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ABSTRACT
A survey was carried out from the months of January to April 2017, on the parasitic infection of the prawn Macrobrachium vollenhovenii collected from Warri river, Delta state, Nigeria. A total of 80 prawns were examined and 19 (23.75%) of them were found to be infected. The month of April was observed to have the highest infection rate (43.33%). Infection rates with respect to the sex and size of the prawn were also investigated. The prevalence of infection was higher in females when compared to males. Prawns within the size range of 10.0-11.9cm had higher rate of infection. Efforts were made towards culturing the metacercariae to adults using young chicks as experimental hosts. 2 chicks were used for this purpose with another serving as control. A total of 31 metacercariae were administered to the chicks using the cloaca drop infection method. At autopsy, no trematode adult was recovered which could probably mean that the young chick is not a suitable host for the trematode. The metacercariae were observed to be oval in shape with golden brown colour, and a slender body that is slightly constricted at posterior two-third of the body. Anterior end streamlined with posterior part somewhat wider with a round end. These are the notable documented features for Microphallus sp, therefore the trematode under investigation is a Microphallus sp. The prawn, M. vollenhovenii is therefore the second intermediate host of this parasite in Nigeria.
