Abstract

This study was prompted by the scarcity of information on helminths in Sceloporus lizards of Utah. It reports these worms and includes references to parasites of reptiles in the appendix. A microscopic examination of the coelom, mesenteries, liver, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and intestines of 55 lizards was made, but helminths were recovered only from stomachs and intestines. Examination of S. graciosus yielded Opchoristica scelopori, a cestode found in the duodenum, and Cyrtosomum penneri, C. readi, and C. heynemani, three nematodes of the cecum. The latter two are new nematodes for this host species. Examination of S. undulatus yielded three new nematodes for this host. Skrjabinoptera phrynosoma from the stomach, Physaloptera retusa and Pharyngodon giganticus from the cecum. Examination of S. occidentalis yielded O. scelopori from the duodenum, P. retusa from the stomach, and P. giganticus in the cecum. Examination of S. magister yielded S. phrynosoma and Thubunaea iguanae from the stomach, and from the cecum P. giganticus, C. penneri, and C. readi. New nematodes of S. magister reported in this study are S. phrynosoma, P. retusa, and C. readi.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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