Ectoparasite loads in free-ranging northern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus: effects of testosterone and sex (original) (raw)
Abstract
More knowledge of the proximate factors that influence parasite loads would help us understand the selective pressures faced by hosts and host-parasite evolution. Testosterone has been associated with increased parasite loads in vertebrates. Here we asked whether experimentally elevated testosterone affected ectoparasite loads in free-ranging northern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus). Males were captured, given testosterone or sham implants, and released. In 2 consecutive years, testosterone-implanted males had significantly more ectoparasites at recapture than did controls. Additionally, ectoparasite loads were positively correlated with testosterone concentrations in unmanipulated males, and males had significantly more ectoparasites than did females. The results are consistent with an effect of testosterone on parasite loads. However, rather than elevated testosterone increasing mite loads in experimental males, it appeared that high testosterone inhibited a natural seasonal decline in mite loads. Testosterone-implanted males also lost body mass whereas controls gained mass. Among controls, those retaining the most ectoparasites over the course of the experiment experienced the smallest gains in body mass, suggesting that the mites are costly.
Access this article
Subscribe and save
- Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
- Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
- Cancel anytime View plans
Buy Now
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.
Instant access to the full article PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
- Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA, USA
Matthew Klukowski & Craig E. Nelson
Authors
- Matthew Klukowski
- Craig E. Nelson
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Klukowski, M., Nelson, C. Ectoparasite loads in free-ranging northern fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus: effects of testosterone and sex.Behav Ecol Sociobiol 49, 289–295 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000298
- Received: 23 June 2000
- Revised: 19 October 2000
- Accepted: 31 October 2000
- Published: 20 December 2000
- Issue date: March 2001
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650000298