An annotated checklist This article lists the internal and external parasites recorded in or on tuataras and lizards in New Zealand of ecto- and endoparasites and includes brief notes about them. of New Zealand reptiles Tuataras and lizards are New Zealand’s only land-based native reptiles. Currently these comprise two species of tuatara, 16 geckos divided into the major groups of Nematoda, Cestoda, Trematoda and 28 skinks although the exact number of lizards is undecided and Protozoa whereas all ectoparasite records are included in the and is likely to increase as more research is done(1). In this article order Acari. In the annotated list, the parasites are not only attempts are made to catalogue all those ecto- and endoparasites identified according to the phylum or order to which they belong, that have been recorded on, or in, these hosts. but also to family level. In the latter list, each parasite record is also The parasite checklist is presented in three parts. The first two parts supported by a reference, but these are omitted in parts one and simply list these records alphabetically by common host name two. While these data are primarily concerned with parasites of according to Gill and Whitaker(1) and by parasite group, respectively. New Zealand’s native reptile fauna, for the sake of completeness, The third comprises an annotated catalogue of the parasites those that have been recorded from two non-naturalised captive arranged alphabetically according to their scientific names. In the lizards in this country (the Indian blood sucker lizard and the former two parts, and as appropriate, the endoparasite groups are bluetongue skink) are included as well.

Part 1: Parasite list by host Paradistomum pacificus Bluetongue skink Protozoa Haemogregarina sp (Tiliqua scincoides) Acari Ophionyssus natricis Hepatozoon lygosomarum Brown skink Copper skink (Oligosoma zelandicum) Acari Acomatacarus lygosomae (Cyclodina aenea) Nematoda Parathelandros sp Neotrombicula sphenodonti Skrjabinodon trimorphi Nematoda Parathelandros sp Cestoda Baerietta decidua Skrjabinodon trimorphi Cryptic skink Chevron skink (Oligosoma inconspicuum) Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi (Oligosoma homalonotum) Nematoda Skrjabinodon sp Duvaucel’s gecko Skrjabinodon trimorphi (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) Acari Geckobia hoplodactyli Common gecko Neotrombicula naultini (Hoplodactylus maculatus) Acari Geckobia hoplodactyli Ophionyssus galeotes Microtrombicula hoplodactyla Ophionyssus sp Neotrombicula naultini Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Ophionyssus galeotes Skrjabinodon sp Nematoda Parathelandros sp Protozoa Haemogregarina sp Skrjabinodon poicilandri Egg-laying skink Skrjabinodon sp (Oligosoma suteri) Acari Ophionyssus sp Cestoda Baerietta allisonae Nematoda Skrjabinodon sp Trematoda Paradistomum pacificus Skrjabinodon trimorphi Protozoa Eimeria sp Forest gecko Entamoeba sp (Hoplodactylus granulatus) Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Haemogregarina sp Grand skink Nyctotherus sp (Oligosoma grande) Acari Acomatacarus lygosomae Trichomonas hoplodactyli Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi Common green gecko Green skink (Naultinus elegans) Acari Geckobia naultina (Oligosoma chloronoton) Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi Common skink Harlequin gecko (Oligosoma nigraplantare) Acari Acomatacarus lygosomae (Hoplodactylus rakiurae) Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Neotrombicula naultini Indian blood sucker lizard Neotrombicula sphenodonti (Colotes versicolour) Nematoda Pterygosoma sp Ophionyssus scincorum Jewelled gecko Nematoda Hedruris minuta (Naultinus gemmeus) Acari Neotrombicula naultini Parathelandros sp Marbled skink Pharyngodon sp (Cyclodina oliveri) Acari Ophionyssus sp Skrjabinodon trimorphi McCann’s skink Cestoda Baerietta allisonae (Oligosoma maccanni) Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi Baerietta decidua Moko skink Oochoristica novaezealandicae (Oligosoma moco) Acari Ophionyssus scincorum Trematoda Dolichosaccus (Lecithopyge) Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi leiolopismae page 18 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Protozoa Hepatozoon lygosomarum Hedruris minuta Plasmodium