Helminth parasites of unisexual and bisexual whiptail lizards (Teiidae) in North America. II. The New Mexico whiptail (Cnemidophorus neomexicanus).

Abstract

Twelve of 61 (20%) unisexual New Mexico whiptails (Cnemidophorus neomexicanus) from three counties of central New Mexico (USA) and two counties of extreme southwestern Texas (USA) were found to be infected with one or more endoparasites. These included a linstowiid cestode (Oochoristica bivitellobata) in seven (11%), a larval spirurid nematode (Physaloptera sp.) in three (5%), an oxyurid nematode (Pharyngodon warneri) in two (3%) and an unidentified acanthocephalan cystacanth in a single (2%) lizard. This report constitutes the first record of helminths from C. neomexicanus.