Diversity, intensity and prevalence of parasites of cichlids in polluted and unpolluted sections of Eleyele Dam, Ibadan, Nigeria.

I.A Simon-Oke

doi:10.22458/urj.v9i1.1677

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the diversity, intensity and prevalence of parasites in Cichlids. A total of 354 specimens of cichlids was sampled in polluted and unpolluted ends of Eleyele River, Ibadan, Nigeria and examined for parasites. The total prevalence was 57.34%. Recovered parasites were Clinostomum tilapiae, Euclinostomum heterostomum, Neascus, Allocreadium ghanensis, Phagicola longa, Alloglossidium corti and the acanthocephalan; Acanthogyrus tilapiae and Acanthella. Clinostomum tilapiae had higher prevalence and abundance (42.90%) with Allocreadium corti recording least abundance (0.49%). Tilapia zilli was the most abundant (41.53%) among the fish hosts but Oreochromis niloticus harboured the highest percentage of parasites (80.00%). The fish hosts in the polluted end of the river harboured the highest percentage of parasites (71.18%) against (43.50%) parasites recovered from the unpolluted end. There was a significant difference in the parasites harboured. Heavy infection with a broad number of parasites in fish hosts could reduce performance and productivity of the species, especially in fish farming.

Highlights

RESUMEN: Diversidad, intensidad y prevalencia de parásitos de los cíclidos en secciones contaminadas y no contaminadas de la Represa de Eleyele, Ibadan, Nigeria
This study aimed to investigate the diversity, intensity and prevalence of parasites in Cichlids
The fish hosts in the polluted end of the river harboured the highest percentage of parasites (71.18%) against (43.50%) parasites recovered from the unpolluted end

Summary

Introduction

RESUMEN: Diversidad, intensidad y prevalencia de parásitos de los cíclidos en secciones contaminadas y no contaminadas de la Represa de Eleyele, Ibadan, Nigeria. Parasite infections in fishes cause production and economic losses through direct fish mortality, reduction in fish growth, fecundity and stamina, increase in the susceptibility of fish to diseases and predation and the high cost of treatment (Cowx, 1992). Acanthocephalan (spiny- headed worms) have a characteristic retractable proboscis at the anterior end which is armed with posterior pointing hooks This organ of attachment anchors the worm in the intestine wall of the fish host (Egusa, 1992).The larval stages of Acanthocephalans occur within crustaceans or insects. Pathogenic effects arise from abrasions and lesions caused by the proboscis during attachment When it penetrates only the intestinal epithelium, the host reaction is minimal weight loss, growth retardation and mortality of fish occur if the parasites are present in large numbers (Cowx, 1992).

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