The aim of the thesis was to determine the presence of blood parasites of the Hemogregarina group and to assess their prevalence and intensity in the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) in the Pokljuka area. To facilitate the detection of blood parasites, we used Wright-Giemsa staining method of blood smears. Further statistical analysis of sampled data was carried out to determine how different states of the lizard (sex, gravidity, physical condition, tail regeneration and age) condition the intensity of parasites, and to assess physiological priorities of the infected lizards at that given moment i.e. investment of the energy in reproduction, body regeneration or in the immune system as a central defence system against blood parasites. Finally, we also analysed variation of the intensity of blood parasites over the course of the season. Almost half of the 53 common lizards included in the study were infected with hemogregarines. We confirmed that parasite prevalence is higher among adult males and intensity is higher among adult females. There was no difference in prevalence according to gravidity of the females and no comparison of intensity could be made due to the small number of infected gravid females. In adult common lizards, we could only observe a trend of lower intensity of infection in individuals in better physical condition. There was no significant difference in prevalence in relation to tail condition, only indication of higher intensity of infection in individuals with a recently regenerated tail. The study did not show a relationship between intensity and age of the common lizard, only an increasing trend in both the prevalence and intensity of blood parasites through the season.
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