STUDIES ON ECTOPARASITIC FAUNA OF RODENTS IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, SOKOTO STATE

Rodents are hosts for a variety of ectoparasites mostly due to their vast range of lifestyles, adaptable behaviour and capacity to adjust to environmental changes. This study investigated the prevalence and diversity of ectoparasites infesting rodents in Sokoto Metropolis. One hundred and thirty rodents (130) belonging to four species; Rattus rattus (41), Rattus norvegicus (29), Cricetomys gambianus (39) and Mus musculus (21) were captured from five urban locations. Ectoparasites were collected and identified microscopically. Overall infestation rate was 69.2%. Mus musculus showed the highest infestation rate of 90.5% followed by Cricetomys gambianus (76.9%), Rattus norvegicus (68.9%) and the least was detected in Rattus rattus (51.2%). Detected ectoparasites included Haemaphysalis (n=28, 21.5%), Dermanyssus (n=10, 7.7%), Liponysus (n=26, 20.0%), Psoroptes (n=4, 3.1%), Polyplax (n=5, 3.8%), and Xenopsylla spp (n=17, 13.1%). Rodents captured from Abu Kure Area had 100% infestation rate followed by Diplomat (95.0%) and then City Campus (86.7%) while no infestation was recorded in Fakon Idi area. However 76.7% of male rodents and 62.8% of female were positive for ectoparasite infestation. Meanwhile, 63.8% of adult rodents and 5.4% of young were positive for at least one ectoparasite. The study highlights the potential role of rodents as reservoirs of zoonotic ectoparasites and emphasizes the need for continuous surveillance, improved sanitation, and integrated control programs to mitigate rodent-borne diseases in urban settings.