Helminths of the lizard Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in an area of Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil

Lizards are hosts to a variety of parasites, but in South America only 15% of lizard species have been studied for helminths. In the present study, the component community of helminths associated with the gymnophthalmid Colobosauroides cearensis in an area of Caatinga (7°22’46.08” S, 38°38’47.87”W) is reported. We examined 91 specimens from the Brazilian state of Ceará, and five taxa of helminths were recovered: four Nematoda (Parapharyngodon largitor, Spauligodon sp., Physaloptera sp. and Oswaldocruzia sp.) and one Cestoda (Oochoristica sp.). Parapharyngodon largitor was the most prevalent species (61%), and presented the highest mean abundance of infection (1.60 ± 0.18). Lizard body size influenced the richness and abundance of helminths, while infection parameters were not related to lizard sex