Abstract
Fish is consumed as a rich and cheaper source of white meat and proteins all over the world. Fish farming is the leading source of income generation throughout the world. The present research study was conducted with aims to investigate the ecto and endo parasitic fauna of S. plagiostomus (snow trout) in River Swat. A total of 96 fish samples were collected on monthly basis from July-2018 to February-2019, from upper, middle and lower reaches. Fish samples were collected with the help of cast net, hand net and fishing rods. Local fishermen and experts help were also sought out for fish collection. 61 out of 96 fishes were found infected by helminth parasites. The total prevalence and intensity of 63.54% and 2.90 was observed respectively during data analysis. Highest monthly prevalence of 83.33% was recorded during July and August, while lowest prevalence of 33.33% was noted during February. Five species of helminths parasites were detected from S. plagiostomus, of which two were trematodes (Rhabdochona shizothoracis and Rhabdochona species), one species of Monogenia (Diplozoon paraddoxum), one species of Cestodes (Nippotaenia species), and one species of Acanthocephalan (Neoechynorhynchus devdevi). Highest parasite wise prevalence, intensity and relative density of 21.87%, 4.09 and 0.895 was noted for R. schizothoracis while the lowest prevalence, intensity and relative density of 4.16%, 1.25 and 0.052 was noted for N. devdevi. Highest infection of 76.08% was observed in adults host while lowest, 40% infestation rate was observed in young fish samples. 73.68% prevalence was observed in female hosts while only 56.90% prevalence was observed in male individuals. Higher infection (83.33%) was noticed during summer season, while lowest infection (44.44%) was observed during winter season. Similarly 71.79% fishes were found infected that were collected from lower reaches of the River Swat than the fish samples collected from upper reaches (52%).
Highlights
Schizothorax plagiostomus belongs to class actinopterygii, order cypriniformes and genus Schizothorax
This paper describes the diversity of ecto and endo parasitic fauna infecting Schizothorax plagiostomus inhabitant of rivers of Swat, Pakistan and to initiate awareness among the public not to put their garbage into the river Swat, because it will led to water pollution, water pollution will led to fish infections and fish infestation will led to human infection
All the collected specimens of host fish were examined for the presence of ecto and endo-helminth parasites
Summary
Schizothorax plagiostomus belongs to class actinopterygii, order cypriniformes and genus Schizothorax. Peoples of underdeveloped and developing countries depend on fish meat for animal proteins and as a cheaper source of food (Dhar and Peerzada, 1989). Due to these valuable benefits, more attentiveness is being focus on fish inhabiting different kinds of water bodies throughout the globe (Becke et al, 2018). Water pollution is the main cause of fish mortality in snow-fed and rain-fed rivers (Mishra et al, 2007; Ali et al, 2008; Dongdem et al, 2009; Buet et al, 2006) These parasites impose great economics loss to fish populations. This paper describes the diversity of ecto and endo parasitic fauna infecting Schizothorax plagiostomus inhabitant of rivers of Swat, Pakistan and to initiate awareness among the public not to put their garbage into the river Swat, because it will led to water pollution, water pollution will led to fish infections and fish infestation will led to human infection
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