Patterns of infestation by chigger mites in four diurnal lizard species from a restinga habitat (Jurubatiba) of Southeastern Brazil
Braz. j. biol
;
63(3): 393-399, Aug. 2003. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-353962
RESUMO
We studied the parasitism by larvae of the chigger mite Eutrombicula alfreddugesi on the lizard community of Restinga de Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil. We investigated the patterns of infestation (prevalence and intensity) of chigger mites in four sympatric lizards Tropidurus torquatus, Mabuya agilis, M. macrorhyncha and Cnemidophorus littoralis. All lizards collected were checked for the presence of mites, which were counted under stereomicroscope. We tested the relationship between intensity of infestation and lizard body size for each species using regression analysis. The prevalences and mean intensities (+ one standard deviation) of infestation on each host species were, respectively 100 percent; 86.4 + 94.6 in T. torquatus (n = 62); 100 percent; 20.9 + 9.3 in M. agilis (n = 7); 100 percent; 11.1 + 13.1 in M. macrorhyncha (n = 12); and 95.2 percent; 19.1 + 16.8 in C. littoralis (n = 21). Only for C. littoralis did body size significantly affect the intensity of infestation (r = 0.27, p = 0.02). For all lizard species, the body parts where chiggers occurred with the highest intensity were those of skin folds and joint regions.
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Lizards
/
Mite Infestations
/
Mites
Type of study:
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. biol
Journal subject:
Biology
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/BR
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