Abstract

This study investigation represents the first on parasites of the lizard, Laudakia nupta nupta not in Iraq but all over the world. An intestinal nematode, Abbreviata baltazardi has been recovered from the lizard, L. nupta nupta caught from Rawandos mountains in Kurdistan region, Iraq. The main characteristics of this nematode are: mouth with large simple triangular lateral lips armed with one tooth or more, two amphids were also observed in addition to external circle of papillae. Cuticle with clear transverse striations and may be reflected forwards over the lips to form cephalic collarette; oesophagus divided into two portions, glandular and muscular; excretory pore open at the anterior part of the body. Male 25 to 28 mm in length with well developed caudal alae meeting ventrally in front of cloaca, and usually supported by at least four pairs of long protruded papillae and a number of sessile papillae of which there are generally pre anal and five post-anal; spicules dissimilar. Female: 29 to 34 mm in length, vulva in the anterior half of the body; two uteri are present, uterus with 2 branches, oviparous, eggs elongated, smooth, thick-shelled, not capsulated, embryonated. A. baltazardi was collected from sunwatcher toad head agama, Phryocephalus heliosopus, Skrijabinodon pigmentatus and Spauligodon lacerate as such, L. nupta nupta is now considered a new host for this nematode. Moreover, Kurdistan represents a new locality of this species of nematode as no one reports this species from Kurdistan region.

Key words: Lizard, Laudakia nupta nupta, Agama nupta.