Population, seasonal abundance, Dockovdia oruensis infection and other parasites of <i>Potadoma moerchi</i> in southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Dockovdia oruensis and some other infections were studied in relation to the population and seasonal abundance of Potadoma moerchi from three streams in a town endemic for schistosomiasis in Ijebu
North, southwestern Nigeria from November 2002 to October 2003. 72.9% of the total 958 specimens of P. moerchi collected were from Eri-Oru Stream. 55.6% and 100% of the snails from Eri-Oru and Ojupon, respectively, were recorded during dry season. 21.3% of the P. moerchi had D. oruensis infection. Eri-Oru had the highest monthly frequency of D. oruensis infection. P. moerchi specimens in 35 -45 mm size class had the highest prevalence of D. oruensis infection. Intensity of infection ranged from one to 12 mites/snail. One (0.8%) of the P. moerchi specimens in 25 - 35 mm size class collected in January 2003 from Eri-Oru had Chaetogaster limnaei infection. 5.9% (15) and 0.1% (1) of the P. moerchi collected from Ojupon and Eri-Oru respectively had trematode infection. 93.8% of the trematode-infected P. moerchi specimens were in 25-35 mm size class.