SURVEY OF HELMINTH PARASITES IN URBAN AND PERI-URBAN LOCATIONS IN BENIN CITY AND ENVIRONS

ABSTRACT

The helminth parasites of Agama lizards in Urban and sub-urban parts of Ovia north East local government Area, Edo state, Nigeria were investigated. A total of 40 lizards captured between June and October from three locations, namely, Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin, Imafidon street, Ekosodin and Uhogua Community, all in Ovia north East Local Government Area of Edo state, Nigeria. The lizards harboured five species of nematodes, namely, Strongyluris brevicaudata, Parapharyngodon awokoyai, Thelandros scleratus, Amplicaecum sp. and an unidentified oxyurid nematode. In addition, three cestodes species, one from each location was recorded. The species occurring at the Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin is Oochoristica agamae while the other two needs further investigation as they may be new species. Among the nematodes, Strongyluris brevicaudata had the highest prevalence of infection (95%), followed by Parapharyngodon awokoyai (50 %) and Thelandros scleratus (10%). Oochoristica agamae had the highest prevalence of (56.5%) among the cestodes. Prevalence of parasites was slightly higher in males (97.6%) than in females (94.1 %).