External and helminth parasites of small wild mammals in South western Nigeria

Abstract

A parasitologic study of small wild mammals including Crocidura sp.; Lophuromys sikapusi, Mus minutoides in four different modified locations in the forest zone of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria is documented. External parasite infestations and numerous gastro-intestinal helminths were recorded. Ectoparasitic infestations predominant in the anal and abdominal regions of the body exhibited varied host specificity and abundance, characterized by body lesions and secondary infections. Ectoparasites recovered were Polyplax serrata, Xenopsylla cheopsis, Ornithonyssus bacoti, Psorptes ovis, Ixodes sp. and Laepas gigantica. Endoparasites were limited to the gastrointestinal system, exhibiting low intensity and different specificity. The nature of the host habitat influenced the host parasite fauna; rodents in the forest locations carry higher parasite burdens while those in farmlands harbour parasites of man and domestic animals. The rodent-man animal transmission cycle of some of the parasites are discussed. The public health importance of the rodents and their ectoparasitic infestations are established and discussed.
Key Words: Helminth parasites; Wild mammals; Ectoparasites; Endoparasites; Public health