lygosomae Parathelandros sp Nelson green gecko Skrjabinodon trimorphi (Naultinus stellatus) Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Trematoda Dolichosaccus (Lecithopyge) Northland green gecko leiolopismae (Naultinus grayii) Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Protozoa Haemogregarina sp Ornate skink Spotted skink (Cyclodina ornata) Acari Ophionyssus sp (Oligosoma lineoocellatum) Acari Acomatacarus lygosomae Otago skink Neotrombicula sphenodonti (Oligosoma otagense) Acari Neotrombicula naultini Ophionyssus scincorum Ophionyssus scincorum Nematoda Parathelandros sp Nematoda Parathelandros sp Skrjabinodon trimorphi Skrjabinodon trimorphi Cestoda Oochoristica novaezealandicae Pacific gecko Trematoda Dolichosaccus (Lecithopyge) leiolopismae (Hoplodactylus pacificus) Acari Geckobia hoplodactyli Paradistomum pacificus Ophionyssus sp Protozoa Haemogregarina sp Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Striped gecko Skrjabinodon sp (Hoplodactylus stephensi) Nematoda Skrjabinodon poicilandri Trematoda Paradistomum pacificus Tuatara Protozoa Haemogregarina sp (Sphenodon punctatus) Acari Aponomma sphenodonti Shore skink Neotrombicula naultini (Oligosoma smithi) Nematoda Hedruris minuta Neotrombicula sphenodonti Small-scaled skink Nematoda Hatterianema hollandei (Oligosoma microlepis) Nematoda Skrjabinodon trimorphi Trematoda Dolichosaccus (Lecithopyge) Speckled skink leiolopismae (Oligosoma infrapunctatum) Acari Neotrombicula sphenodonti Protozoa Haemogregarina tuatarae Nematoda Capillaria sp Microsporidium sp Part 2: Parasite list by parasite group Acari Acomatacarus lygosomae Brown skink, common skink, grand skink, spotted skink Aponomma sphenodonti Tuatara Geckobia hoplodactyli Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko, Pacific gecko Geckobia naultina Common green gecko Microtrombicula hoplodactyla Common gecko Neotrombicula naultini Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko, jewelled gecko, common skink, Otago skink, tuatara Neotrombicula sphenodonti Brown skink, common skink, speckled skink, spotted skink, tuatara Ophionyssus galeotes Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko Ophionyssus natricis Bluetongue skink Ophionyssus scincorum Common skink, moko skink, Otago skink, spotted skink Ophionyssus sp Duvaucel’s gecko, Pacific gecko, egg-laying skink, marbled skink, ornate skink Pterygosoma sp Indian blood sucker lizard Nematoda Capillaria sp Speckled skink Hatterianema hollandei Tuatara Hedruris minuta Common skink, shore skink, speckled skink Parathelandros sp Common gecko, brown skink, common skink, copper skink, Otago skink, speckled skink, spotted skink Pharyngodon sp Common skink Skrjabinodon poicilandri Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko, Pacific gecko, forest gecko, harlequin gecko, striped gecko, Northland green gecko, Nelson green gecko Skrjabinodon sp Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko, Pacific gecko, egg-laying skink, chevron skink Skrjabinodon trimorphi Common skink, copper skink, green skink, grand skink, chevron skink, cryptic skink, speckled skink, spotted skink, McCann’s skink, small-scaled skink, moko skink, Otago skink, egg-laying skink, brown skink Cestoda Baerietta allisonae Common gecko, common skink Baerietta decidua Common skink, copper skink Oochoristica novaezealandicae Common skink, spotted skink Trematoda Dolichosaccus (Lecithopyge) leiolopismae Common skink, speckled skink, spotted skink, tuatara Paradistomum pacificus Common gecko, Pacific gecko, common skink, spotted skink Protozoa Eimeria sp Common gecko Entamoeba sp Common gecko Haemogregarina sp Common gecko, Duvaucel’s gecko, Pacific gecko, common skink, speckled skink, spotted skink Haemogregarina tuatarae Tuatara Hepatozoon lygosomarum Common skink, moko skink Microsporidium sp Tuatara Nyctotherus sp Common gecko Plasmodium lygosomae Moko skink Trichomonas hoplodactyli Common gecko

