Abundancia y distribución de ácaros parásitos (Eutrombicula araucanensis y Pterygosoma sp.) en lagartijas (Liolaemus pictus) de Chile central

Abstract

In order to analyze the abundance and distribution of mites in the lizard Liolaemus pictus and its relationship with the body size and sex of the host, 835 mites from 134 specimens of L. pictus captured in central Chile —Araucanía Region to Los Lagos, including Chiloé Island— were studied. Prevalence, total abundance and abundance for each body region of the host were calculated. The relationship between the host body size and abundance of mites was analyzed. Mites were found in 39% of lizards, identifying 2 species Eutrombicula araucanensis (prevalence 34.3%) and Pterygosoma sp. (prevalence 8.2%). No significant association between host body size, sex and abundance of mites was found. The host body areas that had higher abundance of mites were: femoral and flank, although the femoral area was only parasitized by E. araucanensis. We propose that the shape of the lizard scales could be the factor that is directly influencing the body distribution of these species of mites in L. pictus in Chile.