HELMINTHS PARASITES OF AGAMA AGAMA LIZARDS FROM INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) CAMP, UHOGUA COMMUNITY, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
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Abstract
A parasitological study was carried out between May and June 2025, to determine the helminth
parasites of Agama agama at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp located at Uhogua
Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The lizards were killed by
exposure to chloroform, dissected and examined for helminth parasites. A total of 30 lizards
were sampled and they were all infected, giving an overall prevalence of 100% and a mean
intensity of 24.3 parasites/infected host. The parasites recovered included two nematode
species, one species of cestode and a trematode. The nematodes were Strongyluris brevicaudata
and Thelandros scleratus, which were recovered from the large intestine/rectum and a few in
the small intestine. The cestode species was Oochoristica sp. recovered from the small intestine
and Mesocoelium monodi represented the trematodes, also from the small intestine. The most
prevalent parasite was Strongyluris brevicaudata (76.67%), followed by Oochoristica sp.
(43.33%) and the least prevalent, Mesocoelium monodi (10.0%). All the parasites recorded
infected both male and female lizards, except Mesocoelium monodi, which was only reported
in male Agama lizards. The difference in prevalence value amongst the helminth parasites
reported was statistically significant (p < 0.05). More samples need to be examined from
Uhogua in order to have more materials for proper identification of the Oochoristica sp., as
well as to study other parasites that may be present in the study area but were not encountered
due to the short duration of this study
parasites of Agama agama at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp located at Uhogua
Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. The lizards were killed by
exposure to chloroform, dissected and examined for helminth parasites. A total of 30 lizards
were sampled and they were all infected, giving an overall prevalence of 100% and a mean
intensity of 24.3 parasites/infected host. The parasites recovered included two nematode
species, one species of cestode and a trematode. The nematodes were Strongyluris brevicaudata
and Thelandros scleratus, which were recovered from the large intestine/rectum and a few in
the small intestine. The cestode species was Oochoristica sp. recovered from the small intestine
and Mesocoelium monodi represented the trematodes, also from the small intestine. The most
prevalent parasite was Strongyluris brevicaudata (76.67%), followed by Oochoristica sp.
(43.33%) and the least prevalent, Mesocoelium monodi (10.0%). All the parasites recorded
infected both male and female lizards, except Mesocoelium monodi, which was only reported
in male Agama lizards. The difference in prevalence value amongst the helminth parasites
reported was statistically significant (p < 0.05). More samples need to be examined from
Uhogua in order to have more materials for proper identification of the Oochoristica sp., as
well as to study other parasites that may be present in the study area but were not encountered
due to the short duration of this study
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