Eggs of tegu lizard, Salvator merianae (Duméril & Bilbron, 1839) (Squamata; Teiidae) damaged by fungal infections

Abstract The tegu (Salvator merianae) is the largest lizard found in Brazil and has a wide distribution, occurring in several biomes. The presence of fungi on reptilian eggs initially occurs on infertile eggs, which leads to a subsequent infection in fertile eggs, causing damage and death of embryos. The objective of this study was to identify the fungi that caused lesions in the eggs of tegu in captivity. Swabs were collected on infected and healthy eggshells, in an embryo that died and the substrate of the incubation box. Samples were submitted to saboraund dextrose agar. A total of 93.3% of positive samples were obtained for the fungi Fusarium (11/14), Trichoderma (1/15), Penicilium (1/15), Mucor (1/15), and yeasts of the genus Trichosporon. Therefore, Fusarium was the main agent that caused the lesion and death of embryos in the eggs of the tegu lizard. Sanitary control methods may be taken to avoid fungal infections in the eggs.摘要 泰加蜥（tegu，*Salvator merianae*）是巴西体型最大的蜥蜴类群，分布范围广泛，可栖息于多种生物群落中。爬行动物卵的真菌感染最初多始发于未受精卵，随后可蔓延至受精卵，造成胚胎损伤乃至死亡。本研究旨在鉴定引发圈养泰加蜥卵出现病变的真菌类群。研究人员分别采集了受感染卵壳、健康卵壳、死亡胚胎以及孵化箱基质的拭子样本，将所有样本接种于沙氏葡萄糖琼脂（Saboraud Dextrose Agar）培养基进行培养。最终真菌阳性检出率达93.3%，其中镰刀菌属（Fusarium）在14份对应样本中检出11份，木霉属（Trichoderma）、青霉属（Penicillium）、毛霉属（Mucor）以及毛孢子菌属（Trichosporon）酵母菌均在15份对应样本中各检出1份。综上，镰刀菌属是引发泰加蜥卵胚胎损伤与死亡的主要致病菌。可通过实施针对性卫生防控措施，有效规避泰加蜥卵的真菌感染风险。