Helminth parasites of two sympatric lizards, Enyalius iheringii and E. perditus (Leiosauridae), from an Atlantic Rainforest area of southeastern Brazil

Abstract

We present data on helminths harboured by two sympatric species of Enyalius Wagler, 1830 (E. iheringiii Boulenger, 1885 and E. perditus Jackson, 1978) from the Atlantic Rainforest of the Ilha de São Sebastião, in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Six helminth species were found in the hosts: five nematodes (Cosmocerca sp., Oswaldocruzia burseyi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Oswaldocruzia fredi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Rhabdias sp., and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923), and one acanthocephalan (Acanthocephalus sp.). Overall helminth prevalences were relatively high for both species [6/6 (100%) for E. iheringii and 9/14 (64%) for E. perditus]. The helminth assemblages from both host species were depauperate and dominated by generalist helminths with direct life-cycles. © 2008 W. Stefański Institute of Parasitology, PAS.