THE PARASITIC FAUNA OF ASIAN CATFISH Silurus triostegus ...kenanaonline.com/files/0087/87967/u0634u0648u0627u0646u064A … · Scyphidia arctica. 41 Apiosoma robusta. 41 Ancylodiscoides

Kurdistan Regional Government- Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research

Salahaddin University- Erbil

THE PARASITIC FAUNA OF ASIAN CATFISH

Silurus triostegus (Heckel, 1843) FROM GREATER

ZAB RIVER- KURDISTAN REGION- IRAQ

A THESIS

SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL OF SCIENCE EDUCATION COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF SALAHADDIN – ERBIL

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

OF MASTER OF SCIENCE

IN

BIOLOGY

BY

Abdulkarim Abdulaziz Abdulkarim Shwani

(B. Sc./ University of Salahaddin-Erbil/ 2001)

Supervised by

Assist. Prof. Dr. Shamall M. A. Abdullah

Rebih Al-Thany l430 Gwlan 2709 April 2009

ه الرحمن الرحيمبسم الل

[ياللق م إالـلـلعم من اـتـيـا أوتـوم]

العميمصدق اهلل

اإلسراءورة س -58-أية

DECLARATION

I certify that this thesis was prepared under my supervision at the

Department of Biology, College of Science Education, University of

Salahaddin- Erbil and hereby recommend it to be accepted in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of M. Sc. in Biology.

Signatuer:

Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Shamall M. A. Abdullah

Date: 15/ 3 / 2009

In view of the available recommendation, I forward this thesis for debate

by the examining committee.

Signatuer:

Name: Assist. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Q. Khursheed

Head of Biology Department

Date: 15/ 3 / 2009

DEDICATION

To my parents, sisters and brothers for

their encouragement, love, care and

support.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, my thanks are addressed to GOD for inspiring me with patience and

strength to fulfill the study.

Deepest gratitude with great respect is due to my supervisor Dr. Shamall M. A.

Abdullah for his continuous encouragement, endless patience, precious remarks, and

professional advice.

My gratitude and appreciation are dedicated to the Dean of the College of

Science Education and to the Head of Biology Department (Dr. Mohammad Q.

Khursheed) for their valuable advice and guidance during the stages of the study.

Special thanks are extended to Professor Dr. Ghazi S. M. Asmat from

Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong- Bangladesh for his kind

assistance during identifying the species of Trichodina.

I would like to record a word of gratitude and appreciation and thanks to Mr.

Abdullah H. Aziz, Mr. Samir J. Bilal and Mr. Karwan S. N. Al-Margan for their

help and support.

Finally, I'm grateful to whoever helped me in conducting this study.

Examination Committee Certification

We (the examination committee) certify that we have read this thesis

and as examining committee examined the student (Abdulkarim A. A.

Shwani) in its contents and what is related to it and our opinion it meets the

standing of a thesis for the Master Degree of Science in Parasitology.

Signature: Signature:

Name: Dr. Zohair Ibraheem F. Rahemo Name: Dr. Ameena S. M. Juma

Scientific grade: Professor Scientific grade: Assist. Professor

Date: / / 2009 Date: / / 2009

(Chairman) (Member)

Signature: Signature:

Name: Dr. Louis A. Saida Name: Dr. Shamall M. A. Abdullah

Scientific grade: Lecturer Scientific grade: Assist. Professor

Date: / / 2009 Date: / / 2009

(Member) (Member and Supervisor)

*****************************************************************

Approved by the Council of the College of Graduate studies

Signature:

Name: Assist. Prof. Dara M. A. Jaff

Dean of the Science Education College

Date: / / 2009

SUMMARY

The parasitic fauna of 226 specimens of Asian catfish Silurus triostegus

collected from Greater Zab river near Guwer district, southwest of Erbil city,

Kurdistan region, north of Iraq, during July 2007 to the end of June 2008.

The study revealed the existence of 22 species of parasites including: nine

species of protozoans (Myxobolus poljanski, Chilodonella cyprini,

Tetrahymena pyriformis, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina erbilensis, T.

kurdistani, T. ranae, Scyphidia arctica and Apiosoma robusta), one species of

monogenetic trematodes (Ancylodiscoides vistulensis), five species of

digenetic trematodes (Azygia robusta, Orientocreadium siluri,

Megamonostomella rashediansis, Diplostomum flexicaudum and D.

spathaceum), three species of cestodes (Proteocephalus osculatus,

Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus and Polyoncobothrium clarias), two

species of nematodes (Procamallanus viviparus and Contracaecum sp.) and

two species of crustaceans (Ergasilus mosulensis and Ergasilus sieboldi).

Two new species of protozoans were described in this study namely T.

erbilensis and T. kurdistani.

Three species of these parasites (T. ranae, Apiostoma robusta and Azygia

robusta) are recorded for the first time in Iraq. Also, three species of these

parasites (M. rashediansis, N. cheilancristrotus and P. clarias) are considered

the first record in Kurdistan region. S. triostegus was regarded as a new host

for ten of these parasites which recorded in this study in Iraq.

The present study showed high percent of infection that were with A.

vistulensis (85.30%), I. multifiliis (84.07%) and T. ranae (76.20%), while low

percent of infection were with Contracaecum sp. (0.44%), P. clarias (0.88%)

and M. poljanski (2.20%).

LIST OF TABLES

Page No. Title Table No.

20

Parasite species recorded in the study according

to their classification status. 1

23

The distribution of parasites on different sites of

Silurus triostegus from Greater Zab river

passing Guwer district.

2

38

Morphometric data of various Trichodina spp.

obtained from the skin, fins and gills of Asian

catfish, Silurus triostegus from Greater Zab

river passing Guwer district in the north of Iraq.

Measurements are given in micrometer (μm).

3

LIST OF FIGURES

Page No. Title Figure No.

13 A. Map of Iraq showing the study area.

B. Map of Greater Zab with its main branches. 1

16 The morphometric parameters of Trichodina sp. according to

Lom (1958). 2

25 Myxobolus poljanski. 3

25 Chilodonella cyprini. 4

27 Tetrahymena pyriformis. 5

27 Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. 6

30 Trichodina erbilensis. 7

33 Trichodina kurdistani. 8

36 Trichodina ranae. 9

38

Diagramatic drawings of denticles of trichodinids in relation to

Y axis: A- Trichodina erbilensis; B- Trichodina kurdistani;

and C- Trichodina ranae.

11

41 Scyphidia arctica. 11

41 Apiosoma robusta. 12

42 Ancylodiscoides vistulensis. 13

44 Azygia robusta. 14

47 Orientocreadium siluri. 15

47 Megamonostomella rashediansis. 16

49 Metacercaria of Diplostomum flexicaudum. 17

49 Metacercaria of Diplostomum spathaceum. 18

51 Proteocephalus osculatus. 19

53 Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus. 21

55 Polyoncobothrium clarias. 21

58 Procamallanus viviparus. 22

58 Contracaecum sp. 23

61 Ergasilus mosulensis. 24

61 Ergasilus sieboldi. 25

CONTENTS

Page No. Subject

1 Chapter One: Introduction.

4 Chapter Two: Literature Review.

12 Chapter Three: Materials and Methods.

12 - Description of Study Area.

12 - Collection and Examination of Fishes.

14 - Fixation, Preservation and Staining of Parasites.

18 - Photos and Measurements.

18 - Parasitic Identification.

18 - Criteria of Infection.

19 Chapter Four: Results and Discussion.

19 - Protozoa.

40 - Monogenetic Trematodes.

43 - Digenetic Trematodes.

50 - Cestoda.

56 - Nematoda.

59 - Crustacea.

62 Conclusions.

63 Recommendations.

64 References.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Species of catfish belong to Order Silurifomes, Family Siluridae. This

family includes 11 genera and about 97 species. The Genus Silurus includes 16

species of freshwater fish in Europe, Central Asia and Southwest Asia. In Iraq

there are only two species European catfish S. glanis Linnaeus, 1758 and Asian

catfish S. triostegus Heckel, 1843. They are found along the Tigris-Euphrates

basin. The Common name of these fish is jirri (Froese & Pauly, 2008).

S. triostegus is characterized by elongated body, rounded anteriorly but

compressed posteriorly, a depressed head, 2-3 pairs of barbels, the maxillary

barbels well-developed. The mouth is large and terminal or superior, teeth in

bands on the jaws and roof of the mouth, eyes small. Dorsal fin is short and

spineless, anal fin very long and united to the rounded caudal fin, pectoral fin

with a strong serrated spine and branchiostegal rays 12-15. S. triostegus differs

from S. glanis in its robust and longer teeth, distinctly and coarsely serrate

pectoral fin spine posteriorly and in the lighter colour (Coad & Holcik 2000).

Fish are an indispensable source of proteins for humans in many parts of

the world and this is especially true in most developing countries, in spite of

their importance as an object of sport fishery and pets in the case of

ornamental fish. The aquaculture industry is now the single fastest-growing

food production process in the world, this is partly because fish is also less

expensive to produce (Woo, 2006).

The economic importance of the catfish in the world is found in its use as

food, for industrial processes (such as fertilizers, fish meal, pet food, novelty

products although not specified for this species). This fish forms 8.5% of the

total catch in Iraq, and it is now a popular food even among Shi'a Muslims.

Although previously as a scaleless fish it was not eaten by them, because of

religious reasons. In addition, it was found to have potential for use as a

protein concentrate (Coad, 2008).

Development of aquaculture during the last decades has resulted in much

greater attention being paid to problems posed by parasites and their

importance for fishery leading to constraints in the productivity of

aquaculture. Besides direct losses caused by mortality, parasites may have

considerable impact on growth and behaviour of fish, their resistance to other

stressing factors, susceptibility to predation and their presence may also

reduce marketability of fish (Scholz, 1999).

Most fishes in wild or cultivated populations may be exposed to many

problems including competition, parasitism and predation (Nikolsky, 1963).

Although wild fish are commonly infected by parasites, it takes place only

under unusual circumstances that they destabilize host populations in nature.

However, when fish are confined or clustered in high densities, some parasites

can cause morbidity and mortality (Benz et al., 2001). Fortunately, the

parasites usually exist in equilibrium with their hosts as a survival strategy,

unless if it is disturbed by human interference, like pollution, which can alter

the natural distribution of parasite communities (Barson, 2004).

