Annual Research & Review in Biology

Aim: To study the endoparasitic fauna of two species of lizard, a gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) and a scincid (Mabuya quinquetaeniata) from two cities in Southwest Nigeria.

Study Design: A parasitological survey was conducted between February and October, 2015 among lizards collected randomly by handpicking.

Methodology: A total of 233 lizards comprising 172 specimens of gecko (H. frenatus) and 61 specimens of skink (M. quinquetaeniata) were captured by hand, kept in ventilated cages and then examined for helminths. The lizards were dissected open, and the various organs were examined for the presence of parasites. The helminth parasites recovered were identified based on morphometric parameters.

Results: Endoparasites were recovered from both H. frenatus and M. quinquetaeniata. Parasite species which were recovered includes: three nematodes, Parapharyngodon sp., Spirura sp., and Pharyngodon sp., one cestode, Oochoristica truncata, one trematode, Mesocoelium monas, one Pentastomid, Raillietiella frenatus and cytacanth of an unidentified species of Acanthocephala. Five helminth species each was recovered from both species of lizard, however only two helminth species were common to both lizard species. The overall prevalence of helminth species from both lizard species H. frenatus and M. quinquetaeniata was high 64.0% and 72.1% respectively. The overall prevalence of helminth species was higher in males than in females in both species of lizard (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: H. frenatus and M. quinquetaeniata in Southwest Nigeria, are infected by generalist helminths which have been reported in other species of African lizards. This study reported for the first time the occurrence of Spirura sp. and Acanthocephalan in Nigerian lizards.