Ecological attributes of Hepatozoon lacertilis Gupta et al., 2011 susceptibility in Indian lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Gekkonidae) and Calotes versicolor (Agamidae)

ABSTRACT

Ecological attributes of haematozoan parasites are poorly understood. In this study, we report haematozoan prevalence in two species of Indian lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Family Gekkonidae) and Calotes versicolor (Family Agamidae) under three macro-environmental variables host location, weight and seasonal variations. Hemidactylus flaviviridis (n= 199) and Calotes versicolor (n= 34) were sampled from Bareilly, Chandausi and Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India belonging to different weight groups [Group I (0-5 gm), Group II (5-10 gm) and Group III (10-15 gm)] and during various seasons [Summer (May-July), Rainy (August-October), Winter (November-January), Spring (February-April)] of the year. A haemogregarine, Hepatozoon Miller, 1908 was discovered from both host species. Test for identity of the parasites was conducted by feeding infected Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera Culicidae) on infection-free H. flaviviridis and C. versicolor and blood examinations on 22nd day (H. flaviviridis) and 25th day (C. versicolor) post feeding (pf) revealed similar haematozoan parasites and were identified as Hepatozoon lacertilis Gupta et al., 2011. Infectivity from different locations indicated a prevalence of 5.26% (Bareilly) and 16.36% (Mirzapur) in H. flaviviridis whereas infectivity was comparatively higher (19.23%) in C. versicolor. In different weight groups, Group III indicated highest infectivity in both lizards being 21.42% (C. versicolor) and 17.85% (H. flaviviridis). Parasites showed highest prevalence during spring season (H. flaviviridis 9.52%; C. versicolor 25%). Values of significance were determined by chisquare test to compare the prevalence within different variables (host location, weight and season). The study has importance for its contribution to the knowledge on the diversity of reptilian hosts infected by haemogregarines. It is the first record of Hepatozoon infectivity in both lizard species with respect to the three macro-environmental variables.