Parasites exert some degree of harmful influence on its host involving

competition for host nutrition, mechanical effects, chemical effects, invasion

and destruction of host cells by the parasites themselves, histological changes

and some times they may cause death (Bauer, 1961). Generally, the

pathogenesis of parasitic diseases depends upon several factors such as:

species and numbes of parasites, size of the host species and its health status,

and site of infection (Belding, 1965).

The importance of fish parasites is related directly to the importance of the

fishes that may affect. The study of fish parasites is necessary to increase the

productivity of pond farms, to improve the stocks of valuable commercial

fisheries in the natural waters and to the possibility of fish acclimatization in

new sites or localities (Shul′man, 1961). Moreover, some freshwater fish are

known as intermediate hosts carrying the infective stages of some trematodes

(Clonorchis sinensis), cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum) and nematodes

(Anisakis simplex) pathogenic to human (Roberts & Janovy, 2005).

Though the demand on the fish is recently increasing in Kurdistan region,

additionally to scarce information concerning parasitic fauna of S. triostegus

in the region, the main purpose of the current study is to identify and classify

the parasites collected from this host fish based on their morphological

features, to note the prevalence and intensity of the parasites in S. triostegus

from Greater Zab river passing Guwer district, to compare the parasite fauna

with that reported in the Iraqi literature and to report possible new host and

locality records. Despite whatever mentioned above, this research clarifies

those pathogenic agents affecting the catfish which finally paves the way to

encourage private catfish culture in our country in the near future.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

History of fish parasitology is an ancient one. In this field numerous

books and international researches have been collected. For instance Dogiel

(1961) collected different informations about ecological approach to the

parasitic diseases of fishes. Bykhovskaya-Pavlovskaya et al. (1962) published

a classification book on parasites of freshwater fishes of Soviet Union.

Amlacher (1970) published a good material on the diseases of fishes including

viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases. Kabata (1979) wrote a book

concerning Copepoda parastizing British fishes. Paperna (1980) wrote on the

diseases and parasites of African fishes. Mhaisen (1980) referred to a list of

the parasites of Iraqi freshwater fishes. Moravec (1994) wrote on nematodes

parasitizing European fishes. Jalali (1998) wrote on the parasites of Iranian

fishes. Hoffman (1998) wrote on the parasites of freshwater fishes of North

America. Hoole et al. (2001) wrote a book about diseases of carp fish and

other cyprinid fish. Woo (2006) published a book on the diseases and parasites

of fish.

Although there are many researches about fish parasites in general, but

there are few studies dealing with the parasites affecting Silurus triostegus

specially, which might be related to the limitation of its geographical

distribution and it is not favorable by people just recently. This is why, the

present review is limited to cover those internal and external parasites which

infect the genus Silurus for the last twenty years.

Scholz (1989) noticed four species of cestodes namely Triaenophorus

crassus, Eubothrium crassum, Proteocephalus osculates and Silurotaenia

siluri from S. glanis in Czechoslovakia.

Székely & Molnár (1990) recorded Ancylodiscoides vistulensis on the gill

of S. glanis in Hungary.

Soylu (1995) recorded four species of digenetic trematodes namely:

Diplostomum spathaceum, D. claratum, Bucephalus polymorphus and

Orientocreadium siluri from S. glanis in Sapanca lake in Turkey.

Jalali (1998) indicated existence of Silurodiscoides vistulensis on the gills

of S. triostegus from Karun river in Iran.

Scholz et al. (1999) study the morphology of the scolex of the tapeworm

Silurotaenia siluri, a specific parasite of European wells S. glanis.

Nie (2000) noticed three species of parasites including Silurodiscoides

spp. (Monogenea), Ergasilus anchoratus and Pseudergilus parasiluri

(Crustacea) on the gills of S. asotus from Jiangkon reservoir in Jiangxi

province, China.

Mortezaei et al. (2002) isolated Rhabdochona fortunatowi (Nematoda) in

the intestine of S. triostegus collected from three stations in Hoor-Al-Azim,

Hoor-Shadegan and Karoon river in Khouzestan province in Iran.

Galli et al. (2003) identified the monogenetic trematode Thaparocleidus

vistulensis on the gills of S. glanis from Ticino river in Italy.

Ondračková et al. (2004) recorded a monogenetic trematode

Thaparocleidus magnus on the gills of S. glanis collected from many rivers in

central Europe.

Zhang & Wang (2005) discovered a species of Dermocystidium sp. on the

skin and fins of S. meridionalis from Jialing river, Beibei, Chongqing China.

Soylu (2005) isolated Ancylodiscoides siluri, A. vistulensis (Monogenea),

Siluritaenia siluri (Cestoda), Diplostomum sp. (Trematoda), Eustrongylides

excisus (Nematoda) and Argulus foliaceus (Crustacea) from S. glanis in

Durusu (Terkos) lake in Turkey. Galli et al. (2005) obtained only one

monogenean species Taparocleidus vistulensis from S. glanis in Po river area

(Northern Italy) in Italy.

Al-Samman et al. (2006) reported one species of monogenetic trematode

(Silurodiscoides vistulensis) on the gills of S. triostegus in lake Assad in Syria.

Öktener et al. (2006) reported the ectoparasite fish louse Argulus foliaceus

from the gills of S. triostegus for the first time from Atatürk Dam lake, South-

East Anatolian Region, Turkey.

İnnal et al. (2007) reported existence of Ligula intestinalis plerocercoides

in the intestine of S. glanis from Sariyar Dam lake and Iznik lake in Turkey.

Kirjušina & Vismanis (2007) reported existence of I. multifiliis, Trichodina

sp. (Protozoa), Thaparocleidus siluri (Monogenea), Bucephalus polymorphus,

D. spathaceum, Nicolla skrjabini (Digenea), P. osculates (Cestoda),

Aganonema sp., Camallanus truncates, Eustrongylides sp., Cucullanus

heterochrous, Raphidascaris acus (Nematoda), Acanthocephalus anguillae, A.

lucii (Acanthocephala) and Ergasilus sieboldi (Crustacea) from S. glanis

collected from different location from Latvia. Nagasawa et al. (2007) isolated

the adult and the copepodid larva of crustacean Lernaea cyprinacea on the

gills of Amur catfish S. asotus collected from Ashida river and Kurose river in

Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan. Pazooki et al. (2007) examined 11 fish species

including S. glanis collected from seven different station of Aras, Zangbar and

Ghotor rivers in Iran, and recorded the monogenetic trematode Silurodiscoides

siluri on the gills of S. glanis.

Laura et al. (2008) recorded the larvae of nematode Eustrongylidos sp. in

the muscles, cavity of the body and gut of S. glanis from some natural

Romanina’s lakes. Moravec et al. (2008) identified the nematode Philometra

parasiluri from S. asotus collected from Biwa lake in Japan.

In Iraq, the first work on fish parasites was done by Herzog (1969) who

studied 16 species of fishes collected from different regions of Iraq. He

noticed six species of protozoans (Myxobolus oviformis, M. mülleri,

Myxobolus sp., Myxosoma multiplicata, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and a

Microsporidian of the family Nosematidae), one trematode (Neodiplostomum

sp.), one cestode (Diphyllobothrium sp.), one acanthocephalan

(Neoechinorhynchus rutili), one leech (Piscicola sp.), four species of

nematodes (Contracaecum sp., Goezia sp. larva, Philometra sp. and

Dujardinascaris sp.) and two species of crustaceans (Ergasilus sieboldi and

Argulus foliaceus), among them the nematode larvae Contracaecum sp. from

S. triostegus from Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

The number of studies concerning parasites of fishes in Iraq increased

slowly till it reached 22 in 1980 recording 40 species of parasites from 27

species of freshwater and marine fishes of Iraq (Mhaisen, 1980). Afterward,

the parasites of fishes received more attention from researchers and the

number of published researches reached 200 in 2006 and showed the presence

of 250 species of parasite on 54 species of different freshwater and marine

fishes of Iraq (Mhaisen, 2008).

An account on some important researches limited to the identification of

parasites of the genus Silurus in Iraq, including the following:

Shamsuddin et al. (1971) published a report on the parasites of eight

species of Iraqi freshwater fishes collected from Tigris and Euphrates rivers

and Habbaniyah and Tharthar lakes. They recorded two species of protozoans

(Ichthyophthirius sp. and Trichodina domerguei) and one species for each

cestode (Triaenophorus sp.) and nematode (Contracaecum sp.).

Habish (1977) recorded a nematode larvae Contracaecum spp. from the

mesentery and stomach surface of S. triostegus from Shatt Al-Arab in Basrah

city.

Ali et al. (1986a) recorded the monogenetic trematode Dactylogyrus

cornu on the gills of S. triostegus from Diyala river, Southeast of Baghdad.

Ali et al. (1986b) noticed the digenetic trematode Apatemon pelluidus on the

liver surface of S. triostegus collected from Diyala river, Southeast of

Baghdad. Al-Daraji (1986) studied the parasites of five species of fish from

Al-Hammar marsh in Basrah city, and recorded 11 species of parasites from S.

triostegus namely: Trypanosoma sp., Myxobolus pfeifferi, Dactylogyrus sp.,

Orientocreadium pseudobagri, Asymphylodora sp., Aspidogaster enneatis,

Bothriocephalus sp., Khawia armeniaca, Contracaecum sp., Ergasilus

mosulensis and Ergasilus sp.

Ali et al. (1987a) found Trichodina domerguei (Protozoa), Apatemon

pelluidus (Digenea) and Silurotaenia siluri (Cestoda) from S. triostegus from

Diyala river.

Abdul-Ameer (1989) studied the parasitic fauna of 12 species of fish,

collected from Tigris river at Salah Al-Dien province, and recorded one

species for each of protozoan (T. domerguei), monogenetic trematode

(Ancylodiscoides vistulensis) and nematode (Contracaecum sp.) from S.

triostegus.

Al-Daraji & Al-Salim (1990) found the sporozoan parasite Myxobolus

pfeifferi and the monogenetic trematode Dactylogyrus sp. from S. triostegus in

Al-Hammar marsh. Al-Salim & Al-Daraji (1990) described a new species of

blood flagellates namely Trypanosoma arabica in the heart of S. triostegus

from Al-Hammar marsh, north west of Basrah province.

Mhaisen et al. (1995) recorded the protozoan ciliate Trichodina

domerguei from S. triostegus collected from Tigris river at Al-Rashidia.

