Parasitic infections in African pangolin (Manis temminckii) from Edo State, southern Nigeria

Abstract

Pangolins are anteaters and they play important roles in regulating ant and termite levels in the ecosystem. They have been reported as useful tools in traditional medicine as well as host to parasites that can cause diseases in humans. Market-derived pangolins (Manis temminckii) from Ekenwan Village, a rain forest location in Ovia North East Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, were used in the study. All 12 pangolins examined were infected with parasites giving a 100% prevalence of infection. The parasites isolated from pangolins included, a cestode (Oochoristica sp.), a nematode (Strongylidae), a pentastomid (Armillifer sp.) and an ectoparasite (Amblyomma sp.). Oochoristica sp. (100%) and Amblyomma sp. (75%) were the most prevalent parasites. Both male and female pangolins recorded equal prevalence (100%) of infection, however, mean intensity of parasites was higher in males (13.33±4.34) than females (8.00±3.52). Both adult and juvenile pangolins showed equal prevalence (100%) of infection, but mean intensity of parasites was higher in adults (23.89±3.61) than in juveniles (11.00±5.75). Pangolins collected during the dry and rainy seasons recorded equal prevalence (100%) of infection, however, mean intensity of parasites was higher during the dry season (24.62±3.67) than the rainy season (14.75±3.42). The findings in this study are new records for pangolin Manis temminckii in Nigeria.

Keywords: pangolins, Manis temminckii, parasites, Edo State, Nigeria