Cases of Multiparasitism by Blood Sporozoans and Tissue Nematodes in Caucasian Laudakia (Paralaudakia caucasia)

In the presented article, the phenomenon of multiparasitism in the rock agama (Paralaudakia caucasia Eichw., 1831) by the malarial species Plasmodium caucasicaTelford, 2013, larvae of tissue nematodes from the Onchocercidae and Spirocercidae families were studied. The host-parasite relationships in animals infected by the aforementioned blood and tissue parasites, as well as the influence of these parasites on their hosts, were investigated. From 1996 to 2005, agamid lizards were captured in the semi-desert territories of Eastern Azerbaijan. Fifteen years later, the blood smears of these lizards were re-examined in light of the new findings. In one mature male rock agama, joint parasitism by plasmodia and larvae of tissue nematodes was recorded. Spirocerca lupi (Rud., 1819) (Nematoda: Spirurida) is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The canine predators may be secondary hosts for these parasitic nematodes. In general, S. lupi has a complex life cycle with both intermediate and paratenic hosts. Meanwhile, S. lupi has an enigmatic peculiarity: infection of canids from intermediate hosts is extremely limited. Probably, coprophagous beetles are the intermediate hosts, ingesting eggs that are contaminated with larvae. The male rock agama, infected by the parasites mentioned above, was very exhausted and soon died. Probably, tissue nematodes have a generalized effect on the paratenic host. The presence of a parasite in the chest of an infected animal, similar in morphology to free-living flatworms, was exciting. The second parasite found in the rock agama is the hemosporidian species P. caucasica. The area inhabited by this parasite spans a large territory from the Caucasus to Pakistan. P. caucasica is a common parasite in rock agamas and can significantly weaken them in case of mass or joint infection with various invasive agents. We described the pathogenic effect of S. lupi larvae, characterized by a general weakening leading to mortality, as well as an increase in the intensity of infection of blood cells by plasmodia compared to lizards infected only with P. caucasica. A conclusion about the interaction between parasites and hosts in rock agamas can be drawn only after a comprehensive study.