Al-Niaeemi (1997) noticed 16 parasites species including four species of

protozoans (Trypanosoma sp., Trichodina domerguei, Myxobolus iranicus and

M. koi), three species of monogenetic trematodes (Ancyclodiscoides

vistulensis, Paradiplozoon pavlovskii and diproa of Diplozoon sp.), two

species of digenetic trematodes (Orientocreadium siluri and

Megamonostomella rashediansis), two species of cestodes (Bothriocephalus

ospariichthydis and Proteocephalus hemispherous), one species of nematode

(Contacaecum sp.), three species of crustaceans (Argulus japonicus, A.

foliaceus and Ergasilus mosulensis) and one species of molluscan (Unio

pictorum) from S. glanis from Tigris river in Mosul city.

Rahemo & Al-Niaeemi (1998) described a new species of digenetic

trematode, Megamonostomella rashediansis isolated from the intestine of

S. glanis collected from Tigris river, passing through Mosul city.

Al-Dosary (1999) recorded two species of protozoans: Trypanosoma sp.

and Trichodina sp. from S. triostegus from Garmat Ali river in Basrah city.

Abdul-Rahman (1999) isolated 19 species of parasites which included two

species for each monogenetic trematodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans,

eight species of digenetic trematodes, one species of cestode and four species

of crustaceans from S. triostegus collected from Garmat Ali river in Basrah

city. Adday et al. (1999) added S. triostegus from Tigris river at Al-

Zaafaraniya, south of Baghdad as a new host for Myxobolus koi (Sporozoa)

and Polyonchobothrium magnum (Cestoda).

Balasem et al. (2000) recorded Ancylodiscoides siluri and

Botheriacephalus sp. from S. triostegus collected from Hemrin dam lake in

Diyala province.

Adday (2001) reported for the first time Ergasilus ogawai from the gills

of S. triostegus from Garmat Ali river in Basrah city. Balasem et al. (2001)

examined eight species of fish including S. triostegus in Diyala river and

obtained a ciliated protozoan Trichodina domerguei from the above

mentioned fish. Rahemo & Al-Niaeemi (2001) described a new species of

cestode, Proteocephalus hemispherus recovered from the intestine of S. glanis

collected from Tigris river, passing through Mosul city.

de Chambrier et al. (2003) described a new species of cestode

Postgangesia inarmata from S. glanis from Tigris river in Mosul city.

Jori (2006) made a wide study of the parasites of S. triostegus collected in

Al-Hammar marshes in Basrah city, and recorded 45 species of parasites

including Trypanosoma arabica, Trypanosoma sp., Glugea plecoglossi,

Myxobolus mesopotamiae, M. pfeifferi, Myxobolus sp., Henneguya tachysuri,

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina domerguei, T. nigra, T. prowazeki, T.

reticulata and Trichodina sp. (Protozoa), Gyrodactylus vimbi, Gyrodactylus

sp., Dactylogyrus calbasi, Paradactylogyrus bati, Hamatopweduncularia arii,

Ancylodiscoides parasiluri, Haliotrema sp., Cleidodiscus sp. and

Bychowskylla qharui (Monogenea), Proctoeces maculates, Asymphylodora

sp., Orientocreadium batrachoides, O. pseudobagri, Hemiurus sigani,

Monodhelmis philippinensis, Ascocotyle coleostoma and Clinostomum

complanatum (Digenea), Polyoncobothrium clarias (Cestoda), Contracaecum

sp., Camallanus kirandensis, Echinocephalus sp. and Rhabdochona garuai

(Nematoda), Neoechinorhynchus iraqensis (Acanthocephala), Bomolochus

sp., Ergasilus mosulensis, E. rostralis, E. pararostralis, Dermoergasilus

varicoleus, Paraergasilus inflatus, Alicaligus sp. and Lernanthropus

trifoliatus (Crustacea) and Unio pictorum (Mollusca). Rahemo & Mohammad

(2006) identified the cestode Silurotaenia siluri from the intestine of S.

triostegus from Tigris river in Mosul city.

l-S adi 7 studied the parasites of species of fish from Euphrates

river in Al-Musaib city, and recorded six species from S. triostegus namely:

Ancylodiscoides gomitus, A. vistulensis (Monogenea), Azygia lucii (Digenea),

Proteocephalus osculates (Cestoda), Contracaecum sp. (Nematoda) and Unio

pictorum (Mollusca).

Regarding researches conducted on the parasites of the genus Silurus in

Kurdistan region - Iraq, only one report is available on S. glanis. Abdullah

(2002) surveyed the parasites of 28 species of freshwater fish from Lesser Zab

and Greater Zab rivers near Erbil city. In S. glanis, he recorded three species

of protozoans (Trypanosoma sp., Trichodina domerguei and Myxobolus

sharpeyi), one species of monogenetic trematode (A. vistulensis), two species

of digenetic trematodes (D. spathaceum and Orientocreadium siluri), one

species of nematode (Spiroxys sp.) and one species of crustacean (Ergasilus

barbi).

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Description of Study Area

Greater Zab river originates from the mountains near Iranian and Turkish

borders and other springs of the mountains of Kurdistan region in north of

Iraq. The length of this river from the sink to the point of pouring into Tigris

river in Guwer distinct, southwest of Erbil city is about 392km (Fig. 1).

Geographically, it is situated between 36o-37

o north latitudes and 43

o-44

o east

longitude (Sosa, 1960).

This study was conducted in the river part that passes west part of Guwer

district. The width of the river was 70-80m, and its length was about 4-5km,

the deepest point was 10-15m. The bottom of the river was sandy and the

shores were sandy or sandy-loam and in some places loam. Its banks comprise

an attractive touring area that people visit to spend their vacation time. The

river is rich in fish fortune which meets the needs of the inhabitants living in

the district and nearby villages. In addition, people practice animal breeding

and plant agriculture around the river growing different kinds of vegetables

including tomato, cucumber, wheat…etc, and different kinds of breeding

animals like cows, sheep, goats…etc. There are projects along the river such

Capran clean water project in Capran countryside.

Collection and Examination of Fishes

A total of 226 S. triostegus were collected from Greater Zab river near

Guwer district. Fishes were collected by fishermen using cast nets, gill nets

and electrofishing twice a month during July 2007 until the end of June.

Fig. (1): A. Map of Iraq showing the study area.

B. Map of Greater Zab river with its main branches.

(Nelson, 2003).

The fishes were kept alive in a cool box with river water, and transferred

to the laboratory of parasites in the Department of Biology, College of Science

Education, University of Salahaddin, as soon as possible and were examined

within 48 hours after their capture. However, some specimens were deeply

frozen (4Co) and examined within one week (Brown et al., 1986; Nepszy,

1988). The fish was identified according to Coad (2008).

In the laboratory, fishes were externally and internally examined for

parasites. The body surface, fins and mouth cavity were examined for

ectoparasites. The gills of the fish were dissected out, placed in Petri dishes

containing tap water and examined for ectoparasites under dissecting

microscope, and the smears were prepared by slight scraping and examined.

Whole eyes were removed and the lens were dissected from each eye then

teased under stage of a 4 and 12 power dissecting microscope. The fish were

opened ventrally and the body cavity and mesenteries were examined for

parasite larvae. The gastrointestinal tract was dissected from the rectum to the

esophagus and parasites encountered were carefully detached from the

stomach and intestinal mucosa. The liver, spleen, gall bladder and kidneys of

each fish were examined for presence of parasites or cysts (Amlacher, 1970).

Fixation, Preservation and Staining of Parasites

Protozoa

For the detection of protozoa, the mucus was scraped separately from the

skin, fins and gills, onto a slide and then spread the mucus carefully with a

cover slip and examined as fresh mounts. For permanent slide preparation, the

protozoa were exposed to methanol fixative for about 15 minutes and then

washed for several minutes in alcohol containing a drop of added Iodine

solution and mounted in Canada balsam after dehydration (Amlacher, 1970).

For the study of haematozoans, blood was taken directly from the heart of

alive fishes only. Blood smears were air-dried, fixed in absolute methyl

alcohol for about 1- minutes, stained in Giemsa’s stain 1:1 dilution for 3 -

40 minutes, dried again and mounted with Canada balsam (Amlacher, 1970).

For the study of sporozoans, spores were obtained from mature cysts in

infected organs fixed with absolute methanol, stained with 10% Giemsa and

mounted with Disterene-Plasticizer-Xylene (D.P.X.). The presence of

vacuoles was identified by the use of Logul's solution (Kostoingue et al.,

2001).

Concerning trichodinids, smears from the gills, fins, and skin of host

fishes were prepared. The slides with trichodinid ciliates were impregnated

with Klein's silver impregnation technique in which slides were stained with

an aqueous solution of 2% AgNO3 for 8 minutes followed by 20 minutes

exposure to UV light to demonstrate the morphology of the adhesive disc and

were examined under Olympus Phase-contrast microscope at magnification

power of 1000X (Asmat et al. 2003).

Methods and terminology for measurements of the components of the

adhesive disc, denticle (Fig. 2) and the position of the micronucleus in relation

to the macronucleus were performed according to Lom (1958).

The level of infection was presented as low (1-5 ciliate /slide), medium

(6-10 ciliate /slide) and high (more than 10 ciliate /slide) according to Asmat

et al. (2005).

Fig. (2): The morphometric parameters of Trichodina sp. according to Lom (1958):

A. Diagnostically important features in the adhesive disc.

B. The denticle measurements.

C. Schematic drawing of denticles to illustrate the sequence and method of the description of

denticle elements.

Ab= apex of blade; abm= anterior blade margin (surface); b= blade; ba= blade apophysis; bc=

blade connection; bm= border membrane with striations; ca= centre area of adhesive disc; ccp=

central conical part; cp= central part; dad= diameter of adhesive disc; dbm= distal margin of

blade (surface); dd= diameter of denticulate ring; dpc= deepest point of the semilunar curve

relative to apex; ira= indentation in lower central part; pbm= posterior blade margin (surface); r=

ray; ra= ray apophysis; rc= ray connection; rp= radial pins; rpd= number of radial pins per

denticle; tp= tangent point.

Monogenetic Trematodes

After putting gills in a Petri dish with a very small amount of water,

monogenetic trematodes were picked up with pipette or needle and taken into

picric glycerin-gelatin, a piece of melted glycerin-gelatin was dropped onto

the worms and cover slip (Soylu & Emre, 2005).

Digenetic Trematodes

Metacercariae and adults of digenetic trematodes were removed from the

stomach, intestine and eyes of the infected fish, then fixed in 4% hot formalin

(60Co), stained with acetocarmine, dehydrated in concentration series of

ethanol, cleared in xylene and mounted in Canada balsam (Soylu, 2005).

