Case Studies
Punjab Univ. J. Zool., Vol. 22 (1-2), pp. 01-06, 2007
HELMINTH PARASITES OF SOME FRESHWATER FISHES
MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ AHMED, TAHIR IQBAL, AMJAD MAHMOOD, MUHAMMAD GULZARIN AND MUHAMMAD ABID Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590 (MSA, MA); Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad (TI, AM, MG), Pakistan.
Abstract: Forty-three freshwater fishes (Heteropneustus fossilis 11, Mystus vittatus 16 and Channa striatus 16) were collected from various freshwater ponds in the vicinity of Lahore and brought to the lab. All fishes were examined for the presence of internal helminth parasites in the digestive tract. The study revealed that all (100%) H. fossilis were infected with nematodes, Procamallanus heteropneustus, only 6 (37.5%) M. vittatus were found infected with nematodes, Rhabdochona magna and among C. striatus, 9 fish (56.25%) were infected with acanthocephalans, Pallisentis ophiocephali, 4 (25%) were infected with cestodes, Senga taunsaensis and 5 (31.25%) were infected with nematodes, R. magna. The mean intensity of infection was 14.36 in H. fossilis, 6.5 in M. vittatus and in C. striatus, 3.33 for acanthocephalans, 2.4 for nematodes and only 1.0 for cestodes per infected fish. The results indicate that the parasite intensity is quite high. It may be due to the presence of physical factors that favour the completion of life cycles of these parasites. Keywords: Freshwater fishes, fish helminth, parasite intensity, prevalence, gut parasites.
INTRODUCTION
T
here are many freshwater ponds which are used to culture fishes in the area of Kasur near Lahore. Heteropneustus fossilis, Mystus vittatus and Channa striatus are carnivorous fishes commonly found in these small ponds receiving mainly rainwater. These ponds are managed by local people for fish raising. Fishes being very important source of protein for human are consumed as white meat. Since humans utilize these fishes, it is
HELMINTH PARASITES OF SOME FRESHWATER FISHES
MUHAMMAD SHAFIQ AHMED, TAHIR IQBAL, AMJAD MAHMOOD, MUHAMMAD GULZARIN AND MUHAMMAD ABID Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore-54590 (MSA, MA); Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad (TI, AM, MG), Pakistan.
Abstract: Forty-three freshwater fishes (Heteropneustus fossilis 11, Mystus vittatus 16 and Channa striatus 16) were collected from various freshwater ponds in the vicinity of Lahore and brought to the lab. All fishes were examined for the presence of internal helminth parasites in the digestive tract. The study revealed that all (100%) H. fossilis were infected with nematodes, Procamallanus heteropneustus, only 6 (37.5%) M. vittatus were found infected with nematodes, Rhabdochona magna and among C. striatus, 9 fish (56.25%) were infected with acanthocephalans, Pallisentis ophiocephali, 4 (25%) were infected with cestodes, Senga taunsaensis and 5 (31.25%) were infected with nematodes, R. magna. The mean intensity of infection was 14.36 in H. fossilis, 6.5 in M. vittatus and in C. striatus, 3.33 for acanthocephalans, 2.4 for nematodes and only 1.0 for cestodes per infected fish. The results indicate that the parasite intensity is quite high. It may be due to the presence of physical factors that favour the completion of life cycles of these parasites. Keywords: Freshwater fishes, fish helminth, parasite intensity, prevalence, gut parasites.
INTRODUCTION
T
here are many freshwater ponds which are used to culture fishes in the area of Kasur near Lahore. Heteropneustus fossilis, Mystus vittatus and Channa striatus are carnivorous fishes commonly found in these small ponds receiving mainly rainwater. These ponds are managed by local people for fish raising. Fishes being very important source of protein for human are consumed as white meat. Since humans utilize these fishes, it is
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