International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 4(4): 240-243, 2012
ISSN:2041-2894
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012
Submitted: January 30, 2012
Accepted: April 30, 2012
Published: August 20, 2012
The Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of the Threadfin Fish, Polydactylus quadrifilis
(Family: Polynemidae) in a Niger Delta Mangrove Creek, Nigeria
1
1
B.J. Oribhabor, 2A.E. Ogbeibu and 3C.E. Okaka
Department of Fisheries and aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, P. M. B. 1017,
Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Benin, P. M.B. 1154,
Benin City, Nigeria
Abstract: This study which is the ninth in a series to provide data on the biology and ecology of fish species of Buguma
Creek, is the first to provide information on the gastrointestinal helminth parasites of the threadfin fish, Polydactylus
quadrifilis in any Niger Delta mangrove creek, estuarine or marine ecosystem in Nigeria. Threadfin fish, Polydactylus
quadrifilis was isolated from fish samples collected monthly from November 2004 to June 2006 at flood tides in Buguma
Creek, Niger Delta Nigeria. The fish samples were caught by the use of hooks and lines and cast nets. A total of 76
specimens were examined for gastrointestinal helminth parasites. All helminth parasites observed were nematodes. The
fish species had a prevalence of 15.8%, i.e., 12 infected out of 76. A total of 7 nematode helminth parasite species
belonging to 6 families were recorded. Of the 7 species recorded, Goezia sigalasi (Ascarididae) had the highest
prevalence of 6.6% while the other species had equal prevalence of 1.3%. The family, Cathostomatidae was represented
by two species: Phacochoerostrongylus sp. and Chapiniella sp., while other families were represented by 1 species each.
Key words: Gastrointestinal helminth parasites, mangrove creek, nematodes, Nigeria, Polydactylus quadrifilis
those of Gudivada and Vankara (2010) and Gudivada
et al. (2010).
The fish species investigated in this study has been
reported among the predatory fish assemblage of the study
area Oribhabor and Ogbeibu (2010). The food and feeding
habits of the fish community of the area has also been
documented (Oribhabor and Ogbeibu, 2012). This study
which is the ninth in a series to provide data on the
biology and ecology of fish species of Buguma creek, is
the first to provide information on the gastrointestinal
helminth parasites of the threadfin fish, Polydactylus
quadrifilis in any Niger Delta mangrove creek, estuarine
or marine ecosystem in Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
Marine and freshwater fishes are undoubtedly among
the best potential hosts for any prospective parasite
(Ravichandran and Ajithkumar, 2008). Threadfins
(Polynemid fishes) occur in marine and brackish waters.
They are common in estuaries and some representatives
have been found in tidal rivers (Fisher et al., 1981; Edema
and Osagiede, 2011).
Fish parasites and diseases constitute one of the most
important problems confronting the fishery biologist
today Ravichandran et al. (2007). Pathological conditions
resulting from parasites and diseases assume high
magnitude of epidemics under crowded and other
unnatural conditions (Ravichandran et al., 2010). Data
exist on the helminth parasites of marine or estuarine
fishes, notable among which are De and Maity (1995),
Groenewold et al. (1996), Palm (1999), Stobo et al.
(2002), Hogue and Peng (2003), Bergmann and Motta
(2004), Garcia et al. (2004), Cisse (2005) and Moravec et
al. (2006) Extensive information is available on the
ecology and biology of polynemid fishes, but there is a
vast lacuna prevailing on the studies of parasite
communities of polynemids. The only existing data are
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in Buguma Creek which is
located southeast of the Niger Delta between longitude
6°47!E and 6°59!E and latitude 4º36!N and 4º59!N
(Fig. 1). Detailed description of the fish sampling stations
has been documented (Oribhabor and Ogbeibu, 2010).
Threadfin fish, Polydactylus quadrifilis specimens
were isolated from fish samples collected monthly from
November 2004 to June 2006 at flood tides. The fish
Corresponding Author: B.J. Oribhabor, Department of Fisheries and aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo,
P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Tell.: +234(0)8033558270
240
Int. J. Anim.Veter. Adv.,4(4): 240-243, 2012
Fig. 1: Map of the study area: A) Nigeria showing Niger delta, B) rivers state showing buguma, C) the study creek showing fish
sampling stations
samples caught by the use of hooks and lines and cast nets
from three stations were ice-packed, kept chilled under
ice-blocks in a plastic cooler and immediately transported
to the laboratory. In the laboratory, fish specimens were
pooled, sorted and identified to species level using the key
and descriptions of Schneider (1990).
The gut of each specimen was removed and
preserved in a specimen bottle containing 4%
formaldehyde. Each gut was cut open and the contents
washed into a petridish using 4% formaldehyde. The
contents were searched for nematodes under a low power
(25-40 x) binocular dissecting microscope. The sorted
specimens were preserved in 4% formaldehyde. Diversed
species of nematodes recognized were sorted into
different types and counted. Each type was mounted in
Toludene blue 0 in lactophenol on a slide, covered with a
clean cover slip and sealed with nail vanish. Each
specimen type was photographed with format 1 microstar
IV Reichert photomicroscope, model 1762. Identification
of specimens to the least possible taxon was done with the
aid of photographs and further examination of the
specimens under the NIKON compound microscope,
using taxonomic identifications in Yamaguti (1961a, b).
RESULTS
A total of 76 samples of the fish specimens were
examined for gastrointestinal helminth parasites. All
helminth parasites observed were nematodes.
Table 1 shows a summary of infection of the fish
species by the helminth parasites. The fish species had a
prevalence of 15.8%, i.e., 12 infected out of 76. A total of
7 nematode helminth parasite species belonging to 6
families were recorded. Of the 7 species recorded, Goezia
families were recorded. Of the 7 species recorded, Goezia
sigalasi (Ascarididae) had the highest prevalence of
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Int. J. Anim.Veter. Adv.,4(4): 240-243, 2012
Table 1: Sumamry of gastrointestinal helminth (nematode) infection of Polydactylus quadrifilis in buguma creek, Niger delta, Nigeria, November
2004-June 2006
Parasites recovered
No. (%) of fish infected
No. per host
Mean no. per host infected host
Family: Ancylostomatidae
Arthrocephalus sp.
1 (1.3)
1
1
Family: Cyathostomatidae
Phacochoerostrongylus sp.
1 (1.3)
2
2
Chapiniella sp.
1 (1.3)
1
1
Family: Heterakidae
Moaciria sp.
1 (1.3)
3
3
Family: Oxyuridae
Laurotravassoxyuris sp.
1 (1.3)
1
1
Family: Ascarididae
Goezia sigalasi
5 (6.6)
2
1
Family: Heterocheilidae
Pseudanisakis sp.
1 (1.3)
1
1
N (fish sample size): 76; No. (%) infected: 12 (15.8)
6.6% while the other species had equal prevalence of
1.3%. The family, cyathostomatidae was represented by
2 species: Phacochoerostrongylus sp. and Chapiniella sp.,
while other families were represented by 1 species each.
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DISCUSSION
The low prevalence (15.8%) of helminth parasites in
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the incidence of nematode helminthes in the fish. Parasitic
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ectoparasites of which about 450 species are recorded as
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species in Polydactylus sextarius (Gudivada and Vankara,
2010). This study will serve as a baseline for further
studies on the diversity and pathogenicity of helminth
parasites of polyemid fishes in the coastal waters of
Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
There is paucity of data on the helminth parasites of
brackish and marine fish species in Nigeria. The findings
of this study add to the limited information on the
parasites and biology of polynemid fishes.
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