page 19 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Part 3: Annotated list Parasite Predilection site Host records Prevalence/distribution Notes Acomatacarus lygosomae Axilla Brown skink (Oligosoma Largely unknown. Found to Adults and nymphs of this small red Acari zelandicum)(2), common skink have a limited distribution chigger mite are free-living predators (Oligosoma nigraplantare)(2), and recorded on skinks at with only the larval stage being Trombiculidae grand skink (Oligosoma only a few localities in the parasitic. These do not burrow under grande) (3), spotted skink Wellington area(4) the skin but simply insert their (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)(2) straw-like mouthparts for a leisurely meal of lymph fluids and digested cells before dropping off. Only a brief description given by Dumbleton(3) but all characteristics of the specimens examined by Ainsworth(4) apparently agreed well with it Aponomma sphenodonti Body Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)(5) Endemic to New Zealand. It has been suggested that this tick Acari Recorded on tuatara from may act as the vector of the Stephens Island(5). Prevalence blood parasite of the tuatara, Ixodidae largely unknown although it has Haemogregarina tuatare (6) been suggested that tuatara are commonly infected(6) Baerietta allisonae Small intestine Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Largely unknown but generally A recent review has determined that Cestoda maculatus)(7), common skink considered to be comparatively the genus Baerietta is a junior (Oligosoma nigriplantare)(4) rare in skinks and geckos in the synonym of Cylindrotaenia (8). The Nematotaeniidae Wellington region(4) original record related to the finding Synonym: of a single specimen in a gecko from Cylindrotaenia allisonae Stephens Island prompting the suggestion that this particular cestode might possibly be a parasite of the tiny Hamilton’s frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni), which was accidentally acquired by the gecko ingesting such prey(7). However, its subsequent recording in a number of geckos and skinks in the Wellington region(4) indicates otherwise Baerietta decidua Small intestine Common skink (Oligosoma Largely unknown, but of limited A recent review has determined that Cestoda nigriplantare)(9), copper skink distribution in skinks in the the genus Baerietta is a junior (4) (4) (9) synonym of Cylindrotaenia (8). The Nematotaeniidae (Cyclodina aenea) Wellington and Otago regions fully gravid proglottids of this species Synonym: are up to four times the length of Cylindrotaenia decidua those of the only other member of this genus recorded in New Zealand (B allisonae) and the neck is shorter Capillaria sp Rectum Speckled skink Largely unknown but Possibly a new and undescribed (10) Nematoda (Oligosoma infrapunctatum) apparently recorded in a species of Capillaria single individual skink on Trichuridae Stephens Island(10) Dolichosaccus Intestine Common skink (Oligosoma Recorded in lizards on Digenean trematode. There is little (Lecithopyge) leiolopismae nigraplantare)(11), speckled skink Stephens Island and Otago(11) agreement in the literature regarding Trematoda (Oligosoma infrapunctatum)(11), and considered to be the family placing of Dolichosaccus spotted skink (Oligosoma (4) Omphalometridae comparatively rare with different authorities assigning lineoocellatum)(11), tuatara the genus to the Omphalometridae, (Sphenodon punctatus)(11) Plagiorchiidae and Telorchiidae. There is also some confusion regarding the number and identity of the various subgenera within this genus which includes Dolichosaccus, Lecithopyge, Opisthioglyphe, and Brachysaccus (11) Dolichosaccus leiolopismae is a new species of this genus and is probably endemic to New Zealand. It differs from the other species of this genus found in New Zealand (D novaezealandiae), which has been recorded in frogs, in being a generally smaller worm (0.6 – 1.1 mm long) and in having a greater ratio of oral to ventral sucker width(11) Eimeria sp Gall bladder Common gecko Recorded in geckos on a Oocysts, macrogametocytes and (4) Apicomplexa (Hoplodactylus maculatus) number of islands in the microgametocytes located in the Wellington region(4) lumen of the gall bladder. Some of Eimeriidae the epithelial cells of this organ were heavily infected causing the parasitised cells to become elongate and pedunculate(4)

