Evaluation of ecto and endo parasitic fauna of Schizothorax plagiostomus inhabitants of river Swat, Khyber PakhtunKhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Fish is consumed as a rich and cheaper source of white meat and proteins all over the world. Fish farming is the leading source of income generation throughout the world. The present research study was conducted with aims to investigate the ecto and endo parasitic fauna of S. plagiostomus (snow trout) in River Swat. A total of 96 fish samples were collected on monthly basis from July-2018 to February-2019, from upper, middle and lower reaches. Fish samples were collected with the help of cast net, hand net and fishing rods. Local fishermen and experts help were also sought out for fish collection. 61 out of 96 fishes were found infected by helminth parasites. The total prevalence and intensity of 63.54% and 2.90 was observed respectively during data analysis. Highest monthly prevalence of 83.33% was recorded during July and August, while lowest prevalence of 33.33% was noted during February. Five species of helminths parasites were detected from S. plagiostomus, of which two were trematodes (Rhabdochona shizothoracis and Rhabdochona species), one species of Monogenia (Diplozoon paraddoxum), one species of Cestodes (Nippotaenia species), and one species of Acanthocephalan (Neoechynorhynchus devdevi). Highest parasite wise prevalence, intensity and relative density of 21.87%, 4.09 and 0.895 was noted for R. schizothoracis while the lowest prevalence, intensity and relative density of 4.16%, 1.25 and 0.052 was noted for N. devdevi. Highest infection of 76.08% was observed in adults host while lowest, 40% infestation rate was observed in young fish samples. 73.68% prevalence was observed in female hosts while only 56.90% prevalence was observed in male individuals. Higher infection (83.33%) was noticed during summer season, while lowest infection (44.44%) was observed during winter season. Similarly 71.79% fishes were found infected that were collected from lower reaches of the River Swat than the fish samples collected from upper reaches (52%).</jats:p>

Effect of feeding frequency as a rearing system on biological performance, survival, body chemical composition and economic efficiency of Asian seabass Lates calcarifer (Bloch, 1790) reared under controlled environmental conditions

“…One billion people globally consume fish, which is one of the major sources of high-quality protein. ( Ahmad et al, 2020 , Khalid et al, 2020 ). Asian sea bass is considered a vital euryhaline fish with high profit and nutritional value ( Singh, 2000 , Hassan et al, 2021a ).…”

Prevalence of rhabdochoniasis in snow trout of river Swat and river Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan

“…Present study provides information regarding the prevalence of a nematode parasite, Rhabdochona spp in the population of S. plagiostomus (the snow trout) from different localities in river Swat and river Panjkora, Pakistan. The species of the genus Rhabdochona have also been reported in S. plagiostomus inhabiting rivers Panjkora and river Swat, Pakistan (Ahmad et al, 2020;Khalid et al, 2020). The natural route of this nematode transmission in snow trout remain unresolved and it may include the possible involvement of an intermediate host, Trichopteran (caddisfly) larvae of the genus Hydropsyche (H. angustipennis and H. pellucidula) as natural intermediate hosts (Moravec and Scholz, 1995) where the parasite becomes more infectious to the snow trout.…”

Length-weight relationship: eight species of Cyprinidae from river Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…River Panjkora Lower Dir is famous for its ichthyofaunal diversity among the fresh water reservoirs of the country. Recently these fish have been studied by Ahmad et al (2020), Khalid et al (2021), Khan et al (2021). In the present investigation, 724 specimens belonging to eight species of a family cyprinidae from the subjected area were studied to learn their length-weight relationships.…”