HELMINTH PARASITE COMMUNITY OF THE LIZARD GONATODES HUMERALIS (SQUAMATA: SPHAERODACTYLIDAE) IN THE AMAZON: STRUCTURE AND COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT AREAS.

Abstract

Gonatodes humeralis is a small gecko common in the Amazon, and little is known about its parasite community. The present work assessed for the first time in detail the parasite community of G. humeralis in 2 conservation areas of the municipality of São Luís, State of Maranhão, Brazil, and the factors associated with it. A total of 132 lizards were collected. We found only 3 parasite taxa: the nematode Skrjabinelazia galliardi in the stomach, the digenean Mesocoelium sp., and the cestode Oochoristica sp., both in the small intestine. Skrjabinelazia galliardi was the most dominant, prevalent, and abundant, followed by Oochoristica sp.; Mesocoelium sp. was rare, infecting only 2 female lizards from one of the collection sites. The parasite community was depauperate, noninteractive, and parasites were highly aggregated, which is typical of lizard hosts. Host body length was a strong factor shaping the parasite community, whereas sex, ontogeny, and collection site exerted a weak influence on it. Because all parasites are trophically transmitted, the host diet is likely an important indicator of parasite transmission in the present community. The local anthropic activities possibly influence the environmental quality, which may impact the existence of intermediate hosts for Mesocoelium sp. and its transmission. Gonatodes humeralis harbored only adult parasites, indicating that this species does not play a significant role as intermediate/paratenic host in the area but represents an important definitive host at least for S. galliardi and Oochoristica sp.