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 泰古蜥（Salvator merianae）是巴西境内体型最大的蜥蜴类群，分布范围广泛，见于多种生物群系中。爬行动物卵的真菌侵染通常始发于未受精卵，随后扩散至受精卵，造成胚胎受损乃至死亡。本研究旨在鉴定人工饲养环境下引发泰古蜥卵出现病变的真菌类群。研究人员分别采集了受感染卵与健康卵的卵壳拭子、死亡胚胎拭子以及孵化箱基质样本，将所有样本接种于沙氏葡萄糖琼脂（Sabouraud Dextrose Agar）培养基进行培养。经检测，阳性样本共涵盖镰刀菌属（Fusarium，11/14）、木霉菌属（Trichoderma，1/15）、青霉属（Penicillium，1/15）、毛霉属（Mucor，1/15）以及丝孢酵母属（Trichosporon）酵母菌，总阳性率达93.3%。综上，镰刀菌属为导致人工饲养泰古蜥卵胚胎病变与死亡的主要致病菌。可通过实施卫生防控措施，避免泰古蜥卵遭受真菌感染。