Abstract
Freshwater fish species are posing health challenges by either serving as host of parasites that are harmful to man and animals. This study was conducted to determine the parasitic profile of the branchial and gastrointestinal tracts of freshwater fish species from Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja. These fish species are Tilapia zillii, Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias species, Synodontis schall, and Megalops atlanticus. Fish samples were collected within a period of 12 months, and the species and sex of the fish were identified. The two opercula of each fish were removed and examined for parasites; parasites recovered were preserved in 0.7% physiological saline. Gastrointestinal tracts were removed from each fish, placed in physiological saline, and examined microscopically for parasites. Prevalence of parasites was calculated. The chi-square test was used to compare prevalence of parasites according to sexes, body parts examined, fish species, and parasites species, while the t-test was used to compare between gills and intestines of each fish species. The chi-square test was used to determine if any significant difference exists in prevalence between the sexes, body parts, fish species, and parasites species, while the t-test was used to determine if any significant difference exists in prevalence between the gills and intestines of each fish species. A total of seven parasites species were harboured in branchial chamber and gastrointestinal tracts of fish species from rivers Niger and Benue: Clinostomum sp. (trematode), Camallanus sp. (nematode), Capillaria sp., Rhabdochona congolensis (nematode), Contracaecum sp. (nematode), Proteocephalus sp. (cestode), and Spinitectus guntheri. T. zillii (81 (95.3%)) had the highest prevalence, while O. niloticus, Clarias sp., S. schall, and M. atlanticus had prevalence of 87 (89.7%), 96 (80.0%), 48 (70.6%), and 27 (38.6%), respectively. Out of the total fish samples examined, females (191 (80.3%)) were observed to harbour more parasites than males (148 (73.3%)). The gastrointestinal tracts (287 (65.2%)) significantly harboured more parasites than branchial chamber (52 (11.8%)). Fish species in rivers Niger and Benue are highly infected with parasites. Fish consumers should subject the fish to proper processing before consumption, as some of these parasites are of zoonotic importance.
Highlights
E freshwater is essential to human life, leading to humans traditionally dwelling along rivers and wetlands. is proximity of people to these water bodies constitutes declines in freshwater species and quality [4, 5]. e IUCN [6] reported that 24.6% of freshwater species are threatened, while 27.0% fish species is threatened
Fishes interact at the various levels of food chain, thereby influencing the habitat structure [9]. Despite their significance to man, freshwater fish species are known for harbouring parasitic organisms by either serving as intermediate or definitive host of parasites which are harmful to man and animals [12]. ese parasitic protozoans and helminths are known to affect the health, growth, and survival of the fish while causing nutrient devaluation, alteration in biology and behaviour, lowering of the immune system, blindness, morbidity, mortality, fecundity reduction, and mechanical injuries [13]
Little or no study was conducted on the parasites of the branchial chamber of freshwater fish. is study was conducted to investigate the parasitic profile of the branchial and gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of freshwater fish species from Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja
Summary
Ese factors affect the fish species biodiversity and parasite fauna of freshwater environments. Fishes interact at the various levels of food chain, thereby influencing the habitat structure [9] Despite their significance to man, freshwater fish species are known for harbouring parasitic organisms by either serving as intermediate or definitive host of parasites which are harmful to man and animals [12]. Series of studies have been conducted on parasites of freshwater fish species in different parts of the Nigeria [14,15,16,17,18,19,20]. Is study was conducted to investigate the parasitic profile of the branchial and gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of freshwater fish species from Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja Little or no study was conducted on the parasites of the branchial chamber of freshwater fish. is study was conducted to investigate the parasitic profile of the branchial and gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of freshwater fish species from Niger and Benue rivers at Lokoja
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