Journal La Lifesci
Vol. 1 No. 5 (2020): Journal La Lifesci

Endo-Helminth Fauna of the Rainbow Lizard (Agama Agama)

Belema Robert (Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
Nioking Amadi (Wildlife and Conservation Group, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
Chidinma Charity Amuzie (Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
Adaobi Patricia Ugbomeh (Hydrobiology/Ecotoxicology Unit, Department of Animal and Enviroanmental Biology, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Dec 2020

Abstract

This parasitological study was carried out between February and May 2019 to determine the prevalence and intensity of helminthiasis in the rainbow lizard (Agama agama) in Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty-one (151) specimens made up of 93 males and 75 females were caught by a local netting system during the day and anaesthesized with chloroform. Samples were collected from two stations (Ogoloma-Ama and Oba-Ama). After dissection, the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, rectum, liver, lungs, urinary bladder, heart and body cavity were searched for helminths using conventional methods. Five species of helminths belonging to Nematoda - Strongyluris brevicaudata, Parapharyngodon awokoyai, encysted Ascaridida larva, Cestoda - Oochoristica sp. and Trematoda - Mesocoelium spp - were recovered from infected lizards. Helminths infected one hundred and twenty-three (123) (82%) of the lizards. In Oba-Ama, forty-five (45) (76.3%) out of 59 and in Ogoloma-Ama, seventy-eight (78) (84.8%) out of 92 were infected with helminths. By abundance, in both locations, the males were more infected than their female counterparts with a prevalence of 51(93%) and 72(75%) (P<0.05), respectively. This study has revealed the helminth parasites infecting the agamid lizard of Rivers State, Nigeria. It has also shown some unidentified species of Mesocoelium and Oochoristica sp. Additionally the trapping system used was also found to be effective and efficient.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JournalLaLifesci

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemistry Earth & Planetary Sciences Environmental Science Immunology & microbiology

Description

International Journal La Lifesci is peer reviewed, open access Academic and Research Journal which publishes Original Research Articles and Review Article editorial comments etc in all fields of life sciences including Agricultural, Fisheries, Earth, Environmental Science, Botany, Zoology, ...