A preliminary study on Ectoparasites of some lizards in Ilam (Mehran)

In this research 120 individuals of lizards belonging to 6 families (Lacertidae, Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, Agamidae, Scincidae and Eublepharidae), 11 genera and 11 species were collected from Mehran region in Ilam Province and scrutinized for existence of ectoparasite. Our results demonstrated that among these, two families of Scincidae and Eublepharidae lack any parasite on their skin whereas the other four families possess mite pockets containing ectoparasite on different site of the body. The mite pockets occurred around eyes, inside ears, within scales and skin folds of the hosts. In general, ectoparasites were found in the members of 6 lizard species including Ophisops elegans (Lacertidae), Asaccus elisa (Phyllodactylidae), Laudakia nupta (Agamidae), Cyrtopodion scabrum and Carinatogecko heteropholis (Gekkonidae). The parasites were found on these lizards were belong to the genera Geckobia (Pterygosomatidae) and Trombicula (Trombiculidae) which occurred in high intensity in Ophisops elegans but with lower number on other species. Based on the results obtained from Asaccus elisa no gender difference is observed in terms of the number and intensity of infestation.