Differences in host-infection patterns of clinostomatids (Clinostomatidae) in human disturbed aquatic ecosystems against undisturbed lake

Paul Chinedu Echi,Mary Omeagu Ojebe

doi:10.21472/bjbs.030508

Abstract

Scarcely use of Opi Lake for many years (1995-2007) due to road cut to its site by erosion during which parasite survey of its major fish composition was carried out established host specificity disparity especially when compared with entirely human disturbed Oguta Lake and Anambra River Basin in Southeast, Nigeria. The infection prevalence had dispersed infection in mainly skin musculature micro-habitat in encysted forms in the later reservoirs. Conversely, the parasites occupied more host micro-habitats of eye, skin and buccal cavity with high rate of excysted forms in the former reservoir. The record of mainly encysted forms in the latter reservoirs is indicative of immune resistance host-parasite relationship. Also, human disturbance which has complimentary environmental influence on both parasite and host upsets parasite-host location strategies in aquatic communities within human vicinities where the reservoirs are used for numerous domestic chores. To the best of our knowledge, hitherto the latter had little or no clinostomatids parasites report.

Highlights

In Anambra River Basin the fish composition parasites have been relatively studied unlike in Oguta Lake where the parasites that associate with the major fish composition maintain little or no knowledge
No clinostomatids parasites were recovered from cichlids in Anambra River basin and Oguta Lake
Out of 210 B. batensoda and 314 S. clarias collected from fishers at Oguta Lake clinostomatids had dispersed infection

Summary

Introduction

In Anambra River Basin the fish composition parasites have been relatively studied unlike in Oguta Lake where the parasites that associate with the major fish composition maintain little or no knowledge Hitherto, both aquatic ecosystems maintain scarce or no information in respect of clinostomatid infections. Clinostomatids are well discussed in literatures, information on their host specificity is inadequate (Chung et al, 1995; Tiewchaloen, 1999; Dias et al, 2003) Comparison of their infection patterns in aquatic ecosystems with different attributes has become necessary in an attempt to revisit the common inference in literatures that. Pathology of clinostomatids infections becomes undesirably severe in a concomitant infection of more than two species This apart from intermittent deaths reduces fish tegument value and patho-physiology of visceral organs that provide micro-habitats for them in their fish hosts by the excysted metacercariae. To present clinostomatids infection of fish of Oguta Lake and Anambra Rvier Basin at Otuocha sampling location

Materials and methods

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Discussion

Conclusion