Non-hemoparasitic protozoa of the subdesert toad, Amietophrynus (Bufo) xeros (Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract

Eighty subdesert toads, Amietophrynus (Bufo) xeros, were collected in Shendi, Sudan, between August and December 2014 and examined for the presence of non-hemoparasitic protozoa. Fifty-four (67.5%) of the toads were found to be infected with one or more protozoa including, Nyctotherus sp., Balantidium sp.Opalina sp. and Protoopalina sp. A higher prevalence of infection was found in female toads, while a higher intensity of infection was found in males. In addition, older toads harbored a higher prevalence and intensity of infection. No significant correlations were found between the gender of the toads examined and either the prevalence or intensity of infection of the protozoan species. Likewise, the prevalence and intensity of infection by protozoan species were not significantly correlated with the snout-vent length of the toads.