Effect of gregarines (Apicomplexa: Sporozoa) on survival and weight loss of Victorwithius similis (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones).

Gregarines are common intestinal parasites of numerous invertebrate groups. Their effects on host viability and development have been a matter of debate. Although they may not be lethal to the host, they can be harmless commensals, by affecting adaptive traits, or have a beneficial relationship with the host. This study focused on determining prevalence, intensity, and change in infection intensity over time by septate gregarines, and monitoring the effects on survival and weight loss in the pseudoscorpion Victorwithius similis. Individuals (n=24 females, n=55 males and n=41 tritonymphs) were captured in the field, transported to the vivarium and bred under laboratory conditions. A high prevalence of infection was found, with 77.27% of females, 62.50% of males and 73.53% of tritonymphs harboring intense infections. Of the infected pseudoscorpions, 62% of females, 58% of males and 71% of tritonymphs did not show changes in infection intensity over time. The group that maintained intense infections survived longer than those with less intense infections (χ(2)=8.642; p=0.035). Most of the results obtained indicate that relationship studied between gregarines and the pseudoscorpion V. similis might be a case of commensalism. This would explain why the infection level and prevalence was very high, as well as the apparent lack of direct costs to highly infected individuals those with infections.