INCIDENCE OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES OF Agama Agama (Squamata:Agamidae)LIZARD IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA
1Biu, A.A., 2Inuwa, A., 2Kokori, M., 1Onyilokwu, S.A., 3Yakaka, W., 3Mustapha, F.B. and 2Uwah, G.E.
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Maiduguri
2Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maiduguri
3Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The Incidence of gastro-intestinal helminths of Agama agama lizards was investigated in Maiduguri, Nigeria using standard parasitological techniques. A total of 150 lizards were examined between the months of June and October 2014. An overall incidence of 138 (92.0%) was obtained with all found to harbor at least one or more parasites. Parasites recovered, were Heterakis spumosa 53(38.4%), Enterobius vermicularis 31(22.5%), Taenia spp 30(21.7%) and Hymenolepis nana 24(17.4%) respectively. There was no statistically significant (p>0.05) difference between the incidence of infection amongst sexes as the males had an incidence of 81(58.7%) and females had 57(41.3%). Mixed infection was observed in 57 (41.3%) of the samples. This study therefore reveals the gastro-intestinal parasites of Agama lizards in Maiduguri, Nigeria.