Meeting Abstract

P1-28   -   Effects of human-induced burns on the immune response to parasites in lizards in the Brazilian Savannah Furtado, A/P*; Virgin, E/E; Carvalho, I/S; Bleke, C/A; Lewis, E/L; Marchetti, J/R; Colli, G/R; French, S/S; Paludo, G/R; Universidade de Brasília; Utah State University; Universidade de Brasília; Utah State University; Utah State University; Utah State University; Universidade de Brasília; Utah State University; Universidade de Brasília furtadoap.vet@gmail.com

Fires can affect animals directly and indirectly by transforming the structure of natural habitats, modifying the availability of resources, and inducing a state of chronic stress in animals. The Cerrado in Brazil is considered the largest savannah in the world in terms of its biodiversity, yet agricultural expansion presents a significant threat to native species through human-induced fires. In this study, we examined the stress physiology, parasitism, individual immunity, and oxidative stress in lizards in the Cerrado landscapes that have been exposed to fires. We collected blood samples from 56 lizards of the species Tropidurus oreadicus from two sites, one of which experienced a recent burning and one which never experienced burning. We molecularly tested for parasites of the genera Haemoproteus and Plasmodium, and measured innate immunity (BKA) and oxidative stress (OXY and d-ROMs). Parasite-positive lizards have higher d-ROM values, on average, regardless of fire status, as well as lower OXY values. There was an interaction between parasite status and site for BKA values, such that parasite-positive lizards had lower immunity than parasite-negative lizards at sites with a recent burn. However, parasite-positive lizards at sites not recently burned had higher BKA values than parasite-negative animals, showing that they still had an effective immune response. These findings suggest that fire interferes with the ability to mount immune responses against parasites in lizards of this species.