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Helminth infracommunities of a population of the Gran Canaria giant lizard Gallotia stehlini

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

J.E. Martin  and
V. Roca
J.E. Martin
Affiliation:
Departament de Zoologia (Parasitologia Animal), Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de Valencia, Dr Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
V. Roca*
Affiliation:
Departament de Zoologia (Parasitologia Animal), Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de Valencia, Dr Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, València, Spain
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +34 63544372E-mail: vicente.roca@uv.es
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Abstract

A survey of gastro-intestinal helminth communities of Gallotia stehlini (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Gran Canaria island (Canary Archipelago, Spain), was conducted to determine the prevalence, abundance and species diversity of intestinal parasites in these lizards. Pharyngodonid nematodes were the most common intestinal helminths, three species being Gallotia specialists. Helminth infracommunities of G. stehlini were rich and appear to be closer to the interactive end of the continuum isolationist–interactive helminth communities, according to the high values of helminth diversity. It is the first case of a saurian reptile showing this kind of diverse helminth infracommunity, produced by a large size, a wide-ranging plant diet and exposure to helminths with direct life-cycles.

Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 78 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 319 - 322
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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