A) Doctoral thesis

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Molecular characterization of parasites that infect lizards and their influence on colour ornaments. Thesis dissertation Rodrigo Megía-Palma. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2016.

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B) Publications with peer review process

 

48. Megía-Palma, R., Sánchez-Montes, G., Netherlands, E., Palomar, G., Martínez-Solano, I. (accepted). High prevalence of Trypanosoma infection in Iberian green frogs (Pelophylax perezi) and evidence of a negative relationship between blood parasites and two indices of frog body condition. Basic & Applied Herpetology.

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47. Megía-Palma, R., Mediavilla, C., Reguera, S., & Barrientos, R. (accepted). Reproductive phenology and exposure to hematophagous mites in two Mediterranean lacertids. Ecosistemas (Spanish version).

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46. Van Niekerk, J., Forcina, G., & Megía-Palma, R. (2024). Grouping behaviour and anti-predator responses in the helmeted guineafowl Numida meleagris. Birds 5(4): 685-702. https://doi.org/10.3390/birds5040047

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45. Serén, N., Pinho, C., Megía-Palma, R., Aguilar, P., Žagar, A., Andrade, P., & Carretero, M. A. (2024). Selection on the vascular-remodelling BMPER gene is associated with altitudinal adaptation in an insular lizard. Evolution Letters. https://doi.org/10.1093/evlett/qrae047.

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44. Žagar, A., Dajčman, U., Megía-Palma, R., T. Simčič, Barroso, F. M., Baskiera, S., & Carretero, M. A. (2024). Analysis of subcellular energy metabolism in five Lacertidae lizards across varied environmental conditions. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2024.111729

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43. De los Ríos-Solera, J. A., Megía-Palma, R., Tarriza, A., Blázquez-Castro, S., Barrientos, R., & Barja, I. (2024). Three yellow patches differently correlate with escape behaviour, morphological traits, leukocytes, parasites, and hormones in a lizard species. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 78:100. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03515-x.

 

42. Faria, J. F., Megía-Palma, R., & Harris, D. J. (2024). Impact of blood parasites on the behaviour of two congeneric wall lizards (genus Podarcis). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 78:105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-024-03518-8.

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41. Megía‐Palma, R., Cuervo, J. J., Fitze, P. S., Martínez, J., Jiménez‐Robles, O., De la Riva, I., Reguera, S., Moreno-Rueda, G., Blaimont, P., Kopena, R., Barrientos, R., Martín, J., & Merino, S. (2024). Do sexual differences in life strategies make male lizards more susceptible to parasite infection? Journal of Animal Ecology 93(9): 1338-1350. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.14154.

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40. Duque-Amado, C., & Megía-Palma, R. (in press). The Mesoamerican giant toad (Rhinella horribilis) as bioindicator of vegetation degradation in a tropical forest. Basic and Applied Herpetology. https://doi.org/10.11160/bah.273.

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39. Gilbert, E., Žagar, A., López-Darias, M., Megía-Palma, R., Lister, K. A., Jones, M. D., Carretero, M. A., Serén, N., Beltran-Alvarez, P., & Wollenberg-Valero, K. C. (2024). Environmental factors influence cross-talk between a heat shock protein and an oxidative stress protein modification in the lizard Gallotia galloti. Plos One 19 (3): e0300111.

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38. Rivera-Rea, J., González-Morales, J. C., Megía-Palma, R., Bastiaans, E., Quintana, E., & Manjarrez, J. (2024). Seasonal changes in male color patches and parasite load of the male lizard Sceloporus torquatus. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 78:27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-023-03425-4.

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37. Megía-Palma, R., Palomar, G., Martínez, J., Antunes, B., Dudek, K., Žagar, A., Serén, N., Carretero, M. A., Babik, W., & Merino, S. (2024). Lizard host abundances and climatic factors explain phylogenetic diversity and prevalence of blood parasites in an oceanic island. Molecular Ecology 33(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17276.

