G. Sorci, REPEATED MEASUREMENTS OF BLOOD PARASITE LEVELS REVEAL LIMITED ABILITYFOR HOST RECOVERY IN THE COMMON LIZARD (LACERTA-VIVIPARA), The Journal of parasitology, 81(5), 1995, pp. 825-827
I investigated longitudinal measures of haemogregarine load in the hos
t lizard Lacerta vivipara over 2 yr (1992-1993). Lizards with heavy pa
rasite infections in 1992 were still suffering from heavy parasite inf
ections in 1993. Such data show that lizards have limited ability to r
ecover from high levels of haemogregarine infection. Modifications of
host behavior and of life-history traits may represent a more effectiv
e and less costly response to haemogregarine infection in this species
.