page 20 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Entamoeba sp Rectum Common gecko Unknown but record relates to a Only motile stages (20-50 µm long) Sarcomastigophora (Hoplodactylus maculatus) (4) finding in a gecko from of the parasite were found. Aeroplane Island, Wellington(4) Entamoebidae Entamoeba invadens, which is the common reptilan amoeba, normally produces cysts in the liver. However, no such cysts were found in the liver in this particular instance(4) Geckobia hoplodactyli Eye folds, ears Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Recorded on geckos from the A flat bodied spiny mite that can (4) Acari maculatus)(4), Duvaucel’s Wellington district and the Poor easily lodge underneath the host’s Knights Islands(13). Found to have scales. Their spines prevent them Pterygosomidae gecko (Hoplodactylus a limited distribution in a survey from being wiped away. This mite (12) duvaucelii) , Pacific gecko involving a number of Wellington may be distinguished from the only (Hoplodactylus pacificus)(13) locations, although at two of other species of Geckobia described them with a prevalence from New Zealand lizards of 73%(4) (G naultina) by the shape of the scutum. Geckobia naultina Eye folds Common green gecko Unknown A flat bodied spiny mite that can Acari (Naultinus elegans)(12) easily lodge underneath the host’s Pterygosomidae scales. Their spines prevent them from being wiped away. This mite may be distinguished from the only other species of Geckobia described from New Zealand lizards (G hoplodactyli) by the shape of the scutum. Haemogregarina sp Blood vascular Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Found to have a generally Criteria for distinguishing between (4) Apicomplexa system maculatus) , Duvaucel’s gecko limited prevalence and Haemogregarina and Hepatozoon (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)(14), species have not been satisfactorily Haemogregarinidae distribution in skinks and Pacific gecko (Hoplodactylus geckos in the Wellington resolved but perhaps the most useful pacificus)(14), common skink region(4). Recorded in 5% of 37 criterion relates to the pattern of (Oligosoma nigriplantare)(4) , speckled skinks and in 17% of sporogonic development in the speckled skink (Oligosoma an unspecified number of intermediate host. Species of infrapunctatum)(2), spotted skink common geckos from Hepatozoon are characterised by the (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)(4) Stephens Island and in 44% of presence of relatively large oocysts 34 Duvaucel’s geckos on Middle containing sporocysts with Trios, Cook Strait(2) many sporozoites. Those of Haemogregarina have small oocysts without sporocysts that produce eight sporozoites(15) Haemogregarina tuatarae Blood vascular Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)(6) Recorded in small numbers in Although unproven, it has been Apicomplexa system 20% of 35 tuatara on Stephens suggested that the tick Aponomma Haemogregarinidae and Middle Trios Islands, sphenodonti, which commonly Cook Strait(6) infests the tuatara, may be the vector for this parasite(6). Laird(6) noted that the gametocytes of this species could be clearly distinguished from those of Haemogregarina lygosomarum from the skink. However, this latter parasite has since been transferred to the genus Hepatozoon (15). Hatterianema hollandei Intestine Tuatara Unknown An extremely archaic genus of the (16) Nematoda (Sphenodon punctatus) superfamily Heterakoidea. It has three tiny labia and an oesophagus Heterakidae with a valved bulb. The eggs are non-embryonated in utero and, unusually for a heterakoid, have a very rough surface. Some authorities believe that this parasite, along with Heterakis gracilicauda, should be placed in a new family Kiwinematidae(17) Hedruris minuta Stomach Common skink (Oligosoma Original record(18) relates to a Adult nematodes of Hedruris have, (4) Nematoda nigriplantare) , shore skink finding in a skink near Waitangi. as their most unusual morphological (Oligosoma smithi)(18), What is likely to be H minuta feature, a caudal attachment device Hedruridae speckled skink was also recorded in one of 25 in the female consisting of a (Oligosoma infrapunctatum)(10) skinks from Foxton beach(19). sucker-like invagination armed with Prevalence in the common skink a prominent hook. As the specific in some localities in the name suggests this is a very small Wellington region is very high species of this genus measuring (93% at Makara)(4). 2-3 mm long.