 

36. Aguilar, P., Pérez i de Lanuza, G., Martínez-Gil, H., Dajčman, U., T. Simčič, C. Pinho, A. Žagar, & Megía-Palma, R. (2024). Color morphs of the fire salamander are discriminated at night by conspecifics and predators. Journal of Zoology 322(2): 141-155. DOI: 10.1111/jzo.13131.

 

35. Megía-Palma, R., Paranjpe, D., Cooper, R. D., Blaimont, P., & Sinervo, B. (2024). Natural parasites in conjunction with behavioral and color traits explain male agonistic behaviors in a lizard. Current Zoology 70(1): 59-69. DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac095.

 

34. Serén, N., Megía‐Palma, R., Simčič, T., Krofel, M., Guarino, F. M., Pinho, C., Žagar, A., & Carretero, M. A. (2023). Functional responses in a lizard along a 3.5‐km altitudinal gradient. Journal of Biogeography 50(12): 1993-2159. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.14711.

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33. Blázquez-Castro, S., Barrientos, R., & Megía-Palma, R. (2023). Unusual double erythrocyte infection by heterogeneric parasites in the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus (Linnaeus, 1758). Herpetology Notes, 16, 669-672.

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32. Megía-Palma, R., Redondo, L., Blázquez-Castro, S., & Barrientos, R. (2023). Differential recovery ability from infections by two blood parasite genera in males of a Mediterranean lacertid lizard after an experimental translocation. Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology 339(9): 799-910. DOI: 10.1002/jez.2732

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31. Roca, V., Gómez-Ramírez, F., Espasandín, I., Megía-Palma, R., Perera, A., & Martínez-Freiría, F. (2023). First helminthological data on the Iberian adder, Vipera seoanei. Parasitology Research 122: 1499-1507. DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07849-9

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30. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., Fitze, P. S., Cuervo, J. J., Belliure, J., Jiménez-Robles, O., Cabido, C., Martín, J., & Merino, S. (2023). Genetic diversity, phylogenetic position, and co-phylogenetic relationships of Karyolysus, a common blood parasite of lizards in the western Mediterranean. International Journal for Parasitology 53(4): 185-196. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.12.006

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29. Van Nieker, J. H., Megía-Palma, R., & Forcina, G. (2022). Thermoregulatory function and sexual dimorphism of the throat sack in Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) across Africa. Avian Research 13(2022): 100047. DOI: 10.1016/j.avrs.2022.100047.

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28. Rivera-Rea, J., González-Morales, J.C., Fajardo, V., Megía-Palma, R., Bastiaans, E., Manjarrez, & J. (2022). Phenological variation in parasite load and inflammatory response in a lizard with an asynchronous reproductive cycle. The Science of Nature 109: 34. DOI: 10.1007/s00114-022-01793-x

 

27. Megía-Palma, R., Merino, S., & Barrientos, R. (2022). Longitudinal effects of habitat quality, body condition, and parasites on colour patches of a multiornamented lizard. Behavioral Ecology & Sociobiology 76, 73. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03182-w

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26. Žagar, A., Simčič, T., Dajčman, U., Megía-Palma, R. (2022). Parasitemia and elevation as predictors of hemoglobin concentration and antioxidant capacity in two sympatric lizards. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 270:111233. DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.111233

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25. Megía-Palma, R., Barja, I., & Barrientos, R. (2022). Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and ectoparasites as biomarkers of heat stress close to roads in a Mediterranean lizard. Science of the Total Environment 802. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149919.

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24. Dajčman, U., Carretero, M. A., Megía-Palma, R., Perera, A., Kostanjšek, R., & Žagar, A. (2021). Shared haemogregarine infections in competing lacertids. Parasitology 149(2): 193-202. doi:10.1017/S0031182021001645.

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23. Drechsler, R. M., Belliure, J., & Megía-Palma, R. (2021). Phenological and intrinsic predictors of mite and haemacoccidian infection dynamics in a Mediterranean community of lizards. Parasitology DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000858.

