Multiple Infections of Helminths in the Stomach and Intestine of Clarias Gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) In Oba Reservoir, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The study was carried out in Oba reservoir,(8° 3"to 8° 12"N and 4° 6"to 4° 12"E in Oyo state, Nigeria.) between August 2011 and November 2013. A total of 246 live fishes (Clarias gariepinus),purchased from local fishermen were examined. In the laboratory, morphometric parameters were measured, sexes determined and fishes were dissected to separate the alimentary system. Parasites recovered were identified and counted; data were subjected to statistical analyses. Parasites recovered were Procamallanus laevionchus, Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (Nematodes.), Anomotaenia sp., Monobothrium sp., Polyonchobothrium clariae. (Cestodes) and Neoechinorynchus rutili (Acanthocephalan).Using non parametric (NPar), Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, infection was significant (p = 0.05) within seasons, and females were more infected than males. Prevalence was 46.34%. Monobothrium sp. had the highest range of infection (0-32) and intensity (21.98+ 2.08) while Anomotaenia sp. had the least (0-1) and (1.00+ 0.01) respectively. Six parasites were found in the intestine, while four were in the stomach. Fishes of small sizes (< 10cm) and small weight (< 20g) were not infected; there was high prevalence in medium and large sized fish and a direct linear relationship exist between length and intensity. Body weight was significant (K-S; p = 0.05) in relation to infection and sex. Multiple infections were common, which showed a positive correlation (Spearman) between most of the parasites except Anomotaenia sp. which showed negative correlation with P. clariae.