Effect of locality and host sex on the metazoan parasitic infestation of Scarus fish from the Red Sea coast at Jeddah and Rabigh in Saudi Arabia

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Areej O Bakhraibah

King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia

: J Vet Sci Med Diagn

Abstract

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The present study was carried out on a total number of 60 specimens of Scarus fish caught from the Rea Sea coast of Jeddah and Rabigh cities in Saudi Arabia. 30 fish from each locality were carefully examined for the determination of their metazoan parasitic fauna. Collected parasites were identified as Monogenea (Diplectanum spp.), Isopoda (praniza larva), Copepoda (Hatshakia spp.) and Digenea (Bucephalus and Lecithoclaster spp.). Out of 30 specimens of fish caught from the coast of Jeddah, 13 (43.4%) were infested by 90 parasites which comprise of two parasite species, Diplectanum spp. and praniza Larva with prevalence of infestation 40% and 3.33% respectively. Mean intensity of the previous infestations varied from 6-7 parasites per fish. Digenean parasites were not detected in Scarus fish of Jeddah. Concerning Scarus fish of Rabigh, a total number of infested fish was 19 (63.33%) with a number of 205 parasites representing 4 parasite species. Single and multiple infestations were recorded. Monogenea (Diplectanum spp.) represents the most commonly encountered ectoparasite with prevalence of 53.3% and mean intensity of 10.9 followed by Digenea (20%) and mean intensity of 3.8 then Isopoda (13.3%) and mean intensity of 1.75. No parasitic infestation was observed in Scarus female fish (no. 10) of Jeddah (0.0%). Out of 20 male fish 13 (65%) were infested with 90 parasites with mean intensity 6.9, comprising two parasite species, Isopoda with prevalence of 55.5 and mean intensity of 7 and Copepoda in only one fish (5.0%) and intensity of 6. Female fish from Rabigh (no. 19) had higher prevalence (84.2%) than male (no. 11) which showed prevalence of 27.3% with Isopoda only. Four parasite species were recovered from female fish of Rabigh. Monogenea showed the highest prevalence (68.7) and mean intensity (9.7) followed by Digenea, prevalence (31.56%) and mean intensity (3.8) then Isopoda showed the lowest prevalence (21.05%) and mean intensity (1.75). Statistical analysis was used to compare the obtained data and factors that may determine the relationship between parasitic prevalence and intensity and fish sex were discussed.

Biography

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Areej O Bakhraibah is currently working as an Assistant Professor of Zoology Department and Supervisor of Zoology Section at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia.

Email: dr.abakhraibah@gmail.com