ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to investigate the helminth parasites infections in Sclerophrys maculata and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis and also assess the concentrations level of heavy metals in the organs (Liver, Kidney and Thigh) of Ptychadena pumilio from Ihinmwinrin Quarters, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 22 amphibian’s specimens were examined and 13 (59.09%) were infected. The parasites recovered were all nematodes. The parasite included (Cosmocerca commutata, C. ornata, Camallanus dimitrovi, Chabaudus laberrei, Rhabdias africanus and Aplectana sp.). Sclerophrys maculata and Hoplobatrachus occipitalis hadprevalence of 78.57% and 25.0%, respectively. The frog’s liver, kidney and thigh muscle were assessed for heavy metal with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration of metals in the various organs/tissues were: kidney (lead, 1.71 ± 0.04 mg/L; chromium, 0.04 ± 0.03mg/L, copper, 2.49 ± 0.22mg/L), liver (lead, 1.77 ± 0.12 mg/L; chromium,0.07±0.01mg/L; copper, 2.41 ± 0.21mg/L) and thigh muscle (lead, 1.01±0.12mg/L; chromium, 0.05±0.04mg/L; copper, 1.53± 0.09mg/L). There was no significant difference between the concentrations of the heavy metals across the organs of the frog (p>0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the heavy metal concentrations within each organ (p>0.05). The highest concentration of metals was recorded in kidney while the lowest was recorded in the thigh. The findings in this result indicate bioaccumulation of metals from the habitat of the anurans which could also affect the intensity of parasitic infections in the amphibians.
