HELMINTH PARASITES OF THE SKINK, Trachylepis lateralis FROM BENIN CITY

ABSTRACT

A survey of the endoparasites of the skink, Trachylepis lateralis was carried out in selected areas in Benin City (Ugbowo, Uselu, Iduowina and Uhogua). The study was carried out between June to October, 2019. The skinks were collected by hand early in the morning between 6am and 7am and in the evening between 4pm to 6pm. A total of 15 specimens of T. lateralis were examined for parasites. Seven parasites were recovered and they included one trematode (Mesocoelium monodi) and five nematodes (Aplectana sp., Physaloptera sp., Rhabdias sp., Thelandros sp. and the male of an unidentified oxyurid nematode) and one pentastomid (Raillietiella sp.). The skinks collected from Ugbowo were infected with Mesocoelium monodi, a Rhabdias sp., a Raillietiella sp., Thelandros sp. and Applectana sp. At Uhogua, 7 skinks were examined for helminth parasites and they were infected with Mesocoelium monodi, Thelandros sp., a Rhabdias sp. and Physaloptera sp.  The three hosts collected from Iduowina and the single specimen from Uselu, were not infected with parasites. Overall prevalence showed Mesocoelium monodi and Rhabdias sp. to be the most prevalent parasites (20.0% each). There is a need for further helminthological and biodiversity studies of skink in Nigeria considering the dearth of information on skinks. Therefore, this study serves as a foundational study for further research on skinks in Nigeria.