IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 14, Issue 3 Ser. II (March 2021), PP 27-35 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-1403022735 www.iosrjournals.org 27 | Page Heavy Metals and Parasites in African Giant Snail (Achatina achatina) from Three Communities in Ogoni, Rivers State, Nigeria. Eze, Chinwe N. and Ohanele, O. O, Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science University of Port Harcourt. PMB5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Abstract African Giant snail (Achatina achatina)adelectable source of protein, good accumulator of heavy metals and a host to number of parasites was investigated to assess the parasite infestation and level of heavy metal concentration (Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb) in three communities located in Ogoni. Thirty (30) A. achatina were handpicked from June to October 2019. Their intestine, reproductive and head regions were examined for presence of parasites. The snail samples were also analysed for heavy metals. Seven types of parasites were identified and 80% of the snails examined were infected with parasites. Snails picked from Luubaara community had the highest prevalence of infection with 44% followed by Eeken with 31%, and Kaani with 25%. Cestodes where the most prevalent parasites being 67%, followed by nematodes 30% and arachnida 3%. Distribution of the parasite shows thatDiphyllobothrium latum had the highest prevalence of 53%and the least was Mite egg with 3%. The examined regions had the intestine with 50% of parasites, followed by the head region with 28% and the reproductive system with 22%. Zinc(Zn) had the highest concentration across the communities, followed by Chromium(Cr), Cadmium(Cd) was below detection limit (<0.001) while Lead(Pb) was not detected at all. The results showed that the metals were within the permissible safe limits of FAO/WHO. The high level of parasites infections could pose a serious problem to consumers of snails. Proper preparation of snails before consumption and continuous monitoring of heavy metals on edible snails are highly recommended. Keywords: African giant snail (Achatina achatina), parasite infestation, heavy metals. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 10-03-2021 Date of Acceptance: 25-03-2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Achatina achatina, one of the edible land snails found across Nigeria, has over the years been a source of food and protein to humans. It also serves as host to some pathogenic parasites, serving as their food and shelter. Increase in the consumption of snail is on the rise in Nigeria, because people are looking for ways to live and stay healthy cutting down on red meat [1]. Achatina achatina which offers an optimum amount of protein required by man, is low in fat and has comparatively good iron (Fe) content [2]. Most snails sold and consumed in Nigeria are mainly obtained from the bushes, forest or handpicked around the environment, very few are reared, hence making them good host in harbouring parasites. Daily increase in consumption of snails especially when undercooked or eaten raw could be a transmission route where man can be infected with parasites [3]. The link between African Giant snail (Achatina achatina), its parasites and heavy metals found in the soil is through feeding activities and skin contact of the snail with the soil surface [4,5]. The parasites and heavy metals are taken in by the snails during feeding through consumption of dead plants, litters, fungi and soil or through their epithelium. Studies have shown that African giant snail has been used as biological indicator in areas polluted with heavy metals. They have been noted to concentrate and accumulate high level of metals in their organs when found in polluted areas, mostly in the hepatopancreas [4,5]. Being a phytophagous gastropod, it can be a good biological indicator of heavy metals in crop plants and soil, for heavy metals like cadmium(Cd) to which the general population is exposed mainly through the food chain [6]. It is therefore of great importance that the metal concentrations in agricultural crops are kept in check. Also, from the parasitology and public health standpoint, Achatina achatina is of significance since it is potentially an intermediate vector in the life cycle of the common rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is a causative organism of human Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis [7]. It also serves as a host to the Rhabditid nematode, Rhabditis axei[1]. It had been previously documented that some nematode parasites have a great bioaccumulation efficiency of metals, whereas others have a low efficiency of absorbing metals [8]. This variability in the rate of accumulation may be linked to the proximity of tissues to toxic medium, physiological state of the tissues,