Prevalence of Ecto- and Gastrointestinal Parasites of Hemidactylus frenatus (Schlegel) in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The wall gecko is found in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions. It is a nocturnal species that seeks shelter during the daytime and emerges at dusk to forage throughout the night. This small lizard has become established in areas near human habitation in the tropics, forming a close association with people. Like other vertebrates, wall geckos are susceptible to parasitism. This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of ecto- and gastrointestinal parasites infecting Hemidactylus frenatus (wall geckos) in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of 360 geckos were sampled across six communities and examined for parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Overall, 68.9% of H. frenatus were infected with ectoparasites, while 66.4% harbored gastrointestinal parasites. The most prevalent ectoparasite was Trombicula sp. (35.8%), and Parapharyngodon sp. (37.5%) was the dominant gastrointestinal parasite. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 6.9% of the geckos using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Ectoparasites were primarily located on the back and limbs, while gastrointestinal parasites were most abundant in the large intestine. Chi-square analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in parasite prevalence across sampling locations and sex (P > 0.05). These findings highlight the high parasite burden in H. frenatus and the potential public health risks associated with their close proximity to human dwellings.