Abstract
The prevalence of ecto- and endo-parasites of Gnathonemus senegalensis (Trunkfish) was determined with the view of quantifying the helminthic burden in Apodu reservoir, Malete. A total of 150 fish of G. senegalensis were caught with gill nets and cast nets between November 2017 and April, 2018. The fish were transported to the Parasitology laboratory, Kwara state University Malete, for parasite examination. The result shows a prevalence rate of 42% (n=150) with Camallanus sp. and Capillaria sp. having prevalence rates of 11.1 % and 60.32%, respectively. Diphyllobothriumlatum, Acanthocephalan sp., Neascus sp., Tetrahymena sp. and Chilodonella sp. had the prevalence rates of 46.03%, 20.63%, 30.16%, 19.05% and 20.63%, respectively. The ranges of physico-chemical parameters of the water body were: temperature (26.4 -26.9 oC); conductivity (66 – 83 μs/cm); pH (7.54 - 7.98); transparency (110 -402 cm); water current (0.04 -0.42 m/s) and total dissolved solids (34 – 44 ppm). The findings suggest that the observed parasitic infections may adversely affect the economic value of G. senegalensis and if not well managed, could also infect human beings who consume the fish.
Highlights
Gnathonemus senegalensis (Trunkfish) is recognized by the possession of upward pointing pectoral fins, narrow gill openings and a layer of muscle covering the opercula bone (Holden & Reed, 1972)
Of the 150 fish of Gnathonemus senegalensis examined 63 samples were infested with parasites
The present study shows a low-average infection rate of the sampled fishes from the Apodu reservoir, Malete, with all parasites recovered being endo-and ectoparasites representing nematodes, cestodes, trematodes, monogeneans and protozoans
Summary
Gnathonemus senegalensis (Trunkfish) is recognized by the possession of upward pointing pectoral fins, narrow gill openings and a layer of muscle covering the opercula bone (Holden & Reed, 1972) They are normally caught in bottom nets, an indication that they are bottom feeders. Fish parasitic infestations are common in the tropics (Roberts & Janovy, 2009; Soliman & Nasr, 2015), with various parasites being associated with different fish species. The prevalence of such infections is dependent on the nature of the ecosystems and fish susceptibility and result in considerable economic losses in the fisheries industry (Biu & Nkechi, 2013). Thereforefish parasitic diseases can be considered as one of the most detrimental factors to the success of the aquaculture industry (Paperna, 1996; Keremah & Inko-Tariah, 2013)
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