Parasitological survey of cichlidae in the sea-of-galilee

Rama Falk, M. Smirnov, T. Ofek, D. Cummings

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The results of a parasitological survey conducted since January 2012 till January 2014 in the littoral zone of the Sea-of-Galilee are presented. The parasites were identified, and their prevalence, density, and geographic distribution were studied. Wet-preparations were used for detection and identification of the parasites. In the described time period, a total of 200 adults and 200 fingerlings of the following fish species Sarotherodon galiaeus (68%), Tilapia zillii (20%) and Oreochromis aureus (12%). The fish were collected from four dispersed coasts of the lake. The primary results of the survey indicate that 30% of examined fish were infected with ciliates. The prevalence of myxozoa was 18% in adults, mostly in the spleen, and was lower in fingerlings, exhibiting prevalence of only 8%. High prevalence of trematode metacercaria was found in fingerlings, (85%), significantly higher than in adults (36%). The most common trematode metacercaria found were Neascus sp. and Bolbophorus sp. These parasites were found mostly in the brain and eyes. Surprisingly, the following trematodes: Clinostomum, Euclinostomum, Neascus and Bolbophorus, which were missing in the previous study conducted on 1999-2002, were commonly found in the current study. In light of the findings of the present study as compared to previous ones, it seems that there is a change in metacercaria species throughout the years. It is likely that the changes in the composition of the parasites population found in this survey are related to changes in habitat conditions that affected the survival of the intermediate host communities.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberIJA.72.2020.1123146
JournalIsraeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh
Volume72
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020, Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cichlidae
  • Littoral Zone
  • Myxozoa
  • Prevalence
  • Trematode Metacercaria

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aquatic Science
  • Agronomy and Crop Science

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