Cestoda

Alive cestodes were recovered from the intestinal tract of the infected

fish. Specimens were washed with 5% saline solution then fixed in 4% hot

formalin and subsequently stored in 70% ethanol. They were stained with

acetocarmine, dehydrated in concentration series of ethanol, cleared in xylene

and mounted in Canada balsam (de Chambrier et al, 2003).

Nematoda

Nematodes were washed in 5% saline solution, fixed in 4% hot formalin

for two minutes, transferred to 70% ethanol for conservation, cleared in

lactophenol or glycerine solution and mounted in jelly glycerin (Moravec et

al., 2003).

Crustacea

Crustaceans samples were fixed in 70 % ethanol and cleared in

lactophenol, mounted with glycerin-gelatine to prepare permanent slides

(Soylu, 2005).

Photos and Measurements

Photos were taken with Sony Syber Shot Digital camera model 10.1

Mega pixels No. 2,8-5,4/7,9-23,7. The figures were drawn by using a Camera

Lucida (Drawing tube). Measurements of parasites were made with an

Olympus ocular micrometer.

Parasite Identification

The identification of parasites was carried out in accordance with the

methods given by Bykhovskaya-Pavlovskaya et al. (1962) and Hoffman

(1998).

Criteria of Infection

The ecological terms (prevalence and mean intensity of infection) were

used here based on the terminology of Margolis et al. (1982):

Prevalence of Infection: The percentage of number of individuals of a host

species infected with a particular parasite species / Number of hosts examined.

Mean Intensity of Infection: The mean number of individuals of a particular

parasite species per infected hosts in a sample.

Concerning Trichodina species, Mean, Range, Standard Deviation, and

Standard Error were used.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The study revealed the existence of 22 species of parasites including:

nine species of protozoans (Myxobolus poljanski, Chilodonella cyprini,

Tetrahymena pyriformis, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina erbilensis, T.

kurdistani, T. ranae, Scyphidia arctica and Apiosoma robusta), one species of

monogenetic trematode (Ancylodiscoides vistulensis), five species of digenetic

tremtodes (Azygia robusta, Orientocreadium siluri, Megamonostomella

rashediansis, Diplostomum flexicaudum and D. spathaceum), three species of

cestodes (Proteocephalus osculatus, Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus and

Polyoncobothrium clarias), two species of nematodes (Procamallanus

viviparus and Contracaecum sp.) and two species of crustaceans (Ergasilus

mosulensis and E. sieboldi). The classification status of these parasites are

shown in Table (1).

The distribution of the parasites and their location on or in the fish host

body are summarized in Table (2). Also, the prevalence and mean intensity of

infection are shown in the same table. The following is an account on

description and measurements of these parasites, especially those which

appeared here for the first time in Iraq.

Protozoa

Myxobolus poljanski Shul’man, 1962

The sporocysts of this protozoan parasite were noticed on the skin of S.

triostegus with a prevalence of 2.2% (Table 2).

Table (1): Parasitic fauna recorded on /in Asian catfish S. triostegus in relation to

their classification status according to Hoffman (1998).

Kingdom: Protista

Subkingdom: Protozoa

Phylum: Myxozoa

Class: Myxosporea

Order: Bivalvulida

Family: Myxobolidae

Myxobolus poljanski Shul΄man, 1962

Phylum: Ciliophora

Class: Ciliata

Order: Phyllopharyngia

Family: Chlamydodontidae

Chilodonella cyprini (Moroff, 1902)

Order: Holotrichia

Family: Tetrahymenidae

Tetrahymena pyriformis (Ehrenberg, 1830)

Family: Ophryoglenidae

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fauquet, 1876

Order: Peritricha

Family: Urceolariidae

Trichodina erbilensis sp. n.

Trichodina kurdistani sp. n.

Trichodina ranae da Cunha , 1950

Family: Scyphidiidae

Scyphidia arctica Zhukov, 1962

Apiosoma robusta Zhukov, 1962

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Platyhelminthes

Class: Monogenea

Order: Monopisthocotylea

Family: Dactylogyridae

Ancylodiscoides vistulensis (Siwak, 1932)

Class: Trematoda

Order: Fasciolata

Family: Azygiidae

Azygia robusta Odhner, 1911

Family: Allocreadiidae

Orientocreadium siluri (Bychovskii et Dubinina, 1954)

Order: Prosotomata

Family: Cryptogonimidae

Megamonostomella rashediansis Rahemo et Al-Naemi, 1998

Order: Strigeidida

Family: Diplostomatidae

Diplostomum flexicaudum (Rud., 1819)

Diplostomum spathaceum (Cort et Brooks, 1928)

Class: Cestoidea

Sublass: Eucestoda

Order: Proteocephalidea

Family: Proteocephalidae

Proteocephalus osculatus (Goeze, 1782)

Order: Cylophyllidea

Family: Dilepididae

Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus (Wedl, 1855)

Order: Pseudophyllidea

Family: Ptychbothriidae

Polyoncobothrium clarias Woodland, 1925

Phylum: Nemathelminthes

Class: Nematoda

Order: Spirurida

Family: Camallanidae

Procamallanus viviparus Ali, 1956

Order: Ascarididea

Family: Heterochelidae

Contracaecum sp.

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Order: Copepoda

Family: Ergasilidae

Ergasilus mosulensis Rahemo, 1982

Ergasilus sieboldi Nordmann, 1832

Table (2): The distribution of parasites on /in different sites of Asian catfish Silurus triostegus from

Greater Zab river passing Guwer district.

Site of

infection

Mean

intensity

Prevalence

(%)

No. of

infected

Fish / 226

Parasites

Protozoa

Skin 4 2.2 5 Myxobolus poljanski ***

Skin 12.4 72.5 164 Chilodonella cyprini ***

Skin 3 7.07 16 Tetrahymena pyriformis ***

Skin, Fins & Gills 10.9 84.07 190 Ichthyophthirius multifiliis

Skin, Fins & Gills 13.2 73 165 Trichodina erbilensis *

Skin, Fins & Gills 12.6 67.25 152 Trichodina kurdistani *

Skin & Fins 17.5 76.2 172 Trichodina ranae **

Skin 3.6 2.65 6 Scyphidia arctica ***

Skin 4 3.5 8 Apiosoma robusta **

Monogenea

Gills 18.1 85.3 193 Ancylodiscoides vistulensis

Digenea

Intestine 1.4 6.2 14 Azygia robusta **

Intestine 1.6 10.6 24 Orientocreadium siluri ***

Intestine 9 18.58 42 Megamonostomella rashediansis ***

Eye lens 6 5.3 12 Diplostomum flexicaudum ***

Eye lens 2.1 7.96 18 Diplostomum spathaceum

Cestoda

Intestine 23.8 74.33 168 Proteocephalus osculatus

Intestine 0.4 3.98 9 Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus ***

Intestine 2.5 0.88 2 Polyoncobothrium clarias

Nematoda

Stomach & Intestine 1.1 17.69 40 Procamallanus viviparous ***

Ovary & liver 11 0.44 1 Contracaecum sp.

Crustacea

Gills 3 13.27 30 Ergasilus mosulensis

Gills 2 7.52 17 Ergasilus sieboldi ***

* New species.

** New parasite record in Iraq.

*** New host record in Iraq.

Vegetative forms are round or oval milk-white cysts. Spores ovate with

narrow and rounded anterior pole, polar capsules pyriform. Length of spore

12-17μm, width 9-11μm and thickness 5-7μm. Length of polar capsule 5-7μm

(Fig. 3).

The present specimens of M. poljansky shows a close resemblance to

those of Abdullah (1990), who recorded it for the first time in Iraq on the gills

of Barbus grypus in Dokan lake. Later, it was reported on Barbus luteus and

Cyprinion macrostomum in Hemrin dam lake (Balasem et al., 2000). So, S.

triostegus of the present study represents a new host for this parasite in Iraq.

According to Abdullah and Mhaisen (2005) a total of 25 species of

Myxobolus were recorded in different freshwater fishes of Iraq. Among this

number, eight species were reported from S. triostegus namely: M.

cyprinicola, M. dispar, M. dogieli, M. koi, M. mesopotamiae, M. pfeifferi, M.

poljanski and Myxobolus sp. (Mhaisen, 2008).

In Kurdistan region, a total of 18 species of Myxobolus were reported in

different organs of 16 fish species in different localities (Rasheed & Hussain,

1988; Abdullah, 1998; Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2005; Bilal, 2006).

Chilodonella cyprini (Moroff, 1902)

This ciliated protozoan was found on the skin of S. triostegus with a

prevalence of 72.5% (Table 2).

The body length 42-72μm, width 20-30μm. Heart or leaf-shaped,

dorsoventrally flattened. Dorsal side is swollen, bare and has no stripes. The

ventral side completely flat, striped and partially ciliated. The anterior end of

the body has slightly larger cilia than the posterior end, lateral cilia being

absent. Internally have two contractile vacuoles and a nucleus (Fig. 4).

Fig. (3): Myxobolus poljanski.

A- Photomicrograph (1000X).

B- Camera lucida drawing.

Fig. (4): Chilodonella cyprini.



A

A

The present ciliate resembles C. cyprini, which was recorded in Iraq for

the first time by Ali et al. (1987b) from Mystus pelusius from Tigris river in

Baghdad. Also, it was reported on Cyprinus carpio in Al-Zaafaraniya fish

farm in Baghdad and Ainkawa fish hatchery in Erbil province (Sadek, 1999;

Al-Margan, 2007 respectively). So, S. triostegus is considered as a newly

recorded host for C. cyprini in Iraq.

Tetrahymena pyriformis (Ehrenberg, 1930)

This ciliated protozoan was found on the skin of S. triostegus with a


Body pyriform, sizes 19-54 x 16-33μm. Vestibulum egg-shaped, lying

along ventral axis of body, 7.8 x 3-6μm in size. Round macronucleus lies in

posterior third or center of the body, 3-9 x 5-12μm size, diameter of round

micronucleus 1.5μm Fig. 5 .

