Helminth Parasites of <i>Caranx hippos</i> (Crevalle Jack) and <i>Sardinella maderensis</i> (Madeiran Sardinella) from Two Fishing Settlements In Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish is an important dietary component as a source of high quality protein, and parasitic infections can result in production and economic losses. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the helminth parasites of Caranx hippos and Sardinella maderensis of Okrika. Fish samples were purchased from fishers between May and June, 2019 from two locations: Angalabia and Sara landing ports, Okrika. Fifty specimens of each species were dissected using standard methods, and parasites were identified using appropriate keys. Parasite ecological parameters were computed. Two parasite species were identified, Lethacotyle sp. (monogenea) and Anisakid larvae (nematode). Twenty-six specimens of Caranx hippos were infected with Lethacotyle sp., and eight with Anisakid larvae. Only one specimen of S. maderensis was infected with Anisakid larvae; others were un-infected. Examination showed a prevalence of 52.0% and 16.0% infection of Lethacotyle sp. and Anisakid larvae, respectively, in Caranx hippos, and 2.0% prevalence of Anisakid larvae in Sardinella maderensis. The preferred organs for parasite infection were the gills (Lethacotyle sp.) and intestines (Anisakid larva) of infected fish. The recovery of Anisakid larvae at a prevalence of 16% indicates that anisakiasis could be an emerging disease in Okrika. It is recommended that further research be conducted into the molecular characterization of Lethacotyle sp. of C. hippos of Okrika. It is also important to properly identify and characterize the Anisakid species, and investigate the incidence of human anisakiasis in
Okrika and other coastal cities of Rivers State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Lethacotyle, Anisakid larva, anisakiasis, Caranx, Sardinella, Parasites, Marine, Okrika, Nigeria