An Assessment of the Endo-Parasites of Littoral Fish From Lake Taal, Batangas, Philippines

Abstract

The importance of fish parasite research is now only gaining traction not only from biodiversity scientists, but also to ecologists and local policy makers as well. Fish parasites are ecologically important for they are good indicators of ecosystem integrity. In this study, fish endo-parasites of various littoral fish species in Lake Taal were identified and the status of endo-parasitism of the lake was evaluated by providing factors on host-parasite interaction such as feeding habits and host body size, which affect the prevalence of parasites, and their mean intensity. With the unique ecosystem of Lake Taal, it calls for further research especially about biodiversity assessments. Fish specimens were collected and subjected to parasitological examination by extracting their gut, immersing them to 0.9% saline solution, and examining them for the presence of endo-parasites. The samples were taken using beach seine trawling near coastal areas with the aid of the local fishermen. A total of 711 fish specimens were collected from the months of July, August, and September 2015. From these, parasites were seen from 11 fish specimens belonging to 5 different species (Channa striata, Glossogobius giuris, Parachromis managuensis, Toxotes jaculatrix, and Zenarchopterus sp.). Three parasite genera were identified, namely Opegaster sp. (Platyhelminthes: Opecoelidae), Camallanus sp. (Nematoda: Camallanidae), and Andracantha sp. (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae). From these three parasites spanning three different phyla, Andracantha sp. is the first report of its genera from Philippine fish, providing a contribution to the present Philippine parasite biodiversity listing. The quantitative measurements of parasite burden correlated with the factors aforementioned showed the low endo-parasitism within the lake.