Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 2005 - Volume 79, Issue 04  

Cambridge Journals Online - CUP Full-Text Page

Research Article

Helminths of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia from a rock outcrop area in southeastern Brazil

L.A. Anjosa1 c1, C.F.D. Rochaa1, D. Vrcibradica1 and J.J. Vicentea2



a1 Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 20550-019, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

a2 Departamento de Helmintologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Article author query

Anjos LA [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Rocha CF [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Vrcibradic D [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]
Vicente JJ [PubMed]  [Google Scholar]

Abstract

The helminth fauna of 291 Hemidactylus mabouia (Lacertilia: Gekkonidae) from a rock outcrop area in the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, was studied. Five species were recovered, namely one unidentified species of centrorhynchid acanthocephalan (present only as cystacanths) and the nematodes Parapharyngodon sceleratus, P. largitor (Oxyuroidea: Pharingodonidae), Physaloptera sp. (Spiruroidea: Physalopteridae) and one indeterminate species of Acuariidae (Acuaroidea), with the latter two forms present only as larvae. Infection rates tended to increase with host size, but appeared to be unaffected by season. Hemidactylus mabouia shared most of its helminth fauna with two other sympatric lizard hosts, Mabuya frenata and Tropidurus itambere. The helminth assemblage of the H. mabouia population appears to have been entirely acquired by this exotic gecko from the local helminth species pool, rather than possessing any species from the parasite faunas of the original African populations.

(Accepted March 15 2005)

Correspondence:

c1 Fax: (021) 587 7655 E-mail: mabuyasp@yahoo.com.br