Prevalence and Intensity of Parasites of Anurans in Selected Wetlands of Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Parasites infect nearly every species of animals, nevertheless the majority are inadequately studied except they have proven economic, medical or conservation significance. The role of parasites in the decline of anuran population is not clearly understood, therefore this study is aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of parasites of Anurans in selected wetlands of Kogi State, North central, Nigeria. The study was conducted in Abu’ja wetland in Dekina Local Government area, and Egwubi seasonal wetland in Ejule, Ofu Local Government area of Kogi State. Anuran species found in both wetlands included Amietophrymus regularis, A. maculatus and Hoplobatracchus occipitalis. Out of the 854 anurans collected, 25 anurans were infected by ectoparasites, 37 anurans by haemoparasites and 87 anurans by gut parasites at Abu’ja station. Also 13 anurans were infected by ectoparasites, 14 anurans by haemoparasites and 56 anurans by gut parasites at Egwubi station. The ectoparasites identified in anurans of both wetlands were Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) and ticks. Haemoparasites included Folleyeloides mirofilaria, Trypanosome spp, and Haemoigregarina spp. The cestode, Baerietta jaegerskioidi, was found in the gut of Hoplobatracchus occipitalis from Egwubi wetland. Others were nematodes Ampliceacum africanum, Cosmocercer onata, and Physaloptera spp common to the three species of anurans from both wetlands. This study has shown the parasites of anurans from Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria. It also showed the biodiversity of anurans in the study area proving its relative abundance. Effort should be made to protect these anuran species from these parasites as they could be of public health concern if transmitted to humans as they have very good ecological relevance.