Raillietiella morenoi sp. n. (Pentastomida) from Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria, 1882) (Lacertidae) in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Raillietiella morenoi sp. n., a new cephalobaenid pentastomid found in the lungs of Gallotia atlantica collected in the Canary Islands, is described. The new species belongs to the sharp-tipped posterior-hook type. The annulus number, morphology, and dimensions of copulatory spicules and the dimensions of anterior and posterior hooks separate Raillietiella sp. n. from the other raillietiedid sharp-tipped posterior-hook species of small lizard parasites in Africa. The host character of endemic protected species of G. atlantica in Alegranza Island posed great difficulty in obtaining more parasite materials. However, more studies are required to state the variability of this species and its possible distribution in other species in the Canary Islands, as well as in other Gallotia spp.

A new species of pentastomida infecting Tropidurus hispidus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) from Caatinga in Northeastern Brazil

“…Comparative characteristics of raillietiellids with sharp-tipped hooks. These pentastomids infect insectivorous lizards in the world (from Ali et al, 1985 andAbreu-Acosta et al, 2005, except "* species" described in this study). …”

Relationships between helminth communities and diet in Canarian lizards: the evidence fromGallotia atlantica(Squamata: Lacertidae)

“…However, the comparative data set is still incomplete. Namely, no equivalent studies are available for Gallotia atlantica (Peters and Doria 1882), for which only general diet descriptions (Valido and Nogales 2003) and isolated reports of parasites (Astasio-Arbiza et al 1987;Roca 2003;Abreu-Acosta et al 2006) are available. This lizard species inhabits the eastern islands of the archipelago, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.…”

Parasitological findings in the invasive California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in Gran Canaria, Spain

“…(Pentastomida) which can cause abdominal lesions in humans due to the migration of their larvae and nymphs, have been reported in Lampropeltis getula in the USA (Ali et al ., 1985 ; Tappe et al ., 2016 ; Mendoza-Roldán et al ., 2020 ). Their presence has already been demonstrated in Gallotia lizards from the islet of Alegranza (Abreu-Acosta et al ., 2006 ), in the eastern Canarian archipelago. If California kingsnakes are able to introduce this pentastomid genus into the island, they could also infect the Gran Canaria giant lizard, as well as potentially humans, and maintain the infection for many generations.…”