Parasitic Helminths Infecting Anurans of Isiokpo, Rivers State, Nigeria

There is need for more research to add to the growing data of species diversity and parasitic helminths of anurans in parts of Rivers State, Nigeria. This research was conducted at a sub-urban location of the state, Isiokpo. Sampling was done in May and June, 2019, using the visual encounter and acoustic survey technique. Parasitic examination of hosts was done using conventional techniques. Host and parasite specimens were identified using appropriate keys. Two anuran species were encountered: Sclerophrys maculata and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis. Nine helminth parasites were isolated from infected hosts: Raillietiella sp. (pentastomids), Cephalochlamys compactus (cestodes), Mesocoelium monodi, Diplodiscus fischthalicus, Metahaematoloechus exoterorchis (digenetic trematodes), and ascaridida larva, Chabaudus leberrei, Cosmocerca ornata and Rhabdias spp. Prevalence of infection ranged from 9.1% to 100%. Mean intensity of infection ranged from one to eighty-five parasites per infected host, the highest intensity being that of Rhabdias sp. in S. maculata. This research has contributed to the knowledge of the helminth parasites of two anuran species of Isiokpo.