Persistence and stability of the component helminth community of the sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus graciosus (Phrynosomatidae) from Los Angeles County, California, 1972-1973, 1986-1996

One thousand three hundred eighty-eight adult Sceloporus graciosus collected 1972-1973, 1986-1996 from the San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County, California were examined for helminths. The component helminth community consisted of one species of cestode, Oochoristica scelopori and three species of nematodes, Atractis penneri, Physaloptera retusa and Spauligodon giganticus. No significant differences by year were found for mean infrapopulations of Oochoristica scelopori, Physaloptera retusa and Spauligodon giganticus (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 3.9, 8 df; 17.8, 10 df; 7.0, 10 df, respectively, P > 0.05). Mean infrapopulations of Atractis penneri by year were significantly different (Kruskal-Wallis statistic = 24.5, 8 df, P < 0.05). The component helminth community of Sceloporus graciosus was persistent and, with the exception of A. penneri, stable.