Differential size-biased parasitism between Polyacanthorhynchus nigerianus (nomen nudum) and Polyacanthorhynchus echiyensis (nomen nudum) (Acanthocephala: Polyacanthocephala)

Abstract

Seasonal occurrence of acanthocephalans is replete with controversies stemmed from hosts' activities and environmental conditions etc. Ergo, recent mitochondrial DNA resolved two new cystacanths sequences in a parentenic host Polyacanthorhynchus nigerianus NG1 KC904074 and Polyacanthorhynchus echiyensis NG5 KC9040745 has necessitated the present study between wet and dry seasons. Though the trend of infection followed a similar pattern, NG5 had higher prevalence than NG1 with highest prevalence 5.3% in January. However, the trend changed from March-July when the occurrence of NG1 had relatively much lower monthly prevalence < 2.6%. Their differential body size NG5 994.61 +/- 110.07 mm and NG1 237.58 +/- 30.34 mm, respectively, resulted in a trade-off between their body sizes and numbers.