Studies on Helminth Parasites of the Amphibian, Amietophrynus maculatus hallowell,1854in Wilberforce Island, Nigeria

This study evaluated the helminth parasites of Amietophrynusmaculatus in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. A total of 29 specimens of Amietophrynusmaculatus were sampled in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria between October and December 2016. The specimens were dissected and examined following standard protocol. Results revealed the presence of 3 Classes of helminthes distributed into 2 cestodes, 4 nematodes and 1 trematode. The prevalence for each parasite wasCepaloclamyssp (10.3%), Pentastimidsp (6.89%) (cestodes), Oxyuridsp (6.89%), Applectanamakintoshi(3.44%), (31.0%), Cosmocera ornate (10.3%) (nematodes), and Mesocolium monas (17.2%) (trematoda). The mean intensity of infection were <1 except for Amplicaecumafricanum(7.14) a nematode, and Mesocolium monas (13.86) a trematode. Hence, there is the need for a close study of these parasites to ascertain their level of public health importance with regard to potential transmission to humans that feed on the definite predators of the amphibians.

Keywords: Amphibians, Bufonidae, Helminthes parasite, Protozoan.