Previously, T. pyriformis was reported in Iraq on the skin of C. carpio at

Al-Zaafaranya fish farm in Baghdad and Ainkawa fish hatchery in Erbil

province (Sadek, 1999; Al-Margan, 2007 respectively). No more hosts are

known for this parasite in Iraq. So, S. triostegus is considered as a new host

for T. pyriformis in Iraq. The present parasitic protozoan shows a great

similarity to the specimens which were recorded previously in Iraq.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Fouquet, 1876

This parasite was found on the skin, fins and gills of S. triostegus with a


Body round or ovate, diameter 0.5-1mm. Entire body ciliated. Thick short

horseshoelike macronucleus lies in the middle of body (Fig. 6).

Fig. (5): Tetrahymena pyriformis.



Fig. (6): Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.



I. multifiliis has been recorded for the first time in Iraq from Mugil

dussmien (Herzog, 1969). After that, it was reported from 23 different fish

A

A

hosts including S. triostegus (Mhaisen, 2008). In Kurdistan region, it was

reported from seven different species from Darbandikhan lake, Lesser Zab and

Greater Zab rivers (Abdullah, 2005; Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2006 respectively).

I. multifiliis is world widely spread, reported from different fish species

and localities. It causes "Ich" or white spot disease". This disease is a major

problem to aquarists and commercial fish producers world wide. It is an

important disease of tropical fish, goldfish, and food fish. The disease is

highly contagious and spreads rapidly from one fish to another. It can be

particularly severe when fish are crowded. While many protozoans reproduce

by simple division, a single organism can multiply into hundreds of new

parasites. This organism is an obligate parasite which means that it can’t

survive unless alive fish are present. It is capable of causing massive mortality

within a short time, reaching 100% (Francis-Floyd & Reed, 2002).

Genus: Trichodina Ehrenberg, 1831

This genus is characterized by having circular-shape from below view,

and bell-shaped from the side view. Posterior end expanded and saucers like

to form adhesive disc or apparatus, with denticular ring which contain the

teeth. The teeth constitute corona with obvious blades (or external processes)

and rays (or internal processes). Blades are straight or curved, while rays are

rod like, in the form of spines or needles of varied length. Central conical parts

of teeth lacking anteriorly directed shoots. Adoral ciliary spiral are of varying

length. Macronucleus and Micronucleus are hardly visible (Hoffman, 1998).

Three species of this genus were recorded in this study:

Trichodina erbilensis sp. n.

This ciliated protozoan was found on the skin, fins and gills of S.

triostegus, medium to high infection, with a prevalence of 73% (Table 2).

Medium-sized and saucer-shaped trichodinid 42-48μm (44.4 ± 0.42) in

diameter. Concave adhesive disc, 35-40μm (37.5 ± 0.39) in diameter

surrounded by finely striated border membrane 3-5μm (3.9 ± 0.18) wide.

Denticulate ring 22-27μm (23.6 ± 0.31) in diameter. Centre of adhesive disc

granular, stained dark as rest of disc 13-17μm (14.8 ± 0.32) in diameter.

Central area in adult trichodinids present as a round apparent circle, while in

young trichodinids as large clear circle. Number of denticles 23-27 (24.55 ±

0.27). Number of radial pins per denticle 4-8 (5.4 ± 0.28). Dimensions of

denticle span 10-13μm (10.85 ± 0.21) and length, 4-7μm (5.4 ± 0.25). Length

of blade 4-6μm (4.6 ± 0.17), length of ray 3-4μm (4 ± 0.24), and width of

central part 2-3μm (2.62 ± 0.08) (Fig. 7) (Table 3).

The blade of denticle broad and squat, filling entire space between y+1

axis or extends beyond this line. Distal margin of blade flat or slightly curved

lying little away from border membrane. Anterior margin of blade smoothly

curves and forms rounded apex at mid-length of margin. Apical depression

indistinct. Anterior blade apophysis rarely visible. Tangent point blunt and

slightly lower than distal margin. Posterior margin curves to form deep

crescent with deepest point at same level as apex. Posterior blade apophysis

absent, inter-blade space narrow but lades remain separate and blade

connection thin. Central part of blade triangular with bluntly rounded point

extends halfway past y-1 axis and interlocked firmly in preceding

denticle. Section above and below x axis similar, indentation in lower central

part not visible. Ray connection thick. Ray is thick and slightly oriented in

Fig. (7): A-F. Photomicrographs of silver impregnated adhesive discs of Trichodina

erbilensis sp. n. Scale bar 20µm. (1000X).

A B

C

F

D

E

anterior direction with indistinct central groove, and almost parallel to y-axis.

Ray apophysis not prominent. Ray slightly broadened tapering towards

pointed end (Fig. 7).

Based on the silver impregnated adhesive disc the present species

reminds T. guliae described by Asmat et al. (2006) from the gills of Mystus

gulio near the Sadarghat area in the Karnaphuli River, Sadarghat in

Chittagong, Bangladesh. But There some differences between them on the

following basis; in T. guliae, the shape of blade is broad and falciform (vs

broad and crouch). The inter-blade space is moderate (vs narrow). The

posterior blade margin forms a deep crescent (vs curves to form a crescent or a

shallow curve form). The blade apophyses visible (vs absent). The central part

rarely extends nearly halfway past to the y-1 axis (vs extends almost to the y-1

axis). The shape of ray is mostly slender or slightly broadened (vs thick). The

ray connection is thin (vs broad). The ray apophysis is visible (vs not

observable). The inter-ray space is very large (vs huge). The tip of ray is

truncated or rounded (vs rounded). The central clear area in young present as a

round circle (vs large clear circle), and the central clear area in adult represent

as an undivided or divided, large circle (vs as a round apparent circle).

In the light of the present examination for this trichodinid protozoan and

based on the confirmation of the specialized scientific side Professor Dr.

Ghazi S. M. Asmat, Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong/

Chittagong 4331/ Bangladesh this species belonging to the Genus Trichodina

is considered a new species and given the name T. erbilensis.

Trichodina kurdistani sp. n.

This trichodinid ciliate was found on the skin, fins and gills of S.

triostegus, medium to high infection, with a prevalence of 67.25% (Table 2).

Large trichodinid 48-55μm (51.73 ± 0.56) in diameter. Concave adhesive

disc 39-44μm (41.86 ± 0.45) in diameter surrounded by finely striated border

membrane 2-4μm (9.13 ± 0.19) wide. Denticulate ring 23-28μm (25.46 ±

0.41) in diameter. Centre of adhesive disc large 12-15μm (13.46 ± 0.28) in

diameter slightly light stained when treated with silver. Number of denticles

30-35 (32.46 ± 0.39). Number of radial pins per denticle 5-9 (7 ± 0.35).

Dimensions of denticle span 12-15μm (13.26 ± 0.27) and length, 3-6μm (4.06

± 0.25). Length of blade 3-7μm (5.26 ± 0.34), length of ray 4-6μm (5 ± 0.2),

and width of central part 2-4μm (2.96 ± 0.18) (Fig. 8) (Table 3).

The blade of denticle broad, roughly rectangular filling entire space

between the y+1 axis or extends beyond this line. Distal margin of blade

slightly curved or flat, lying little away from border membrane. Anterior blade

apophysis rarely visible. Tangent point blunt and slightly lower than distal

margin. Posterior margin curves to form shallow crescent with deepest point at

same level as apex. Posterior blade apophysis absent, interblade space

moderate, sometimes very narrow, and blade connection thick. Central part of

blade robust, triangular with bluntly rounded point, never extends y-1 axis and

interlocked firmly in preceding denticle. Section above and below x axis

similar, indentation in lower central part not visible. Ray connection thin. Ray

slender, slightly curved in posterior direction or straight often with indistinct

central groove, parallel to y-axis. Ray apophysis directed upward towards

central part not prominent. Ray slightly broadened at base, gradually ends in

bluntly rounded point. Ray connection almost of equal thickness throughout,


kurdistani sp. n. Scale bar 20µm. (1000X).

A B

C

F

D

E

tapering towards a truncated point (Fig. 8).

Based on the silver impregnated adhesive disc the present species

reminds T. anabasi described by Asmat et al. (2003) from the gills of Anabas

testudineus in Beluardighi at Pahartali, Chittagong, Bangladesh. But There

some differences between them on the following basis; in T. anabasi, the

distal margin of blade is mostly falcate or angular (vs curved). The deepest

point of the semi-lunar curve formed by the posterior margin indentation lies

slightly at the same level of apex (vs above the apex of anterior margin). The

central part of denticle is stout and cylindrical having similar shapes of upper

and lower section (vs semi-triangular with sloped upper part) and the posterior

margin of the ray runs parallel to those axes (vs the anterior margin of the ray

runs parallel to the y-axes).

In the light of the present examination for this trichodinid protozoan and

based on the confirmation of the specialized scientific side Professor Dr.

Ghazi S. M. Asmat, this species belonging to the Genus Trichodina is

considered a new species and given the name T. kurdistani.

Trichodina ranae da Cunha, 1950

This ciliated parasite was found on the skin, fins and gills of S. triostegus,

medium to high infection, with a prevalence of 76.2 % (Table 2).

Medium-sized trichodinid 46-56μm (51.64 ± 0.62) in diameter. Concave

adhesive disc 33-40μm (36.92 ± 0.53) in diameter surrounded by a finely

striated border membrane 2-5μm (3.28±0.21) wide. Denticulate ring 21-26μm

(23.48 ± 0.33) in diameter. Central area of adhesive disc medium, slightly

light stained when treated with silver 10-14μm (12.36 ± 0.26) in diameter

containing whitish granules. Number of denticles 29-32 (30.56 ± 0.19)

denticles. Number of radial pins per denticle 6-9μm (7.36 ± 0.2). Span of

denticle 11-15μm (12.2 ± 0.28) and length of denticle 4-6μm (4.72 ± 0.16).

The blade of denticle sickle-shaped and curved filling almost all y+1 space

4-7μm (5.08 ± 0.23) in length, the central part of denticle slender and tubular

the preceding denticles are inter locked to each other which extends slightly

more than halfway to y-1 axis 2-5μm (3.24 ± 0.19) wide, the ray backwardly

bent 5-8μm (6.12 ± 0.22) length, slender, straight, and finger-like with

variable thickness but having no ray apophysis and central groove. The

variations in denticles are well developed (Fig. 9) (Table 3).

The description and measurements of the present specimen are similar to

those referred to by Asmat (2005), which isolated for the first time in the

urinary bladder of the Grenouille frog in Portugal by da Cunha in 1950. The

difference of the hosts in the species of Trichodina is a conceivable issue,

while Woo (2006) verify that the most trichodinid species show very little host

and organs specificity (skin, fins, gills and urinary bladder of fishes and

amphibians), while others are more host specific. Trichodinids also have a

worldwide distribution, probably via transcontinental introductions of fish.

