A Survey of Helminth Parasites of the Lizard, Agama agama in IleâÂÂIfe andIbadan Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

A parasitological survey was carried out between February and October, 2015 to determine the helminth fauna of the lizard, Agama agama from two locations Ibadan and Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria. A total of 133 specimens were collected and examined for helminth infections. The results showed that the overall prevalence of helminth infection in A. agama was 100%. Five species of helminths were recovered comprising three nematodes, Strongyluris brevicaudata (92.5%), Parapharyngodon sp. (89.5%) and unidentified nematode (0.8%), one species of cestode, Oochoristica truncata (56.4%) and one species of trematode, Mesocoelium monas (1.5%). S. brevicaudata was the most frequently encountered parasite in the Agama lizard in both Ibadan and Ile-Ife. Worm burden (intensity) was highest in the rectum. The intensity of helminth infection increased with the size of the lizard. Multiple infections with two or more parasites (81.2%) were the most common. None of these parasites have been reported in human beings.