The Fergusson Island form, which may be distinct from H. rufescens proper, is infected by the nematode Moaciria moraveci.
Moaciria was first described, in 1956, from the Brazilian Noronha skink, but other species from more parts of the world have since been described.
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The only known host is a frog in the genus Hylophorbus from Fergusson, close to but perhaps distinct from Hylophorbus rufescens; it is present in 10 out of 21 specimens examined.