RT Journal Article
T1 Shared haemogregarine infections in competing lacertids
A1 Dajčman, Urban
A1 Carretero, Miguel A.
A1 Megia Palma, Rodrigo Manuel
A1 Perera, Ana Perera
A1 Kostanjšek, Rok
A1 Žagar, Anamarija
AB In parasite–host interactions host species may differ in their ability to fight parasitic infections, while other ecological interactions, including competition, may differentially alter their physiological state, making them even more susceptible to parasites. In this study, we analyse the haemogregarine blood parasites infecting two competing lizard species, Iberolacerta horvathi and Podarcis muralis, and explore host–parasite relationships under different host competition scenarios. Both species were infected with haemogregarine parasites belonging to the genus Karyolysus. Using the 18S rRNA gene, six new Karyolysus haplotypes were identified clustering with other Central and Eastern European samples, and widely shared between both lizard hosts. Haemogregarine infections were detected at all sampled sites with over 50% of individuals parasitized. Overall, I. horvathi was more frequently and also more intensely parasitized than P. muralis, with higher infection rates observed in syntopy. Males of both species tended to be more frequently infected and showed a higher infection intensity than conspecific females. The results suggest that parasitisation by haemogregarines may be relevant in the dynamics of the competitive relationship between these lizard species. More studies, including immunological response analysis, and the identification of the vectors are needed to better understand host–parasite relationships and competition.
PB Cambridge University Press
SN 0031-1820
YR 2021
FD 2021
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/113850
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/113850
LA eng
NO Dajčman, U., Carretero, M. A., Megía-Palma, R., Perera, A., Kostanjšek, R., & Žagar, A. (2022). Shared haemogregarine infections in competing lacertids. Parasitology, 149(2), 193–202. doi:10.1017/S0031182021001645
NO AŽ was supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS, Programme P1-0255) and grant J1-2466, as well as by the project 28014 02/SAICT/2017 granted by Fundaçao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal). RMP has a postdoctoral contract (CEECIND/04084/2017) by ICETA – Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente da Universidade do Porto and Fundação da Ciência e Tecnologia. AP was supported by FCT through the IF contract IF/01257/2012 and a contract associated to the project PTDC/BIA-EVL/28090/2017. MAC is supported by the project PTDC/BIA-CBI/28014/2017 funded by FCT.
NO Slovenian Research Agency
NO Fundaçao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
NO Universidade do Porto
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2025