page 21 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Hepatozoon lygosomarum Blood, liver spleen Common skink (Oligosoma Recorded in 40% of an On the basis of its sporogonic Apicomplexa nigriplantare)(15), moko skink unspecified number of skinks in development in the mite, (Oligosoma moco)(20) the Makara district, near Ophionyssus scincorum, the Haemogregarinidae Wellington in one study(20) and in haemogregarine that Dore(20) named Synonym: 55% of nine in another (21). Also Haemogregarina lygosomarum was Haemogregarina recorded in 5% of 60 common transferred to the genus Hepatozoon lygosomarum skinks from Birdlings Flat and by Allison and Desser (15). These same one of eight from the Lake authors also suggested that the Alexandrina district, South skink that Dore(20) was working with Canterbury(15) was likely to have been the common skink (Oligosoma nigriplantare), rather than the moko skink (Oligosoma moco). Schizogony takes place in the liver and spleen of the skink and the parasite does not appear to have any adverse effect on the host(15) Microsporidium sp Muscle, tongue Tuatara Largely unknown, but recorded An obligate intracellular protozoan Microspora (Sphenodon punctatus)(22) in a female tuatara that had parasite of uncertain or questionable been in captivity for 40 years(22) identity. Microsporidium is a ‘catch- all’ genus into which incompletely characterised microsporidia are typically placed(23). Histological examination of skeletal muscle and tongue revealed that in some areas, fragmentation of the parasites had produced a severe granulomatous inflammatory reaction(22) Microtrombicula Body, legs, tail Common gecko Found to be common and The adults and nymphs of this hoplodactyla (Hoplodactylus maculatus)(4) widespread in geckos in a chigger mite are free-living predators Acari number of Wellington localities(4) with only the larval stage being Trombiculidae parasitic. These do not burrow under the skin but simply insert their straw-like mouthparts for a leisurely meal of lymph fluids and digested cells before dropping off. Originally referred to as Microtrombicula sp. ‘A’(4) and subsequently described as a new species(24). It is a small red mite, which may be differentiated from Neotrombicula naultini and N sphenodonti by the setation of the palpal tarsus and the shape of the scutum(4) Neotrombicula naultini Groin, axilla Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Largely unknown but considered The adults and nymphs of this small (2) Acari maculatus) , Duvaucel’s gecko to have a limited distribution red chigger mite are free-living (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)(2), Trombiculidae and prevalence in common predators with only the larval stage jewelled gecko (Naultinus geckos in Wellington localities(4) being parasitic. These do not burrow gemmeus)(3), common skink under the skin but simply insert their Synonym: (Oligosoma nigraplantare)(2), straw-like mouthparts for a leisurely Trombicula naultini Otago skink (Oligosoma meal of lymph fluids and digested otagense)(2), tuatara cells before dropping off. Originally (Sphenodon punctatus)(2) recorded on what Dumbleton(3) described as Naultinus elegans from Invercargill. However, as N elegans (the common green gecko) is restricted to the North Island, it is considered likely that the host was N gemmeus, which is distributed in Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Stewart Island(1) Neotrombicula sphenodonti Axilla Brown skink (Oligosoma Found to be common and The adults and nymphs of this Acari zelandicum)(4), common skink widespread in skinks in a chigger mite are free-living predators (Oligosoma nigriplantare)(4), number of Wellington localities(4) Trombiculidae with only the larval stage being speckled skink (Oligosoma parasitic. These do not burrow under infrapunctatum)(4), spotted the skin but simply insert their skink (Oligosoma straw-like mouthparts for a leisurely lineoocellatum)(4), tuatara meal of lymph fluids and digested (Sphenodon punctatus)(24) cells before dropping off. Originally referred to as Neotrombicula sp ‘A’(4) which was subsequently described as a new species(24). They have a similar morphology to Neotrombicula naultini, but can be easily separated from this species by the size and shape of the scutum(4)

