The Prevalence of Trypanosoma Species in Silver Catfish (Bagrus bajad) from Zobe Reservoir, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State

Abstract

This research investigates the prevalence of Trypanosoma species in the silver catfish (Bagrus bajad) population in Zobe Reservoir, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The study aims to provide insights into the parasitic infection rates, identify prevalent Trypanosoma species, and assess its potential impacts on the health and population dynamics of silver catfish in the reservoir. A total of 108 silver catfish samples were collected from Zobe Reservoir in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria at bi-weekly intervals, from July-September; 2023 for the discovery of blood parasites and subjected to thorough parasitological examination. Microscopic analysis, including blood smears and tissue samples, was employed to identify and classify Trypanosoma species. Preliminary findings revealed the presence of Trypanosome infections in the silver catfish population, with a variation in prevalence rates among the sampled specimens. The study identifies specific Trypanosoma species affecting the silver catfish in Zobe Reservoir, shedding light on the diversity and distribution of these parasites in the aquatic ecosystem. The Bagrus bajad obtained according to sex indicates 29 males and 79 females were examined. Females had the highest percentage of infection, 10.12%, while males had the lowest percentage of infection, 3.45%. The results of this research contribute valuable data to the understanding of Trypanosome infections in silver catfish populations, with implications for fisheries management, conservation efforts, and the potential transmission of these parasites to other aquatic organisms. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of continued monitoring and surveillance to assess the dynamic interactions between Trypanosomes and their fish hosts in freshwater ecosystems.