Survey and Prevalence of Parasitic Species of Amphibians around River Rima and River Sokoto

Abstract

Amphibian species in two major rivers in Sokoto (Rima and Sokoto) were
investigated for prevalence of parasitic species. Adult amphibians (120) from
both rivers were captured within the months of April to August 2017 and studied
for presence and types of parasitic species. The results showed that a total of
seven species of amphibians (Amietophrynus africanum, Amietophrynus
maculatus, Bufo bufo, Ptychadenama scareniensis, Ptychadena longirostris,
Rana catesbeiana and Rana clamitans) were encountered. Out of the hundred
and twenty (120) specimens examined for parasites, 100(83.33%) were
infected, while 20 (16.67%) were uninfected. Also, in the 959 parasites
recorded, 621 were found in amphibians from River Rima while 338 existed in
amphibians from River Sokoto. These comprises; two (2) Apicomplexa:
Isoporasp and Crytosporidium spp, one (1) Opalina (Opalina ranarum), one (1)
Sarcodine; Entamoeba ranarum, one (1) acanthocephala; Acanthocephalan
cysthacanth and four (4) nematodes; Strongyloides spp, Ascaridoid sp eggs,
Physaloptera sp and Cosmocerca ornata. Nematodes had the highest
occurrence, infecting amphibians from both rivers whereas River Rima had the
highest mean intensity (86.20). Generally, the study concludes that even though
amphibians around both rivers were infected with parasitic species, amphibians
from River Rima had the higher infection rate.