page 22 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Nyctotherus sp Rectum Common gecko Recorded, often in large A comparatively large (200-800 µm) Ciliophora (Hoplodactylus maculatus)(4) numbers, in geckos from a kidney-shaped ciliated protozoan, number of localities in the which may be distinguished from Plagiotomidae Wellington region(4) and in Balantidium by the lateral position of 68% of 22 geckos from its ‘mouth’ or cytosome. A single Stephens Island(2) undulating membrane extends from the anterior end to deep within the cytopharynx. The anterior half also contains a massive macronucleus with a small micronucleus nearby. Known species of this genus, which are numerous, include N cordiformis, which may occur in the rectum of frogs in New Zealand and N ovalis, which may be found in the intestine of cockroaches elsewhere. Probably of little pathogenicity Oochoristica Small intestine Common skink (Oligosoma Recorded in 12 of 30 skinks A small cestode in which the novaezealandicae nigriplantare)(25), spotted skink from Banks Peninsula(25). proglottids are acraspedote and the (4) Cestoda (Oligosoma lineoocellatum) Also recorded in skinks on suckers are without lappets. It differs Stephens Island(4) from all other species of this genus Anoplocephalida in having fewer than 20 testes. Its intermediate host is likely to be a beetle(25) Ophionyssus galeotes Groin Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Largely unknown. Generally Blood sucking mite which has been (4) Acari maculatus) , Duvaucel’s gecko considered to be rare in a implicated as an intermediate host (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)(26) survey encompassing a number for haemogregarines of geckos(4)(27) Dermanyssidae of Wellington locations, being recorded only on H maculatus from Stephens Island(4) Ophionyssus natricis Body Bluetongue skink Not considered to be Blood sucking mite that may be Acari (Tiliqua scincoides)(28) established in New Zealand. involved in the transmission of Record relates to the finding of Proteus hydrophilus, the causative Dermanyssidae these mites on one of the agent of haemorrhagic septicaemia progeny of three lizards in the in snakes. Heavy infestations may Wellington zoo three years after also affect the vitality of lizards and their importation from the snakes and lead to their death Melbourne zoo(28) through a combination of the toxic effects of the mite’s saliva and the anaemia brought about by their blood sucking activities. Human infestations may be associated with papula-vesiculo-bullous dermatitis(28) Ophionyssus scincorum Tail Common skink (Oligosoma Found to be common and widely Blood sucking mite which has been Acari nigraplantare)(26), moko skink distributed on the common shown to be a vector for Hepatozoon (Oligosoma moco)(26), skink (O nigraplantare) and to a lygosomarum in the common skink Dermanyssidae (15) Otago skink (Oligosoma lesser extent on the spotted (Oligosoma nigraplantare) otagense)(26), spotted skink skink (O lineoocellatum), in (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)(4) various localities in the Wellington region(4) Ophionyssus sp Eye folds, ears, Duvaucel’s gecko (Hoplodactylus Apparently common, with some Although Whitaker (13) considered Acari axilla, groin duvaucelii)(13), Pacific gecko heavy infections on lizards these blood sucking mites to be (13) (especially geckos) from the Dermanyssidae (Hoplodactylus pacificus) , Ornithonyssus sp it is probable that egg-laying skink (Oligosoma Poor Knights Islands(13). they were Ophionyssus sp. Gill(19) suteri)(13), marbled skink Prevalence on skinks in the