RT Journal Article
T1 Habitat type influences parasite load in Algerian Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) lizards
A1 Carbayo, Jorge
A1 Martín, Jose
A1 Civantos Calzada, Emilio
AB Understanding how habitat type and deterioration may affect parasitism is important in assessing the effects of human-induced environmental change on host–parasite dynamics. In this study, we examined inter-population differences in parasite load in the Mediterranean lizard Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). We analyzed prevalence and intensity of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites in two populations separated by a 400 m elevational gradient and with different habitat types that also differed in the degree of human alteration. We also compared data obtained from the same populations 10 years later to assess whether there have been temporary changes in parasite loads. Results showed that prevalence and intensity of blood parasites were higher in the deteriorated lowland holm oak forest population than in the well-preserved upland oak forest. In contrast, the prevalence and intensity of infection by Ixodes Latreille, 1795 ticks was higher in the upland oak forest population. Individuals from the lowland population were in poorer condition. Intensities of infection by blood parasites and ectoparasites have decreased significantly from 2005–2006 to 2016 in both populations. Our results suggest that inter-population differences in parasite load may be explained by differences in habitat characteristics. This study contributes to the identification of ecosystems and habitats that are most sensitive to prevalence and intensity of infection by parasites.
PB Canadian Science Publishing
SN 0008-4301
YR 2019
FD 2019
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/96217
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/96217
LA eng
NO J. Carbayo, J. Martín, and E. Civantos. 2019. Habitat type influences parasite load in Algerian Psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) lizards. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 97(2): 172-180. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2018-0145
NO Financial support was provided by the Ministerio de Economía e Innovación (grant MINECO-CGL2014-53523-P). E.C. was supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through postdoctoral grant SFRH/BPD/109182/2015.
NO Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation
NO Ministerio de Economía e Innovación (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 1 ene 2026