North African Catfish Clarias Gariepinus Research Articles

Quantifying Invasiveness Risk of Non‐Native Freshwater Fishes in South Korea Under a Changing Climate

ABSTRACTBiological invasions pose a serious threat to native biodiversity, and climate change intensifies the risk of non‐native species invasion in human‐altered environments, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. In South Korean freshwaters, the number of non‐native fish species increased significantly since the early 1950s. We screened risk of invasion by 43 freshwater fish species in South Korea using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS‐ISK). Of these species, 26 (~ 61%) posed a high to very high risk of invasiveness. Black bullhead Ameiurus melas, brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, North African catfish Clarias gariepinus, green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus, black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, round goby Neogobius melanostomus, and Chinese sleeper Perccottus glenii were very high risk under current and predicted climate conditions. Striped snakehead Channa striata, longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, white perch Morone americana, Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis, and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus were high risk only under predicted climate conditions. Present risks were generally consistent with previous qualitative assessment, with some discrepancies, likely due to unobserved or under‐reported invasive traits of some species or a better ability of the present semi‐quantitative approach to estimate potential risks. Our results will inform South Korean decision‐making to potentially enhance regional cooperation across East Asia against transboundary introductions of aquatic invasive species.

Endohelminth diversity in the invasive Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) from two freshwater lakes: Naivasha and Ol'Bolossat, Kenya.

Fish parasitology contributes to our understanding of the potential risks posed by diverse groups of parasitic organisms on fish stocks in either wild and culture systems. This study was conducted in May 2023 and aimed at assessing the diversity of endohelminths in the invasive North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) obtained from two freshwater lakes, Naivasha and Ol'Bolossat, in Kenya. Parasitological examination of 66 and 35 fish samples collected from the two lakes respectively was achieved using light and scanning electron microscopy methods. Results revealed endohelminth diversity broadly classified as four digeneans, two nematodes, and one cestode. Seven taxa of endohelminths were found in C. gariepinus samples, but only four of these taxa could be identified up to the species level. Six of the taxa (Diplostomum sp., Tylodelphys mashonense, Plagiorchioidea sp., Paracamallanus cyathopharynx, Contracaecum sp., and Tetracampos ciliotheca) were common in samples from the two lakes. Glossidium pedatum only occurred in samples from Lake Ol'Bolossat. Parasite prevalence ranged from 8.6 (T. mashonense) to 100% (Diplostomum sp., T. ciliotheca, and Contracaecum sp.) and mean intensity from 1.4 (T. mashonense) to 16.9 (Diplostomum sp.). The diversity and richness indices were comparatively higher in fish samples from Lake Ol'Bolossat and attributed to the occurrence of G. pedatum in the Ol'Bolossat. However, parasitic infestation of fish samples from the two lakes depicted close similarity, both in diversity and prevalence. These findings form an important baseline data for further follow-up studies, and they suggest the need for further molecular analyses to fully describe three of the taxa only identified up to the genus level.

DNA barcoding of five economically important freshwater fish species from the Nile River, Sudan

The study was conducted to barcode five freshwater fish species obtained from Nile River tributaries (the Atbara River and the Blue Nile), in March 2019, using analysis of partial CO1 gene sequences. Fish samples were identified morphologically as Nile perch Lates niloticus, Nile labeo Labeo vulgaris, North African catfish Clarias gariepinus, Cornish jack Mormyrops anguilloides and bebe mormyrid Hyperopisus bebe. Following DNA extraction, universal primers were used for amplification of the CO1 barcode region. The PCR products were sequenced and used for molecular identification. Each sequence was matched to corresponding GenBank sequences using the BLAST technique. Sequences of all specimens were aligned along with the GenBank published sequences and polymorphic sites were identified. The analysed sequences were uploaded to GenBank under the accession numbers OL804282– OL804286. The analysed partial CO1 barcode gene showed a readable length of ∼548–669 base pairs. Sequence comparison of CO1 gene sequences with sequences published in GenBank revealed 99.27–100% identities at the species level. Therefore, the CO1 barcodes accurately identified all the studied freshwater fishes. This is the first molecular DNA barcode characterisation of freshwater fish species found in Sudan. The fish CO1 gene sequences revealed in this study will serve as barcode references for future characterisations of Nile River fishes.

Scanning Electron Microscopy and First Molecular Data of Two Species of Lamproglena (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) from Labeo victorianus (Cyprinidae) and Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) in Kenya.