also recorded mites that were (Cyclodina oliveri) (13), ornate coastal Manawatu is low(19) possibly Ophionyssus sp on the skink (Cyclodina ornata)(13) common skink (Oligosoma nigraplantare) and the brown skink (Oligosoma zelandicum) Paradistomum pacificus Gall bladder, Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Infected geckos have been This flattened oval digenean fluke Trematoda bile ducts maculatus)(4), Pacific gecko recorded from the Mackenzie (approximately 4 x 2 mm) was (29) country in Central Otago to Dicrocoeliidae (Hoplodactylus pacificus) , recovered from what the authors common skink (Oligosoma Stephens Island (Marlborough refer to in the original record(29) as nigriplantare)(4), spotted skink Sounds area)(29). However, most the ‘common South Island gecko, (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)(4) records relate to inland Hoplodactylus pacificus’. Canterbury where they were Hoplodactylus pacificus, however, is found in 19.7% of 36 geckos now known as the Pacific gecko and from Kaka Hill and in 38% of 34 is restricted to the North Island geckos from Avoca with levels only(1). In view of the distribution of infection being 2.5 and 2.75 described in the record above(29),it per gecko, respectively(29). Also seems likely, therefore, that rather recorded in one of four geckos than being Hoplodactylus pacificus from Stephens Island(29). the lizard that they examined may Widespread and common in have been the common gecko both skinks and geckos in the (Hoplodactylus maculatus), which is Wellington region(4) widespread throughout both the South and North Islands(1).

page 23 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Parathelandros sp Rectum Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Largely unknown but apparently Record of uncertain or questionable Nematoda maculatus)(10), brown skink common in L nigriplantare and identity. This parasite forms a (Oligosoma zelandicum)(10), H maculatus in some localities species complex in which there are a Pharyngodonidae common skink (Oligosoma in the Wellington region(4) number of male and female morphs. nigriplantare)(10), copper skink Clark(10) recorded four unnamed (Cyclodina aenea)(4), Otago skink species but two of these putative (Oligosoma otagense)(10), new species were subsequently speckled skink (Oligosoma identified as Skrjabinodon trimorphi infrapunctatum)(10), spotted skink and Skrjabinodon poicilandri (30). (Oligosoma lineoocellatum)(10) Moreover, as far as is known, Parathelandros species infect only amphibia and all of these records may, therefore, be considered as species of Skrjabinodon (31) Pharyngodon sp Rectum Common skink Recorded in slightly over one Record of questionable or uncertain (Oligosoma nigriplantare)(32) Nematoda third of 68 skinks examined in identity. No nematode fitting the the Wellington district (32) description of Pharyngodon has been Pharyngodonidae found since its original record(32) and Synonym: Clark (10) considered that this parasite Neopharyngodon sp was probably a species of Parathelandros, which may be distinguished from Pharyngodon by the absence of caudal alae. However, Ainsworth(31) is of the opinion that both of these genera are absent from New Zealand with Skrjabinodon being the only pharyngodonine genus present in New Zealand Plasmodium lygosomae Blood vascular Moko skink Recorded in 22% of nine skinks This parasite apparently differs from (21) Apicomplexa system (Oligosoma moco) in the Makara district, most other saurian plasmodia in near Wellington(21) exhibiting exoerythrocytic Plasmodiidae schizogony(21). It has an indirect life cycle but its natural vectors are unknown Pterygosoma sp Body Indian blood sucker lizard Not considered to be Flat bodied spiny mite that is Acari (Colotes versicolour) (22) established in New Zealand. morphologically similar to Geckobia Record relates to the finding of Pterygosomidae these mites on a heavily infested lizard, which entered New