Common species such as those are found on most families of fishes in Europe,

Asia, America and Africa. Based on the confirmation of specialized scientific

side Professor Dr. Ghazi S. M. Asmat, this specimen of Trichodina in this

study is T. ranae. Since there is no previous report about this species in Iraq,

so the present record represents the first record of T. ranae in this country.


ranae. Scale bar 20µm. (1000X).

A B

C D

E F

In addition to the three species of Trichodina mentioned above, 11 other

species of this genus were reported in the Iraqi fishes namely: T. domerguei on

eight species brought from different fish markets in Baghdad city

(Shamsuddin et al., 1971), T. nigra from the gills of Cyprinus carpio and

Hypophthalmicthys molitrix of Al-Furat fish farm in Babylon province (Al-

Zubaidy, 1998). T. cottidarum from the gills of C. carpio cultured in a man-

made lake in Al-Zawraa park in Baghdad city (Abdul-Ameer, 2004), T.

gracilis from the gills of C. carpio in Al-Shark Al-Awsat fish farm in Babylon

province (Hussain, 2005). T. mulabilis from the gills of C. carpio from Lesser

Zab river (Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2006), T. prowazeki and T. reticulata from

the gills of S. triostegus from Al-Hammar marshes in Basrah city (Jori, 2006),

T. acuta, T. heterodentata and T. nobilis from the skin, fins and gills of C.

carpio collected from Ankawa hatchery, Erbil province (Al-Marjan &

Abdullah, 2007) and T. pediculus from the skin of Mastacembelus

mastacembelus from Greater Zab river (Bashê, 2008).

Heavily infested fish with Trichodina (Trichodiniasis) may exhibit

clinical signs; greyish-blue colour, formed by excessive mucus secretion and

detached scales, frayed fins, necrosis and ulcer on different parts of body, the

excessive epithelial growth is believed to be a protective reaction, but at the

same time trichodinid feeds on it, sluggish movement, loss of appetite,

swimming just beneath the water surface or near the water surface and they

cease feeding (Hassan, 1999).

Table (3): Morphometric data of various Trichodina spp. obtained from the skin, fins

and gills of Asian catfish, Silurus triostegus from Greater Zab river passing

Guwer district in the north of Iraq. Measurements are given in micrometer

(µm).

Species

Trichodina erbilensis

sp. n. (n= 20)

Trichodina kurdistani

sp. n. (n=20)

Trichodina ranae

(n= 25)

Diameter of body 42-48 (44.4±0.42) 48-55 (51.73±0.56) 46-56 (51.64±0.62)

Diameter of adhesive disc 35-40 (37.5±0.39) 39-44 (41.86±0.45) 33-40 (36.92±0.53)

Diameter of denticulate ring 22-27 (23.6±0.31) 23-28 (25.46±0.41) 21-26 (23.48±0.33)

Diameter of central area 13-17 (14.8±0.32) 12-15 (13.46±0.28) 10-14 (12.36±0.26)

Diameter of clear area 8-12 (9.85±0.3) 8-11 (9.13±0.27) 6-10 (97.96±0.25)

Width of border membrane 3-5 (3.9±0.18) 2-4 (9.13±0.19) 2-5 (3.28±0.21)

Number of denticles 23-27 (24.55±0.27) 30-35 (32.46±0.39) 29-32 (30.56±0.19)

Number of radialpins/denticle 4-8 (5.4±0.28) 5-9 (7±0.35) 6-9 (7.36±0.2)

Span of denticle 10-13 (10.85±0.21) 12-15 (13.26±0.27) 11-15 (12.2±0.28)

Length of denticle 4-7 (5.4±0.25) 3-6 (4.06±0.25) 4-6 (4.72±0.16)

Length of ray 3-4 (3.67±0.09) 4-6 (5±0.2) 5-8 (6.12±0.22)

Diameter of blade 4-6 (4.6±0.17) 3-7 (5.26±0.34) 4-7 (5.08±0.23)

Width of central part 2-3 (2.62±0.08) 2-4 (2.96±0.18) 2-5 (3.24±0.19)

Fig. (10): Diagramatic drawings of denticles of trichodinids in relation to Y axis:

A- Trichodina erbilensis; B- T. kurdistani; and C- T. ranae.

Scyphidia arctica Zhukov, 1962

This ciliated protozoan was obtained from the skin of S. triostegus with a


Body cylindrical or nearly so, anterior end with peristome and adoral

zone of cilia arranged as usual for peritrichan infusoria. Posterior end

expanded compared to midpart, or at least not narrow. Possesses attaching

foot. Body free of cilia except for peristomal disk. Macronucleus botaliform or

ribbonlike. Length of body 31-46µm, width 25-35µm. Macronucleus 12-

16μm. Micronucleus round or ovate, 1-3µm in size, lying at base of

macronucleus in posterior part of body of infusoria (Fig. 11).

The classification was confirmed due to the coincidence of the characters

described here with those reported by Al-Nasiri (2000), who recorded it for

the first time in Iraq from Barbus luteus and Liza abu collected in a man-made

lake at Al-Amiriya region, Baghdad. No further record was reported after that.

So, S. triostegus is considered as a new host for this parasite in Iraq, and this is

first record of S. triostegus in Kurdistan region.

Apiosoma robusta Zhukov, 1962

This parasite was isolated from the skin of S. triostegus with a prevalence

of 3.5% (Table 2).

Body more or less tapering anteriorly (gobletlike). Upper margin of body

bears adoral zone, consisting of three rows of cilia more or less fused into

membrane. Beyond this body generally first narrows, then reexpands, and

finally gradually tapers to transform into narrow posterior end of body termed

foot or sole. Pellicle transveresely striated. Body free of cilia except for

peristomal disk and one transversal band at level of broad part of

macronucleus, where short cilia occur. Length of body 40-65 x 20-35μm.

Macronucleus in middle of body, round, 7-11.5 x 8.5-14μm in size.

Micronucleus lies laterally at upper or lower margin of macronucleus

(Fig. 12).

The description and measurement of the present specimen were similar to

those reported by Bykhovskaya-Pavlovskaya et al. (1962) on the gills of

Alaska blackfish in water of tundra around Lavrenti Bay. According to

Mhaisen (2008), five species of Apiosoma were known in different freshwater

fishes in Iraq namely: A. amoebae, A. cylindriformis, A. minuta, A. piscicola

and A. poteriformis. Since there is no previous report about recording of this

species in Iraq, the present record represents the first one in this country.

This ciliate is potentially harmful if it is in large number especially to gill

tissue where gas exchange may be impeded by the large numbers of parasites

physically covering the gills. It is not known to kill or damage fishes, but may

slightly reduce their productivity (Williams & Williams, 1994).

Monogenetic Trematodes

Ancylodiscoides vistulensis (Sivak, 1932)

This species was obtained from the gill of S. triostegus, with a prevalence

of 85.3% (Table 2).

Medium sized worms, length to 0.7-0.9mm, width 0.2-0.3mm. Length of

marginal hooks about 0.015-0.018mm. Ventral median hooks short and broad,

total length 0.025-0.028mm. Total length of dorsal median hooks 0.065-

0.075mm, accessorial piece 0.005-0.007 x 0.020-0.024mm. Length of ventral

connecting bar 0.002 x 0.026mm, length of dorsal connecting bar 0.005 x

0.035mm. Total length of copulatory organ 0.09-0.15mm (Fig. 13).

Fig. (11): Scyphidia arctica.



Fig. (12): Apiosoma robusta.



A

A

Fig. (13): Ancylodiscoides vistulensis.

A- Photomicrograph of the worm (100X).

B- Photomicrograph of the haptor (400X).

C- Photomicrograph of the reproductive system (400X).

D- Camera lucida drawing of the haptor.

E- Camera lucida drawing of the reproductive system.

vcb= ventral connecting bar; vmh= ventral medium hook;

ep= external process; ip= internal process; dcb= dorsal

connecting bar; dmh= dorsal medium hook;

ap= accessory piece.

The present parasite resembles A. vistulensis, recorded by Abdul-Ameer

A

B

C

(1989) for the first time in Iraq from S. triostegus from Tigris river, in all its

measurements and characters. In Kurdistan region, it was reported from S.

glanis from Lesser Zab and Greater Zab rivers (Abdullah & Mhaisen, 2004).

Digenetic Trematodes

Azygia robusta Odhner, 1911

This species was obtained from the intestine of S. triostegus with a


Medium-sized and large worms with elongated, heavily muscled body

and suckers. Oral sucker subterminal, ventral approximated to anterior end.

Intestinal trunks to end of body. Genital pore anterior to ventral sucker and

median testes in middle or hind part. Ovary anterotesticular, usually median.

Seminal reseptacle absent. Vitellaria paired, consisting of individual follicles,

in middle part of body or displaced posteriorly.

Body length 6.2-20mm, width 1.5-4.7mm. Size of oral sucker 0.9-

0.12mm, ventral sucker 0.7-0.9mm. Pharynx 0.8-1.2mm. Intestine length 8-

9.5mm. Testis 0.9-1.15mm. Ovary 0.4-0.6mm (Fig. 14).


those reported by Bykhovskaya-Pavlovskaya et al. (1962) for A. robusta

detected from foregut and the intestine of taimen huch and Amur pike from

Siberian rivers, lake Baikal and Amur River. Since no previous report about

recording of this species is available in Iraq, the present record represents the

first record of A. robusta in our country. Previously, only one species of the

genus Azygia has been recorded in Iraq, which is A. lucii in the intestine of S.

triostegus from Eupharates river in Al-Musaib city (Al-Sāadi, 2007).

Fig. (14): Azygia robusta.



A

Orientocreadium siluri (Bychovskii and Dubinina, 1954)



Small worms with highly elongated body with cuticle densely spinose,

particularly in front half. Ventral sucker relatively small, at boundary of first

and second thirds of body. Intestinal branches reach to posterior ends of body.

Genital pore at anterior margin of ventral sucker. Testes tandem or on oblique

line in second half of body. Ovary between ventral sucker and anterior testis.

Vitellaria extend from posterior margin of ventral sucker to midway between

posterior testis and body end. Body length 1.2-2.6mm, width 0.3-0.5mm. Size

of oral sucker 0.14-0.23mm, ventral sucker 0.14-0.21mm. Pharynx 0.1-

0.14mm. Egg size 0.034-0.04 x 0.018-0.022mm (Fig. 15).

