Co-occurrence of Metahaematoloechus and Rhabdias Species in the Lungs of Hoplobatrachus Occipitalis Specimens from Parts of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract:

Co-occurrence of Metahaematoloechus and Rhabdias species, lung parasites of amphibians, is a rare occurrence. It was supposed that both parasites excluded each other. This research investigated their co-occurrence in the anuran, Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, from two locations (Rumuesara and Agbada-2 flow station) in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of forty-seven H. occipitalis specimens were collected from both locations. Nine hundred and thirteen (913) parasites (comprising of 574 Metahaematoloechus and 339 Rhabdias species) were recovered from their lungs. Among the twenty-three hosts captured at Rumuesara, nine were co-infected with Metahaematoloechus and Rhabdias species, accounting for a prevalence of 39.13%. Ten (43.5%) of the hosts were infected with only Metahaematoloechus sp., and four (17.4%) were not infected with either parasite. One of the host specimens from Agbada-2 was co-infected with both parasites, giving a prevalence of 4.2%. Eighteen (75%) of the hosts were infected with only Metahaematoloechus; five (20.8%) were not infected with either parasite. In both locations, no host was infected with Rhabdias alone. A preference for co-infection with both parasites was observed in the frogs from Rumuesara, in the rainy season. However, frogs from Agbada-2 preferentially harboured only Metahaematoloechus sp. It appeared that conditions around the flow station hindered the establishment of Rhabdias. Rhabdias sp. was completely absent from both locations during the dry season. Female hosts generally harboured more of both parasites. It is hereby established that Metahaematoloechus and Rhabdias can co-exist in the same host. There is however, need for further research into the effect gas flaring on the establishment of Rhabdias sp. in H. occipitalis.