Zealand as unwanted cargo and was subsequently handed on to a zoo by the quarantine service (22) Skrjabinodon poicilandri Rectum Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Widespread in the South Island A new species of this genus of (30) Nematoda maculatus) , Duvaucel’s gecko with its range extending to the pinworm which, like Skrjabinodon (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)(31), far north of the North Island(31). trimorphi, comprises two male and Pharyngodonidae Pacific gecko (Hoplodactylus Recorded in 80% of 40 common one female morph(30). The larger male pacificus)(31), forest gecko geckos collected in the morph has tail spine spikes but no (Hoplodactylus granulatus)(31), Wellington region(30) spicule or genital cone, whereas the harlequin gecko (Hoplodactylus other has a spicule and genital cone rakiurae)(31), striped gecko but no tail appendage spine. Both (Hoplodactylus stephensi) (31), male morphs may be found in the Northland green gecko same infected gecko(30). Direct life (Naultinus grayii) (31), cycle with adult worms feeding on Nelson green gecko the microflora of the rectum (Naultinus stellatus)(31) Skrjabinodon sp Rectum Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Species from both geckos and Apart and distinct from Skrjabinodon Nematoda maculatus)(30), Duvaucel’s gecko skinks have restricted trimorphi and Skrjabinodon (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii)(31), geographic ranges being limited poicilandri, six further species of Pharyngodonidae Pacific gecko (Hoplodactylus to a number of northeastern Skrjabinodon have been described pacificus)(31), egg-laying offshore islands although there from geckos and skinks in New skink (Oligosoma suteri )(31), is one record in the Pacific Zealand. All four species from geckos chevron skink (Oligosoma gecko from Coromandel (31) share the same general characters of homalonotum)(31) S poicilandri, the two species from skinks share the general characters of S trimorphi (31). Direct life cycle with adult pinworms feeding on the microflora of the rectum

page 24 Surveillance 30(3) 2003 Skrjabinodon trimorphi Rectum Common skink (Oligosoma Widespread, being recorded in A new species of this genus of Nematoda nigriplantare)(30), copper skink both the North and South pinworm, which comprises two male (Cyclodina aenea)(31), green skink Islands(31). Recorded in 60% of and one female morph(30). One male Pharyngodonidae (Oligosoma chloronoton)(31), 40 common skinks collected in morph is longer and wider than the grand skink (Oligosoma the Wellington region (30) other and has tail spike spines but grande)(31), chevron skink no spicule or genital cone. The other (Oligosoma homalonotum)(31), has a spicule and small genital cone cryptic skink (Oligosoma but no tail appendage spine. Both inconspicuum)(31), speckled skink male morphs may be found in the (Oligosoma infrapunctatum)(31), same infected skink(30). Direct life spotted skink (Oligosoma cycle with adult worms feeding on lineoocellatum)(31), McCann’s the microflora of the rectum skink (Oligosoma maccanni ) (31), small-scaled skink (Oligosoma microlepis)(31), moko skink (Oligosoma moco)(31), Otago skink (Oligosoma otagense)(31), egg-laying skink (Oligosoma suteri)(31), brown skink (Oligosoma zelandicum)(31) Trichomonas hoplodactyli Hind gut, rectum Common gecko (Hoplodactylus Recorded in a large proportion This species is characterised by the Sarcomastigophora maculatus) (33) of geckos in the shingly margins occurrence of three anterior flagella, of the Cass River in Canterbury, Trichomonadidae one of which is clearly visible at frequently in large numbers in medium magnification being about infected hosts(33). Also recorded as long as the body. The other two, in geckos on a number of which are slender and visible at high islands in the Wellington region(4) magnification, are about half as long as the body

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