A parasitological study carried out in May 2022 and March 2023 in the Nyando River of Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya, disclosed two parasitic lernaeid copepods: Lamproglena cleopatra Humes, 1957, from the gills of a cyprinid, the Ningu Labeo victorianus Boulenger, 1901, endemic to the Lake Victoria drainage system, and Lamproglena clariae Fryer, 1957, from a clariid, the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). The copepods were studied and supplementary taxonomic information was presented using scanning electron micrographs and genetic data. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided information on the morphology of L. cleopatra's antennae, oral region, thoracic legs (2-5), and furcal rami not previously reported. Analyses of the partial fragments of 18S and 28S rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of the two parasites showed them to be distinct from all other Lamproglena taxa retrieved from GenBank. This study presents new taxonomic information on morphology using SEM and provides the first ribosomal (18S and 28S rDNA) and mitochondrial (mtDNA) data for these two parasite species. The cox1 data provided are the first for all 38 nominal species of Lamproglena. Notably, the study also provides a new host record for L. cleopatra and extends the geographical information of this species to Kenya.

Risk of invasiveness of non-native fishes in the South Caucasus biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot

Aquatic invasions are one of the major threats for freshwater ecosystems. However, in developing countries, knowledge of biological invasions, essential for the implementation of appropriate legislation, is often limited if not entirely lacking. In this regard, the identification of potentially invasive non-native species by risk screening, followed by a full risk assessment of the species ranked as higher risk, enables decision-makers to be informed about the extent of the threats posed to the recipient (risk assessment) area. In this study, 32 non-native extant and horizon fish species were screened for their risk of invasiveness under current and predicted climate conditions for the South Caucasus – a biodiversity and geopolitical hotspot that includes the countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Overall, the number of very high-risk species increased from four (12.5%) under current climate conditions to 12 (37.5%) under predicted climate conditions. The highest-risk species under both conditions included the already established gibel carp Carassius gibelio and topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, the locally translocated pikeperch Sander lucioperca and the horizon North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Under predicted climate conditions, a very high risk of invasiveness was predicted also for the translocated three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus and Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis, for the already established eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua, sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus and Nile tilapia Orechromis niloticus, and for the horizon pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Future research on the non-native species in the South Caucasus should be conducted both country- and region-wide and should account not only for the high biodiversity, but also for the critical geopolitical situation affecting the study area.

Genetic Differentiation and Molecular Phylogenetics of North African Catfish from Three Distinct Waterbodies

Abstract The population structure and genetic variability of North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) were investigated using partial mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b region sequences. Fifty-four (54) samples were investigated from three geographically isolated rivers in Nigeria. The analysis of 53 haplotypes revealed greater haplotype diversity (0.99930) and nucleotide diversity (p) (0.07270). According to an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), the genetic diversity of North African catfish within populations is significantly higher than the genetic diversity across populations. The FST scores (0.75000, 0.94792 and 0.95699) indicated that North African catfish populations in three Nigerian freshwater bodies had a strong genetic structure. The phylogenetic reconstruction of unique haplotypes revealed the placement of a haplotype (Ogbese) linked by others from all three groups with a point mutation ranging from 1 to 24 nucleotides. North African catfish populations in the Asejire and Ureje are genetically diverse, as evidenced by a high level of haplotype diversity of 1.0000, low nucleotide diversity spanning from 0.05101 to 0.07889, and high FST values (within-population genetic variation). The common haplotypes between some populations and mixes of haplotypes from different populations within the same genetic cluster demonstrate that the population genetic structure is not distinct.

First record of microplastic occurence at the commercial fish from Orontes River

Freshwater environments are more sensitive to anthropogenic influences and usually contain higher concentrations of pollutants than marine environments. Microplastic pollution causes additional stress on freshwater animals; yet, studies evaluating the microplastic occurrence in freshwater biota are still limited. In this study, microplastic occurrence in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) and gill of commercial fish species (Prussian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782); Abu mullet Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843); Common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758; European ell Anguilla Anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758); North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822); Goldfish Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) were reported from Orontes River. MPs abundance in the GIT and gill of six species were found as 5.1 ± 2 MPs fish−1 and 4.4 ± 2 MPs fish−1 with an occurrence of 95% and 74%, respectively. The majority of extracted microplastics were fiber, black and less than 1000 μm in size. FTIR analysis determined the main polymer types as polyester (50%), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (10%), polypropylene (PP) (8%) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (5%). High MPs abundance and frequency of occurence indicate the exposure of microplastic pollution in freshwater biota which could threat the health of both individuals and consumers. Results obtained in this study will increase the acknowledgement of MPs pollution in the Orontes River. Also, this study will provide data to the administrators to set up necessary legislations in freshwater ecosystems.

