Prevalence and intensity of haemoparasites in Caucasian agamids Paralaudakia caucasia from north east of Iran

Reptiles are hosts for a wide variety of intra- or extracellular blood parasites that range from protozoan parasites  to microflarid nematodes.  Hemogregarines are found in many vertebrates, being the most prevalent apicomplexan parasites in reptiles. In this study, the prevalence and intensity of  hemoparasites in Caucasian Agamid lizards, Paralaudakia caucasia was investigated. Blood smears were prepared, stained by gimsa, and were examined for the presence of haemoparasites. The light microscopic diagnosis detected parasites in two groups: Hepatozoon sp and Lankestrella sp were found as apicomplexan blood parasites and microflarial worms as nematods.  The prevalence of infected lizards was 17.50 and 10 percent for Hepatozoon sp and Lankestrella sp. respectively. As well as 10 percent of lizards were infected by nematod worms. This report is the first survey of haemoparasites in these lizards. It revealed a high diversity of haemoparasites in lizards of the study region and highlighted the need to understand their impacts on hosts.