1
|
Abstract
Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organisms, from nematodes and other helminths to viruses and bacteria. The Northeast is one of the richest regions in Brazil in terms of the reptile diversity, number of species and endemism. Parasites are diverse organisms and knowledge about the parasitic fauna of vertebrates is an important factor in understanding the ecological relationships between hosts and the environment. Studies on the parasitic fauna of reptiles in South America have increased in the past few years. The present review is a compilation of 122 studies published from 1924 to 2021. We present information on 101 species of reptiles from five groups (amphisbaenians, crocodile, testudines, snakes and lizards) and 183 parasitic taxa belonging to four phyla: Nematoda; Arthropoda; Platyhelminthes; and Acanthocephala. Nematodes were the most frequently recorded species. Lizards and snakes had more records of parasitism and higher levels of parasite richness and diversity. Ceará was the state with most studies and recorded cases of parasite-host association. The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were the most investigated environments. The objective of this review was to contribute knowledge on the parasitic biodiversity in reptiles from Northeast Brazil, which may help identify gaps in our knowledge and guide future studies.
Collapse
|
2
|
Parasitic infection patterns in Coleodactylus meridionalis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from Atlantic Forest fragments, northeast of the Neotropical Region. Helminthologia 2021; 58:356-363. [PMID: 35095311 PMCID: PMC8776295 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2021-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies that seek to understand which factors influence the patterns of infection in the lizard Coleodactylus meridionalis are non-existent. In this way, we recorded the infection rates for these lizards from three different sized fragments of the Atlantic rainforest and investigated if there is influence of the size, mass and sex of the host regarding the endoparasite abundance. In addition, we investigated if there were possible associations between the host’s diet and parasitism, by calculating the diet niche breadth (based on the prey number of pooled stomachs) for each host population and comparing the diet between fragments and sexes (from the three sampled fragments). We collected 38 lizards across the three sampled forest fragments. We only found parasites in the lizards sampled from the smallest of the three forest fragments which included: Physaloptera lutzi, Haplometroides odhneri and Oligacanthorhynchus sp. For this population, lizards with greater length and body mass have a greater endoparasite abundance. In addition, based on the results obtained in our study, the diet of the lizards varies in food composition between sampled populations. Finally, knowing that among the infected lizards there is no sexual dimorphism in relation to size and body mass and that the stomach sampling for this population is insufficient to calculate the indexes related to the food niche; we used the number of prey lizards from all populations, thus we were able to associate the fact that female lizards have a greater endoparasite abundance due to variations in food composition between sexes.
Collapse
|
3
|
Haro D, McBrayer LD, Jensen JB, Gillis JM, Bonewell LR, Nafus MG, Greiman SE, Reed RN, Yackel Adams AA. Evidence for an Established Population of Tegu Lizards (Salvator merianae) in Southeastern Georgia, USA. SOUTHEAST NAT 2020. [DOI: 10.1656/058.019.0404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Haro
- Georgia Southern University, Department of Biology, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Lance D. McBrayer
- Georgia Southern University, Department of Biology, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - John B. Jensen
- Conservation Matters, LLC, P.O. Box 662, Monticello, GA 31064
| | - James M. Gillis
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, 1773-A Bowens Mill Hwy, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
| | - Lea' R. Bonewell
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
| | - Melia G. Nafus
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
| | - Stephen E. Greiman
- Georgia Southern University, Department of Biology, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, GA 30458
| | - Robert N. Reed
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
| | - Amy A. Yackel Adams
- US Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Helminths associated with Norops fuscoauratus (Squamata, Dactyloidae) in highland marshes of the Brazilian semi-arid. J Helminthol 2020; 94:e153. [PMID: 32390581 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x20000358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Helminthological studies may contribute with valuable information on host biology and conservation. Herein, we provide new data on helminths infecting the lizard Norops fuscoauratus, testing one of the factors considered most important in parasitic ecology: host size. We analysed 25 specimens of N. fuscoauratus from three highland marshes in the Brazilian semi-arid. Eight taxa of helminths belonging to Nematoda, Trematoda and Acanthocephala were found. Physaloptera sp. showed the higher prevalence (40%), with a mean intensity of infection of 3.3 ± 1.46 (1-16) and mean abundance 1.32 ± 0.65 (0-16). Norops fuscoauratus represents four new host records for the helminths Cyrtosomum sp., Pharyngodon travassosi, Strongyloides sp. and Centrorhynchus sp. There is no relationship of host body size (P = 0.79) and mass (P = 0.50) with parasite richness. In addition, the present study contributes to the knowledge of the parasitic fauna of N. fuscoauratus and the Neotropical region.