Stimulation of the Growth of Juvenile North African Catfish Clarias gariepinus by Modification of the Water Oxidation–Reduction Potential

Stimulation of the Growth of Juvenile North African Catfish Clarias gariepinus by Modification of the Water Oxidation–Reduction Potential

MATURASI LELE MUTIARA Clarias gariepinus BETINA MELALUI PENAMBAHAN HORMON OODEV DAN ESTRADIOL-17ß PADA PAKAN

The problem in Mutiara strain of North African catfish Clarias gariepinus culture is that the production of both larvae and seeds is still inhibited by the seasonal reproductive cycle where the catfish only spawn once during the spawning season. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of administration of oodev and estradiol-17ß on the maturity process and to determine the best doses in accelerating the maturion of female Mutiara strain. This study used a Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments and 3 individual replications. The treatments were combination between dose Oodev (PMSG and Anti-Dopamine) and dose Estradiol-17ß in feed (both doses in ml/kg feed):A(0+0), B(0.5+0), C(0+0.6), D(0.5+0,6), E(1+1). The results of this study showed that the administration of Oodev and Estradiol-17ß significant affect on gonadal maturity index about 82.21% compared to control and acclerating maturation of female mutiara strain with doses the best is the treatment E (oodev 1 ml/kg feed+estradiol-17ß 1 ml/kg feed).Key words: Clarias gariepinus, dose, estradiol-17ß, maturation, oodev

Evaluation of monosodium glutamate suplementation on physiological response, growth performance, and feed utilization in North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

A triplicate experiment was conducted to evaluate the supplementation of monosodium glutamate into the diet on physiological responses, growth performances, and feed efficiency of north African catfish Clarias gariepinus cul-tured in high ammonia environment. A hundred fish with an initial body weight of 11.9±0.3 g was rearing for 60 days without any water exchange in nine plastic tanks (1x1x1 m3) at experimental pond of Department of Aquaculture, Bogor Agricultural University. During rearing period, fish were fed on the diet supplemented with 0%, 0.87%, or 1.74 % of monosodium glutamate, two times a day at satiation. Result shows that the supplementation of monoso-dium glutamate in feed stimulates change in fish physiological responses such as lower Alanin Transaminase mono-sodium glutamate enzyme activity, lower blood ammonia, and higher intestinal glutamine. Feeding using monoso-dium glutamate-supplemented feed at three different doses results in the same growth rate. However, the highest feed efficiency of North African catfish was recorded in the treatment of feed supplemented with 0.87% monosodium glutamate. Thus, it can be inferred that the usage of monosodium glutamate may improve physiological response and feed efficiency but does not affect fish growth rate.

Relationships Between Otolith Dimensions and Body Growth of North African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) from the Upper Basin of the Sakarya River, Turkey

Abstract The relationships between otolith size and body length of North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822), collected from Sakaryabaşı (the main spring area of the Sakarya River) between July 2014 and November 2014, were examined. Length-weight relationship was also calculated for overall specimens. The wild fish were captured by electrofishing using SAMUS 725MP. A total of 132 individuals ranging from 13.6 to 59.0 cm in total length and from 15.9 to 1755.0 g in weight were sampled. The lagenar otolith (asteriscus) length and height, and the utricular otolith (lapillus) length and width were recorded for each fish. The relationships between otolith measurements and fish somatic growth were described by a non-linear function (power model). The t test revealed no considerable differences in these relationships between left and right otoliths. The ANCOVA test on the relationships between total length and otolith variables did not show significant differences between females and males. All relationships were highly significant and the mean percent prediction errors were less than 7%. The results showed that otolith growth reflected body growth.

