Papers in the Biological Sciences
Date of this Version
10-1971
Abstract
During investigations of experimental leishmaniasis in American lizards, insect flagellates of at least two genera were isolated from freshly deposited fecal material and gut contents of two genera of Central American lizards (Basilicus and Ameiva).
It appears to us that some of the conclusions regarding the biology of certain flagellates described as reptilian leishmanias must be accepted with caution. Insect flagellates do persist in the lizard intestine for several days, and it is entirely possibly that some reptilian "leishmanias," particularly those described with gut involvement, such as Leishmania henrici, may actually be insect flagellates.
Comments
Published in the Journal of Parasitology (October 1971) 57(5): 1,130-1,132. Copyright 1971, the American Society of Parasitologists. Used by permission.