The present specimens show a great similarity with the specimens of

Al-Niaeemi (1997) who reported for the first time in Iraq in the intestine of

S. glanis from Tigris river in Mosul city. No more hosts are known for this

parasite in Iraq. So, S. triostegus is considered as a new host for O. siluri in

Iraq.

In Kurdistan region, O. siluri was reported from S. glanis from Greater

Zab river (Abdullah, 2002).

Two other species of Orientocreadium were recorded from freshwater

fishes of Iraq for the first time include O. pseudobagri from Barbus sharpeyi

and S. triostegus and O. batrachoides from S. triostegus from Al-Hammar,

Basrah (Al-Daraji, 1986; Jori, 2006 respectively).

Megamonostomella rashediansis Rahemo et Al-Naemi, 1998

This digenetic trematode was isolated from the intestine of S. triostegus

with a prevalence of 18.5% (Table 2).

Small worms with ovum to elongated body. Spinose cuticle antriorly.

Oral sucker well developed. Ventral sucker very small submerged with in

parenchyma tissues or hidden in genital atrium, sometimes it may be atrophied

or absent. Cirrus pouch is oval in shape situated at the mid-line of the body,

seminal vesicle absent. The male genital system consists of two testes each is

slightly-anterior to the other. The female genital atrium consists of an ovary

which is spherical situated at the mid-line of the body, vitelline follicles are

situated at the sides of the tubular uterus filled with eggs. Uterus opened into

genital atrium, egg ovoid in shape. Body length 0.39-0.71mm, 0.24-0.39mm

width. Oral sucker 0.082-0.187mm, muscular pharynx 0.0119-0.031mm.

Cirrus pouch length 0.049-0.088mm. Length of each caecum 0.29-0.49mm.

Testis length 0.08-0.119mm. Ovary 0.035-0.078mm. Seminal receptacle 0.02-

0.05mm. Egg 0.0l6-0.024mm (Fig. 16).


those reported by Rahemo and Al-Niaeemi (1998) for M. rashediansis

detected in intestine of S. glanis in Tigris river in Mosul city. So, S. triostegus

is considered as new host for this parasite in Iraq. Based on the consulting

with the specialized scientific side Professor Dr. David I. Gibson, Editor,

Systematic Parasitolgy, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum,

London SW7 5BD, UK, it was confirmed that this parasite is M. rashediansis.

Fig. (15): Orientocreadium siluri.



Fig. (16): Megamonostomella rashediansis.



Diplostomum flexicaudum (Rud., 1819)

A

A

This metacercaria was isolated from the eye lens of S. triostegus with a


Body oval, length 0.34-0.45mm, width 0.25-0.35mm. Forebody foliate.

Oral sucker considerably larger than the ventral one, later one is deeply sunk

in to parenchyma, oral sucker 0.04-0.05mm, ventral sucker 0.35-0.04mm,

hindbody 0.05 x 0.09mm. Brandes’s organ . 6-0.1mm (Fig. 17).


those reported by Bashê (2008), who recorded D. flexicaudum for the first

time in Iraq in the eye lens of Mastacembelu mastacembelus from Greater Zab

river at Isk Kalak city. So, S. triostegus of the present study represents a new

host for this parasite in Iraq.

Diplostomum spathaceum (Cort and Brooks, 1928)

This metacercaria was isolated from the eye lens of S. triostegus with a


Body broad, leafy shaped, uncysted white color and feebly mobile. Body

length 0.4-0.63mm, width 0.19-0.21mm. Lateral suckers (Pseudosuckers)

distinct. Brandes’s organ round. Diameter of ventral sucker 0.021mm, oral

sucker 0.008mm and length of lateral sucker 0.011mm. Intestinal caeca not

branched, 0.31 x 0.1mm (Fig. 18).

The present specimens are similar to those of Abdullah (1990), who

recorded D. spathaceum for the first time in Iraq from eye lens of B. luteus, C.

macrostomum and C. carpio from Dokan lake. According to Mhaisen (2004),

a total of 26 fish host species were so far known for D. spathaceum in Iraq,

including S. triostegus from Garmat Ali river (Abdul-Rahman, 1999).

Fig. (17): Diplostomum flexicaudum.



Fig. (18): Diplostomum spathaceum.



In addition to the two species of Diplostomum mentioned above, six other

species of this genus were reported from freshwater fishes of Iraq namely:

A

D. indistinctum, D. pungiti and D. yogenum from B. esocinus from Tigris river

in Mosul city (Al-Alousi et al., 1988), D. commutatum and D. phoxini from

A. vorax and M. pelusius from Tigris river in Baghdad city (Al-Moussawi,

1997) and D. paraspathaceum from C. carpio and Ctenopharyngodon idella

in a fish farm in Al-Eskandaryia region, Babylon province (Muhammed,

2000).

Cestoda

Proteocephalus osculatus (Goeze, 1782)



Worms of moderate size. Scolex usually round, not armed with hooks,

4 lateral suckers, with tip perhaps bearing fifth ''crown" or sincipital sucker or

rudiment of one. Mature strobila attains length of 100-150mm, maximum

width of 1.5-2.5mm. Scolex 0.30-0.56mm wide, lateral suckers 0.17-0.23mm

in diameter, sincipital sucker with conspicuous radial musculature, deep,

reaching diameter of 0.10-0.14mm (unspinose). Testes oval in two layers,

measuring 0.033-0.129 x 0.013-0.083mm. Ovary bilobed, lying near posterior

margin of segment, measuring 0.05-0.33 x 0.95-1.56mm. Vitelline follicles

0.026-0.079 x 0.010-0.023mm in size, forming two laterally situated bands

(Fig. 19).

Fig. (19): Proteocephalus osculatus.

A- Photomicrograph of the scolex (100X).

B- Camera lucida drawing of the scolex.

C- Photomicrograph of mature proglottids (40X).

D- Camera lucida drawing of mature proglottids.

P. osculatus was recorded for the first time in Iraq from Aspius vorax

A

C

from Al-Tharthar lake (Al-Saadi, 1986). After that, it was reported from seven

different host fishes including S. triostegus (Mhaisen, 2008). In Kurdistan

region this parasite was recorded from S. glanis from Lesser Zab and Greater

Zab rivers (Abdullah, 2002). The present specimens show a great similarity

with the specimens of Abdullah (2002), but they are smaller in size.

Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus (Wedl, 1855)

This species was obtained from the stomach and intestine of S. triostegus


The larvae oval, measuring 0.41-0.66 x 0.17-0.32mm. Scolex separated

from posterior part of body by neck, 0.12-0.26mm wide. Scolex spherical,

rarely widely oval, measuring 0.17-0.32 x 0.20-0.32mm, with four suckers,

0.056-0.083 x 0.53-0.076mm in diameter. Rostellum, situated in terminal part

of scolex, armed with 20 hooks. Length of larger hooks 0.051-0.057mm,

length of smaller hooks 0.036-0.039mm. Posterior part of body filled with

large number of small granules (Fig. 20).


those reported by Scholz (1989) for N. cheilancristrotus detected from

stomach and the intestine of Tinca tinca, C. carpio, Carassius carassius,

Abramis ballerus and Blicca bjoerkna from Mācha lake, Sỳkorovojezero lake

and Dehtāř in Czechoslovakia. This cestode reported previously in Iraq by Ali

et al. (1987a) in the intestine of Liza abu from Diyala river. According to

Mhaisen (2008), S. triostegus is considered as a new host for the cestode in

Iraq. No previous record of N. cheilancristrotus is available in Kurdistan

region. So, the present record is considered as the first one in this region.

Fig. (20): Neogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus.

A- Photomicrograph of the scolex (120X).

B- Camera lucida drawing of the scolex.

C- Photomicrograph of the hooks (700X).

D- Camera lucida drawing of the hooks.

A

C

The first intermediate hosts of N. cheilancristrotus are copepods (e.g.,

Mesocyclops), while the second ones are fishes, mainly cyprinids. The cestode

attains maturity in the gut of fish-eating birds (final hosts), particularly Ardea

spp. (Moravec, 1984).

Polyoncobothrium clarias Woodland, 1925

Five larvae of this species were found in the intestine of S. triostegus with

a prevalence of 0.88 % (Table 2).

Scolex usually longitudinally elongated, rectangular or trapezoidal, with

terminal bluntly rounded disk armed with one row of hooks along edge.

Emarguinations present on disk and region of dorsal and ventral bothria,

lacking hooks or possessing, hooks of much smaller size than in corners of

disk. Smaller hooks also present at sides of disk. Bothria longitudinally

elongated, relatively shallow, with thick edges. Structure of genital system is

considered as family character.

Worm length 0.75-12mm. Scolex 0.2-0.5mm long, 0.07-0.15mm wide.

Apical crown of hooks diameter 0.008-0.025mm. Hooks length 0.002-

0.035mm. Neck length 0.0025-0.03mm. Length of immature proglottid 0.004-

0.015mm, width 0.007-0.01mm (Fig. 21).

This species was reported for the first time in Iraq by Jori (2006) in the

intestine of S. triostegus from Al-Hummar marshes in Basrah city. No further

reports were available on its occurrence in Iraqi fish. So, this is the first record

in Kurdistan region. Other species of the genus were reported in fish of Iraq,

P. magnus from Cyprinion macrostomum in Al-Nibaey manmade lake, north

Baghdad (Ali et al., 1988) and from Mastacembelus masatcembelus from

Greater Zab river (Bashê, 2008).

Fig. (21): Polyoncobothrium clarias.

A- Photomicrograph of the worm (100X).

B- Camera lucida drawing of the worm.

C- Photomicrograph of the scolex (280X).

D- Camera lucida drawing of the scolex.

Nematoda

Procamallanus viviparus Ali, 1956

This species was obtained from the stomach and intestine of S. triostegus


Worms of fine and elongated body including large chitinous barrel-

shaped buccal capsul, orange to yellowish in color, carrying four cervical

A

C

papillae anteriorly. The buccal capsul leads to esophagus which comprised of

two parts, the anterior one is short and musculated and the posterior part long

and granulated. The female are usually longer twice than males which may

reach to a double of the male long measuring 6-7mm in length and 0.16mm in

diameter. The female is viviparous, inside female uterus numerous small sized

larvae noticed. The buccal capsul measures 0.09 x 0.12mm. Male 3.5-4mm

and in diameter between 0.1-0.14mm the large one being 0.16mm whereas the

small one is 0.06mm. The mouth leads into a barrel-shaped buccal capsule,

measuring 0.09 x 0.06mm (Fig. 22).