Collapse
|
5
|
Using lizards to evaluate the influence of average abundance on the variance of endoparasites in semiarid areas: dispersion and assemblage structure. J Helminthol 2020; 94:e121. [PMID: 31964431 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x19001147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The distribution of parasites within host populations and communities, and the mechanisms responsible for these patterns, are poorly understood aspects of wildlife parasitology. Here, we evaluate the influence of the average abundance of endoparasite variance, using endoparasites of lizards from the Caatinga domain (semiarid region), north-eastern Brazil. We hypothesized that, due to the high number of generalist endoparasite species, they may occur randomly throughout host populations in an aggregate pattern. In addition, we evaluated the degree to which sample variance is influenced by the average abundance of endoparasite species, patterns of co-occurrence and dominance among endoparasite species and similarities between abundance and the richness of endoparasite infracommunities in several host species. Between September 2015 and February 2016, 2141 lizards (1233 infected) from 16 species were collected from six Caatinga areas. In total, 25,687 endoparasites were collected, which belonged to 13 species including nematodes, pentastomids, cestodes, trematodes and acanthocephalans. Parasite-host associations documented here included 39 newly identified interactions. Endoparasites occurred in a typical aggregate pattern of distribution within their hosts; there was no measurable preference related to the acquisition of hosts by endoparasites. Despite the new records, endoparasites found were commonly associated with lizards in Caatinga environments, which may reflect fauna composed of generalist endoparasite species.
Collapse
|
6
|
Xavier MA, Anjos LA, Gazêta GS, Machado IB, Storti-Melo LM, Dias EJR. Influence of Geographic Distribution on Parasite Loads in Teiid Lizards (Squamata: Ameivula) from Northeastern Brazil. HERPETOLOGICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-19-00044.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Xavier
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Evolução, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus de Ondina, BA 40170-290, Brazil
| | - Luciano A. Anjos
- Departamento de Biologia e Zootecnia, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, SP 15385-000, Brazil
| | - Gilberto S. Gazêta
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Pav. Lauro Travassos, anexo posterior/sala 08, Manguinhos, RJ 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Ingrid B. Machado
- Serviço de Referência Nacional em Vetores das Riquetsioses, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Pav. Lauro Travassos, anexo posterior/sala 08, Manguinhos, RJ 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Luciane M. Storti-Melo
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular e Biotecnologia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Campus Prof. José Aloísio de Campos, São Cristóvão, SE 49100-000, Brazil
| | - Eduardo J. R. Dias
- Laboratório de Biologia e Ecologia de Vertebrados, Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Campus Prof. Alberto Carvalho, SE 49500-000, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Helminths Infecting Dryadosaura Nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic Forest, Northeastern Brazil. Helminthologia 2019; 55:286-291. [PMID: 31662660 PMCID: PMC6662003 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We analyzed the patterns of infection by helminths in populations of the Gymnophthalmidae lizard Dryadosaura nordestina from three Atlantic Forest fragments in Northeast Brazil. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection by location showed the following results: ARIE Mata de Goiamunduba (60.8 % and 10.4 ± 8), RPPN Engenho Gargaú (83.3 % and 20.8 ± 19.7) and Benjamim Maranhão Botanical Garden (70.4 % and 7.78 ± 5.8). We provide the first records of helminth infection for the lizard D. nordestina, in which three species of nematodes, Aplectana sp., Cosmocerca sp. and Physaloptera lutzi and one trematode Haplometroides odhneri were recovered. Trematodes of the genus Haplometroides were previously known as parasites only in snake and amphisbaenian hosts in South America. Now, our study provides the first record of a species belonging to this genus parasitizing lizards. In conclusion, our study shows that D. nordestina have a depleted helminth fauna (three species at maximum), similar to other studies with lizards of this family in Brazil and that its parasite abundance is related to host snout-vent length, but not to the sex.
