ABSTRACT

The pygmy desert monitor (Varanus eremius) is a small lizard that is found across the northern part of Australia. These timid lizards primarily prey on small lizards, scorpions, and large insects. As a carnivore, it is possible that these animals are exposed to a variety of parasites. Larval stages of the physalopterid nematode Abbreviata tumidocapitis were found encysted in various tissues and were free in the coelomic cavity of a wild-caught pygmy desert monitor. In addition, three adult Hastospiculum gouldi were recovered from the coelomic cavity. This is the first time that Abbreviata tumidocapitis and Hastospiculum gouldi have been found in this species of monitor.