Relationships between helminth communities and host traits in Podarcis bocagei and Podarcis carbonelli from NW Portugal

Abstract

A parasitological survey was carried out to determine the relationships between helminth fauna and some biological traits of two host species of lacertid lizards. Size, sex, diet, and season of collection, as well as infracommunities and component communities of Podarcis bocagei and P. carbonelli from Douro litoral (northwest Portugal), have been analysed. In both host species, we found low values of parasite infection parameters and diversity. These findings were in accordance with their feeding habits, eating only animal prey and no plant matter. Evidences suggest a relationship between the presence of Brachylaima sp (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) and the ingestion of snails by both lizard species. Spauligodon carbonelli (Nematoda, Pharyngodonidae), a specialist in Podarcis hosts, was the most important parasite, affecting mainly adult males with a prevalence of infection showing seasonal variation.