P. viviparous was recorded for the first time in Iraq in the stomach of

Mystus halpensis from Tigirs river in Baghdad city (Ali et al., 1987c). Later

on, Nawab Al-Deen (1994) added Mastacembelus simach from Tigris river in

Mosul city as a new host for this parasite. In Kurdistan region, P. viviparous

was recorded from Mastacembelus mastacembelus from Greater Zab river at

Isk Kalak town (Bashê, 2008). So, S. triostegus of the present study is

considered as a new host for this nematode in Iraq.

Contracaecum sp.

Many larvae of the third stage of this species were found in the ovary and

liver of one young S. triostegus with prevalence of 0.44% (Table 2).

The larva is encapsulated with slender body, boring tooth and inter labial

present, cuticular striations observed through the whole length of the body.

Esophagus consists of a long muscular part and a short glandular ventriculus.

Intestinal caecum extending anteriorly. Larval body length 4.5-10mm, wide

0.15-0.25mm. Esophagus length 0.8-1.2mm. Intestinal caecum length 0.25-

0.35mm. Esophageal caecum length 0.35-0.45mm (Fig. 23).

Since this parasite in the larval stage and lacks the reproduction system, it

is difficult to determine the exact classification status in the level of species.

The present specimens show close resemblance to those specimens which

have been recorded by Abdullah (1990) from Barbus grypus and B. luteus

from Dokan lake, in measurements and characters.

Herzog (1969) recorded the third larval stage of Contracaecum for the

first time from six freshwater fish species in Iraq. Then, many authors reported

this parasite from different fish species and localities. According to Mhaisen

(2008), a total of 35 host fish species were so far known for Contracaecum in

Iraq including S. triostegus.

It is worth to mention that there are three species of this genus which

were reported in birds (final host) of Iraq namely: C. microcephalum,

C. multipapatum and C. spiculigerum (Al-Hadithi & Habish, 1977).

The first intermediate hosts of Contracaecum are copepods of the genera

Cyclops and Macrocyclops, while the second ones are various fishes, in which

the larvae attain their third stage, in Europe the larvae occur mainly in

cyprinids. Various species of fish-eating birds serve as definitive hosts,

particularly of the genera Ardea, Ardeola and Nycticorax (Moravec, 1984).

Fig. (22): Procamallanus viviparous.

A- Photomicrograph of the anterior end (280X).

B- Camera lucida drawing of the anterior end.

Fig. (23): Contracaecum sp.

A- Photomicrograph of the anterior end (280X).

B- Camera lucida drawing of the anterior end.

A

A

Crustacea

Ergasilus mosulensis Rahemo, 1982

This crustacean was obtained from the gills of S. triostegus with a


Long body, cephalothorax guitair shape, much longer than wide, cephalic

fusion with first thoracic segment complete. Deep indentation present between

anterior cephalosome and first thoracic pediger. Free thorax of four segments

decreasing regularly in size. Fifth segment compressed. Total length 0.7-1mm,

width 0.3-0.4mm. Egg sac length 0.7-0.9mm (Fig. 24).

The first description of E. mosulensis in Iraq was done by Fattohy (1975),

from the gills of Liza abu Tigris river in Mosul city. According to Mhaisen

(2008), a total of 12 host fish species were so far known for this copepodean

in Iraq, including S. triostegus from Al-Hammar marshes in Basrah (Jori,

2006).

In Kurdistan region, E. mosulensis was reported from the gills of Barbus

luteus and C. carpio and from Dokan lake (Abdullah, 1990).

Ergasilus sieboldi Nordmann, 1832

This parasite was found on the gill of S. triostegus with a prevalence of

7.52% (Table 2).

Body pear-shaped and Cyclops-like narrowing posteriorly. The total

length 1.3-2.7mm including egg sacs. The long hook-shaped second

antennae form fixation organs. The cephalic and thoracic segments are fused

to form a cephalothorax. The thorax has six segments. The first pairs of

swimming legs are branched and the fifth pair is rudimentary. The small

narrow abdomen has three segments (Fig. 25).

E. sieboldi was reported for the first time in Iraq from Aspius vorax

(Herzog, 1969). Afterward, it was reported from 17 different fish hosts

excluding S. triostegus (Mhaisen, 2008). So, this fish represents new host for

this parasite in Iraq.

In Kurdistan region, E. sieboldi was recorded from four species of fishes

Liza abu (Rasheed & Hussain, 1988), Acanthobrama marid (Rasheed et al.,

1989), Barbus luteus (Abdullah, 1990) and Chondrostoma regium (Bilal,

2006). The present specimens show a great similarity with the specimens of

these authors.

Other five species of the genus Ergasilus were recorded on the gills of

S. triostegus in Iraq. These included E. ogawai, E. ovatus, E. pararostralis,

E. rostralis and Ergasilus sp. (Mhaisen, 2008). Among ergasilids of Iraq,

three species were recorded in Kurdistan region namely: E. barbi, E.

mosulensis and E. sieboldi (Rasheed & Hussain, 1988; Ali, 1989; Rasheed et

al., 1989; Abdullah, 1990; Abdullah & Rasheed, 2004).

Ergasilus sp. is widespread in temperate parts of Europe and Asia. It

infests over 60 species of fish throughout Russia. The main hosts are Tinca

tinca, Esox lucius and S. glanis. Several thousand parasites may occur on the

gills of one fish. The heavily infected fish with E. sieboldi will die,

especially in summer when water temperatures are high. There is extensive

gill damage and severe haemorrhage, with inflammation and exsanguination

associated with the attachment and feeding of the parasite. Blood vessels in

the gill filaments are blocked and this leads to atrophy of gill tips (Dogiel et

al., 1961).

Fig. (24): Ergasilus mosulensis.



Fig. (25): Ergasilus sieboldi.



A

A

REFERENCES

Abdul-Ameer, K. N. (1989). Study of the parasites of freshwater fishes from

Tigris river in Salah Al-Dien province, Iraq. M. Sc. Thesis, Coll. Sci.,

Univ. Baghdad: 98pp. (In Arabic).

Abdul-Ameer, K. N. (2004). The first record of the ciliated protozoan

Trichodina cottidarum in Iraq on the gills of the common carp Cyprinus

carpio. Ibn Al-Haitham J. Pure Appl. Sci., 17(3): 1-6.

Abdullah, S. M. A. (1990). Survey of the parasites of fishes from Dokan lake.

M. Sc. Thesis, Coll. Sci., Univ. Salahaddin: 115pp. (In Arabic).

Abdullah, S. M. A. (1998). First record of five species of Myxobolus of some

fishes from Dokan lake. Zanco, Special Issue (1) 3rd

Sci. Conf.

Salahaddin Univ. Erbil: 3-4 June 1997: 14-21. (In Arabic).

Abdullah, S. M. A. (2002). Ecology, taxonomy and biology of some parasites

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الخالصت

جعج انخى Silurus triostegusي األسىيجزان سكت 226 نحىات انطفهت نـات عىجان

ل خالانعزاق -ردسخاىقهى كإيحافظت أربم، غزبجىب ، زـىـگانكبز فى يطقت شابان هزي

.2118حشزا هات شهز و 2117انفخزة انحصىرة ب شهز حىس

انحىااث يحسعت أىاع :جي انطفهاث، حض اىع 22 وجىدانحانت ج انذراست ـب

Tetrahymena pyriformis وChilodonella cyprini و poljanski Myxobolus) بخذائتإلا

ranae و T. kurdistani وTrichodina erbilensis و multifiliis Ichthyophthirius و

T.و Scyphidia arctica و (Apiosoma robusta ، حادت انشأياث أزي انخ ىعا واحذاو

(Ancylodiscoides vistulensis)، أ ـانشثائت ياث نخزاي أىاع خست و Azygia

robusta)و Orientocreadium siluri و Megamonostomella rashediansis و

flexicaudum Diplostomum و(D. spathaceum ، انشزطت انذذاي ثالثت أىاعو

Proteocephalus osculatus) وNeogryporhynchus cheilancristrotus و

(Polyonchobothrium clarias، ذا انخطتي انذ ىعو (Procamallanus viviparus

.(E. sieboldi و Ergasilus mosulensis) انقشزاثي ىعو (.Contracaecum spو

و Trichodina erbilensis ) بخذائتإلا انحىااث ي جذذا ىعا وصف حى

T. kurdistani.)

ألول يزة فى robusta Azygia وApiosoma robusta وT. ranae سجم كم ي حعذ

و M. rashediansis انطفهاث ي انخانت ىاعاأل أعخبز كذنكو .انعزاق

cheilancristrotus .N وP. clarias ي جزسكت ان ثعخبزأو .كىردسخا ف أقهى حسجم ولأ

.ف انعزاق انذراست انحانت ي انطفهاث انسجهت ف أىاع ا نعشزةجذذ ايضف األسىي

A. vistulensis خشارا ف هذ انسكت هإهاث فأكثز انط أ انحانت انذراستبـج

اارخشإاث هقم انطفا أ، ب%) T. ranae (76.21 و %I. multifiliis (84.17) و %(85.31)

M. poljanski (2.21%.)و %P. clarias (1.88) و )Contracaecum sp. (1.44%كاج

انعزاق - ردسخاىى كـهـت إقـىيـكـح

وسارة انخعهى انعانى وانبحث انعهى

ــذــالح انـت صــعـايــج / مـــربأ

المجموعة الحیوانیة المتطفلة على سمكة الجري اآلسیوي Silurus triostegus (Heckel, 1843)

العراق -قلين كوردستاىٳ-هي هر الزاب الكبير

رسانت

مقدمة إلى مجلس كلیة تربیة العلوم بجامعة صالح الدین ـ أربیل كجشء ي يخطهباث م درجت ياجسخزعهىو

ف

علوم الحياة

هي قبل

عبدالكريم عبدالعزيز عبدالكريم شوانىبكالوریوس علوم/ جامعة صالح الدین ـ أربیل/ 2001) )

شرافٳب

أ.م.د. شمال محمد امین عبد هللا

2119 نيسان 1431 الثاني ربيع 2719 طوالن

Documents

THE PARASITIC FAUNA OF ASIAN CATFISH Silurus triostegus ...kenanaonline.com/files/0087/87967/u0634u0648u0627u0646u064A … · Scyphidia arctica. 41 Apiosoma robusta. 41 Ancylodiscoides