Abstract
Monogenoidea (Platyhelminthes), one of the largest groups of ectoparasitic metazoans worldwide, comprises over 7000 nominal species distributed globally, many of which may represent a serious threat to their fish hosts in aquaculture conditions. The fish fauna of Arunachal Pradesh, India-a global hotspot of biodiversity-is reasonably well-documented, with at least 213 known species (including 69 Siluriformes). These faunas are an essential resource for this tribal state's economy. In sharp contrast, information on parasitic monogenoids of fish from the region is extremely limited, with only nine species described to date. In this study, 21 species of catfishes were collected and examined with the aim of expanding the current knowledge of the diversity and distribution of monogenoid species from Arunachal Pradesh. 15 (62.5%) of the 21 catfish species studied were infected with a total of 25 monogenoid species (11 previously described and 14 newly discovered in this study). Ten species of catfish were the first host records for new parasite species, while two species of catfish were new host records for previously known monogenoids. Arunachal Pradesh represents new geographic locality records for all 11 previously described parasite species, thus significantly expanding their distribution area from North and South India to extreme Northeast India. The patterns of parasite species richness in relation to three ecological traits (fish habitat, body size, and elevation) as well as host specificity across the 21 examined species of catfishes, the unique problem of too many parasite species in Wallago attu, and the future of parasitology in Arunachal Pradesh, India are discussed.
Highlights
Monogenoids (Platyhelminth) are one of the most conspicuous groups of fish parasites in the modern world
Information on parasitic monogenoids of fish from the region is extremely limited, with only nine species described to date
21 species of catfishes were collected and examined with the aim of expanding the current knowledge of the diversity and distribution of monogenoid species from Arunachal Pradesh. 15 (62.5%) of the 21 catfish species studied were infected with a total of 25 monogenoid species (11 previously described and 14 newly discovered in this study)
Summary
Monogenoids (Platyhelminth) are one of the most conspicuous groups of fish parasites in the modern world They are hugely diverse, with more than 7000 extant species distributed across the globe (Gibson et al 2014) that fill a wide range of ecological niches from arthropods to molluscs, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and even mammals (Roberts et al 2009). Upon finding a suitable host fish, these worms settle on the gills and start feeding on the host’s blood (Hayward et al 2007), epithelial cells, and/or mucus (Buchmann and Bresciani 2006) In addition to their impacts on the host’s physiology, their feeding habits can provide an entry point for secondary diseases by breaking down the mucous layer covering the gill and skin epithelia (Grimes et al 1985). They are useful models for ecological (Rohde 1979 1984, 1994; Simkova et al 2002) and evolutionary processes (Poulin 2002)
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