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Sand-swimming behaviour reduces ectoparasitism in an iguanian lizard

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Abstract

Sand swimming behaviour occurs in several lizard clades. Known ecological advantages of sand swimming include reduced predation risk and enhanced thermoregulation. We addressed whether, by way of sand abrasion, sand-swimming reduces ectoparasitism in the lizard Microlophus occipitalis, whose natural habitat includes sandy substrates (beach) and firm soil (dry forest). We hypothesised that, aside from habitat differences in infestation probability, ectoparasite prevalence and load would be lower in the beach than in the forest because of ectoparasite removal caused by sand-swimming. In an experiment with lizards confined in boxes with substrate from both habitats, lizards in beach boxes showed a greater decrease in ectoparasite load compared with lizards in forest boxes. Ectoparasite prevalence and load were much higher in the forest than in the beach across seasons. Larger lizards showed higher ectoparasite loads, and there were no sex differences in ectoparasite infestation. We provide evidence that sand swimming may confer another ecological advantage to lizards: reduced ectoparasitism.

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Acknowledgments

We thank A. Vigil, C. Sánchez, A. Zeballos, and A. Chávez, for their assistance with fieldwork and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments. We also thank the Regional Government of Tumbes-Perú for authorising sample collection (Permit No. 24-TUM-AUT-IFS-2016-001).

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Correspondence to Ken S. Toyama.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Communicated by: Matthias Waltert

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Toyama, K.S., Florián, J.C., Ruiz, E.J. et al. Sand-swimming behaviour reduces ectoparasitism in an iguanian lizard. Sci Nat 106, 53 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-019-1651-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-019-1651-8

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