Diet and parasitism in Leposternon polystegum (Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) from coastal areas in the Brazilian Northeast

ABSTRACT

Amphisbaenids are fossorial reptiles with morphological adaptations to subterraneous life. These reptiles feed mainly on arthropods and may act as hosts of several parasite groups. This study analysed specimens of Leposternon polystegum regarding their diet and helminths occurrence, sampled in coastal areas of Ceará State, Brazilian Northeast. The most common prey categories in the diet were Isoptera, Formicidae, and larvae of Coleoptera. Termites were predominant in frequency (48.6%), number (60.9%), and volume (66.5%). There was no difference between sexes in relation to number, volume, and size of preys consumed. Only the nematode species Aplectana nordestina was found, with prevalence of 65.9% and mean intensity of infection of 72 ± 9.1 (7–215). Males and females did not different in their parasite infection intensity. Amphisbaenids are commonly host to nematodes, as well as termites are fundamental prey in their diet.

KEYWORDS:

• Amphisbaenids
• helminths
• Nematoda
• diet composition
• Semiarid

Acknowledgements

RWA thanks Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for providing a research fellowship (# 303622/2015-6; 305988/2018-2).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.