Parasites, but not palpation, are associated with pregnancy failure in a captive viviparous lizard

Published source details Hare K.M., Hare J.R. & Cree A. (2010) Parasites, but not palpation, are associated with pregnancy failure in a captive viviparous lizard. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5, 536-570.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Control ectoparasites in wild reptile populations Action Link
	Maintain wild-caught, gravid females in captivity during gestation Action Link

Control ectoparasites in wild reptile populations

A controlled study in 2004 and 2007 in laboratory conditions in South Island, New Zealand (Hare et al. 2010) found that treating mites on wild-caught pregnant female McCann’s skinks Oligosoma maccanni with vegetable oil improved pregnancy success and offspring viability. When mites were treated with vegetable oil, the majority of wild-caught pregnant female McCann’s skinks gave birth successfully (22 of 30 skinks completed pregnancy successfully, 2 of 30 skinks had partially successful pregnancies), whereas when mites were not treated, most pregnancies were not successful (1 of 17 skinks had a partially successful pregnancy). Female McCann’s skinks treated for mites produced more viable offspring (2.6 offspring/female), compared to when mites were not treated (0.1 offspring/female). Two weeks after initial treatment with oil, 14 of 30 female skinks showed signs of mites still being present. After 28 days (and two treatments of oil), no live mites were observed. In October 2004 and 2007, pregnant female McCann’s skinks were taken from the wild and maintained in controlled temperature and lighting conditions in individual containers (2004: 17 individuals; 2007: 30 individuals; see original paper for details). In 2004, all skinks had scale mites and were not treated. In 2007, all skinks were treated for mites using sunflower oil following capture. Skinks were checked for mites and retreated with oil as necessary on the 14^thday (all skinks oiled), 28^th (only those skinks with raised scales were re-oiled) and 56^th (no skinks were re-oiled) day following capture.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Maintain wild-caught, gravid females in captivity during gestation

A controlled study in 2004 and 2007 in laboratory conditions in South Island, New Zealand (Hare et al. 2010) found that wild-caught pregnant female McCann’s skinks Oligosoma maccanni gave birth in captivity, but pregnancy success and offspring viability was improved when skinks were treated for mites. When mites were treated with vegetable oil, the majority of wild-caught pregnant female McCann’s skinks gave birth successfully (22 of 30 skinks completed pregnancy successfully, 2 of 30 skinks had partially successful pregnancies), whereas when mites were not treated, most pregnancies were not successful (1 of 17 skinks had a partially successful pregnancy). Female McCann’s skinks treated for mites produced more viable offspring (2.6 offspring/female), compared to when mites were not treated (0.1 offspring/female). Two weeks after initial treatment with oil, 14 of 30 female skinks showed signs of mites still being present. After 28 days (and two treatments of oil), no live mites were observed. In October 2004 and 2007, pregnant female McCann’s skinks were taken from the wild and maintained in controlled temperature and lighting conditions in individual containers (2004: 17 individuals; 2007: 30 individuals; see original paper for details). In 2004, all skinks had scale mites and were not treated. In 2007, all skinks were treated for mites using sunflower oil following capture. Skinks were checked for mites and retreated with oil as necessary on the 14th day (all skinks oiled), 28th day (only those skinks with raised scales were re-oiled) and 56th day (no skinks were re-oiled) following capture.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)