Ecology and Prevalence of Parasites of African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) in Benue State, Nigeria

The study examined the body weight and parasites prevalence of African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) in rural setting of Gboko Local Government of Benue State. A total of 15 rats (10 males and 5 females) were collected from the wild and subjected to parasites isolation and body weight measurement at the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture laboratory, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and student T-test. Results revealed a significantly higher (1.99kg) mean body weight in males rats compared to females (1.2 kg) (p<0.05). Parasite prevalence revealed 3 groups of Endo parasites (Roundworm, Flagellates and Tapeworm) and an Ecto parasite (flea) in the rats. However, there was no significant difference between the male and female rats in terms of the Endo/Ecto parasites count and load (p> 0.05). More so, body weight, endo and ecto parasites count and load were highly correlated with sex in the animals. For healthier consumption and domestication, adequate attention should be given towards the control of both endo and ecto parasite of captive reared African giant rat.