– Parasite of Wall Gecko (Hemidactylus Frenatus) in Selected Areas –
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ABSTRACT
In order to identify the parasites of wall geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) in Uyo and Etinan Local Government Areas, a total of sixty (60) wall geckos were caught in selected households within Uyo and Etinan L.G.As from September to December 2015.
These were done under bright electric bulbs using sweep net at night, at the back of calendars on the walls during the day time.
The ectoparasites were examined using a hand lens, while the examination of endoparasite was done using chi-square (X2) distribution. Also, for the examination of the ectoparasite.
The skin of the gecko was gently scrapped using a scalpel and placed on a petri-dish containing saturated sodium chloride (NaCl), after which the scraps were collected on clean slides and viewed using X10 objectives of the light microscope for identification.
The endoparasites were examine using floatation method. Out of sixty (60) Hemidactylus frenatus examined, 33 (55%) were positive for ectoparasites infestations and Ixodes sp. recorded the highest prevalence of 21 (63.6%) than Trombicula sp.
12 (36.4%). 39 (65%) were positive for endoparasites infestation and Parapharyngodon sp. recorded the highest prevalence of 33(84. 6%) than Oochoristica sp. (63.3%).
The males had the highest prevalence (68.9%) than the females (18.2%). The assessment of the parasitic loads in the two study areas varied with Uyo, L.G.A having the highest prevalence of 24 (68.6%) while Etinan L.G.A had 15 (60%) respectively.
TABLES OF CONTENTS
Title Page – –
Certification
Dedication –
Acknowledgements –
Abstract –
Table of Contents –
List of Tables –
List of Plates – –
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Study
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review –
CHAPTER THREE:
3.0 Materials and Methods –
3.1 Area of Study –
3.2 Collection of Samples –
3.3 Method of Examination –
3.3.1 Ectoparasite Examination –
3.3.2 Floatation Method –
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Results –
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0 Discussion –
5.2 Conclusion –
5.3 Recommendations –
References –
INTRODUCTION
House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus commonly known as Asian House gecko, Pacific house gecko, house lizard, spiny-tailed house gecko, chichak/cheechak (Indonesian), bridled house gecko, belongs to the family Gekkonidae, Infra-order Gekkota.
The genus Hemidactylus consists of 124 named species distributed across all tropical and subtropical regions (Brogard, 2005; Vetz, 2013).
They range in size from 1.6cm to 60cm in length. Unlike Lizards, geckos are usually nocturnal and great climbers. They come in various patterns and colour and are among the most lizards in the world (Piper, 2007).
According to Rogner (1992), a medium-sized genus of about 20 species is found predominantly in Africa, the Canary Island, and the middle East, but with a few spp. in Europe and tropical America.
Male geckos are generally longer and heavier than female and have wider jaw scalation is uniform with distinctive, slightly enlarged spines scattered over the back and arranged in bands around the tail. Colour varies from matt grey or light brown through beige, to a greenish iridescence.
The underside is whitish (Animal Life Resource, 2008). Their faeces are often considered to be a nuisance and can cause salmonella infection when ingested (Callaway et al., 2011).
According to Krysko et al. (2003), Geckos have an incubation period of 45 – 70 days, 2 eggs per clutch; oviposition frequency of 21 – 28 days; 1 year sexual maturity; and approximately 5 years life span.
Mating involves a short courtship, during which the male repeatedly touches the female with its snout. It may also bite hold her neck.
Three to four weeks after mating, 2 hard-shelled eggs are laid, partially fixed to a solid surface. Successful incubation requires a temperature of at least 280C.
Breeding occurs throughout the year in tropical areas, but is seasonal in cooler climate (Krysko et al., 2003; Wilson, 2006). Females can store sperm for up to a year, a feature that probably assists the species invasion success (Yamamoto and Ota, 2006).
Hemidactylus frenatus is territorial with a social hierarchy (Frenkel, 2006). Geckos are unique among lizards in vocalization, making chirping sounds in social interactions with other geckos.
The house gecko is a native of South Eastern Asia and Northern parts of Africa. They have been introduced to many other countries including Nigeria (Cook R. A. 1990; Wilson, 2006).
REFERENCES
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Agrawal, R. D. and B. P. Pande, (1979). Cysticer coid of Joyeuxiella pasqualel in the wall lizard and its experimental development in kitten. Indian J. Helminth.
Ameh, I. and J. A. Ajayi (2005). Morphology and significance of some Helminth Parasites of the Wall Gecko. Journal of Biological Sciences.
Ameh, I. G. and J. A. Ajayi, (1995). A gregaranian Parasite of the wall geckos. Animal life resources (2008) Geckos and Pygopods: Gekkonidae – House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus): Species Account.
Barquero, M. D and Hilhe, B. (2005), ‘House Wren Preys on Introduced Geckos in Costa Rica; The Wilson Bulletin, 117 (2) 204 – 205.
Brogard J. (2005). Iventaire Zoogeographique des Reptiles, Zoogeographical checklist of Reptiles. Vol. I. Region a frotropicale et region paleartique. Afrotropical and paleartic realms. Dominique editions Conde sur Noireau. 301.
Callaway, Z., Thomas, A. Melrose, W., Buttner, P., Speare, R. (2011): Salmonella Virchow Random Survey of the Asian House Gecko, H. frenatus in Houses in Northern Australia. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases.
Cook R. A. (1990) Range Extension of the darion house gecko (H. frenatus). Herpetojauna; 20: 23 – 27.
David G. Baker, (2007). Flynn’s parasites of laboratory animals, school of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rough.
Dela Navarre, (2009). Common Parasitic diseases of reptiles and amphibians, Canadian Vet.
Domrow R. Health A. C, Kennedy C. (1980).Two new spp. of Ophionyssus (Acari: Dermantssidae) from Newzealand lizards. Newszealand. Journal of Zoology; 7:291 – 297.
Frenkel, C. (2006) H. frenatus (Squamata: Gekkonidae): call frequency, movement, and condition of tail in Costa Rica, Revista de Biologia Tropical, 54 (4): 1125 – 1130.
Goldberg, S. R. and C. R. Bursey (2006). Transport of helminthes to Hawaii via the brown anole, Anolis sagre: (Polychotidae). J. Parasitol 86:750 – 755.
Goldberg, S. R., Bursey, and F. Kraus. (2008). Gastrointestinal helminthes of eleven spp. Ernoia (squamata: scincidal) from Papua New Guinea, J. Nat. Hist.
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