ISSN 2756-3871
International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 3 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2012. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Haematology and prevalence of blood parasites of the common frog (Rana temporaria) in the tropical environment
Omonona A. O.* and Ekpenko V.
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Accepted 19 November, 2011
Abstract
A total of 116 adult frogs were captured from Moniya area of Ibadan and University of Ibadan fish farm, Oyo State of Nigeria between 31st March and 8th June 2009 and investigated for blood parasites by microscopic examination of stained blood films. Some haematological parameters were estimated. The mean packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelet count, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration and mean cell haemoglobin of the samples from the low rain forest area of the south Western Nigeria were 26.90 and 29.67%, 8.85 and 9.83 g/dl, 2.71 and 2.73 × 106 µl-1, 15618.97 and 16704.31 × 103 µl-1, 173344.83 and 163124.14 ×109 µl-1, 102.83 and 117.67 fl, 32.95 and 33.80 g/dl, and 33.87 and 38.77 pg. Only haemoflagellate from the genus Trypanosoma was identified with different morphological forms which are attributed to Trypanosoma rotatorium complex. Prevalence of infection in the two study sites were estimated as 32.8 and 29.3%, respectively. The infected frogs had double nucleated red blood cells.
Key words: Haematology, common frog, Rana temporaria, blood parasites, Ibadan.