Helminths of four species of gekkonid lizards from southern Africa

Abstract

One hundred and seven specimens of four species of gekkonid lizards from southern Africa, Chondrodactylus angulifer, Pachydactylus bibronii, Pachydactylus capensis and Ptenopus garrulus, were examined for helminths. One species of cestode, Oochoristica ubelakeri, an undetermined cyclophyllid metacestode, six species of nematodes, Maxvachonia dimorpha, Parapharyngodon rotundatus, Skrjabinelazia ornata, S. petersi, Spauligodon smithi, Thubunaea fitzsimonsi, an undetermined ascarid larva, and an undetermined cystacanth were found. Seven new host records are reported. Mean helminth species richness for the four gekkonid species was 3.0 ± 0.8 S.D., range = 2–4.

Key words: reptile parasites, Cestoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala.