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Helminth infracommunities of a population of the Gran Canaria giant lizard Gallotia stehlini

2004; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 78; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1079/joh2004260

1475-2697

Juan Enrique Pérez Martín, Vicente Roca,

Parasites and Host Interactions

Abstract A survey of gastro-intestinal helminth communities of Gallotia stehlini (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Gran Canaria island (Canary Archipelago, Spain), was conducted to determine the prevalence, abundance and species diversity of intestinal parasites in these lizards. Pharyngodonid nematodes were the most common intestinal helminths, three species being Gallotia specialists. Helminth infracommunities of G. stehlini were rich and appear to be closer to the interactive end of the continuum isolationist–interactive helminth communities, according to the high values of helminth diversity. It is the first case of a saurian reptile showing this kind of diverse helminth infracommunity, produced by a large size, a wide-ranging plant diet and exposure to helminths with direct life-cycles.