Parasitic Infestation in Macrobrachium felicinum; Holthuis, 1949 from Lower River Benue, Makurdi

Abstract

A total of 800 samples of Macrobrachium felicinum were surveyed in Lower River Benue, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, for an interval of 4 months from May 2023 to August 2023 to check the parasitic infestation by standard parasitological methods; out of which 692 comprising of 407 ecto and 285 endo parasites were recovered. The highest percentage of parasite load (28.32%) was recorded in the month of June, in which the ectoparasites accounted for 17.49% while the endoparasites accounted for 10.83%. The lowest percentage of parasite load (21.24%) was recorded in the month of May, in which ecto-parasites recorded 16.76% while endo-parasites recorded 4.48%. Four protozoan parasites were identified, comprising Apiosoma sp., Amphileptus sp., Chilodonella sp., and Epistylis sp., among which the first three were ecto-parasites while Epistylis sp. was an endo-parasite. Similarly, 3 parasites comprising Myxobolus sp., Cucullanus sp., and Procamallanus sp., 1 species of cnidarian ecto-commensal (Myxobolus sp.), and 2 species (Cucullanus sp. and Procamallanus sp.) belonging to the phylum nematode were detected only in the intestine.  Among the ecto parasite species, while Myxobolus sp. had the highest percentage parasite load (18.93%), the least percentage parasite load (12.14%) was recorded for Chilodonella sp. Also, among the endo parasites, while Cucullanus sp had the highest percentage parasite load (19.94%), the least percentage parasite load (7.80%). was recorded for Epistylis sp. Also, among the parasite species (ecto and endo), while Cucullanus sp. had the highest percentage parasite load (19.94%), the least percentage parasite load (7.80%) was recorded for Epistylis sp. The organ (carapace regions, gills, skin and intestine) wise parasitic prevalence of infested Macrobrachium. Felicinum showed that the gills had the highest parasitic prevalence (50.43%), the least parasitic prevalence (3.03%) was recorded for skin. Carapace regions and intestine recorded (5.35%) and (41.18%), respectively.  The intensity of parasitic infection was observed to be higher in female Macrobrachium felicinum than the male. Also, the intensity of parasitic infection was high with an increase in size.