MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CERCARIA AMONG BULINUS SNAILS FROM INDIRE STREAM IN ARGUNGU, NIGERIA

Abstract

Freshwater snails have demonstrated a high level of significance with respect to public health. This study identifies the morphological features of cercariae isolated from snails collected from Indire stream in Argungu area of Kebbi State. The snails were collected with the aid of a scoop net, transferred into labelled perforated plastic containers, and subsequently transported to the Biology Laboratory of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi for identification. Individual snails were subjected to artificial bright light from a 100-watt electric bulb for one to four hours to stimulate the shedding of cercariae. Thereafter, the snails were examined under a light microscope. Out of one hundred and twenty-five (125) Bulinus forskalii snail species examined in this research, forty-nine (49) snails were infected with various species of larval trematodes (cercaria), three species of cercariae including Echinostome, Parapleurolophocercous, and virgulate cercariae were identified. The Echinostome cercariae had the highest prevalence, 523 (93.22%) followed by Parapleurolophocercous cercariae 25 (4.45%) while virgulate cercariae had 13 (2.32%). This study has made a valuable contribution by providing novel and improved insights into the prevalence of trematode infections within the study region. The findings of this research have established an initial basis for understanding the epidemiological context and formulating a control strategy to tackle trematode infection in human and animal communities. Efforts aimed at managing trematode parasite illnesses should be strategically focused on several levels, with specific emphasis placed on the areas bordering river ecosystems.