HELMINTH PARASITES OF WATER TURTLES FROM EKITI AND LAGOS STATE

ABSTRACT

Investigation of three genera with a total of 14 water turtles Pelomedusa subrufa, Pelusios castaneus from Oba market, Ado-ekiti and Pelusios niger from Epe, Lagos state for parasites was undertaken from February and December,2022. The overall prevalence in Pelomedusa subrufa 83.3% and in Pelusios castaneus 66.7% and in Pelusios niger is 100%. The parasites recovered included a Monogenea; Uropolystoma chabaudi, Nematoda; Camallanus sp. and a Pentastomida; Raillietiella sp. Camallanus sp. was the most common parasite with a prevalence rate of 33.3% in Pelomedusa subrufa, in Pelusios castaneus is 66.7% and in Pelusios niger was 100%. Multiple infections of two or more parasites were most common.