First record of North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Croatian inland waters

First record of North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Croatian inland waters

Fish invasion in the river systems of Guangdong Province, South China: Possible indicators of their success

AbstractAlthough a large number of fish species have been introduced into Guangdong Province in Southern China, a few species, such as tilapia (Tilapia spp.), North African catfish Clarias gariepinus Burchell, mrigal carp, Cirrhinus mrigala (Bloch) and the sucker mouth catfish (Hypostomus sp.), have established natural populations and can be considered “successful invaders” in large rivers. The specific mechanisms underlying these contrasting results among different introduced fish species remain understudied. The relationship between multiple abiotic–biotic factors and the success of four invasive species was investigated using survey data for the Guangdong Province river ecosystem. In contrast to previous studies that have considered species‐specific traits, the focus was on economic, ecological and anthropogenic factors to predict invasion success. Four main predictive indicators were found: (1) successful invaders were of low or no commercial value; (2) successful invaders tolerated a wide range of environmental conditions, including poor water quality; (3) biodiversity loss accelerated the growth of non‐native populations; (4) human disturbance facilitated population growth and spread of invasive fish species. To lessen the impacts of invasive fish species, the selection of breeding species and breeding areas, maintenance of water quality and reduction in water pollution, protection of the diversity of fish species and reduction of human interference should be addressed.

A new species of Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1830 (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) infecting farmed Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) (Siluriformes: Clariidae) in Cuba.

A new species of Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1830 collected from the skin and fins of farmed North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) fingerlings, is described. The new species can be distinguished from other trichodinids by the characteristics of the adhesive disc, especially by the great number of denticles. Trichodina merciae n. sp. is morphologically similar to T. renicola (Mueller, 1931) and T. marplatensis Martorelli, Marcotegui & Alda, 2008, in the number of denticles, but differs in the morphometric data, denticle morphology, environment and location. Trichodina merciae n. sp. has broad sickle-shaped blades and thin, straight rays, while T. marplatensis has broad club-shaped blades and wide S-shaped rays. Besides, denticle length, blade length, ray length, width of central part and denticle span of the new species are greater than T. marplatensis. However, the diameter of denticle ring and the diameter of the central area in T. marplatensis is larger than the ones in T. merciae n. sp. This is the first record of freshwater ectoparasite trichodinid with an average number of denticles greater than 50.

First report of monogenean flatworms from Lake Tana, Ethiopia: gill parasites of the commercially important Clarias gariepinus (Teleostei: Clariidae) and Oreochromis niloticus tana (Teleostei: Cichlidae).

BackgroundLake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and the source of the Blue Nile. The lake harbours unique endemic cyprinid fish species, as well as the commercially important endemic Nile tilapia subspecies Oreochromis niloticus tana and the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Its endemicity, especially within the Labeobarbus radiation, its conservation importance and its economic indispensability attract scientific interest to the lake’s ichthyofauna. Fish parasites of Lake Tana, however, are hitherto poorly known, and no formal report exists on its monogenean flatworms. For sustainable aquaculture and fisheries development, it is essential to study monogenean fish parasites in these economically most important fish species. Moreover, it remains to be verified whether this unique ecosystem and its endemicity gave rise to a distinct parasite fauna as well.ResultsNile tilapia and North African catfish hosts were collected from Lake Tana in 2013. Nine species of monogenean parasites of two orders, Gyrodactylidea Bychowsky, 1937 and Dactylogyridea Bychowsky, 1937, were recovered. Gyrodactylus gelnari Přikrylová, Blažek & Vanhove, 2012, Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961, Quadriacanthus aegypticus El-Naggar & Serag, 1986 and two undescribed Quadriacanthus species were recovered from C. gariepinus. Oreochromis niloticus tana hosted Cichlidogyrus cirratus Paperna, 1964, C. halli (Price & Kirk, 1967), C. thurstonae Ergens, 1981 and Scutogyrus longicornis (Paperna & Thurston, 1969).ConclusionsExcept for M. clarii, all species represent new records for Ethiopia. This first study on the monogenean fauna of Lake Tana revealed that the lake’s North African catfish, as well as its endemic Nile tilapia subspecies, harbour parasites that are known from these host species elsewhere in Africa.

