pubscirivista.org Journal of Ecology Environment & Biology 2013;2(1):72-77
Journal home page: http://pubscirivista.org/new1.aspx
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT & BIOLOGY
ECOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SNAKES AND THE PREVALENCE OF PARASITIC INFESTATIONS AND BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM SNAKES CAPTURED WITHIN THE GUINEA SAVANNAH ZONE OF NIGERIA A. A. Adeiza, N. S. Minka* College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Mando-Kaduna, Nigeria *Corresponding author: E-mail:
[email protected] Received on: 05/08/2013 Revised on: 10/10/2013 Accepted on: 13/11/2013
ABSTRACT The present study investigated the types and prevalence of parasites and bacteria isolates of snakes captured in the northern (N) and southern guinea savannah zones (SGSZ) of Nigeria during the wet season. Nine different snake species were identified among 100 snakes captured. 58% were Naja spp. and 16% Pseudohaje goldii, captured mainly in the NGSZ. Bitis arietans and Pseudohaje goldii (8% each) were common in the SGSZ. Ectoparasites were found in 29% of the snakes captured with Aponomma
Key words –
(amblyomma) latum been the most common. 34% of the snake were infested with endoparasites with
Guinea savannah,
Coccidia (42%) and Strongyloides (22%) been the most common. Haemoparasites were found in 74% of the
Parasites,
snakes, of which Haemogragerina (61%) was the most common. Different bacteria isolates were found in
Prevalence
92% of the snakes. In conclusion, Naja spp. was the most common snake
Snake
found and the snakes were
infected / infested with bacteria and parasites.
INTRODUCTION The African savannah ecosystem is tropical grassland
various
with warm temperatures all year-round and with its highest
requirements. The snakes are even exported to foreign
seasonal rainfall in the wet or raining season. The savannah is
countries for exhibition shows, zoological gardens and
characterized by grasses and small or dispersed trees that do
manufacture of leather goods. Some families also depend for
not form a closed canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the
their livelihood on exhibiting snakes and they are known as
ground. The northern and southern guinea savannah zone of
snake charmers. In some cultures snakes are worshipped and
Nigeria occupied about 40% of the area of Nigeria and is the
offered milk etc. The skins of snakes are in great demand and
most extensive vegetation belt in the country. It is a belt of
are exported in various countries. In west European countries
mixture of trees and tall grasses in the south, with shorter
the leather products of snake skins are very popular. They
grasses and less trees in the north (Fig. 1). This area produces
prepare belts, wallets, purses, combs and cigarette cases,
staples food such as yams, sorghum, millet, cassava,
tobacco pouches and cufflink heads. In addition to these
cowpeas, and corn, with rice an important crop in some
other articles prepared are sports jackets, caps, shoes, and
places
[1,2]
.
like
venom
extraction
and
other
even neckties. In Brail and Sao Pando books also bound in
Snakes are an important component of the natural ecosystem
purposes
of
the
environment
and are
commonly [3]
[1] snake skin . Some species of snake are consumed as food
and there have been flourishing snake meat markets in many
.
parts of the world. Inspite of the beneficial effect of snake it
Live snakes are in great demand and are purchased for
is still considered as a public enemy, especially in the tropical
encountered in rural and urban areas of savannah zone
Adeiza AA and Minka NS: Ecological distribution of snakes and the prevalence of parasitic infestations and bacterial isolates from snakes captured within the Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria
pubscirivista.org Africa due to its venomous bite. Snake bite is a significant
coincided with the time of high agricultural activity,
cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world.
reinforcing the association of the agricultural season,
Data from Nigerian hospitals have shown that out of every
breeding season, and migration of snakes.
100,000 admissions, 174 are attributed to snake bite . This number does not account for
Snake sampling Snake samples were captured by professional snake
unreported incidences, and those who survive envenomation
catchers during walking surveys of the areas and the paved
will often deal with secondary effects such as necrosis or limb
roads and dirt paths located in different sites, and also from
[5] amputation .
homes, schools and dilapidated buildings. The surveys were
envenomation
[2,4]
Snake bites peak between May and August and this
conducted between May to August. The captured snakes
period coincides with heavy rainfall which marks the
were taken to parasitology and microbiology laboratory of
beginning of the raining season. At this time, the agricultural
the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello
season begins for 60% of the Nigerian population. Crops are
University Zaria, Nigeria for analysis of ecto-, endo-, haemo-
produced by family run farms called smallholdings. Farmers
parasites and bacterial isolates.
may have no or limited access to advanced tools or machinery, and directly harvest crops in the field. This puts
Parasites collection and analyses
. Besides, snakes
Ectoparasites After processing each snake, a magnifying hand lens
may carry many diseases, which can be spread to other
(10x) was used to visually inspect the skin, particularly skin-
animals, birds and humans within the ecological zone.
folds around the eyes, mouth, and vent, for the presence of
individuals in close contact with wildlife
[2]
Several studies have reported variations in species
ectoparasites. Presence of ectoparasites was determined for
of snakes found in the ecological zones of the Sahel desert,
each individual and the percentage of infested individuals
Sudan, Guinea savannah and rain forest.
However, little
and parasite prevalence were sampled and determined
information is available on different snake species found
[6]
within the narrow belt-line between the southern and
subsequent species identification using published keys.
northern guinea savannah zone of Nigeria. The present study
.When present, live ectoparasites were collected for
investigated the types and prevalence of parasites and
Endoparasites The captured snakes were pithed, dissected and all
bacteria isolates of snakes captured within the northern and
internal organs and the general cavity were analyzed for the
southern guinea savannah zone of Nigeria during the wet
presence of any endoparasite. Parasites found in the various
season.
organs were identified, counted and preserved in Formal
MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area The experiment was performed at the Livestock
Acetic Acid (FAA) and absolute alcohol separately. Flotation and sedimentation methods were
used to identify
endoparasites eggs from fecal samples. Identification and
Farm of the College of Agriculture and Animal Science,
determination of parasites was conducted under 1000×
Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna. Snake samples were
magnification using light microscopy to determine the
ο / ο / collected from Birnin gwari (11 40 N, 06 32 E) and Kaduna
presence and absence of fecal parasites eggs or their ova,
ο
/
ο
/
(10 30 N, 07 25 E) areas, located partly in the Southern ο / ο / Guinea Savannah and from Zaria (11 06 N, 07 43 E) and
[7] which were identified using a published key .
Funtua (11ο 32/N, 07ο 19/E) areas located solely in the
Hemoparasites Hemoparasite prevalence in snakes was assessed
Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. The study was
using microscopy techniques. About 1ml of blood from the
conducted during the wet season from May - October. The
caudal vein of each snake was collected in heparinized
areas are characterized with agriculture activities as most of
syringe with a 25-gauge needle and a small drop of blood was
the populace are agriculturist. The season of the study
immediately used to create a blood smear. Blood smears
Adeiza AA and Minka NS: Ecological distribution of snakes and the prevalence of parasitic infestations and bacterial isolates from snakes captured within the Guinea Savannah Zone of Nigeria
pubscirivista.org were allowed to air dry at ambient temperature and were
Cultural and morphological characteristics of the resultant
fixed in absolute methanol for 10 min and then stained using
colonies were enumerated studied and recorded
a modified Giemsa method
[8]
.Stained smears were cleared
[10]
.
with xylene, allowed to air dry, and then cover-slipped and
Statistical analyses A Chi-Square test was used to find out the
sealed using Cytoseal 60 (VWR, San Francisco, CA).
significance of the different associations of parasites.
Hemoparasites were determined from each blood smear
Statistical significance was confirmed at P