Metazoan endoparasite fauna and feeding ecology of commercial fishes from Java, Indonesia

Despite being an important component of the marine ecosystem and posing health risks to human seafood consumers, fish parasites in Indonesia have yet to be adequately described. Here, we analyzed the diet and metazoan parasite fauna of seven commercial fish species (Alectis indica, Carangoides chrysophrys, Johnius borneensis, Mene maculata, Trichiurus lepturus, Upeneus asymmetricus, U. moluccensis) landed in Java, Indonesia. We isolated 11 endoparasite species, established 22 new host and 14 new locality records, and extended parasitological records of A. indica by 24%, C. chrysophrys by 25%, J. borneensis by 40%, M. maculata by 44%, U. asymmetricus by 100%, and U. moluccensis by 17%. We genetically identified the trematode Stephanostomum cf. uku (of Bray et al. 2005) from Alecta indica for the first time in Indonesia and provided the sequence of its 28S marker. Stomach content analysis revealed seven different prey items, and the examined fish species were grouped into four feeding categories, which differed significantly in their respective endoparasite fauna. All but two examined fish species hosted potentially zoonotic nematodes, which reveal a risk for parasite-borne diseases in Indonesian food fishes and call for more consequent monitoring with regard to seafood safety in this region. With this study, we were able to establish an association between the feeding ecology and the endoparasite fauna of marine fishes which will help to better understand the transmission pathways of (potentially zoonotic) parasites in food fishes in tropical waters.

Non-Indigenous Parasites of Fish in Inland Waters of Croatia

Non-indigenous parasite fauna of freshwater fish has not been studied extensively in Croatia, despite the long history of introductions and translocations of alien fish species into inland waters. Negative implications for aquaculture production and wild native fish species have been frequently associated with the introduction of non-native parasite species. Hence, the present paper attempts to lay out a historical overview of the suspected localities, time frames and pathways of introduction for non-indigenous fish parasites into inland waters of Croatia, therefore producing a list of species. In total, 16 non-native fish parasites have been recorded in inland waters of Croatia, aquaculture establishments being identified as initial points of introduction. However, a paucity of information exists on the overall prevalence of infection as well as the economic impact on aquaculture production. In addition, limited information is available about the presence and potential ecological impact of non-indigenous parasites on endemic fish fauna in areas of high biodiversity, such as the water bodies of the Adriatic Sea Basin. Therefore, there is an urgent need and opportunity for multidisciplinary cooperation between different stakeholders, including government, scientists, in both biological and veterinary disciplines, and the industry, with the aim of extensive surveys to determine the potential impact on aquaculture production and wild fish population of high conservation value.

Study of haemoflagellates Trypanosoma sp. infection in some fish of Iraq marshes and relationship of leukocytes with inflammatory response

Fresh water fishes infected with different species of genus Trypanosoma parasite that is similar to that same genus in blood of mammals. Trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness disease that causes by protozoa flagellate parasites which live inside cell called Trypanosoma. Fish parasites play an important role in regulating the population of their hosts. This study was implemented to verify the infection with Trypanosoma sp. report the cellular intervening through inflammatory response in blood smears of infected fishes. A total of 190 fishes of three species Carasobarbus luteus, Aspius vorax and Liza abu were collected from Al-Hamare and Al-Chibayish marsh south of Iraq. The flagellate parasite Trypanosoma sp. observed in blood of Carasobarbus luteus 41.42% and Aspius vorax 12.28% fishes, while no infection was recorded with Trypanosoma sp. in Liza abu fishes. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were calculated. The different counts and various types of inflammatory cells were monitored, there are increased in lymphocytes in the infected fishes. Statistically, there are significant differences (p<0.05) among species of infected fish with Trypanosoma sp.

Effects of Parasitism on the Production and Productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria

The general objective of this study was to assess the effects of parasitism on the production and productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria. With the need to increase food production through fish products amid overfishing and pollution stress in the lake, cage farming is seen to have the potential to bridge the fish supply and demand gap continues to widen. Cage culture is a new technology in the offing that needs to be explored to justify its potential. Fish parasites are always a threat in an enclosed culture system and because of this, it is necessary to assess their effects on fish condition factors before recommendation. It is because of this reason that a total of 480 caged Oreochromis niloticus were purchased and examined for parasites using the recommended procedures for parasitological analysis. The class Trematoda which included seven taxa were found to be the most common and prevalent parasites in cages of the Winam Gulf. This was attributed to the presence of piscivorous birds which are definitive hosts seen more often around the culture systems and also overstocking observed and reported during the study period which increases the spread and transmission of parasites from one fish to another. Despite the prevalence, infestation did not affect the fish condition factor in all the study areas as the majority of infected fish recorded between good and excellent body condition factors. This was due to low mean intensities recorded and a shorter period of exposure to parasitic infestation as most farmers were barely 3 years into the system. In conclusion, for the government to explore the blue economy and achieve the Vision 2030 and SDGs on food security and poverty reduction by 2030, efforts to promote commercial cage culture enterprises in the Winam Gulf must be bolstered, provided that cages are located in deep waters with low concentrations in specific areas and low stocking densities to avoid compromising the environment.

