Abstract
We describe the general field population biology of haemogregarines and mites in the wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, examining the factors that determine the prevalence and intensity of infection. The intensity of infection by haemogregarines in females was slightly lower in summer than in spring, whereas males maintained similar levels of intensity among all the seasons, probably due to immunosuppressive effects of testosterone. This is also supported because the prevalence and the infection intensity by mites were higher in males than in females. Parasite load was higher in lizards with better body condition, which could be reflecting the mortality of infected lizards with poor condition.
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Acknowledgements
We thank “El Ventorrillo” MNCN Field Station for use of their facilities. We especially thank Santiago Merino for the photographs. Financial support was provided to L. Amo by an “El Ventorrillo” C.S.I.C. grant, to P. López by the MCYT project BOS 2002–00598, and to J. Martín by the MCYT project BOS 2002–00547. This study was performed under license of “Consejería de Medio Ambiente de la Comunidad de Madrid”. The experiments comply with the current laws of Spain where the experiments were performed.
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Amo, L., López, P. & Martín, J. Prevalence and intensity of haemogregarine blood parasites and their mite vectors in the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis. Parasitol Res 96, 378–381 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1354-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-1354-2