Fire associated exertion myopathy as a mechanism contributing to mortality in Chamaesaura macrolepis (Cope 1862)

Abstract

Following a fire event, an abnormally high number of Chamaesaura macrolepis (Cope 1862) road mortalities were observed on two sections of tar road south of Maputo Special Reserve, Maputo Province, Mozambique. Although most specimens were driven over by vehicles, three intact individuals were collected on the shoulder of the tarred road surface, without exhibiting any external signs of vehicular trauma or thermal damage. Histopathological examination of dissected tissues revealed acute skeletal and cardiac myopathy in all three specimens, suggesting a novel facet of faunal responses to fire and the physical strain exerted to avoid these conditions. No reports of fire associated exertion myopathy could be located for any other animals in the available literature.