Gastro-intestinal helminths of goliath frogs (Conraua goliath) from the localities of Loum, Yabassi and Nkondjock in the Littoral Region of Cameroon

Abstract The gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of goliath frog ( Conraua goliath ) from the Littoral Region of Cameroon in the Localities of Loum, Yabassi and Nkondjock were surveyed. Out of the 30 goliath frogs examined (13 males and 17 females) between April and May 2013, 26 (85%) contained at least one helminth parasite and yielded a total of nine hundred and seventy three (973) helminths comprising: Nematodes (90.5%), Trematodes (9.4%) and Pentastomids (0.1%). Nematodes included: Africana taylori (60%), Oswaldocruzia perreti (0.2%), Aplectana sp. (21%), Gendria sp. (7.1%), Amphibiophilus sp. (0.2%), Strongyluris sp. (0.1%), Physalopteroides sp. (1.6%), and Oxyuridae gen. sp. (0.3%). Trematodes comprised: Mesocoelium sp. (7.3%) and Diplodiscus subclavatus (2.1%). Pentastomids were represented by Sebekia sp. (0.1%). The mean species richness and diversity were 1.97 ± 2.12 and 0.41 ± 0.04 respectively. The intensity of parasite infection was correlated with host body weight, positively for Africana taylori, Aplectana sp., Diplodiscus subclavatus , and Mesocoelium sp. Infection rates were influenced by land-use pattern. Thus higher prevalences were observed in Loum (intensive agricultural area).