growth. We conclude that sex‐biased mite ectoparasitism does not contribute to sex differences in growth rate and, therefore, does not contribute to the development of SSD.

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Dehydration enhances cellular and humoral immunity in a mesic snake community

et al. 2020

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The immunocompetence of a community of free-living animals can be affected by seasonality, sex, and parasite burden. However, each of these factors is often examined independently. Recent studies have also found that dehydration can enhance aspects of immunocompetence in drought-adapted species. To explore how all of these factors interact, and their effect on the immune system in mesic-adapted species, we collected blood samples from a community of free-ranging snakes in coastal South Carolina, United States, across 2 years. We specifically examined (a) how sex and seasonality influence humoral and cellular immunocompetence and parasite burden, (b) the dynamics among hydration state, parasite burden, and immunocompetence, and (c) whether mesic-adapted species also show enhanced innate immunity with dehydration. Consistent with previous work on drought-adapted species, we found that dehydration enhances multiple aspects of humoral immunity in mesic species, and we are the first to report that dehydration also enhances aspects of cellular immunocompetence. Contrary to previous results in other squamates, sex and season did not impact immunocompetence or parasite prevalence.Our results also reveal complex interactions among parasite prevalence, immunocompetence, and hydration state demonstrating that hydration state and parasitism are two ubiquitous factors that should continue to be considered in future studies examining ecoimmunological variation. K E Y W O R D S ecoimmunology, hydration, immunocompetence, osmotic stress, parasitemia

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Physiological Correlates of Multiple Parasitic Infections in Side-Blotched Lizards

Cited by 12 publications

References 53 publications

Host sex, size, and hemoparasite infection influence the effects of ectoparasitic burdens on free‐ranging iguanas

Host sex, size, and hemoparasite infection influence the effects of ectoparasitic burdens on free‐ranging iguanas

Chigger mite (Eutrombicula alfreddugesi) ectoparasitism does not contribute to sex differences in growth rate in eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus)

Dehydration enhances cellular and humoral immunity in a mesic snake community

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