Journal article

Molecular survey of coccidian infections of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana on San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico


Authors listQuillfeldt, P; Romeike, T; Masello, JF; Reiner, G; Willems, H; Bedolla-Guzman, Y

Publication year2018

Pages43-

JournalParasite

Volume number25

ISSN1252-607X

Open access statusGold

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2018043

PublisherEDP Open


Abstract
Blood parasites are found in many vertebrates, but the research on blood parasites of lizards is still at its onset. We analyzed blood samples from side-blotched lizards Uta stansburiana from San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico, to test for the presence of hemoparasites. We found a high prevalence (23 out of 27 samples) of a blood parasite of the genus Lankesterella (Coccidia, Eimeriorina, Lankesterellidae) according to phylogenetic analyses of the parasite 18S rRNA gene. Similar parasites (97-99% similarity) have recently been described for Uta stansburiana from California. The parasite 18S rRNA gene showed high variability, both within San Benito and compared to California. The next closest matches of the parasite DNA with 97-98% similarity included a range of different genera (Lankesterella, Schellackia, Eimeria, Isospora and Caryospora). A high uncertainty in the deeper branches of the phylogenetic trees, and many missing links in genetic network analysis, were in line with previous suggestions that the coccidians are an understudied group with large knowledge gaps in terms of their diversity and taxonomy. Further studies are needed to resolve the evolutionary relationships within the Eimeriorina.



Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleQuillfeldt, P., Romeike, T., Masello, J., Reiner, G., Willems, H. and Bedolla-Guzman, Y. (2018) Molecular survey of coccidian infections of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana on San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico, Parasite, 25, p. 43. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2018043

APA Citation styleQuillfeldt, P., Romeike, T., Masello, J., Reiner, G., Willems, H., & Bedolla-Guzman, Y. (2018). Molecular survey of coccidian infections of the side-blotched lizard Uta stansburiana on San Benito Oeste Island, Mexico. Parasite. 25, 43. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2018043


Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 10:55