Risk screening of non‐native freshwater fishes in Croatia and Slovenia using the Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit

AbstractThe Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit (FISK) version 2 was used to assess the invasiveness potential of 40 introduced and translocated freshwater fish species to Croatia and Slovenia. Based on a priori classification of invasiveness, receiver operating characteristic analysis of FISK scores from two independent assessors resulted in a statistically significant calibration threshold of 11.75. This indicated that FISK was able to discriminate reliably between non‐native species likely to pose a high risk of being invasive and those likely to pose a medium or low risk of invasiveness. Seven species were categorised as ‘medium risk’ and the other 33 as ‘high risk’, whereas no species was categorised as ‘low risk’. The two highest scoring species were European catfish Silurus glanis and North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. Mean scores for all species classified a priori as invasive were ranked as ‘high risk’ sensu lato and fell into the ‘moderately high risk’ subcategory. FISK proved to be a valid tool for assessing the risks posed by non‐native fishes in Croatia and Slovenia. For this reason, it can be adopted as a reliable tool for the prevention of new translocations or introductions of potentially invasive species in the risk assessment area, as well as to assist in decisions regarding future management (i.e. monitoring, control and eradication) and conservation strategies.

Histochemical demonstration of five enzymes\' activities in Macrogyrodactylus clarii (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from the catfish Clarias gariepinus

Histochemical techniques were applied to whole mounts, to study the distribution of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, adenosine triphosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and glucose-6-phosphatase in the organs and tissues of a viviparous monogenean, Macrogyrodactylus clarii Gussev, 1961, from the gills of the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell) in Egypt. The following organs and tissues were studied: head region, anterior adhesive glands, mouth region, pharynx, intestine, testis, vesicula seminalis, male accessory gland, male accessory reservoir, copulatory organ, receptaculum seminis, egg-cell forming region, embryonic cells, excretory system, nerve cells, haptor, muscle fibres and subtegumental cell bodies (cytons). The enzymes showed marked differences in their activities among the studied organs and tissues. Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities were detected in many organs and tissues, while the activities of adenosine triphosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase and glucose-6-phosphatase were restricted to a few organs. Although no positive reaction for any enzyme was observed in the anterior adhesive gland cells, a positive reaction for acid phosphatase was detected in the anterior adhesive areas. All enzymes showed marked activity in the digestive and excretory systems. The distribution of the enzymes in the tissues and organs of M clarii is compared with those of other monogeneans, including other gyrodactylids parasitizing the same host fish. Some possible functions of the enzymes are discussed.

An overview of the Gyrodactylus (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) species parasitizing African catfishes, and their morphological and molecular diversity

An overview of Gyrodactylus infecting catfishes from the African continent is provided, including new data from Sudan, Senegal, Kenya and Mozambique. Haptoral sclerite morphometry and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences revealed the presence of eight Gyrodactylus species. On Senegalese Synodontis nigrita, Gyrodactylus synodonti n. sp. and Gyrodactylus nigritae n. sp. are described. These are the first reports of gyrodactylid parasites from mochokid hosts. From the fins of North African catfish Clarias gariepinus collected in Mozambique, Gyrodactylus alekosi n. sp. and Gyrodactylus rysavyi were identified. G. rysavyi was also reported from Kenyan C. gariepinus and Senegalese Clarias anguillaris. From the fins of C. anguillaris studied in Senegal, two more species, Gyrodactylus transvaalensis and Gyrodactylus gelnari n. sp. were recognised. In addition, Gyrodactylus turkanaensis n. sp. from the gills of Kenyan C. gariepinus was described and an undescribed Gyrodactylus sp. was recorded from Sudanese representatives of the same host. Detailed morphometrical and molecular comparisons of the species are presented and discussed. The study highlights the hitherto understudied diversity of viviparous monogenean parasites throughout Africa.

Recombinant novel pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) authenticates its biological function as a growth-promoting factor in low vertebrates

Nowadays, the studies of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-related peptide (PRP) and PACAP in non-mammalian vertebrates, especially in fish, have paid attention mainly to the localization, cloning, and structural evolution of the peptides, but very little is known about its biological functions as growth-promoting factors in low vertebrates. In this work, we have cloned and characterized the PRP/PACAP cDNA from the commercially important North African catfish Clarias gariepinus. The sequence obtained agrees with the higher conservation of PACAP than of PRP peptide sequences. We have reported for the first time the recombinant expression of fish PRP and PACAP in mammalian cells and bacteria and also demonstrated that the growth rate of fish is enhanced by both PRP and PACAP recombinant peptides. The results obtained in vivo in three different fish species, catfish (C. gariepinus), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and carp (Cyprinus carpio) support the finding that PACAP rather than PRP plays a primordial role in growth control in teleost fish. This finding could help to elucidate the neuroendocrine axis proposed to explain the hypothalamic regulation of growth in non-mammalian vertebrates.