Ectoparasite load increase in reproductively active sand lizards

Sexual reproduction imposes risks on participating adults through increased probability of injury, predation pressure, or parasite exposure. Evolutionary theory predicts that animals will tolerate infection during at the expense load, resulting in individual trade-offs between temporary costs current against long-term evolutionary benefits form life-long production viable offspring. We tested this hypothesis, predicting participation sexual increases exposure by investigating ectoparasite load sand lizards (Lacerta agilis). Using generalized additive models to correct for bimodal seasonal dynamics activity, site and year, we found is higher (animals overwintered least twice) than subadults once only. Between sexes adult lizards, males had a number blood-sucking ectoparasites females. Our results indicate both sexually-motivated extensive locomotion associated with territory defence mate search males, energy uptake gestation females, contribute elevated Increased host mobility leads collateral burden lizard populations.