Nematode infections of Clariid and Claroteid catfish species in River Galma, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Two clariids, Heterobranchus bidorsalis (65) and Heterobranchus longifilis (15), and two claroteids, Auchenoglanis occidentalis (31), and  Chrysichthys auratus (19) from River Galma were examined for gastrointestinal nematodes from May 2016 to February 2017. Overall, five species of nematodes were recovered from the clariids and claroteids. The nematodes were distributed as follows: in Heterobranchus bidorsalis, Procamallanus laevionchus (12.31%), Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (9.23%) and Rhabdochona sp. (1.54%); in Heterobranchus longifilis;  Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (6.67%); in Auchenoglanis occidentalis: Procamallanus laevionchus (25.81%); in Chrysichthys auratus: Procamallanus laevionchus (5.26%), Contracaecum sp. (5.26%) and Spirocamallanus spiralis (15.79%). Nematode prevalence in C. auratus was higher in the wet than in the dry season; however, prevalence of infection in A. occidentalis, H. longifilis and H. bidorsalis was higher in the dry than in the wet season. Prevalence of nematode infection was also higher in male than in female H. longifilis while it was higher in female A. occidentalis, C. auratus and H. bidorsalis than males of the same species. Nematode prevalence was higher in larger (24.0-31.9cm) Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Auchenoglanis occidentalis. Prevalence of infection was higher in smaller (8.0- 15.9cm) Chrysichthys auratus. It is recommended that a larger sample size of especially Heterobranchus longifilis and Chrysichthys auratus, of which only 15 and 19 specimens respectively, were examined during the period of this study, be examined, to have a clearer picture of their infection by nematodes in River Galma.

Keywords: Nematode; catfish; clariid; claroteid; infection; prevalence.