Ecological attributes of Hepatozoon lacertilis Gupta et al., 2011 susceptibility in Indian lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis (Gekkonidae) and Calotes versicolor (Agamidae)
- Author:
Neelima Gupta
;
Manju Bhaskar
;
Dileep K. Gupta
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2013;30(1):97-104
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
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.
- Full text:W020150618498218530752.pdf
