The Asian fish tapeworm (Schyzocotyle acheilognathi) discovered in Western Australia may pose a threat to the health of endemic native fishes

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Palermo ◽  
D.L. Morgan ◽  
S.J. Beatty ◽  
A. Elliot ◽  
T.L. Greay
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Control Program ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Koi Carp ◽  
The North ◽  
Freshwater Fish Fauna ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Native Fishes ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio Haematopterus

Abstract The Asian fish tapeworm (Schyzocotyle acheilognathi) is an important fish parasite with a wide host range that infects over 300 species of fish worldwide. Schyzocotyle acheilognathi has been reported from eastern coastal areas of Australia, but has not been previously reported in Western Australia (WA). During a control program for invasive freshwater fishes in south-western WA, a region with a unique and highly endangered freshwater fish fauna, tapeworms identified as S. acheilognathi from their distinctive scolex morphology were found at a prevalence of 3.3% in goldfish (Carassius auratus), 37.0% in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) and 65.0% in eastern gambusia (Gambusia holbrooki) in a small suburban lake to the north of Perth. For molecular confirmation, the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was targeted at hypervariable V4 region. Koi carp isolates were 100% identical to S. acheilognathi isolated from varying hosts, including the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) and a human sample. Sequences obtained from two eastern gambusia were identified as S. acheilognathi, but formed a discrete cluster and may represent a novel genotype. Isolates from two other eastern gambusia and two goldfish formed a distinct clade with only 91.9% similarity to previously sequenced isolates of S. acheilognathi. This emphasizes the importance of molecular identification methods in addition to morphological identification. The presence and potential for transmission of these parasites in south-western WA may threaten the health of native fishes, which are immunologically naïve to this introduced parasite. Immediate control or containment measures should be implemented to halt the spread of these parasites.

scholarly journals The Discovery of Asian Fish Tapeworm (Schyzocotyle Acheilognathi) and Schyzocotyle Sp. In Western Australia May Pose a Threat to the Health of Endemic Native Fishes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cindy Joanna Palermo ◽  
David L. Morgan ◽  
Stephen J. Beatty ◽  
Aileen Elliot ◽  
Telleasha L. Greay
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Hypervariable Region ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Control Program ◽  
18S Rrna Gene ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Native Fishes ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio Haematopterus ◽  
Eastern Mosquitofish

Abstract PurposeThe Asian fish tapeworm (Schyzocotyle acheilognathi) is an important fish parasite with a wide host range that infects over 300 species of fish worldwide. Schyzocotyle acheilognathi has been reported from eastern coastal areas of Australia, but has not been previously reported in Western Australia (WA). MethodsDuring a control program for invasive freshwater fishes in south-western WA, a region with a unique and highly endangered freshwater fish fauna, tapeworms identified as S. acheilognathi from their distinctive scolex morphology were found at a prevalence of 3.3% in goldfish (Carassius auratus), 37.0% in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus), and 65.0% in eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). For molecular confirmation, the 18S rRNA gene was targeted at hypervariable region V4 using conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing.ResultsKoi carp isolates were 100.0% identical to S. acheilognathi isolated from varying hosts including the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) and a human sample. Sequences from two eastern mosquitofish were identified as S. acheilognathi, but formed a discrete subclass and may represent a novel genotype. Isolates from two other eastern mosquitofish and two goldfish formed a distinct clade with only 91.9% similarity to previously sequenced isolates of S. acheilognathi, indicating a potentially novel Schyzocotyle species. ConclusionThis emphasises the importance of molecular identification methods in addition to morphological identification. The presence and potential for spread of these parasites in south-western WA may threaten the health of native fishes, which are immunologically naïve to this introduced parasite. Immediate control or containment measures should be implemented to halt the spread of these parasites.

Salinity tolerances of endemic freshwater fishes of south-western Australia: implications for conservation in a biodiversity hotspot

2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Beatty ◽  
David L. Morgan ◽  
Mahmoud Rashnavadi ◽  
Alan J. Lymbery
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Fresh Groundwater ◽  
Secondary Salinisation ◽  
Freshwater Fish Fauna ◽  
Dispersal Capability