One Health in The Brazilian Western Amazon: Helminths in Native Fish and The Food Change of The Puruborá People

The aim was to approach an analysis of fish parasites in the Manoel Correia and Caio Espínola Rivers, which border the Aldeia Aperoi, and the report of the Puruborá People on the use of fish as animal protein. Twenty-one fish were collected in the dry season and 15 in the rainy season, totaling 36 specimens, which dissipated cestodes, acanthocephala and nematodes encysted in the musculature, preventing their consumption. Six residents of Aldeia Aperoi were interviewed. The circulation of parasites with zoonotic potential was identified in fish native to the Manoel Correia and Caio Espínola rivers, which border the Aldeia Aperoi, in the Western Amazon of Brazil. It was verified the helplessness of the Puruborá people regarding their inquiries about the environmental imbalance, which causes the loss of fish diversity and, consequently, damage to their culture and their costumes.

Fauna of parasite of cyprinids and percoids in the reservoirs of the Moscow Canal

The purpose of the research is determination of the species composition of parasites of cyprinid and percoid fish in the reservoirs of the Moscow Canal.Materials and methods. In 2019–2020, parasitological material was collected in the spring, summer and autumn from percoid (the pike perch and European perch) and cyprinid fish (the bream, silver bream, roach, rudd and sabrefish) aged 2 to 7 years from the reservoirs of the Moscow Canal (Ikshinsky, Pestovsky, Pyalovsky and Klyazminsky Reservoirs) by the methods generally accepted in ichthyo-parasitology. To quantify the fish infection rate, we used the incidence or prevalence of infection, the intensity of infection, and the mean amplitude of the intensity of infection. We used Kabiosh index (K) to assess the species diversity of parasites. Results and discussion. The parasitological analysis results of percoids and cyprinids from the reservoirs of the Moscow Canal are presented. 34 parasite species were found in fish, which belong to nine taxonomic groups: Microsporidia, Myxosporea, Monogenea, Cestoda, Trematoda, Nematoda, Acanthocephala, Hirudinea, Crustacea. The largest number of species belongs to trematodes, the rest, taxa (mixo- and microsporidia, cestodes, nematodes, acanthocephalans, leeches and parasitic crustaceans), are represented singly. We calculated the species diversity ratio (R) of fish parasites in the reservoirs, which ranged from 0.335 to 0.575, which indicates the fauna similarity from 50 to 75%. The greatest similarity in the parasite fauna was found in the roach (R = 0.168–0.447), the least in the European perch (R = 0.447–1.0). We have identified the dominant species that are found in more than 20% of the studied fish and determine the “core” of the parasitic fauna, which included 4 parasite species of epizootic and 1 parasite species of epidemiological significance.

Research of parasites with zoonotic potential for humans in skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)

The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is commonly found in the tropical waters of the oceans. It is a fishing resource of high economic value and available for national and international markets. Therefore, it is important to know the fish parasites for a correct sanitary inspection, as the pathogenesis in humans can occur through spoliative, toxic or mechanical action. This study aimed to identify the zoonotic parasitic fauna that infects the beautiful-striped using morphological methods. A total of 06 samples were analyzed. The fish were necropsied for parasitological evaluation of the musculature and internal organs. The samples were visually inspected and the structures with morphology combining with parasitic shapes were analyzed both in stereoscopic and microscope. The parasites found were fixed in 70% alcohol for later identification. All samples showed the presence of zoonotic parasites for humans. Two genera of zoonotic parasites have been found for humans that have beautiful tuna as their hosts, namely Anisakis sp. (Nematoda) and Trypanorhyncha (Eucestoda). A 100% of the infections occurred in the muscles and 66.6% in the liver. The results reinforced the importance of inspection by responsible organisms on the importance of evisceration as quickly as possible to avoid migration of larvae to the muscle.

Fish Parasite Community of Three Lakes with Different Trophic Status in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany

Purpose The present study investigates the fish parasite fauna from Lake Tollense, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. Methods A total of 117 perch (Perca fluviatilis), bream (Abramis brama) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) were sampled for parasites during 2018 and 2019 from Lake Tollense and compared with earlier data from Lake Malchin and Lake Hohen Sprenz in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Parasites were identified based on morphological and molecular characters. Results A total of 32 parasite species were isolated from fishes of Lake Tollense, predominated by digeneans. Diplostomum baeri was found only in perch while D. spathacaeum was isolated from bream and roach. Parasite comparison of similar hosts between lakes revealed highly abundant Ichthyocotylurus spp. in perch and bream of Lake Malchin while Aspidogaster limacoides was most common in roach from Lake Tollense. Diversity indices of roach showed significant variation between localities. However, NMDS graph revealed separation of the three freshwater habitats based on the parasite fauna of perch, bream and roach. Conclusion Based on the multivariate statistical analysis, the three natural inland water bodies could be distinguished based on the parasite communities of perch, bream and roach. The potential to utilise fish parasites as biological indicators in freshwater ecosystem is discussed.