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ABSTRACT
Eighty-two amphibian’s specimens were examined. Among these amphibians were Leptopelis hyloides, Sclerophrys maculata, S. regularis, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena oxyrhynchus and P. pumilio. An overall prevalence of 74.4% and mean intensity of 26.9 parasites/infected host were recorded. Fifteen parasites species were recovered from these amphibians’ hosts. Nematodes were the most dominant parasites with 11 species (Amplicaecum sp., Aplectana sp., ascaridoid larva, Camallanus dimtrovi, Chabaudus laberrei, Cosmocerca commutata, C. ornata, Oswaldocruzia hoppelii, Physaloptera sp., Rhabdias africanus and the unidentified Oxyurid) followed by the cestodes with two species (Cylindrotaenia jargerskioeldi and Nematotaenioidea sp.). Also reported were a pentastomid (Raillietiellia sp.) and a cystacanth of an acanthocephalan. The ascardoid larva was the most widespread parasite with a prevalence range of 31.8 to 50.0% and intensity of 1.0 to 67.9 parasites/infected host. Ascardoid larvae were seen in tough tubular cysts attached to the visceral organs and a single cyst contained as much as 30 to 50 larvae while some lied freely inside the body cavity. It is most likely that these larvae use the amphibians as transport or paratenic hosts to reach their final host.
The low species diversity and richness of amphibians recorded in this investigation is an indication that the environment is altered. More so the high number of parasites especially the nematodes recovered indicates a contaminated environment. It is most pertinent therefore that the inhabitants should be educated of the effects of deforestation and be encourage to plant trees to cushion these effects and to provide abode for the amphibians also.
