PARASITES OF THE HINGED-BACK TORTOISE (Kinixys nogueyi) IN AGULU ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

A survey of the helminth parasites of the hinged-back tortoise (Kinixys nogueyi) from Agulu, a location in the rainforest zone of Anambra State, Nigeria was undertaken. Nine specimens which comprised of six females and three males were examined. Parasites were recovered from different organs including the stomach, oesophagus, small intestine, large intestine, large intestine, lungs and urinary bladder. The parasites found belong to the Class Nematoda and they included Atractis fasciolata, Africana africana, Rhabdias sp, Amplicaecum africanum and Applectana sp. Atractis fasciolata has the highest number of parasites with high prevalence and mean intensity followed by Amplicaecum africanum, Rhabdias sp, Applectana sp. and Africana africana. An ectoparasite, Ambylomma sp. was also recovered from five host specimens.