PREVALENCE OF ECTO AND GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF HEMIDACTYLUS FRENATUS (SCHLEGEL) IN AKURE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ONDO STATE

Abstract

Hemidactylus frenatus (wall geckos) are common reptiles of houses belonging to the family Gekkonidae found in warm climates throughout the world. This small lizard has become established in the vicinity of man in the tropics, thus has a close association with human beings. Like other vertebrates they are susceptible to various kinds of parasitic infection which could adversely affect human. A total number of one hundred and twenty wall geckos were collected at from the six randomly selected communities in Akure North local government of Ondo State, Nigeria. Twenty specimens of wall geckos were collected and transported to the laboratory in sealed transparent plastic containers. The skin of wall gecko was examined under dissecting microscope for ectoparasites. The parasites were collected into Petri dish and observed under 10X objective lens. The ectoparasites were subsequently identified using morphological keys. For gastrointestinal parasites, the specimen’s abdomen was dissected using tongs and scissors and the intestinal tracts excised and divided into 2 parts (large and small intestine). The wall of each portion was scraped with pincers to release worms that may be present. The content of each portion was diluted thereafter with normal saline and then washed several times by successive decantation until a clear suspension is obtained for easy detection of the parasites. Standard identification keys were also used to identify the intestinal parasites observed. The ectoparasite observed were: Argas sp., Trombicula sp. and Geckobia bataviensis. For the gastrointestinal parasites, the cestode (Oochoristica javaensis) and the nematodes (Parapharygodon sp. and Pharygodon sp) were observed. The most prevalent species among the ectoparasites was Trombicula sp. (43.21%) while the least prevalent was Argas sp. (20.71%). Meanwhile, among the gastrointestinal parasites, Parapharygodon sp. (37.05%) and Pharygodon sp. has the least prevalent (28.69%). The highest mean intensity of parasites was observed in G. bataviensis (3.20±0.36). Some of the parasite observed such as mites (Trombicula sp. and G. bataviensis), cestode (O. javaensis) and nematodes (Parapharygodon sp. and Pharygodon sp) are of public health concern on house residents, therefore there is need to control them.