HISTOPATHOLOGY IN A CAPTIVE YARROW SPINY LIZARD, SCELOPORUS-JARROVII (PHRYNOSOMATIDAE), ATTRIBUTED TO THE MITE HIRSTIELLA-SP (PTERYGOSOMATIDAE)

Histopathology of an acute skin infestation by mites (Hirstiella sp.) is described in a captive Yarrow's spiny lizard, Sceloporus jarrovii. The lesions consisted of an acute diffuse dermatitis. The granulomas a nd epithelial hyperplasia that characterize the chronic inflammation w e observed in lizard species naturally infected with other ectoparasit es were not present. Factors that contributed to the acute course of t his animal's disease include blood loss along with probable weakness f rom the stress of captivity.