Parasite fauna of farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Uganda
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Parasitology research
Abstract
An intensive parasite survey was conducted in
2008 to better understand the parasite fauna occurrence,
distribution and diversity in the commercial aquaculture
fish species in Uganda. A total of 265 fish collected from
hatcheries and grow-out systems were examined for parasites
using routine parasitological techniques. The survey
yielded 17 parasite species: 11 from Oreochromis niloticus
and ten from Clarias gariepinus. Four parasites—Amirthalingamia
macracantha, Monobothrioides sp., Zoogonoides
sp. and a member of the family Amphilinidae—were
recorded for the first time in the country. The parasite
diversity was similar between hosts; however, O. niloticus
was dominated by free-living stage-transmitted parasites in
lower numbers, whereas both trophically and free-living
stage-transmitted parasites were equally represented in C.
gariepinus in relatively high intensities. The patterns in
parasite numbers and composition in the two hosts reflect
differences in fish habitat use and diet. A shift in parasite
composition from monoxenous species-dominated communities
in small-sized fish to heteroxenous in large fishes was
recorded in both hosts. This was linked to ontogenetic
feeding changes and prolonged exposure to parasites.
Polyculture systems showed no effect on parasite intensity
and composition. The gills were highly parasitized, mainly
by protozoans and monogeneans. Generally, the occurrence
and diversity of parasites in these fish species highlight the
likelihood of disease outbreak in the proposed intensive
aquaculture systems. This calls for raising awareness in fish
health management among potential farmers, service
providers and researchers.
Description
Keywords
Parasite fauna, Farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Citation
Akoll, P., Konecny, R., Mwanja, W. W., Nattabi, J. K., Agoe, C., & Schiemer, F. (2012). Parasite fauna of farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Uganda. Parasitology research, 110(1), 315-323. DOI 10.1007/s00436-011-2491-4