Parasitic Infection of Amphibians from an Open Dumpsite and Otofure, the Host Community in Ovia North East LGA, Edo State, Nigeria

Open dumpsites provide ample and stable food sources for most animals, but they also make them more susceptible to illnesses and pollutants. Amphibians are typically drawn to these areas because of the abundance of prey and relative moisture. However, the ongoing burning at the dumpsite may jeopardize any creature that lives in this ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to assess amphibian diversity and parasite infections at an open dumpsite and its host town, Otofure, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The Visual Acoustic Encounter Survey method was utilized to collect amphibian samples at night. Six amphibian and 14 parasite species were found at both sites. Though more parasite species were discovered in amphibians from the community (not at the dump site), parasitic intensity was generally modest at both locations. Sclerophrys maculata was the most infected amphibian at both sites, but it had a greater infection rate in the community. The study's findings indicate that the dump site environment was less tolerable for free-living parasites and their vectors due to contamination with various chemical and organic wastes, as well as the elevated temperature caused by the constant burning of refuse