The Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) is an endangered lacertid species endemic to the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). Its populations are threatened by several factors, including habitat fragmentation and reduction, competition with the invasive Podarcis siculus, and potential health risks associated with disease dynamics. To prevent the extinction of this unique species an ex-situ captive breeding program was established in the Reptile House at the Bioparco of Rome within the LIFE project EOLIZARD. Most animals were housed in outdoor enclosures, favoring the exposure of these na & iuml;ve lizards to new ectoparasitic mite species, that may negatively impact host fitness through direct effects and pathogen transmission. Therefore, given the lack of antiparasitic strategies for small lacertid lizards, this study evaluated the safety and efficacy of oral administration of afoxolaner for controlling mite infestations. A total of 178 lizards were clinically examined and treated with a single oral dose of afoxolaner (2.5 mg/kg). Mite infestation was monitored before treatment (T0) in all lizards. In addition, 20 specimens kept in individual enclosures and 30 from outdoor enclosures, were checked at 24 h (T1), 7 days (T2), 14 days (T3), and 28 days (T4) post-treatment. Ectoparasites were identified using both morphological and molecular methods as Ophionyssus lacertinus, and molecular screening was performed to detect vector-borne pathogens. Before treatment, 90 out of 178 lizards (50.6%) were infested with mites, with the prevalence rapidly declining in the follow up, until mite clearance at day 28 post-administration, in single housed lizards, and as low as 5% prevalence in those kept outdoors. Other lizard species (captive and free-living) (i.e., Podarcis muralis, P. siculus, Timon lepidus) were also infested, potentially being the source of mites. These findings suggest that oral afoxolaner is an effective treatment for controlling mite infestations in small lacertid lizards, with important implications for conservation management.
Saving a species, one mite at a time: efficacy of afoxolaner (NexGard®) against Macronyssidae mites in the critically endangered Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei)
Mendoza-Roldan J. A.;Ricci A.;Di Palma A.;Beugnet F.;Otranto D.
2026-01-01
Abstract
The Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) is an endangered lacertid species endemic to the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). Its populations are threatened by several factors, including habitat fragmentation and reduction, competition with the invasive Podarcis siculus, and potential health risks associated with disease dynamics. To prevent the extinction of this unique species an ex-situ captive breeding program was established in the Reptile House at the Bioparco of Rome within the LIFE project EOLIZARD. Most animals were housed in outdoor enclosures, favoring the exposure of these na & iuml;ve lizards to new ectoparasitic mite species, that may negatively impact host fitness through direct effects and pathogen transmission. Therefore, given the lack of antiparasitic strategies for small lacertid lizards, this study evaluated the safety and efficacy of oral administration of afoxolaner for controlling mite infestations. A total of 178 lizards were clinically examined and treated with a single oral dose of afoxolaner (2.5 mg/kg). Mite infestation was monitored before treatment (T0) in all lizards. In addition, 20 specimens kept in individual enclosures and 30 from outdoor enclosures, were checked at 24 h (T1), 7 days (T2), 14 days (T3), and 28 days (T4) post-treatment. Ectoparasites were identified using both morphological and molecular methods as Ophionyssus lacertinus, and molecular screening was performed to detect vector-borne pathogens. Before treatment, 90 out of 178 lizards (50.6%) were infested with mites, with the prevalence rapidly declining in the follow up, until mite clearance at day 28 post-administration, in single housed lizards, and as low as 5% prevalence in those kept outdoors. Other lizard species (captive and free-living) (i.e., Podarcis muralis, P. siculus, Timon lepidus) were also infested, potentially being the source of mites. These findings suggest that oral afoxolaner is an effective treatment for controlling mite infestations in small lacertid lizards, with important implications for conservation management.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
