ARAÚJO, Z. M.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3920142908068662; ARAÚJO, Zayne Medeiros de.
Abstract:
The study related to parasite species in an animal population in a given geographic region is
essential for understanding the ecology, life cycle, coevolution and parasite-host interactions.
Furthermore, parasitism can directly interfere with the life of parasitized organisms, which is a
factor that justifies the search for studies in this area. Although Brazil is considered a mega-
diverse country, with around 848 species of reptiles and 1,188 amphibians, there are few studies
in the literature regarding parasitism in these animals. In view of the above, the present study
aimed to compile the knowledge about parasitism in the herpetofauna of the Caatinga
accumulated over the last 30 years. To this end, an integrative review was carried out, which
consists of a method that provides the synthesis of knowledge in a given area of science,
allowing the complete understanding of a phenomenon or problem. To search for articles, the
Publisher Medline, Google Scholar, Scientific Electronic Library Online and BioOne Digital
Library platforms were used, using search strings. “Helminths”, “Helmintos”, “Caatinga”,
“Herpetofauna” “Northeast”, “Nordeste”, “Nematodes”, “Nematodes”, “Amphibian”,
“Amphibians”, “Parasites”, “Parasites”, “Reptilis” , “Reptiles”, “Lizards”, “Lizards”. To ensure
greater accuracy of the review, the PRISMA method was used with adaptations. From the
search, screening and selection of works, 106 studies were selected to compose this review. The
groups of animals covered in the manuscripts were Largartos, Testudines, Amphisbaenas,
Anurans and Serpentes. Based on the data obtained by the selected manuscripts, a prevalence
of Nematode parasites is noted, followed by Pentastomids most occurring in the herpetofauna
in the periodical samples of this review, becoming the species of lizards, accompanied by
anurans, with Amphisbena being the least common group. studied. In view of these results,
there is a need for new work that seeks to understand the parasite-host relationship in less
studied groups, such as Anfisbena. Furthermore, it is important to consider that works that
involve studies of parasitology in herpetofauna, in addition to their ecological importance,
provide important information in the field of public health.