Endo-helminth parasites of frog (rana cyanophlyctis) from the gurez valley of jammu & kashmir, india

Abstract

The present study carried out from May 2013 to May 2015 on helminth parasites of Rana cyanophlyctis of Gurez Valley. Out of 135 specimens of frog examined, 89 specimens were infected by one type of helminth parasite. Only three species of helminth parasites i.e. one cestode species and two nematode species were observed. Out of 135 specimens examined, 59 of Rana cyanophlyctis were infected with cestode Nematotaenia kashmirensis, 77 with nematode Cosmocerca kashmirensis and 86 with Rhabdias bufonis. Thus the prevalence of nematodes was much higher than cestodes; however the overall prevalence of helminth infection was 65.92%. The prevalence of 70.17% and 47.36% (in summer), 63.63% and 45.45% (in autumn), and 52.94% and 35.29% (in spring) of nematodes and cestodes respectively. In conclusion the amphibians showed a high prevalence of GIH infection. This can be due to the fact that amphibians are confined to small restricted areas nearer to the human habitations. Thus anthropogenic activities which facilitate the environmental pollution can be a major cause of high level of infection in these frogs of the Gurez valley.