Collapse
|
8
|
Lima V, Brito S, Araujo Filho J, Teles D, Ribeiro S, Teixeira A, Pereira A, Almeida W. Raillietiella Mottae (Pentastomida: Raillietiellidae) Parasitizing Four Species of Gekkota Lizards (Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae) in the Brazilian Caatinga. Helminthologia 2018; 55:140-145. [PMID: 31662640 PMCID: PMC6799553 DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We tested the role of sex, size, and mass of the lizards Phyllopezus pollicaris, Gymnodactylus geckoides, Hemidactylus agrius, Lygodactylus klugei, and Hemidactylus brasilianus on the rates of pentastomid infection in the Brazilian Caatinga. We collected 355 individuals of these five species, of which four (prevalence of infection: P. pollicaris 15.9 %, G. geckoides 1.4 %, H. agrius 28.57 %, and H. brasilianus 4.16 %) were infected by Raillietiella mottae. Parasite abundance was influenced by host body size and mass only in P. pollicaris. Host sex did not infl uence the abundance of parasites in any species. Hemidactylus agrius, G. geckoides, and H. brasilianus are three new host records for pentastomids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V.F. Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - S.V. Brito
- Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão – UFMA, Boa Vista, CEP 65500-000, Chapadinha, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - J.A. Araujo Filho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia – DSE, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza – CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB, Cidade Universitária, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - D.A. Teles
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia – DSE, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza – CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB, Cidade Universitária, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - S.C. Ribeiro
- Instituto de Formação de Educadores - IFE, Universidade Federal do Cariri - UFCA, Campus Brejo Santo, CEP 63260-000, Brejo Santo, Ceará, Brazil
| | - A.A.M. Teixeira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia), Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia – DSE, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza – CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba – UFPB, Cidade Universitária, Campus I, CEP 58059-900, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil
| | - A.M.A. Pereira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| | - W.O. Almeida
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioprospecção Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica, Universidade Regional do Cariri – URCA, Rua Cel. Antônio Luiz, 1161, Campus do Pimenta, 63105-000, Crato, Ceará, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ribeiro LB, Ferreira ACS, Silva DCN, Vieira FM, Moura GJB. Helminth Parasites of the Lizard Nothobachia ablephara (Gymnophthalmidae) in Caatinga Areas from the Sertão of Brazil. J Parasitol 2018; 104:177-182. [PMID: 29301442 DOI: 10.1645/17-90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The lizard Nothobachia ablephara is endemic to dune areas and sandy soils adjacent to the São Francisco River in semiarid northeastern Brazil. Forty-nine lizard specimens were collected in 2 Caatinga areas in the municipality of Petrolina in Pernambuco state. Three gastrointestinal helminth taxa were identified, the nematodes Parapharyngodon alvarengai and Physaloptera sp. and the cestode Oochoristica sp. Nothobachia ablephara showed low parasite richness, but high levels of infection by P. alvarengai. There were no significant differences between the parasitism rates of the 2 study areas or between male and female lizards. This is the first study on parasitism in N. ablephara, thereby increasing knowledge of parasite fauna that infect gymnophthalmid lizards in the Sertão of Brazil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L B Ribeiro
- * Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Centro de Conservação e Manejo de Fauna da Caatinga (CEMAFAUNA), Av. José de Sá Maniçoba s/n, Centro, CEP 56304-917, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|