REPEATED MEASUREMENTS OF BLOOD PARASITE LEVELS REVEAL LIMITED ABILITYFOR HOST RECOVERY IN THE COMMON LIZARD (LACERTA-VIVIPARA)

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 .