ABSTRACT
The helminth parasite of Ptychadena species (Ptychadena bibroni, Ptychadena oxyrhunchus, Ptychadena mascareniensis, Ptychadena pumilio) and heavy metal (lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and cobalt) contamination in anurans, from Otofure Dumpsite in Edo State, were investigated. Eight helminth parasites in total were recovered from the examined 51 amphibian specimens. The parasite recovered included one digenean (Mesocoelium monodi), and seven nematode species (Amplicaecum africanum, Aplectana sp. Ascaridida larva, Chabaudes leberri, Cosmocerca commutata, Cosmocerca ornata, and Physaloptera sp.). There was no record of monogenean, pentastomid, polystome, acanthocephalan or cestode infection in this study. Overall prevalence was 210.09%., while the prevalence in the four amphibian were Ptychadena bibroni (66.67%), Ptychadena oxyrhunchus (50.00%), Ptychadena mascareniensis (25.00%), Ptychadena pumilio (68.42%). Nematodes had the most species of the parasites found, with seven different species being represented and also recorded the highest prevalence and mean intensity. The amphibians had a modest buildup of heavy metals, with the thigh being the least polluted organ and liver was the most polluted organ. Ni>Cr>Pb>Co>Cd>Cu was the order in which the heavy metals accumulated. The discovery of heavy metals in anuran tissues in this research provides evidence that heavy metals are present in Otofure Dumpsite. The thigh was the area of the amphibians with the least amount of heavy metal accumulation.
