Abstract
Fish provides main source of high quality protein to more than one billion people in the world. Fish parasites directly affect the productivity of fish and indirectly on human health. This research was aimed to assess the helminth parasites in Schizothorax plagiostomus (the snow trout) from river Panjkora, KP, Pakistan. A total of 88 fish samples (n= 88) were collected from the upper, middle and lower regions of the river through cast nets, hand nets and hooks. All the collected fish samples were examined in the Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Malakand for helminth parasites during July 2018 to February 2019.Among these fishes nematodes, trematodes, cestodes and acanthocephalan were isolated and identified. Overall prevalence of the fish parasites was 60.22% (53/88). The intensity of the parasite was observed from 1.7% to 4.61%. Highest prevalence was reported in summer season 86.36% while lowest in the winter season 36.36%. This study shows that summer season affects the fish business and result in poor quality fish meat with risk of zoonotic diseases. Adults were highly infected 82.25% while no infection was found in juvenile specimens. Female fish samples had higher prevalence 68.22% than males 48.22%. Fishes of the lower reaches had highest prevalence 60.22% than the upper reaches 40.0%. Fish samples with maximum length and weight were highly 76.92% infected than small sized fish with low body weight. Present study addresses that Rhabdochona schizothoracis in the intestine and Diplozoon paradoxum in gills of snow trout fish has a long term relationship and call as a natural infection in cyprinids and it is zoonotic threat to human.
Highlights
Fish is the main vertebrate that affects life of humans in many forms
In this study 88 fishes of S. plagiostomus were collected from various localities of River Panjkora, KP, Pakistan and were examined for the parasites
The infection rate was detected in term of prevalence as on the basis of months, seasons, sex, age, length, weight, locality and type of parasite
Summary
Fish is the main vertebrate that affects life of humans in many forms. According to Shaikh et al (2011), fish is a source of vitamins, proteins, fats and many other yields such as fish glue, fish oil and fish meal etc. One of the factors responsible for reduction in fish production is parasite. Parasites are vital source of financial losses for aquaculture due to reduction in fish growth and increased mortality (Omeji et al, 2011). According to Khanum et al (2008) the spreading and frequency of helminthe parasites have been calculated in fresh water fishes from various parts of the world. (Bikhovskaya‐Pavlovskaya, 1964) have stated that there are 11 classes of invertebrates with 1211 species of fresh water fish parasites such as Nematodes, Cestodes, and acanthocephalan Minor information is available about the control, distribution and harmful effects. (Bikhovskaya‐Pavlovskaya, 1964) have stated that there are 11 classes of invertebrates with 1211 species of fresh water fish parasites such as Nematodes, Cestodes, and acanthocephalan
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