ECTO- AND ENDO-PARASITES INFECTING THE BROOKE’S HOUSE GECKO HEMIDACTYLUS BROOKII (SAURIA: GEKKONIDAE) IN GHANA

Introduction: Wall geckos are known carriers of parasites. Limited information exists on the parasites that affect wall geckos in Ghana. This study investigated the incidence of ectoparasites and endoparasites in Brooke’s house gecko on University of Ghana campus. Methodology: Hemidactylus brookii were caught from Legon Botanical Gardens, Department buildings and Residential halls of University of Ghana. Parasites were stained, fixed and examined under a compound light microscope. Pictures taken with Leica EZ microscope. Morphological identification was done using appropriate identification keys. Findings: Out of 136 H. brookii examined, 128 (92%) were infested with Geckobia leonilae and G. bataviensis. Endoparasites included Paradistomum sp., Oochoristica sp., Raillietiella sp. and Pharyngodon sp. All parasites were observed in only adult geckos. Parasite prevalence was not significantly different among the study areas, or sex of wall gecko. Conclusions: Adult wall geckos are hosts to mites, trematodes and nematodes.