Estrutura da comunidade de helmintos associados ao lagarto Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae) em uma área de afloramento rochoso no distrito de Toledos, Juiz de Fora, MG

Abstract

The helminth community of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus from a rocky outcrop located in Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil, was studied. Ninety two of the one hundred ten individuals examined (83,6%) harbored helminths. A total of five helminth species were found, tree nematodes: Physaloptera lutzi, Parapharyngodon sp. and Oswaldofilaria sp., one cestode species and one acanthocaphalan cystacanth not identified. Only nematode species had sufficient data to perform ecological analysis with Physaloptera lutzi showing the highest prevalence (67,3%) and mean intensity (4,86±4,85). Prevalence and intensity of infection between males and females hosts differed only for Oswaldofilaria sp., with males showing the highest values. Total and P. lutzi intensity of infection were different among males and females hosts, with males showing the highest values. The host body size was positively related to intensity of infection for all nematode species. Local seasonality had no influence in the helminth community structure. Host diet, sexual dimorphism and behavior (territorialism, forage strategy) represented important factors in the structuring of this parasite community. In general lines, the helminth community was species poor and non interactive, representing a typical community structure found in herps hosts.