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22. Megía-Palma, R., Barrientos, R., Gallardo, M., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2021). Brighter is darker: the Hamilton-Zuk hypothesis revisited in lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab081.

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21. Rutschmann, A., Dupoué, A., Miles, D., Megía-Palma, R., Lauden, C., Richard, M., Badiane, A., Rozen-Rechels, D., Brevet, M., Blaimont, P., Meylan, S., Clobert, J., & Le Galliard, J. F. (2021). Intense nocturnal warming alters growth strategies, coloration, and parasite load in a diurnal lizard. Journal of Animal Ecology DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13502.

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20. Barrientos, R., & Megía-Palma, R. (2021). Associated costs of mitigation-driven translocation in small lizards. Amphibia-Reptilia DOI:10.1163/15685381-bja10040.

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19. Van Niekerk, J. H., Megía-Palma, R., & Forcina, G. (2021). Call variation of Crested Francolin (Dendroperdix sephaena) across Africa defies the effects of spatial gradients. Ibis: International Journal of Avian Science  DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12945.

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18. Megía-Palma, R., Arregui, L., Pozo, I., Zagar, A., Serén, N., Carretero, M.A., & Merino, S. (2020). Geographic patterns of stress in insular lizards reveal anthropogenic and climatic signatures. Science of the Total Environment 749: 141655.

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17. Megía-Palma, R., Jiménez-Robles, O., Hernández-Agüero, J. A., & De la Riva, I. (2020). Plasticity of haemoglobin concentration and thermoregulation in a mountain lizard. Journal of Thermal Biology 92: 102656. 

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16. Megía-Palma, R., Paranjpe, D., Blaimont, P., Cooper, R., & Sinervo, B. (2020). To cool or not to cool? Intestinal coccidians disrupt the behavioral hypothermia of lizards in response to tick infestation. Ticks a & tick-borne diseases 11: 101275.

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15. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., Cuervo, J. J., Belliure, Jiménez-Robles, O., Gomes, V., Cabido, C., Pausas, J. G., Fitze, P. S., Martín, J., & Merino, S. (2018): Molecular evidence for host-parasite co-speciation between lizards and Schellackia parasites. International Journal for Parasitology 48: 709-718. 

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14. Megía-Palma, R., Paranjpe, D., Reguera, S., Martínez, J., Cooper, R. D., Blaimont, P., Merino, S., & Sinervo, B. (2018): Multiple color patches and parasites in Sceloporus occidentalis: Differential relationships by sex and infection. Current Zoology https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoy007 

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13. Álvarez-Ruiz, L., Megía-Palma, R., Reguera, S., Ruiz, S., Zamora-Camacho, F. J., Figuerola, J., & Moreno-Rueda, G. (2018): Opposed elevational variation in prevalence and intensity of endoparasites and their vectors in a lizard. Current Zoology https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoy002.

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12. Megía-Palma, R., Jorge, A., & Reguera, S. (2018): Raman spectroscopy reveals the presence of both eumelanin and pheomelanin in the skin of lacertids. Journal of Herpetology 52(1), 67-73.

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11. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2018): Manipulation of parasite load induces significant changes in the structural-based throat color of male Iberian green lizards. Current Zoology https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zox036.

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10. García-Roa, R., Megía-Palma, R., Ortega, J., Jara, M., López, P., & Martín, J. (2017): Interpopulational and seasonal variation in the chemical signals of the lizard Gallotia galloti.  PeerJ 5: e3992.

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9. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., Paranjpe, D., D’Amico, V., Aguilar, R., Palacios, M. G., Cooper, R., Ferri-Yáñez, F., Sinervo, B., & Merino, S. (2017): Phylogenetic analyses reveal that Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa) detected in American lizards are closely related to the genus Lankesterella: is the range of Schellackia restricted to Old World? Parasites & Vectors 10 (1): 470.

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​8. Rivero-de Aguilar, J., Megía-Palma, R., Badás, E. P., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2016): Testing a new method for reducing ectoparasite infestation in nest-boxes. Ardeola 63 (2): 383-393.

