0000000000448701
AUTHOR
Rodrigo Megía-palma
First helminthological data on the Iberian adder, Vipera seoanei.
Abstract Helminth fauna and some biotic and abiotic traits were analysed in Iberian adder Vipera seoanei (Squamata: Viperidae) a European viper nearly endemic to northern Iberian Peninsula, in an attempt to confirm previous claims of relationships between this ecological traits in this genus. A total of 317 samples mostly covering the distributional range of V. seoanei, were examined. Compared with other Vipera species from the Iberian Peninsula, the helminth fauna is also impoverished in V. seoanei, but it is contrary to other Vipera species from Central and East Europe. Helminths were mostly found in adult vipers, and occurred in vipers located at the periphery of the species range, chara…
Phenological and intrinsic predictors of mite and haemacoccidian infection dynamics in a Mediterranean community of lizards
Ectotherms are vulnerable to environmental changes and their parasites are biological health indicators. Thus, parasite load in ectotherms is expected to show a marked phenology. This study investigates temporal host–parasite dynamics in a lizard community in Eastern Spain during an entire annual activity period. The hosts investigated were Acanthodactylus erythrurus, Psammodromus algirus and Psammodromus edwardsianus, three lizard species coexisting in a mixed habitat of forests and dunes, providing a range of body sizes, ecological requirements and life history traits. Habitat and climate were considered as potential environmental predictors of parasite abundance, while size, body conditi…