Secondary salinisation represents an important threat to terrestrial and aquatic habitats throughout the world. In south-western Australia, widespread salinisation of waterways has caused large range reductions in the highly endemic freshwater fish fauna. We hypothesised that differences in the distributions of three fish species within the salinised Blackwood River would be related to their salinity tolerances. Galaxias occidentalis was widespread throughout the catchment, whereas Nannoperca vittata was restricted to the main channel and freshwater tributaries of the lower catchment, and Nannatherina balstoni was restricted to those tributaries and a perennial section of the main channel that received a considerable amount of fresh groundwater. Acute salinity tolerances (Effect Concentrations) of G. occidentalis and N. vittata were similar (EC50 ∼14.6 g L–1), but significantly greater than that of N. balstoni (EC50 ∼8.2 g L–1). The greater geographical range of G. occidentalis, compared with N. vittata, may be a consequence of the dispersal capability of the former species, and the lower salinity tolerance of N. balstoni contributes to its highly restricted range. The findings demonstrate that secondary salinisation has greatly impacted these freshwater fishes, and fresh groundwater refuges, predicted to decrease due to reduced rainfall, appear crucial in maintaining remnant populations.

scholarly journals Fish fauna in inland waters of the Pilbara (Indian Ocean) Drainage Division of Western Australia evidence for three subprovinces

Zootaxa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 636 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Morgan ◽  
Howard S. Gill
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Inland Waters ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Subterranean Waters ◽  
Cave Fishes

This paper describes the distribution of fishes in inland waters of the Pilbara (Indian Ocean) Drainage Division of Western Australia. 48 842 fish representing 29 species (including one undescribed plotosid catfish) were recorded from 148 of the 171 sites sampled in 21 river systems throughout the Pilbara Drainage Division, i.e. from the Irwin River in the south to the DeGrey River in the north. Of these, 26 844 were from 13 native freshwater species (this total includes the catadromous Indian short-finned eel Anguilla bicolor McClelland 1844 and an undescribed plotosid catfish), 3 099 were from 12 marine/estuarine species and a further 18 899 were from four introduced species. In addition, the Pilbara Drainage Division contains two endemic cave fishes in the North West Cape (Humphreys & Adams 1991; Allen et al. 2002). The results of this study suggest that the Pilbara Drainage Division can be divided into three subprovinces, one for the westwards flowing rivers, i.e. from the Greenough to Lyndon (Southern Pilbara Subprovince), another for the northwards flowing rivers, i.e. from the Yannarie to the DeGrey (Northern Pilbara Subprovince), and a third for the subterranean waters of North West Cape (North West Cape Subprovince).

The Diversity of Freshwater Fishes in Haya, Mamberamo-Papua

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robi Binur ◽  
Henny L. Ohee
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
New Record ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Monopterus Albus ◽  
The North ◽  
Freshwater Fish Fauna

This research aims improved data of the species and abudance freshwater fish for conservation planning Mamberamo region.  The survey was lasted 18 days from 5 February to 24 April 2008 in several habitat consists river, creeks, oxbowlake and stream. A total at least 20 species in 17 genera and 14 families were collected were captured using gillnet, castnet, handnet, longline and poisson plant from Deris sp. Two species new record for Mamberamo that is Chilaterina lorentzi was previously know only from Tawarin river on the north coast Papua about 200 km west Jayapura and Puive creek, tributary of the Pual River near Vanimo, PNG and Monopterus albus (intoduction fish) was not previously know in Mamberamo although Papua. The generally freshwater fish fauna were collected in Haya about 70 % similar to record from Dabra.

scholarly journals Recreational Harvest of Sharks and Rays in Western Australia Is Only a Minor Component of the Total Harvest

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6215
Author(s):  
Matias Braccini ◽  
Eva Lai ◽  
Karina Ryan ◽  
Stephen Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Minor Component ◽  
The North ◽  
Commercial Harvest ◽  
Unknown Status ◽  
Reef Sharks ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Port Jackson

Sharks and rays are a global conservation concern with an increasing number of species considered at risk of extinction, mostly due to overfishing. Although the recreational harvest of sharks and rays is poorly documented and generally minimal, it can be comparable to the commercial harvest. In this study, we quantified the recreational harvest of sharks and rays in Western Australia, a region with a marine coastline greater than 20,000 km. A total of 33 species/taxonomic groups were identified, with the harvest dominated by dusky and bronze whalers, blacktip reef sharks, gummy sharks, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs, and rays and skates. Eighty-five percent of individuals were released with an unknown status (alive or dead). We found a latitudinal gradient of species composition, with tropical and subtropical species of the genus Carcharhinus dominating in the north and temperate species from a range of families dominating in the south. Overall, our findings showed that the recreational harvest was negligible when compared with commercial landings.

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