Diversity, Prevalence, and Distribution of Quadriacanthus spp. and Macrogyrodactylus heterobranchii Infecting the Gills of Clarias anguillaris in the Boulmiougou Dam, Burkina Faso

Abstract

This study investigated the diversity, prevalence, intensity, and gill distribution of monogenean parasites infecting Clarias anguillaris from the Boulmiougou Dam in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A total of 46 specimens of C. anguillaris were collected between August and December 2024 and examined for gill monogeneans. The parasites were recovered from the gill arches, mounted in ammonium picrate-glycerine and identified using morphological criteria. Parasitological indices, including prevalence and mean intensity, were calculated, and differences in infestation were assessed according to parasite species, host sex, host size, season, and gill location. Five monogenean species were recorded: Macrogyrodactylus heterobranchii, Quadriacanthus simplex, Q. aegypticus, Q. numidus and Q. allobychowskiela. Macrogyrodactylus heterobranchii showed the highest prevalence (13.04%) and a mean intensity of 2.33 ± 0.47 parasites per infected host. The prevalence of Quadriacanthus species ranged from 6.52% to 8.70%, with low mean intensities. A significant difference in infestation intensity was observed among parasite species (H = 15.06; p = 0.0046), whereas no significant difference was detected between male and female hosts for M. heterobranchii. Host size significantly influenced infestation, with larger fish showing higher prevalence than smaller fish (χ² = 15.43; p < 0.001). Infestation levels were generally higher during the rainy season than during the dry season. Parasites were recorded on both left and right gills, with low mean intensities. Gill arches II and III showed higher infestation levels, although parasite distribution among gill arches was not statistically significant (χ² = 4.20; p = 0.98). These findings provide baseline information on gill monogeneans of C. anguillaris in the Boulmiougou Dam.