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7. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2016): Structural- and carotenoid-based throat colour patches in males of Lacerta schreiberi reflect different parasitic diseases. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 70 (12): 2017-2025.

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6. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2016): A structural colour ornament correlates positively with parasite load and body condition in an insular lizard species. The Science of Nature 103: 52.

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5. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., Nasri, I., Cuervo, J. J., Martín, J., Acevedo, I., Belliure, J., Ortega, J., García-Roa, R., Selmi, S., & Merino, S. (2016): Phylogenetic relationships of Isospora, Lankesterella and Caryospora species (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infecting lizards. Organisms, Diversity and Evolution 16 (1): 275-288.

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4. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., Acevedo, I., Martín, J., García-Roa, R., Ortega, J., Peso-Fernández, M., Albaladejo, G., Cooper, R. D., Paranjpe, D. A., Sinervo, B. R., & Merino, S. (2015): Phylogeny of the reptilian Eimeria: are Choleoeimeria and Acroeimeria valid generic names? Zoologica Scripta 44 (6): 684-692.

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3. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2014): Molecular characterization of haemococcidian genus Schellackia (Apicomplexa) reveals the polyphyletic origin of the family Lankesterellidae. Zoologica Scripta 43 (3): 304-312.

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2. Megía-Palma, R., Martínez, J., & Merino, S. (2013): Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa: Lankesterellidae) reveals their close relationship to the genus Eimeria. Parasitology 140: 1149-1157.

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1. Harvey, D. J., Gange, A. C., Hawes, C. J., Rink, M., Abdelhalden, M., Al Fulaij, N., Asp, T., Ballerio, A., Bartolozzi, L., Brustel, H., Cammaerts, R., Carpaneto, G. M., Cederberg, B., Chobot, K., Cianferoni, F., Drumont, A., Ellwanger, G., Ferreira, S., Grosso-Silva, J. M., Gueorguiev, B., Harvey, W., Hendriks, P., Istrate, P., Jansson, N., Jelaska, L. S., Jendek, E., Jovic, M., Kervyn, T., Krenn, H. W., Kretschmer, K., Legakis, A., Lelo, S., Moretti, M., Merkl, O., Megía-Palma, R., Neculianu, Z., Rabitsch, W., Merino, S., Smit, J., Smith, M., Sprecher-Uebersex, E., Telnov, D., Thomaes, A., Thomsen, P. F., Tykarski, P., Vrezev, A., Werner, S., & Zach, P. (2011): Bionomics and distribution of the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus (L) across Europe. Insect Conservation and Diversity 4: 23-38.

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C) Publications without peer review process

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5. Hernández-Agüero, J. A., & Megía-Palma, R. (2020). Primer registro de respuesta agresiva de Gallotia galloti hacia su imagen especular. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española 31: 31-32.

Title translation: First record of aggressive response of Gallotia galloti to its own specular image.

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4. Megía-Palma, R. (2017): Lagartijas y pavos reales: 42 años de una idea que revolucionó la ecología. Naturalmente: Revista del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales 16: 19-22.

Title translation: Lizards and peacocks: 42 years of a revolutionary idea that changed the ecology. 

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3. Megía-Palma, R. (2016): Caracterización molecular de los parásitos que infectan lagartos y su influencia sobre los ornamentos de color. Naturalmente: Revista del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales 9: 47-48 (Summaries of theses).

Title translation:  Molecular characterization of parasites that infect lizards and their influence on colour ornaments

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2. Megía-Palma, R. (2012): Un caso de polidactilia en Lacerta schreiberi en el Sistema Central. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española 23 (1): 54-56.

Title translation (A12): A case of polydactyli in Lacerta schreiberi in the Central System.

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1. del Cerro, S., Megía, R., Rivero de Aguilar, J., Martínez de la Puente, J., Merino, S. (2010): Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente y la teoría de la evolución por selección natural. eVolución 5 (1): 21-24.

Title translation (A14): Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente and the theory of evolution by natural selection.